SF2488: Early Childhood and Family Services

The Act creates a statewide ECFS system to provide primary prevention, early intervention, and ongoing family and community resources for families with children under 19, administered by the Department of Health and Human Services. It establishes a new ECFS system fund, district advisory councils, and new policies for data collection and program oversight. The Act repeals various existing programs and statutes, transitions funding and contracts to the new system, and includes provisions for continuity of services and the redistribution of federal funds. It also convenes an interim study committee to guide future transitions and mandates conforming Code changes. Several appropriations and fund transfers are authorized to support the new system and its transition.

Key Points & Impacts

• Establishes the Early Childhood and Family Services (ECFS) system under the Department of Health and Human Services, with statewide, district-level administration and advisory councils.

• Creates the ECFS system fund with appropriated state and transferred funds, which are non-reverting and accrue interest for ECFS purposes.

• Repeals and consolidates multiple programs and statutes (including sections 135.106, 232.188, 235A.1, 235A.2, 235A.3) into the new ECFS structure, and mandates the transfer of unexpended funds to the ECFS system fund.

• Transitions child abuse prevention funding, contracts, and associated administration from old programs to the ECFS system, with explicit provisions for contract review and continuity of care.

• Modifies income tax checkoff and birth registration fee designations, directing proceeds to the new ECFS system fund for child abuse prevention.

• Phases out decategorization initiatives, reallocates remaining funding, and details procedures for contract evaluation, termination, and assumption by the department or juvenile court services.

• Provides for the transition of home visiting services from Early Childhood Iowa boards to the ECFS system upon request, with safeguards for uninterrupted service and stakeholder involvement.

• Convenes a legislative interim study committee to review and advise on transition strategies, with a final report or bill draft due by January 8, 2027.

Signed by Governor June 2, 2026.