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Bill > HF26
IA HF26
IA HF26A bill for an act relating to the treatment of adoptive parent employees and making penalties applicable.(See HF 248.)
summary
Introduced
01/14/2025
01/14/2025
In Committee
01/14/2025
01/14/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
05/03/2026
05/03/2026
Introduced Session
91st General Assembly
Bill Summary
This bill requires an employer under Code chapter 91A to treat an employee who chooses to adopt a child up to six years of age in the same manner as an employee who is the biological parent of a newborn child for purposes of employment policies, benefits, and protections for the first year of the adoption. An employee shall not be entitled to disability leave without a qualifying disability under an employer’s disability policies. The bill defines “adoption” as the permanent placement in this state of a child by the department of health and human services, by a licensed agency under Code chapter 238, by an agency that meets the provisions of the interstate compact in Code section 232.158, or by a person making an independent placement according to the provisions of Code chapter 600. Code section 91A.2 defines “employer” as a person, as defined in Code chapter 4, who in this state employs for wages a natural person. The definition specifies that an employer does not include a client, patient, customer, or other person who obtains professional services from a licensed person who provides the services on a fee service basis or as an independent contractor. Code section 91A.2 defines “employee” as a natural person who is employed in this state for wages by an employer. Code section 91A.2 specifies that “employee” also includes a commission salesperson who takes orders or performs services on behalf of a principal and who is paid on the basis of commissions but does not include persons who purchase for their own account for resale. Code section 91A.2 also excludes certain persons engaged in agriculture and certain independent contractors from the definition of “employee”. Code chapter 91A is administered and enforced by the director of the department of inspections, appeals, and licensing. A violation of Code chapter 91A or the administrative rules promulgated under it is subject to a civil penalty of not more than $500 per pay period for each violation.
AI Summary
This bill requires employers to provide equal treatment to employees who adopt a child under six years old, ensuring they receive the same employment policies, benefits, and protections during the first year of adoption as biological parents of newborns receive. The bill defines "adoption" as the permanent placement of a child through state health and human services, licensed agencies, interstate compact agencies, or independent placements. Importantly, the bill specifies that employees are not automatically entitled to disability leave unless they have a qualifying disability under their employer's existing policies. The legislation aims to support adoptive parents by mandating workplace fairness and preventing discrimination based on the method of child acquisition. Violations of this provision could result in civil penalties of up to $500 per pay period for each infraction, which would be administered and enforced by the director of the department of inspections, appeals, and licensing.
Committee Categories
Government Affairs
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Withdrawn. H.J. 660. (on 03/14/2025)
Bill Topics
Labor and Employment
- ‐ Employee Benefits
Law, Crime, and Family Issues
- ‐ Family Issues
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location | Created |
|---|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/BillBook?ga=91&ba=HF26 | 01/14/2025 |
| BillText | https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/publications/LGI/91/attachments/HF26.html | 01/14/2025 |
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