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2022 UpdatesLegislative summary updates will appear here as the session progresses.
SENATE AND HOUSE STILL FAR APART ON KEY PROPOSAL The 2022 Session of the Iowa Legislature is now officially in “overtime” and adjournment is not likely in the upcoming week. The stalemate between the House and Senate is largely the result of the disagreement between the two chambers over the future of the Governor’s “school plan” which includes a controversial voucher program. The Senate passed the bill, Senate File 2369, back on March 30th and the House has yet to assign a subcommittee to the bill. Word from inside the majority party in the House indicates that there are not enough “yes” votes for the bill in their caucus. As the two chambers continue to hold fast to their positions on the school bill, action on appropriations bills and the remaining policy bills has come to a standstill. We will keep you updated as events unfold. REMINDER - CONTACT HOUSE MEMBERS ABOUT THE VOUCHER PROPOSAL As the House continues to assess its level of support for a school voucher program, it is important that you share your views on the proposal with members of the House of Representatives. To find the House of Representatives members in your area, and their contact information, please visit the webpage below: https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislators/find Bills of Interest: (HF - House File, HSB - House Study Bill, SF - Senate File, SSB - Senate Study Bill) SF 2369 (formerly SF 2349 and SSB 3080) - Governor’s School Omnibus (M) - Included in this 20-page bill are provision that establish a student first scholarship program and a student first enrollment supplement fund; require the boards of directors of school districts to publish certain specified information regarding curriculum; as well as modifying provisions related to required social studies instruction, open enrollment, teacher librarian endorsements, competent private instruction, and special education. HF 2578 - Health and Human Services Appropriations (M) - Included in this 79-page bill is the requirement that the DHS to submit a Medicaid state plan amendment to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to request the addition of functional family therapy and multisystemic therapy for youth as covered services under the Medicaid program. The Department will include functional family therapy and multisystemic therapy under the Medicaid program as covered services upon receipt of federal approval. The bill also includes a $200,000 appropriation for the provision of this therapy. HF 2575 - Education Appropriations (F) - Included in this spending bill for fiscal year 2023 are several provisions of interest. a) On or before June 30, 2022, a school district may use unexpended and unobligated moneys in the school district’s general fund to pay a bonus not to exceed one thousand dollars to each individual employed by the school district who did not receive a one thousand dollar retention bonus payment in calendar year 2022, through the Department of Education; b) Makes these teacher and school employee bonuses state tax free for recipients; c) appropriates $150,000 to increase FAFSA completions; d) appropriates $1.5 M for the Mental Health Professional Loan Repayment Program; e) allocates $3,183,936 for the continuation of the Children’s Mental Health School-Based Training and Support program. HF 2567 (formerly HF 2505 and HSB 702) - Mandatory Reporters/School Employee Investigations (M) - The bill requires the Department of Education to develop and implement a process for the reporting and investigation of any incident that arises which may reasonably lead to the conclusion that a licensed practitioner employed by the board of directors of a school district or the authorities in charge of an accredited nonpublic school has violated any law. The bill establishes that the process requires the creation of a committee to investigate these incidents. The bill requires the committee to meet to evaluate the incident and determine whether the licensed practitioner should be placed on administrative leave during the investigation. HF 2554 (formerly HF 2553 and HF 2310) - Functional Family Therapy (M) - This bill requires the department of human services to submit a Medicaid state plan amendment to include functional family therapy (FFT) and multisystemic therapy (MST) for youth as covered services under the Medicaid program. Both FFT and MST are evidence-based treatments for youth that address a youth’s home and environment to reduce problematic behavior and divert the youth from the juvenile justice system. This policy is included in the House HHS spending bill. HF 2553 (formerly HF 2278) - Student Aid Form Assistance (F) - The bill appropriates $150,000 to the college student aid commission for purposes of the coordination of activities with the Iowa college access network to assist students enrolled in grades 9 through 12 in completing the free application for federal student aid. This is also included in the House Education budget bill. HF 2398 (formerly HSB 656) - Doctors or Masters BOEE One Time Licenses and Nonpublic School Background Checks (M) - The bill allows the Board of Educational Examiners to have no renewal requirements for a practitioner who has been employed as a practitioner for at least ten years and has a master’s or doctoral degree. The bill also requires nonpublic schools to utilize the Iowa courts online system, sex offender registry and child abuse registry for employee background checks. HF 2298 (formerly HF 2040) - Covid Vaccination Not Required For School (A) - This bill prohibits requiring an immunization against COVID-19 for a person to be enrolled in any licensed child care center, elementary or secondary school, or postsecondary school in Iowa prior to July 1, Approved by the House 57-36. On the Senate debate calendar. Approved by both the House and Senate: SF 2197 (formerly SF 168) - Nonpublic School Special Services (M) - The bill requires the Department of Education to convene and provide administrative support to the task force. The bill requires the task force to study and make recommendations regarding how to better serve students enrolled in nonpublic schools who receive special education services. The bill requires the task force to submit a report that includes findings and recommendations for policy changes to the General Assembly by December 1, 2022. HF 2416 (formerly HF 2309) - Athletic Participation (A) - The bill requires an college, junior college or interscholastic athletic team, sport,or athletic event that is sponsored or sanctioned by an accredited nonpublic school, school district, or athletic organization must be designated as females, women, or girls; males, men, or boys; or coeducational or mixed based on the sex at birth of the participating students. The bill also requires that only female students, based on their sex, may participate in any team, sport, or athletic event designated as being for females, women, or girls. The bill defines “sex” to mean a person’s biological sex as either female or male, and provides that the sex listed on the student’s official birth certificate or certificate issued upon adoption may be relied upon if the certificate was issued at or near the time of the student’s birth. SENATE AND HOUSE STILL FAR APART ON KEY PROPOSAL The House and Senate remain at loggerheads over the issue of establishing a school voucher program in the state. The voucher program is the centerpiece of Governor Reynolds’ education initiatives for the 2022 Legislative Session. So far the Senate has approved the bill, SF 2369, that includes this program, but the House has not, and there is no indication that the chamber plans on considering the legislation. This disagreement between the legislative chambers has brought budget negotiations to a standstill. The per diem (expense) payments for lawmakers for the 2022 Legislative Session end on April 19th. TELL HOUSE MEMBERS YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT A VOUCHER PROPOSAL As the House continues to assess its level of support for a school voucher program, it is important that you share your views on the proposal with members of the House of Representatives.To find the House of Representatives members in your area, and their contact information, please visit the webpage below: https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislators/find Bills of Interest: (HF - House File, HSB - House Study Bill, SF - Senate File, SSB - Senate Study Bill)
FAFSA COMPLETION FUNDS NEED YOUR HELP! An ISCA-backed request, to provide funding to increase FAFSA form competition by students, needs your help. Specifically, the $150,000 appropriation to the college student aid commission is for the coordination of activities with the Iowa college access network to assist students enrolled in grades 9 through 12 in completing the free application for federal student aid. Please send a short note of support to the member of the House Appropriations Committee (the link is below) and tell them:
Here is the link to the members of the House Appropriations Committee. Just click on their name to find their email address. https://www.legis.iowa.gov/committees/committee?ga=89&groupID=695 2ND PROCEDURAL DEADLINE ARRIVED With the fall of the gavel Friday, the second procedural hurdle of the Legislative Session for policy bills, the “Second Funnel,” arrived at the Statehouse. The so-called “Second Funnel” is the date by which a bill has to be approved by a committee in the opposite chamber - meaning a House File must be approved by a Senate committee and a Senate File by a House committee - to remain eligible for further consideration this year. As with most rules, there are some exceptions. Identical bills, with one passed out of a committee in the House and one in the Senate, can remain eligible for further consideration as long as they are placed on the “unfinished business calendar” in both chambers. Bills of Interest:
FAFSA BILL: NEW NUMBER & NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT 2ND PROCEDURAL DEADLINE COMES FRIDAY The second procedural hurdle for policy bills, the “Second Funnel,” arrives at the end of business on Friday, March 18th. The so-called “Second Funnel” is the date by which a bill has to be approved by a committee in the opposite chamber - meaning a House File must be approved by a Senate committee and a Senate File by a House committee - to remain eligible for further consideration this year. There are three types of bill’s exempt from the procedural rules. Bills in the Appropriations Committee, Ways and Means Committee and Government Oversight Committee are not governed by procedural deadlines requiring committee approval by specific dates. Bills of Interest:
Many Educators Left Out of Governor’s Bonus Plan ISCA is leading the charge to let lawmakers and the public know of a major “snafu” in the Governor’s teacher bonus program. The program will provide only classroom teachers with a $1000 bonus from federal pandemic relief funds, yet ignores all the other educators who worked day in and day out in our schools during the pandemic in 2021. This apparent “oversight” is being noticed by lawmakers. Below is an excerpt from Rep. Phyllis Thede’s weekly constituent newsletter. TEACHERS TO RECEIVE A BONUS, BUT NOT ALL EDUCATORS: The Iowa Department of Education has rolled out guidance for the teacher bonuses per the Governor’s plan to provide full-time classroom teachers a retention payment for their work during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the plan excludes other education professionals such as nurses, counselors, librarians and other administrators that play a vital role in the education of our kids. The $1,000 bonus would be covered by federal ESSER funds, and no legislation would be required. It is estimated that the bonus would total $40 million. The two links below provide information on the guidance that was released late last week, the other is the webinar recording for the teacher bonuses. Guidance: educateiowa.gov/documents/future-ready-pk-12/2022/02/use-state-and-federal-funds-promote-teacher-retention-guidance. Webinar recording: youtube.com/watch?v=izQmBFB3v40 ISCA is urging Governor Reynolds to update her bonus plan to include school counselors, school nurses and all other educators who worked through the pandemic.Other Bills of Interest: (HF - House File, HSB - House Study Bill, SF - Senate File, SSB - Senate Study Bill)
First Legislative Procedural Deadline Arrives FAFSA Assistance Funding Moves Forward Bills of Interest: (Those in italics failed to meet the first procedural deadline and are nolongert eligible for further consideration this Legislative Session.) (Bills that show the status “Approved by Committee” will be renumbered in the upcoming week. They were approved by a committee late this week, but due to the volume of bills being processed, have yet to receive a new number.) (HF - House File, HSB - House Study Bill, SF - Senate File, SSB - Senate Study Bill) SF 2307 (formerly SSB 3114) - Licensing Board Transcripts (M) - The bill prohibits a licensing board, other than the board of medicine and board of nursing, from requiring an applicant to submit an official transcript or an official diploma in connection with an application for a license, registration, or certificate, and requires a licensing board, other than the board of medicine and board of nursing, to accept a copy of an applicant’s transcript or diploma. On Senate debate calendar
SF 2025 - School Bathrooms (M) - This bill requires elementary and secondary public and nonpublic schools to designate and allow the use of multiple occupancy toilet facilities only by persons of the same biological sex. The bill prohibits a person from entering a school single and multiple occupancy toilet facility that does not correspond with the person’s biological sex. The bill provides that such designations and prohibitions do not 6 constitute unfair or discriminatory practices in violation of the Iowa civil rights Act. Subcommittee: Sinclair, Quirmbach and Rozenboom SF 2024 - Gender Identity Curriculum (M) - This bill establishes that the curriculum utilized by a school district or accredited nonpublic school in accordance with the state’s educational standards for elementary students shall not include instruction relating to gender identity. However, the prohibition does not apply to the curriculum provided to a student enrolled in grades one through six if the school district or accredited nonpublic school obtains the prior written consent of the student’s parent or guardian. If a school does not obtain a parent’s or guardian’s written consent, the student may opt out of instruction relating to gender identity. Gender identity, for purposes of the bill, means a gender-related identity of a person, regardless of the person’s assigned sex at birth.Subcommittee: Sinclair, Quirmbach and Rozenboom
SF 310 - Transitional Bilingual Program (M) - This bill directs the department of education to establish, subject to an appropriation of sufficient funds by the general assembly, a transitional bilingual education pilot program designed to allow a student who is limited English proficient to achieve long-term academic success through English-medium instruction in general education classrooms that also includes initially at least two hours a day of instruction in the student’s native language; provided, however, that the native language of the student who is limited English proficient is used to support the student’s development of English and content learning and is then gradually phased out of instruction as a student’s English proficiency increases. The program shall consist of three pilot projects, located in an elementary school, a middle school, and a high school. Each pilot project shall be conducted for a minimum of one year. Approved by subcommittee SSB 3080 - Governor’s School Omnibus (M) - Included in this 20-page bill are provision that establish a student first scholarship program and a student first enrollment supplement fund; require the boards of directors of school districts to publish certain specified information regarding curriculum; as well as modifying provisions related to required social studies instruction, open enrollment, teacher librarian endorsements, competent private instruction, and special education. Approved by committee HF 2398 (formerly HSB 656) - Doctors or Masters BOEE One Time License (M) - Current law authorizes the board of educational examiners (BOEE) to establish renewal requirements for licensed practitioners. The bill provides that there shall be no renewal requirement for a practitioner who possesses a master’s or doctoral degree. The bill makes conforming changes, including changes to authorize permanent licensure for practitioners who possess a master’s or doctoral degree. On House debate calendar HF 2385 (formerly HSB 527) - Counselor, Therapist or School Employee Exploitation (F) - The bill adds a person employed by, performing volunteer services for, or providing contract services to a nonpublic elementary or secondary school or charter school to the definition of “school employee. On House debate calendar. HF 2298 (formerly HF 2040) - Covid Vaccination Not Required For School (A) - This bill prohibits requiring an immunization against COVID-19 for a person to be enrolled in any licensed child care center, elementary or secondary school, or postsecondary school in Iowa prior to July 1, 2029, notwithstanding whether a person’s attendance is in person or virtual. On House debate calendar HF 2294 (formerly HF 2109) - Your Life Iowa Info on School IDs (F) - This bill requires public schools to include on either side of identification cards issued to students in grades seven through twelve the your life Iowa crisis telephone and text numbers. The bill authorizes a public school that issues identification cards to students in grades five and six to do so as well. On House debate calendar
HF 2199 (formerly HF 656) - Non Medical Switching (F) - This bill relates to the continuity of care for a covered person and nonmedical switching by health carriers, health benefit plans, and utilization review organizations. Specifically provides that during a covered person’s eligibility under a health benefit plan the plan shall not limit or exclude coverage of a prescription drug for the covered person if the covered person is medically stable on the drug as determined by the prescribing health care professional, the drug was previously approved by the health carrier for coverage for the person, and the covered person’s prescribing health care professional has prescribed the drug for the person’s medical condition within the previous six months. On House debate schedule
HSB 531 - MH Bed Expansion (F) - This bill appropriates to the Department of Human Services for FY 2022-2023 an amount necessary to expand the bed capacity of the Mental Health Institute at Cherokee by an additional 12 adult beds and 6 adolescent beds, and to expand the bed capacity of the Mental Health Institute at Independence by an additional 20 adult beds and 8 adolescent beds. Subcommittee: Fry, A Meyers and Brown-Powers
First Procedural Deadline (Funnel) Arrives on February 18 The first procedural hurdle of the 2022 Session of the Iowa Legislature arrives at the close of business this next Friday. The so-called “First Funnel,” is the day by which bills must be approved by one committee in the bill’s chamber or origin to remain eligible for continued consideration this legislative session. There are three types of bill’s exempt from the procedural rules. Bills in the Appropriations Committee, Ways and Means Committee and Government Oversight Committee are not governed by procedural deadlines requiring committee approval by specific dates. The next milestone comes on March 18th. That is the day by which a bill must be approved by at least one committee in the chamber not of its origin. So as an example, a House proposal needs to be given the go-ahead by a Senate committee to remain eligible for further consideration this year. Subcommittee Meeting Set For HF 2278 Set For Feb 17 This upcoming Thursday, February 17th, a House subcommittee will meet to consider House File 2278. The proposal would appropriate $150,000 specifically for assisting students in completing FAFSA applications.The members of the subcommittee are Representatives Holly Brink, Dave Kerr and Phyllis Thede. Bills of Interest: SF 2197 (formerly SF 168) - Nonpublic School Special Services (M) - The bill requires the Department of Education to convene and provide administrative support to the task force. The bill requires the task force to study and make recommendations regarding how to better serve students enrolled in nonpublic schools who receive special education services. The bill requires the task force to submit a report that includes findings and recommendations for policy changes to the General Assembly by December 1, 2022.On Senate debate calendar SF 2075 - Your Life Iowa Info on School IDs (F) - The bill directs the board of regents to require each institution of higher learning governed by the board that issues identification cards to students to include on each student identification card the three-digit number adopted by the department of human services that the student may call or text to obtain suicide prevention services. The bill makes a similar directive for school district boards of directors for students in grades 6 through 12. The bill strongly encourages the authorities in charge of each accredited nonpublic school to display on each identification card the school issues. Subcommittee: Sinclair, Rozenboom and J Smith SF 2025 - School Bathrooms (M) - This bill requires elementary and secondary public and nonpublic schools to designate and allow the use of multiple occupancy toilet facilities only by persons of the same biological sex. The bill prohibits a person from entering a school single and multiple occupancy toilet facility that does not correspond with the person’s biological sex. The bill provides that such designations and prohibitions do not 6 constitute unfair or discriminatory practices in violation of the Iowa civil rights Act. Subcommittee: Sinclair, Quirmbach and Rozenboom SF 2024 - Gender Identity Curriculum (M) - This bill establishes that the curriculum utilized by a school district or accredited nonpublic school in accordance with the state’s educational standards for elementary students shall not include instruction relating to gender identity. However, the prohibition does not apply to the curriculum provided to a student enrolled in grades one through six if the school district or accredited nonpublic school obtains the prior written consent of the student’s parent or guardian. If a school does not obtain a parent’s or guardian’s written consent, the student may opt out of instruction relating to gender identity. Gender identity, for purposes of the bill, means a gender-related identity of a person, regardless of the person’s assigned sex at birth. Subcommittee: Sinclair, Quirmbach and Rozenboom SF 2003 - At Risk Student Funding (F) - This bill modifies the maximum modified supplemental amount calculation (funds for a school district’s program for at-risk students, secondary students who attend alternative programs and alternative schools, or returning dropouts and dropout prevention) for fiscal years beginning on or after July 1, 2022, but before July 1, 2026, by increasing the 2.5 percent ratio figure by .5 percent each fiscal year until the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026, and each fiscal year thereafter, when the maximum ratio percentage is set at 5 percent for all school districts. Approved by subcommittee SF 310 - Transitional Bilingual Program (M) - This bill directs the department of education to establish, subject to an appropriation of sufficient funds by the general assembly, a transitional bilingual education pilot program designed to allow a student who is limited English proficient to achieve long-term academic success through English-medium instruction in general education classrooms that also includes initially at least two hours a day of instruction in the student’s native language; provided, however, that the native language of the student who is limited English proficient is used to support the student’s development of English and content learning and is then gradually phased out of instruction as a student’s English proficiency increases. The program shall consist of three pilot projects, located in an elementary school, a middle school, and a high school. Each pilot project shall be conducted for a minimum of one year. Approved by subcommittee SSB 3080 - Governor’s School Omnibus (M) - Included in this 20-page bill are provision that establish a student first scholarship program and a student first enrollment supplement fund; require the boards of directors of school districts to publish certain specified information regarding curriculum; as well as modifying provisions related to required social studies instruction, open enrollment, teacher librarian endorsements, competent private instruction, and special education. Approved by committee HF 2298 (formerly HF 2040) - Covid Vaccination Not Required For School (A) - This bill prohibits requiring an immunization against COVID-19 for a person to be enrolled in any licensed child care center, elementary or secondary school, or postsecondary school in Iowa prior to July 1, 2029, notwithstanding whether a person’s attendance is in person or virtual. On House debate calendar HF 2294 (formerly HF 2109) - Your Life Iowa Info on School IDs (F) - This bill requires public schools to include on either side of identification cards issued to students in grades seven through twelve the your life Iowa crisis telephone and text numbers. The bill authorizes a public school that issues identification cards to students in grades five and six to do so as well. On House debate calendar HF 2278 - Student Aid Form Assistance (F) - The bill appropriates $150,000 to the college student aid commission for purposes of the coordination of activities with the Iowa college access network to assist students enrolled in grades 9 through 12 in completing the free application for federal student aid. Subcommittee: Brink, Kerr and Thede HF 2199 (formerly HF 656) - Non Medical Switching (F) - This bill relates to the continuity of care for a covered person and nonmedical switching by health carriers, health benefit plans, and utilization review organizations. Specifically provides that during a covered person’s eligibility under a health benefit plan the plan shall not limit or exclude coverage of a prescription drug for the covered person if the covered person is medically stable on the drug as determined by the prescribing health care professional, the drug was previously approved by the health carrier for coverage for the person, and the covered person’s prescribing health care professional has prescribed the drug for the person’s medical condition within the previous six months. On House debate schedule HF 2151 - BOEE Fingerprint Submission (M) - Current law requires all initial applicants for BOEE licensure to submit a completed fingerprint packet and requires the BOEE to use the packet to facilitate a national criminal history background check. The bill requires the BOEE to allow all initial applicants to submit the completed fingerprint packet electronically. Referred to State Government HF 2146 - BOEE Makeup (M) - Current law provides that the BOEE consists of members. This bill adds two ex officio, non voting members to the BOEE. The bill requires the President of the Senate to appoint one of the ex officio, non voting members from the Senate education Committee. The bill also requires the Speaker of the House to appoint the other ex officio, non voting member from the House Education Committee. The bill provides that the ex officio, non voting members serve a one-year term. Referred to Education HF 2009 - SRO Funding (M) - This bill authorizes the use of revenues from the district management levy for the employment of school resource officers. Not approved by subcommittee HF 2008 - At Risk Student Funding (F) - This bill modifies the maximum modified supplemental amount calculation (funds for a school district’s program for at-risk students, secondary students who attend alternative programs and alternative schools, or returning dropouts and dropout prevention) for fiscal years beginning on or after July 1, 2022, but before July 1, 2026, by increasing the 2.5 percent ratio figure by .5 percent each fiscal year until the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026, and each fiscal year thereafter, when the maximum ratio percentage is set at 5 percent for all school districts. Approved by subcommittee HSB 702 - School Employee Investigations (M) - The bill requires the Department of Education to develop and implement a process for the reporting and investigation of any incident that arises which may reasonably lead to the conclusion that a licensed practitioner employed by the board of directors of a school district or the authorities in charge of an accredited nonpublic school has violated any law. The bill establishes that the process requires the creation of a committee to investigate these incidents. The bill requires the committee to meet to evaluate the incident and determine whether the licensed practitioner should be placed on administrative leave during the investigation. Subcommittee; Hite, Brink and Steckman HSB 656 - Doctors or Masters BOEE One Time License (M) - Current law authorizes the board of educational examiners to establish renewal requirements for licensed practitioners. The bill provides that there shall be no renewal requirement for a practitioner who possesses a master’s or doctoral degree. The bill makes conforming changes, including changes to authorize permanent licensure for practitioners who possess a master’s or doctoral degree. Approved by subcommittee HSB 531 - MH Bed Expansion (F) - This bill appropriates to the Department of Human Services for FY 2022-2023 an amount necessary to expand the bed capacity of the Mental Health Institute at Cherokee by an additional 12 adult beds and 6 adolescent beds, and to expand the bed capacity of the Mental Health Institute at Independence by an additional 20 adult beds and 8 adolescent beds. Subcommittee: Fry, A Meyers and Brown-Powers HSB 527 - Counselor, Therapist or School Employee Exploitation (F) - The bill adds a person employed by, performing volunteer services for, or providing contract services to a nonpublic elementary or secondary school or charter school to the definition of “school employee”. The bill adds a person currently enrolled in or attending a charter school, or a person who was a student enrolled in or attending a charter school within 30 days of any sexual exploitation by a school employee in violation of Code section 709.15(3) to the definition of “student”. Approved by subcommittee
Suicide Prevention Info on IDs Moves Forward House File 2109 also authorizes a public school that issues identification cards to students in grades five and six to do so as well. The bill now moves on for consideration by the full House. Please send a short email note to your area State Representatives in support of this bill. You can find your area lawmakers and their contact information by visiting this Legislative webpage: https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislators/find Bills of Interest: HF 2199 (formerly HF 656) - Non Medical Switching (F) - This bill relates to the continuity of care for a covered person and nonmedical switching by health carriers, health benefit plans, and utilization review organizations. Specifically provides that during a covered person’s eligibility under a health benefit plan the plan shall not limit or exclude coverage of a prescription drug for the covered person if the covered person is medically stable on the drug as determined by the prescribing health care professional, the drug was previously approved by the health carrier for coverage for the person, and the covered person’s prescribing health care professional has prescribed the drug for the person’s medical condition within the previous six months. On House debate schedule HF 2151 - BOEE Fingerprint Submission (M) - Current law requires all initial applicants for BOEE licensure to submit a completed fingerprint packet and requires the BOEE to use the packet to facilitate a national criminal history background check. The bill requires the BOEE to allow all initial applicants to submit the completed fingerprint packet electronically. Referred to State Government HF 2146 - BOEE Makeup (M) - Current law provides that the BOEE consists of members. This bill adds two ex officio, non voting members to the BOEE. The bill requires the President of the Senate to appoint one of the ex officio, non voting members from the Senate education Committee. The bill also requires the Speaker of the House to appoint the other ex officio, non voting member from the House Education Committee. The bill provides that the ex officio, non voting members serve a one-year term. Referred to State Government HF 2109 - Your Life Iowa Info on School IDs (F) - This bill requires public schools to include on either side of identification cards issued to students in grades seven through twelve the your life Iowa crisis telephone and text numbers. The bill authorizes a public school that issues identification cards to students in grades five and six to do so as well. Approved by subcommittee HF 2040 - Covid Vaccination Not Required For School (M) - This bill prohibits requiring an immunization against COVID-19 for a person to be enrolled in any licensed child care center, elementary or secondary school, or postsecondary school in Iowa prior to July 1, 2029, notwithstanding whether a person’s attendance is in person or virtual. Approved by subcommittee HF 2009 - SRO Funding (M) - This bill authorizes the use of revenues from the district management levy for the employment of school resource officers. Not approved by subcommittee HF 2008 - At Risk Student Funding (F) - This bill modifies the maximum modified supplemental amount calculation (funds for a school district’s program for at-risk students, secondary students who attend alternative programs and alternative schools, or returning dropouts and dropout prevention) for fiscal years beginning on or after July 1, 2022, but before July 1, 2026, by increasing the 2.5 percent ratio figure by .5 percent each fiscal year until the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026, and each fiscal year thereafter, when the maximum ratio percentage is set at 5 percent for all school districts. Approved by subcommittee HSB 656 - Doctors or Masters BOEE One Time License (M) - Current law authorizes the board of educational examiners to establish renewal requirements for licensed practitioners. The bill provides that there shall be no renewal requirement for a practitioner who possesses a master’s or doctoral degree. The bill makes conforming changes, including changes to authorize permanent licensure for practitioners who possess a master’s or doctoral degree. Subcommittee: T Moore, Bossman and Gjerde HSB 531 - MH Bed Expansion (F) - This bill appropriates to the Department of Human Services for FY 2022-2023 an amount necessary to expand the bed capacity of the Mental Health Institute at Cherokee by an additional 12 adult beds and 6 adolescent beds, and to expand the bed capacity of the Mental Health Institute at Independence by an additional 20 adult beds and 8 adolescent beds. Subcommittee: Fry, A Meyers and Brown-Powers HSB 527 - Counselor, Therapist or School Employee Exploitation (F) - The bill adds a person employed by, performing volunteer services for, or providing contract services to a nonpublic elementary or secondary school or charter school to the definition of “school employee”. The bill adds a person currently enrolled in or attending a charter school, or a person who was a student enrolled in or attending a charter school within 30 days of any sexual exploitation by a school employee in violation of Code section 709.15(3) to the definition of “student”. Approved by subcommittee SF 2197 (formerly SF 168) - Nonpublic School Special Services (M) - The bill requires the Department of Education to convene and provide administrative support to the task force. The bill requires the task force to study and make recommendations regarding how to better serve students enrolled in nonpublic schools who receive special education services. The bill requires the task force to submit a report that includes findings and recommendations for policy changes to the General Assembly by December 1, 2022. On Senate debate calendar SF 2075 - Your Life Iowa Info on School IDs (F) - The bill directs the board of regents to require each institution of higher learning governed by the board that issues identification cards to students to include on each student identification card the three-digit number adopted by the department of human services that the student may call or text to obtain suicide prevention services. The bill makes a similar directive for school district boards of directors for students in grades 6 through 12. The bill strongly encourages the authorities in charge of each accredited nonpublic school to display on each identification card the school issues. Subcommittee: Sinclair, Rozenboom and J Smith SF 2025 - School Bathrooms (M) - This bill requires elementary and secondary public and nonpublic schools to designate and allow the use of multiple occupancy toilet facilities only by persons of the same biological sex. The bill prohibits a person from entering a school single and multiple occupancy toilet facility that does not correspond with the person’s biological sex. The bill provides that such designations and prohibitions do not 6 constitute unfair or discriminatory practices in violation of the Iowa civil rights Act. Subcommittee: Sinclair, Quirmbach and Rozenboom SF 2024 - Gender Identity Curriculum (M) - This bill establishes that the curriculum utilized by a school district or accredited nonpublic school in accordance with the state’s educational standards for elementary students shall not include instruction relating to gender identity. However, the prohibition does not apply to the curriculum provided to a student enrolled in grades one through six if the school district or accredited nonpublic school obtains the prior written consent of the student’s parent or guardian. If a school does not obtain a parent’s or guardian’s written consent, the student may opt out of instruction relating to gender identity. Gender identity, for purposes of the bill, means a gender-related identity of a person, regardless of the person’s assigned sex at birth. Subcommittee: Sinclair, Quirmbach and Rozenboom SF 2003 - At Risk Student Funding (F) - This bill modifies the maximum modified supplemental amount calculation (funds for a school district’s program for at-risk students, secondary students who attend alternative programs and alternative schools, or returning dropouts and dropout prevention) for fiscal years beginning on or after July 1, 2022, but before July 1, 2026, by increasing the 2.5 percent ratio figure by .5 percent each fiscal year until the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026, and each fiscal year thereafter, when the maximum ratio percentage is set at 5 percent for all school districts. Approved by subcommittee SF 310 - Transitional Bilingual Program (M) - This bill directs the department of education to establish, subject to an appropriation of sufficient funds by the general assembly, a transitional bilingual education pilot program designed to allow a student who is limited English proficient to achieve long-term academic success through English-medium instruction in general education classrooms that also includes initially at least two hours a day of instruction in the student’s native language; provided, however, that the native language of the student who is limited English proficient is used to support the student’s development of English and content learning and is then gradually phased out of instruction as a student’s English proficiency increases. The program shall consist of three pilot projects, located in an elementary school, a middle school, and a high school. Each pilot project shall be conducted for a minimum of one year. Approved by subcommittee SSB 3080 - Governor’s School Omnibus (M) - Included in this 20-page bill are provision that establish a student first scholarship program and a student first enrollment supplement fund; require the boards of directors of school districts to publish certain specified information regarding curriculum; as well as modifying provisions related to required social studies instruction, open enrollment, teacher librarian endorsements, competent private instruction, and special education. Approved by committee
BOEE Bills Introduced Bills of Interest: HF 2151 - BOEE Fingerprint Submission (M) - Current law requires all initial applicants for BOEE licensure to submit a completed fingerprint packet and requires the BOEE to use the packet to facilitate a national criminal history background check. The bill requires the BOEE to allow all initial applicants to submit the completed fingerprint packet electronically. Referred to State Government HF 2146 - BOEE Makeup (M) - Current law provides that the BOEE consists of members. This bill adds two ex officio, non voting members to the BOEE. The bill requires the President of the Senate to appoint one of the ex officio, non voting members from the Senate education Committee. The bill also requires the Speaker of the House to appoint the other ex officio, non voting member from the House Education Committee. The bill provides that the ex officio, non voting members serve a one-year term. Referred to State Government HF 2040 - Covid Vaccination Not Required For School (M) - This bill prohibits requiring an immunization against COVID-19 for a person to be enrolled in any licensed child care center, elementary or secondary school, or postsecondary school in Iowa prior to July 1, 2029, notwithstanding whether a person’s attendance is in person or virtual. Subcommittee; Stone, Gaines and Wheeler HF 2009 - SRO Funding (M) - This bill authorizes the use of revenues from the district management levy for the employment of school resource officers. Not approved by subcommittee HF 2008 - At Risk Student Funding (M) - This bill modifies the maximum modified supplemental amount calculation (funds for a school district’s program for at-risk students, secondary students who attend alternative programs and alternative schools, or returning dropouts and dropout prevention) for fiscal years beginning on or after July 1, 2022, but before July 1, 2026, by increasing the 2.5 percent ratio figure by .5 percent each fiscal year until the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026, and each fiscal year thereafter, when the maximum ratio percentage is set at 5 percent for all school districts. Approved by subcommittee HSB 531 - MH Bed Expansion (M) - This bill appropriates to the Department of Human Services for FY 2022-2023 an amount necessary to expand the bed capacity of the Mental Health Institute at Cherokee by an additional 12 adult beds and 6 adolescent beds, and to expand the bed capacity of the Mental Health Institute at Independence by an additional 20 adult beds and 8 adolescent beds. Subcommittee: Fry, A Meyers and Brown-Powers HSB 527 - Counselor, Therapist or School Employee Exploitation (F) - The bill adds a person employed by, performing volunteer services for, or providing contract services to a nonpublic elementary or secondary school or charter school to the definition of “school employee”. The bill adds a person currently enrolled in or attending a charter school, or a person who was a student enrolled in or attending a charter school within 30 days of any sexual exploitation by a school employee in violation of Code section 709.15(3) to the definition of “student." Approved by subcommittee SF 2025 - School Bathrooms (M) - This bill requires elementary and secondary public and nonpublic schools to designate and allow the use of multiple occupancy toilet facilities only by persons of the same biological sex. The bill prohibits a person from entering a school single and multiple occupancy toilet facility that does not correspond with the person’s biological sex. The bill provides that such designations and prohibitions do not 6 constitute unfair or discriminatory practices in violation of the Iowa civil rights Act. Subcommittee: Sinclair, Quirmbach and Rozenboom SF 2024 - Gender Identity Curriculum (M) - This bill establishes that the curriculum utilized by a school district or accredited nonpublic school in accordance with the state’s educational standards for elementary students shall not include instruction relating to gender identity. However, the prohibition does not apply to the curriculum provided to a student enrolled in grades one through six if the school district or accredited nonpublic school obtains the prior written consent of the student’s parent or guardian. If a school does not obtain a parent’s or guardian’s written consent, the student may opt out of instruction relating to gender identity. Gender identity, for purposes of the bill, means a gender-related identity of a person, regardless of the person’s assigned sex at birth. Subcommittee: Sinclair, Quirmbach and Rozenboom SF 2003 - At Risk Student Funding (M) - This bill modifies the maximum modified supplemental amount calculation (funds for a school district’s program for at-risk students, secondary students who attend alternative programs and alternative schools, or returning dropouts and dropout prevention) for fiscal years beginning on or after July 1, 2022, but before July 1, 2026, by increasing the 2.5 percent ratio figure by .5 percent each fiscal year until the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026, and each fiscal year thereafter, when the maximum ratio percentage is set at 5 percent for all school districts. Approved by subcommittee SF 310 - Transitional Bilingual Program (M) - This bill directs the department of education to establish, subject to an appropriation of sufficient funds by the general assembly, a transitional bilingual education pilot program designed to allow a student who is limited English proficient to achieve long-term academic success through English-medium instruction in general education classrooms that also includes initially at least two hours a day of instruction in the student’s native language; provided, however, that the native language of the student who is limited English proficient is used to support the student’s development of English and content learning and is then gradually phased out of instruction as a student’s English proficiency increases. The program shall consist of three pilot projects, located in an elementary school, a middle school, and a high school. Each pilot project shall be conducted for a minimum of one year. Approved by subcommittee |
