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Bill > HF346
IA HF346
IA HF346A bill for an act relating to state child care assistance for children of certain child care personnel.
summary
Introduced
02/12/2025
02/12/2025
In Committee
02/12/2025
02/12/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
91st General Assembly
Bill Summary
This bill relates to state child care assistance (CCA) for children of child care employees. The bill makes a child eligible for CCA if the child is in a family with a parent, guardian, or custodian who is employed at a child care facility, a child care home registered with the department of health and human services (HHS), or an unregistered child care home with an agreement with HHS to accept CCA reimbursements; works an average minimum of 32 hours per week during the month in a position with a primary duty of providing child care directly to children, and is regularly counted in the minimum child-to-staff ratio established by HHS by rule; does not provide child care to the parent, guardian, or custodian’s own child if the parent, guardian, or custodian is employed at a child care home or a child development home, though a co-provider at a child development home may qualify for CCA if the co-provider meets all requirements set in Code and by rule; is not a substitute or an assistant at a child development home; and has a need for child care based on HHS’s assessment. The bill provides that a director, co-director, or other administrative staff of a child care facility may qualify for CCA as a child care employee if such person is regularly counted in the minimum child-to-staff ratio established by HHS by rule. The bill requires a person who participates in CCA under the bill to make copayments for services received from the program. The bill directs HHS to adopt rules to implement and administer the bill. The bill prohibits HHS from applying waiting list requirements for CCA on persons deemed eligible for CCA under the bill.
AI Summary
This bill expands state child care assistance (CCA) eligibility for children of child care workers by creating a new category of recipients. Specifically, the bill allows children to qualify for CCA if their parent or guardian works at least 32 hours per week in a child care facility or home, with their primary duty being direct child care and being regularly counted in the minimum staff-to-child ratio established by the Department of Health and Human Services. The bill includes several specific requirements: the parent cannot provide care for their own child at the same facility, cannot be a substitute or assistant at a child development home, and must demonstrate a need for child care. Additionally, directors and administrative staff of child care facilities can also qualify under certain conditions. Participants in this CCA program will be required to make copayments based on household income, and the department is directed to create rules to implement the program. Importantly, the bill prohibits applying standard waiting list requirements to individuals who qualify under these new provisions, which aims to provide more immediate support for child care workers seeking affordable child care for their own children.
Committee Categories
Health and Social Services
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Introduced, referred to Health and Human Services. H.J. 303. (on 02/12/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/BillBook?ga=91&ba=HF346 |
| BillText | https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/publications/LGI/91/attachments/HF346.html |
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