Iowa 2025-2026 Regular Session

Iowa Senate Bill SF370

Caption

A bill for an act relating to electronic devices in schools, including student access during instructional hours, school safety plans, and instruction related to the effects of social media in grades six through eight, and including effective date provisions.(Formerly SSB 1065.)

Impact

The bill will significantly impact state education laws by establishing a new framework for managing electronic device usage within the classroom. Each school district will be required to adopt policies that detail how and when students may utilize their devices, which may include restrictions during instructional hours. This will likely lead to a more structured approach to device usage, potentially improving student focus and learning outcomes. Additionally, the bill sets forth a requirement for professional development support for teachers to aid in providing the new curriculum changes effectively.

Summary

Senate File 370 aims to address the use of electronic devices in schools, particularly for students in grades six through eight. This legislation requires the incorporation of education on the effects of social media into the health curriculum within these grades. Furthermore, the bill mandates that school districts establish policies regarding the use of personal electronic devices during instructional hours, commencing in the 2025 school year. These policies aim to clarify acceptable usage and ensure that students have controlled access to their devices during class time.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding SF370 include concerns about balancing instructional access with necessary restrictions on electronic devices. While proponents argue the bill can enhance student well-being and focus, critics may contend that overly stringent policies could hinder beneficial uses of technology in education. Furthermore, there are implications regarding the need for adequate resources and training for educators, which could impose additional logistical burdens on school districts already navigating numerous regulatory requirements.

Companion Bills

IA HF782

Similar To A bill for an act relating to electronic devices in schools, including student access during instructional hours and school safety plans, and including effective date provisions. (Formerly HSB 106.) Effective date: 04/30/2025.

IA SSB1065

Related A bill for an act relating to electronic devices in schools, including student access during instructional hours, school safety plans, and instruction related to the effects of social media in grades six through eight, and including effective date provisions.(See SF 370.)

IA HSB106

Related A bill for an act relating to electronic devices in schools, including student access during instructional hours, school safety plans, and instruction related to the effects of social media in grades six through eight, and including effective date provisions.(See HF 782.)

Previously Filed As

IA HF73

A bill for an act relating to firearm education in schools, including requiring the director of the department of education to develop and distribute age-appropriate model programs for firearm safety instruction and modifying provisions related to the required instruction in public schools and accredited nonpublic schools in grades six through twelve.

IA HF597

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.(Formerly HSB 219.)

IA SF2195

A bill for an act relating to reading instruction, including modifying provisions related to the language arts instruction provided to students enrolled in kindergarten through grade three and the preparation in reading theory provided by practitioner preparation programs, and including applicability provisions.(Formerly SSB 3069.)

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 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 SF2048

A bill for an act modifying provisions related to the social studies instruction provided to students enrolled in grades one through twelve in school districts by creating celebrate freedom week.

IA HSB587

A bill for an act relating to education, including by modifying the social studies curriculum provided to students enrolled in grades one through twelve in school districts, charter schools, and innovation zone schools, and modifying the responsibilities of school districts, charter schools, and innovation zone schools related to requiring teachers and students to sing the national anthem.

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 SF391

A bill for an act relating to education, including modifying provisions related to comprehensive school improvement plans, teacher librarians and guidance counselors, required days or hours of instruction in elementary and secondary schools, agreements between school districts and community colleges to teach certain courses, and required courses in school districts and accredited nonpublic schools, and authorizing school districts to offer sequential units in one classroom. (Formerly SSB 1076.) Effective date: 07/01/2023.

IA HF166

A bill for an act relating to vaccines, including modifying provisions related to a minor's legal capacity to give consent to the provision of vaccines and provisions related to the instruction provided to students enrolled in school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, and charter schools related to the human papilloma virus.

Similar Bills

TX SB6

Relating to the foundation curriculum, the establishment of the instructional materials allotment, and the adoption, review, and purchase of instructional materials and technological equipment for public schools; providing penalties.

TX HB6

Relating to the foundation curriculum, the establishment of the instructional materials allotment, and the adoption, review, and purchase of instructional materials and technological equipment for public schools.

TX SB6

Relating to the foundation curriculum, the establishment of the instructional materials allotment, and the adoption, review, and purchase of instructional materials and technological equipment for public schools.

TX HB4294

Relating to textbooks, electronic textbooks, instructional material, and technological equipment in public schools.

TX HB6

Relating to the foundation curriculum, the establishment of the instructional materials allotment, the adoption, review, and purchase of instructional materials and technological equipment for public schools, and the administration of state assessment instruments to public school students.

TX SR107

Suspending limitations on conference committee jurisdiction, S.B. No. 6.