Iowa 2025-2026 Regular Session

Iowa House Bill HF587

Introduced
2/25/25  

Caption

A bill for an act requiring schools to establish and offer a junior fire fighter program to high school students.

Impact

The implementation of HF587 is projected to have a significant impact on high school curricula across Iowa, as it introduces a required program that teaches important life skills such as teamwork, leadership, responsibility, and commitment. Schools may opt to develop their own program or collaborate with established national organizations to deliver the curriculum. The emphasis on building partnerships with local emergency services could help promote increased participation in these essential careers after students graduate.

Summary

House File 587 mandates that all school districts and accredited nonpublic schools in Iowa must establish and offer a junior firefighter program for students in grades 9 through 12. The bill intends to expose high school students to the workings of firefighters and emergency service providers, helping them learn in a structured environment. This initiative is aimed at not just education, but also community engagement in emergency services, fostering relationships between students and professionals in the field.

Contention

While the bill enjoys support for its positive outreach towards emergency services, concerns may arise regarding the funding implications for schools. The bill specifies that the costs associated with this mandate will be drawn from the state school foundation aid, which could affect how resources are allocated within school districts. Moreover, there may be debates around the balance of educational requirements and the autonomy of school districts in deciding extracurricular activities, especially regarding their cooperative efforts with national programs.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

IA HSB675

A bill for an act relating to school security, including by requiring certain school districts to employ or retain school security personnel, establishing the school security personnel grant program within the department of education, and authorizing school employees to be issued professional permits to carry weapons.(See HF 2586.)

IA HSB587

A bill for an act relating to education, including by modifying the social studies curriculum provided to students enrolled in grades one through twelve in school districts, charter schools, and innovation zone schools, and modifying the responsibilities of school districts, charter schools, and innovation zone schools related to requiring teachers and students to sing the national anthem.

IA HSB586

A bill for an act requiring school districts and charter schools to provide instruction related to character development to students enrolled in kindergarten through grade twelve.

IA HSB736

A bill for an act requiring public schools to provide diabetes information to students' parents and guardians.

IA HF2544

A bill for an act relating to education, including by modifying provisions related to the social studies instruction provided to students enrolled in grades one through twelve and the educational programs provided by the institutions of higher education under the control of the state board of regents, and requiring education related to the holocaust for students and teachers in school districts. (Formerly HF 2330.)

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.)

IA HSB222

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.

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 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 HF73

A bill for an act relating to firearm education in schools, including requiring the director of the department of education to develop and distribute age-appropriate model programs for firearm safety instruction and modifying provisions related to the required instruction in public schools and accredited nonpublic schools in grades six through twelve.

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