SF 2116: Relating to open enrollment, including by modifying provisions related to the open enrollment of pupils who are truant or chronically absent and children receiving educational instruction and course content delivered primarily over the internet, and including applicability provisions

What it does

This bill relates to open enrollment, including by modifying provisions related to the open enrollment of pupils who are truant or chronically absent and children receiving educational instruction and course content delivered primarily over the internet.12, the pupil is prohibited from transferring until the pupil is no longer chronically absent, participating in the school engagement meeting, or a party to the absenteeism prevention plan; provided, however, that the bill authorizes such a pupil to transfer if the receiving district approves the request to transfer.

Senate subcommittee · named February 3, 2026

• Sen. Lynn Evans (R) · lynn.evans@legis.iowa.gov
• Sen. Tom Shipley (R) · tom.shipley@legis.iowa.gov
• Sen. Sarah Trone Garriott (D) · sarah.trone.garriott@legis.iowa.gov

Lobbying · 6 for, 1 against

For: Iowa Association of School Boards; Professional Educators of Iowa; Rural School Advocates of Iowa; School Administrators of Iowa; Stride, Inc.; Urban Education Network of Iowa

Against: Stride, Inc.

In plain words

1. January 27, 2026Filed in the Senate and sent to the Education committee
2. February 3, 2026Senate subcommittee named: Evans, Shipley and Trone Garriott
3. February 11, 2026Subcommittee recommended passing it with changes
4. February 17, 2026Approved by the Senate committee, and given a new number: SF 2351