Sen. Zach Wahls

Maddy summarySF 223 appropriates $2.5 million from Iowa's general fund for the 2024-2025 fiscal year to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). This funding will be distributed proportionally to nonprofit resettlement agencies that partner with the U.S. Department of State to provide assistance to refugees in Iowa. HHS must distribute the funds within seven days of the bill's enactment to cover resettlement expenses like housing and support services. The bill is procedural, focusing solely on funding allocation without altering refugee policies or eligibility.

Maddy summarySF 230 establishes new rules for towing or impounding vehicles without the owner's consent in Iowa. It requires towing companies to post clear signs, document each tow with photos, maintain detailed records (including vehicle details and location), and notify owners and law enforcement within 24 hours. The bill limits fees for non-consensual tows (capping charges at 50% if towing stops after owner arrives), mandates itemized billing, and requires towing businesses to accept credit cards and allow vehicle recovery during business hours. It also adds specific requirements for abandoned vehicle handling in amended sections, including 20-day reclaim periods and certified mail notices. The bill directly affects towing companies, property owners, and vehicle owners whose vehicles are towed without consent.

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 133 requires free period products (tampons and pads) to be available in restrooms at no cost for specific state facilities. It applies to state buildings (excluding governor's office, legislature, and courts), health care institutions under the Department of Health and Human Services, the Iowa School for the Deaf, public and nonpublic schools, and correctional facilities. Schools will receive state reimbursement for costs, and all covered entities must provide products appropriate to health needs in designated locations. The bill defines "period products" as tampons and pads for menstrual cycle use. This policy change directly affects students, staff, patients, residents, and the public in these facilities.

Maddy summarySF 147 strengthens wage payment protections for Iowa employees by requiring employers to prove deductions are lawful and obtain written employee authorization for them. It mandates clear written notices about pay schedules, wage calculation methods, and changes affecting pay, plus detailed pay statements showing hours worked, sales, or miles earned. Employers face penalties for non-payment, including liquidated damages and attorney fees, while prohibiting retaliation against employees who file complaints or cooperate in investigations. The bill directly affects all Iowa employers and their workers by clarifying wage transparency and enforcement mechanisms.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes how Iowa school districts receive state funding for approved preschool programs. It increases the enrollment figure used for funding from 50% to 100% of actual eligible student enrollment on October 1 (the "base year"), directly affecting school districts participating in the preschool program. For districts new to the program, it also modifies the initial year funding calculation to use 60% of enrollment multiplied by the state cost per pupil. The changes apply to school budget years starting July 1, 2026.