Education (School Safety)

HF 603 requires all Iowa public and accredited nonpublic schools to implement specific safety measures, including installing break-resistant doors and locks that allow quick exit from classrooms, labeling all doors sequentially, and creating secure vestibule entry systems. It establishes a state-funded grant program to help schools purchase compliant doors and systems, with funds carried over annually instead of reverting. Schools must also adopt electronic threat reporting platforms, develop visitor entry plans, and create access control plans to monitor building entry. These requirements apply to all new construction, renovations, and door replacements starting on the bill’s effective date.

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.

This bill (HSB 311) allows Iowa public school districts to use funds from their district management levy to cover school safety and security costs. Specifically, it authorizes spending on weapons detection systems, door monitoring, and hiring qualified personnel - including school resource officers (as defined federally), private security officers with weapon permits, reserve peace officers, or certified peace officers. The policy change applies to school budgets starting July 1, 2025, and directly affects school districts managing their local levies. It provides a clear funding mechanism for safety infrastructure and staffing without altering existing levy authorization rules.

HSB 337 is an appropriations bill that allocates funds from the state's general fund to various parts of the education system for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025, and ending June 30, 2026. It provides funding for the Department for the Blind, the Department of Education, and the State Board of Regents. The bill details specific appropriations for programs such as career and technical education, school food services, early childhood initiatives like Birth to Age Three Services and Early Head Start, and statewide student assessments. Additionally, it funds work-based learning, postsecondary summer classes for high school students, and the Jobs for America's Graduates program, and requires a report on anti-bullying programming.

This bill modifies Iowa school funding rules by changing how certain shared staff positions count toward a school district's annual funding cap. Starting July 1, 2024, funding for college/career transition counselors no longer counts toward the 21-pupil maximum. Starting July 1, 2025, funding for master social workers, licensed social workers, mental health professionals, and school resource officers also won't count toward this cap. School districts using these staff will have more flexibility to allocate funding toward other shared operational functions within the 21-pupil limit. The change affects all Iowa school districts receiving supplementary funding for shared staff services.

HF 389 creates a new process for investigating student abuse by school employees in Iowa. It requires the Department of Health and Human Services (DHS) to investigate reports within 24 hours and complete investigations within 30 business days. Schools must immediately place accused employees (including teachers, vendors, and volunteers) on administrative leave during investigations, and must terminate employment if DHS confirms abuse. This directly affects public and nonpublic schools, their employees, and the DHS, replacing current procedures with a standardized, time-bound system for handling such reports.