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Bill > HF629
IA HF629
IA HF629A bill for an act relating to the enrollment of children of military families in school districts.
summary
Introduced
02/28/2025
02/28/2025
In Committee
02/28/2025
02/28/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
91st General Assembly
Bill Summary
This bill relates to the enrollment of children of military families in school districts. The bill defines “active duty” as full-time duty status in the active uniformed service of the United States, including members of the national guard and reserve on active duty orders pursuant to federal law. The bill also defines “child of a military family” to mean a school-aged child, who resides in the household of an active duty member of the uniformed service of the United States, and who is currently enrolled in kindergarten through grade 12, or will enroll in kindergarten through grade 12 in the immediately subsequent school year. The bill requires a school district to allow the child of a military family to enroll in the school district prior to residing within the district, or within a federal military installation located contiguous to a county in this state in which the district is located, if the parent or guardian of the child provides evidence to the school district indicating that the child will reside within the district, or within a federal military installation located contiguous to a county in this state in which the district is located, during the current school year or during the immediately subsequent school year. The bill provides that a child of a miliary family is not to be included in the school district’s actual enrollment calculation until the child is considered a resident of the school district under Code section 282.1. The bill provides that, if the child enrolls in a school district pursuant to the bill’s provisions, and the child has an individualized education program, an individualized family service plan, or a section 504 plan, the school district is required to ensure that the services provided by the school district under the programs or plans are, at a minimum, comparable to the services provided to the child at the child’s previous school.
AI Summary
This bill addresses school enrollment for children of military families in Iowa by establishing new provisions that allow these students to enroll in a school district before physically moving into the district. The bill defines "active duty" as full-time service in the United States uniformed services, including National Guard and Reserve members on active duty orders, and "child of a military family" as a school-aged child living with an active duty service member who is currently enrolled or will enroll in kindergarten through 12th grade. School districts are now required to admit these children if their parent or guardian provides evidence of planned residency in the district or a nearby federal military installation during the current or next school year. While these students can enroll early, they will not be counted in the district's official enrollment until they are considered official residents. Additionally, if an enrolled military-connected student has an existing individualized education program (IEP), individualized family service plan (IFSP), or Section 504 plan, the school district must ensure that the services provided are at least comparable to those at their previous school, which helps protect the educational continuity and support for these students during military transitions.
Committee Categories
Education
Sponsors (2)
Last Action
Introduced, referred to Education. H.J. 470. (on 02/28/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/BillBook?ga=91&ba=HF629 |
| BillText | https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/publications/LGI/91/attachments/HF629.html |
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