HF 480 (LSB 2310YH (2) 88)

HOUSE FILE 480

BY  JACOBY

(COMPANION TO SF 253 BY HOGG)

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to eligibility for state child care assistance.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 237A.13, subsection 1, Code 2019, is amended by adding the following new paragraph:
   NEW PARAGRAPH.  g.  The child needs crisis child care which is provided on a temporary basis to the child, for a continuous period not to exceed thirty days, when there is reason to believe that the child’s welfare has been affected by domestic abuse in the child’s home.
    Sec. 2.  DIRECTIVE TO DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES —— CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE.  The department of human services shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 17A to provide eligibility for state child care assistance, according to family size for children needing basic care, to a child that needs crisis child care provided on a temporary basis to the child, for a continuous period not to exceed thirty days, when there is reason to believe that the child’s welfare has been affected by domestic abuse in the child’s home.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   This bill relates to state child care assistance.
   The state child care assistance program is administered by the department of human services (DHS). DHS provides state child care assistance to families who meet eligibility guidelines under any of the following circumstances: the child’s parent, guardian, or custodian is participating in approved academic, vocational, or technical training; the child’s parent, guardian, or custodian is seeking employment; the child’s parent, guardian, or custodian is employed and the family income meets income requirements; the child’s parent, guardian, or custodian is absent for a limited period of time due to hospitalization, physical illness, or mental illness, or is present but is unable to care for the child for a limited period as verified by a physician; or the child needs protective services to prevent or alleviate child abuse or neglect. The bill expands these circumstances to include a child who needs crisis child care which is provided on a temporary basis, for a period not to exceed 30 days, when there is reason to believe that the child’s welfare has been affected by domestic abuse in the child’s home. 
   The bill directs DHS to amend its administrative rules related to state child care assistance to include such children.