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Iowa Legislature
The Iowa Legislature website contains information on the Senate/House, Legislators, Legislation, Committees, Iowa Law and Rules, Legislative Agencies, Publications, Resources and Civic Education, Lobbyist Information, and Archives.
Back to topLegislative Update
Legislative Update is a weekly email newsletter each Friday of the legislative session from the Department's policy liaison. A Legislative Action Alert is an email message informing stakeholders of enacted legislation requiring the immediate attention of the field. Alerts are issued as needed during the legislative session.
Sign Up to receive Legislative Update and Legislative Action Alert emails.
Legislative Updates - 2024
- Legislative Update - March 15
- Legislative Update - March 1
- Legislative Update - February 16
- Legislative Update - February 2
- Legislative Update - January 19
- Legislative Update - January 12
Legislative Action Alerts - 2024
- Used as needed during the legislative session.
Education Bill Tracker
The Education Bill Tracker contains information on legislation impacting the education system and stakeholders. The tracker is being shared for information purposes only, and does not imply endorsement of the legislation.
Back to topLegislative Reports
Iowa Department of Education reports required by Iowa Code can be accessed through the Iowa Legislature website.
Back to topGuidance & Updates on Legislation
The last five years of official guidance and updates from the Department regarding education legislation. Each document provides further detail about requirements of specific state or federal legislation.
2024
2024 Legislative Session Summary of Enacted Legislation
2023
Model Policies for Discipline of Students Who Make Threats of Violence or Cause Incidents of Violence - Originally posted 9-14-23 and updated 6-12-24.
2023 Legislative Session Summary of Changes Affecting Schools
2022
2022 Legislative Session Summary of Changes Affecting Schools
2021
2021-06-23 Letter to the Field - 2021 Legislative Session - Summary of Changes Affecting Schools
2021 Legislation Webinar Series
- Intellectual Freedom, Diversity Training, and Pledge of Allegiance (Presentation Slides)
Provides a summary of the requirements outlined in the Intellectual Freedom, Diversity Training, and Pledge of Allegiance guidance. - Open Enrollment and Athletic Eligibility (Presentation Slides)
Provides a high-level summary of changes to athletic eligibility and open enrollment. - School Accreditation and Improvement and Physical Education Updates (Presentation Slides)
Provides a summary of the School Accreditation and Improvement guidance and updates to the Physical Education (PE) and High School Programs guidance. - Charter Schools (Presentation Slides)
- School Finance and Fiscal Guidance (Presentation Slides)
Provides a summary of the School Business and Fiscal guidance, which is an overview of bills impacting school finance from the 2021 legislative session.
2020
2020-07-17 Letter to the Field - 2020 Legislative Session - Summary of Changes Affecting Schools
Safe Classroom Learning Environments Guidance (Senate File 2260) - Provides a comprehensive approach to create a safe learning space for students and teachers. The legislation offers competitive grants and reimbursement for therapeutic classrooms. School requirements include annual reporting of incidents of assault and violence and limitations on the use of classroom clears.
School Behavioral Health Screening and Telehealth Guidance (Senate File 2261) - Expands the opportunities for students to access behavioral health services with a licensed professional mental health provider in a school setting via telehealth, with parent or guardian consent, and allows for school districts, accredited non-public schools, and Area Education Agencies (AEAs) to contract licensed mental health providers to conduct in-person, universal behavioral health screenings with parent or guardian permission.
2019
2019-06-04 Letter to the Field - 2019 Legislative Session - Summary of Changes Affecting Schools
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