HSB 609 (LSB 5715YC (2) 91)

HOUSE FILE _____ 

BY  (PROPOSED COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC GROWTH AND TECHNOLOGY BILL BY CHAIRPERSON SORENSEN)

A BILL FOR

An Act modifying the duties of the workforce development board, state board of education, and department of education related to cyber and artificial intelligence.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 84A.1B, Code 2026, is amended by adding the following new subsection:
   NEW SUBSECTION.  6.  Establish a comprehensive initiative to address the state’s cyber and artificial intelligence workforce needs. The comprehensive initiative must include all of the following:
   a.  In conjunction with the department of education, support for the development and implementation of standards for cyber and artificial intelligence literacy within the kindergarten through grade twelve public school curriculum.
   b.  Facilitation of partnerships between institutions of higher learning governed by the state board of regents and private industry to create internships, research opportunities, and specialized degree programs.
   c.  Subject to an appropriation of funds by the general assembly, establish and operate all of the following:
   (1)  A grant program to support educational institutions and private sector entities in developing and expanding cyber and artificial intelligence training programs.
   (2)  Programs designed to facilitate career transitions into fields related to cyber or artificial intelligence for current professionals, including but not limited to law enforcement officers, teachers, and construction workers.
    Sec. 2.  Section 256.7, Code 2026, is amended by adding the following new subsection:
   NEW SUBSECTION.  36.  Oversee, in consultation with the state board of regents and the presidents of the community colleges and the chancellors of the community colleges who serve as the chief executive officers of such community colleges, the implementation of educational frameworks from kindergarten through higher education that include all of the following:
   a.  Prioritization of federal funding opportunities to bridge the gap between kindergarten through grade twelve and higher education in cyber and artificial intelligence.
   b.  Establishment of statewide, mandated outcomes or standards for cyber and artificial intelligence literacy for all students, from kindergarten through higher education, that are based on successful outcomes or standards established in other states.
   c.  Development and adoption of consistent statewide standards and frameworks for cyber and artificial intelligence education, from kindergarten through higher education.
   d.  (1)  Establishment of a voluntary certification program for school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, charter schools, and innovation zone schools to achieve a designation or certification recognizing that the school district, accredited nonpublic school, charter school, or innovation zone school is in compliance with established standards and best practices related to cyber and artificial intelligence. The state board, in consultation with the chief information officer, shall establish such standards and best practices.
   (2)  The voluntary certification program described in subparagraph (1) must satisfy all of the following requirements:
   (a)  Be based on self-attestation by the school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, charter schools, and innovation zone schools.
   (b)  Involve limited auditing and vetting by the department.
    Sec. 3.  Section 256.9, Code 2026, is amended by adding the following new subsection:
   NEW SUBSECTION.  80.  Develop and implement, in consultation with the department of public safety, a statewide community education initiative for cyber and artificial intelligence awareness that must include all of the following:
   a.  The creation of an accessible digital resource hub for educational materials focused on high-need or at-risk demographics.
   b.  The development of specific marketing campaigns and educational content tailored to key demographic groups, including the elderly, minors, law enforcement officers, and educators.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   This bill modifies the duties of the workforce development board, state board of education, and department of education related to cyber and artificial intelligence.
   The bill requires the workforce development board to establish a comprehensive initiative to address the state’s cyber and artificial intelligence workforce needs. The comprehensive initiative is required to include: support for the development and implementation of standards for cyber and artificial intelligence literacy within the kindergarten through grade 12 public school curriculum; facilitation of partnerships between institutions of higher learning governed by the state board of regents and private industry to create internships, research opportunities, and specialized degree programs; and, subject to an appropriation of funds by the general assembly, establish and operate a grant program to support educational institutions and private sector entities in developing and expanding cyber and artificial intelligence training programs, and programs designed to facilitate career transitions into fields related to cyber or artificial intelligence for current professionals.
   The bill requires the state board of education to oversee, in consultation with the state board of regents and the presidents of the community colleges and the chancellors of the community colleges who serve as the chief executive officers of such community colleges, the implementation of educational frameworks from kindergarten through higher education that include: prioritization of federal funding opportunities to bridge the gap between kindergarten through grade 12 and higher education in cyber and artificial intelligence; establishment of statewide, mandated outcomes or standards for cyber and artificial intelligence literacy for all students that are based on successful outcomes or standards established in other states; development and adoption of consistent statewide standards and frameworks for cyber and artificial intelligence education, from kindergarten through higher education; and the establishment of a voluntary certification program for school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, charter schools, and innovation zone schools to achieve a designation or certification recognizing that the school district, accredited nonpublic school, charter school, or innovation zone school is in compliance with established standards and best practices related to cyber and artificial intelligence.
   The bill requires the department of education to develop and implement, in consultation with the department of public safety, a statewide community education initiative for cyber and artificial intelligence awareness, which includes the creation of an accessible digital resource hub for educational materials focused on high-need or at-risk demographics, and the development of specific marketing campaigns and educational content tailored to key demographic groups.