Iowa 2025-2026 Regular Session

Iowa House Bill HF865

Introduced
3/7/25  
Engrossed
3/18/25  
Refer
3/19/25  
Enrolled
5/19/25  

Caption

A bill for an act modifying provisions related to the harassment or bullying of students enrolled in school districts or accredited nonpublic schools. (Formerly HF 149.) Effective date: 07/01/2025.

Impact

The bill seeks to enhance the definitions of harassment and bullying, specifically targeting repeated actions that could create a hostile school environment for students. The modifications include amendments to existing school codes, which ensure that these actions are not tolerated and provide schools with a framework to address such behavior more effectively. This change is expected to impact school policy and how educational institutions handle reports of bullying, ultimately aiming to create a safer environment for all students.

Summary

House File 865 is a legislative measure aimed at modifying provisions related to the harassment or bullying of students within school districts and accredited nonpublic schools. The focus of this bill is to ensure that actions constituting harassment or bullying are clearly defined and that schools are equipped to respond adequately to such incidents. The effective date of this legislation is set for July 1, 2025, and the bill originated as HF 149, which had been previously discussed and revised.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HF 865 was somewhat positive in the voting process, as it received 32 votes in favor compared to 15 against. Supporters of the bill perceive it as a necessary step towards ensuring student safety and well-being by addressing harassment and bullying comprehensively. Critics, however, may express concerns about the implementation and enforcement of the defined standards, highlighting the challenges schools face in managing such behavioral issues.

Contention

One point of contention discussed in the legislative sessions revolved around the interpretation of what constitutes harassment and bullying. Legislators emphasized the importance of having precise definitions that can lead to effective responses from educational institutions, while some members raised concerns about the potential for misunderstandings or misapplication of these definitions in a school context. The balance between aiming to protect students and providing a fair process for those accused of harassment is a critical area of debate that is likely to continue as the bill moves toward implementation.

Companion Bills

IA HF149

Similar To A bill for an act modifying provisions related to the harassment or bullying of students enrolled in school districts or accredited nonpublic schools.(See HF 865.)

Previously Filed As

IA HF513

A bill for an act relating to education, including requiring instruction related to persons with disabilities in school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, and charter schools in kindergarten through grade eight, modifying the responsibilities of the state board of education, and modifying provisions related to school district and accredited nonpublic school programs that are designed to eliminate harassment and bullying.

IA SF496

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, authorizing the parent or guardian of a student enrolled in a school district to enroll the student in another attendance center within the same school district in certain specified circumstances, prohibiting instruction related to gender identity and sexual orientation in school districts, charter schools, and innovation zone schools in kindergarten through grade six, and modifying provisions related to student health screenings, school district library programs, the educational program provided to students enrolled in school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, and charter schools, other duties of school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, the department of education, the board of educational examiners, and the governing boards of charter schools and innovation zone schools, competent private instruction, and special education, and including effective date provisions. (Formerly SSB 1145.) Effective date: 05/26/2023, 07/01/2023.

IA HF597

A bill for an act relating to education, including modifying provisions related to school district library programs and the educational program provided to students enrolled in school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, and charter schools.(Formerly HSB 219.)

IA HSB219

A bill for an act relating to education, including modifying provisions related to school district library programs and the educational program provided to students enrolled in school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, and charter schools.(See HF 597.)

IA SF2368

A bill for an act relating to education, including by modifying provisions related to the sale of real property by school districts, charter school and open enrollment funding, and the participation in school activities by students enrolled in charter schools. (Formerly SSB 3157.) Effective date: 07/01/2024.

IA HF429

A bill for an act relating to school districts, including authorizing the parent or guardian of a student enrolled in a school district to enroll the student in another attendance center within the same school district in certain specified circumstances, requiring school district employees to provide notice to the parents or guardians of students enrolled in the school district if the employee witnesses the student being physically injured, harassed, or bullied, and including effective date provisions. (Formerly HF 17.)

IA SF391

A bill for an act relating to education, including modifying provisions related to comprehensive school improvement plans, teacher librarians and guidance counselors, required days or hours of instruction in elementary and secondary schools, agreements between school districts and community colleges to teach certain courses, and required courses in school districts and accredited nonpublic schools, and authorizing school districts to offer sequential units in one classroom. (Formerly SSB 1076.) Effective date: 07/01/2023.

IA HF606

A bill for an act relating to nonpublic schools, including authorizing nonpublic schools to withdraw applications for accreditation, authorizing accredited nonpublic schools to terminate accreditation, and including applicability provisions.(Formerly HF 393.)

IA HF611

A bill for an act relating to physical activity requirements applicable to students enrolled in public schools, accredited nonpublic schools, and charter schools in kindergarten through grade five.(Formerly HF 390.)

IA HF166

A bill for an act relating to vaccines, including modifying provisions related to a minor's legal capacity to give consent to the provision of vaccines and provisions related to the instruction provided to students enrolled in school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, and charter schools related to the human papilloma virus.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.