Signed by Governor Kim Reynolds

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that exempts student absences when they attend religious instruction during the school day, for up to 5 hours per week, within the compulsory attendance law in Iowa.

Highlights:

• Amends and modifies provisions related to students who attend a course in religious instruction by a private organization in Iowa (Sec. 1). 

• Specifies that school absences shall not apply to a child while they are attending a course in religious instruction when all of the following are true (Sec. 2):

• The child’s parent or legal guardian has submitted notification to the school regarding the religious instruction;

• The religious instruction does not require the child to miss more than 5 hours of school per week;

• The private organization that provides the religious instruction maintains attendance records available to the school;

• Transportation is provided by the child’s parent, guardian, or the private organization;

• The private organization assumes liability for the child while they are attending religious instruction;

• The school will not be financially responsible for the religious instruction in any way;

• The religious instruction is not held on school property; and

• The child agrees to make up any school work they miss while attending religious instruction. 

• Amends the definition of “chronically absent” to exclude an absence from school that is related to attending a course in religious instruction (Sec. 4). 

Full Bill Text