SF 343: 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 February 22, 2023

• Sen. Cherielynn Westrich (R) · cherielynn.westrich@legis.iowa.gov
• Sen. Kerry Gruenhagen (R) · kerry.gruenhagen@legis.iowa.gov
• Sen. Sarah Trone Garriott (D) · sarah.trone.garriott@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 20, 2023Filed in the Senate and sent to the Education committee
2. February 22, 2023Senate subcommittee named: Westrich, Gruenhagen and Trone Garriott
3. February 27, 2023Subcommittee recommended passing it