HSB 682 (LSB 5408YC (5) 91)

HOUSE FILE _____ 

BY  (PROPOSED COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION BILL BY CHAIRPERSON WHEELER)

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to the revocation or denial of educator licenses and certificates for publicly celebrating assassinations or acts of politically motivated violence, and including effective date and retroactive applicability provisions.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 256.146, Code 2026, is amended by adding the following new subsections:
   NEW SUBSECTION.  28.  a.  Adopt rules pursuant to chapter 17A that require the board to disqualify an applicant for a license or certificate, or to revoke the license or certificate of a person, for publicly celebrating any act of politically motivated violence, including the unlawful killing of Charles J. Kirk, in a manner that satisfies any of the following criteria:
   (1)  Demonstrates moral turpitude or unfitness to teach or serve in a position of trust with children.
   (2)  Creates a substantial likelihood of material and substantial disruption to the learning environment.
   (3)  Undermines public confidence in the integrity of the education profession.
   b.  A single verified instance of celebrating an act of politically motivated violence, including the unlawful killing of Charles J. Kirk, whether on social media, in public statements, or in any medium accessible to students or the public, shall constitute sufficient grounds for such disqualification or revocation.
   c.  The rules must require the board to initiate revocation proceedings upon receipt of credible evidence that a person holding a license or certificate publicly celebrated an act of politically motivated violence, including the unlawful killing of Charles J. Kirk.
   d.  As used in this subsection:
   (1)  “Celebrate” means to publicly express approval, joy, satisfaction, or glee regarding an act of politically motivated violence, including the unlawful killing of Charles J. Kirk. “Celebrate” includes but is not limited to stating any of the following on social media, in public statements, or in any medium accessible to students or to the public:
   (a)  Good riddance.
   (b)  One less fascist.
   (c)  He deserved it.
   (d)  Any statement that is substantially similar to the statements in subparagraph divisions (a) through (c) and that endorses or rejoices in an act of politically motivated violence, including the unlawful killing of Charles J. Kirk.
   (2)  “Credible evidence” includes but is not limited to all of the following:
   (a)  Screenshots.
   (b)  Videos.
   (c)  Sworn complaints.
   NEW SUBSECTION.  29.  a.  The board shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 17A that prohibit the board from revoking, suspending, or denying a license, certificate, authorization, or statement of recognition issued by the board solely on the basis of a person’s or applicant’s expression of any of the following:
   (1)  Speech that is protected by the first amendment to the Constitution of the United States, including political speech.
   (2)  A religious, political, or ideological viewpoint.
   b.  This subsection shall not be construed to prohibit the board from disqualifying an applicant for a license or certificate, or from revoking the license or certificate of a person, pursuant to subsection 28.
    Sec. 2.  EFFECTIVE DATE.  This Act, being deemed of immediate importance, takes effect upon enactment.
    Sec. 3.  RETROACTIVE APPLICABILITY.  The following applies retroactively to September 10, 2025:
   The portion of the section of this Act enacting section 256.146, subsection 28.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   This bill relates to the revocation or denial of educator licenses and certificates for publicly celebrating assassinations or acts of politically motivated violence.
   The bill requires the board of educational examiners (BOEE) to disqualify an applicant for a license or certificate, and to revoke the license or certificate of a person, for publicly celebrating any act of politically motivated violence, including the unlawful killing of Charles J. Kirk, in a manner that demonstrates moral turpitude or unfitness to teach or serve in a position of trust with children; creates a substantial likelihood of material and substantial disruption to the learning environment; or undermines public confidence in the integrity of the education profession. A single verified instance of celebrating an act of politically motivated violence, including the unlawful killing of Charles J. Kirk, whether on social media, in public statements, or in any medium accessible to students or the public, shall constitute sufficient grounds for such disqualification or revocation. The BOEE is required to initiate revocation proceedings upon receipt of credible evidence that a person holding a license or certificate publicly celebrated an act of politically motivated violence, including the unlawful killing of Charles J. Kirk. The bill defines “celebrate” and “credible evidence”. This provision applies retroactively to September 10, 2025.
   The bill prohibits the BOEE from revoking, suspending, or denying a license, certificate, authorization, or statement of recognition issued by the BOEE solely on the basis of a person’s or applicant’s expression of speech that is protected by the first amendment to the Constitution of the United States or a religious, political, or ideological viewpoint. The bill provides that this provision shall not be construed to prohibit the BOEE from disqualifying an applicant for a license or certificate, or from revoking the license or certificate of a person, for publicly celebrating an act of politically motivated violence, including the unlawful killing of Charles J. Kirk.
   The bill is effective upon enactment.