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File
2712
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Introduced
HOUSE
FILE
2712
BY
COMMITTEE
ON
HEALTH
AND
HUMAN
SERVICES
(SUCCESSOR
TO
HSB
623)
A
BILL
FOR
An
Act
relating
to
early
childhood
and
family
services,
1
including
the
creation
of
an
early
childhood
and
family
2
services
system,
state
child
care
assistance
for
the
child
3
care
workforce,
making
appropriations,
and
including
4
effective
date
provisions.
5
BE
IT
ENACTED
BY
THE
GENERAL
ASSEMBLY
OF
THE
STATE
OF
IOWA:
6
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DIVISION
I
1
EARLY
CHILDHOOD
AND
FAMILY
SERVICES
SYSTEM
2
Section
1.
NEW
SECTION
.
234A.1
Definitions.
3
For
the
purposes
of
this
chapter,
unless
the
context
4
otherwise
requires:
5
1.
“Community
resources”
means
locally
focused,
6
strength-based
programs
and
supports
that
aim
to
enhance
family
7
functioning
and
resilience,
promote
child
development
and
8
safety,
and
prevent
future
involvement
with
child
protective
9
services
or
the
juvenile
justice
system.
10
2.
“Department”
means
the
department
of
health
and
human
11
services.
12
3.
“Early
childhood
and
family
services
district”
or
“ECFS
13
district”
means
a
health
and
human
services
district
utilized
14
for
the
purpose
of
administering
the
ECFS
system.
15
4.
“Early
childhood
and
family
services
district
advisory
16
council”
or
“ECFS
district
advisory
council”
means
an
advisory
17
council
established
under
section
234A.3.
18
5.
“Early
childhood
and
family
services
district
plan”
or
19
“ECFS
district
plan”
means
a
plan
developed
by
the
department
20
to
outline
the
ECFS
system
infrastructure
of
a
district
and
21
the
programs
and
services
intended
to
be
provided
within
that
22
district.
23
6.
“Early
childhood
and
family
services
state
plan”
or
“ECFS
24
state
plan”
means
the
plan
developed
by
the
department
that
25
describes
the
key
components
of
the
state’s
ECFS
system.
26
7.
“Early
childhood
and
family
services
system”
or
“ECFS
27
system”
means
the
system
established
in
section
234A.2.
28
8.
“Early
childhood
and
family
services
system
fund”
or
“ECFS
29
system
fund”
means
the
fund
created
in
section
234A.6.
30
9.
“Early
intervention
strategies”
means
services
and
31
supports
designed
to
proactively
identify
and
address
risk
32
factors
and
includes
services
that
aim
to
strengthen
families,
33
promote
healthy
development,
and
reduce
the
likelihood
of
abuse
34
or
neglect
by
providing
timely,
targeted
assistance
to
children
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and
caregivers
through
the
ECFS
system.
1
10.
“Evidence-based”
means
practices,
programs,
and
policies
2
grounded
in
the
best
available
research
and
data,
and
that
have
3
been
scientifically
tested
and
shown
to
be
effective
through
4
rigorous
evaluation.
5
11.
“Family
support
services”
include
group-based
parent
6
education
and
home
visiting
programs
designed
to
strengthen
7
protective
factors
including
parenting
skills,
increase
8
parental
knowledge
of
child
development,
and
increase
family
9
functioning
and
problem-solving
skills.
Family
support
10
services
may
be
used
as
an
early
intervention
strategy
to
11
improve
birth
outcomes,
parental
knowledge,
family
economic
12
success,
the
home
learning
environment,
family
and
child
13
involvement
with
others,
and
coordination
with
other
community
14
resources.
Family
support
services
may
have
a
specific
focus
15
on
preventing
child
maltreatment
or
ensuring
children
are
safe,
16
healthy,
and
ready
to
succeed
in
school.
17
12.
“Health
and
human
services
district”
means
the
same
as
18
defined
in
section
217.1.
19
13.
“HOPES-HFI
program”
means
the
healthy
opportunities
for
20
parents
to
experience
success
–
healthy
families
Iowa
program
21
established
in
section
234A.5.
22
14.
“Ongoing
family
and
community
resources”
means
a
23
continuum
of
sustained,
accessible,
and
family-centered
24
resources
provided
through
the
ECFS
system
that
help
families
25
meet
their
needs,
strengthen
protective
factors,
and
prevent
26
child
abuse
and
neglect.
27
15.
“Primary
prevention
strategies”
means
a
comprehensive
28
set
of
services
and
supports
provided
through
the
ECFS
system
29
that
are
designed
to
strengthen
families,
promote
healthy
child
30
development,
and
prevent
adverse
outcomes
before
they
occur.
31
These
activities
focus
on
addressing
the
underlying
social,
32
economic,
and
environmental
conditions
that
place
children
and
33
families
at
risk,
such
as
poverty,
social
isolation,
and
lack
34
of
access
to
quality
early
care
and
education.
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16.
“Protective
factor”
means
an
inherent
strength,
1
resource,
or
capacity
of
a
family,
or
a
resource
that
helps
a
2
family
thrive,
buffer
against
stress,
and
reduce
the
likelihood
3
of
child
abuse,
neglect,
or
other
poor
outcome.
4
17.
“Strength-based”
means
an
approach
that
focuses
5
on
identifying
and
building
upon
the
inherent
strengths,
6
resources,
and
capacities
of
a
family
to
support
the
family’s
7
growth,
resilience,
and
well-being.
8
Sec.
2.
NEW
SECTION
.
234A.2
Early
childhood
and
family
9
services
system
——
department
powers
and
duties.
10
1.
An
early
childhood
and
family
services
system
is
11
established
under
the
control
of
the
department
for
the
12
purposes
of
implementing
a
statewide
array
of
primary
13
prevention
strategies,
early
intervention
strategies,
and
14
ongoing
family
and
community
resources
for
families
and
their
15
children
under
nineteen
years
of
age.
16
2.
The
ECFS
system
shall
be
administered
in
a
manner
to
17
maximize
funding
opportunities,
interagency
collaboration,
and
18
integration
of
activities
and
services
that
support
positive
19
outcomes
for
children
and
families.
20
3.
The
ECFS
system
shall
support
equitable
statewide
access
21
to
all
services,
supports,
and
other
resources
offered
through
22
the
ECFS
system
that,
at
a
minimum,
shall
include
all
of
the
23
following:
24
a.
Evidence-based
primary
prevention
strategies,
including
25
family
support
services,
designed
to
assist
families
in
26
establishing
healthy,
successful
futures.
27
b.
Tailored
early
intervention
strategies
for
children
and
28
families
to
ensure
long-term
well-being,
including
economic
29
self-sufficiency.
30
c.
Ongoing
family
and
community
resources
for
children
and
31
families
to
address
the
root
causes
of
child
abuse
and
neglect
32
and
enhance
protective
factors.
33
d.
Specific
service
components
including
early
childhood
34
services,
evidence-based
family
support
services,
and
community
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resources.
1
4.
To
the
extent
funding
is
available,
the
department
2
shall
do
all
of
the
following
to
develop
and
administer
the
3
ECFS
system
and
carry
out
the
department’s
duties
under
this
4
chapter:
5
a.
Plan,
establish,
and
maintain
primary
prevention
6
strategies,
early
intervention
strategies,
and
ongoing
family
7
and
community
resources.
8
b.
(1)
Develop
an
early
childhood
and
family
services
state
9
plan
that
is
consistent
with
the
department’s
agency
strategic
10
plan
adopted
pursuant
to
section
8E.204,
and
the
state
health
11
improvement
plan
developed
under
section
217.17.
12
(2)
When
developing
the
ECFS
state
plan,
the
department
13
shall
do
all
of
the
following:
14
(a)
Collaborate
with
stakeholders
including
but
not
15
limited
to
experienced
public
health
and
medical
providers,
law
16
enforcement,
educators,
the
early
childhood
Iowa
state
board,
17
the
early
childhood
Iowa
area
boards,
and
organizations
that
18
represent
populations
including
but
not
limited
to
children
to
19
be
served
by
the
ECFS
system.
20
(b)
Publish
the
proposed
ECFS
state
plan
on
the
department’s
21
internet
site
and
allow
the
public
to
review
and
comment
on
the
22
proposed
ECFS
state
plan
prior
to
adoption.
23
c.
Administer
the
ECFS
system
in
each
ECFS
district
based
on
24
early
childhood
and
family
services
district
plans.
25
d.
Develop
ECFS
district
plans
in
collaboration
with
ECFS
26
system
partners
and
stakeholders.
27
e.
Establish
ECFS
district
advisory
councils
pursuant
to
28
section
234A.3.
29
f.
Coordinate
administration
of
each
ECFS
district
plan
with
30
federal
and
state
resources.
31
g.
Enter
into
contracts
as
necessary
to
perform
activities,
32
and
provide
services,
supports,
and
other
resources
in
33
accordance
with
each
ECFS
district
plan.
34
h.
Coordinate
district
activities
with
other
state
agencies
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and
state-funded
initiatives
that
support
positive
outcomes
for
1
children
and
families.
2
i.
Administer
and
distribute
federal
aid
received,
and
state
3
appropriations,
grants,
and
other
moneys
deposited
into
the
4
early
childhood
and
family
services
system
fund.
5
j.
Oversee,
provide
technical
assistance
to,
and
monitor
6
department
contractors
to
ensure
compliance
with
ECFS
district
7
plans.
8
k.
Establish
and
maintain
data
collection
and
management
9
information
systems
to
identify,
collect,
and
analyze
service
10
outcomes
and
performance
data
to
address
the
needs
of
clients,
11
providers,
the
department,
and
ECFS
system
programs.
12
l.
Collect,
maintain,
monitor,
analyze,
and
utilize
13
information
including
but
not
limited
to
ECFS
client
records
14
and
programmatic,
state,
and
national
data,
engage
in
studies
15
and
analyses,
and
gather
relevant
statistics
to
understand
16
emerging
needs
and
effectively
deploy
information,
resources,
17
and
technical
assistance
in
response.
18
m.
Adopt
rules
pursuant
to
chapter
17A
to
administer
this
19
chapter.
20
n.
Take
any
other
necessary
actions
to
execute
the
21
department’s
duties
under
this
chapter
or
maintain
compliance
22
with
federal
requirements.
23
5.
The
department
may
do
all
of
the
following
to
develop
and
24
administer
the
ECFS
system:
25
a.
Cooperate
with
any
state
agency,
political
subdivision,
26
or
federal
governmental
agency
to
apply
for
grants.
27
b.
Solicit
and
accept
for
use
any
gift
of
money,
by
will
or
28
otherwise,
and
any
grant
of
money
or
services
from
the
federal
29
government,
the
state,
a
political
subdivision
of
the
state
or
30
federal
government,
or
a
private
source.
31
Sec.
3.
NEW
SECTION
.
234A.3
Early
childhood
and
family
32
services
district
advisory
councils.
33
1.
The
department
shall
establish
an
early
childhood
34
and
family
services
district
advisory
council
in
each
ECFS
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district.
The
department
shall
develop
policies
and
procedures
1
for
the
operational
functions
of
each
ECFS
district
advisory
2
council.
3
2.
An
ECFS
district
advisory
council
shall
consist
of
ten
4
members
appointed
by
the
department.
Individuals
eligible
5
for
appointment
include
but
are
not
limited
to
all
of
the
6
following:
7
a.
Elected
public
officials
who
currently
hold
office
within
8
the
ECFS
district.
9
b.
Individuals
who
have
experience
or
expertise
related
10
to
health,
education,
domestic
assault
response,
or
abuse
11
response.
12
c.
Individuals
who
are
representative
of
the
populations
13
served
in
the
ECFS
district
advisory
council’s
ECFS
district.
14
d.
Individuals
who
represent
the
faith
community
or
15
community
partners
in
the
ECFS
district
advisory
council’s
ECFS
16
district.
17
3.
An
ECFS
district
advisory
council
shall
do
all
of
the
18
following:
19
a.
Identify
opportunities
and
address
challenges
based
20
on
updates
received
from
the
department
relating
to
the
21
implementation
of
the
ECFS
district
plan
for
the
ECFS
district
22
advisory
council’s
ECFS
district.
23
b.
Provide
feedback
to
the
department
while
the
department
24
is
developing
ECFS
system
policies.
25
c.
Advise
the
department
on
how
to
best
provide
families
26
access
to
primary
prevention
strategies,
early
intervention
27
strategies,
and
ongoing
family
and
community
resources
28
throughout
the
ECFS
district
advisory
council’s
ECFS
district.
29
4.
An
ECFS
district
advisory
council
shall
perform
the
30
duties
required
under
this
section
regardless
of
whether
any
31
seat
on
the
ECFS
district
advisory
council
is
vacant.
32
Sec.
4.
NEW
SECTION
.
234A.4
Data
collection
and
use.
33
1.
The
department
shall
perform
all
of
the
following
actions
34
related
to
ECFS
system
data:
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a.
(1)
Collect,
maintain,
monitor,
analyze,
and
utilize
1
data,
including
but
not
limited
to
child
welfare
data,
Medicaid
2
data,
ECFS
system
data,
and
other
data
depicting
the
status
of
3
children
and
families
in
the
state,
as
necessary
to
issue
cost
4
estimates
for
serving
populations,
make
and
receive
payments,
5
conduct
operations,
and
perform
ECFS
system
activities.
6
(2)
When
performing
duties
under
this
paragraph,
the
7
department
shall
maintain
compliance
with
applicable
federal
8
and
state
privacy
laws
to
ensure
the
confidentiality
and
9
integrity
of
individually
identifiable
data.
10
(3)
The
department
shall
periodically
assess
the
status
of
11
the
department’s
compliance
with
subparagraph
(2)
to
ensure
12
that
data
collected
and
maintained
by
the
department
under
this
13
paragraph
is
protected.
14
b.
To
the
extent
possible,
establish
a
record
for
each
15
individual
receiving
publicly
funded
ECFS
system
services.
16
Each
record
established
under
this
paragraph
shall
include
a
17
unique
client
identifier
for
the
purposes
of
identifying
and
18
tracking
the
individual’s
record.
19
c.
Consult
with
department
contractors
and
other
ECFS
system
20
stakeholders
on
an
ongoing
basis
relating
to
the
administration
21
of
the
ECFS
system,
including
but
not
limited
to
reviewing
22
trends
and
outcomes
as
indicators
for
improving
or
modifying
23
administration
of
the
ECFS
system.
24
d.
Engage
with
entities
that
maintain
information
the
25
department
is
required
to
collect
pursuant
to
this
section
to
26
integrate
data
relating
to
individuals
receiving
ECFS
system
27
services.
28
e.
Engage
with
entities
that
maintain
general
population
29
data
relating
to
the
ECFS
system
to
develop
action
plans,
30
create
projections
relating
to
a
population’s
ECFS
system
31
needs,
develop
ECFS
system
policies,
and
otherwise
perform
32
activities
as
necessary
to
support
families
in
achieving
a
33
healthy,
successful
future.
34
2.
The
department
shall
ensure
that
public
and
private
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agencies,
organizations,
and
individuals
that
operate
within
1
the
ECFS
system
use
uniform
methods
to
maintain
statistical
2
information
relating
to
ECFS
system
outcomes
and
performance.
3
Sec.
5.
NEW
SECTION
.
234A.5
Healthy
families
programs
——
4
HOPES-HFI
program.
5
1.
The
department
may
establish
the
HOPES-HFI
program
to
6
provide
services
to
families
and
children
during
a
child’s
7
prenatal
through
preschool
years.
If
established,
the
8
HOPES-HFI
program
shall
do
all
of
the
following:
9
a.
Promote
optimal
child
health
and
development.
10
b.
Improve
family
coping
skills
and
functioning.
11
c.
Promote
positive
parenting
skills
and
intrafamilial
12
interaction.
13
d.
Prevent
child
abuse,
child
neglect,
infant
mortality,
and
14
infant
morbidity.
15
2.
The
department
shall
administer
the
HOPES-HFI
program,
16
in
whole
or
in
part,
by
contracting
with
local
organizations
17
that
use
evidence-based
home
visiting
models.
18
Sec.
6.
NEW
SECTION
.
234A.6
Early
childhood
and
family
19
services
system
fund.
20
1.
An
early
childhood
and
family
services
system
fund
21
is
created
in
the
state
treasury
under
the
control
of
the
22
department
and
consisting
of
any
moneys
appropriated
to
the
23
department
for
the
ECFS
system
fund’s
purposes
by
the
general
24
assembly
and
any
other
moneys
available
and
obtained
or
25
accepted
by
the
department
for
deposit
in
the
ECFS
system
fund.
26
The
ECFS
system
fund
shall
be
used
to
implement
and
administer
27
the
ECFS
system.
28
2.
Moneys
in
the
ECFS
system
fund
are
appropriated
to
the
29
department
for
the
purposes
of
implementing
and
administering
30
the
ECFS
system.
31
3.
Notwithstanding
section
8.33,
moneys
appropriated
in
32
this
section
that
remain
unencumbered
or
unobligated
at
the
33
close
of
a
fiscal
year
shall
not
revert
but
shall
remain
34
available
for
expenditure
for
the
purposes
designated.
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4.
Notwithstanding
section
12C.7,
subsection
2,
interest
or
1
earnings
on
moneys
in
the
ECFS
system
fund
shall
be
credited
2
to
the
ECFS
system
fund.
3
Sec.
7.
REPEAL.
Section
135.106,
Code
2026,
is
repealed.
4
Sec.
8.
EFFECTIVE
DATE.
The
sections
of
this
division
of
5
this
Act
enacting
sections
234A.1
through
234A.5
take
effect
6
July
1,
2027.
7
Sec.
9.
EFFECTIVE
DATE.
The
section
of
this
division
of
8
this
Act
enacting
section
234A.6,
being
deemed
of
immediate
9
importance,
takes
effect
upon
enactment.
10
DIVISION
II
11
DECATEGORIZATION
INITIATIVE
12
Sec.
10.
Section
235.7,
subsection
2,
Code
2026,
is
amended
13
to
read
as
follows:
14
2.
Membership.
The
department
may
authorize
the
governance
15
boards
of
decategorization
of
child
welfare
and
juvenile
16
justice
funding
projects
established
under
section
232.188
to
17
appoint
the
transition
committee
membership
and
may
utilize
18
the
boundaries
of
decategorization
projects
to
establish
19
the
service
areas
for
transition
committees.
The
committee
20
A
committee’s
membership
may
include
but
is
not
limited
to
21
department
staff
involved
with
foster
care,
child
welfare,
22
and
adult
services,
juvenile
court
services
staff,
staff
23
involved
with
county
general
assistance
or
emergency
relief
24
under
chapter
251
or
252
,
school
district
and
area
education
25
agency
staff
involved
with
special
education,
and
a
child’s
26
court
appointed
special
advocate,
guardian
ad
litem,
service
27
providers,
and
other
persons
knowledgeable
about
the
child.
28
Sec.
11.
Section
237A.1,
subsection
2,
paragraph
j,
29
subparagraph
(2),
Code
2026,
is
amended
by
striking
the
30
subparagraph.
31
Sec.
12.
Section
249A.26,
subsection
5,
Code
2026,
is
32
amended
by
striking
the
subsection.
33
Sec.
13.
Section
256I.4,
subsection
6,
Code
2026,
is
amended
34
by
striking
the
subsection.
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Sec.
14.
REPEAL.
Section
232.188,
Code
2026,
is
repealed.
1
DIVISION
III
2
CHILD
ABUSE
PREVENTION
PROGRAM
3
Sec.
15.
Section
144.13A,
subsection
5,
paragraph
a,
Code
4
2026,
is
amended
to
read
as
follows:
5
a.
Ten
dollars
of
each
registration
fee
is
appropriated
and
6
shall
be
used
for
primary
and
secondary
child
abuse
prevention
7
programs
pursuant
to
section
235A.1
,
and
ten
dollars
of
each
8
registration
fee
is
appropriated
and
shall
be
used
for
the
9
congenital
and
inherited
disorders
central
registry
established
10
pursuant
to
section
136A.6
.
Notwithstanding
section
8.33
,
11
moneys
appropriated
in
this
paragraph
that
remain
unencumbered
12
or
unobligated
at
the
close
of
the
fiscal
year
shall
not
revert
13
but
shall
remain
available
for
expenditure
for
the
purposes
14
designated
until
the
close
of
the
succeeding
fiscal
year,
and
15
shall
not
be
transferred,
used,
obligated,
appropriated,
or
16
otherwise
encumbered
except
as
provided
in
this
paragraph.
17
Sec.
16.
Section
422.12K,
Code
2026,
is
amended
to
read
as
18
follows:
19
422.12K
Income
tax
checkoff
for
child
abuse
prevention
20
program
fund
.
21
1.
A
person
who
files
an
individual
or
a
joint
income
tax
22
return
with
the
department
of
revenue
under
section
422.13
may
23
designate
one
dollar
or
more
to
be
paid
to
the
child
abuse
24
prevention
program
early
childhood
and
family
services
system
25
fund
created
in
section
235A.2
234A.6,
to
be
used
for
the
26
purpose
of
child
abuse
prevention
.
If
the
refund
due
on
the
27
return
or
the
payment
remitted
with
the
return
is
insufficient
28
to
pay
the
additional
amount
designated
by
the
taxpayer
to
29
the
child
abuse
prevention
program
early
childhood
and
family
30
services
system
fund,
the
amount
designated
shall
be
reduced
to
31
the
remaining
amount
remitted
with
the
return.
The
designation
32
of
a
contribution
to
the
child
abuse
prevention
program
early
33
childhood
and
family
services
system
fund
under
this
section
34
is
irrevocable.
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2.
The
director
of
revenue
shall
draft
the
income
tax
form
1
to
allow
the
designation
of
contributions
to
the
child
abuse
2
prevention
program
early
childhood
and
family
services
system
3
fund
on
the
tax
return.
The
department
of
revenue,
on
or
4
before
January
31,
shall
transfer
the
total
amount
designated
5
on
the
tax
return
forms
due
in
the
preceding
calendar
year
to
6
the
child
abuse
prevention
program
early
childhood
and
family
7
services
system
fund.
However,
before
a
checkoff
pursuant
8
to
this
section
shall
be
permitted,
all
liabilities
on
the
9
books
of
the
department
and
accounts
identified
as
owing
under
10
section
421.65
shall
be
satisfied.
11
3.
The
department
of
health
and
human
services
may
authorize
12
payment
of
moneys
from
the
child
abuse
prevention
program
early
13
childhood
and
family
services
system
fund
for
the
purpose
14
of
child
abuse
prevention
in
accordance
with
section
235A.2
15
234A.6
.
16
4.
The
department
of
revenue
shall
adopt
rules
to
administer
17
this
section
.
18
5.
This
section
is
subject
to
repeal
under
section
422.12E
.
19
Sec.
17.
REPEAL.
Sections
235A.1,
235A.2,
and
235A.3,
Code
20
2026,
are
repealed.
21
Sec.
18.
CHILD
ABUSE
PREVENTION
PROGRAM
FUND
——
TRANSFER
22
OF
MONEYS.
Any
unencumbered
or
unobligated
moneys
remaining
23
in
the
child
abuse
prevention
program
fund
created
in
section
24
235A.2,
on
June
30,
2026,
shall
be
transferred
to
the
early
25
childhood
and
family
services
system
fund
created
in
section
26
234A.6,
as
enacted
in
this
Act.
27
Sec.
19.
EFFECTIVE
DATE.
This
division
of
this
Act,
being
28
deemed
of
immediate
importance,
takes
effect
upon
enactment.
29
DIVISION
IV
30
TRANSITION
PROVISIONS
31
Sec.
20.
EARLY
CHILDHOOD
AND
FAMILY
SERVICES
SYSTEM.
32
1.
For
purposes
of
this
division:
33
a.
The
following
mean
the
same
as
defined
in
section
234A.1
34
as
enacted
in
division
I
of
this
Act:
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(1)
“Department”.
1
(2)
“Early
intervention
strategies”.
2
(3)
“ECFS
district
plan”.
3
(4)
“ECFS
state
plan”.
4
(5)
“ECFS
system”.
5
(6)
“ECFS
system
fund”.
6
(7)
“Ongoing
family
and
community
resources”.
7
(8)
“Primary
prevention
strategies”.
8
b.
“Early
childhood
Iowa
area”,
“early
childhood
Iowa
area
9
board”,
and
“early
childhood
Iowa
area
state
board”
mean
the
10
same
as
defined
in
section
256I.1.
11
c.
“Early
childhood
Iowa
initiative”
means
the
early
12
childhood
Iowa
initiative
described
in
section
256I.2.
13
d.
“Transition
period”
means
the
period
beginning
on
the
14
date
of
enactment
of
this
division
of
this
Act
and
concluding
15
on
June
30,
2027.
16
2.
There
is
created
an
early
childhood
and
family
services
17
system
under
the
control
of
the
department.
Beginning
July
18
1,
2027,
the
department
shall
be
responsible
for
implementing
19
and
maintaining
a
statewide
system
of
primary
prevention
20
strategies,
early
intervention
strategies,
and
ongoing
family
21
and
community
resources
through
the
ECFS
system.
22
3.
During
the
transition
period,
the
department
may
23
exercise
all
policymaking
functions
and
regulatory
powers
as
24
necessary
to
establish
the
ECFS
system
as
if
the
sections
of
25
division
I
of
this
Act
enacting
sections
234A.1
through
234A.5
26
were
enacted.
27
4.
The
department
shall
perform
all
the
following
duties
by
28
the
conclusion
of
the
transition
period:
29
a.
Adopt
rules
pursuant
to
chapter
17A
as
necessary
to
30
establish,
implement,
and
administer
the
ECFS
system.
31
b.
Establish
policies
as
necessary
to
efficiently
32
establish,
implement,
and
administer
the
ECFS
system.
33
c.
Prepare
forms
necessary
to
establish,
implement,
and
34
administer
the
ECFS
system.
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d.
Prepare
an
ECFS
state
plan.
1
e.
Develop
ECFS
district
plans.
2
f.
Develop
a
plan
for
the
transition
of
early
childhood
and
3
family
services
to
the
ECFS
system.
4
g.
Execute
contracts
as
necessary
to
establish,
implement,
5
and
administer
the
ECFS
system.
6
h.
Ensure
that
individuals
currently
receiving
primary
7
prevention
strategies,
early
intervention
strategies,
services,
8
and
supports
or
ongoing
family
and
community
resources
under
9
the
purview
of
the
department,
or
home
visiting
services
10
provided
through
the
early
childhood
Iowa
initiative,
have
11
uninterrupted
continuity
of
care.
12
i.
Submit
a
report
to
the
general
assembly
no
later
13
than
January
15,
2027,
that
details
the
administrative
and
14
operational
costs
to
establish,
implement,
and
administer
the
15
ECFS
system.
16
j.
Establish
contractual
rights,
privileges,
and
17
responsibilities
as
necessary
to
establish,
implement,
and
18
administer
the
ECFS
system.
19
k.
Develop
a
plan
to
transition
oversight
and
20
accountability
for
home
visiting
services
currently
funded
by
21
the
early
childhood
Iowa
initiative
to
the
ECFS
system.
22
l.
Work
with
a
cohort
of
early
childhood
Iowa
area
directors
23
designated
by
the
association
of
early
childhood
Iowa
area
24
boards
and
advocates,
and
the
early
childhood
Iowa
state
25
board,
to
develop
a
plan
to
modernize
the
early
childhood
Iowa
26
initiative.
The
plan
shall
include
the
frequency
of
work
27
sessions,
engagement
opportunities
for
early
childhood
Iowa
28
partners,
and
mutually
agreed
upon
deliverables
including
29
revisions
to
chapter
256I.
30
5.
If
the
department
determines
that
a
federal
waiver
31
or
authorization
is
necessary
to
administer
any
provision
of
32
this
division
of
this
Act,
or
to
effectuate
the
ECFS
system
33
by
the
conclusion
of
the
transition
period,
the
department
34
shall
timely
request
the
federal
waiver
or
authorization.
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Notwithstanding
any
other
effective
date
to
the
contrary,
a
1
provision
of
this
division
of
this
Act
that
the
department
2
determines
requires
a
federal
waiver
or
authorization
shall
be
3
effective
only
upon
receipt
of
federal
approval
for
the
waiver
4
or
authorization.
5
6.
a.
All
debts,
claims,
or
other
liabilities
owed
to
6
an
early
childhood
Iowa
area
or
an
early
childhood
Iowa
area
7
board
due
to
home
visiting
services
rendered
pursuant
to
8
chapter
256I,
Code
2026,
at
the
conclusion
of
the
transition
9
period
shall
remain
due
and
owing
after
the
transition
period
10
concludes.
11
b.
After
the
transition
period
concludes,
all
fiscal
agents
12
contracted
with
an
early
childhood
Iowa
area
board
shall
13
collect
outstanding
debts,
claims,
or
other
liabilities
owed
14
to
an
early
childhood
Iowa
area
or
an
early
childhood
Iowa
15
area
board
for
home
visiting
services
pursuant
to
chapter
256I
16
provided
or
rendered
before
the
transition
period
concluded.
17
7.
With
input
from
appropriate
stakeholders,
the
department
18
shall
identify
each
home
visiting
services
contract
that
will
19
be
impacted
by
divisions
I
through
V
of
this
Act.
On
or
before
20
June
30,
2027,
each
party
to
a
contract
identified
by
the
21
department
under
this
subsection
shall
exercise
the
option,
if
22
permitted
under
the
terms
of
the
contract,
to
terminate
the
23
contract.
Contracts
identified
under
this
subsection
that
do
24
not
provide
for
termination
shall
not
be
renewed
or
extended
at
25
the
end
of
the
current
contract
term.
26
8.
Unless
otherwise
provided
in
this
division
of
this
Act,
27
an
early
childhood
Iowa
area,
an
early
childhood
Iowa
area
28
board,
an
early
childhood
Iowa
area
director,
or
any
agent
29
of
an
early
childhood
Iowa
area
or
early
childhood
Iowa
area
30
board,
and
any
subdivision
of
the
state,
shall
not
enter
into,
31
renew,
or
extend
a
home
visiting
services
contract
related
to
32
the
early
childhood
Iowa
initiative
or
related
activities
if
33
the
term
of
the
contract
would
extend
past,
or
the
deliverables
34
under
the
contract
would
be
provided
after,
June
30,
2027.
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Sec.
21.
EFFECTIVE
DATE.
This
division
of
this
Act,
being
1
deemed
of
immediate
importance,
takes
effect
upon
enactment.
2
DIVISION
V
3
HEALTH
AND
HUMAN
SERVICES
DISTRICTS
4
Sec.
22.
Section
217.1,
Code
2026,
is
amended
by
adding
the
5
following
new
subsection:
6
NEW
SUBSECTION
.
4.
“Health
and
human
services
district”
or
7
“HHS
district”
means
a
geographic,
multicounty
area
designated
8
by
the
department
under
section
217.1B
for
statewide
program
9
and
service
delivery.
10
Sec.
23.
NEW
SECTION
.
217.1B
Health
and
human
services
11
districts.
12
1.
The
department
shall
divide
the
entirety
of
the
state
13
into
designated
health
and
human
services
districts.
The
14
initial
HHS
districts
shall
be
the
same
as
the
behavioral
15
health
districts
designated
pursuant
to
section
225A.4,
Code
16
2026,
and
that
exist
on
the
effective
date
of
this
division
17
of
this
Act.
The
department
shall
review
the
designated
HHS
18
districts
at
least
once
every
seven
consecutive
fiscal
years.
19
2.
a.
The
department
may
modify
a
designated
HHS
district.
20
When
modifying
a
designated
HHS
district,
the
department
shall
21
consider
all
of
the
following:
22
(1)
City
and
county
boundaries.
23
(2)
The
population
size
that
can
be
effectively
served
in
a
24
specific
area.
25
(3)
Areas
of
high
need
for
services.
26
(4)
Patterns
various
populations
exhibit
when
accessing
or
27
receiving
services.
28
b.
Notwithstanding
chapter
17A,
the
manner
in
which
29
the
modification
of
an
HHS
district
is
made,
including
the
30
determination
of
boundaries
for
a
modified
HHS
district,
shall
31
not
be
subject
to
judicial
review.
32
3.
The
department
shall
adopt
rules
pursuant
to
chapter
17A
33
to
administer
this
section.
34
Sec.
24.
CONTINGENT
EFFECTIVE
DATE.
This
division
of
this
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Act
takes
effect
July
1,
2026,
unless
the
sections
of
2026
Iowa
1
Acts,
LSB
5558
XD,
or
successor
legislation,
amending
section
2
217.1
and
enacting
section
217.1B
are
enacted
on
or
before
July
3
1,
2026.
4
DIVISION
VI
5
CONFORMING
CHANGES
6
Sec.
25.
Section
232.69,
subsection
1,
paragraph
b,
7
subparagraph
(5),
Code
2026,
is
amended
to
read
as
follows:
8
(5)
An
employee
or
operator
of
a
licensed
child
care
center,
9
registered
child
development
home,
head
start
program,
family
10
development
and
self-sufficiency
grant
program
under
section
11
216A.107
,
or
healthy
opportunities
for
parents
to
experience
12
success
–
healthy
families
Iowa
program
under
section
135.106
13
234A.5
.
14
Sec.
26.
Section
237A.30,
subsection
1,
Code
2026,
is
15
amended
to
read
as
follows:
16
1.
The
department
shall
work
with
the
early
childhood
17
Iowa
program
established
in
section
256I.5
in
designing
and
18
implementing
implement
a
voluntary
quality
rating
system
for
19
each
provider
type
of
child
care
facility.
20
Sec.
27.
Section
256I.3,
subsection
2,
paragraph
b,
Code
21
2026,
is
amended
to
read
as
follows:
22
b.
The
governor’s
appointees
shall
be
selected
from
23
individuals
nominated
by
area
boards.
The
nominations
shall
24
reflect
the
range
of
interests
represented
on
the
area
boards
25
so
that
the
governor
is
able
to
appoint
one
or
more
members
26
each
for
early
care,
education,
health,
human
services,
27
business,
faith,
and
public
interests.
At
least
one
of
the
28
citizen
members
shall
be
a
service
consumer
or
the
parent
of
a
29
service
consumer.
The
term
of
office
of
the
citizen
members
30
is
three
years.
A
citizen
member
vacancy
on
the
board
shall
be
31
filled
in
the
same
manner
as
the
original
appointment
for
the
32
balance
of
the
unexpired
term.
33
Sec.
28.
Section
256I.13,
subsection
1,
Code
2026,
is
34
amended
to
read
as
follows:
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1.
In
order
to
implement
the
legislative
intent
stated
1
in
sections
135.106
and
section
256I.9
,
that
priority
for
2
family
support
program
funding
be
given
to
programs
using
3
evidence-based
or
promising
models
for
family
support,
it
is
4
the
intent
of
the
general
assembly
that
ninety
percent
of
state
5
funds
expended
for
family
support
programs
shall
be
used
for
6
evidence-based
or
promising
program
models.
The
remaining
ten
7
percent
of
funds
may
be
used
for
innovative
program
models
that
8
do
not
yet
meet
the
definition
of
evidence-based
or
promising
9
programs.
10
Sec.
29.
EFFECTIVE
DATE.
This
division
of
this
Act
takes
11
effect
July
1,
2027.
12
DIVISION
VII
13
CHILD
CARE
WORKFORCE
——
STATE
CHILD
CARE
ASSISTANCE
ELIGIBILITY
14
Sec.
30.
NEW
SECTION
.
237A.15
State
child
care
assistance
15
——
child
care
workforce
eligibility.
16
1.
Notwithstanding
any
provision
of
section
237A.13
or
17
237A.14
to
the
contrary,
a
child
shall
be
eligible
for
the
18
state
child
care
assistance
program
established
in
section
19
237A.13
and
the
state
child
care
assistance
graduated
20
eligibility
phase-out
program
established
in
section
237A.14
if
21
a
parent,
guardian,
or
custodian
of
the
child
meets
all
of
the
22
following
requirements,
as
applicable:
23
a.
The
parent,
guardian,
or
custodian
is
employed
in
this
24
state
at
a
child
care
facility
or
child
care
home
that
has
an
25
agreement
with
the
department
to
accept
reimbursements
from
the
26
state
child
care
assistance
program.
27
b.
The
parent,
guardian,
or
custodian
works
an
average
28
minimum
of
thirty-two
hours
per
week.
A
portion
of
the
hours
29
worked,
as
specified
by
the
department,
must
be
in
a
position
30
with
a
primary
duty
of
providing
child
care
directly
to
31
children,
and
the
parent’s,
guardian’s,
or
custodian’s
position
32
must
be
regularly
counted
in
the
minimum
child-to-staff
ratio
33
established
by
the
department.
34
c.
(1)
If
the
parent,
guardian,
or
custodian
is
employed
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at
a
child
care
home
or
a
child
development
home,
the
parent,
1
guardian,
or
custodian
does
not
provide
child
care
to
the
2
parent’s,
guardian’s,
or
custodian’s
own
child.
3
(2)
Notwithstanding
subparagraph
(1),
a
co-provider
at
4
a
child
development
home
may
qualify
for
state
child
care
5
assistance
if
the
co-provider
meets
all
requirements
specified
6
in
this
section
and
by
the
department
by
rule.
7
d.
The
parent,
guardian,
or
custodian
is
not
a
substitute
or
8
an
assistant
at
a
child
care
home
or
a
child
development
home.
9
e.
Based
on
the
department’s
evaluation
of
the
parent’s,
10
guardian’s,
or
custodian’s
application
for
state
child
care
11
assistance,
the
department
has
determined
the
parent,
guardian,
12
or
custodian
has
a
need
for
child
care.
13
f.
The
parent,
guardian,
or
custodian
is
not
the
owner
of
14
the
child
care
facility
or
child
care
home
where
any
of
the
15
parent’s,
guardian’s,
or
custodian’s
children
are
enrolled.
16
2.
A
child
of
a
director,
co-director,
or
other
17
administrative
staff
member
of
a
child
care
facility
may
18
qualify
for
state
child
care
assistance
under
subsection
1
19
if
the
director,
co-director,
or
other
administrative
staff
20
member
is
regularly
counted
in
the
minimum
child-to-staff
ratio
21
established
by
the
department
by
rule.
22
3.
A
parent,
guardian,
or
custodian
of
a
child
participating
23
in
the
state
child
care
assistance
program
based
on
eligibility
24
established
under
this
section
shall
make
copayments
as
25
specified
by
the
department
by
rule.
26
4.
The
department
shall
adopt
rules
pursuant
to
chapter
17A
27
to
administer
this
section.
28
Sec.
31.
EMERGENCY
RULES.
The
department
of
health
and
29
human
services
may
adopt
emergency
rules
under
section
17A.4,
30
subsection
3,
and
section
17A.5,
subsection
2,
paragraph
“b”,
31
to
implement
the
provisions
of
this
division
of
this
Act
and
32
the
rules
shall
be
effective
immediately
upon
filing
unless
33
a
later
date
is
specified
in
the
rules.
Any
rules
adopted
34
in
accordance
with
this
section
shall
also
be
published
as
a
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notice
of
intended
action
as
provided
in
section
17A.4.
1
Sec.
32.
EFFECTIVE
DATE.
This
division
of
this
Act,
being
2
deemed
of
immediate
importance,
takes
effect
upon
enactment.
3
DIVISION
VIII
4
CODE
EDITOR
DIRECTIVES
5
Sec.
33.
CODE
EDITOR
DIRECTIVES.
The
Code
editor
is
6
directed
to
do
all
of
the
following:
7
1.
Make
changes
in
any
Code
sections
amended
or
enacted
8
by
any
other
Act
to
correspond
with
the
changes
made
in
this
9
Act
if
there
appears
to
be
no
doubt
as
to
the
proper
method
of
10
making
the
changes
and
the
changes
would
not
be
contrary
to
or
11
inconsistent
with
the
purposes
of
this
Act
or
any
other
Act.
12
2.
Correct
internal
references
in
the
Code
and
in
enacted
13
legislation
as
necessary
due
to
the
enactment
of
this
Act.
14
EXPLANATION
15
The
inclusion
of
this
explanation
does
not
constitute
agreement
with
16
the
explanation’s
substance
by
the
members
of
the
general
assembly.
17
This
bill
relates
to
early
childhood
and
family
services,
18
including
creation
of
an
early
childhood
and
family
services
19
(ECFS)
system
and
child
care
workforce
eligibility
for
state
20
child
care
assistance
(CCA).
21
DIVISION
I
——
EARLY
CHILDHOOD
AND
FAMILY
SERVICES
SYSTEM.
22
The
bill
creates
new
Code
chapter
234A
(early
childhood
and
23
family
services
system).
The
purpose
of
the
ECFS
system
is
24
to
provide
accessible,
ongoing,
and
community-based
services
25
for
children
and
families.
The
bill
defines
terms
used
in
the
26
chapter.
27
The
ECFS
system
is
established
under
the
control
of
28
the
department
of
health
and
human
services
(HHS)
and
29
ECFS
districts
(districts)
are
established
for
statewide
30
implementation
of
primary
prevention
strategies
and
early
31
intervention
strategies
for
families
and
their
children
under
32
19
years
of
age.
The
ECFS
system
must
be
administered
in
33
a
manner
that
maximizes
funding
opportunities,
interagency
34
collaboration,
and
integration
of
activities
and
services
that
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support
positive
outcomes
for
children
and
families.
1
The
bill
details
actions
HHS
must
perform,
to
the
extent
2
funding
is
available,
to
develop
and
administer
the
ECFS
3
system.
4
The
bill
directs
HHS
to
establish
an
ECFS
district
advisory
5
council
(council)
in
each
district,
and
develop
policies
and
6
procedures
for
the
operational
functions
of
the
councils.
A
7
council
shall
consist
of
10
members
appointed
by
HHS.
The
bill
8
specifies
individuals
who
are
eligible
for
appointment,
and
the
9
duties
of
a
council.
10
The
bill
specifies
the
duties
of
HHS
related
to
data
11
collection
and
use
for
the
ECFS
system.
The
bill
requires
12
HHS
to
maintain
compliance
with
applicable
federal
and
state
13
privacy
laws
to
ensure
the
confidentiality
and
integrity
of
14
individually
identifiable
data
related
to
the
ECFS
system
15
collected
by
HHS.
16
Current
Code
section
135.106
(healthy
opportunities
17
for
parents
to
experience
success
–
healthy
families
Iowa
18
(HOPES-HFI))
is
placed
in
the
new
Code
chapter
and
becomes
part
19
of
the
ECFS
system.
The
bill
specifies
the
requirements
for
20
the
HOPES-HFI
program
and
directs
HHS
to
develop
and
administer
21
the
HOPES-HFI
program,
in
whole
or
in
part,
by
contracting
22
with
local
organizations
that
use
evidence-based
home
visiting
23
models.
24
The
bill
establishes
an
ECFS
system
fund
(ECFS
fund)
25
consisting
of
moneys
appropriated
to
HHS
for
the
ECFS
fund’s
26
purposes
by
the
general
assembly
and
any
other
moneys
available
27
and
obtained
or
accepted
by
HHS
for
deposit
in
the
ECFS
28
fund.
Moneys
in
the
ECFS
fund
are
appropriated
to
HHS
for
the
29
purposes
of
implementing
and
administering
the
ECFS
system.
30
Moneys
appropriated
that
remain
unencumbered
or
unobligated
at
31
the
close
of
a
fiscal
year
shall
not
revert
to
the
general
fund
32
of
the
state,
and
interest
or
earnings
on
moneys
in
the
fund
33
shall
be
credited
to
the
ECFS
fund.
34
The
section
of
the
division
that
establishes
the
ECFS
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fund
takes
effect
upon
enactment.
All
other
sections
in
the
1
division
take
effect
July
1,
2027.
2
DIVISION
II
——
DECATEGORIZATION
INITIATIVE.
The
bill
3
eliminates
the
decategorization
initiative.
4
DIVISION
III
——
CHILD
ABUSE
PREVENTION
PROGRAM.
The
5
bill
eliminates
the
child
abuse
prevention
program,
fund,
6
and
advisory
committee.
A
taxpayer
may
still
receive
a
7
nonrefundable
reduction
in
the
taxpayer’s
income
taxes
for
8
contributing
one
or
more
dollars
to
child
abuse
prevention,
9
but
the
moneys
received
will
be
administered
through
the
ECFS
10
system
instead
of
the
child
abuse
prevention
program
fund.
11
Funding
for
child
abuse
prevention
and
moneys
in
the
current
12
child
abuse
prevention
fund
are
directed
to
the
ECFS
fund
to
be
13
used
by
HHS
for
child
abuse
prevention.
14
This
division
of
the
bill
takes
effect
upon
enactment.
15
DIVISION
IV
——
TRANSITION
PROVISIONS.
The
bill
defines
16
terms
used
in
the
division,
including
“transition
period”,
17
which
means
the
period
beginning
on
the
date
of
enactment
of
18
the
division
and
concluding
on
June
30,
2027.
19
The
bill
allows
HHS
to
exercise
all
policymaking
functions
20
and
regulatory
powers
as
necessary
to
establish
the
ECFS
system
21
during
the
transition
period.
22
The
bill
requires
HHS
to
execute
contracts
as
necessary
to
23
establish,
implement,
and
administer
the
ECFS
system;
adopt
24
necessary
administrative
rules;
establish
necessary
policies
25
and
prepare
necessary
forms;
prepare
an
ECFS
state
plan
and
26
develop
ECFS
district
plans;
develop
plans
for
the
transition
27
of
early
childhood
and
family
services
to
the
ECFS
system;
28
ensure
that
individuals
currently
receiving
ECFS
system-related
29
services
under
the
purview
of
HHS
or
home
visiting
services
30
provided
through
the
initiative
have
uninterrupted
continuity
31
of
care;
submit
a
report
to
the
general
assembly
no
later
32
than
January
15,
2027,
that
details
the
administrative
and
33
operational
costs
to
establish,
implement,
and
administer
34
the
ECFS
system;
develop
a
plan
to
transition
oversight
and
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accountability
for
home
visiting
services
currently
funded
1
by
the
early
childhood
Iowa
initiative
to
the
ECFS
system;
2
and
work
with
a
cohort
of
early
childhood
Iowa
area
directors
3
and
the
early
childhood
Iowa
state
board
to
develop
a
plan
to
4
modernize
the
early
childhood
Iowa
initiative.
5
The
bill
requires
HHS
to
request
any
federal
waivers
or
6
authorizations
(waivers)
necessary
to
implement
the
ECFS
7
system.
Notwithstanding
other
effective
dates
stated
in
the
8
bill,
any
provision
of
the
bill
HHS
determines
necessitates
a
9
waiver
is
effective
upon
receipt
of
the
federal
approval
of
the
10
waiver.
11
The
bill
provides
that
all
debts,
claims,
or
other
12
liabilities
owed
to
an
early
childhood
Iowa
area
(area)
or
an
13
area
board
due
to
home
visiting
services
rendered
pursuant
14
to
Code
chapter
256I
at
the
conclusion
of
the
transition
15
period
shall
remain
due
and
owing
after
the
transition
period
16
concludes.
After
the
transition
period
concludes,
all
fiscal
17
agents
contracted
with
an
area
board
shall
assist
collect
18
outstanding
debts,
claims,
or
other
liabilities
owed
to
the
19
areas
or
area
boards
for
home
visiting
services
provided
or
20
rendered
before
the
transition
period
concluded.
Reimbursement
21
for
allowable
activities
and
services
shall
only
be
paid
if
22
accompanied
by
sufficient
supporting
documentation.
23
With
input
from
appropriate
stakeholders,
the
bill
requires
24
HHS
to
identify
each
home
visiting
contract
that
will
be
25
impacted
by
the
provisions
relating
to
the
ECFS
system
and
26
the
initiative.
On
or
before
June
30,
2027,
each
party
to
27
a
contract
identified
by
HHS
shall
exercise
the
option,
if
28
available
pursuant
to
the
terms
of
the
contract,
to
terminate
29
the
contract.
Contracts
that
do
not
provide
for
termination
30
shall
not
be
renewed
or
extended
at
the
end
of
the
current
31
contract
term.
32
An
area
board,
an
area
director,
or
any
agent
of
an
area
33
or
area
board,
and
any
subdivision
of
the
state,
shall
not
34
enter
into,
renew,
or
extend
a
home
visiting
services
contract
35
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2712
related
to
the
initiative
or
related
activities
if
the
term
1
period
of
the
contract
would
extend,
or
the
deliverables
under
2
the
contract
would
be
provided,
beyond
June
30,
2027.
3
This
division
of
the
bill
takes
effect
upon
enactment.
4
DIVISION
V
——
HEALTH
AND
HUMAN
SERVICES
DISTRICTS.
The
5
bill
directs
HHS
to
divide
the
state
into
health
and
human
6
services
districts
(districts),
as
that
term
is
defined
in
the
7
bill,
to
be
used
by
HHS
for
statewide
delivery
of
programs
and
8
services.
The
initial
district
boundaries
shall
be
the
same
as
9
the
behavioral
health
district
boundaries,
as
the
behavioral
10
health
district
boundaries
existed
on
July
1,
2025.
HHS
must
11
review
the
designation
of
the
districts
at
least
once
every
12
seven
consecutive
fiscal
years.
The
bill
provides
factors
HHS
13
must
consider
when
modifying
a
district,
and
modification
is
14
not
subject
to
judicial
review.
15
This
division
of
the
bill
is
effective
July
1,
2026,
unless
16
the
sections
of
2026
Iowa
Acts,
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amending
Code
17
section
217.1
and
enacting
Code
section
217.1B
are
enacted
on
18
or
before
July
1,
2026.
19
DIVISION
VI
——
CONFORMING
CHANGES.
The
bill
includes
20
conforming
changes
and
this
division
takes
effect
July
1,
2027.
21
DIVISION
VII
——
CHILD
CARE
WORKFORCE
——
STATE
CHILD
CARE
22
ASSISTANCE
ELIGIBILITY.
The
bill
provides
that
a
child
shall
23
be
eligible
for
the
state
child
care
assistance
(CCA)
program
24
under
Code
section
237A.13
(state
child
care
assistance)
25
or
237A.14
(child
care
assistance
——
graduated
eligibility
26
phase-out)
if
a
parent,
guardian,
or
custodian
(custodian)
is
27
employed
at
a
child
care
facility
or
child
care
home
that
has
28
an
agreement
with
HHS
to
accept
reimbursement
from
the
CCA
29
program;
works
an
average
minimum
of
32
hours
per
week
in
a
30
position
with
a
primary
duty
of
providing
child
care
directly
31
to
children;
and
meets
several
other
requirements
specified
32
in
the
bill.
A
child
of
a
director,
co-director,
or
other
33
administrative
staff
member
(staff
member)
may
be
eligible
if
34
the
staff
member
is
regularly
counted
in
the
child-to-staff
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ratio
established
by
the
department.
A
custodian
of
a
child
1
participating
in
the
CCA
program
under
the
bill
shall
make
2
copayments
as
specified
by
HHS
by
rule.
3
The
bill
requires
HHS
to
adopt
rules
to
administer
this
4
division
of
the
bill.
The
division
provides
HHS
with
emergency
5
rulemaking
authority.
This
division
of
the
bill
takes
effect
6
upon
enactment.
7
DIVISION
VIII
——
CODE
EDITOR
DIRECTIVES.
The
bill
provides
8
Code
editor
directives.
9
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