SF 280: Relating to students who attend a course in religious instruction that is provided by a private organization, including by modifying provisions related to compulsory education and chronic absenteeism and allowing school districts, charter schools, and innovation zone schools to adopt policies related to awarding academic credit for the completion of a course in religious instruction

What it does

This bill relates to students who attend a course in religious instruction that is provided by a private organization, including by modifying provisions related to compulsory education and chronic absenteeism and allowing school districts, charter schools, and innovation zone schools to adopt policies related to awarding academic credit for the completion of a course in religious instruction. Under current law, the parent, guardian, or legal or actual custodian of a child who is of compulsory attendance age is required to cause the child to attend some public school or an accredited nonpublic school, or place the child under competent private instruction or independent private instruction, during a school year.

Senate subcommittee · named February 17, 2025

• Sen. Jesse Green (R) · jesse.green@legis.iowa.gov
• Sen. Mike Pike (R) · mike.pike@legis.iowa.gov
• Sen. Sarah Trone Garriott (D) · sarah.trone.garriott@legis.iowa.gov

Lobbying · 7 for, 3 against

For: Homeschool Iowa; Inspired Life; Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition; LifeWise Academy; The Family Leader; The Family Leader Foundation; VALOR Iowa

Against: Interfaith Alliance of Iowa Action Fund; Iowa Atheists and Freethinkers; Iowa Integrated Health Planning and Advisory Council

In plain words

1. February 12, 2025Filed in the Senate and sent to the Education committee
2. February 17, 2025Senate subcommittee named: Green, Pike and Trone Garriott
3. March 3, 2025Subcommittee recommended passing it