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An important aspect of social change is adoption of policy innovation by multiple states. Using models to explain the factors affecting policy adoption and diffusion, this paper examines the models that best explain the adoption process for the innovative Individual Development Accounts (IDAs) policy. We show that policy entrepreneurs play a principal role in initiating the policy adoption process. In addition, two internal determinants, the emergence of a problem and the availability of resources, are influential in the states' decisions to enact IDA legislation. Furthermore, policy leaders at both state and federal levels, as well as federal legislation are influential in the implementation and diffusion of IDA policy. We discuss implications for public policy.