House File 2514 establishes new eligibility criteria for the state child care assistance program in Iowa, specifically targeting parents, guardians, or custodians who are employed in child care facilities or homes. To qualify, these individuals must work an average of at least thirty-two hours per week in a position that directly provides child care, and they cannot be the owner of the facility or provide care for their own child. Additionally, co-providers at child development homes may also qualify if they meet the specified requirements. The bill outlines that administrative staff members who are regularly counted in the child-to-staff ratio may also be eligible for assistance.

The bill mandates that participating parents, guardians, or custodians will be required to make copayments as determined by the department. Furthermore, it requires the department to submit an annual report to the General Assembly by December 1, detailing financial expenditures related to the program, the number of participating families and children, and income levels of those families. The department is also tasked with adopting rules to effectively administer the new provisions outlined in this section.