IA SF2370

Bill

A bill for an act establishing the state public defender's pilot project to implement innovative models of child welfare legal representation as the project to preserve families.(Formerly SSB 3076.)

Introduced
02/18/2026

In Committee

Crossed Over

Passed

Dead

Introduced Session

91st General Assembly

Bill Summary

Under current law, the state public defender (SPD) may establish a pilot project to implement innovative models of legal representation to assist families involved in the child welfare system by implementing and studying ways to achieve positive outcomes for families, reduce trauma to young children, and deliver financial benefits to families and their communities. The SPD may implement the pilot project in up to 16 counties throughout the state, and the pilot project expires on June 30, 2025. This bill changes the pilot project into a permanent program known as the project to preserve families (PPF) and allows the SPD to administer and maintain the PPF throughout the state. The SPD may adopt rules to administer the PPF.

AI Summary

This bill transforms the State Public Defender's (SPD) existing pilot project, which aimed to test new ways of providing legal help to families in the child welfare system, into a permanent program called the "project to preserve families" (PPF). The PPF will be administered by the SPD statewide, allowing them to implement, maintain, and study innovative legal representation models designed to keep families together, lessen trauma for children, and bring financial advantages to families and their communities. The SPD can now coordinate with other groups, seek grants, analyze results, and even appoint attorneys to represent people before formal court cases begin if it aligns with the project's goals, and they are authorized to create rules to manage this ongoing program.

Sponsors (0)

No sponsors listed

Other Sponsors (1)

Judiciary (Senate)

Last Action

Committee report, approving bill. S.J. 317. (on 02/18/2026)

Official Document

https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/BillBook?ga=91&ba=SF2370

(3 Companion Bills)

Version:

Document Type	Source Location
State Bill Page	https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/BillBook?ga=91&ba=SF2370
BillText	https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/publications/LGI/91/attachments/SF2370.html

Bill	Bill Name	Last Action	Type
HF2356	A bill for an act establishing the state public defender's pilot project to implement innovative models of child welfare legal representation as the project to preserve families.(Formerly HSB 566.)	Introduced, placed on calendar. H.J. 234.	Similar To
HSB566	A bill for an act establishing the state public defender's pilot project to implement innovative models of child welfare legal representation as the project to preserve families.	Committee vote: Yeas, 19. Nays, 0. Excused, 2. H.J. 160.	Related
SSB3076	A bill for an act establishing the state public defender's pilot project to implement innovative models of child welfare legal representation as the project to preserve families.(See SF 2370.)	Committee report approving bill, renumbered as SF 2370.	Related

Bill > SF2370

summary

Introduced Session

Bill Summary

AI Summary

Sponsors (0)

Other Sponsors (1)

Last Action

Official Document

bill text

bill summary

bill summary

bill summary