(Radio Iowa) –  [In an update to our weekend post] – Governor Kim Reynolds has signed legislation to launch a “Purple Star Initiative” in Iowa schools. Representative Ryan Weldon of Ankeny says the program strengthens the connections between military families and the schools their children attend.

Senator Kerry Gruenhagen of Walcott, says 43 other states have similar laws.

The bill got unanimous support in the Iowa House and Senate. Representative Elinor Levin of Iowa City says lawmakers had great conversations with Iowa Department of Education officials, who will oversee the program.

Governor Kim Reynolds signed three military-related bills into law on May 2, 2025. (Iowa National Guard photo)

According to the Military Child Education Coalition, the families of service members on active duty, in the National Guard or the Reserves move every two to three years. Purple Star Initiatives seek to address the stress of these frequent moves by doing things like streamlining enrollment transitions and ensuring staff are notified when a student’s parent is deployed. Reynolds signed the bill creating a Purple Star Initiative in Iowa schools — along with a bill to expand the Iowa National Guard’s college scholarship program to include technical training that leads to certification of a skill, like welding.