Iowa 2025-2026 Regular Session

Iowa Senate Bill SF288

Introduced

2/12/25

Engrossed

3/19/25

Refer

3/20/25

Enrolled

5/19/25

Enrolled

5/14/25

Passed

6/6/25

Caption

A bill for an act relating to students who are pregnant or who recently gave birth who attend state institutions of higher education governed by the board of regents and community colleges. (Formerly SF 12.) Effective date: 07/01/2025.

Impact

The bill's implications on state laws are substantial as it aligns with federal protections against pregnancy discrimination in educational settings, particularly under Title IX of the Education Amendments Act. By formalizing these protections within state institutions, SF288 aims to foster a more inclusive and supportive environment for pregnant students. This move potentially influences institutional policies and practices, requiring them to prioritize and integrate supports for student parents, which can lead to enhanced retention and completion rates for these individuals.

Summary

Senate File 288 is a legislative measure aimed at enhancing protections and accommodations for students who are pregnant or who have recently given birth while attending state institutions of higher education in Iowa. The bill mandates that institutions must not require such students to take leaves of absence or withdraw from programs solely due to pregnancy, promoting reasonable accommodations to support their academic pursuits. It outlines specific measures, including allowing additional time to complete coursework and providing supportive resources to help student parents navigate their educational commitments alongside their family responsibilities.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding SF288 appears to be overwhelmingly positive, particularly among advocacy groups that champion women's rights and student support services. Proponents of the bill have praised it as a necessary step toward equal treatment and support for student parents in academia. However, there may exist some skepticism concerning the implementation of these accommodations, particularly regarding whether institutions will have the resources to adequately support these new mandates.

Contention

While SF288 seems to have garnered support, there could be points of contention regarding the adequacy of resources allocated to support the proposed changes. Concerns may arise around how institutions plan to implement these accommodations effectively and whether current funding and staffing levels are sufficient to meet the needs of pregnant students. The potential impact on institutional policies raises valid questions about best practices and compliance, as institutions strive to balance their commitments to student welfare with existing operational constraints.

Latest IA SF288 Activity

View All Events: IA 2025-2026 Regular Session SF288

Companion Bills

IA SF12

Similar To A bill for an act relating to students who are pregnant or who recently gave birth who attend state institutions of higher education governed by the board of regents and community colleges.(See SF 288.)

IA HF103

Previously Filed As

IA SF252

IA SF58

IA HF2558

A bill for an act relating to higher education, including by modifying the responsibilities of private institutions of higher education, community colleges, the state board of regents, and institutions of higher education governed by the state board of regents, modifying provisions related to diversity, equity, and inclusion policies, tuition, and administrator hiring at state universities, membership of the state board of regents, and student-employer work and tuition programs at state universities and community colleges, and including applicability provisions. (Formerly HF 2327.)

IA SF2435

A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations to the education system, including the funding and operation of the department for the blind, department of education, and state board of regents; modifying provisions related to compulsory education, open enrollment, the state board of regents presidential search committee, the Iowa tuition grants program, and the Iowa dyslexia board; establishing restrictions related to diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts of institutions of higher education governed by the state board of regents; providing penalties; and including effective date and applicability provisions. (Formerly SSB 3201.) Effective date: 05/09/2024, 07/01/2024, 07/01/2025. Applicability date: 07/01/2024.

IA SF2385

A bill for an act relating to boards, commissions, committees, councils, and other entities of state government, and including effective date and transition provisions. (Formerly SSB 3172.) Effective date: 07/01/2024, 07/01/2025.

IA HF2615

A bill for an act relating to education, including by requiring community colleges to publish information related to graduates, requiring school districts to provide students enrolled in grades eleven and twelve with information related to graduates of community colleges and the average income and student debt of graduates of institutions of higher education governed by the state board of regents, and modifying provisions related to supplementary weighting. (Formerly HF 2347.) Effective date: 07/01/2024.

IA HF2704

IA SF2432

A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations for the economic development of the state, including to the economic development authority, the Iowa finance authority, the public employment relations board, the department of workforce development, and the state board of regents and certain regents institutions. (Formerly SSB 3198.) Effective date: 07/01/2024.

IA SF437

A bill for an act relating to tenure systems, including modifying provisions related to tenure systems adopted by institutions of higher education governed by the state board of regents and implementing standards for community college tenure systems.

IA HF675

A bill for an act relating to money transmission services. (Formerly HF 431, HSB 128.) Effective date: 07/01/2023.