HF 2332 (LSB 5927YH (2) 89)

HOUSE FILE 2332

BY  EHLERT and MASCHER

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to financial support for the development of early childhood educators.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 84A.1B, subsection 14, paragraph a, Code 2022, is amended to read as follows:
   a.  (1)  An entry-level hourly wage of not less than fourteen dollars.
   (2)  Subparagraph (1) does not apply to jobs at child development homes or licensed child care facilities, as those terms are defined in section 237A.1, or state or federally regulated preschools, for purposes of the future ready Iowa skilled workforce last-dollar scholarship program under section 261.131.
    Sec. 2.  Section 256I.11, Code 2022, is amended by adding the following new subsection:
   NEW SUBSECTION.  6.  For the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2022, and each subsequent fiscal year, there is appropriated from the general fund of the state to the early childhood Iowa fund the amount of two hundred sixty-five thousand nine hundred fifty dollars. Moneys appropriated pursuant to this subsection shall be used by the state board for the purpose of assisting in expenses for skills development, tuition expenses, endorsements for teaching licenses, and licensure renewal for child care providers working in a facility licensed or regulated by the state or a federal agency.
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 financial support for the development of early childhood educators.
   The bill exempts jobs at child development homes, licensed child care facilities, or state or federally regulated preschools from the entry-level hourly wage requirement to qualify as a high-demand job for the purposes of the future ready Iowa skilled workforce last-dollar scholarship program. The program covers the gap between federal and state grants and scholarships and tuition and qualified fees for eligible students in a program of study that leads to a high-demand job as designated by the workforce development board or a community college.
   The bill provides for a standing appropriation beginning FY 2022-2023 from the general fund of the state to the early childhood Iowa fund of $265,950. Moneys appropriated pursuant to the bill shall be used by the early childhood Iowa state board for the purpose of assisting in expenses for skills development, tuition expenses, endorsements for teaching licenses, and licensure renewal for child care providers working in a facility licensed or regulated by the state or a federal agency.