Iowa 2025-2026 Regular Session

Iowa Senate Bill SSB1065

Introduced
1/28/25  

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.(See SF 370.)

Impact

The legislation also emphasizes the importance of addressing the effects of social media on students, specifically targeting instruction for grades six through eight. Schools are required to provide teaching related to social media's impact as part of their curriculum, thus integrating these discussions into the health education framework. The bill stipulates that the Department of Education will work collaboratively with the Department of Health and Human Services to support teacher development in delivering this instruction. This integration represents a significant shift towards acknowledging and addressing the psychological and social challenges that students face due to social media.

Summary

Senate Study Bill 1065 (SSB1065) focuses on the regulation of student access to personal electronic devices during instructional hours within schools. The bill mandates that by the school year starting July 1, 2025, school districts, charter schools, and innovation zone schools must adopt specific policies governing this usage. These policies should include components concerning how students can use devices in the classroom, protocols for communication between parents and students, and the disciplinary actions for violations of the policies. Importantly, the bill permits schools to adopt stricter regulations than those provided in the model policies distributed by the state education department.

Contention

Key points of contention surrounding SSB1065 include discussions about the balance between necessary restrictions on electronic usage for educational purposes versus students' rights to access technology. Advocates argue that the proposed restrictions may improve focus and reduce distractions during classroom hours, thus enhancing the learning environment. Conversely, critics express concerns that overly strict controls could hinder the educational benefits of technology and diminish the ability of students to communicate effectively during emergencies. Additionally, the funding mechanisms embedded in the bill implying state mandate may lead to discussions about fiscal responsibility among school districts, particularly regarding the management of state foundation aid.

Provisions

Furthermore, the bill clarifies that schools must revise their emergency operations plans to align with the new policies concerning electronic devices. This alignment includes how schools prepare for emergencies while considering the potential need for student access to devices. The immediacy of some provisions in the bill, effective upon enactment, indicates a strong legislative push to adapt school policies ahead of the 2025 deadline, reinforcing the urgent need to address the intersection of technology and student safety.

Companion Bills

IA SF370

Replaced by 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.)

IA HF782

Replaced by 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 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 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 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 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.

IA SSB3069

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.(See SF 2195.)

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 HF2330

A bill for an act relating to education, including by modifying provisions related to the social studies instruction provided to students enrolled in grades one through twelve and the educational programs provided by the institutions of higher education under the control of the state board of regents.(See HF 2544.)

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 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.)

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.