SF 139: Relating to elective social studies courses emphasizing religious scripture that school districts may offer and teach

What it does

This bill directs the state board of education to adopt rules establishing course standards for elective social studies courses on the Hebrew Scriptures or the Old or New Testament of the Bible. The bill authorizes a school district to offer and teach such a course to students in grades through if the district’s school improvement advisory committee recommends, and the board of directors of the school district approves, the course. The purpose of the course must be to provide students with knowledge of biblical content, characters, poetry, and narratives that are prerequisites to understanding contemporary society and culture, and to familiarize students with the contents, history, literary style and structure, and influence of the Hebrew Scriptures or the Old or New Testament of the Bible.

Senate subcommittee · named January 31, 2023

• Sen. Chris Cournoyer (R)
• Sen. Tim Kraayenbrink (R) · tim.kraayenbrink@legis.iowa.gov
• Sen. Herman C. Quirmbach (D) · herman.quirmbach@legis.iowa.gov

Lobbying · 3 for, 1 against

For: Iowa Baptists For Biblical Values; The Family Leader; The Family Leader Foundation

Against: Iowa Atheists and Freethinkers

In plain words

1. January 25, 2023Filed in the Senate and sent to the Education committee
2. January 31, 2023Senate subcommittee named: Cournoyer, Kraayenbrink and Quirmbach