Relating to refugees and refugee resettlement, and providing an appropriation

This bill relates to refugees and refugee resettlement, and provides an appropriation. The bill provides definitions for “eligible agency” and “refugee” for purposes of the bill. The bill requires the department of health and human services (HHS) to award grants to eligible agencies to provide a number of services to refugees residing in the state, for up to months, including services that assist refugees with department programs as well as other services. The bill appropriates $10 million, in addition to and not in lieu of any other appropriation, from the general fund of the state to HHS for FY 2024-2025 to provide refugee support services for refugees residing in this state. Of the funds appropriated, $420,000 shall be used by HHS to administer a grant program to provide access to international resources to Iowans and new Iowans to provide economic and leadership development resulting in Iowa being a more inclusive and welcoming place to live, work, and raise a family. The department shall use a request for proposals process to select the best qualified entity to administer the program in a county with a population over 450,000. Of the funds appropriated, $400,000 shall be used for the Iowa commission on volunteer service and the RefugeeRISE AmeriCorps program for member recruitment and training to improve the economic well-being and health of economically disadvantaged refugees in local communities across Iowa. Of the funds appropriated, up to $400,000 shall be used to develop new child care locations as well as provide technical assistance through expansion of refugee child care business development programs. Of the funds appropriated, the remaining funds shall be used to fund grants to supplement the funding received by eligible agencies to provide services as described in the bill.