SF 209 (LSB 1908SV (1) 88)

SENATE FILE 209

BY  COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

(SUCCESSOR TO SSB 1043)

A BILL FOR

An Act to require school districts and accredited nonpublic schools to offer high school students an opportunity to take the United States citizenship and immigration services naturalization civics test, and including applicability provisions.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 256.9, Code 2019, is amended by adding the following new subsection:
   NEW SUBSECTION.  60.  Approve alternative civics tests to be administered under section 280.9A, subsection 1A.
    Sec. 2.  Section 280.9A, Code 2019, is amended by adding the following new subsection:
   NEW SUBSECTION.  1A.  The board of directors of each school district and the authorities in charge of each nonpublic school shall offer to all students in grades nine through twelve at least one opportunity to take the latest available United States citizenship and immigration services naturalization civics test. An alternative civics test approved by the director of the department of education under section 256.9, subsection 60, may be administered to a child requiring special education as defined in section 256B.2, or to a student who is identified as limited English proficient under section 280.4, subsection 1.
    Sec. 3.  APPLICABILITY.  This Act applies to school years beginning on or after July 1, 2020.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   This bill requires school districts and accredited nonpublic schools to offer to all students in grades 9-12 opportunities to take the latest available United States citizenship and immigration services naturalization civics test. 
   The director of the department of education is directed to approve alternative civics tests which may be administered to a child requiring special education or to a student who is identified as limited English proficient.
   The bill applies to school years beginning on or after July 1, 2020.