Iowa 2023-2024 Regular Session

Iowa House Bill HSB222

Introduced
2/28/23  
Introduced
2/28/23  

Caption

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.

Impact

The bill also modifies curriculum requirements in school districts, particularly concerning instruction related to gender identity and sexual activity for students in kindergarten through grade three, which will no longer include any related teachings. This shift is significant as it alters how educators approach discussions on gender and sexuality with younger students. Additionally, the bill enforces stricter guidelines on parental notification regarding instructional materials and health screenings, effectively increasing parental control over educational content and health assessments.

Summary

House Study Bill 222 focuses on the rights of parents regarding decisions affecting their children in educational environments. It mandates immediate notification to parents or guardians if school officials believe their child is expressing a gender identity different from their biological sex. There are exceptions in cases where notifying parents may risk potential child abuse, requiring the school to report concerns to child welfare authorities instead. This provision aims to empower parents in the educational decisions impacting their children’s identity.

Contention

Notably, HSB222 has sparked debates about the balance between parental rights and student welfare in schools. Proponents argue that the bill reinforces parental authority and protects minors from potentially harmful discussions on gender identity and sexuality at a young age. In contrast, opponents contend that it could inhibit essential conversations about individual identity and may not consider the emotional needs of students dealing with gender identity issues. The bill introduces a potential tension between state educational policies and local control, as schools may struggle to adhere to these new mandates while meeting diverse community needs.

Companion Bills

IA SSB1145

Related 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 SF496

Replaced by 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.

Similar Bills

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 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 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 SF113

A bill for an act relating to children and students, including by modifying provisions related to a parent's or guardian's rights to make decisions affecting the parent's or guardian's child, the educational program and human growth and development curriculum provided to students enrolled in school districts, charter schools, and innovation zone schools, student health screenings, school district library programs, special education, and other duties of school districts and the governing boards of charter schools and innovation zone schools.

IA SF2223

A bill for an act relating to children and students, including by modifying provisions related to a parent's or guardian's rights to make decisions affecting the parent's or guardian's child, the educational program and human growth and development curriculum provided to students enrolled in school districts, charter schools, and innovation zone schools, student health screenings, school district library programs, special education, and other duties of school districts and the governing boards of charter schools and innovation zone schools.

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 HF2496

A bill for an act modifying provisions related to the responsibilities of nonpublic schools.

IA SF2435

A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations to the education system, including the funding and operation of the department for the blind, department of education, and state board of regents; modifying provisions related to compulsory education, open enrollment, the state board of regents presidential search committee, the Iowa tuition grants program, and the Iowa dyslexia board; establishing restrictions related to diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts of institutions of higher education governed by the state board of regents; providing penalties; and including effective date and applicability provisions. (Formerly SSB 3201.) Effective date: 05/09/2024, 07/01/2024, 07/01/2025. Applicability date: 07/01/2024.