Iowa 2025-2026 Regular Session

Iowa House Bill HF554

Introduced
2/24/25  

Caption

A bill for an act relating to public schools, including by modifying provisions related to school district library programs and requests to remove educational materials from classrooms and school libraries.

Impact

Another notable aspect of HF554 is its approach to enforcement mechanisms. The bill eliminates previous requirements for the Department of Education to issue written warnings for non-compliance regarding library programs and repeals certain transparency measures. One such repeal is the confidentiality of parents or guardians who request the removal of educational materials, shifting the approach to parental involvement in school library oversight. This could lead to increased scrutiny of requests that would change educational content, potentially impacting how schools respond to public input regarding library materials.

Summary

House File 554 introduces significant changes to the regulations governing public school libraries in Iowa. The bill modifies existing mandates that require school districts to employ qualified teacher librarians and enforces certain requirements regarding the age-appropriateness of library materials. Starting July 1, 2025, each school district must employ a teacher librarian licensed by the board of educational examiners, eliminating the previous option of hiring someone previously employed as a librarian in a public library. This shift is aimed at enhancing the professional qualifications of those overseeing library programs in schools.

Contention

A contentious part of the bill lies in the struck provisions regarding student participation on committees that evaluate educational materials. Previously, students were not allowed to be involved in decision-making processes about what materials might be removed from school libraries. By removing this prohibition, HF554 opens the door for greater student involvement in these discussions, which some stakeholders may view as either positive or negative. Critics might argue this could trivialize the decision-making process, while supporters may see it as a move towards inclusivity and recognizing student voices.

Overall_statement

The modifications proposed in HF554 reflect an evolving understanding of the role of libraries in education, alongside a shift in how schools may address requests for material removal and transparency. The bill has sparked discussion around the implications of these changes on educational freedom, parental rights, and student representation within the decision-making processes. As the bill progresses, its passage could significantly alter the landscape of public school libraries in Iowa.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

IA HSB219

A bill for an act relating to education, including modifying provisions related to school district library programs and the educational program provided to students enrolled in school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, and charter schools.(See HF 597.)

IA HF597

A bill for an act relating to education, including modifying provisions related to school district library programs and the educational program provided to students enrolled in school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, and charter schools.(Formerly HSB 219.)

IA SF2223

A bill for an act relating to children and students, including by modifying provisions related to a parent's or guardian's rights to make decisions affecting the parent's or guardian's child, the educational program and human growth and development curriculum provided to students enrolled in school districts, charter schools, and innovation zone schools, student health screenings, school district library programs, special education, and other duties of school districts and the governing boards of charter schools and innovation zone schools.

IA HF327

A bill for an act relating to education, including modifying provisions related to comprehensive school improvement plans, teacher librarians and guidance counselors, required days or hours of instruction in elementary and secondary schools, agreements between school districts and community colleges to teach certain courses, required courses in school districts and accredited nonpublic schools, and shared operational functions, and authorizing school districts to offer sequential units in one classroom.(Formerly HSB 119.)

IA SF391

A bill for an act relating to education, including modifying provisions related to comprehensive school improvement plans, teacher librarians and guidance counselors, required days or hours of instruction in elementary and secondary schools, agreements between school districts and community colleges to teach certain courses, and required courses in school districts and accredited nonpublic schools, and authorizing school districts to offer sequential units in one classroom. (Formerly SSB 1076.) Effective date: 07/01/2023.

IA SSB1076

A bill for an act relating to education, including modifying provisions related to comprehensive school improvement plans, teacher librarians and guidance counselors, required days or hours of instruction in elementary and secondary schools, agreements between school districts and community colleges to teach certain courses, required courses in school districts and accredited nonpublic schools, and shared operational functions, and authorizing school districts to offer sequential units in one classroom.(See SF 391.)

IA HSB119

A bill for an act relating to education, including modifying provisions related to comprehensive school improvement plans, teacher librarians and guidance counselors, required days or hours of instruction in elementary and secondary schools, agreements between school districts and community colleges to teach certain courses, required courses in school districts and accredited nonpublic schools, and shared operational functions, and authorizing school districts to offer sequential units in one classroom.(See HF 327.)

IA HF5

A bill for an act relating to education, including requiring the boards of directors of school districts and the governing boards of charter schools to publish certain specified information, modifying provisions related to required social studies instruction, and providing civil penalties.

IA SF496

A bill for an act relating to children and students, including establishing a parent's or guardian's right to make decisions affecting the parent's or guardian's child, authorizing the parent or guardian of a student enrolled in a school district to enroll the student in another attendance center within the same school district in certain specified circumstances, prohibiting instruction related to gender identity and sexual orientation in school districts, charter schools, and innovation zone schools in kindergarten through grade six, and modifying provisions related to student health screenings, school district library programs, the educational program provided to students enrolled in school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, and charter schools, other duties of school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, the department of education, the board of educational examiners, and the governing boards of charter schools and innovation zone schools, competent private instruction, and special education, and including effective date provisions. (Formerly SSB 1145.) Effective date: 05/26/2023, 07/01/2023.

IA SSB1145

A bill for an act relating to children and students, including establishing a parent's or guardian's right to make decisions affecting the parent's or guardian's child, modifying provisions related to student health screenings and the curriculum in school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, and charter schools, other duties of school districts, competent private instruction, and special education, making appropriations, and providing civil penalties.(See SF 496.)

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.