Legislative Information

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.

Legislative 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

• Coming as needed during the 2024 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.

Legislative Reports

Iowa Department of Education reports required by Iowa Code can be accessed through the Iowa Legislature website.

Guidance & 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.

2023

Model Policies for Discipline of Students Who Make Threats of Violence or Cause Incidents of Violence

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

1. 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.
2. Open Enrollment and Athletic Eligibility (Presentation Slides)
   Provides a high-level summary of changes to athletic eligibility and open enrollment.
3. 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.
4. Charter Schools (Presentation Slides)
5. 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