Sen. Molly Donahue

Maddy summarySF 414 requires Iowa's Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing (DIAL) to review and approve acquisitions of housing or health care facilities by private equity firms. Private equity firms must notify DIAL 60 days before an acquisition and provide detailed information, including financial records and plans affecting facility operations. DIAL cannot approve an acquisition if it would reduce access to quality, affordable housing or health care services, and must post all pending acquisitions online for public comment. This bill directly affects private equity firms purchasing housing or health care facilities in Iowa, creating a new review process to protect public access to these essential services.

Maddy summarySF 401 removes the legal defenses of "justification" and "diminished capacity" for individuals convicted of violent crimes (as defined in Iowa Code 915.10) or assaults (as defined in 915.10 and 708.1) committed due to a victim's sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Specifically, these defenses are unavailable when the crime results from a nonviolent sexual advance or the defendant's discovery, knowledge, or potential disclosure of the victim's identity. The bill does not alter the definitions of violent crime or assault but restricts certain legal defenses in these specific circumstances. It applies directly to defendants in such cases, limiting their ability to argue these defenses in court.

Maddy summarySF 417 requires both Medicaid and most private health insurance plans to cover annual low-dose CT lung cancer screenings for at-risk individuals aged 50 or older. It defines "at-risk" as people with a history of regular smoking or secondhand smoke exposure, a family member diagnosed with lung cancer, or occupational exposure to certain carcinogens like asbestos or radon. The bill mandates that insurers cannot impose copays, deductibles, or other out-of-pocket costs for these screenings and requires Medicaid to provide coverage once a federal waiver is approved. This applies to most health insurance plans but excludes specialized coverages like accident-only or dental insurance.

Maddy summarySF 382 prohibits Iowa public schools and colleges from using mascots, team names, or logos that reference disabilities (as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act). It requires these institutions to adopt new, non-discriminatory representations by the bill's effective date, with a transition period allowing continued use of existing materials until September 1, 2027, under specific rules. The bill establishes two grant programs: one administered by the Department of Education to help K-12 schools and nonpublic institutions cover costs for changing mascots, and another by the State Board of Regents for public universities, both funded starting July 2025. These grants cover expenses like new signage, uniforms, and materials, with funding ending September 1, 2027.

Maddy summarySF 380 prohibits noncompete agreements for nurses in Iowa, directly affecting registered nurses and advanced registered nurse practitioners. It makes noncompete clauses void if a nurse earns under 150% of the minimum wage, and requires employers to prove such agreements are narrowly tailored to prevent unfair competition for higher-earning nurses. Violations entitle nurses to recover lost wages, attorney fees, and up to triple damages for willful violations, with employers facing $5,000 fines per violation. The law applies to agreements entered into on or after its effective date.

Maddy summarySF 372 amends Iowa's unemployment benefits law to expand eligibility for workers on temporary layoffs. It changes the definition of "short-term seasonal or temporary layoff" to include non-weather conditions beyond highway construction work, removing the requirement for a specific return-to-work date verified by employers. The bill also adds a new provision preventing benefit denial if workers refuse job offers due to unforeseen circumstances (like cybersecurity attacks) causing a temporary business shutdown, provided they expect to return to the same employer. This directly affects unemployed Iowans who were laid off due to seasonal work disruptions or sudden business closures but have a clear path back to their previous jobs.

Maddy summarySF 79 creates a lifetime trapping license for Iowa residents who are disabled veterans. It applies to those who served on federal active duty and were disabled during service (as defined by a service-connected rating under federal law). The Iowa Department of Natural Resources would establish a fee and application process, while the Department of Veterans Affairs would verify applicants' military service and disability status. This policy change provides a permanent hunting/fishing license exemption for eligible veterans without requiring annual renewal.

Maddy summarySF 381 restricts youth employment in Iowa for individuals under 18. It prohibits work for those under 14 entirely, limits under-16s to specific non-hazardous jobs (like retail, food service, or office work) during non-school hours, and bans dangerous occupations such as logging, meatpacking, operating heavy machinery, or working with explosives for all minors. The bill also sets strict work hour limits: no work before 7 a.m. or after 7 p.m. (extended to 9 p.m. June 1-Labor Day), max 8 hours per day, 40 hours per week, and requires 30-minute breaks for 5+ hour shifts. These provisions directly affect employers hiring minors and aim to protect young workers from hazardous conditions and excessive hours.

Maddy summarySF 353 increases income eligibility limits for Iowa's state child care assistance program (CCA) over several years. For children needing basic care, the limit rises from 160% to 200% of the federal poverty level (FPL) in phases starting July 2025. For children needing special needs care, the limit increases from 200% to 240% of FPL over the same period. The bill also requires the state to set provider reimbursement rates based on the most recent statewide survey of private pay rates, keeping payments between the 65th and 80th percentiles of what providers charge families paying privately. This directly affects low-income families seeking child care assistance and child care providers receiving state payments.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows Iowa pharmacists to order and dispense FDA-approved self-administered hormonal contraceptives (like pills or patches) directly to patients under statewide protocols. It affects pharmacists and patients seeking contraceptive care without requiring a separate doctor's prescription. Key provisions include requiring the pharmacy board to develop state protocols with health department input, mandating record-keeping, and ensuring pharmacists provide written records to patients. The bill defines "self-administered hormonal contraceptives" as FDA-approved products solely for preventing pregnancy. This changes how contraceptives are accessed, expanding pharmacist authority within defined guidelines.