HF 295: 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

What it does

This bill prohibits an accrediting agency from taking any adverse action against a public institution of higher education for complying with a state law or refusing to violate a state law. The bill defines “accrediting agency” as an entity that provides accreditation of public institutions of higher education and that is not a government agency. The bill defines “public institution of higher education” as an institution of higher learning governed by the state board of regents or a community college.

Senate subcommittee · named March 26, 2025

• Sen. Kerry Gruenhagen (R) · kerry.gruenhagen@legis.iowa.gov
• Sen. Jeff Taylor (R) · jeff.taylor@legis.iowa.gov
• Sen. Cindy Winckler (D) · cindy.winckler@legis.iowa.gov

Lobbying · 6 for, 7 against

For: Cicero Action; Do No Harm Action; Foundation for Government Accountability Action; Iowa Board of Regents; Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition; National Association of Social Workers, Iowa Chapter

Against: American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa (ACLU-IA); Interfaith Alliance of Iowa Action Fund; Iowa Atheists and Freethinkers; Iowa Mental Health Counselors Association; National Association of Social Workers, Iowa Chapter; One Iowa; One Iowa Action

In plain words

1. January 22, 2025Filed in the House and sent to the Higher Education committee · as HSB 57
2. January 22, 2025House subcommittee named: Wills, J., Collins and Wilburn · as HSB 57
3. January 29, 2025Subcommittee recommended passing it · as HSB 57
4. February 5, 2025Approved by the House committee · as HSB 57
5. February 5, 2025Committee vote: 7–3 · as HSB 57
6. February 10, 2025Filed in the House
7. February 10, 2025Approved by the House committee, and given a new number: HF 295 · as HSB 57
8. March 18, 2025Passed the House, 65–32
9. March 19, 2025Arrived in the Senate
10. March 26, 2025Senate subcommittee named: Gruenhagen, Taylor and Winckler
11. April 1, 2025Subcommittee recommended passing it
12. April 7, 2025Approved by the Senate committee
13. April 17, 2025Passed the Senate, 32–15
14. May 6, 2025Sent to the Governor
15. May 6, 2025Signed into law