Requiring the department of education to develop and administer a pilot program that requires certain specified school districts to establish attendance centers for students requiring special education and students with behavioral issues

Where it is now

Done: IntroducedJanuary 13, 2026
Done: SubcommitteeJanuary 21, 2026
Stopped: House committeeDied when the General Assembly ended
Next: Passes the House
Next: Senate committeeFunnel: by March 20, 2026
Next: Passes the Senate
Next: To the Governor
Next: Signed into law

Died when the session ended The General Assembly adjourned on October 2, 2026. Bills that didn’t pass both chambers died. What’s a funnel?

What’s in it

This bill requires the department of education (DE) to develop and administer a pilot program that requires a rural school district and an urban school district to establish attendance centers to be used to provide educational services to eligible students. DE is responsible for determining the rural school district and urban school district that will be required to participate in the pilot program. In addition, DE, in consultation with the rural school district and urban school district, is required to determine the courses of study and curricula that the rural school district and urban school district will provide to eligible students and the instructional facilities that the rural school district and urban school district will use to provide educational services to eligible students.

Read the full explanation

Annually, on or before June of each year, the rural school district and urban school district are required to submit to DE an annual report that contains information related to the pilot program. Additionally, on or before June of each year, DE is required to compile those annual reports and submit the compilation to the general assembly.10(7) (special education support services district cost) and received by a school district are required be used by the school district for special education support services contracted from an area education agency. The bill requires, instead, that the rural school district and urban school district use not less than percent of that percent of funds for purposes of the pilot program.2, and a student whose emotional, social, or behavioral needs interfere with the student’s ability to be successful in the regular educational environment. The bill defines “rural school district” as a school district that is located in a county with a population of greater than 17,500 but less than 18,000, and that contains a city with a population of greater than 5,400, but less than 5,500. The bill defines “urban school district” to mean a school district with a total enrollment of at least 7,000 students.20, July 1, 2031.

From the explanation printed with the bill as introduced, written by the Legislative Services Agency. Amendments adopted later aren’t reflected. Full bill text

House subcommittee

Named January 21, 2026. On January 29, 2026 it recommended passage.

Three legislators hear a bill first and recommend what the committee should do; it’s the best time to weigh in. How to take part

35 written public comments to its subcommittee: January 29, 2026 (11), January 28, 2026 (24) · on the Legislature’s site

Iowa Code it changes

Creates§256.20

Read from the bill as introduced. Each links to every bill touching that chapter of the Iowa Code. How the Code works

Lobbying

1 for · 6 against · 15 undecided · Who →

Similar bills

SF 2181 Requiring the department of education to develop and administer a pilot program that requi…
91st General Assembly · Renumbered as SF 2404
Nearly identical

Matched by the wording of each bill’s explanation, or an identical title. Companion bills and renumbered versions of this bill aren’t listed; they’re the same bill.