Sen. Art Staed

Maddy summarySF 190 protects individuals who report sexual assault, harassment, or discrimination by making such communications legally privileged, meaning they cannot be sued for defamation without proof of malice. It creates a special legal process allowing defendants in defamation cases to quickly request dismissal of the lawsuit through an expedited motion, with courts required to rule within 60 days. The bill covers reports made in workplaces, schools, and online contexts (including cyber sexual bullying), protecting those who report incidents with a reasonable basis. It also entitles successful defendants to recover attorney fees, damages for harm caused by the lawsuit, and other remedies.

Maddy summarySF 187, titled the "Pay Transparency and Fairness Act," prohibits employers in Iowa from restricting employees' ability to discuss or share wage information, requiring waivers for such discussions, or retaliating against employees for these activities. It also bans employers from seeking salary history during hiring (except asking about desired salary) and mandates that job postings include the minimum pay rate, including overtime and tips. The bill revises wage discrimination defenses to require employers to prove pay differences are based on legitimate, job-related factors like experience - not protected characteristics - and meet strict business necessity standards. These changes apply to all employers covered under Iowa's Civil Rights Act of 1965.

Maddy summaryThis bill standardizes the handling of sexual abuse evidence collection kits in Iowa. It requires health care providers to use kits during forensic exams, notify law enforcement within 24 hours, and document transfers in a tracking system. Law enforcement must pick up kits within 3 days, store them for 50 years (or until a minor reaches adulthood), and send them to labs for DNA analysis within 7 days. Labs must complete testing within 30 days and enter results into national/state DNA databases, while mandating annual reports on kit inventory for all involved agencies. The law directly affects health care providers, law enforcement, labs, and victims by creating clear timelines and accountability for evidence preservation and analysis.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes time limits for civil lawsuits by victims of sexual abuse, human trafficking, or sexual exploitation involving minors. It specifically applies to cases against institutions like schools, therapists, or counselors where the abuse occurred during a professional relationship. The bill revives past cases dismissed due to expired time limits and ensures standard statute of limitations no longer apply to these claims. Victims can now pursue civil actions regardless of when the abuse occurred, as long as it involves a minor and the specified offenses.

Maddy summarySF 131 requires Iowa's Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Education to collaborate on expanding evidence-based home visiting services for pregnant women and infants. The bill directs them to leverage Medicaid and other funding to provide prenatal, pregnancy, and postpartum support - including mental/physical health, social, and educational services - tailored to individual needs. It also authorizes a feasibility study to explore increasing Medicaid coverage for these services and mandates a 2026 report tracking the number of people served. The legislation focuses on coordination, avoiding duplication, and meeting federal evidence-based standards.

Maddy summarySF 157 changes Iowa's unemployment benefit calculation by increasing the maximum benefit amount from 16 to 26 times an individual's weekly benefit amount during a benefit year. This directly affects unemployed Iowans who qualify for benefits, as it allows them to receive more total benefits before reaching the cap. The bill also includes a special provision: workers laid off due to an employer closing their facility get the 26x maximum benefit, even if it exceeds their wage credits. Current law limits benefits to 16x the weekly amount, but this bill expands that limit. The change applies to all eligible individuals, with the exception for business closures triggering the higher cap.

Maddy summarySF 134 requires Iowa employers to provide reasonable accommodations to employees with medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth, upon request supported by a healthcare provider's advice. These accommodations include modifications like accessible workspaces, equipment adjustments, job restructuring, or flexible schedules, but cannot impose undue hardship on the employer. Employers violating this requirement face civil penalties of up to $750, with enforcement handled by the Iowa Office of Civil Rights through inspections and interviews. The bill specifies that compliance with these standards cannot be altered through collective bargaining agreements.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Iowa's Medicaid program to cover doula care as part of maternity services for eligible recipients. It directs the Department of Health and Human Services to establish rules for doula certification, enrollment as providers, and fair reimbursement rates that support a livable income for doulas. The policy aims to improve birth outcomes, reduce stillbirths and infant deaths, and lower maternal mortality by expanding access to continuous physical, emotional, and informational support during pregnancy and childbirth. The bill applies specifically to Medicaid-covered maternity care under both fee-for-service and managed care models.

Maddy summarySF 122 modifies Iowa's state child care assistance program to automatically make children eligible if at least one parent is under 18 years old. This change overrides other standard eligibility requirements and prohibits the Department of Health and Human Services from applying waiting lists to these children. The bill directly affects minors who are parents and their children, ensuring immediate access to child care assistance without additional screening. It creates a specific eligibility pathway for this group within the existing program framework.

Maddy summarySF 99 prohibits tanning facilities in Iowa from allowing anyone under 18 years old to use tanning devices. This directly affects minors under 18 and the tanning facilities that serve them. The bill establishes enforcement by the Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing, allowing for civil penalties of up to $1,000 per violation or court-ordered injunctions to stop violations. The law aims to regulate tanning facility operations through this age restriction and penalty structure.