Bill

HF 223

A bill for an act relating to mental health resources for students enrolled in public schools.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Timi Brown-Powers and 7 co-sponsors

HF 223 requires districts and accredited schools to publish Your Life Iowa mental health resources online and team with students to boost awareness and expand available supports.

Introduced, referred to Education.

#mentalhealth #schools #students

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Bill Summary · HF 223

Summary: HF 223 – Mental health resources for students

Purpose and intent

HF 223 would require school districts, charter schools, innovation zone schools, and accredited nonpublic schools to publish mental health resources for students and actively involve students in expanding awareness of these resources. The bill ties these requirements to the state’s Your Life Iowa mental health resources program.

Key provisions

Amends existing statutes (sections 256E.7(2) and 256F.4) to add new requirements:
- Schools must be subject to and comply with the requirements of section 279.87 related to mental health resources and student engagement.
New Section 279.87 – Mental health resources:
- The board of directors of each school district and authorities in charge of each accredited nonpublic school must: 1) Publish on the district’s or school’s internet site the mental health resources created by Your Life Iowa, or provide a link to where those resources can be accessed on Your Life Iowa’s site. 2) Partner with students enrolled in the district or school to identify additional ways to increase student awareness of mental health resources and information related to mental health.

Affected entities

School districts
Accredited nonpublic schools
Charter schools (as noted in the broader explanation)
Innovation zone schools
Your Life Iowa (as the source of the resources to be published)

Implementation and timeline

Status: Introduced and referred to the Education committee on February 6, 2025.
The text provided does not specify an effective date or implementation timeline beyond the new requirements; enforcement would occur if and when the bill becomes law.
No funding or administrative phase-in details are included in the available content.

Practical impact

Increases visibility and accessibility of mental health resources for students by ensuring resources are published on school websites.
Establishes a formal process for student engagement to raise awareness and identify additional resources or outreach methods.
Places a new compliance obligation on school districts and accredited nonpublic schools to coordinate with Your Life Iowa and to collaborate with students.

Note

The bill’s explanatory text emphasizes that it relates to mental health resources for students in districts, charter schools, and innovation zone schools, reinforcing the publication and student-participation requirements.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.