House approves change to continuing education rules and allows non‑ABA law school graduates to sit for bar under amended language
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Summary
House File 2246, amended to clarify that law-school attendance is required before sitting for the bar but need not be at an ABA‑accredited school, passed after floor debate about professional standards and continuing education scope.
House File 2246 moved through the Iowa House with an amendment intended to clarify ambiguity in the bill's original language around law‑school attendance and continuing education requirements.
Representative Crawford (sponsor) said the amendment (H8025) clarifies that a person must attend law school before taking the bar, but the law school need not be accredited by the American Bar Association Council. Representatives opposing the bill said the measure risks legislative overreach into professional continuing education requirements and could limit professions' discretion over continuing education content.
Representative Wilburn said the legislature should not be involved in specifying continuing education for licensed professions and warned the bill could create confusion over what is "related to the practice of the licensed profession." Representative Jones and Representative Lozzi raised concerns about attorney wellness requirements and the cost and access implications of legal education; supporters argued the change could increase competition and reduce legal‑education costs.
The amendment was adopted and the bill as amended was read for final passage. The clerk reported a roll-call showing 53 yeas, 38 nays and 9 absent; the chair declared the bill passed and the title agreed to.
Next steps: The bill will be sent to the Senate.