HF 285: Relating to excused absences for certain autism-related health care activities for students of a school district

What it does

This bill requires the policies and rules adopted by a public school district’s board of directors to include excusing the absence of a student diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder to attend an appointment with a health care practitioner; to receive services generally recognized to assist people with autism spectrum disorder including applied behavioral analysis, speech therapy, and occupational therapy; or to travel to these appointments or services. The bill’s requirements do not extend to charter schools or nonpublic schools.

House subcommittee · named February 22, 2023

• Rep. Dr. Steven P. Bradley (R) · steven.bradley@legis.iowa.gov
• Rep. Ray Sorensen (R) · ray.sorensen@legis.iowa.gov
• Rep. Art Staed (D) · art.staed@legis.iowa.gov

Lobbying · 14 for, 4 against

For: Blank Childrens Hospital; Brain Injury Alliance of Iowa; CHILDSERVE; Easterseals Iowa; Hills and Dales; Iowa Association of Behavior Analysis; Iowa Association of Community Providers; Iowa Developmental Disabilities Council; Iowa Occupational Therapy Association; Iowa Psychological Association; Link Associates; National Mentor Holdings, LLC; and 2 more

Against: Iowa Association of School Boards; Rural School Advocates of Iowa; School Administrators of Iowa; Urban Education Network of Iowa

In plain words

1. February 14, 2023Filed in the House and sent to the Education committee
2. February 22, 2023House subcommittee named: Bradley, Sorensen and Staed
3. February 23, 2023Subcommittee recommended passing it
4. March 1, 2023Approved by the House committee
5. March 3, 2023Approved by the House committee, and given a new number: HF 610
6. March 14, 2023Withdrawn