Committee advances bill to remove religious exclusions from multiple state programs, including preschool funding

Senate File 2,060, introduced by Senator Sinclair, is a multi-part bill meant to align Iowa law with recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions on the First Amendment (Kennedy v. Bremerton; Trinity v. Comer; Espinosa v. Montana Department of Revenue; Carson v. Makin). The bill strikes exclusions and limitations that bar religious organizations from otherwise generally available public benefits across several program areas — including access to property for higher education, concurrent enrollment with community colleges, textbook purchasing, appropriations, certain tax credits, and the early childhood program structure.

The sponsor said the bill is designed to avoid continuing the exclusions reflected in previous guidance from the Department of Education and to prevent avoidable lawsuits that could waste tax dollars. A committee amendment specifically addressed preschool programs, stating that community-based religious preschools are not "instruments of the state" with respect to restrictions on religious instruction, while the sponsor and supporters said health, safety and the program's substantive requirements remain in force.

Opponents cautioned that several amendment provisions could be read to limit state oversight, teacher-licensure expectations, and nondiscrimination obligations for providers who accept public preschool funds. Senators asked for clearer language to ensure that entities participating in the statewide voluntary preschool program remain subject to necessary requirements. The committee adopted the amendment by short-form vote and later moved the bill as amended; the bill will proceed to the calendar as a committee bill.