Iowa 2023-2024 Regular Session Status: Passed House

HF 615 — A bill for an act relating to private instruction, including the issuance of diplomas or credentials to students who complete private instruction and the authority of parents, guardians, and legal custodians to execute documents to verify student information, and including effective date and applicability provisions.

Last action — Subcommittee: Rozenboom, Donahue, and Kraayenbrink.

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  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed House
  4. 4
    Passed Senate
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill died with 2023-2024 Regular Session. It reached “Passed House” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.

This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there is no live prognosis. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

25 added · 54 removed

Plain-language change summary

The amendment to House File 615 adds clarity and detail about the types of educational institutions that are prohibited from discriminating based on the source of a student's diploma. Specifically, it emphasizes that diplomas obtained through private instruction should be regarded equally to those from traditional schools. This change is important because it ensures that all students, regardless of their educational background, have equal opportunities in areas such as employment and further education. Additionally, the bill now states that it takes effect immediately and applies to all diplomas issued, making it clear that the rules apply universally.

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House File 615 - Introduced HOUSE FILE 615 BY COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION (SUCCESSOR TO HF 391) A BILL FOR An Act relating to private instruction, including the issuance of diplomas or credentials to students who complete private instruction and the authority of parents, guardians, and legal custodians to execute documents to verify student information.
House File 615 - Reprinted HOUSE FILE 615 BY COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION (SUCCESSOR TO HF 391) (As Amended and Passed by the House March 21, 2023) A BILL FOR An Act relating to private instruction, including the issuance of diplomas or credentials to students who complete private instruction and the authority of parents, guardians, and legal custodians to execute documents to verify student information, and including effective date and applicability provisions.
TLSB 1940HV (1) 90 jda/jh H.F.
HF 615 (3) 90 jda/jh/md H.F.
The state, a political subdivision of the state, institutions of higher education under the control of the state board of regents, or an accredited private institution as defined in section 261.9, shall not discriminate against any individual based on the source of the individual’s diploma or credential and shall treat a diploma or credential awarded for completion of a program of secondary education under competent private instruction or independent private instruction the same as a high school diploma awarded by a school district or accredited nonpublic school.
The state, a political subdivision of the state, a community college, an institution of higher education under the control of the state board of regents, or an accredited private institution as defined in section 261.9, shall not discriminate against any individual based on the source of the individual’s diploma or credential and shall treat a diploma or credential awarded for completion of a program of secondary education under competent private instruction or independent private instruction the same as a high school diploma awarded by a school district or accredited nonpublic school.
EXPLANATION The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
Sec.
This bill relates to private instruction, including the issuance of diplomas or credentials to students who complete private instruction and the authority of parents, guardians, LSB 1940HV (1) 90 -1- jda/jh 1/2 H.F.
3.
615 and legal custodians to execute documents to verify student information.
EFFECTIVE DATE.
The bill provides that a diploma or credential issued by a person who administers a program of secondary education under competent private instruction or independent private instruction pursuant to Code chapter 299A (private instruction) shall be deemed sufficient to demonstrate that the recipient has completed the program of secondary education and has attained the equivalent of a high school diploma.
This Act, being deemed of immediate importance, takes effect upon enactment.
The bill prohibits the state, a political subdivision of the state, institutions of higher education under the control of the state board of regents, or an accredited private institution from discriminating against any individual based on the source of the individual’s diploma or credential and shall treat a diploma or credential awarded for completion of a program of secondary education under competent private instruction or independent private instruction the same as a high school diploma awarded by a school district or accredited nonpublic school.
Sec.
The bill provides that the parent, guardian, or legal custodian of a child of compulsory attendance age shall have the authority to execute any document required by law to verify the placement of a child under competent private instruction or independent private instruction, the child’s full-time or part-time status in competent private instruction or independent private instruction, the grades the child has obtained in competent private instruction or independent private instruction, or any other required educational information.
4.
LSB 1940HV (1) 90 -2- jda/jh 2/2
APPLICABILITY.
The following applies to any diplomas or credentials issued before, on, or after the effective date of this Act:
The section of this Act enacting section 299A.13.
HF 615 (3) 90 -1- jda/jh/md 1/1
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Amendments

4 amendments

Click Show changes on an amendment above to see how it modifies the bill.

Action History

  1. Subcommittee: Rozenboom, Donahue, and Kraayenbrink.

  2. Read first time, referred to Education.

  3. Message from House.

  4. Explanation of vote.

  5. Immediate message.

  6. Passed House, yeas 62, nays 32.

  7. Amendment H-1119 adopted, as amended.

  8. Amendment H-1137 to amendment H-1119 adopted.

  9. Amendment H-1138 to amendment H-1127 out of order.

  10. Amendment H-1127 withdrawn.

  11. Amendment H-1138 filed.

  12. Amendment H-1137 filed.

  13. Amendments H-1119 and H-1127 filed.

  14. Introduced, placed on calendar.

Sponsors

  • COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION · Primary

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 149 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

  • COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (149)

149 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Subjects

education
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Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors HF 615?
HF 615 is sponsored by COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION.
What is the current status of HF 615?
This bill died with 2023-2024 Regular Session. It reached “Passed House” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
Where can I track HF 615?
Track HF 615 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

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Last checked for changes 2 months ago · updated continuously

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