Iowa 2023-2024 Regular Session

Iowa House Bill HF8

Introduced
1/11/23  
Introduced
1/11/23  

Caption

A bill for an act prohibiting instruction related to gender identity and sexual orientation in school districts and charter schools in kindergarten through grade three.(See HF 348.)

Impact

The enactment of HF8 will lead to amendments in existing educational statutes that govern human growth and development instruction. Specifically, it restricts the content that educators are permitted to teach young children, effectively shaping the educational landscape concerning the discussion of gender and sexual orientation at an early age. Proponents of the bill argue that it is necessary to guard young students from complex topics that they believe are not age-appropriate, citing a desire to protect childhood innocence and parental rights in determining educational content.

Summary

House File 8 (HF8) is a legislative measure introduced in Iowa aimed at prohibiting any instruction related to gender identity and sexual orientation in school districts and charter schools for students in kindergarten through grade three. The bill specifies that no curriculum, program, material, or promotion can include topics related to gender identity or sexual orientation for these early grades. By defining both gender identity and sexual orientation, the bill seeks to establish a clear prohibition within the state’s educational framework, reinforcing its legislative intent and aligning it with existing statutory standards related to educational content.

Contention

Opposition to HF8 has emerged from various advocacy groups and child development experts who argue that the prohibition of discussions surrounding gender identity and sexual orientation is detrimental to LGBTQ+ youth and their allies. Critics worry that avoiding these topics exacerbates stigma and does not reflect the reality of diverse identities in society, potentially leaving students without necessary support or understanding of their peers. Given the sensitive nature of the roles of schools as safe spaces for children, tensions have risen regarding the balance between legislative control over educational content and the autonomy of local school districts to address the needs of all their students.

Companion Bills

IA HF348

Similar To A bill for an act prohibiting instruction related to gender identity and sexual orientation in school districts and charter schools in kindergarten through grade six. (Formerly HF 8.)

Previously Filed As

IA HF348

A bill for an act prohibiting instruction related to gender identity and sexual orientation in school districts and charter schools in kindergarten through grade six. (Formerly HF 8.)

IA SF159

A bill for an act relating to education, including modifying the responsibilities of the state board of education and school districts, prohibiting instruction related to gender identity or sexual orientation in school districts and charter schools in kindergarten through grade eight, modifying provisions associated with the human growth and development instruction and health screenings provided in school districts, charter schools, and innovation zone schools, and providing civil penalties.

IA HSB84

A bill for an act prohibiting school districts, charter schools, and innovation zone schools from providing any program, curriculum, test, survey, questionnaire, promotion, or instruction relating to gender identity or sexual orientation to students in grades seven through twelve.

IA SF83

A bill for an act relating to instruction relating to gender identity in the curriculum provided to students enrolled in kindergarten through grade eight in school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, and charter schools and creating a private cause of action.

IA SF496

A bill for an act relating to children and students, including establishing a parent's or guardian's right to make decisions affecting the parent's or guardian's child, authorizing the parent or guardian of a student enrolled in a school district to enroll the student in another attendance center within the same school district in certain specified circumstances, prohibiting instruction related to gender identity and sexual orientation in school districts, charter schools, and innovation zone schools in kindergarten through grade six, and modifying provisions related to student health screenings, school district library programs, the educational program provided to students enrolled in school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, and charter schools, other duties of school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, the department of education, the board of educational examiners, and the governing boards of charter schools and innovation zone schools, competent private instruction, and special education, and including effective date provisions. (Formerly SSB 1145.) Effective date: 05/26/2023, 07/01/2023.

IA SSB1145

A bill for an act relating to children and students, including establishing a parent's or guardian's right to make decisions affecting the parent's or guardian's child, modifying provisions related to student health screenings and the curriculum in school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, and charter schools, other duties of school districts, competent private instruction, and special education, making appropriations, and providing civil penalties.(See SF 496.)

IA HSB222

A bill for an act relating to children and students, including establishing a parent's or guardian's right to make decisions affecting the parent's or guardian's child, modifying provisions related to student health screenings and the curriculum in school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, and charter schools, other duties of school districts, competent private instruction, and special education, making appropriations, and providing civil penalties.

IA HF513

A bill for an act relating to education, including requiring instruction related to persons with disabilities in school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, and charter schools in kindergarten through grade eight, modifying the responsibilities of the state board of education, and modifying provisions related to school district and accredited nonpublic school programs that are designed to eliminate harassment and bullying.

IA HSB586

A bill for an act requiring school districts and charter schools to provide instruction related to character development to students enrolled in kindergarten through grade twelve.

IA HSB219

A bill for an act relating to education, including modifying provisions related to school district library programs and the educational program provided to students enrolled in school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, and charter schools.(See HF 597.)

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