SF 175 requires public school districts, charter schools, and other accredited schools to add specific content about pregnancy and fetal development to health and human growth classes for students in grades 5 through 12. This policy change directly affects all schools in the state and their students in those grade levels by mandating the inclusion of this topic in existing health education. The bill does not alter funding or create new programs but updates curriculum standards to include this subject matter. It was passed by the legislature and signed into law by the Governor on June 6, 2025.
SF 369 requires students to pass the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services naturalization civics test to earn a high school diploma or high school equivalency diploma. This law directly affects all high school students in the state and those pursuing equivalent credentials. The key provision mandates passing this specific civics test, which covers U.S. history, government, and civic principles, as a graduation requirement. The bill was signed into law by the Governor on May 27, 2025.
HF 835 requires schools to train personnel on emergency care for students with epilepsy or seizure disorders. It mandates specific emergency care planning, authorizes staff to assist students during seizures, and limits their liability when acting in good faith. The bill also directs the Department of Education to form a work group to develop health care training standards for school staff. These changes directly affect school personnel and students with seizure disorders across the state.
SF 167 is a school funding bill that establishes the state's funding increase rates for the budget year beginning July 1, 2025, covering both general and specific categorical programs. It modifies provisions related to property tax replacement payments, which help offset local property taxes for schools. The bill also adjusts the regular program state cost per pupil, which is the base amount of state funding provided for each student. Finally, it modifies funding mechanisms for shared operational functions among school districts.
This bill modifies Iowa's existing law concerning school concussion and brain injury policies. It specifically expands the definition of "licensed health care provider" for the purpose of clearing students to return to extracurricular interscholastic activities after experiencing a concussion or brain injury. Under this bill, a person who holds a doctorate in psychology with specialty training in neuropsychology or concussion management would be added to the list of professionals who can provide such clearance. This change directly affects students participating in school activities and the range of medical professionals involved in their return-to-play protocols.
This bill prohibits courts from ordering parents in divorce proceedings to pay a "postsecondary education subsidy" for their children. A postsecondary education subsidy refers to financial support for educational expenses for children aged 18-22 attending career training, college, university, or community college. This means courts can no longer include requirements for college or vocational school financial support in new or pending divorce orders. The bill applies to divorce orders entered or pending on or after July 1, 2025. However, it specifically states that existing orders established before July 1, 2025, that already include such subsidies cannot be modified based on this new law.
SF 277 is a bill that modifies existing laws related to compulsory education, truancy, and chronic absenteeism. This legislation directly affects students, their parents or guardians, and school districts by altering the legal framework surrounding school attendance requirements. Without the full bill text, specific details on how these provisions are modified, such as changes to definitions or new intervention strategies, cannot be provided.
SF 275 requires the Director of the Department of Education to develop and administer a "purple star school initiative." This initiative is designed to recognize and support schools that provide specific resources and services for military-connected students and their families. The bill tasks the Department of Education with creating the program's framework and overseeing its implementation across the state.
This bill requires Iowa school districts, charter schools, and innovation zone schools to adopt policies by July 1, 2025, that restrict student use of personal electronic devices during classroom instructional time. The Department of Education will develop model policies for schools to consider. These policies must identify methods for parents to communicate with students during school hours and emergencies, establish disciplinary actions for violations, and outline secure storage protocols for devices. They must also include provisions allowing students to maintain access to devices for legitimate physical or mental health reasons, or as required by an individualized education program (IEP) or 504 plan. Additionally, school districts are mandated to revise their emergency operations plans by July 1, 2025, to align with these new policies on electronic device use.
