ARC 0353D

ARC 0353D

VOLUNTEER SERVICE, IOWA COMMISSION ON[817]

Notice of Intended Action

Proposing rulemaking related to the future ready Iowa volunteer
mentor program and providing an opportunity for public comment

    The Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service hereby proposes to rescind Chapter 13, “Future Ready Iowa Volunteer Mentor Program,” Iowa Administrative Code, and to adopt a new Chapter 13 with the same title.

Legal Authority for Rulemaking

    This rulemaking is proposed under the authority provided in Iowa Code section 15H.10.

State or Federal Law Implemented

    This rulemaking implements, in whole or in part, Iowa Code section 15H.10 and Executive Order 10.

Purpose and Summary

    The purpose of the Future Ready Iowa Volunteer Mentor Program is to match volunteer mentors with student mentees and to support implementation of the Future Ready Iowa Skilled Workforce Last-Dollar Scholarship Program and the Future Ready Iowa Skilled Workforce Grant Program described in Iowa Code sections 256.228 and 256.229, respectively. The Future Ready Iowa Volunteer Mentor Program is an optional program for recipients of these scholarships and grants and is designed to provide mentors to help recipients increase success in school and make meaningful career connections. The Commission manages this statewide program by partnering with employers, local high schools, nonprofits, local eligible institutions of higher education and others to develop mentoring cohorts.

    This proposed chapter underwent a Red Tape Review in accordance with Executive Order 10. As a result of the review, redundant information was eliminated and outdated cross-references were updated.

Regulatory Analysis

    A Regulatory Analysis for this rulemaking was published in the Iowa Administrative Bulletin on April 29, 2026. A public hearing was held on the following date(s):

     ?   May 19, 2026

Fiscal Impact

     This rulemaking has no fiscal impact to the State of Iowa.

Jobs Impact

    After analysis and review of this rulemaking, no impact on jobs has been found.

Waivers

    Any person who believes that the application of the discretionary provisions of this rulemaking would result in hardship or injustice to that person may petition the Department of Health and Human Services for a waiver of the discretionary provisions, if any, pursuant to 441—Chapter 2504.

Public Comment

     Any interested person may submit written or oral comments concerning this proposed rulemaking, which must be received by the Department no later than 4:30 p.m. on June 30, 2026. Comments should be directed to:

Public Hearing

     Public hearings at which persons may present their views orally or in writing will be held as follows:

    Persons who wish to make oral comments at a public hearing may be asked to state their names for the record and to confine their remarks to the subject of this proposed rulemaking.

     Any persons who intend to attend a public hearing and have special requirements, such as those related to hearing or mobility impairments, should contact the Department and advise of specific needs.

Review by Administrative Rules Review Committee

    The Administrative Rules Review Committee, a bipartisan legislative committee which oversees rulemaking by executive branch agencies, may, on its own motion or on written request by any individual or group, review this rulemaking at its regular monthly meeting or at a special meeting. The Committee’s meetings are open to the public, and interested persons may be heard as provided in Iowa Code section 17A.8(6).

    The following rulemaking action is proposed:

    ITEM 1.  Rescind 817—Chapter 13 and adopt the following new chapter in lieu thereof:

CHAPTER 13

FUTURE READY IOWA VOLUNTEER MENTOR PROGRAM

817—13.1(15H) Definitions.

    “Eligible institution” means the same as defined in Iowa Code section 256.228.

    “Grant program” means the future ready Iowa skilled workforce grant program as described in Iowa Code section 256.229.

    “Last-dollar scholarship” means the future ready Iowa skilled workforce last-dollar scholarship program as described in Iowa Code section 256.228.

    “Program” means the future ready Iowa volunteer mentor program as described in Iowa Code section 15H.10.

    “Student mentee” means a student who has elected to participate in the program, has agreed to program expectations, and has been matched with a volunteer mentor through the program. Student mentees must meet the criteria in Iowa Code sections 256.228 and 256.229.

    “Volunteer mentor” means an adult who has applied to be a mentor, has met the screening guidelines, has attended mentor training, has committed to meeting with the mentee according to program guidelines, and has been matched with a mentee in the program.

817—13.2(15H) Program standards, guidelines, and expectations. The commission will maintain on its website standards, guidelines, and expectations for a productive and appropriate relationship between volunteer mentors and student mentees. Standards, guidelines, and expectations are aimed at helping students meet the last-dollar scholarship or grant program requirements, identify work-based learning opportunities, and make career-related connections that are advantageous to participants in the program through a healthy mentor-mentee relationship. Failure to adhere to the program standards may result in ineligibility to participate in the program. To the extent possible, volunteer mentors and student mentees will be matched based on sex, career aspirations, geography and mentor-to-mentee ratio.

817—13.3(15H) Mentor/mentee agreement. All volunteer mentors and student mentees matched with a volunteer mentor must complete and sign a written agreement issued by the commission as part of the program enrollment process. This does not include students receiving texting services only. Agreements will include expectations on regular communication, appropriate conduct, utilization of the online platform and participation in any training or resources offered to improve the efficacy of the mentor-mentee relationship. Failure by either party to adhere to the agreement may result in dismissal from the program.

817—13.4(15H) Mentor request and application process.

    13.4(1) Mentor request process. Students may request a volunteer mentor through the commission’s website or partner agencies, including through referrals from high schools and eligible institutions. Eligible institutions must collaborate in the facilitation of this subrule by providing information on the mentor request process to all students who meet the criteria of Iowa Code sections 256.228 and 256.229. The college student aid commission may enroll eligible students into the texting services whenever possible to facilitate overall student success and communication about career mentoring opportunities. Students may opt to not participate in the program.

    13.4(2) Mentor application process. Prospective mentors may apply to be a volunteer mentor through the commission’s website or through high schools, eligible institutions, or partner agencies or employers. These partner agencies may also enlist employers and other partners to help make direct mentoring connections with local mentoring cohorts. Prospective mentors must complete an application, consent to an Iowa division of criminal investigation criminal background check, attend orientation training and agree to the minimum commitment and guidelines outlined in the mentor/mentee agreement.

817—13.5(15H) Subrecipient award process. If the commission deems it necessary, the commission may seek subrecipients to carry out components of the program through the commission’s regular grant program application processes. The commission may also work with partner state agencies to assist in the administration of this chapter.

These rules are intended to implement Iowa Code section 15H.10.