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IA SF273
IA SF273A bill for an act relating to mandatory reporting to the board of educational examiners of licensed school employees who engage in grooming behavior toward students.(Formerly SSB 1066.)
summary
Introduced
02/12/2025
02/12/2025
In Committee
05/15/2025
05/15/2025
Crossed Over
03/19/2025
03/19/2025
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
91st General Assembly
Bill Summary
This bill relates to mandatory reporting to the board of educational examiners (BOEE) of licensed school employees who engage in grooming behavior toward students. Current law requires the board of directors of a school district or area education agency, the superintendent of a school district, the chief administrator of an area education agency, and the authorities in charge of an accredited nonpublic school, to report to the BOEE any instance of disciplinary action taken against a licensed school employee for conduct constituting soliciting, encouraging, or consummating a sexual or physical relationship with a student, grooming behavior toward a student, or an otherwise inappropriate relationship with a student. For purposes of this provision, current law defines “grooming behavior” to mean any behavior, which in light of all relevant circumstances, constitutes actions to entice or entrap a student or students with the intent to make such student or students engage in a sex act. The bill modifies “grooming behavior” to mean any pattern of behavior, which in light of all relevant circumstances, constitutes actions to entice or entrap a student with the intent to take advantage of such student for the benefit of the individual engaging in the pattern of behavior, including but not limited to by engaging in a sex act with the student.
AI Summary
This bill modifies the legal definition of "grooming behavior" in Iowa law, specifically expanding the understanding of how school employees might inappropriately interact with students. Currently, the law defines grooming behavior as actions intended to entice or entrap a student to engage in a sex act. The bill broadens this definition to mean a pattern of behavior where an individual attempts to take advantage of a student for their own benefit, with specific emphasis on potentially engaging in a sex act with the student. The modification removes language about "students" in plural and instead focuses on individual student targeting. By changing the definition, the bill aims to provide clearer guidelines for mandatory reporting to the Board of Educational Examiners (BOEE) when licensed school employees demonstrate behavior that could be considered predatory or inappropriate. This change helps school administrators and education officials more precisely identify and report potential instances of grooming, with the ultimate goal of protecting students from potential sexual misconduct or exploitation by educational professionals.
Committee Categories
Education
Sponsors (0)
No sponsors listed
Other Sponsors (1)
Education (Senate)
Last Action
Rereferred to Education. H.J. 1221. (on 05/15/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/BillBook?ga=91&ba=SF273 |
| BillText | https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/publications/LGI/91/attachments/SF273.html |
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