Sen. Cindy Winckler

Maddy summarySF 185 establishes a state-run retirement savings trust for Iowa workers, automatically enrolling employees (with a 5% default contribution rate) through payroll deductions unless they opt out. It applies to workers in Iowa who are subject to state wage withholding, with employers of 5+ employees required to facilitate payroll deductions but not to contribute. The trust operates under federal guidelines, prohibits employer ownership of contributions, and includes provisions for annual account reports, confidentiality of participant data, and explicit disclaimers that the state does not guarantee returns or cover losses.

Maddy summarySF 209 requires most health insurance plans in Iowa to cap out-of-pocket costs for prescription insulin at $25 per prescription (for up to a 31-day supply). It directly affects people with diabetes who have insurance covering insulin, limiting their cost-sharing for four types: rapid-acting, short-acting, intermediate-acting, and long-acting insulin. The bill sets this $25 maximum for plans issued or renewed after January 1, 2026, while excluding certain insurance types like Medicare supplements. Insurers may lower costs below $25 but cannot exceed this cap for covered insulin drugs.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands Iowa's victim compensation fund to cover emergency contraception and health care treatment for sexual assault victims, including abortion services. It directly affects victims of sexual assault who seek these specific medical treatments. The key change amends the fund's authorized uses to explicitly include reimbursement for emergency contraception, other health care, and abortion as part of victim care. The fund, administered by the Department of Justice, will now cover these costs alongside existing provisions like medical examinations and venereal disease treatment. This is a policy change to broaden access to covered medical services for sexual assault victims.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes new water quality standards for livestock operations in Iowa by requiring permits for medium and large animal feeding operations (AFOs) under the federal pollution discharge program. It mandates specific manure management practices, storage rules, and inspections to prevent water pollution from runoff and effluent. Farms classified as "medium" or "large" AFOs (based on animal numbers and operation size) must obtain permits and comply with these standards, with penalties for noncompliance. The law directly affects larger livestock farms that could impact local water sources through manure or waste discharge.

Maddy summarySF 189 modifies Iowa's medical malpractice law to exempt claims involving sexual assault by healthcare providers from limits on noneconomic damages (like compensation for pain and suffering). It directly affects patients who experience sexual assault during medical treatment, regardless of whether the assault was disguised as medical care or the patient believed it was legitimate treatment at the time. The bill removes the standard damage cap when a provider's action is sexual in nature, ensuring victims of such misconduct can seek full compensation for non-economic harms. This change applies specifically to cases where the defendant is a healthcare provider and the alleged misconduct involves sexual conduct.

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.