This bill amends existing law regarding eligibility for certain public assistance programs in Iowa, specifically focusing on the verification of immigration and citizenship status. It updates Section 239.6 of the Code 2026 to include new provisions that require the Department of Human Services (HHS) to utilize the systematic alien verification for entitlements online service, maintained by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, to confirm the immigration and citizenship status of applicants and recipients of public assistance benefits.

The bill adds a new paragraph to subsection 2 of Section 239.6, explicitly stating that HHS must verify this information before determining the initial eligibility or ongoing eligibility of individuals applying for or receiving benefits from programs such as SNAP, Medicaid, FIP, and CHIP. This change aims to ensure that only eligible individuals receive public assistance, thereby reinforcing the integrity of these programs.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 239.6