Sen. Cindy Winckler

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 129 requires Iowa hospitals to submit specific policies to the state department by September 1, 2025. Hospitals must submit policies on nondiscrimination, reproductive health care (including abortion, miscarriage care, and family planning), and, if they provide labor services, policies on recommended safety practices for childbirth. The state department must post all submitted policies online with a public comparison tool, and hospitals must also display these policies on their own websites without login requirements. Hospitals must submit updated policies within 30 days if they make changes to any required policy.

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 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.

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 summarySF 144 creates a legal framework for Iowa municipalities (cities, counties, or townships) to establish "land redevelopment trusts." These trusts would help communities address blighted, abandoned, or dilapidated properties by providing a structured tool to rehabilitate them. The bill outlines how trusts are formed (via municipal ordinance or resolution), their governance (with a non-paid board), and their purpose: to return non-productive properties to productive use, support affordable housing, and revitalize neighborhoods. It does not mandate specific actions but enables local governments to create these trusts as needed to tackle property deterioration issues.

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.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all Iowa public school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, charter schools, and innovation zone schools to publish mental health resources from "your life Iowa" (a state program) on their websites or link to them online. Schools must also collaborate with enrolled students to develop new ways to improve awareness of these mental health resources. The law directly affects students and schools by mandating accessible online resource sharing and student involvement in awareness efforts. It does not change funding or create new services, but standardizes how schools provide mental health information.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Iowa school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, charter schools, and innovation zone schools to provide free breakfast and lunch programs to all students whose families earn at or below 300% of the federal poverty level starting July 2025, increasing to 400% for 2026-2027, and becoming universal (no income limit) beginning July 2027. It appropriates state funds to cover costs not covered by federal programs, ensuring meals meet nutrition standards. The bill directly affects all eligible schools and their students, expanding access to free meals while mandating compliance with federal and state nutrition rules. The state board of education must adopt rules to administer these provisions, effective upon enactment.