Labor & Employment

in committee · Iowa · House Feb 6, 2026

HSB 556: A bill for an act relating to programs and procedures of the department of workforce development and including effective date provisions.

This bill establishes a mandatory reemployment case management program for Iowa's unemployment benefits system. It requires the Department of Workforce Development to provide personalized job support services to claimants who are not currently working, starting within two weeks of filing an initial claim. The bill also clarifies eligibility requirements (like work search obligations) and updates procedures for notifying employers about benefit payments, appeals processes, and contribution rate determinations. These changes directly affect unemployed Iowans seeking benefits and employers responsible for unemployment insurance payments.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates personalized job support for unemployment claimants, strengthening workforce development and unemployment compensation services per bill's requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Unemployment Workforce Development

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Jan 27, 2026

SF 2059: A bill for an act relating to prohibitions and requirements for state entities concerning certain actions of appointed officers of the executive branch, and making penalties applicable.

This bill expands whistleblower protections to include appointed officers in Iowa's executive branch, shielding them when disclosing violations of law, mismanagement, gross abuse of funds, abuse of authority, or substantial safety risks. It also protects these officers from adverse actions if they refuse to participate in charitable donations. Violations of these provisions would be punishable as a simple misdemeanor (fines up to $855). New appointees must be informed of these rights by the relevant state entity.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands whistleblower protections for state employees against retaliation when reporting violations, directly advancing workers' rights and workplace safety standards.95% confidence

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introduced · Iowa · Legislature

5547XD: Second Injury Fund, Reimbursements (5547XD) - Attorney General

This bill increases the annual reimbursement limit for Iowa's Attorney General from the Second Injury Fund (used to help workers with additional job-related injuries) from $450,000 to $900,000. It requires the reimbursement amount to automatically adjust each year based on the Consumer Price Index, rounded to the nearest $5. The change directly affects the Attorney General's office, which represents the fund in legal matters, and the fund itself. The key provision is the doubling of the reimbursement cap with a built-in cost-of-living adjustment mechanism.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentIncreases reimbursement for AG managing Second Injury Fund, ensuring fund supports workers with job-related injuries through enhanced operational capacity.85% confidence

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in committee · Iowa · House Jan 29, 2026

HF 2212: A bill for an act establishing a state minimum hourly wage for direct care professionals.

HF 2212 establishes a new state minimum hourly wage for direct care professionals in Iowa, directly affecting workers providing personal care, independent living support, and basic health services in nursing facilities, homes, or childcare centers. The bill sets a $20.00 hourly minimum wage for these workers starting July 1, 2026, with a $19.10 minimum for those with less than 90 days of employment at the same employer. This rate supersedes the federal minimum wage when higher, applying to defined roles like home health aides, certified nurse aides, and direct support professionals. The law amends existing wage provisions to specifically address direct care workers' compensation, with enforcement under Iowa’s labor laws.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes higher minimum wage for direct care workers in healthcare settings (nursing facilities, health services), directly supporting workforce stability and quality of care in health-related professions.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill establishes $20/hour minimum wage for direct care workers, exceeding federal rate and directly increasing compensation for vulnerable workforce.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Minimum Wage

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in committee · Iowa · House Feb 18, 2026

HF 2129: A bill for an act establishing a water and wastewater operator apprenticeship and work release pilot program for inmates, and making appropriations.

HF 2129 establishes a pilot program allowing eligible inmates in Iowa to train as certified water and wastewater operators through classroom instruction, on-the-job training, and supervised work release placements. It directly affects inmates serving nonviolent sentences within 24 months of release who meet behavioral and qualification criteria, aiming to address statewide operator shortages while providing post-release employment pathways. The program requires collaboration between corrections, natural resources, workforce development, and local utilities, with $500,000 appropriated for implementation in fiscal year 2026-2027. Annual reports on participation, certification rates, employment, and recidivism must be submitted to the legislature, and the program expires January 16, 2029.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly makes appropriations for a state-funded pilot program, directly involving government spending on workforce development.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePromotes rehabilitation via job training/work release for inmates, reducing recidivism and addressing correctional system needs through employment pathways.92% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentEstablishes apprenticeship program for inmates to gain certified jobs, addressing workforce shortages and providing post-release employment pathways.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Apprenticeships Professional Licensing Workforce Development

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Jan 27, 2026

SF 2102: A bill for an act relating to health care coverage of certain public school district personnel under the state health insurance plan, providing fees, making appropriations, and including effective date provisions.

SF 2102 allows public school district employees and elected officials who are not covered by collective bargaining agreements for health insurance (defined as "nonstate public employees") to enroll in Iowa’s state health insurance plan. School districts must apply for this coverage, pay monthly premiums matching rates for state employees plus administrative fees, and deposit payments into a new trust fund. Unpaid premiums incur interest, and the state may withhold other district funds until payments are made. The bill requires annual reports on coverage costs and enrollment, effective July 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands state health insurance coverage to public school employees previously excluded from collective bargaining health plans.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands health insurance benefits for non-union public school employees, enhancing workplace benefits without restricting rights or collective bargaining.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Collective Bargaining

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in committee · Iowa · House Jan 13, 2026

HF 2006: A bill for an act relating to health care coverage of certain nonstate public employees and officials under the state health insurance plan, providing fees, making appropriations, and including effective date provisions.

HF 2006 allows employees and elected officials working for local governments (like counties, cities, school districts, or community colleges) who participate in the Iowa public employees’ retirement system to join the state’s health insurance program. These nonstate public employees would pay the same premiums as state employees, with their employers able to require workers to contribute a portion of costs (subject to union contracts). Employers must pay monthly premiums and administrative fees into a new trust fund, and failure to pay could trigger interest charges or withholding of state funds. The bill requires annual reporting to the legislature on enrollment, costs, and program impacts, effective July 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands state health insurance coverage to nonstate public employees (counties, cities, school districts) with same premiums as state employees, directly advancing healthcare access for this group.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExtends state health insurance coverage to nonstate public employees, expanding benefits without restricting rights or protections.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Collective Bargaining

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in committee · Iowa · House Jan 21, 2026

HF 2146: A bill for an act relating to leaves of absence from civil public employment for members of the military.

HF 2146 clarifies that Iowa public employees (state, county, or municipal workers) taking leave for military service (including National Guard, federal duty, or Civil Air Patrol) count each workday as one day toward their 30-day paid leave limit, regardless of the number of hours worked that day. This applies whether the military duty occurs within a single workday or spans multiple calendar days. The bill standardizes how leave days are counted under existing law, ensuring employees aren't penalized for partial workday overlaps. It specifically addresses the calculation method for the 30-day paid leave entitlement already provided by statute.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentClarifies military leave counting to prevent penalizing public employees, protecting their leave rights under labor standards.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Paid Leave Public Employees

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in committee · Iowa · House Feb 17, 2026

HSB 595: A bill for an act concerning reimbursement of the attorney general for services relating to the second injury fund for workers’ compensation.

This bill increases the annual reimbursement cap for the Iowa Attorney General's office from $450,000 to $900,000 for services related to the state's Second Injury Fund (a workers' compensation program for employees with prior work injuries). It requires the reimbursement amount to automatically adjust each year based on the Consumer Price Index (adjusted to the nearest $5), ensuring it keeps pace with inflation. The change directly affects the Attorney General's office (which receives the funds) and the Second Injury Fund (which pays the reimbursement). The Commissioner of Insurance must treat this reimbursement as a liability when determining fund funding availability.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill increases AG reimbursement cap for Second Injury Fund administration, ensuring stable funding for workers' comp claims handling, directly supporting workers' compensation system.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Workers' Compensation

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signed · Iowa · House Jun 2, 2026

HF 2254: A bill for an act relating to the prohibition of noncompete clauses in certain employment contracts entered into by the university of Iowa hospitals and clinics, and including effective date provisions.

HF 2254 prohibits the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics (UIHC) from including noncompete clauses in employment contracts with physicians. It requires the University of Iowa Board of Regents to create a policy banning these restrictions, which prevent doctors from practicing in specific areas or for set times after leaving UIHC. The rule applies to all new, extended, or renewed contracts starting when the bill takes effect. This directly affects physicians employed by UIHC, removing geographic and time-based practice restrictions upon contract termination. The bill defines "physician" as someone licensed under Iowa law and takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves noncompete clauses for UIHC physicians, improving provider mobility and patient access to care by eliminating geographic practice restrictions.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill bans noncompete clauses for UIHC physicians, protecting their right to seek employment without geographic/time restrictions, advancing workers' rights in employment contracts.90% confidence