Amendment H-8069 to HF 2676

Filed March 2, 2026 in the House by

In plain words

AI summary This amendment adds requirements for kindergarten and health curricula to include instruction on the importance and benefits of animal-based protein, dairy, vegetables, and fruit. It also directs the department of education to apply for a federal waiver to allow schools to use state-specific nutritional guidelines that prioritize animal-based protein, dairy, vegetables, and fruit.¹

What it changes

1. Page 7, after line 23 by inserting: “DIVISION ___ EDUCATIONAL STANDARDS Sec. ___. Section 256.11, subsection 2, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
2. a. The kindergarten program shall include experiences designed to develop healthy emotional and social habits and growth in the language arts and communication skills, as well as a capacity for the completion of individual tasks, and protect and increase physical well-being with attention given to experiences relating to the development of life skills and, subject to section 279.80 , age-appropriate and research-based human growth and development. The kindergarten program shall also include instruction related to nutrition that emphasizes all of the following: (1) The importance of animal-based protein, dairy, vegetables, and fruit. (2) The nutritional benefits of animal-based protein, dairy, vegetables, and fruit. (3) The role that animal-based protein, dairy, vegetables, and fruit play in a balanced diet. b. A kindergarten teacher shall be licensed to teach in kindergarten. c. An accredited nonpublic school must meet the requirements of this subsection only if the nonpublic school offers a kindergarten program; provided, however, that section 279.80 shall not apply to a nonpublic school. Sec. ___. Section 256.11, subsection 3, paragraph a, subparagraph (5), Code 2026, is amended to read as follows: (5) Health. The health curriculum shall include the all of the following: (a) The characteristics of communicable diseases. (b) Instruction related to nutrition that emphasizes all of the following: (i) The importance of animal-based protein, dairy, vegetables, and fruit. (ii) The nutritional benefits of animal-based protein, dairy, vegetables, and fruit. (iii) The role that animal-based protein, dairy, vegetables, and fruit play in a balanced diet. Sec. ___. Section 256.11, subsection 4, paragraph a, subparagraphs (5) and (7), Code 2026, are amended to read as follows: (5) Health. The health curriculum shall include age-appropriate all of the following: (a) Age-appropriate and research-based information regarding the characteristics of sexually transmitted diseases. (b) Instruction related to nutrition that emphasizes all of the following: (i) The importance of animal-based protein, dairy, vegetables, and fruit. (ii) The nutritional benefits of animal-based protein, dairy, vegetables, and fruit. (iii) The role that animal-based protein, dairy, vegetables, and fruit play in a balanced diet. (7) Career instruction, exploration, and development, which shall include career investigation, career connections, and career intentions. Career exploration and development shall be designed so that students are appropriately prepared to create an individualized career and academic plan pursuant to section 279.61, incorporate foundational career and technical education concepts aligned with the six career and technical education service areas as defined in subsection 5, paragraph “h” , incorporate relevant twenty-first century skills to facilitate career readiness, and introduce students to career opportunities within the local community and across this state. This subparagraph shall not apply to the teaching of career exploration and development in nonpublic schools. Sec. ___. Section 256.11, subsection 4, paragraph b, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows: b. Computer science instruction incorporating the standards established under section 256.7, subsection 26 , paragraph “a” , subparagraph (4), shall be offered in at least one grade level commencing with the school year beginning July 1,
3. Career exploration and development shall be designed so that students are appropriately prepared to create an individual career and academic plan pursuant to section 279.61 , incorporate foundational career and technical education concepts aligned with the six career and technical education service areas as defined in subsection 5 , paragraph “h” , incorporate relevant twenty-first century skills to facilitate career readiness, and introduce students to career opportunities within the local community and across this state. Sec. ___. Section 256.11, subsection 5, paragraph h, subparagraph (1), subparagraph division (a), Code 2026, is amended to read as follows: (a) Agriculture, food, and natural resources , which shall include instruction relating to food production and the benefits of local sourcing . Sec. ___. Section 256.11, subsection 5, paragraph j, subparagraph (1), Code 2026, is amended to read as follows: (1) One unit of health education which may include personal health; food and nutrition; environmental health; safety and survival skills; consumer health; family life; age-appropriate and research-based human growth and development that incorporates the standards established under section 279.50, subsection 3 , paragraph “b” ; substance use disorder and nonuse; emotional and social health; health resources; cardiopulmonary resuscitation; and prevention and control of disease, including age-appropriate and research-based information regarding sexually transmitted diseases. The one unit of health education shall include instruction related to nutrition that emphasizes all of the following: (a) The importance of animal-based protein, dairy, vegetables, and fruit. (b) The nutritional benefits of animal-based protein, dairy, vegetables, and fruit. (c) The role that animal-based protein, dairy, vegetables, and fruit play in a balanced diet. Sec. ___. Section 256E.7, subsection 2, paragraph h, Code 2026, is amended by adding the following new subparagraphs: NEW SUBPARAGRAPH . (01) The educational standards established in section 256.11, subsections 2, 3, and 4, and section 256.11, subsection 5, paragraph “j” , subparagraph (1), related to instruction on nutrition. NEW SUBPARAGRAPH . (3) The educational standards established in section 256.11, subsection 5, paragraph “h” , subparagraph (1), subparagraph division (a), related to instruction relating to food production and the benefits of local sourcing. Sec. ___. Section 256F.4, subsection 2, Code 2026, is amended by adding the following new paragraphs: NEW PARAGRAPH . 0p. Be subject to and comply with the requirements of section 256.11, subsections 2, 3, and 4, and section 256.11, subsection 5, paragraph “j” , subparagraph (1), related to instruction on nutrition in the same manner as a school district. NEW PARAGRAPH . w. Be subject to and comply with the requirements of section 256.11, subsection 5, paragraph “h” , subparagraph (1), subparagraph division (a), related to instruction relating to food production and the benefits of local sourcing in the same manner as a school district. Sec. ___. NEW SECTION . 283A.14 Application for waiver —— updated nutritional guidelines —— joint committee.
4. The general assembly finds and declares all of the following: a. The nutritional needs and cultural preferences of the students in Iowa might be better served by localizing nutritional standards. b. Unique regional food sources, including corn, pork, and dairy, are not adequately addressed by federal guidelines. c. Flexibility in nutritional standards can enhance the ability of schools to provide meals that are both nutritious and appealing to students, which may increase student participation in school breakfast and lunch programs.
5. Within ninety days after the effective date of this Act, the department of education shall apply for a waiver under the provisions of the federal National School Lunch Act of 1966, 42 U.S.C. §1751 et seq., and the federal Child Nutrition Act of 1966, 42 U.S.C. §1771 et seq., to request all of the following: a. An exemption from sodium limits, whole grain requirements, and fruit and vegetable variety stipulations in school breakfast and lunch programs. b. Permission to substitute or modify federal requirements with state-specific nutritional guidelines that align with Iowa’s dietary recommendations or cultural food practices.
6. If the waiver applied for by the department of education under subsection 2 is granted, the department of education shall adopt updated guidelines for what constitutes a nutritionally adequate meal. The department shall consult with the department of agriculture and land stewardship, experts in nutrition, educators, parents, local farmers, and other stakeholders during the process of adopting updated guidelines for what constitutes a nutritionally adequate meal. The guidelines for what constitutes a nutritionally adequate meal may reflect local preferences, regional food sources, including corn, pork, and dairy, and cultural considerations. The guidelines for what constitutes a nutritionally adequate meal must satisfy all of the following requirements: a. Be at least as stringent in promoting health and preventing chronic diseases as the federal guidelines. b. Maintain a commitment to nutritional health and student well-being. c. Prioritize the following food groups, in the order listed: (1) Animal-based protein, including but not limited to beef, pork, poultry, fish, and eggs. (2) Dairy products, including but not limited to milk, cheese, and yogurt. (3) Vegetables, including but not limited to local and seasonal produce. (4) Fresh fruit or dried or frozen fruit when fresh fruit is not seasonally available.
7. If the waiver applied for by the department of education under subsection 2 is granted, the department of education and the department of agriculture and land stewardship shall establish a joint committee to do all of the following: a. Oversee the implementation of the guidelines for what constitutes a nutritionally adequate meal. b. Review the outcomes associated with the guidelines for what constitutes a nutritionally adequate meal. c. Study the nutritional science associated with the guidelines for what constitutes a nutritionally adequate meal and seek feedback from schools, parents, and agricultural stakeholders related to the guidelines. d. Provide recommendations to the department of education related to changes that may need to be made to the guidelines for what constitutes a nutritionally adequate meal.
8. If the waiver applied for by the department of education under subsection 2 is granted, the department of education shall submit to the general assembly an annual report, beginning on or before the first June 30 after the implementation of the new guidelines, which describes the impact of the guidelines related to what constitutes a nutritionally adequate meal, including information related to school breakfast and lunch program participation, student health outcomes, feedback from school districts, progress in implementing the guidelines, challenges associated with implementing the guidelines, and recommendations for further enhancement of the guidelines.
9. If the waiver applied for by the department of education under subsection 2 is granted, the department of education shall conduct an evaluation to assess the effectiveness of the guidelines for what constitutes a nutritionally adequate meal compared to the comparable federal standards within five years after the effective date of the waiver. Sec. ___. EFFECTIVE DATE. The following, being deemed of immediate importance, takes effect upon enactment: The section of this division of this Act enacting section 283A.14. Sec. ___. APPLICABILITY. The following apply to school years beginning on or after July 1, 2027:
10. The section of this division of this Act amending section 256.11, subsections 2, 3, and
12. The section of this division of this Act amending section 256.11, subsection 5, paragraph “h”, subparagraph (1), subparagraph division (a).
13. The section of this division of this Act amending section 256.11, subsection 5, paragraph “j”, subparagraph (1).
14. The section of this division of this Act amending section 256E.7, subsection 2, paragraph “h”.
15. The section of this division of this Act amending section 256F.4, subsection
16. ”
17. Title page, line 2, after “medication,” by inserting “and education,”
18. By renumbering as necessary.

Official amendment (PDF) · In the Bill Book