Iowa 2025-2026 Regular Session

Iowa Senate Bill SF434

Introduced
2/25/25  

Caption

A bill for an act relating to the creation of a child care solutions fund, and making an appropriation.

Impact

The bill comes in response to the growing concerns surrounding the workforce issues in the child care sector, particularly relating to the wages of child care providers. By establishing this fund, the legislation seeks to make child care jobs more attractive and financially viable, which could potentially alleviate some of the workforce shortages faced by child care centers. The bill also outlines the responsibilities of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in managing the fund and requires that they report annually on the fund's impact, including detailed statistics on the funds distributed to communities and their beneficial effects on employment and child care slots.

Summary

Senate File 434, introduced in the Iowa General Assembly, establishes a Child Care Solutions Fund aimed at enhancing financial support for child care workers in the state. The legislation mandates the creation of a fund within the state treasury, which will comprise state appropriations, interest from investments, and private donations. A key feature of this fund is its commitment to providing a state match of $2 for every $1 of private investment that community organizations secure to boost the wages of child care workers. This fund is designed to strengthen the child care workforce, which is seen as critical for the availability and quality of child care services in Iowa.

Contention

While the bill has garnered support from advocates of early childhood education, there is a recognized concern about the sustainability of the funding and whether the state can maintain its financial commitments over the long term. Critics may argue that the reliance on private investments to secure state matching funds sets an uncertain precedent. Additionally, some stakeholders emphasize the need for broader reforms that address not only wages but also the quality of child care services and workforce conditions. Overall, the bill has sparked discussions on how best to support child care providers while ensuring that the services offered meet the needs of families across Iowa.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

IA HF2242

A bill for an act relating to aid, processes, services, and support staff for children in, adopted from, or in need of foster care, and making appropriations.(See HF 2671.)

IA SSB3074

A bill for an act creating a grocer reinvestment fund and program under the purview of the economic development authority, and making appropriations.

IA SF2437

A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations for veterans and health and human services, including other related provisions and appropriations, and including effective date and retroactive applicability provisions.(Formerly SSB 3205.)

IA SSB3205

A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations for veterans and health and human services, including other related provisions and appropriations, and including effective date and retroactive applicability provisions.(See SF 2437.)

IA SF2250

A bill for an act relating to the creation of an Iowa cancer research program, and making an appropriation.

IA HSB689

A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations from the opioid settlement fund.

IA HF2671

A bill for an act relating to aid, processes, services, and support staff for children in, adopted from, or in need of foster care, including the establishment of a legal representation for juvenile cases interim study committee, and making appropriations.(Formerly HF 2242.)

IA HF2176

A bill for an act creating a grocer reinvestment fund and program under the purview of the economic development authority, modifying the local food and farm program, and making appropriations.(See HF 2599.)

IA HF2698

A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations for veterans and health and human services, including other related provisions and appropriations including but not limited to the personal needs allowance for certain persons under Medicaid and the state supplementary assistance programs, replacement generation tax revenues, the Medicaid fraud and health care trust funds, the retention of certain revenues by the mental health institutes, the retention of Medicaid eligibility by residents of mental health institutes, the scope of services of the state resource centers, the appropriation of moneys in the juvenile detention home fund, the family investment program account and diversion program, the child support collection services center refund account, the quality assurance assessment payment period, the centers of excellence grant program, an assisted living program revised payment model study, funding for county commissions of veteran affairs, foster care provisions including those relating to a relative or fictive kin, health care employment agencies and health care technology platforms, medical cannabidiol practitioner requirements, nursing facility oversight, and state-funded psychiatry residency and fellowship positions, providing penalties, and including effective date and retroactive applicability provisions. Effective date: 05/09/2024, 07/01/2024. Applicability date: 07/01/2022, 07/01/2023.

IA SF2306

A bill for an act relating to options for long-term care, and making appropriations.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.