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

Topics:Higher education

Same legislation: HF 295

Write your legislators about itWhat changed before it passed

Official bill page Lobbyist declarations One-pager to print

Where it is now

Done: IntroducedJanuary 22, 2025
Done: SubcommitteeJanuary 22, 2025
Done: House committeeFebruary 5, 2025
Done: Passes the HouseMarch 18, 202565–32
Done: Senate committeeApril 7, 2025
Done: Passes the SenateApril 17, 202532–15
Done: To the GovernorMay 6, 2025
Done: Signed into lawMay 6, 2025

Became HF 295 → Its progress continues under the new number. Go to HF 295 What’s a funnel?

What’s in it

_____ 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. Any adverse action taken by an accrediting agency against a public institution of higher education based, in whole or in part, on the institution’s compliance with a state law or refusal to violate a state law constitutes a violation of the prohibition.

Read the full explanation

The bill provides that a public institution of higher education that is negatively affected by adverse action taken against the institution by an accrediting agency in this manner may bring a civil action against the accrediting agency in this state if authorized by the attorney general. The attorney general may bring the action on behalf of the institution. The institution or attorney general may obtain injunctive relief and liquidated damages in the amount of the federal financial aid received by the institution in the academic year preceding the violation, as well as court costs and reasonable attorney fees. The bill also strikes references in the Iowa Code to the higher learning commission, a nongovernmental entity that provides an accreditation process for postsecondary institutions that grant degrees. The bill instead provides references to federally recognized accreditors of postsecondary educational institutions. The bill takes effect upon enactment.

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

House subcommittee

Named January 22, 2025. On January 29, 2025 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

Iowa Code it changes

Creates§261K.1 §261K.2 §261K.3

Amends§147A.1 §147A.17 §256.183 §260C.47

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

Lobbying

6 for · 7 against · 1 undecided · Who →

Family tree

Where this legislation came from and where it went: earlier tries, the versions it moved through this Assembly, and later bills built on it.

Study bill

HSB 57Renumbered

91st General Assembly

HF 295Became lawfrom HSB 57

Earlier and later bills are matched by wording or an identical title; check the text to be sure it’s the same idea.