Bill > HF412

This bill expands support for unhoused families accessing child care assistance (CCA) in Iowa by first comprehensively defining "unhoused" to include multiple living situations such as staying with other people due to economic hardship, living in motels, emergency shelters, abandoned buildings, cars, or public spaces. The bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to extend the standard 30-day employment-seeking limit for CCA benefits when the parent is unhoused and has a child under six years old, effectively providing more flexibility for families experiencing housing instability. Additionally, the bill mandates that HHS create an expedited approval process for unhoused individuals seeking child care assistance and exempts unhoused children from typical program waiting list requirements. These provisions aim to reduce barriers for families experiencing homelessness by providing more accessible child care support, which can help parents maintain employment and work towards economic stability while ensuring their children have consistent care.

Health and Social Services

https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/BillBook?ga=91&ba=HF412