Bills › 91st General Assembly
Authorizing community-based providers to directly participate in the statewide preschool program for four-year-old children
Topics:K–12 education
Same legislation: HF 2358
Where it is now
- Done: IntroducedJanuary 22, 2026
- Done: SubcommitteeJanuary 22, 2026
- Done: House committeeFebruary 4, 2026
- Skipped: Passes the HouseContinued as HF 2358
- Next: Senate committee
- Next: Passes the Senate
- Next: To the Governor
- Next: Signed into law
Became HF 2358 → Its progress continues under the new number. Go to HF 2358 What’s a funnel?
What’s in it
AI summary Community-based providers would be allowed to run preschool programs for four-year-olds directly instead of only working through school districts. If approved by the department of education, these providers could receive state funding directly to pay for their programs. The state board of education will create the specific rules that these providers must follow.1
Read the official explanation
This bill authorizes community-based providers to directly participate in the statewide preschool program for four-year-old children. Under current law, only school districts that meet certain requirements established by the state board of education are able to participate in the statewide preschool program for four-year-old children established pursuant to Code chapter 256C, although school districts may contract with community-based providers. The bill authorizes community-based providers to directly participate in the statewide preschool program for four-year-old children established pursuant to Code chapter 256C by applying with the department of education to implement a preschool program. _____ required to adopt rules to further define the requirements of community-based providers implementing the preschool program. Under current law, state funding provided under the statewide preschool program for four-year-old children is provided to school districts based upon the number of eligible students enrolled in the preschool programming provided by the school district. Also under current law, if the school district contracts with a community-based provider, state funding passes from the school district to the community-based provider. The bill allows a community-based provider approved to directly participate in the preschool program to be paid preschool foundation aid directly in the same manner as a school district. The bill establishes the amount of preschool foundation aid that is payable to such a community-based provider for the initial school year for which the community-based provider is approved to directly participate in the preschool program, and for subsequent school years. The bill makes conforming changes.
House subcommittee
Named January 22, 2026. On January 28, 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
1 written public comment to its subcommittee: January 28, 2026 (1) · on the Legislature’s site
Fiscal note
AI summary This bill allows community-based providers to apply to participate directly in the Statewide Voluntary Preschool Program. The fiscal impact cannot be determined because it is unknown if more students will participate in these programs. Each additional student would cost the General Fund $4,074, and the Department of Education may face additional administrative costs for oversight and technical assistance.3
From the note: The fiscal impact of House File 2358 cannot be determined because it is unknown whether there will be an increase in SWVPP participation due to additional pupils participating in preschool programs provided by community-based providers. For each additional pupil participating in SWVPP, there will be an additional cost to the General Fund of $4,074 based on the current State cost per pupil.
- Preschool Program Providers · March 4, 2026 · $4,074
Iowa Code it changes
Lobbying
6 for · 1 against · 13 undecided · Who →
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91st General Assembly
Similar bills
- HSB 680 Relating to education funding by authorizing community-based providers to directly partici…91st General Assembly · Subcommittee recommends passageVery similar
Matched by wording or an identical title.