Bills › 91st General Assembly
Relating to the verification of the identity and employment eligibility of individuals by the board of educational examiners, school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, charter schools, and innovation zone schools, and including applicability provisions
Topics:K–12 educationState government
Same legislation: SF 2218
Where it is now
- Done: IntroducedJanuary 13, 2026
- Done: SubcommitteeJanuary 13, 2026
- Done: Senate committeeFebruary 4, 2026
- Skipped: Passes the SenateContinued as SF 2218
- Next: House committee
- Next: Passes the House
- Next: To the Governor
- Next: Signed into law
Became SF 2218 → Its progress continues under the new number. Go to SF 2218 What’s a funnel?
What’s in it
AI summary People applying for or renewing teaching licenses must show proof that they are allowed to be in the United States. This rule applies to the Board of Educational Examiners and all types of schools, including charter and private schools. School leaders must also verify the identity and work eligibility of anyone they hire.1
Read the official explanation
This bill relates to the verification of the identity and employment eligibility of individuals by the board of educational examiners (BOEE), school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, charter schools, and innovation zone schools. The bill requires the BOEE to require all initial applicants for licensure and all applicants for license renewal to produce evidence of the applicant’s lawful presence in the United States as a condition of initial licensure or license renewal. These requirements apply to all applications for initial licensure, and all applications for license renewal, that are submitted to the BOEE on or after the effective date of the bill. Practitioners who are not subject to license renewal requirements are required to produce evidence of the practitioner’s lawful presence in the United States every five years as a condition of remaining licensed. The bill establishes the documents that the BOEE will accept as proof of an applicant’s or practitioner’s lawful presence. The bill requires the board of directors of each school district, the authorities in charge of each accredited nonpublic school, and the governing board of each charter school and innovation zone school to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all individuals who have accepted an offer of employment in accordance with federal law.
Changed since by amendments H-8220, S-5030; see Amendments.
Senate subcommittee
Named January 13, 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
1 written public comment to its subcommittee: March 10, 2026 (1) · on the Legislature’s site
Fiscal note
AI summary This bill requires applicants for educational licenses to provide proof of legal work authorization and mandates that various state and local government entities use the E-Verify system for new hires. Implementing the new penalties for providing false social security numbers will cost Iowa Workforce Development between $311,000 and $369,000 annually for new staff and indirect costs. The fiscal impact on the justice system and the General Fund cannot be determined because the number of resulting convictions cannot be estimated.3
From the note: No fiscal impact is anticipated for the BOEE or DCI. Any additional costs to implement the requirements of this Division will be absorbed by existing staff within the BOEE. Costs associated with providing evidence of legal authorization to work in the United States, as well as additional fees, will be the responsibility of the applicant.
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91st General Assembly