SF 178: Relating to civil actions against school board members and superintendents for school policies that violate state law

What it does

This bill relates to civil actions against school board members and superintendents for school policies that violate state law. The bill provides that if any person residing in a school district believes that the board of directors of the school district or the superintendent of the school district has adopted a policy that is in violation of any state law, the person may notify the county attorney of the potential violation. The county attorney may bring a civil action against the members of the board of directors of the school district who voted in favor of adopting the policy that may be in violation of a state law, and against the superintendent of the school district, to compel the school district to comply with state law.

Senate subcommittee · named February 10, 2025

• Sen. Doug Campbell (R) · doug.campbell@legis.iowa.gov
• Sen. Jeff Taylor (R) · jeff.taylor@legis.iowa.gov
• Sen. Mike Zimmer (D) · mike.zimmer@legis.iowa.gov

Lobbying · 4 for, 11 against

For: Dr. Tanja Garrison; Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition; PELLA PAC; VALOR Iowa

Against: Episcopal Diocese of Iowa; Interfaith Alliance of Iowa Action Fund; Iowa Association of School Boards; Iowa Atheists and Freethinkers; Iowa Integrated Health Planning and Advisory Council; One Iowa; One Iowa Action; Professional Educators of Iowa; Rural School Advocates of Iowa; School Administrators of Iowa; Urban Education Network of Iowa

In plain words

1. February 3, 2025Filed in the Senate and sent to the Education committee
2. February 10, 2025Senate subcommittee named: Campbell, Taylor and Zimmer
3. February 18, 2025Subcommittee recommended passing it