Bills › 91st General Assembly

Modifying provisions related to the harassment or bullying of students enrolled in school districts or accredited nonpublic schools

Sponsored by Rep. Brooke Boden (R)

Topics:K–12 education

Same legislation: HF 865

Where it is now

  1. Done: IntroducedJanuary 30, 2025
  2. Done: SubcommitteeFebruary 6, 2025
  3. Done: House committeeMarch 4, 2025
  4. Skipped: Passes the HouseContinued as HF 865
  5. Next: Senate committee
  6. Next: Passes the Senate
  7. Next: To the Governor
  8. Next: Signed into law

Became HF 865 → Its progress continues under the new number. Go to HF 865 What’s a funnel?

What’s in it

AI summary Schools would change how they define harassment and bullying for their students. The new rules would remove the part of the definition that focuses on a student's specific traits or characteristics. This change affects how school districts and private schools handle these issues.1

Read the official explanation

This bill modifies provisions related to the harassment or bullying of students enrolled in school districts or accredited nonpublic schools.28 requires school districts and accredited nonpublic schools to adopt a policy declaring harassment and bullying in schools, on school property, and at any school function, or school-sponsored activity, regardless of its location, as against state and school policy.28 defines “harassment” and “bullying” to mean any electronic, written, verbal, or physical act or conduct toward a student which is based on any actual or perceived trait or characteristic of the student and which creates an objectively hostile school environment that meets one or more of certain specified conditions. The bill modifies the definition of “harassment” and “bullying” to strike the language related to any actual or perceived trait or characteristic of the student.18 (open enrollment).28.28.28, Code 2024.

Full bill text · What changed before it passed2

House subcommittee

Named February 6, 2025. On February 11, 2025 it recommended passage.

Three legislators hear a bill first and recommend what the committee should do; it’s the best time to weigh in. How to take part

6 written public comments to its subcommittee: February 11, 2025 (6) · on the Legislature’s site

Iowa Code it changes

Amends§279.10§280.28

How the Code works3

Lobbying

8 for · 8 against · 11 undecided · Who →

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