Senate File 2096 amends Section 237.5A of the Iowa Code regarding the licensure of individual child foster care providers. The bill introduces new requirements for initial licensure, stating that each proposed individual licensee must complete foster parent training approved by the department, with consideration given to their relevant training and experience. The department is also required to take into account the circumstances of the child receiving care and the proposed licensee's situation when determining training needs. Additionally, the annual training requirement for license renewal has been modified to allow the department to determine the appropriate amount of training for each individual licensee, rather than a fixed six-hour requirement.

The bill further specifies that the training must cover a range of topics, including child welfare, biological parent contact, behavior management, trauma effects on development, and attachment issues. It allows for training to be completed through approved programs by agencies with expertise in child foster care. Furthermore, provisions are included for individuals in active military service, ensuring they are considered compliant with training requirements for licensure renewal. The department is tasked with adopting rules to implement and enforce these changes.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 237.5A
Enrolled: 237.5A