House File 2315 - Introduced HOUSE FILE 2315 BY SORENSON A BILL FOR An Act relating to compliance with state physical education and 1 health course standards by school districts and accredited 2 nonpublic schools. 3 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA: 4 TLSB 6040YH (2) 83 kh/sc

H.F. 2315 Section 1. Section 256.11, subsection 6, paragraph a, Code 1 Supplement 2009, is amended to read as follows: 2 a. A pupil is not required to enroll in either physical 3 education or health courses, or meet the requirements of 4 paragraph “b” or “c” , if the pupil’s parent or guardian files a 5 written statement with the school principal that the course or 6 activity conflicts with the pupil’s religious belief beliefs . 7 Upon written request, the board of directors of each school 8 district shall make all textbooks, pamphlets, teaching aids, 9 and videos used for school district physical education or 10 health courses or related activities available for inspection 11 at reasonable times by a student, or the parent or guardian 12 of a student, enrolled in the school district at least three 13 months prior to the start of the school calendar. 14 Sec. 2. Section 256.11, subsection 6, Code Supplement 2009, 15 is amended by adding the following new paragraph: 16 NEW PARAGRAPH . d. Notwithstanding any provision of this 17 section to the contrary, a nonpublic school is not required to 18 teach physical education or health courses or provide related 19 activities if the nonpublic school submits a written statement 20 to the state board that such a course or activity conflicts 21 with the religious beliefs under which the nonpublic school 22 exists or is affiliated. 23 EXPLANATION 24 This bill exempts a nonpublic school from the physical 25 education and health activities and teaching requirements under 26 the state educational standards if the nonpublic school submits 27 a written statement to the state board of education that such 28 a course or activity conflicts with the religious beliefs 29 under which the nonpublic school exists or is affiliated. The 30 bill also requires school districts upon written request, at 31 reasonable times, and at least three months prior to the start 32 of the school calendar, to make available for inspection by 33 a student or parent or guardian of a student enrolled in the 34 district, all textbooks, pamphlets, teacher aids, and videos 35 -1- LSB 6040YH (2) 83 kh/sc 1/ 2

H.F. 2315 used for the school district’s physical education or health 1 courses or related activities. 2 -2- LSB 6040YH (2) 83 kh/sc 2/ 2