WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

HF 346

A bill for an act relating to state child care assistance for children of certain child care personnel.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Sean Bagniewski

HF 346 expands state child care assistance to include children of child care workers, ensuring affordable care and supporting workforce stability in the sector.

Introduced, referred to Health and Human Services.
#childcare #children #publicassistance
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HF 346

Summary of HF 346: State Child Care Assistance for Child Care Personnel

Bill Number: HF 346
Introduced On: February 12, 2025
Current Status: Introduced, referred to Health and Human Services
Classification: Bill
Subject Areas: Child Care, Children, Public Assistance

Purpose and Intent

HF 346 aims to expand eligibility for the state child care assistance program to include children of certain child care personnel. The bill recognizes the critical role that child care workers play in providing care and education to children and seeks to support these workers by ensuring their children have access to affordable child care.

Key Provisions

The bill proposes the following amendments and new provisions:

Eligibility Criteria

  1. Employment Requirements:

    • The parent, guardian, or custodian must be employed at:
      • A licensed child care facility.
      • A registered child care home.
      • An unregistered child care home that has an agreement with the state for reimbursements.

  2. Work Hours:

    • The individual must work an average of at least 32 hours per week in a role primarily focused on providing direct child care.

  3. Child Care Restrictions:

    • If employed at a child care home or child development home, the individual cannot provide care for their own child.
    • Co-providers at child development homes may qualify if they meet all specified requirements.

  4. Role Specifications:

    • The individual must not serve as a substitute or assistant at a child development home.

  5. Need for Assistance:

    • The state department must evaluate and determine that the individual has a legitimate need for child care assistance.

Amendments to Existing Law

  • The bill amends Section 237A.13 of the Code 2025 by adding a new paragraph that outlines the eligibility criteria for child care personnel.

Impact

Who Will Be Affected?

  • Child Care Workers: The bill directly benefits child care personnel by providing them access to state child care assistance for their children.
  • Children of Child Care Workers: Eligible children will have improved access to affordable child care services, which can enhance their early childhood education and development.

Broader Implications

  • This legislation may help retain child care workers by alleviating some financial burdens associated with child care costs, potentially leading to a more stable workforce in the child care sector.

Procedural Aspects

  • The bill was introduced on February 12, 2025, and has been referred to the Health and Human Services committee for further consideration. The timeline for further legislative action has not yet been established.

This summary provides an overview of HF 346, highlighting its purpose, key provisions, and potential impacts on child care personnel and their families.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.