Requiring the department of health and human services to pay for the costs of a child’s placement in shelter care

Where it is now

1. ✓
   Done: IntroducedJanuary 20, 2026
2. ✓
   Done: SubcommitteeJanuary 20, 2026
3. ✕
   Stopped: House committeeDied when the General Assembly ended
4. Next: Passes the House
5. Next: Senate committeeFunnel: by March 20, 2026
6. Next: Passes the Senate
7. Next: To the Governor
8. 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

“Shelter care” is the temporary care of a child in a physically unrestricting facility at any time between the child’s initial contact with juvenile authorities and the final judicial disposition of the child’s case. Under current law, if the department of health and human services (HHS) is not authorized to pay all of the costs of a child’s shelter care placement, then the child’s custodial parent’s county of residence shall pay for the difference between the actual and allowable costs of the shelter care and the amount HHS paid to the shelter care provider. This bill requires HHS to pay all costs for a child’s shelter care and requires HHS to amend its rules to reflect HHS’s responsibility to pay the costs of shelter care.

From the explanation printed with the bill as introduced, written by the Legislative Services Agency. Amendments adopted later aren’t reflected. Full bill text

House subcommittee

Named January 20, 2026. On January 28, 2026 it recommended passage.

• Rep. Hans C. Wilz REmail
• Rep. Tracy A. Ehlert DEmail
• Rep. Ann Meyer REmail

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

Iowa Code it changes

Amends§232.141

Read from the bill as introduced. Each links to every bill touching that chapter of the Iowa Code. How the Code works