Week 2 was a short week as we celebrated Martin Luther King Day on Monday. I was happy to join a Zoom call on Monday evening coordinated by Sherry Washington, and including wonderful remarks from Jane Burleson and Julia Naylor, two leaders in Fort Dodge’s African-American community. Their perspective and life experiences are invaluable.

Some of my colleagues and co-workers were absent this week with COVID. The infection numbers are up in Iowa. I still encourage everyone who is eligible receive the vaccine – while it does’t prevent infection, it lessens the severity of the illness. Also, use common sense measures to keep yourself and others safe. If you are sick, stay home.

The week was busy with sub-committees. This is the first hearing a bill receives, and where we hear public input. Most bills end up changed in the process from sub to passing on the floor; that is a result of input from sub-committee and committee.

I chaired a sub on HSB 532, a bill that adds 12 psychiatry residencies through University of Iowa at the state’s mental health institutes. We heard from DHS, Department of Corrections, and many stakeholders. It passed through to committee unanimously. The intent of this bill is to produce more psychiatrists in Iowa so we have more providers to treat mental illness.

Last week in Human Resources, we heard from Janee Harvey, ACFS Division administrator, and Julie Allison, Child Care Bureau chief, about what’s going on around the state with childcare. We are still very short in Iowa, and workforce is the major issue. We have introduced three bills this week to address the childcare needs.

HSB 510 allows childcare providers to accept additional money from families participating in the state child care assistance program. Current law does not allow those families to pay the difference between the CCA reimbursement rate and the rate the provider typically charges, even if the family agrees to pay the additional fee.This bill offers the family more options if they are receiving CCA

HSB 539 is aimed at addressing the staff shortage in the childcare industry. It allows staff of 16 years of age working or volunteering at a childcare facility to provide childcare without additional supervision.

HSB 511 changes the ratio of staff to children at a childcare center. It would allow one worker to be able to supervise eight 2-year-olds instead of six and allow one worker to supervise 10 3-year-olds instead of eight. These changes bring Iowa in line with the majority of other states. This bill will help address the staffing shortages many child care facilities face. Based on input at the subcommittee, we will be amending to seven 2-year olds.

All of these bills are voluntary, not mandatory, and give childcare centers and parents additional flexibility. These bills were based on the report from Gov. Reynolds’ childcare task force, which was released in November. If you would like to review those recommendations, follow this link: https://governor.iowa.gov/sites/default/files/documents/IGOV–ChildcareTF–Report–112021.pdf

This week, we will continue sub-committee and committee as we work toward advancing the state priorities.

As always, please contact me with any concerns. If you’re going to be at the Capitol, please let me know, I’d love to meet with you!

State Rep. Ann Meyer, R-Fort Dodge, represents Fort Dodge and northern Webster County.