Iowa 2025-2026 Regular Session

Iowa House Bill HSB57

Introduced
1/22/25  

Caption

A bill for an act relating to accreditation of postsecondary educational institutions, prohibiting adverse action by accrediting agencies against certain postsecondary educational institutions for compliance with state law, providing remedies, and including effective date provisions.(See HF 295.)

Impact

If enacted, HSB57 would amend several sections of the Iowa Code to include clearer definitions of roles and responsibilities between accrediting agencies and educational institutions. Under this proposed legislation, any adverse action taken by an accrediting agency that is based on a public institution's compliance with state laws would be considered a violation. Additionally, institutions adversely affected would have the avenue to seek civil remedies, including damages equivalent to federal financial aid received prior to the violation.

Summary

House Study Bill 57, also known as the Accreditation Autonomy Act, proposes significant changes to the accreditation process for public institutions of higher education. The bill aims to prevent accrediting agencies from imposing adverse actions against these institutions based on their compliance with state laws. This is intended to protect institutions from penalties or loss of accreditation for adhering to state mandates, thereby ensuring that they operate free from external pressures that may conflict with state regulations.

Conclusion

The bill underscores an ongoing dialogue about the balance of power in education governance and invites further scrutiny on the differentiation between state interests and national accreditation standards. The implications of HSB57 could significantly reshape the landscape of postsecondary education in Iowa, impacting governance structures and institutional compliance protocols.

Contention

The introduction of this bill has generated debate over the autonomy of educational institutions versus the existing authority of accrediting agencies. Proponents argue that such protections are necessary to ensure educational institutions can maintain compliance with state laws without fear of punitive measures from accreditation bodies. Critics may contend that it could undermine the rigorous standards enforced by accrediting agencies, thereby potentially lowering educational quality or accountability.

Companion Bills

IA HF295

Replaced by A bill for an act relating to accreditation of postsecondary educational institutions, prohibiting adverse action by accrediting agencies against certain postsecondary educational institutions for compliance with state law, providing remedies, and including effective date provisions. (Formerly HSB 57.) Effective date: 05/06/2025.

Previously Filed As

IA HF2347

A bill for an act relating to education, including by requiring community colleges and certain private institutions of higher education to publish information related to the average income and student debt of graduates, requiring school districts to provide students enrolled in grades eleven and twelve with information related to the average income and student debt of graduates of postsecondary institutions in the state, and modifying provisions related to supplementary weighting.(See HF 2615.)

IA SF81

A bill for an act relating to racism or sexism trainings at, and diversity and inclusion efforts by, governmental agencies and entities, school districts, and public postsecondary educational institutions, and including civil penalties.

IA HSB672

A bill for an act relating to education, including modifying provisions related to education data collection and the determination of enrollment, and including effective date and applicability provisions.(See HF 2542.)

IA HF186

A bill for an act relating to the Iowa tuition grants program administered by the college student aid commission and including effective date and retroactive applicability provisions.(See HF 421.)

IA SSB3156

A bill for an act relating to education, including modifying provisions related to education data collection and the determination of enrollment, and including effective date and applicability provisions.(See SF 2367.)

IA HSB126

A bill for an act relating to the organization, structure, and functions of state government, providing for salaries of appointed state officers, providing for penalties, making appropriations, providing Code editor directives and transition provisions, and including applicability and effective date provisions.(See HF 662.)

IA HSB218

A bill for an act prohibiting institutions of higher learning governed by the state board of regents from expending moneys to fund diversity, equity, and inclusion offices or to hire individuals to serve as diversity, equity, and inclusion officers, creating a private cause of action, and including effective date provisions.(See HF 616.)

IA HF2542

A bill for an act relating to education, including modifying provisions related to education data collection and the determination of enrollment, and including effective date and applicability provisions.(Formerly HSB 672.)

IA HF421

A bill for an act relating to the Iowa tuition grants program administered by the college student aid commission and including effective date and retroactive applicability provisions. (Formerly HF 186.) Effective date: Enactment, 05/11/2023, 07/01/2023. Applicability date: 12/01/2022.

IA HF182

A bill for an act relating to institutions of higher education governed by the state board of regents, including requiring the institutions to submit reports to the general assembly related to terms associated with courses offered by the institutions' colleges of education and establishing an interim study committee to evaluate practitioner preparation programs offered by the institutions, and including effective date provisions.(Formerly HF 7.)

Similar Bills

IN HB1609

Workforce development matters.

CA AB1390

California State University: University of California: graduation requirements: service learning.

SC H3219

Rejecting Racism in Postsecondary Education Act

IA HF295

A bill for an act relating to accreditation of postsecondary educational institutions, prohibiting adverse action by accrediting agencies against certain postsecondary educational institutions for compliance with state law, providing remedies, and including effective date provisions. (Formerly HSB 57.) Effective date: 05/06/2025.

KS SB78

Requiring postsecondary educational institutions to regularly review and update accreditation policies, prohibiting accrediting agencies from compelling such institutions to violate state law and providing a cause of action for violations thereof.

CA SB802

Private postsecondary education: California Private Postsecondary Education Act of 2009.

CA AB1344

Private postsecondary education: California Private Postsecondary Act of 2009.

CA AB1611

Private postsecondary education.