This bill modifies Iowa school district budgeting rules to address timing issues with property tax proposals. It establishes a specific public hearing date no earlier than March 20 of the preceding year, ensuring residents have time to provide testimony before tax amounts are finalized. Under new provisions, if state growth percentages are not set by March 5, school districts must limit their proposed budget growth to match the previous year's rate. Additionally, while most local governments can only lower proposed tax amounts after a public hearing, school districts are granted the ability to increase them if enrollment data or new laws require it. These changes aim to provide clearer timelines and flexibility for school districts during the budget process.
HF 2538 modifies Iowa's school performance grading system and student discipline rules. It requires schools to calculate performance grades using metrics like safety efforts (including suspending students for "disorderly conduct" like threats or classroom disruptions), academic growth, attendance, and parental engagement. The bill authorizes teachers to immediately exclude disruptive students from their classrooms and request principal involvement, with specific rules for repeat offenses (e.g., three exclusions in 30 days triggering suspension). It also mandates that charter and innovation zone schools follow the same discipline procedures as traditional school districts and allows teachers to request Individualized Education Program (IEP) team meetings for students with behavioral issues.
HF 2361 requires Iowa's regents institutions (like the University of Iowa, Iowa State, and UNI) to mandate that undergraduate students complete introductory survey courses in American history and American government as part of their general education requirements. Each course must be at least three semester hours and fulfill social sciences or humanities requirements, with institutions granting equivalent credit for similar prior coursework. The policy applies to students starting in academic years beginning July 1, 2028, and excludes three-year degree programs. Additionally, three university centers must establish lecture series promoting civil dialogue on American republic issues and submit annual reports to state leaders.
HF 2488 prohibits private colleges in Iowa that receive Iowa Tuition Grants from establishing or maintaining Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) offices. The bill defines a DEI office as any unit creating or promoting policies related to race, ethnicity, gender, or sexual orientation, but excludes legal compliance offices, academic departments, student recruitment, and student organizations. Private institutions violating this could lose eligibility for the tuition grant program starting the next academic year. The law allows institutions to report disputes to the attorney general, who can suspend grant access if violations aren't resolved within 30 days.
HF 851 requires all Iowa public and nonpublic schools offering kindergarten through grade 12 to include specific nutrition education in their health curricula. It mandates that students learn about the importance, benefits, and role of animal-based proteins, dairy, vegetables, and fruits in a balanced diet across multiple grade levels. The bill also modifies career and technical education to include agriculture, food, and natural resources instruction, emphasizing local food sourcing. These changes apply to all schools meeting state curriculum standards, with requirements beginning in the 2023-2024 school year for certain grades.
SF 647 is a budget bill that allocates state funding to the Department for the Blind, the Department of Education, and the State Board of Regents. It provides financial resources for their day-to-day operations and program delivery. The bill includes specific conditions that determine when certain funding becomes effective. This legislation directly affects these state agencies and the educational services they provide to residents.
HF 437 establishes a Center for Intellectual Freedom at the University of Iowa. The bill creates a formal unit within the university dedicated to supporting academic freedom, free expression, and open inquiry on campus. It directly affects the University of Iowa by requiring the institution to develop and maintain this center as part of its operations. The law was passed by the legislature and signed by the Governor on June 11, 2025, making it effective immediately.
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.
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.
