HF 865 modifies how Minnesota school districts and accredited nonpublic schools address student harassment or bullying. It updates existing policies to clarify procedures for reporting, investigating, and responding to incidents. The bill directly affects students and school staff by changing the framework for handling these cases within schools. As signed into law on May 27, 2025, it establishes concrete requirements for school districts to follow regarding harassment and bullying prevention and response.
HF 393 modifies how Iowa schools calculate performance grades by excluding students who drop out from certain school performance profile metrics. This change directly affects Iowa public schools and their published performance ratings, which are used to inform parents and the public. The bill alters the Department of Education's methodology to ensure dropout rates do not negatively impact a school's overall grade. It became law after passing the Senate unanimously and receiving the Governor's signature on May 27, 2025. The policy change specifically adjusts how student enrollment data is processed for grading purposes.
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, known as the "Accreditation Autonomy Act," primarily affects Iowa's public colleges and universities and their accrediting agencies. It updates several state laws to recognize any federally recognized accreditor for various educational programs and institutions, rather than just a specific commission. The bill prohibits accrediting agencies from taking negative actions against public institutions for complying with Iowa state law or refusing to violate it. If an accrediting agency violates this provision, the affected institution, with the Attorney General's authorization, can pursue a civil lawsuit for injunctive relief and financial damages.
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 expands which grades are eligible for a year-round school calendar in Iowa. It authorizes public school districts and accredited nonpublic schools to apply to the Department of Education for permission to implement a year-round calendar for students in grades nine through twelve. This extends an existing provision that currently only allows year-round calendars for students in prekindergarten through eighth grade. Before applying for authorization, school boards are required to hold a public hearing on any year-round calendar proposal.
This bill expands career education opportunities and recognition for Iowa students. It mandates new career planning and exploration curriculum for public school students in grades five through eight, designed to help them understand career pathways and prepare for future academic and career plans. For high school students, the bill directs the Department of Education to establish a list of industry-recognized credentials and create a corresponding seal. School districts would then report students who achieve these credentials and recognize them by adding the seal to their transcripts or providing a certificate.
This bill, known as the "College Affordability Act," aims to address tuition, degree programs, and employment for students at Iowa's public universities. It limits annual tuition and mandatory fee increases for in-state resident students to no more than three percent, and starting in 2026, requires tuition for in-state undergraduates to remain frozen at their first-year rate for subsequent academic years. The bill also directs universities to offer at least one three-year bachelor's degree program by 2027 and establish a "work plus" program where employers cover tuition and fees for participating part-time student employees.
This bill modifies the Iowa National Guard service scholarship program, which helps eligible Iowa National Guard members pay for college tuition. It establishes that scholarship awards cannot exceed the difference between a student's tuition and any financial aid they receive under specific federal military programs (10 U.S.C. §2007). Additionally, the bill removes a provision that previously prohibited scholarship eligibility or award determinations from being based on a National Guard member's unit, drill location, or whether they are in the Army or Air National Guard.
House File 117 establishes the National Guard Service Professional Qualification Scholarship Program, directly affecting members of the Iowa National Guard. This program provides scholarships to eligible Guard members pursuing specific educational programs at community colleges, state universities, or accredited private institutions. The scholarships are for programs leading to a "credential," such as a postsecondary certificate or competency-based qualification, but do not cover associate or higher degrees. The Adjutant General approves eligible educational programs and determines individual eligibility, with the College Student Aid Commission administering the scholarship payments, which cannot exceed the total program cost.
