SF 294 requires Iowa courts to generally order temporary joint physical care of children during divorce proceedings, unless a rebuttable presumption exists against it. The bill mandates that courts provide a minimum visitation schedule for noncustodial parents and must explain in writing if joint care is deemed inappropriate, citing specific factors from existing law. This directly affects parents and courts handling custody disputes in Iowa divorce cases. The policy change aims to encourage consistent parenting time during unresolved custody cases. The bill does not alter final custody decisions but sets a default for temporary arrangements.
SF 237 directs Iowa's Department of Education, with the Department of Health and Human Services, to form a working group to study how school-provided technology (like laptops, learning management systems, and classroom presentations) affects students' cognitive function and academic performance. The working group must examine research on these impacts and develop recommendations to mitigate potential negative effects on students' attention, social development, and learning ability. The group is required to submit a report with findings and best practices to the legislature by December 31, 2025. This bill specifically affects students, schools, and educators by initiating a study on technology use in classrooms, not by changing current technology policies.
This bill requires Iowa school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, charter schools, and innovation zone schools to immediately place certain employees on administrative leave under two specific circumstances: (1) if the employee has a pending child abuse case before the Board of Educational Examiners with a probable cause finding, or (2) if the employee was involved in a criminal or civil negligence case (where a court found negligence) and the school is investigating. Employees must remain on leave until the investigation or Board case concludes. The law applies directly to school employees facing these specific legal or disciplinary situations, not to all staff. It does not change existing negligence standards but mandates a specific procedural step for schools.
This bill (SF 374, now renumbered as SF 521) requires courts to order individuals found in contempt for disobeying divorce-related court orders to pay the other party's reasonable attorney fees. It directly affects people who willfully violate temporary or final orders in divorce cases, such as ignoring child custody arrangements or financial obligations. The key provision lets courts direct the contemptuous party to cover the legal costs incurred by the other spouse due to that disobedience. The bill does not change existing rules about attorney fees in divorce proceedings but adds this specific remedy for contempt.
SF 127 establishes a School of Intellectual Freedom as an independent academic unit within the University of Iowa's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. The school must teach courses on historical ideas shaping U.S. constitutional order, free speech, civil discourse, and responsible citizenship to all university students. It requires at least five tenure-eligible faculty, mandates that all funding directly supports the school (not university overhead), and sets rules for its governance and curriculum through required bylaws. The bill aims to expand intellectual diversity and civic engagement across the university community through its academic programming.
SF 182 requires Iowa courts to consider a child's current educational setting during custody disputes. It creates a rebuttable presumption that children should remain in their existing school (public, private, or homeschool) unless parents prove it harms the child's best interests. Custody orders must now specify each parent's rights regarding school access, records, and educational decisions, while exempting homeschooling families from requiring physical school-day access. The bill applies to all custody cases involving disagreements over education and mandates that schools receive copies of these orders.
HF 738 establishes a state grant program to fund repairs for mobility devices and workplace accessibility improvements for people with disabilities and their employers. The program is funded by redirecting fines from parking violations involving disabled placards (specifically under Code sections 321L.2A, 321L.3, 321L.4, and 321L.7) into a dedicated state fund. The Department of Health and Human Services will administer the program, creating rules for eligibility, applications, and funding criteria. Moneys in the fund are specifically designated for these grants and cannot be used for other purposes.
HF 628 allows student athletes at Iowa colleges and universities to earn money from their name, image, and likeness (NIL) without losing athletic eligibility or financial aid. It prohibits schools from restricting NIL earnings or interfering with athletes’ professional representation (e.g., through licensed agents or attorneys) and requires written contracts for such arrangements. Athletes must disclose NIL contracts to their school before execution, and schools may assist athletes in finding opportunities but cannot profit from or influence their representation choices. The bill also clarifies that institutional financial aid does not count as NIL compensation and sets rules for third-party contracts involving school branding.
HF 763 creates a new process for property owners and applicants before the Iowa Utilities Commission to seek court review of eminent domain actions. It allows petitioners to file for a "declaratory review" in Polk County District Court to clarify legal rights related to eminent domain takings, with a $10 filing fee paid to the court clerk (funds go to the state general fund). The bill also permits a new court action in a different county after 18 months or if circumstances change, requiring a fresh review without relying on prior court findings. It prohibits requiring bonds for appeals or injunctions related to these cases.
HF 739 requires Iowa's Medicaid dental plan contractors to set payment rates for dental providers equal to those paid under the Healthy and Well Kids in Iowa (Hawki) program for children. This change directly affects dental providers who treat Medicaid-eligible adults in Iowa, aiming to increase their participation in the Medicaid dental wellness plan. The bill mandates that reimbursement rates for adult dental services align with Hawki rates to improve access to dental care for Medicaid members. The goal is to address current low provider participation by making the Medicaid dental program more financially attractive.
HF 744 requires counties and cities to make required forms (like licenses or filings) available on a public online portal. The portal must accept digital submissions while protecting personal information and cannot use Social Security numbers as identifiers. This applies directly to county officers (e.g., auditors, sheriffs) and city clerks handling public service requests. The bill does not mandate electronic signatures for all agencies but specifically updates county and city requirements for digital form access.
HF 753 amends Iowa law to explicitly include "the acquisition of hazardous material response vehicles and equipment" as an "essential corporate purpose" for cities. This change directly affects Iowa cities, allowing their councils to fund these vehicles and equipment through general obligation bonds without needing voter approval at an election. Currently, cities can issue such bonds for "essential corporate purposes" without voter consent, but must seek voter approval for other general purposes. The bill updates the legal definition to ensure hazardous materials response equipment qualifies under the streamlined funding process.
