HF 175 changes Iowa's tuition rules to allow certain military families to qualify for in-state tuition rates at public colleges. It directly affects active-duty military members stationed in Iowa, their spouses and children, veterans eligible for Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits, and survivors of deceased veterans. The bill creates new definitions that let these groups be classified as Iowa residents for tuition purposes if they meet specific criteria, such as having the military member stationed in Iowa, filing Iowa taxes, or claiming dependents on tax returns. Spouses and children can maintain in-state status even if the military member is transferred, as long as they stay enrolled continuously. This policy change aims to reduce tuition costs for military-connected students without altering residency requirements for other students.
HF 145 expands Iowa's definition of "school employee" under criminal sexual exploitation laws to include staff, volunteers, and contracted service providers working in charter schools and accredited nonpublic schools. The bill specifically covers full-time, part-time, substitute employees, volunteers with supervisory authority over students, and contracted workers with similar oversight roles. This change ensures these individuals face the same penalties as public school employees - ranging from an aggravated misdemeanor (up to 2 years in jail, fines up to $8,540) to a class D felony (up to 5 years in jail, fines up to $10,245) - for engaging in prohibited sexual conduct with students. The bill directly affects all personnel in charter and nonpublic schools who have direct student supervision responsibilities.
This bill creates two new funds managed by Iowa's Department of Insurance: the Financial Literacy and Investor Education Fund and the Financial Exploitation Prevention Fund. It directs $10 from each $40 insurance agent registration fee (paid by agents) into these funds, with additional funding sources including civil penalties and transfers from the commerce revolving fund. The funds will support public education on financial topics, prevent financial exploitation of vulnerable adults, and assist victims of such exploitation. The bill specifies how these funds can be used, including collaborative programs with community organizations, and includes confidentiality rules for exploitation investigation records.
This bill (1454XD) modifies two key aspects of Iowa's charter school system. First, it removes a requirement that non-resident charter school board members must live in Iowa, allowing them to serve without state residency. Second, it expands student access to community college concurrent enrollment programs: charter school students (including those in online charter schools) can now participate through their school district (for traditional charter schools) or their home district (for online charter schools). These changes directly affect charter school governing boards and students seeking college-level courses while in high school. The bill updates existing provisions without altering overall school funding or academic standards.
This bill amends Iowa law to clarify the definition of "grooming behavior" by school employees. It specifies that grooming behavior now includes "building trust and emotional connections with a student with the intent to exploit such student." The change directly affects licensed school employees who engage in such conduct. School districts, superintendents, and school authorities must continue reporting these incidents to the Board of Educational Examiners (BOEE), as required under current law. The bill focuses on defining the prohibited behavior more precisely for reporting purposes.
This bill modifies Iowa's education reporting requirements, establishes a national board certification pilot program for teachers, and updates employee compensation for staff at Iowa's educational services for the blind and deaf. It requires community colleges to submit annual financial data directly to the Iowa Department of Education (DE) by March 15, with DE including a statewide summary in its annual report to lawmakers by February 1. The bill allocates $508,250 for teacher certification awards under the pilot program and mandates DE to establish annual compensation schedules for employees of the blind/visually impaired and deaf programs. These changes affect community colleges, public school teachers seeking certification, and staff at specialized educational programs.
This bill requires Iowa school districts to employ either a licensed school nurse or a licensed athletic trainer (under Chapter 152D) to provide student health services starting July 1, 2025, replacing the current requirement for only a school nurse. It affects all public school districts in Iowa, mandating they aim for one provider per 750 students. The bill updates existing code sections to include athletic trainers as qualified personnel and specifies where health-related records must be stored (with the school nurse, athletic trainer, or administrator). These changes align with provisions for health services documentation and staffing in school health policies.
HF 111 creates a tax credit for advanced registered nurse practitioners (ARNPs) who serve as unpaid clinical preceptors for nursing students. Eligible preceptors receive a $500 credit per qualifying clinical mentoring session (with at least 100 hours of supervised learning), capped at $2,000 annually for individual income tax. To qualify, preceptors must provide uncompensated instruction at their workplace, be selected by nursing programs, and have at least one year of preceptor experience. The credit applies to tax years starting January 1, 2026, and any unused portion isn’t refundable or carryable to other years.
HF 80 prohibits Iowa school districts and charter schools from disciplining employees, contractors, or students for using legal names, names listed on school registration records, or for not using specific personal pronouns in official communications like emails or forms. It specifically bans disciplinary actions such as termination, suspension, or fines for these reasons. The bill allows affected employees to seek civil remedies, including reinstatement, back pay (up to three times annual wages), and attorney fees, if terminated in violation. This policy directly affects school staff, students, and contractors interacting within official school communications.
SSB 1049 modifies Iowa's National Guard Service Scholarship Program, which provides tuition assistance to Iowa National Guard members attending eligible Iowa colleges. The bill changes how scholarship amounts are calculated, stating awards cannot exceed the difference between the institution's tuition rate and any federal financial aid received under 10 U.S.C. §2007. It also removes a previous provision prohibiting eligibility or award decisions based on a member's unit, drill location, or whether they serve in the Army or Air National Guard. The program remains administered by the College Student Aid Commission for qualifying Iowa National Guard members.
