A bill for an act relating to charter schools and nonpublic schools and sexual exploitation by a school employee, and making penalties applicable.

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.