This bill requires Iowa's Department of Health and Human Services to seek federal approval to expand Medicaid and CHIP coverage for mental health services provided in schools. It ensures all children enrolled in Iowa's Medicaid or CHIP programs - regardless of whether they have a special education plan - can access covered services without needing a formal mental health diagnosis. Covered services include individual, group, and family therapy, prevention services, evaluation, and case management. The bill also mandates collaboration with schools and federal technical assistance to implement these changes, particularly in rural and under-resourced districts.
HSB 242 defines "sex" biologically as male or female at birth for legal purposes, requiring vital records like birth certificates to reflect this designation. It clarifies that "gender" alone means biological sex in statutes (not gender identity) and updates anti-discrimination laws to specify "sex" refers to biological sex. The bill changes birth certificate procedures to mandate showing a person's sex at birth, with limited exceptions for medical conditions. This affects Iowans obtaining birth certificates and shapes how Iowa state laws interpret sex and gender in public policy.
HF 152 directs Iowa to apply for and participate in the federal Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) for Children program, which provides food assistance to children during summer months when school meals are unavailable. The bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (with Education) to submit an application to the USDA by February 2025 and appropriates state funds to cover administrative costs for the summer 2025 program. It directly affects approximately 240,000 Iowa children eligible for the program, which is funded by an estimated $29 million in federal resources. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment but applies retroactively to July 1, 2024, ensuring state funding covers costs from that date.
This bill modifies Iowa's National Guard service scholarship program for state university students. It changes the scholarship cap to cover tuition minus any federal aid received under 10 U.S.C. §2007, instead of previously capping at resident tuition rates. It also removes a prior rule prohibiting decisions based on a member's unit, drill location, or whether they serve in the Army or Air National Guard. The change affects Iowa National Guard members using the scholarship at eligible colleges. The program continues to require minimum awards of 50% of resident tuition if funds are limited.
This bill modifies Iowa's statewide preschool program to allow community child care centers (not just school districts) to directly participate, with new requirements for these providers regarding quality, data collection, and professional development. It clarifies that preschool funding must supplement, not replace, existing programs and must be tracked separately, while prohibiting use for facility construction. The bill also establishes a new "child care continuum partnership grants" pilot program within health and human services to connect early care and education services. These changes directly affect preschool providers, school districts, and families seeking early childhood education in Iowa.
HF 175 changes Iowa's tuition rules to allow certain military families to qualify for in-state tuition rates at public colleges. It directly affects active-duty military members stationed in Iowa, their spouses and children, veterans eligible for Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits, and survivors of deceased veterans. The bill creates new definitions that let these groups be classified as Iowa residents for tuition purposes if they meet specific criteria, such as having the military member stationed in Iowa, filing Iowa taxes, or claiming dependents on tax returns. Spouses and children can maintain in-state status even if the military member is transferred, as long as they stay enrolled continuously. This policy change aims to reduce tuition costs for military-connected students without altering residency requirements for other students.
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.
This bill creates two new funds managed by Iowa's Department of Insurance: the Financial Literacy and Investor Education Fund and the Financial Exploitation Prevention Fund. It directs $10 from each $40 insurance agent registration fee (paid by agents) into these funds, with additional funding sources including civil penalties and transfers from the commerce revolving fund. The funds will support public education on financial topics, prevent financial exploitation of vulnerable adults, and assist victims of such exploitation. The bill specifies how these funds can be used, including collaborative programs with community organizations, and includes confidentiality rules for exploitation investigation records.
This bill (1454XD) modifies two key aspects of Iowa's charter school system. First, it removes a requirement that non-resident charter school board members must live in Iowa, allowing them to serve without state residency. Second, it expands student access to community college concurrent enrollment programs: charter school students (including those in online charter schools) can now participate through their school district (for traditional charter schools) or their home district (for online charter schools). These changes directly affect charter school governing boards and students seeking college-level courses while in high school. The bill updates existing provisions without altering overall school funding or academic standards.
This bill amends Iowa law to clarify the definition of "grooming behavior" by school employees. It specifies that grooming behavior now includes "building trust and emotional connections with a student with the intent to exploit such student." The change directly affects licensed school employees who engage in such conduct. School districts, superintendents, and school authorities must continue reporting these incidents to the Board of Educational Examiners (BOEE), as required under current law. The bill focuses on defining the prohibited behavior more precisely for reporting purposes.
