Iowa House Bill HF9

Iowa 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/14/25
• Refer: 1/14/25

Caption

A bill for an act establishing the school security personnel grant program within the department of education and making appropriations.

Impact

If enacted, HF9 will amend existing legislation to create a dedicated fund in the state treasury, which will be administered by the Department of Education. This fund will be appropriated for the school security personnel grant program, ensuring that financial resources are available over multiple fiscal years without reverting to the general fund. This provision reflects a significant commitment to enhancing the safety and security of public educational institutions across Iowa.

Summary

House File 9 seeks to establish a school security personnel grant program within the Iowa Department of Education. The intention behind this bill is to provide financial assistance to smaller school districts, specifically those with fewer than 1,000 students, to help them offset costs related to employing or retaining private school security officers or school resource officers. The bill proposes that grants can match funding allocated by these districts, with a maximum annual grant not exceeding $50,000.

Contention

During discussions surrounding HF9, notable points of contention emerged regarding the mandatory employment of school resource officers for larger school districts. While the bill requires districts with a total enrollment of at least 8,000 students to employ or retain at least one security officer, smaller districts are only encouraged to do so. Critics argue that this may lead to disparities in security measures across districts, with smaller districts potentially lacking adequate protective measures if they cannot secure funding or choose not to employ officers.

Considerations

The bill reflects an ongoing trend in educational policy that prioritizes safety in schools, especially in light of increasing concerns surrounding school shootings and threats to student safety. Stakeholders, including educators and parents, are likely to have varying perspectives on the implications of increased security presence and funding for security personnel, weighing issues of safety against the potential costs and impacts on the school environment.