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SSB 1067

A bill for an act requiring the director of the department of education to develop and administer a purple star school initiative.

2025-2026 Regular Session

The bill would create a Purple Star School Initiative to recognize Iowa schools that commit to supporting military-connected students and families and increase related supports.

Committee report approving bill, renumbered as SF 275.
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Bill Summary · SSB 1067

Summary of SSB 1067 (renumbered SF 275) – Purple Star School Initiative

Overview

SSB 1067, introduced January 28, 2025, proposes authorizing the Iowa Department of Education to develop and administer a state-level Purple Star School Initiative. The initiative would recognize applicant school districts or schools that demonstrate a commitment to supporting military-connected students and their families, with the explicit goal of increasing the support provided to these students and families.

Purpose and Intent

  • Create statewide recognition for schools that prioritize the needs of military-connected students and their families.
  • Encourage and expand the supports that schools offer to this population.
  • Align with broader efforts to assist military families within the education system.

Key Provisions

  • Section 256.9 is amended to add a new subsection (69).
  • NEW SUBSECTION 69: Directs the director of the Department of Education to:
    • Develop and administer a Purple Star School Initiative.
    • Recognize applicant schools in the state that have demonstrated a commitment to supporting military-connected students and their families.
    • Aim to increase the amount of support that schools make available to military-connected students and their families.

Notes on the provision

  • The text specifies recognition of schools that have shown commitment but does not detail the exact criteria, application process, or evaluation metrics within the introduced language.
  • The initiative would be administered by the state Department of Education, not by individual school districts.

Affected Parties

  • Most directly impacted: Public and nonpublic schools in the state that serve military-connected students and families.
  • Secondary impacts: Military-connected students and their families, who would potentially experience expanded supports at recognized schools.
  • State role: Department of Education, which would establish the initiative, its criteria, and administration processes.

Procedural and Timeline Details

  • Introduced: January 28, 2025 (Referred to the Education committee).
  • Subcommittee: Gruenhagen, Taylor, and Trone Garriott (meeting date around February 3–4, 2025).
  • Subcommittee Action: February 4, 2025, subcommittee recommended passage.
  • Committee Action: February 11, 2025, committee reported approving the bill and renumbered it as SF 275.
  • Current status: Renumbered as SF 275 and advanced through committee; not yet enacted into law.

Potential Impact and Considerations

  • Could incentivize schools to implement robust supports for military-connected students (e.g., transition supports, access to resources, family engagement).
  • May establish a formal recognition framework that could influence funding considerations, benchmarking, or grant opportunities, depending on future rulemaking and appropriation.
  • Specific criteria, timelines, and implementation details would be clarified in subsequent amendments or administrative rules if the bill progresses.

Explanatory Note

The bill includes an explanatory statement typical of proposed legislation; the explanation is not an endorsement of the bill’s substance by lawmakers.

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

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