SSB 1135 — A bill for an act relating to early childhood education and care, including by modifying provisions related to the statewide preschool program, the child development coordinating council, programs for at-risk children, the responsibilities of the department of education, the early childhood Iowa initiative, and the state child care assistance program, and establishing the child care continuum partnership grants pilot program within the department of health and human services.

Bill Text

• Introduced View text Current pdf

AI-generated reading aid from the bill's amendatory text — verify against the official bill.

The bill modifies provisions related to the statewide preschool program, expanding definitions and requirements for community-based providers, and detailing funding and administrative processes.

• Section 256C.1

  high quality → high-quality

  Clarifies the standard for preschool instruction provided by programs.

• Section 256C.1

  "Community-based provider approved to directly participate in the preschool program" means a community-based provider that meets the community-based provider requirements under section 256C.3 and has been approved by the department to directly participate in the preschool program. "Community-based provider approved to directly participate in the preschool program" does not mean a community-based provider that partners with a school district’s approved local program.

  Defines a specific type of community-based provider for the preschool program.

• Section 256C.3

  If space and funding are available, including funding from another school district account or fund from which preschool program expenditures are authorized by law, a school district approved to participate in the preschool program or community-based provider approved to directly participate in the preschool program may enroll and pay the cost of attendance for a younger or older child in the preschool program; however, the child shall not be counted for state funding purposes.

  Allows schools and providers to enroll children of varying ages under specific conditions without affecting state funding counts.

• Section 256C.3

  The state board shall adopt rules to further define the following requirements of community-based providers approved to directly participate in the preschool program in implementing the preschool program:

  Establishes a framework for defining community-based provider requirements.

• Section 256C.3

  The state board shall adopt rules to further define the following preschool program requirements which shall be used to determine whether or not a local program implemented by a school district approved to implement the preschool program or a community-based provider directly approved to implement the preschool program qualifies as an approved local program:

  Outlines the need for rules to evaluate local programs.

• Section 256C.3

  Provision for ensuring that children receiving care from other child care arrangements can participate in the preschool program with minimal disruption due to transportation and movement from one site to another.

  Emphasizes the importance of transportation logistics for children in the preschool program.

• Section 256C.4

  State funding provided under the preschool program to school districts shall be based upon the enrollment of eligible students in the preschool programming provided by a school district approved to participate in the preschool program.

  Clarifies that funding is based on enrollment in preschool programs.

• Section 256C.4

  A school district shall maintain a separate listing within its budget for preschool foundation aid payments received and expenditures made.

  Mandates transparency and accountability in preschool funding within school district budgets.

• Section 256C.4

  Preschool foundation aid funding shall not be commingled with the other state aid payments made under section 257.16 to a school district and shall be accounted for by the local school district separately from the other state aid payments.

  Ensures preschool funding is tracked separately from other state funding for accountability.

• Section 256C.4

  Preschool foundation aid funding may be used by approved local programs for the costs of transportation involving children participating in the preschool program.

  Allows preschool funding to cover transportation costs, enhancing program accessibility.

Action History

1. February 25, 2025

   Committee report approving bill, renumbered as SF 445.

2. February 19, 2025

   Subcommittee recommends passage.

3. February 18, 2025

   Subcommittee Meeting: 02/19/2025 1:30PM Room 217 Conference Room.

4. February 18, 2025

   Subcommittee: Evans, Shipley, and Zimmer.

5. February 18, 2025

   Introduced, referred to Education.

Sponsors

• COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION · Primary

Subjects