SSB 3007 (LSB 5683XC (3) 91)

SENATE FILE _____ 

BY  (PROPOSED COMMITTEE ON WORKFORCE BILL BY CHAIRPERSON DICKEY)

A BILL FOR

An Act authorizing schools to offer an elective junior fire fighter program to students enrolled in grades eleven and twelve.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 100B.7, subsection 2, Code 2026, is amended by adding the following new paragraph:
   NEW PARAGRAPH.  r.  (1)  Allow a student who has successfully completed the elective junior fire fighter program described in section 280.37, submitted all necessary certification registration and local verification forms, and paid all applicable registration fees to sit for certification testing for firefighter I certification.
   (2)  If a student attains passing scores on all examinations necessary for firefighter I certification prior to the date the student becomes eighteen years of age, then the administrator shall not issue firefighter I certification to the student until the student becomes eighteen years of age.
    Sec. 2.  Section 256E.7, subsection 2, Code 2026, is amended by adding the following new paragraph:
   NEW PARAGRAPH.  0w.  Be subject to and comply with the requirements of section 280.37 relating to offering an elective junior fire fighter program to students enrolled in grades eleven and twelve in the same manner as a school district.
    Sec. 3.  Section 256F.4, subsection 2, Code 2026, is amended by adding the following new paragraph:
   NEW PARAGRAPH.  v.  Be subject to and comply with the requirements of section 280.37 relating to offering an elective junior fire fighter program to students enrolled in grades eleven and twelve in the same manner as a school district.
    Sec. 4.  NEW SECTION.  280.37  Junior fire fighter program.
   1.  The board of directors of each school district and the authorities in charge of each accredited nonpublic school may offer to students enrolled in grades eleven and twelve an elective junior fire fighter program, either by establishing the program and using the curriculum of a national organization that provides a similar program or by partnering with a local fire department, that meets all of the following requirements:
   a.  Is designed to prepare such students to sit for certification testing from the fire service training bureau for firefighter I certification.
   b.  Allows students to learn more about the work performed by fire fighters and other emergency services providers in a safe and controlled environment.
   c.  Provides students with valuable life skills, including teamwork, leadership, responsibility, and commitment.
   d.  Fosters relationships between students and fire fighters and other emergency services providers.
   e.  Promotes student participation in the fire services and other emergency services fields after graduation.
   2.  If the board of directors of a school district or the authorities in charge of an accredited nonpublic school offer the elective junior fire fighter program, then the board of directors of the school district or the authorities in charge of the accredited nonpublic school shall coordinate with the fire service training bureau and a local fire department to ensure students are provided with the appropriate materials and skills training to successfully complete all components necessary for firefighter I certification, including the written certification examination and the practical certification examination.
   3.  The board of directors of each school district and the authorities in charge of each accredited nonpublic school may offer the elective junior fire fighter program as an extracurricular activity or as part of the career and technical education curriculum under section 256.11, subsection 5, paragraph “h”, subparagraph (1), subparagraph division (e).
   4.  To participate in the elective junior fire fighter program, the student must submit to the school district or accredited nonpublic school a waiver of liability on a form provided by the school district or accredited nonpublic school that has been executed by the student’s parent or guardian, if the student is a minor, or by the student, if the student is not a minor or is an emancipated minor.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   This bill authorizes school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, charter schools, and innovation zone schools to offer to students enrolled in grades 11 and 12 an elective junior fire fighter program, either by establishing the program and using the curriculum of a national organization that provides a similar program or by partnering with a local fire department, that satisfies requirements established in the bill. If a school offers the junior fire fighter program, the school is required to coordinate with the fire service training bureau and a local fire department to ensure students are provided with the appropriate materials and skills training to successfully complete all components necessary for firefighter I certification. The junior fire fighter program may be offered as an extracurricular activity or as part of the career and technical education curriculum. The bill requires a student to submit an executed waiver of liability to the school prior to participation in the junior fire fighter program.
   The bill requires the administrator of the fire service training bureau to allow a student who has successfully completed the junior fire fighter program, submitted all necessary certification registration and local verification forms, and paid all applicable registration fees to sit for certification testing for firefighter I certification. If a student attains passing scores on all examinations necessary for firefighter I certification prior to the date the student turns 18 years of age, then the administrator is prohibited from issuing firefighter I certification to the student until the student turns 18 years of age.