Iowa 2025-2026 Regular Session

Iowa Senate Bill SSB1077

Introduced
1/30/25  

Caption

A bill for an act modifying provisions related to compulsory education, truancy, and chronic absenteeism.(See SF 277.)

Impact

Should SSB1077 pass, it will alter how schools and county attorneys address issues of chronic absenteeism. The bill mandates the Department of Education to develop a model policy that reflects these updates, ensuring that schools have a consistent guideline to follow. Additionally, the notice sent by school officials regarding chronic absenteeism will have more communication methods, including electronic formats, which may streamline the process and improve engagement with families.

Summary

Senate Study Bill 1077, introduced in Iowa, proposes modifications to current laws regarding compulsory education, truancy, and chronic absenteeism. The bill aims to update the provisions to provide more clarity about exceptions to compulsory attendance, particularly concerning students who are engaged in military activities or traveling to significant family events such as funerals or weddings. By adding these exceptions, the legislation recognizes special circumstances that may impact a child's school attendance without penalizing them under truancy laws.

Contention

Notably, there is contention surrounding the effectiveness of this bill in truly addressing the root causes of chronic absenteeism. While supporters argue that these changes will help those affected by situational attendance challenges, critics may question whether the bill adequately tackles the underlying social and economic factors that contribute to truancy. Furthermore, there may be concerns from educational advocates about the flexibility given to county attorneys in enforcing these regulations, which could lead to inconsistent applications across different jurisdictions.

Companion Bills

IA SF277

Replaced by A bill for an act modifying provisions related to compulsory education, truancy, and chronic absenteeism. (Formerly SSB 1077.) Effective date: 07/01/2025.

Previously Filed As

IA HF2547

A bill for an act relating to education, including by requiring school engagement meetings and attendance cooperation proceedings when children are absent from school, requiring school districts to restrict student use of cellular phones and smartphones, modifying provisions related to open enrollment of truant students, and modifying penalties. (Formerly HF 2254.)

IA HF2704

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.

IA HF2254

A bill for an act relating to student public school attendance, including by modifying provisions related to state aid payments to school districts and requiring the development of an attendance improvement plan when a student is chronically absent from school.(See HF 2547.)

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.

IA HF2496

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

IA SSB3156

A bill for an act relating to education, including modifying provisions related to education data collection and the determination of enrollment, and including effective date and applicability provisions.(See SF 2367.)

IA SF302

A bill for an act relating to student chronic absenteeism in open enrollment and including applicability provisions.

IA HSB672

A bill for an act relating to education, including modifying provisions related to education data collection and the determination of enrollment, and including effective date and applicability provisions.(See HF 2542.)

IA HF241

A bill for an act establishing the truancy evaluation and reduction pilot program to be administered by the department of education and making appropriations.

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.)

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.