Iowa 2025-2026 Regular Session

Iowa House Bill HF289

Introduced
2/10/25  

Caption

A bill for an act transferring the division of vocational rehabilitation services from the department of workforce development to the department of education.

Impact

The implication of this bill on state laws is multi-faceted. It seeks to create a more educationally-focused framework around vocational rehabilitation, which can potentially lead to improved outcomes for individuals seeking employment after experiencing disabilities. By integrating the division into the Department of Education, the bill may enhance collaboration with educational institutions and other agencies that contribute to vocational training, thereby streamlining processes that assist people with disabilities in achieving their employment goals.

Summary

House File 289 proposes a significant restructuring of vocational rehabilitation services in Iowa by transferring the division responsible for these services from the Department of Workforce Development to the Department of Education. This change is aimed at enhancing the delivery and coordination of services provided to individuals with disabilities, ensuring that they have better access to education and job training opportunities. The division plays a crucial role in administering the state's compliance with the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and utilizes both state and federal funding for this purpose.

Contention

Despite its potential benefits, the bill has sparked some contention among stakeholders. Opponents may argue that shifting responsibilities from workforce development to education could lead to a dilution of focus on immediate job placement services, as education departments historically emphasize academic achievement over direct workforce outcomes. Additionally, concerns may arise regarding how this shift could affect the funding and resources allocated to vocational rehabilitation programs, particularly ensuring that they remain adequately supported to meet the needs of those with significant disabilities.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

IA HSB542

A bill for an act relating to education, including modifying provisions related to the number of area education agencies in this state, the duties and powers of area education agencies, area education agency boards of directors, the department of administrative services, the director of the department of education, the division of special education within the department of education, the services provided by area education agencies, area education agency funding, the calculation of the teacher salary supplement district cost per pupil, and minimum teacher salaries, and including transition, effective date, and applicability provisions.

IA SSB3073

A bill for an act relating to education, including modifying provisions related to the number of area education agencies in this state, the duties and powers of area education agencies, area education agency boards of directors, the department of administrative services, the director of the department of education, the division of special education within the department of education, the services provided by area education agencies, area education agency funding, the calculation of the teacher salary supplement district cost per pupil, and minimum teacher salaries, and including transition, effective date, and applicability provisions.(See SF 2386.)

IA HF2516

A bill for an act relating to work-based learning, including by repealing provisions related to regional industry sector partnerships and the statewide work-based learning intermediary network, establishing the workforce opportunity fund within the department of workforce development, modifying provisions related to career and technical education, student teacher requirements for students with substitute teaching or para-educator experience, and the future ready Iowa skilled workforce last-dollar scholarship program, and making appropriations.(Formerly HSB 686; See HF 2703.)

IA HF2703

A bill for an act relating to work-based learning, including by repealing provisions related to regional industry sector partnerships and the statewide work-based learning intermediary network, establishing the workforce opportunity fund within the department of workforce development, modifying provisions related to career and technical education, student teacher requirements for students with substitute teaching or para-educator experience, and the future ready Iowa skilled workforce last-dollar scholarship program, and making appropriations.(Formerly HF 2516, HSB 686.)

IA SSB3143

A bill for an act relating to work-based learning, including by repealing provisions related to regional industry sector partnerships and the statewide work-based learning intermediary network, establishing the workforce opportunity fund within the department of workforce development, modifying provisions related to career and technical education, student teacher requirements for students with substitute teaching or para-educator experience, and the future ready Iowa skilled workforce last-dollar scholarship program, and making appropriations.(See SF 2260, SF 2411.)

IA HSB686

A bill for an act relating to work-based learning, including by repealing provisions related to regional industry sector partnerships and the statewide work-based learning intermediary network, establishing the workforce opportunity fund within the department of workforce development, modifying provisions related to career and technical education, student teacher requirements for students with substitute teaching or para-educator experience, and the future ready Iowa skilled workforce last-dollar scholarship program, and making appropriations.(See HF 2516, HF 2703.)

IA HF731

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 on 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 HSB 254.)

IA HF6

A bill for an act relating to workforce development, including establishing the Iowa workforce grant and incentive program and modifying the responsibilities of the Iowa workforce development board.(See HF 447.)

IA HSB254

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 on 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.(See HF 731.)

IA SSB3192

A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations for the economic development of the state, including to the economic development authority, the Iowa finance authority, the public employment relations board, the department of workforce development, and the state board of regents and certain regents institutions.

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