A bill for an act requiring boards of directors of school districts, governing boards of charter schools, and authorities in charge of accredited nonpublic schools to adopt policies related to exempting student absences for school-sponsored activities, programs, competitions, and projects. (Formerly SSB 3041.) Effective date: 07/01/2026
Subcommittee members: Hora-CH, Behn, Madison
Date: Monday, March 9, 2026
Time: 1:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Location: House Lounge
Names and comments are public records. Remaining information is considered a confidential record.
Comments Submitted:
03-08-2026
Grace Rogers
This seems like a continuation of last year's slippery slope started by excusing absences for religious instruction. I agree, if the event is schoolrelated (for example travelling during the day for a statewide honor choir) then the school might choose to count that as excused. I fear that mandating more reasons for excused absences will only put less value on the instruction time that children need. Interested to see where this goes.
03-09-2026
Tom Chapman[Iowa Catholic Conference]
The Iowa Catholic Conference is registered in opposition to the bill, not due to any objection to 4H or FFA, but because we believe the state should not dictate which organizations nonpublic schools must grant exempted absences for.
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