Iowa 2025-2026 Regular Session

Iowa House Bill HF623

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.

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 HF2353

A bill for an act relating to preschool for four-year-old children, including funding, minimum hours, and approved programs, and including effective date provisions.

IA HF2226

A bill for an act relating to education savings account program eligibility and payments for children enrolled in an accredited nonpublic school's program for four-year-old children and including effective date provisions.

IA HF731

A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations to the education system, including the funding and operation of the department for the blind, the department of education, and the state board of regents; requiring the state board of regents to conduct a study and prepare a report related to diversity, equity, and inclusion programs and efforts; providing for responsibilities of the workforce development board; establishing the Iowa workforce grant and incentive program; requiring the department of education to convene a task force on at-risk students and dropout prevention programs; modifying provisions related to the future ready Iowa skilled workforce grant program, the all Iowa opportunity scholarship program, the education savings account program, the gap tuition assistance program, the Iowa educational services for the blind and visually impaired program, career and technical education programs, the fine arts beginning teacher mentoring program, the equipment replacement and program-sharing property tax levy, and the posting of education-related job openings; and including effective date, applicability, and retroactive applicability provisions.(Formerly HSB 254.)

IA HF297

A bill for an act relating to the statewide preschool program by modifying certain funding provisions and including applicability provisions.

IA HSB254

A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations to the education system, including the funding and operation of the department for the blind, the department of education, and the state board of regents; requiring the state board of regents to conduct a study and prepare a report related to diversity, equity, and inclusion programs and efforts; providing for responsibilities of the workforce development board; establishing the Iowa workforce grant and incentive program; requiring the department of education to convene a task force on at-risk students and dropout prevention programs; modifying provisions related to the future ready Iowa skilled workforce grant program, the all Iowa opportunity scholarship program, the education savings account program, the gap tuition assistance program, the Iowa educational services for the blind and visually impaired program, career and technical education programs, the fine arts beginning teacher mentoring program, the equipment replacement and program-sharing property tax levy, and the posting of education-related job openings; and including effective date, applicability, and retroactive applicability provisions.(See HF 731.)

IA HF2468

A bill for an act relating to statewide voluntary preschool programs, including minimum hours of instruction and funding.

IA SF560

A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations to the education system, including the funding and operation of the department for the blind, the department of education, and the state board of regents; requiring the state board of regents to conduct a study and prepare a report related to diversity, equity, and inclusion programs and efforts; providing for responsibilities of the workforce development board; establishing the Iowa workforce grant and incentive program; requiring the department of education to convene a task force to study issues related to programs for at-risk students and dropout prevention programs; modifying provisions related to the future ready Iowa skilled workforce grant program, the all Iowa opportunity scholarship program, the education savings account program, the gap tuition assistance program, the Iowa educational services for the blind and visually impaired program, career and technical education programs, the fine arts beginning teacher mentoring program, the equipment replacement and program-sharing property tax levy, and the posting of education-related job openings; and including effective date, applicability, and retroactive applicability provisions. (Formerly SSB 1212.) Effective date: 06/01/2023, 07/01/2023. Applicability date: 01/24/2023, 07/01/2023.

IA HF2495

A bill for an act relating to statewide voluntary preschool program quality standards and renewals.

IA HF597

A bill for an act relating to education, including modifying provisions related to school district library programs and the educational program provided to students enrolled in school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, and charter schools.(Formerly HSB 219.)

IA HF2323

A bill for an act modifying provisions related to the national guard service scholarship program and establishing the national guard service continuing education scholarship program.(Formerly HSB 556.)

Similar Bills

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 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.)

OR HB3435

Relating to early learning; and declaring an emergency.

CA SB976

Universal Preschool Act.

CA AB563

Childcare: Early Childhood Policy Council.

MS HB1340

Family Engagement Kindergarten Readiness Pilot Program; require MDE to establish as a component of the ELC Act of 2013.

IA HF422

A bill for an act relating to statewide voluntary preschool program quality standards and renewals.