Iowa 2025-2026 Regular Session

Iowa House Bill HSB646

Introduced
1/29/26  

Caption

A bill for an act requiring annual reports on antisemitism in community colleges, regents institutions, and public school districts.(See HF 2544.)

Impact

The bill impacts state education laws by requiring the inclusion of antisemitism reporting as a new obligation for community colleges and public schools. It introduces specific protocols for reporting incidents, ensuring that educational institutions are accountable for tracking and managing antisemitic complaints. The implementation of this bill could lead to increased awareness and potentially foster a more conducive educational environment that actively discourages antisemitism and promotes inclusivity.

Summary

House Study Bill 646 mandates annual reporting on antisemitism incidents occurring within community colleges, regents institutions, and public school districts in Iowa. Each entity must compile and submit a detailed report by specified deadlines to ensure transparency regarding complaints or incidents of antisemitism, as determined by the definitions outlined in state laws. The reports are intended to provide insights into the prevalence of antisemitic incidents in educational settings and how they are addressed by the respective institutions.

Contention

While the bill is largely seen as a step towards addressing antisemitism in educational environments, points of contention may arise regarding the adequacy of definitions, the potential burden of reporting requirements on institutions, and discussions around the effectiveness of such measures in genuinely combating antisemitism. There may also be differing opinions on how to handle sensitive incidents and the balance between transparency and the privacy of involved parties.

Companion Bills

IA SSB3095

Related A bill for an act requiring annual reports on antisemitism in community colleges, regents institutions, and public school districts.(See SF 2336.)

IA SF2336

Replaced by A bill for an act requiring annual reports on and the prohibition of antisemitism in community colleges, regents institutions, and public school districts.(Formerly SSB 3095.)

IA HF2544

Replaced by A bill for an act requiring annual reports on and the prohibition of antisemitism in community colleges, regents institutions, and public school districts.(Formerly HSB 646.)

Previously Filed As

IA SSB3095

A bill for an act requiring annual reports on antisemitism in community colleges, regents institutions, and public school districts.(See SF 2336.)

IA SF2336

A bill for an act requiring annual reports on and the prohibition of antisemitism in community colleges, regents institutions, and public school districts.(Formerly SSB 3095.)

IA HF2544

A bill for an act requiring annual reports on and the prohibition of antisemitism in community colleges, regents institutions, and public school districts.(Formerly HSB 646.)

IA S371

Establishes "The CAMPUS Act: Combating Antisemitism to Mitigate Prejudice in Universities and Schools"; addresses instruction on antisemitism and antisemitic harassment, intimidation, and bullying in public schools.

IA HB2867

Antisemitism; public schools; prohibition; penalties

IA HF2153

A bill for an act requiring community colleges, school districts, and institutions under the control of the state board of regents to adopt policies related to the use of artificial intelligence by students and employees.

IA HR167

Requests public postsecondary education institutions in Louisiana to adopt policies and procedures to combat antisemitism on campus

IA HB2575

antisemitism; public schools; prohibition; penalties

IA HB2061

Provides protections against discrimination and antisemitism in public schools and public postsecondary educational institutions

IA SF12

A bill for an act relating to students who are pregnant or who recently gave birth who attend state institutions of higher education governed by the board of regents and community colleges.(See SF 288.)

Similar Bills

TX SB326

Relating to the procedure for determining whether a student's violation of a public school's or public institution of higher education's student code of conduct was motivated by antisemitism.

NJ AJR23

Establishes working definition of antisemitism in NJ.

NJ A617

Establishes State definition of antisemitism.

NJ A2539

"Stop Antisemitism on College Campuses Act"; prohibits distribution of State aid to an institution of higher education that authorizes, funds, or supports antisemitic events or organizations or fails to punish acts of antisemitism on campus.

NJ S825

"Stop Antisemitism on College Campuses Act"; prohibits distribution of State aid to an institution of higher education that authorizes, funds, or supports antisemitic events or organizations or fails to punish acts of antisemitism on campus.

NJ S835

Permits Secretary of Higher Education to appoint antisemitism monitor to any institution of higher education; requires institution to implement recommendations of antisemitism monitor.

NJ A622

Permits Secretary of Higher Education to appoint antisemitism monitor to any institution of higher education; requires institution to implement recommendations of antisemitism monitor.

NJ S589

Prohibits institution of higher education from authorizing, funding, or supporting hate speech or antisemitic events and organizations.