Rep. Brooke Boden

Maddy summaryHF 458 establishes a state grant program within Iowa's Department of Justice to fund nonprofit organizations operating sexual assault forensic examination centers. Eligible nonprofits must be state-incorporated, employ sexual assault nurse examiners, maintain dedicated treatment facilities for survivors, and prioritize sexual assault care as their primary mission. The program requires grantees to provide medical forensic services to all survivors - including adults, children, rural residents, and people with disabilities - and conduct mandatory trainings for medical staff, law enforcement, prosecutors, and the public on sexual assault services and prevention. Grantees must submit annual reports on services delivered but may seek additional funding from other sources, with the contract structured as general reimbursement for operating costs.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new criminal offense for approaching or staying within 25 feet of first responders after they have issued a verbal warning not to approach. It directly affects individuals who might interfere with law enforcement officers, probation or parole officers, firefighters, or emergency medical providers performing their duties. The law prohibits approaching within the specified distance with the intent to impede the responder's work, threaten them with physical harm, or harass them. Violating this provision is classified as a serious misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in jail and a fine between $430 and $2,560. The bill defines harassment as conduct that intentionally causes substantial emotional distress without a legitimate purpose.

Maddy summaryHF 2307 creates a "provisional coaching authorization" for the Board of Educational Examiners to issue to individuals seeking coaching roles without full credentials. It requires applicants to complete background checks, CPR/defibrillator training, youth sports concussion training, and child abuse reporter training. The provisional license expires after 180 days or the end of the sport season, whichever comes first, and allows conversion to a full authorization by completing specific training, coursework, or providing prior coaching experience. This bill directly affects prospective coaches in Iowa schools and adjusts hiring priority, placing those with provisional authorizations below fully credentialed coaches in school hiring decisions.

Maddy summaryHF 2145 prohibits the Iowa governor from closing, mandating restrictions on, or regulating places of worship during any emergency, including disaster declarations or public health crises. It directly affects all religious buildings in Iowa with an active congregation, ensuring they cannot be subject to executive orders under emergency powers. The bill explicitly defines "place of worship" as a building where a congregation regularly gathers for religious practice, blocking any governor-led restrictions during emergencies. This is a procedural measure limiting executive authority, not creating new regulations.

Maddy summaryHF 2079 requires public schools and athletic organizations to accept cash (legal tender) as the only payment method for entry fees to school sports events. It directly affects public schools and extracurricular athletic organizations that sponsor competitions. The bill mandates that schools must accept cash for entry, and organizations must agree to this as a condition of registering with the state education department. This policy change eliminates the use of alternative payment methods like credit cards or checks for these specific athletic event entries. The bill focuses solely on standardizing payment types for school sports participation.

Maddy summaryHF 463 creates two specialized human trafficking prosecution units within Iowa's Department of Justice, one serving western Iowa and the other eastern Iowa (divided by Interstate 35). These units will bring together prosecutors, investigators, law enforcement, victim services, healthcare professionals, and community advocates to investigate, prosecute human trafficking cases, and support victims. The units will also provide community training and technical assistance to raise awareness. The bill directly affects victims of human trafficking and requires coordination between the Attorney General's office, public safety, and health agencies. It defines "human trafficking" using the existing legal standard from Iowa Code section 710A.1.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes Iowa's Veterans Traumatic Brain Injury Recovery Program, creating a state fund to reimburse veterans for specialized oxygen therapy (hyperbaric oxygen treatment) used to treat diagnosed traumatic brain injury or PTSD. It directly affects Iowa veterans with these conditions who receive treatment at approved facilities, ensuring they pay no costs for the therapy. The program requires veterans' service organizations to submit approved treatment plans detailing medical necessity and costs, with reimbursement coming from the new fund - financed through state appropriations and other designated sources - after health improvements are verified. The Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs administers the program, tracks participation, and reports annually on its effectiveness.

Maddy summaryHF 2218 requires Iowa school districts, charter schools, and innovation zone schools to install video recording systems in every special education classroom. The bill mandates that these systems and all recordings comply with privacy laws like FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act). School districts must fund this requirement using existing state school foundation aid, without needing new state funding. The law directly affects all public schools operating special education classrooms in Iowa.

Maddy summaryHF 2370 creates a confidential "green alert" system in Iowa for missing at-risk veterans, defined as those reported missing due to mental health crises, substance issues, or other well-being concerns. The system requires verification by a peace officer before activating a nonpublic alert shared only with specific agencies (like law enforcement, hospitals, and veteran support groups) to locate the veteran and provide voluntary assistance. It prohibits using the alert for arrests without independent probable cause, mandates 72-hour reviews, and penalizes false reports as a simple misdemeanor. The bill prioritizes de-escalation and trauma-informed responses while protecting veterans' privacy through strict data handling.

Maddy summaryHF 2306 requires Iowa school district teachers and instructional staff to read and acknowledge individualized education programs (IEPs) or Section 504 plans for students with disabilities. Specifically, teachers must read these plans and provide written notice to the special education teacher or principal, while instructional assistants must attend related meetings unless parents object. The bill modifies staff responsibilities to ensure alignment with federal disability accommodations under the Rehabilitation Act. Funding for compliance will be covered by existing state school foundation aid, eliminating the need for additional state funds.