Bills › 91st General Assembly
Relating to play-based learning in preschool, prekindergarten, and kindergarten
Sponsored by the House Education Committee, Rep. Tracy A. Ehlert (D)
Topics:K–12 education
Same legislation: HF 460
Where it is now
- Done: IntroducedFebruary 19, 2025
- Done: SubcommitteeFebruary 16, 2026
- Done: House committeeFebruary 18, 2026
- Done: Passes the HouseMarch 2, 202690–0
- Done: Senate committeeMarch 19, 2026
- Stopped: Passes the SenateDied when the General Assembly ended
- Next: To the Governor
- Next: Signed into law
Died when the session ended The General Assembly adjourned on October 2, 2026. Bills that didn’t pass both chambers died. What’s a funnel?
What’s in it
This bill relates to play-based learning in preschool, prekindergarten, and kindergarten. The bill defines “play-based learning” as a pedagogical approach that emphasizes play and child-directed experiences in promoting learning and that includes developmentally appropriate strategies that can be integrated with existing learning standards. The bill requires school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, charter schools, and innovation zone schools to incorporate at least minutes of play-based learning during each half school day and at least 180 minutes of play-based learning during each full school day into the prekindergarten program.
Read the full explanation
Schools are required to incorporate at least minutes of play-based learning each school day into the kindergarten program. The bill also requires preschools that operate under Code chapter 256C (statewide preschool program) to provide for at least minutes of play-based learning during each half school day and at least 180 minutes of play-based learning during each full school day.
From the explanation printed with the bill as introduced, written by the Legislative Services Agency. Amendments adopted later aren’t reflected. Full bill text
Senate subcommittee
Named March 10, 2026. On March 17, 2026 it recommended passage.
Three legislators hear a bill first and recommend what the committee should do; it’s the best time to weigh in. How to take part
30 written public comments to its subcommittee: March 17, 2026 (2), March 12, 2026 (5), February 18, 2026 (23) · on the Legislature’s site
Iowa Code it changes
Amends§256.11§256C.3§256E.7§256F.4
Read from the bill as introduced. Each links to every bill touching that chapter of the Iowa Code. How the Code works
Lobbying
12 for · 0 against · 6 undecided · Who →
Family tree
Where this legislation came from and where it went: earlier tries, the versions it moved through this Assembly, and later bills built on it.
91st General Assembly
Earlier and later bills are matched by wording or an identical title; check the text to be sure it’s the same idea.