HF 610: 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.

Senate subcommittee · named March 21, 2023

• Sen. Chris Cournoyer (R)
• Sen. Sarah Trone Garriott (D) · sarah.trone.garriott@legis.iowa.gov
• Sen. Cherielynn Westrich (R) · cherielynn.westrich@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. March 3, 2023Filed in the House
2. March 14, 2023Passed the House, 97–0
3. March 15, 2023Arrived in the Senate
4. March 21, 2023Senate subcommittee named: Cournoyer, Trone Garriott and Westrich
5. March 22, 2023Subcommittee recommended passing it