House File 167 HOUSE FILE BY CONNORS Passed House, Date Passed Senate, Date Vote: Ayes Nays Vote: Ayes Nays Approved A BILL FOR 1 An Act encouraging school districts and accredited nonpublic 2 schools to adopt a religious and cultural tolerance curriculum 3 for students in kindergarten through grade twelve. 4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA: 5 TLSB 2162HH 80 6 kh/pj/5 PAG LIN 1 1 Section 1. Section 280.6, Code 2003, is amended to read as 1 2 follows: 1 3 280.6 RELIGIOUS BOOKS == INTENT == TOLERANCE CURRICULUM. 1 4 1. Religious books such as the Bible, the Torah, and the 1 5 Koran shall not be excluded from any public school or 1 6 institution in the state, nor shall any child be required to 1 7 read such religious books contrary to the wishes of the 1 8 child's parent or guardian. 1 9 2. It is the intent of the general assembly to encourage 1 10 the boards of directors of school districts and the 1 11 authorities in charge of nonpublic schools to adopt a 1 12 curriculum that teaches students in kindergarten through grade 1 13 twelve about the religions and cultures of the world in a 1 14 manner that does not inculcate or otherwise impose beliefs but 1 15 instead enables students to learn about and develop a respect 1 16 for different religions and cultures, thereby creating an 1 17 understanding of the rights and freedoms people share and 1 18 engendering the will to protect those rights and freedoms. 1 19 EXPLANATION 1 20 This bill states the intent of the general assembly to 1 21 encourage school districts and accredited nonpublic schools to 1 22 adopt a curriculum that teaches students in kindergarten 1 23 through grade 12 about the religions and cultures of the world 1 24 so that students can develop a respect for different religions 1 25 and cultures and an understanding of, and engendering the will 1 26 to protect, the rights and freedoms people share. 1 27 LSB 2162HH 80 1 28 kh/pj/5 1 29 1 30 1 31 1 32 1 33 1 34 1 35