Bill > HF870

This bill provides a framework for students to attend religious instruction courses during the school day without being considered chronically absent or truant. The legislation allows students to be excused from school for up to five hours per week to attend a religious instruction course provided by a private organization, with several specific requirements. These requirements include: parents or guardians must notify the school in advance, transportation must be arranged by the private organization or family, the organization must maintain attendance records, the school cannot spend money on the instruction, the course cannot be held on school property without district authorization, and the student must agree to make up any missed schoolwork. The bill also stipulates that absences for religious instruction will not count toward chronic absenteeism calculations, and provides a mechanism for parents or students to bring civil action if a school district interferes with these provisions. The bill aims to balance students' religious education opportunities with maintaining educational accountability, and will become effective on July 1, 2025.

Education

Education (House)

https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/BillBook?ga=91&ba=HF870