Education

introduced · Iowa · Legislature

1437XD: Department of Insurance and Financial Services Omnibus (1437XD) - Insurance and Financial Services, Department of

This bill creates two new state funds to support financial education and prevention of financial exploitation in Iowa. It modifies insurance agent registration fees (charging $40 total, with $10 directed to each fund) and establishes the Financial Literacy and Investor Education Fund (for public education on financial topics) and the Financial Exploitation Prevention Fund (for victim assistance and investigations). The funds can be supported by fees, transfers from the commerce revolving fund, and civil penalty payments. These changes directly affect insurance agents through fee structures and benefit Iowa residents by funding public education programs and prevention services.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates Financial Literacy Fund for public education on financial topics, directly advancing curriculum development and educational access within schools.95% confidence

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died · Iowa · House Mar 14, 2025

HF 220: A bill for an act relating to participation in high school extracurricular interscholastic athletic contests or competitions by students enrolled in grade eight.

HF 220 would have required Iowa public school districts, nonpublic schools, charter schools, and innovation zone schools to allow eighth-grade students who meet their academic standards to participate in high school athletic programs (grades 9-12). The bill's key provision, added as Section 280.13D, mandated that schools permit these students to join extracurricular sports teams provided for older grades. It directly affected eighth graders meeting academic requirements and school administrators responsible for athletic program rules. The bill was withdrawn on March 14, 2025, after committee approval.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands educational access by mandating schools to allow academically qualified 8th graders to participate in high school sports, increasing student program opportunities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum

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in committee · Iowa · House Jan 23, 2025

HSB 3: A bill for an act establishing the national guard service professional qualification scholarship program.

HB 3 establishes Iowa's National Guard Service Professional Qualification Scholarship Program, providing financial aid to Iowa National Guard members pursuing approved postsecondary credentials. The scholarship covers the full cost of approved educational programs at community colleges, state universities, or accredited private institutions, excluding associate degrees and higher. Eligible members must complete initial training, maintain good performance, enroll in an approved program, and apply for other state/federal aid first. The Adjutant General verifies eligibility and approves educational programs, while unspent funds roll over annually to support the program.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides scholarships for National Guard members pursuing postsecondary education, directly funding higher education access and expanding educational opportunities for military personnel.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid

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introduced · Iowa · Legislature

1396XD: National Guard Service Scholarship Program (1396XD) - Public Defense, Department of

This bill modifies the National Guard Service Scholarship Program, which provides financial aid to Iowa National Guard members attending eligible Iowa colleges and universities. It changes how scholarship award amounts are calculated. The bill stipulates that scholarship awards cannot exceed the difference between the institution's tuition rate and any federal financial aid received under 10 U.S.C. §2007. Additionally, it removes the previous minimum scholarship award amount and eliminates the prohibition against basing award determinations on a member's unit, drill location, or branch of service.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill modifies scholarship program providing financial aid for Iowa National Guard members attending colleges, maintaining higher education access through targeted funding without reducing support.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 5, 2025

SSB 1068: A bill for an act relating to workforce training, unemployment insurance, adult education, and other functions and programs of the department of workforce development, the workforce development board, and local workforce development boards, and making appropriations.

SSB 1068 updates Iowa's workforce development laws to align with federal requirements. It revises definitions for national service programs (like AmeriCorps and RefugeeRISE), requires local workforce boards to develop federally compliant plans, and mandates new reporting on education and job training outcomes. The bill affects the Department of Workforce Development, local workforce boards, and job seekers accessing training programs. Key changes include repealing outdated sections (84A.7-84A.11) and adding requirements for annual reports on scholarship program participation and employment outcomes.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill updates adult education programs, mandates reporting on education outcomes, and aligns with federal requirements for workforce training programs under education subject.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentUpdates workforce laws to align with federal standards, mandates reporting on job training outcomes, and affects unemployment programs - strengthening program effectiveness under Labor & Employment.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid Unemployment Workforce Development

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died · Iowa · House Apr 28, 2025

HF 772: A bill for an act providing for an annual authorization fee to be collected by the college student aid commission from certain postsecondary educational institutions not subject to registration with the commission.

HF 772 requires the college student aid commission to collect a new annual authorization fee from certain postsecondary educational institutions. This fee applies to educational entities that are either exempt from standard registration with the commission or those offering educational courses in Iowa, and who do not already pay a registration fee. The bill sets the annual fee at $2,000 for institutions with a primary location in Iowa and $3,500 for those located outside of Iowa, beginning July 1, 2025. The commission is authorized to increase these fees annually by up to three percent.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes mandatory fees for postsecondary institutions to fund the College Student Aid Commission, directly supporting higher education financial aid programs through new revenue.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Mar 3, 2025

SF 478: A bill for an act relating to Medicaid and children’s health insurance program coverage for mental health services provided in school-based settings.

This bill requires Iowa's Department of Health and Human Services to seek federal approval to expand Medicaid and CHIP coverage for mental health services provided in schools. It ensures all children enrolled in Iowa's Medicaid or CHIP programs - regardless of whether they have a special education plan - can access covered services without needing a formal mental health diagnosis. Covered services include individual, group, and family therapy, prevention services, evaluation, and case management. The bill also mandates collaboration with schools and federal technical assistance to implement these changes, particularly in rural and under-resourced districts.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands school-based mental health access for all students in Medicaid/CHIP, enhancing student support services without diagnostic barriers.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands Medicaid/CHIP coverage for school-based mental health services without diagnosis requirement, improving access for all enrolled children.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Special Education Student Health Children's Health Medicaid Mental Health

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in committee · Iowa · House Jan 30, 2025

HF 152: A bill for an act relating to the federal summer electronic benefits transfer for children program, making an appropriation, and including effective date and retroactive applicability provisions.

HF 152 directs Iowa to apply for and participate in the federal Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) for Children program, which provides food assistance to children during summer months when school meals are unavailable. The bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (with Education) to submit an application to the USDA by February 2025 and appropriates state funds to cover administrative costs for the summer 2025 program. It directly affects approximately 240,000 Iowa children eligible for the program, which is funded by an estimated $29 million in federal resources. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment but applies retroactively to July 1, 2024, ensuring state funding covers costs from that date.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates state funds for administrative costs of food assistance program, directly funding an essential public service for children.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill provides food assistance to students during summer (when school meals unavailable), directly supporting educational access and student well-being through federal program participation and state funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health

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in committee · Iowa · House Jan 23, 2025

HSB 4: A bill for an act modifying provisions related to the national guard service scholarship program.

This bill modifies Iowa's National Guard service scholarship program for state university students. It changes the scholarship cap to cover tuition minus any federal aid received under 10 U.S.C. §2007, instead of previously capping at resident tuition rates. It also removes a prior rule prohibiting decisions based on a member's unit, drill location, or whether they serve in the Army or Air National Guard. The change affects Iowa National Guard members using the scholarship at eligible colleges. The program continues to require minimum awards of 50% of resident tuition if funds are limited.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationModifies scholarship to cover tuition minus federal aid, expanding access to higher education funding for National Guard members at Iowa colleges.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid

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in committee · Iowa · House Feb 27, 2025

HSB 145: A bill for an act relating to early childhood education and care, including by modifying provisions related to the statewide preschool program, the child development coordinating council, programs for at-risk children, the responsibilities of the department of education, the early childhood Iowa initiative, and the state child care assistance program, and establishing the child care continuum partnership grants pilot program within the department of health and human services.

This bill modifies Iowa's statewide preschool program to allow community child care centers (not just school districts) to directly participate, with new requirements for these providers regarding quality, data collection, and professional development. It clarifies that preschool funding must supplement, not replace, existing programs and must be tracked separately, while prohibiting use for facility construction. The bill also establishes a new "child care continuum partnership grants" pilot program within health and human services to connect early care and education services. These changes directly affect preschool providers, school districts, and families seeking early childhood education in Iowa.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands preschool access to community child care centers, mandates funding supplementation (not replacement), and establishes new grants for early childhood programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood

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