SF 443 (LSB 1316SV (2) 87)

SENATE FILE 443

BY  COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

(SUCCESSOR TO SSB 1114)

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to children’s residential facility certification requirements and care furnished by bona fide religious institutions, and including effective date provisions.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 282.34, Code 2017, is amended by adding the following new subsection:
   NEW SUBSECTION.  4A.  Subsection 1, paragraph “a”, relating to the provision of an educational program and appropriate education services, shall not apply to a children’s residential facility operated by a bona fide religious institution if the facility was in operation prior to the effective date of this Act.
    Sec. 2.  EFFECTIVE UPON ENACTMENT.  This Act, being deemed of immediate importance, takes effect upon enactment.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   This bill exempts certain bona fide religious institutions operating children’s residential facilities from a requirement that such facilities provide an educational program and appropriate education services to children residing in the facility by contracting with the school district in which the facility is located, or with an accredited nonpublic school, or becoming accredited as a nonpublic school.
   The exemption applies to a children’s residential facility operated by a bona fide religious institution only if the facility was in operation prior to the effective date of the bill.
   The bill takes effect upon enactment.