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Read. Follow. Verify.Iowa Senate File 2018 Requires Accredited Nonpublic Schools to Provide Special Education Services Independently
Last action · January 13, 2026: Subcommittee: Sinclair, Donahue, and Kraayenbrink. S.J. 67 .Sponsor: Molly Donahue
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What This Bill Would Do
Senate File 2018 requires accredited nonpublic schools in Iowa to independently identify, evaluate, and provide special education services to enrolled students requiring them, effective July 1, 2027. The bill prohibits these nonpublic schools from utilizing area education agency staff or state funding for these required services, shifting all associated costs to the nonpublic schools. Additionally, the legislation directs the state board of education to oversee compliance, adopt administrative rules, and establish procedures for nonpublic schools to directly access federal funds.
The measure shifts financial and operational responsibilities for special education from public to private and nonpublic schools for students enrolled in those institutions, while altering the scope of services public entities must furnish.
Who It Would Affect
Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Accredited nonpublic schools
Nonpublic schools must independently identify, evaluate, and provide special education services, hire licensed staff, develop written plans, submit reports, and assume all associated financial costs.
Area education agencies
Area education agencies are relieved of the requirement to furnish certain special education programs and services to nonpublic school pupils and are prohibited from providing staffing or funding for nonpublic school compliance activities.
Students requiring special education enrolled in nonpublic schools
Students will receive special education evaluations, written plans, appropriate educational provisions, and transportation services directly through their nonpublic school rather than through public school district and area education agency programs.
State Board of Education
The State Board is required to adopt administrative rules, oversee and monitor compliance, provide technical assistance, and establish procedures for federal fund access.
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can nonpublic schools continue to use area education agency staff for these special education requirements?
When does this legislation take effect?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.
Procedural history
2 actions- Jan 13, 2026SenateSubcommittee: Sinclair, Donahue, and Kraayenbrink. S.J. 67 .
- Jan 12, 2026SenateIntroducedIntroduced, referred to Education. S.J. 37 .
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Transfer of Special Education Obligation
The bill shifts legal and financial responsibility for special education services from public area education agencies directly onto accredited nonpublic schools.
Connected Entities
Sources
www.legis.iowa.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance80How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy75Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz45Current news / social attention level
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