SF 2219 (LSB 5971SV (5) 91)

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. 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 256E.7, subsection 2, Code 2026, is amended by adding the following new paragraph:
   NEW PARAGRAPH.  0w.  Be subject to and comply with the requirements of section 299.1, subsection 5, relating to absences from school because of involvement in a school-sponsored activity, program, competition, or project in the same manner as a school district.
    Sec. 2.  Section 299.1, Code 2026, is amended by adding the following new subsection:
   NEW SUBSECTION.  5.  The board of directors of each public school district and the governing body of each accredited nonpublic school shall adopt a policy that requires the school district or the accredited nonpublic school to grant a student an exempt absence when the student is absent from school because of the student’s involvement in a school-sponsored activity, program, competition, or project. The policy shall also require the school district or accredited nonpublic school to allow a student who is absent from school because of the student’s involvement in a school-sponsored activity, program, competition, or project to make up any classwork the student was not able to complete as a result of the absence.

______________________________
AMY SINCLAIR
President of the Senate

______________________________
PAT GRASSLEY
Speaker of the House

   I hereby certify that this bill originated in the Senate and is known as Senate File 2219, Ninety-first General Assembly.

______________________________
W. CHARLES SMITHSON
Secretary of the Senate

Approved _______________, 2026

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KIM REYNOLDS
Governor