Education (Libraries) in Iowa

introduced · Iowa · House Feb 6, 2026

HF 2324: A bill for an act prohibiting school districts, charter schools, and innovation zone schools from entering into certain specified contracts with public libraries and hosting mobile libraries.

HF 2324 prohibits Iowa school districts, charter schools, and innovation zone schools from entering agreements with public libraries that let students use school-issued ID cards to access library materials. It also bans these schools from allowing mobile libraries (vehicles owned/operated by public libraries that transport books) to host events on school property where students can check out books. The bill defines "public library" as city-established libraries or library districts, and "mobile library" as a vehicle used to transport educational materials. These restrictions apply directly to all K-12 schools in Iowa seeking to collaborate with public libraries or host mobile library services. The law aims to prevent specific types of partnerships between schools and public libraries.

Topics ✗ Education

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Libraries

in committee · Iowa · House Feb 6, 2026

HSB 636: A bill for an act prohibiting school districts, charter schools, and innovation zone schools from entering into certain specified contracts with public libraries and hosting mobile libraries.

This bill prohibits Iowa school districts, charter schools, and innovation zone schools from entering agreements that would allow students to use their school-issued ID cards to access public library resources (like books or digital materials). It also bans these schools from permitting mobile libraries - vehicles owned/operated by public libraries that transport books - to access school property for events where students check out books. The law defines "public library" as city-ordained or chapter 336 library districts and "mobile library" as a vehicle used for transporting educational materials. These provisions apply directly to all covered schools and public libraries in Iowa.

Topics ✗ Education ✗ Technology

Sub-Topics Libraries

in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 16, 2026

SF 2119: A bill for an act relating to obscenity exemptions for public libraries and educational institutions.

SF 2119 repeals Iowa Code section 728.7, which currently protects public libraries and schools from obscenity charges when providing age-appropriate educational materials. The bill removes a legal exemption that previously stated obscenity laws (Chapter 728) do not prohibit the use of such materials in accredited schools, public libraries, or educational programs with minors. This change would mean libraries and schools could face obscenity prosecutions for materials previously shielded under this exemption. The bill directly affects public libraries, schools, and educational programs that distribute materials to minors. (Note: The bill is procedural in nature but changes substantive law, requiring a 3-5 sentence summary.)

Topics ✗ Education

Sub-Topics Libraries

in committee · Iowa · House Feb 10, 2025

HF 294: A bill for an act allowing certain cities to certify taxes for general fund levy for libraries.

HF 294 allows Iowa cities to certify a local tax for public library funding, limited to the amount the city collected for libraries in fiscal year 2022-2023. It requires cities to submit the tax question to voters at a regular election for approval, and the tax remains valid for ten years - renewable with another voter approval. Cities may also discontinue the tax via a majority city council vote. This bill directly affects participating Iowa cities and their library funding mechanisms, restoring a funding option eliminated by prior legislation (HF 718).

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Libraries

in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 25, 2025

SF 235: A bill for an act relating to obscenity exemptions for public libraries and educational institutions.

SF 235 repeals Iowa Code section 728.7, which currently provides legal exemptions for public libraries and schools. This exemption protects the use of educational materials and art exhibitions in libraries, schools, and youth programs from being classified as obscene under Iowa's obscenity laws. The bill removes this specific protection, meaning libraries and schools would no longer have this explicit legal shield when handling materials that might be deemed obscene under general obscenity laws. The repeal would directly affect public libraries, schools, and educational programs that previously relied on this exemption for their material use.

Topics ✗ Education

Sub-Topics Libraries

in committee · Iowa · Senate Jan 28, 2025

SF 113: A bill for an act relating to children and students, including by modifying provisions related to a parent’s or guardian’s rights to make decisions affecting the parent’s or guardian’s child, the educational program and human growth and development curriculum provided to students enrolled in school districts, charter schools, and innovation zone schools, student health screenings, school district library programs, special education, and other duties of school districts and the governing boards of charter schools and innovation zone schools.

SF 113 modifies Iowa school curriculum and library policies. It requires all public school districts and charter schools to provide age-appropriate human growth and development education (including STD and HPV information) in grades K-12, and mandates school library programs to contain only age-appropriate materials. The bill establishes penalties for violations, including written warnings for first offenses and potential disciplinary hearings for repeated violations by school staff. It defines "age-appropriate" to exclude explicit sexual content and requires school libraries to maintain diverse, updated collections supporting curriculum needs. The law directly affects school districts, charter schools, and their employees in implementing these educational and library standards.

Topics ✗ Education ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Curriculum Libraries Student Health

in committee · Iowa · House Feb 24, 2025

HF 554: A bill for an act relating to public schools, including by modifying provisions related to school district library programs and requests to remove educational materials from classrooms and school libraries.

HF 554 modifies Iowa public school library requirements. It requires school districts to employ a licensed teacher librarian (starting July 1, 2025), removing the previous option of hiring someone previously employed at a public library. The bill eliminates enforcement mechanisms like written warnings and hearings for library program compliance, removes confidentiality protections for parents requesting book removals, and deletes prohibitions against student involvement in material removal decisions. These changes directly affect school districts, library staff, and parents making material removal requests.

Topics ✗ Education

Sub-Topics Libraries Teachers

in committee · Iowa · House Apr 3, 2025

HF 929: A bill for an act relating to school districts, including by modifying provisions related to closed sessions of meetings of the boards of directors of school districts and school district requirements to publish information regarding the school district’s policies and procedures and educational materials available to students enrolled in the school district.

HF 929 requires Iowa school districts to publish online lists of all books in school libraries and instructional materials (like textbooks, articles, and videos) used in classrooms, organized by subject, grade, and teacher. It creates a formal process for parents or guardians to request removal of specific materials, allowing school boards to discuss such requests in closed sessions. School districts must post these lists within 10 days of materials being used and maintain them for two years, with specific formatting rules for digital access. The law applies to all public school districts starting July 1, 2025, and mandates annual policy updates for parents on material review procedures.

Topics ✗ Education

Sub-Topics Curriculum Libraries Teachers

in committee · Iowa · House Apr 3, 2025

HF 521: A bill for an act relating to obscenity exemptions for public libraries and educational institutions.

HF 521 would remove a legal exemption currently protecting public libraries and schools in Iowa from obscenity laws when using certain materials for educational purposes. The bill repeals Section 728.7 of Iowa’s code, which previously stated that obscenity laws (defined as material appealing to prurient interest, patently offensive, and lacking serious value for minors) do not apply to educational materials in accredited schools, public libraries, or programs involving minors. Without this exemption, libraries and schools would face the full application of Iowa’s general obscenity law when handling such materials. This change directly affects how educational institutions in Iowa manage book selections and programming for minors. The bill is currently referred to the Education committee.

Topics ✗ Education

Sub-Topics Libraries

All education bills