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Iowa House Bill HF623
Iowa 2025-2026 Regular Session
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Iowa 2025-2026 Regular Session

Iowa House Bill HF623

Filed/Introduced
5/15/25  
Introduced
2/27/25  

Caption

A bill for an act relating to early childhood education and care, including by modifying provisions related to the statewide preschool program, the child development coordinating council, programs for at-risk children, the responsibilities of the department of education, the early childhood Iowa initiative, and the state child care assistance program, and establishing the child care continuum partnership grants pilot program within the department of health and human services.(Formerly HSB 145.)

Impact

The legislation reflects a significant shift in how early childhood education services can be funded and accessed in Iowa. Specifically, community-based providers will now receive state funding for preschool foundation aid directly, which is expected to enhance the quality of preschool education available to four-year-olds. By allowing this direct funding, the bill aims to improve program flexibility and responsiveness to local needs, ultimately aiming to foster better developmental outcomes for children.

Summary

House File 623 focuses on enhancing early childhood education and care in Iowa by modifying existing provisions related to the statewide preschool program, the responsibilities of the Department of Education (DE), and the establishment of the Child Care Continuum Partnership Grants Pilot Program. The bill allows community-based providers to directly participate in the preschool program by applying to the DE, expanding access beyond traditional school districts. This change aims to streamline preschool offerings and improve educational outcomes for young children, particularly those who are at risk.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding HF623 include concerns from education advocates regarding the adequacy of resources for at-risk programs and the potential for the bill to alter the existing child development coordinating council's role. Some stakeholders have expressed apprehension that transferring responsibilities from the council to the DE may lead to diminished focus on vulnerable populations. Additionally, while proponents laud the bill's aim to increase preschool accessibility and quality, critics assert that these changes may overlook essential supports necessary for at-risk children and their families.

Latest IA HF623 Activity

View All Events: IA 2025-2026 Regular Session HF623

Companion Bills

IA SF445

Similar To A bill for an act relating to early childhood education and care, including by modifying provisions related to the statewide preschool program, the child development coordinating council, programs for at-risk children, the responsibilities of the department of education, the early childhood Iowa initiative, and the state child care assistance program, establishing the child care continuum partnership grants pilot program within the department of health and human services, making appropriations and reducing appropriations, and including effective date provisions. (Formerly SSB 1135.)

IA HSB145

Related A bill for an act relating to early childhood education and care, including by modifying provisions related to the statewide preschool program, the child development coordinating council, programs for at-risk children, the responsibilities of the department of education, the early childhood Iowa initiative, and the state child care assistance program, and establishing the child care continuum partnership grants pilot program within the department of health and human services.(See HF 623.)

IA SSB1135

Related A bill for an act relating to early childhood education and care, including by modifying provisions related to the statewide preschool program, the child development coordinating council, programs for at-risk children, the responsibilities of the department of education, the early childhood Iowa initiative, and the state child care assistance program, and establishing the child care continuum partnership grants pilot program within the department of health and human services.(See SF 445.)

Previously Filed As

IA HSB145

A bill for an act relating to early childhood education and care, including by modifying provisions related to the statewide preschool program, the child development coordinating council, programs for at-risk children, the responsibilities of the department of education, the early childhood Iowa initiative, and the state child care assistance program, and establishing the child care continuum partnership grants pilot program within the department of health and human services.(See HF 623.)

IA SSB1135

A bill for an act relating to early childhood education and care, including by modifying provisions related to the statewide preschool program, the child development coordinating council, programs for at-risk children, the responsibilities of the department of education, the early childhood Iowa initiative, and the state child care assistance program, and establishing the child care continuum partnership grants pilot program within the department of health and human services.(See SF 445.)

IA SF445

A bill for an act relating to early childhood education and care, including by modifying provisions related to the statewide preschool program, the child development coordinating council, programs for at-risk children, the responsibilities of the department of education, the early childhood Iowa initiative, and the state child care assistance program, establishing the child care continuum partnership grants pilot program within the department of health and human services, making appropriations and reducing appropriations, and including effective date provisions. (Formerly SSB 1135.)

WA SB5752

AN ACT Relating to modifying child care and early childhood development programs;

IA HF2712

A bill for an act relating to early childhood and family services, including the creation of an early childhood and family services system, state child care assistance for the child care workforce, making appropriations, and including effective date provisions.(Formerly HSB 623; See HF 2795.)

CA AB2258

An act to add Section 10234.5 to the Welfare and Institutions Code, relating to public social services, and making an appropriation therefor.

PA HB780

Establishing the Early Childhood Educator Tuition Assistance Program and the Early Childhood Educator Tuition Assistance Fund.

MN HF3665

Out-of-home placement plan requirements modified to include early childhood education and child care programs, and agencies and guardians ad litem required to provide information on early childhood education and child care programs for children in foster care.

IA SF2462

A bill for an act relating to early childhood and family services, including the creation of an early childhood and family services system, state child care assistance for the child care workforce, making appropriations, and including effective date provisions.(Formerly SSB 3111; See SF 2488.)

MT HB945

Create the early childhood education and child care infrastructure grant program

Similar Bills

IA HSB604

A bill for an act authorizing community-based providers to directly participate in the statewide preschool program for four-year-old children.(See HF 2358.)

IA HF2358

A bill for an act authorizing community-based providers to directly participate in the statewide preschool program for four-year-old children.(Formerly HSB 604.)

IA HSB680

A bill for an act relating to education funding by authorizing community-based providers to directly participate in the statewide preschool program for four-year-old children, modifying the school tuition organization tax credit program, and including applicability provisions.

NJ S2278

Requires State to reimburse federally unreimbursed costs of snacks provided to children at certain preschools; appropriates $100,000.

NJ A2551

Requires State to reimburse federally unreimbursed costs of snacks provided to children at certain preschools; appropriates $100,000.

IA SF445

A bill for an act relating to early childhood education and care, including by modifying provisions related to the statewide preschool program, the child development coordinating council, programs for at-risk children, the responsibilities of the department of education, the early childhood Iowa initiative, and the state child care assistance program, establishing the child care continuum partnership grants pilot program within the department of health and human services, making appropriations and reducing appropriations, and including effective date provisions. (Formerly SSB 1135.)

IA SSB1135

A bill for an act relating to early childhood education and care, including by modifying provisions related to the statewide preschool program, the child development coordinating council, programs for at-risk children, the responsibilities of the department of education, the early childhood Iowa initiative, and the state child care assistance program, and establishing the child care continuum partnership grants pilot program within the department of health and human services.(See SF 445.)

IA HSB145

A bill for an act relating to early childhood education and care, including by modifying provisions related to the statewide preschool program, the child development coordinating council, programs for at-risk children, the responsibilities of the department of education, the early childhood Iowa initiative, and the state child care assistance program, and establishing the child care continuum partnership grants pilot program within the department of health and human services.(See HF 623.)