This bill, known as the "College Affordability Act," aims to address tuition, degree programs, and employment for students at Iowa's public universities. It limits annual tuition and mandatory fee increases for in-state resident students to no more than three percent, and starting in 2026, requires tuition for in-state undergraduates to remain frozen at their first-year rate for subsequent academic years. The bill also directs universities to offer at least one three-year bachelor's degree program by 2027 and establish a "work plus" program where employers cover tuition and fees for participating part-time student employees.
SF 275 requires the Director of the Department of Education to develop and administer a "purple star school initiative." This initiative is designed to recognize and support schools that provide specific resources and services for military-connected students and their families. The bill tasks the Department of Education with creating the program's framework and overseeing its implementation across the state.
This bill modifies the Iowa National Guard service scholarship program, which helps eligible Iowa National Guard members pay for college tuition. It establishes that scholarship awards cannot exceed the difference between a student's tuition and any financial aid they receive under specific federal military programs (10 U.S.C. §2007). Additionally, the bill removes a provision that previously prohibited scholarship eligibility or award determinations from being based on a National Guard member's unit, drill location, or whether they are in the Army or Air National Guard.
This bill requires Iowa school districts, charter schools, and innovation zone schools to adopt policies by July 1, 2025, that restrict student use of personal electronic devices during classroom instructional time. The Department of Education will develop model policies for schools to consider. These policies must identify methods for parents to communicate with students during school hours and emergencies, establish disciplinary actions for violations, and outline secure storage protocols for devices. They must also include provisions allowing students to maintain access to devices for legitimate physical or mental health reasons, or as required by an individualized education program (IEP) or 504 plan. Additionally, school districts are mandated to revise their emergency operations plans by July 1, 2025, to align with these new policies on electronic device use.
HF 315 modifies the process for budget adjustments available to Iowa school districts impacted by natural disasters. Currently, school districts can receive a budget adjustment based on the difference between their current and 101% of their previous year's regular program district cost. This bill introduces an additional year of budget adjustment for districts that have already received an adjustment and were affected by a federally declared major disaster or state disaster emergency in the base year or the year prior. This additional adjustment would be equal to the amount of the district's budget adjustment from the base year.
HF 522 amends Iowa's therapeutic classroom incentive program to allow school districts using grant funds to cover specific nutritional items for students. It directly affects students in therapeutic classrooms - those whose emotional, social, or behavioral needs interfere with learning - and the school districts administering these programs. Key provisions authorize funding for micronutrient access (like vitamins D and K2), assessments of macro-nutritional needs, provision of whole foods (fresh produce, healthy proteins), restrictions on artificial food additives, and initiatives addressing digital screen use and natural light exposure. The bill expands allowable uses of existing grant funds to support nutrition-based strategies within therapeutic classrooms.
HF 269 prohibits Iowa's public universities (regents institutions) from requiring students to take courses or faculty to use teaching materials related to diversity, equity, inclusion, or critical race theory as part of degree requirements. The bill bans institutions from constraining students' course choices to meet such requirements or mandating faculty to incorporate specific content or participate in related training as part of evaluations or promotions. Limited exemptions exist only for programs explicitly focused on racial, ethnic, or gender studies, and students cannot be forced to take these courses for other degrees. The law takes effect for academic years starting July 1, 2026.
HF 515 increases state funding for Iowa school districts that share school resource officer (SRO) services with other entities. It raises the supplementary weighting for SRO sharing from 2 to 4 pupils per shared function (up from current law), meaning districts sharing SRO duties receive more state funding based on this higher rate. The bill applies to school budget years starting July 1, 2025, and affects any district sharing SRO operational functions for at least 20% of the school year with a political subdivision or another district. This change redirects additional resources toward student programming by adjusting the funding formula for shared SRO services.
HF 583 defines "sex" biologically at birth as male or female based on reproductive systems for legal purposes. It requires birth certificates to list the sex assigned at birth (male/female), limits changes to medical documentation, and clarifies that "sex" in anti-discrimination laws refers to biological sex, not gender identity. The bill also specifies that "gender" in legal contexts should not be used as a synonym for gender identity and includes provisions affecting school curricula related to gender theory. These changes directly impact how vital records are maintained, civil rights enforcement, and educational materials in Iowa.
HF 513 requires Iowa school districts, nonpublic schools, charter schools, and innovation zone schools to allow 8th-grade students who meet the school's academic standards to participate in high school athletic competitions designed for grades 9-12. The bill mandates that schools must permit these students to join existing interscholastic athletic programs on the same basis as older students. It does not change eligibility requirements but ensures schools cannot exclude qualified 8th graders from participating in current high school sports offerings. This policy directly affects 8th graders seeking athletic opportunities and the schools managing those programs.
