SF 510: 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 15, 2026

• Sen. Sandy Salmon (R) · sandy.salmon@legis.iowa.gov
• Sen. Mike Pike (R) · mike.pike@legis.iowa.gov
• Sen. Sarah Trone Garriott (D) · sarah.trone.garriott@legis.iowa.gov

Lobbying · 8 for, 9 against

For: Inspired Life; Iowa Baptists For Biblical Values; Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition; Jeremy Dannewitz; PELLA PAC; The Family Leader; The Family Leader Foundation; VALOR Iowa

Against: Bitches Get Stuff Done; Episcopal Diocese of Iowa; Interfaith Alliance of Iowa Action Fund; Iowa Atheists and Freethinkers; Iowa Conference of the United Methodist Church; Iowa Integrated Health Planning and Advisory Council; Iowa State Education Association; League of Women Voters of Iowa; Siouxland Bitches Get Stuff Done

In plain words

1. March 4, 2025Filed in the Senate
2. March 4, 2025Approved by the Senate committee
3. June 16, 2025Sent to the Senate Education committee
4. January 15, 2026Senate subcommittee named: Salmon, Pike and Trone Garriott
5. January 21, 2026Subcommittee recommended passing it