A bill for an act relating to play-based learning in preschool, prekindergarten, and kindergarten.
HF 2652 requires Iowa schools serving preschool through kindergarten to incorporate specific amounts of play-based learning into daily instruction. It mandates at least 90 minutes of play-based learning per half school day and 180 minutes per full day for prekindergarten programs, and at least 45 minutes daily for kindergarten programs. The bill defines "play-based learning" as child-directed activities promoting development through play, excluding recess or physical education. This applies to all public school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, charter schools, and innovation zone schools offering these grades.
Bill status
passed
3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
Mar 2026
House Passage
Mar 2026
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Feb 20, 2026
Last action Mar 31, 2026
Floor votes · House Mar 2, 2026
How they voted
89–0
Passed · 10 other
Total votes 99
Mar 2, 2026
D
Democratic32
78% Yea
R
Republican67
95% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
12
Key actions
5
Committee
4
Amendments
1
Mar 31, 2026
Introduced
Amendment S-5144 filed.
upper
Mar 19, 2026
Upper · Passed
Committee report, recommending passage.
upper
Mar 17, 2026
Legislature · Passed
Subcommittee recommends passage.
legislature
Mar 12, 2026
Legislature · Passed
Subcommittee Meeting: 03/17/2026 8:30AM Room 315.
legislature
Mar 10, 2026
Upper · Passed
Subcommittee: Gruenhagen, Donahue, and Salmon.
upper
Mar 2, 2026
Lower · Passed
Passed House, yeas 90, nays 0.
lower
Feb 20, 2026
Introduced
Introduced, placed on calendar.
lower
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
No sponsor information available.
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