Education

in committee · Iowa · House Apr 3, 2025

HF 402: A bill for an act establishing completion of a course on American history and civil government as a requirement for the completion of a baccalaureate degree program at a public institution of higher education.

HF 402 requires all students earning a bachelor's degree at Iowa's public colleges and universities to complete a three-credit survey course on American history and civil government beginning in the 2027 academic year. The course must cover U.S. founding documents (like the Constitution and Declaration of Independence), the historical development of American government, constitutional principles, and landmark Supreme Court cases. It must fulfill general education social science requirements and cannot be repeated if a student transfers between Iowa public institutions. The bill aims to ensure all graduates have foundational knowledge of U.S. governance and civic history.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates a required American history/civics course for bachelor's degrees, strengthening civic education curriculum in higher education.95% confidence

Track

in committee · Iowa · House Apr 3, 2025

HF 301: A bill for an act requiring the university of Iowa hospitals and clinics to give priority to certain Iowa residents in awarding certain residencies and fellowships and to include rural rotations in certain residencies and fellowships.

HF 301 requires the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics to prioritize Iowa residents, Iowa college/university graduates, or Iowa medical school graduates for federal medical residency and fellowship positions. It also mandates that primary care and psychiatry trainees complete rural rotations to gain exposure to rural healthcare settings across Iowa. The bill directly affects medical training programs at the University of Iowa, changing how candidates are selected and adding rural experience requirements. These are concrete policy changes to increase Iowa-focused medical training and rural healthcare exposure.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates rural rotations in medical training (higher education), enhancing curriculum and expanding educational experience for medical residents.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcarePrioritizes Iowa medical trainees and mandates rural rotations to improve rural healthcare access and workforce development, directly supporting healthcare delivery in underserved areas.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Primary Care

Track

died · Iowa · Senate Apr 7, 2025

SF 450: A bill for an act relating to education, including by modifying provisions related to mathematics instruction, practitioner preparation programs, and the duties of the director of the department of education, and including effective date provisions.

SF 450 requires Iowa's Department of Education to develop and distribute family resources supporting math learning at home, a statewide math plan by July 2025, and a list of approved screening tools for K-6 students. It mandates school districts to assess all K-6 students in math three times yearly using approved screeners and to provide targeted interventions for students identified as "persistently at risk" (not meeting benchmarks on two consecutive assessments). Schools must create personalized math plans and deliver small group or intensive support until students meet proficiency targets on state assessments. The bill also updates teacher preparation programs to include specific math pedagogy requirements for educators teaching K-12.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates math assessments, interventions, and resources to improve K-6 math outcomes, strengthening educational support and curriculum implementation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers

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died · Iowa · House Apr 8, 2025

HF 771: A bill for an act requiring the director of the department of education to develop and administer a purple star school initiative.

HF 771 would have required Iowa's Department of Education to create a "Purple Star School Initiative" recognizing public schools that support military-connected students and their families. Schools applying for this designation would need to demonstrate existing commitment to this student group, with the goal of encouraging more schools to expand such support. The initiative would operate as a voluntary recognition program, not direct funding. The bill was introduced in March 2025 but was withdrawn on April 8, 2025, after being substituted by another bill.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill creates voluntary recognition program to support military-connected students in schools, enhancing educational access and student support programs without direct funding.90% confidence

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in committee · Iowa · House Apr 16, 2025

HSB 329: A bill for an act providing for a waiver of tuition and mandatory fees at regents institutions and community colleges for peace officers and their legal dependents and making appropriations.

HSB 329 establishes a program to waive tuition and mandatory fees at Iowa's regent institutions and community colleges. This waiver is available to eligible peace officers and their legal dependents who are Iowa residents. Peace officers must be certified and pursuing a law enforcement-related degree, while legal dependents must agree to reside in Iowa for five years post-graduation. Both groups can receive the waiver for up to three years. The bill also creates a state fund to reimburse educational institutions for the cost of these waivers.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProvides tuition waivers for law enforcement officers and dependents, directly funding and strengthening the law enforcement component of criminal justice.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides tuition waiver for peace officers and dependents at public colleges, expanding higher education access for targeted group through state funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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died · Iowa · Senate Apr 28, 2025

SF 368: A bill for an act relating to school personnel training, including by implementing provisions related to emergency care planning, authorizations for assisting, and limitations of liability concerning students with epilepsy or seizure disorder, and requiring the department of education to convene a health care-related training for school personnel work group.

This bill requires school districts and accredited nonpublic schools to implement new training and emergency care provisions for students with epilepsy or seizure disorder. It mandates that by July 2025, each school must have at least one employee trained to administer seizure medications or assist with vagus nerve stimulators. By December 2026, all school personnel must receive training on recognizing seizure signs and providing first aid, with biennial refreshers for staff supervising students. Schools must also collaborate with parents to develop individual health and seizure action plans for affected students and are granted liability protection when acting in good faith under these plans. Additionally, the Department of Education will convene a work group to review broader health care training needs for school personnel.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates school staff training for student seizure emergencies, enhancing safety and access to education for students with epilepsy.92% confidence

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in committee · Iowa · House Feb 10, 2025

HF 97: A bill for an act establishing the comprehensive transition and postsecondary program scholarship program and making appropriations.

HF 97 establishes a scholarship program to help Iowa residents with intellectual, developmental, or learning disabilities cover costs for approved college programs. The program, administered by the College Student Aid Commission with input from vocational rehabilitation services, provides up to $5,000 annually per student toward tuition and fees at state-approved comprehensive transition and postsecondary programs. Applicants must be 18+ and reapply yearly; Iowa residents receive priority. Funds are held in a dedicated state treasury account that carries over unused money to future years, ensuring consistent support without annual reappropriation.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates state funds ($5k/student) for disability scholarship program via appropriations, directly funding an essential public education service.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates scholarship program expanding higher education access for disabled students through state-funded tuition support, directly enhancing educational access and funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid

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in committee · Iowa · House Mar 7, 2025

HF 234: A bill for an act establishing the armed forces reserve component scholarship program within the college student aid commission.

HF 234 establishes a scholarship program for Iowa residents serving in U.S. military reserve components (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, or Space Force) who are enrolled full-time at eligible Iowa colleges or universities. The scholarship covers up to 100% of tuition and mandatory fees - based on financial need - for up to eight semesters, administered by the College Student Aid Commission. To qualify, students must complete required active duty training, maintain satisfactory academic progress, and provide military certification. The program requires applicants to apply for all other available state and federal aid, and funds are distributed based on eligibility if appropriations are limited.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes tuition scholarship for military students at Iowa colleges, directly expanding higher education access and funding for eligible students.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransEstablishes tuition scholarship for military reservists, directly funding education benefits that advance veterans' service recognition and transition support.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid National Guard & Reserve Veteran Education

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Jun 16, 2025

SF 518: A bill for an act requiring school employees to be put on administrative leave in certain specified circumstances.

SF 518 requires Iowa school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, charter schools, and innovation zone schools to immediately place certain employees on administrative leave (temporary leave without pay) when two specific conditions occur: (1) an employee has a pending child abuse case before the Board of Educational Examiners with a probable cause finding, or (2) an employee was involved in a criminal/civil case where a court found negligence and the school is investigating. Employees must remain on leave until the Board of Educational Examiners case or school investigation concludes. This law directly affects school employees facing these specific legal or disciplinary circumstances. It creates a mandatory leave requirement for school employers in these defined scenarios.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires administrative leave for employees with child abuse/criminal negligence findings to protect student safety, aligning with educational protection goals.90% confidence

Track

signed · Iowa · House May 27, 2025

HF 835: A bill for an act relating to school personnel training, including by implementing provisions related to emergency care planning, authorizations for assisting, and limitations of liability concerning students with epilepsy or seizure disorder, and requiring the department of education to convene a health care-related training for school personnel work group.

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.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates school staff training for student seizure emergencies, enhancing safety and access for students with epilepsy, directly supporting educational environment95% confidence