All Roll Calls
Yes: 111 • No: 17
IowaSF 248891st General Assembly (2025–2026)SenateWALLET
A bill for an act relating to early childhood and family services, including the creation of an early childhood and family services system, making appropriations, convening an early childhood Iowa interim study committee, and including applicability, retroactive applicability, and effective date provisions. (Formerly SF 2462, SSB 3111.) Effective date: 06/02/2026, 07/01/2026. Applicability date: 07/01/2025.
Sponsored By: COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Signed by Governor
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
7 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 4 mixed.
Home visiting services protected and aligned
Home visiting services move into the ECFS system by January 1, 2028. Funding in each area stays at least equal to what was spent in FY 2025–26. The department manages contracts so they do not extend past the transfer and keeps care continuous. The department may run HOPES‑HFI using evidence‑based home visiting. If extra federal Title IV‑E funds arrive, up to $7 million a year can be redistributed for ages 0–5: 25% in FY 2027–28, 15% in FY 2028–29, and 5% in FY 2029–30. Lawmakers also direct that 90% of state family support funds go to evidence‑based or promising models, with 10% for innovation.
New early childhood help statewide
The law creates a statewide Early Childhood and Family Services system run by Health and Human Services. It helps families with children under 19 get prevention, early help, and community resources. A new ECFS fund pays for the system; unused money stays in the fund and earns interest. The department collects program data and gives each client a unique ID, following state and federal privacy laws. Each district has a 10‑member council to advise on local needs and plans.
Child abuse prevention funding shifts
The law ends the old child abuse prevention statutes and moves that work into the ECFS system. Any money left in the old fund on June 30, 2026 goes to the ECFS fund. For FY 2025–26, the department reviews contracts and grants and works with recipients to move them without service gaps. $10 from each vehicle registration goes to child abuse prevention and $10 to the congenital and inherited disorders registry; unused amounts carry into the next fiscal year. You can donate $1 or more on your Iowa income tax return; Revenue sends the total to the ECFS fund by January 31 each year. Your donation is final and can be reduced if your refund or payment is too small.
Decategorization funds and contracts wind down
The law repeals the former decategorization statute. Carryover funds at the end of the fiscal year starting July 1, 2025 follow new rules: encumbered funds stay spendable through the fiscal year starting July 1, 2026 (or as agreed), and unencumbered funds are split between the department and juvenile court services. Boards generally cannot sign pool‑funded contracts that run past June 30, 2027 unless allowed. Governance boards may set service areas for transition committees that include local partners. These carryover rules apply retroactive to July 1, 2025.
Statewide HHS districts for services
The department divides the state into Health and Human Services districts, starting with current behavioral health districts. The law defines what an HHS district is. The department reviews districts starting January 1, 2032, and every 10 years, and may adjust boundaries based on population, needs, and access. Boundary decisions are not subject to court review. The department adopts rules to run this section.
Planning and ratings for early childhood
The department must evaluate Early Childhood Iowa and how to use federal funds. It gathers input and submits a final report with recommendations and a transition plan by February 5, 2027. The department also works with Early Childhood Iowa to build a voluntary quality rating system for all types of child care. Ratings aim to give parents clearer information and help providers improve quality.
Technical code updates for transition
The law removes specific subsections in child care, Medicaid, and Early Childhood Iowa code and repeals a legacy code section. These edits align statutes with the new early childhood and family services system. The text does not list new benefits or fees for families.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Affiliation unavailable
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 5/2/2026
Passed House
Yes: 83 • No: 2
Senate vote • 5/1/2026
Passed Senate
Yes: 28 • No: 15
Actions Timeline
Signed by Governor.
6/2/2026GovernorReported correctly enrolled, signed by President and Speaker, and sent to Governor.
5/18/2026SenateNOBA: Final
5/13/2026legislatureMessage from House.
5/2/2026HouseImmediate message.
5/2/2026legislatureExplanation of vote.
5/2/2026legislaturePassed House, yeas 83, nays 2.
5/2/2026HouseSubstituted for HF 2795.
5/2/2026legislatureRead first time, passed on file.
5/2/2026legislatureNOBA: Senate Floor
5/1/2026SenateMessage from Senate.
5/1/2026SenateImmediate message.
5/1/2026legislaturePassed Senate, yeas 28, nays 15.
5/1/2026SenateAmendment S-5244 filed, adopted.
5/1/2026legislatureNOBA: Senate Full Approps
4/15/2026SenateCommittee report, approving bill.
4/9/2026legislatureIntroduced, placed on Appropriations calendar.
4/9/2026legislature
Bill Text
As Introduced
Enrolled
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