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IA SF280
Bill
Status
2/12/2025
Primary Sponsor
Jesse Green
Click for details
AI Summary
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Students may be excused from public or accredited nonpublic schools to attend religious instruction courses provided by private organizations for up to 5 hours per week without violating compulsory education requirements
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Absences for religious instruction courses do not count toward chronic absenteeism thresholds (more than 10% of school days/hours) when parents provide notification and the private organization maintains attendance records
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School districts, charter schools, and innovation zone schools may adopt policies to award academic credit for completed religious instruction courses, but cannot consider the religious content or denominational affiliation when evaluating courses for credit
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Private organizations providing religious instruction must assume liability for students during the course, provide transportation, and hold classes off school property unless authorized by the school board
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Parents, guardians, or students who allege a school district violated these provisions may bring civil action for injunctive relief and actual damages, with court costs and attorney fees awarded to prevailing plaintiffs
Legislative Description
A bill for an act relating to students who attend a course in religious instruction that is provided by a private organization, including by modifying provisions related to compulsory education and chronic absenteeism and allowing school districts, charter schools, and innovation zone schools to adopt policies related to awarding academic credit for the completion of a course in religious instruction.
Last Action
Subcommittee recommends passage.
3/3/2025