SF 2181: 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

What it does

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.

Senate subcommittee · named February 10, 2026

• Sen. Kerry Gruenhagen (R) · kerry.gruenhagen@legis.iowa.gov
• Sen. Molly Donahue (D) · molly.donahue@legis.iowa.gov
• Sen. Lynn Evans (R) · lynn.evans@legis.iowa.gov

Lobbying · 1 for, 7 against

For: Professional Educators of Iowa

Against: Brain Injury Association of Iowa; Disability Rights Iowa; Easterseals Iowa; Iowa Integrated Health Planning and Advisory Council; Rural School Advocates of Iowa; School Administrators of Iowa; Urban Education Network of Iowa

In plain words

1. February 3, 2026Filed in the Senate and sent to the Education committee
2. February 10, 2026Senate subcommittee named: Gruenhagen, Donahue and Evans
3. February 18, 2026Subcommittee recommended passing it
4. February 19, 2026Approved by the Senate committee, and given a new number: SF 2404