91st General Assembly · Funnel one-pager · Monday, November 9, 2026

HF 26: Relating to the treatment of adoptive parent employees and making penalties applicable

Became HF 248 · Its progress continues under the new number.

What it does

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.158, or by a person making an independent placement according to the provisions of Code chapter 600.

Cost

No fiscal note

House subcommittee · named January 23, 2025

Rep. Jennifer J. Smith (R) · jennifer.smith@legis.iowa.gov
Rep. Brent Siegrist (R) · brent.siegrist@legis.iowa.gov
Rep. Dr. Megan L. Srinivas (D) · megan.srinivas@legis.iowa.gov

Lobbying · 26 for, 1 against

For: AFSCME Council 61; American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa (ACLU-IA); Episcopal Diocese of Iowa; IBEW Iowa State Conference; Iowa ACEs 360; Iowa Affiliate of the American College of Nurse-Midwives; Iowa Association for Justice; Iowa Catholic Conference; Iowa Chapter of the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners; Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence; Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition; Iowa Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO; and 14 more

Against: Susan G. Komen Foundation

In plain words

January 14, 2025Filed in the House and sent to the State Government committee
January 23, 2025House subcommittee named: Smith, Siegrist and Srinivas
January 28, 2025Subcommittee recommended passing it
February 5, 2025Approved by the House committee
February 5, 2025Committee vote: 23–0
February 6, 2025Approved by the House committee, and given a new number: HF 248
March 14, 2025Withdrawn