Iowa 2023-2024 Regular Session

Iowa House Bill HF2631

Introduced
2/27/24  
Engrossed
3/4/24  
Introduced
2/27/24  

Caption

A bill for an act relating to the use of moneys appropriated to support therapeutic classrooms, and including effective date provisions.(Formerly HSB 520.)

Impact

One notable effect of HF2631 is its provision for any unspent funds allocated for transportation reimbursement to be redirected into the therapeutic classroom incentive fund. This means that any money that goes unused in a fiscal year will not revert back to the general fund but will remain available for subsequent years to support the therapeutic classroom program. This structure is intended to promote sustained funding levels for programs critical to student mental health and well-being within the educational framework.

Summary

House File 2631 is a bill aimed at improving the funding mechanism for therapeutic classrooms within Iowa's educational system. Specifically, it addresses the appropriation of $500,000 for the reimbursement of transportation claims related to these specialized classrooms. The bill aims to facilitate the transportation needs of students in therapeutic settings, which are designed to cater to students requiring additional support due to emotional or behavioral challenges. This funding is critical for school districts to ensure students have access to necessary therapeutic services that can help enhance their educational experience.

Contention

While the bill appears to be straightforward in its funding approach, it does raise discussions on the adequacy and equity of resources allocated to therapeutic classrooms versus other educational initiatives. Some stakeholders may view the focus on therapeutic schools as necessary for addressing modern educational challenges, while others might question if such funding detracts from broader educational funding needs or other support services for students in non-therapeutic general education settings. The unanimous vote in favor of HF2631 with 98 yeas and no nays indicates strong legislative support but does not eliminate potential future discussions about resource allocation and educational priorities in Iowa.

Companion Bills

IA HSB520

Related A bill for an act relating to the use of moneys appropriated to support therapeutic classrooms, and including effective date provisions.(See HF 2631.)

IA SSB3044

Related A bill for an act relating to the use of moneys appropriated to support therapeutic classrooms, and including effective date provisions.(See SF 2189.)

IA SF2189

Similar To A bill for an act relating to the use of moneys appropriated to support therapeutic classrooms, and including effective date provisions.(Formerly SSB 3044.)

Previously Filed As

IA SF2189

A bill for an act relating to the use of moneys appropriated to support therapeutic classrooms, and including effective date provisions.(Formerly SSB 3044.)

IA HSB520

A bill for an act relating to the use of moneys appropriated to support therapeutic classrooms, and including effective date provisions.(See HF 2631.)

IA SSB3044

A bill for an act relating to the use of moneys appropriated to support therapeutic classrooms, and including effective date provisions.(See SF 2189.)

IA SSB3201

A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations to the education system, including the funding and operation of the department for the blind, department of education, and state board of regents, and including effective date provisions.(See SF 2435.)

IA SF2435

A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations to the education system, including the funding and operation of the department for the blind, department of education, and state board of regents; modifying provisions related to compulsory education, open enrollment, the state board of regents presidential search committee, the Iowa tuition grants program, and the Iowa dyslexia board; establishing restrictions related to diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts of institutions of higher education governed by the state board of regents; providing penalties; and including effective date and applicability provisions. (Formerly SSB 3201.) Effective date: 05/09/2024, 07/01/2024, 07/01/2025. Applicability date: 07/01/2024.

IA SF647

A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations to the education system, including the funding and operation of the department for the blind, department of education, and state board of regents, and including contingent effective date provisions. (Formerly SSB 1231.) Effective date: 07/01/2025.

IA HF1045

A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations to the education system, including the funding and operation of the department for the blind, department of education, and state board of regents, and including contingent effective date provisions.(Formerly HSB 337.)

IA HF2704

A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations to the education system, including the funding and operation of the department for the blind, department of education, and state board of regents; modifying provisions related to compulsory education, open enrollment, the state board of regents presidential search committee, the Iowa tuition grants program, and the Iowa dyslexia board; establishing restrictions related to diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts of institutions of higher education governed by the state board of regents; providing penalties; and including effective date and applicability provisions.

IA SSB1212

A bill for an act relating to the funding of, the operation of, and appropriation of moneys to the department for the blind, the department of education, and the state board of regents, and providing for properly related matters.(See SF 560.)

IA SF560

A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations to the education system, including the funding and operation of the department for the blind, the department of education, and the state board of regents; requiring the state board of regents to conduct a study and prepare a report related to diversity, equity, and inclusion programs and efforts; providing for responsibilities of the workforce development board; establishing the Iowa workforce grant and incentive program; requiring the department of education to convene a task force to study issues related to programs for at-risk students and dropout prevention programs; modifying provisions related to the future ready Iowa skilled workforce grant program, the all Iowa opportunity scholarship program, the education savings account program, the gap tuition assistance program, the Iowa educational services for the blind and visually impaired program, career and technical education programs, the fine arts beginning teacher mentoring program, the equipment replacement and program-sharing property tax levy, and the posting of education-related job openings; and including effective date, applicability, and retroactive applicability provisions. (Formerly SSB 1212.) Effective date: 06/01/2023, 07/01/2023. Applicability date: 01/24/2023, 07/01/2023.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.