Iowa 2023-2024 Regular Session

Iowa House Bill HF597

Introduced
3/2/23  
Engrossed
3/8/23  
Introduced
3/2/23  
Refer
3/9/23  
Engrossed
3/8/23  

Caption

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.)

Impact

The bill requires school districts to establish library programs from kindergarten through grade twelve that are consistent with the new standards and contain only age-appropriate materials. This is expected to streamline educational resources and ensure that the content provided supports the overall achievement goals of the educational system. Furthermore, the inclusion of age-appropriate teaching methods is an attempt to facilitate both comprehension and retention of necessary knowledge while protecting students from inappropriate materials. This legislative change may alter how health education, specifically regarding sexually transmitted diseases and vaccinations like HPV, is taught across Iowa schools.

Summary

House File 597 pertains to education and modifies several provisions related to school district library programs and the educational curricula for students in both public and nonpublic schools as well as charter schools in Iowa. This piece of legislation emphasizes an age-appropriate framework for educational content, specifically pertaining to human growth and development. The bill outlines that materials unsuitable for children's cognitive and emotional developmental stages, particularly those depicting sexual acts, shall not be included in the educational program provided by schools. This aims to create a framework that aligns educational content with the developmental appropriateness of the school-age population.

Contention

Notably, the introduction of this bill has raised concerns regarding the potential limits on educational content that addresses significant health issues relevant to adolescents, such as HPV and other sexually transmitted diseases. Critics argue that defining what is considered 'age-appropriate' could lead to the exclusion of vital information necessary for comprehensive health education. Additionally, the bill's provisions for library programs may face scrutiny regarding accessibility and diversity of materials, sparking debate about local control versus state-imposed standards in educational practices.

Companion Bills

IA HSB219

Related 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.(See HF 597.)

Previously Filed As

IA HF554

A bill for an act relating to public schools, including by modifying provisions related to school district library programs and requests to remove educational materials from classrooms and school libraries.

IA HSB276

A bill for an act modifying provisions related to the minimum amount of instruction provided to students enrolled in school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, 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 SF58

A bill for an act relating to school lunch and breakfast programs provided by school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, charter schools, and innovation zone schools, making appropriations, and including effective date provisions.

IA HF391

A bill for an act incorporating provisions related to pregnancy and fetal development into the human growth and development and health curriculum provided by school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, charter schools, and innovation zone schools to students enrolled in grades seven through twelve.(Formerly HSB 34.)

IA HF865

A bill for an act modifying provisions related to the harassment or bullying of students enrolled in school districts or accredited nonpublic schools. (Formerly HF 149.) Effective date: 07/01/2025.

IA HF2670

A bill for an act relating to education, including by modifying provisions related to summative testing in schools and the educational program provided to students enrolled in kindergarten through grade twelve, and including applicability provisions. (Formerly HSB 746.) Effective date: 07/01/2026 Applicability date: 07/01/2027

IA HSB746

A bill for an act relating to education, including by modifying provisions related to summative testing in schools and the educational program provided to students enrolled in kindergarten through grade twelve.(See HF 2670.)

IA HF149

A bill for an act modifying provisions related to the harassment or bullying of students enrolled in school districts or accredited nonpublic schools.(See HF 865.)

IA SF211

A bill for an act relating to the administration of the statewide summative assessment of student progress to students of online schools by school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, and charter schools.(Formerly SSB 1025.)

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.