Bills › 91st General Assembly
Authorizing school districts, charter schools, and innovation zone schools to employ chaplains, or engage volunteer chaplains, to provide services to students
Sponsored by the House Education Committee, Rep. Barb Kniff McCulla (R)
Topics:K–12 education
Same legislation: HF 334
Where it is now
- Done: IntroducedFebruary 12, 2025
- Done: SubcommitteeFebruary 17, 2025
- Done: House committeeMarch 4, 2025
- Done: Passes the HouseMarch 26, 202557–39
- Done: Senate committeeApril 7, 2025
- Stopped: Passes the SenateDied when the General Assembly ended
- Next: To the Governor
- Next: Signed into law
Died when the session ended The 2026 session adjourned on May 3, 2026, the General Assembly’s last regular session. Bills that didn’t pass both chambers died. What’s a funnel?
What’s in it
AI summary Iowa schools, including charter and innovation zone schools, can now hire or use volunteer chaplains to provide programs and support for students. These schools can set their own rules for who can be a chaplain, and these individuals do not need a special state teaching license. While schools must perform background checks on these people, they are not allowed to force any student to participate in chaplain services.1
Read the official explanation
This bill authorizes school districts, charter schools, and innovation zone schools to employ chaplains, or engage volunteer chaplains, to provide support, services, and programs for students. These schools may establish qualifications, credentialing, and other requirements related to chaplains who are employed or engaged under the bill’s provisions; however, such chaplains are not required to have a license, endorsement, certification, authorization, or statement of recognition issued by the board of educational examiners. 69 when employing chaplains or engaging volunteer chaplains. The bill prohibits school districts, charter schools, and innovation zone schools from requiring or coercing a student to utilize the support, services, or programs provided by a chaplain.
Changed since by amendment H-1129; see Amendments.
Senate subcommittee
Named March 31, 2025. On April 2, 2025 it recommended amendment and 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
18 written public comments to its subcommittee: April 2, 2025 (14), February 25, 2025 (4) · on the Legislature’s site
Family tree
Tried before
91st General Assembly
Earlier and later bills are matched by wording or an identical title.
Tried before
This idea has been filed in an earlier General Assembly. None got through a chamber.
- HF 2073 Authorizing school districts, charter schools, and innovation zone schools to employ chapl…90th General Assembly · Subcommittee recommends passage · same titleCleared committee
Matched by wording or an identical title.