SSB 3006 (LSB 5116XC (4) 91)

SENATE FILE _____ 

BY  (PROPOSED COMMITTEE ON WORKFORCE BILL BY CHAIRPERSON DICKEY)

A BILL FOR

An Act providing for career development information for students newly enrolling in institutions of higher education and including applicability provisions.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  NEW SECTION.  261M.1  Definition.
   As used in this chapter, “institution of higher education” means an institution of higher learning governed by the state board of regents. “Institution of higher education” also includes an accredited private institution as defined in section 256.183 with respect to students who are awarded a tuition grant as defined in section 256.183.
    Sec. 2.  NEW SECTION.  261M.2  Career development meeting for newly enrolled students.
   1.  An institution of higher education shall require each enrolled undergraduate student, in their first semester or term of enrollment or during new student orientation, to schedule and attend a meeting with the institution’s career development office or similar unit of the institution. The meeting must include but is not limited to all of the following:
   a.  A review of the student’s work history, if applicable.
   b.  A review of the student’s areas of interest.
   c.  If the student has not declared a major, a review of possible career paths based on the student’s areas of interest.
   d.  If the student has declared a major, a review of possible career paths based on the student’s current major.
   e.  A review of relevant internship, volunteer, and employment opportunities related to the student’s areas of interest or major as well as relevant graduate-level educational opportunities.
   f.  A review of available resources regarding building and updating a resume, seeking professional recommendations for employment, drafting cover letters, and submitting writing samples.
   2.  The office or unit shall encourage the student to continue to utilize the resources of the office or unit following the meeting.
   3.  A student is not required to attend a meeting under this section if the student attended such a meeting at another institution of higher education.
    Sec. 3.  NEW SECTION.  261M.3  Written materials.
   Before or during a meeting required by section 261M.2, the institution’s career development office or similar unit of the institution shall provide the student with all of the following information in writing:
   1.  Information on how to connect with persons working in fields of study or industries of interest to the student or related to the student’s declared major.
   2.  Information regarding the number of related jobs that were available in fields of study or industries of interest to the student or related to the student’s declared major for the prior year as well as the prior five years.
   3.  Information regarding average compensation and the pay range of jobs identified in subsection 2.
   4.  Information that identifies the highest paying occupations or careers in Iowa during the prior year as well as the prior five years.
   5.  Information that identifies the highest demand occupations or careers in Iowa during the prior year as well as the prior five years.
   6.  Information that identifies the highest paying occupations or careers in Iowa during the prior year as well as the prior five years that were also in the highest demand.
   7.  Information that identifies the highest demand occupations or careers in Iowa that had the highest compensation and that do not require a bachelor’s degree during the prior year as well as the prior five years.
    Sec. 4.  APPLICABILITY.  This Act applies to undergraduate students enrolling in an institution of higher education, as defined in section 261M.1, as enacted by this Act, for the first time on or after the effective date of this Act.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   This bill requires an institution of higher education to require each enrolled undergraduate student, in their first semester or term of enrollment or during new student orientation, to schedule and attend a meeting with the institution’s career development office or similar unit of the institution. The bill specifies career-related information that must be provided to the student during the meeting as well as additional career-related information that must be provided to the student in writing before or during the meeting. A student is not required to attend a meeting if the student attended such a meeting at another institution of higher education.
   The bill defines “institution of higher education” as an institution of higher learning governed by the state board of regents. “Institution of higher education” also includes an accredited private institution with respect to students who are awarded the Iowa tuition grant.
   The bill applies to students enrolling in an institution of higher education for the first time on or after July 1, 2026.