The bill establishes a new Early Childhood and Family Services (ECFS) system in Iowa, aimed at enhancing family functioning, promoting child development, and preventing child abuse and neglect. It introduces a comprehensive framework that includes the creation of ECFS districts and advisory councils to oversee local implementation. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is tasked with developing a state plan, coordinating resources, and ensuring equitable access to services for families with children under nineteen, particularly those under six. The bill also creates an ECFS System Fund to support the new framework and mandates data collection to monitor outcomes and improve service delivery. The effective date for most provisions is set for July 1, 2027, while fund provisions take effect immediately.

Additionally, the bill repeals existing laws related to child welfare, including the child abuse prevention program, and redirects their funding to the new ECFS fund. It modifies various sections to align with the new system, incorporates the Healthy Opportunities for Parents to Experience Success (HOPES) program, and introduces new eligibility criteria for the state child care assistance program targeting parents or guardians employed in child care facilities. The bill also grants HHS emergency rulemaking authority to expedite the implementation of these changes during the transition period leading up to the full establishment of the ECFS system.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 8E.204, 234A.1, 232.188, 249A.26, 256I.4, 144.13A, 8.33, 422.13, 217.1B, 216A.107, 237A.26, 237A.30, 256I.5, 256A.3, 256C.3, 256C.4, 257.6