Iowa 2025-2026 Regular Session

Iowa House Bill HF898

Introduced
3/10/25  

Caption

A bill for an act modifying school attendance requirements related to children who are undergoing military entrance processing or who are engaged in military service.(Formerly HSB 2.)

Impact

The modification in attendance requirements not only impacts military personnel's children but also reflects a growing recognition of the realities that military families encounter. With many military families often relocating or facing unpredictable schedules, the ability for their children to have flexibility in schooling is crucial. The law aims to lessen the pressure on parents, military or otherwise, who wish to ensure their children can engage with their service commitments without the risk of educational penalties or requirements that are difficult to meet given their circumstances.

Summary

House File 898 modifies the school attendance requirements for children involved in military-related activities. The bill introduces exemptions from compulsory school attendance for children who are either undergoing military entrance processing or who are actively engaged in military service. This legislation recognizes the unique circumstances faced by military families and aims to provide flexibility in educational requirements to accommodate these children. Under current Iowa law, various exemptions from school attendance are already recognized, and this bill expands that list to include specific military-related situations.

Contention

While the bill seems to have broad support for addressing the needs of military families, there may be concerns regarding how these exemptions will be administratively managed within the school system. Critics might argue that such exemptions could lead to a disparity in educational engagement opportunities for military children compared to their peers. Furthermore, there may be discussions around ensuring that the educational needs of these children, especially with frequent transitions and changes in schooling, are adequately met, despite being exempted from regular attendance.

Companion Bills

IA HSB2

Related A bill for an act modifying school attendance requirements related to children who are undergoing military entrance processing or who are engaged in military service.(See HF 898.)

Previously Filed As

IA HF2547

A bill for an act relating to education, including by requiring school engagement meetings and attendance cooperation proceedings when children are absent from school, requiring school districts to restrict student use of cellular phones and smartphones, modifying provisions related to open enrollment of truant students, and modifying penalties. (Formerly HF 2254.)

IA HF2496

A bill for an act modifying provisions related to the responsibilities of nonpublic schools.

IA HF181

A bill for an act prohibiting the state board of regents from investing public moneys in companies that are owned or controlled by Chinese military or government services and including effective date provisions.(Formerly HSB 41.)

IA HF582

A bill for an act relating to hunting by persons with disabilities arising from military service.(Formerly HSB 205.)

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 HF141

A bill for an act relating to the military service property tax exemption and credit and including applicability provisions.(Formerly HSB 22.)

IA HF464

A bill for an act relating to private instruction, including modifying provisions related to independent private instruction and the reports and evidence of immunizations required under competent private instruction.(Formerly HF 283; See HF 2280.)

IA HF2543

A bill for an act relating to education by establishing a right of first refusal for charter schools to purchase or lease school district property and modifying charter school and open enrollment funding, and charter school board member requirements.(Formerly HSB 673.)

IA HF2323

A bill for an act modifying provisions related to the national guard service scholarship program and establishing the national guard service continuing education scholarship program.(Formerly HSB 556.)

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.