Iowa 2023-2024 Regular Session

Iowa House Bill HF180

Refer
5/4/23  

Caption

A bill for an act relating to parental and guardian consent and information regarding the gender identity of students enrolled in a school district or charter school.(Formerly HF 9.)

Impact

HF180, if enacted, would have significant implications for school policies regarding gender identity matters. It prohibits school districts from taking actions that could be interpreted as encouraging or facilitating gender identity transitions without explicit parental approval. This could lead to changes in how educational institutions interact with students who identify as transgender or gender non-conforming, effectively restricting their autonomy in affirming their gender identities without parental involvement.

Summary

House File 180 addresses parental and guardian consent related to the gender identity of students enrolled in Iowa school districts or charter schools. The bill stipulates that schools cannot affirm a student's gender identity if it differs from the sex listed on their official birth certificate without the written consent of a parent or guardian. This legislation is aimed at regulating how schools handle discussions and accommodations concerning students' gender identities and seeks to ensure that parents remain informed and involved in these matters.

Contention

The bill has sparked considerable debate among legislators, educators, and advocates. Proponents argue that it protects parental rights and ensures that parents are involved in important decisions regarding their children’s well-being. However, opponents contend that the bill may undermine the support that schools could provide to vulnerable students and could contribute to an environment where students feel pressured to conform to norms rather than receive the necessary support and understanding during critical periods of their identity development. The language of the bill raises concerns over potential stigmatization of gender-diverse students and the risk of excluding them from necessary discussions surrounding their mental health and well-being.

Companion Bills

IA HF9

Similar To A bill for an act relating to parental and guardian consent and information regarding the gender identity of students enrolled in a school district or charter school.(See HF 180.)

Previously Filed As

IA HF9

A bill for an act relating to parental and guardian consent and information regarding the gender identity of students enrolled in a school district or charter school.(See HF 180.)

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 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 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 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 HF429

A bill for an act relating to school districts, including 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, requiring school district employees to provide notice to the parents or guardians of students enrolled in the school district if the employee witnesses the student being physically injured, harassed, or bullied, and including effective date provisions. (Formerly HF 17.)

IA HSB736

A bill for an act requiring public schools to provide diabetes information to students' parents and guardians.

IA HF2154

A bill for an act requiring school districts to provide the parent or guardian of each student enrolled in the school district with a printed copy of the student's report card.(Formerly HF 2002.)

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