91st General Assembly · Funnel one-pager · Monday, November 9, 2026

SF 2370: Establishing the state public defender’s pilot project to implement innovative models of child welfare legal representation as the project to preserve families

Died when the session ended · The General Assembly adjourned on October 2, 2026. Bills that didn’t pass both chambers died.

What it does

The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly. Under current law, the state public defender (SPD) may establish a pilot project to implement innovative models of legal representation to assist families involved in the child welfare system by implementing and studying ways to achieve positive outcomes for families, reduce trauma to young children, and deliver financial benefits to families and their communities.

Cost

Cost: up to $471,000

5 million annually to the Indigent Defense Fund once the PPF is fully implemented across the State. However, that estimate is compared to current law for FY 2027, in which the pilot program would be expired. The pilot program has been in operation since 2020, …

Senate subcommittee · named January 27, 2026

Sen. Jeff Taylor (R) · jeff.taylor@legis.iowa.gov
Sen. Herman C. Quirmbach (D) · herman.quirmbach@legis.iowa.gov
Sen. Tom Shipley (R) · tom.shipley@legis.iowa.gov

Lobbying · 2 for, 0 against

For: Iowa ACEs 360; State Public Defender's Office

In plain words

January 27, 2026Filed in the Senate and sent to the Judiciary committee · as SSB 3076
January 27, 2026Senate subcommittee named: Taylor, Quirmbach and Shipley · as SSB 3076
February 11, 2026Subcommittee recommended passing it · as SSB 3076
February 17, 2026Approved by the Senate committee, and given a new number: SF 2370 · as SSB 3076
February 18, 2026Filed in the Senate
February 18, 2026Approved by the Senate committee
March 20, 2026Cost estimate (fiscal note) posted
March 23, 2026Withdrawn