Iowa 2025-2026 Regular Session

Iowa House Bill HSB2

Introduced
1/14/25  

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.(See HF 898.)

Impact

The impact of HSB2 is likely to be significant for families connected to the military. It acknowledges the challenges faced by children who may be relocating due to a parent’s military obligations. With this bill, such children will not face penalties related to non-attendance in schools during necessary processing times or deployment periods. This amendment aligns state education policy with the realities that military families encounter, allowing them to focus on necessary military requirements without the added stress of school attendance laws.

Summary

House Study Bill 2 (HSB2) addresses school attendance requirements specifically for children undergoing military entrance processing and those actively engaged in military service. The bill amends Section 299.2 of the Iowa Code, adding new provisions that recognize these unique circumstances in which children may not be able to attend school. By introducing exemptions for these children, HSB2 aims to offer flexibility to military families during critical transition periods.

Conclusion

Overall, HSB2 represents a legislative effort to adapt educational laws to better serve military families, recognizing their sacrifices and unique circumstances. As the bill progresses, it will be essential to monitor its implementation and any feedback from the educational institutions affected to ensure that it meets its intended purpose without unintended negative consequences.

Contention

There may be points of contention surrounding HSB2, particularly regarding how effectively it balances educational requirements with the needs of military families. Some advocates may argue that while the intention is commendable, it may lead to disparities in educational access for this demographic, especially if not adequately communicated to school districts. Furthermore, there may be concerns about how schools will manage the documentation required to validate the military status of students seeking these exemptions.

Companion Bills

IA HF898

Replaced by 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.)

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 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 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 HF2254

A bill for an act relating to student public school attendance, including by modifying provisions related to state aid payments to school districts and requiring the development of an attendance improvement plan when a student is chronically absent from school.(See HF 2547.)

IA HSB673

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, charter school board member requirements, and the school start date.(See HF 2543.)

IA HF283

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.(See HF 464, HF 2280.)

IA HSB713

A bill for an act relating to area education agencies, including modifying provisions related to the duties and powers of area education agencies, oversight by the department of education, funding, shared operational functions, and establishing a task force related to area education agency property and operations, and including effective date and applicability provisions.(See HF 2612.)

IA HF2280

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 464, HF 283.)

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.