All Roll Calls
Yes: 137 • No: 0
IowaHF 235691st General Assembly (2025–2026)House
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.) Effective date: 07/01/2026.
Sponsored By: COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY
Signed by Governor
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Early legal help for low-income parents
Beginning July 1, 2026, the State Public Defender can appoint a lawyer for an indigent person before any court case starts and without a court order. The appointment must relate to the pilot’s goal of preserving families, and the State Public Defender decides when it is appropriate. This gives low-income parents in pilot counties access to legal help sooner.
Child-welfare defense pilot in 16 counties
Beginning July 1, 2026, the State Public Defender creates and runs a pilot to expand legal help for families in child-welfare cases. The pilot operates in up to 16 counties, chosen by the State Public Defender. The agency can work with other groups, seek grants, and measure results to improve services. It can also set formal rules to run the pilot. Families in participating counties may see team-based or other new models of legal representation.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY
Affiliation unavailable
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 3/23/2026
Passed Senate
Yes: 47 • No: 0
House vote • 2/26/2026
Passed House
Yes: 90 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Signed by Governor.
4/9/2026GovernorReported correctly enrolled, signed by Speaker and President, and sent to Governor.
4/9/2026SenateMessage from Senate.
3/24/2026SenateImmediate message.
3/23/2026legislaturePassed Senate, yeas 47, nays 0.
3/23/2026SenateSubstituted for SF 2370.
3/23/2026legislaturePlaced on calendar under unfinished business.
3/19/2026legislatureRead first time, attached to SF 2370.
3/2/2026legislatureMessage from House.
3/2/2026HouseImmediate message.
2/26/2026legislaturePassed House, yeas 90, nays 0.
2/26/2026HouseFiscal note.
2/25/2026legislatureIntroduced, placed on calendar.
2/9/2026legislature
Bill Text
As Introduced
Enrolled
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