Sen. Claire Celsi

Maddy summarySF 531 requires Iowa nursing facilities to exclude certain non-patient-care expenses from their financial reports to the state. Specifically, facilities cannot include association dues, lobbying fees, unused retainers, employee-related fees, or most legal costs in their reports. However, facilities may include professional fees directly tied to patient care and limited legal expenses (with strict hourly rate caps based on violation severity) if they prevailed in related disputes. The bill updates reporting rules to focus on costs directly related to resident care, not administrative or advocacy activities. This change affects all nursing facilities submitting financial reports to Iowa's Department of Health and Human Services.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the monthly personal needs allowance for Medicaid residents in specific facilities from $50 to $85. It directly affects residents of nursing facilities, intermediate care facilities for intellectual disabilities or mental illness, and children's psychiatric medical institutions. The bill requires the state to supplement residents with income below $85 per month to reach the full $85 allowance, using annual appropriations from the general fund to the Department of Health and Human Services. This change provides a concrete policy adjustment to support residents' personal expenses within the Medicaid program.

Maddy summarySF 529 requires nursing facilities in Iowa to include a signed affidavit in their annual cost reports submitted to the Department of Health and Human Services. The affidavit, signed by the facility owner or chief executive officer, must state that all reported costs are accurate and that Medicaid claims were submitted in good faith. This bill directly affects nursing facilities that submit cost reports for Medicaid reimbursement. The key provision adds a verification step to ensure transparency in cost reporting, without changing Medicaid payment rules or facility requirements.

Maddy summarySF 534 focuses on improving long-term care options in Iowa by adjusting Medicaid reimbursements and funding new initiatives. It requires increased reimbursement for home health providers to cover travel time in per-visit rates and raises adult day care provider rates by 5% for fiscal year 2025-2026. The bill also mandates a study group to review state and national long-term care models (like adult family homes and "greenhouse" systems) and report by December 2025, while appropriating $2 million to expand community reintegration services and $750,000 for a statewide dementia care coordinator. These provisions directly affect home health providers, adult day care centers, nursing facilities, and Iowans seeking community-based long-term care or dementia support.

Maddy summarySF 485 requires nonpublic schools receiving tuition payments through Iowa's education savings account program to meet specific standards. These schools must follow public school board accountability rules, submit required data reports, maintain accreditation like public schools, and comply with teacher licensing requirements. The bill modifies the definition of "qualified educational expenses" to include these new requirements for participating nonpublic schools. It also removes a previous provision that prevented the state from requiring schools to adjust their educational programs to receive payments.

Maddy summarySF 438 establishes a state-funded 988 emergency service fund to support suicide and crisis lifeline services in Iowa. It allocates $3 million annually from the state general fund starting in fiscal year 2025-2026 to the fund, controlled by the Department of Health and Human Services. The fund will provide financial support to organizations operating the 988 service if federal funding for these services is interrupted, delayed, or reduced. This directly affects crisis hotline providers who rely on the 988 system (accessible by dialing 9-8-8 or texting) to maintain uninterrupted emergency mental health support.

Maddy summarySF 436 removes a $7 million annual cap on real estate transfer tax receipts that can be directed to Iowa's Housing Trust Fund (HTF). Currently, only $7 million of the 30% of these taxes designated for the HTF can be transferred yearly, with excess funds going to the general fund. The bill changes this by allowing all 30% of the receipts (without the $7 million limit) to flow directly into the HTF each year. This directly affects the HTF's funding, which supports affordable housing development and preservation for low-income Iowans and the Iowa Mortgage Help Initiative.

Maddy summarySF 440 requires individuals or entities controlling hazardous substances to pay a 10% fine on top of existing costs for hazardous conditions they cause. This fine applies when someone is already liable for cleanup or damages under current law. Money collected from the fine goes into the natural resources account, which funds state parks, wildlife habitats, forest management, water trail improvements, and conservation education programs. The bill directly affects businesses or individuals managing hazardous materials that create unsafe conditions. It creates a new financial penalty while directing revenue toward environmental conservation projects.

Maddy summarySF 439 allows Iowa cities to levy a tax of up to 27 cents per $1,000 in property value to fund public libraries, directly affecting city residents who vote on the tax. The tax requires voter approval through a petition and election process: a majority must approve it at a regular city election, and it can be removed the same way. This bill reestablishes a library funding mechanism eliminated by a prior law (HF 718), restoring the specific tax rate and voter approval requirements that existed before that change. The tax would be part of a city's general fund levy, supporting library operations and services.

Maddy summarySF 434 creates a state child care solutions fund within Iowa's treasury, controlled by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The fund uses $6 million in state appropriations (for FY 2025-2026) plus interest and private donations to provide a 2:1 state match for communities that secure private investment to increase child care worker wages. This directly affects child care providers and workers in designated geographic areas ("communities"), requiring communities to raise private funds to qualify for state matching dollars. HHS must track and report annually on how funds are used, including wages increased, workers retained or hired, and new child care slots created.