HOUSE FILE 420

BY  BALTIMORE

A BILL FOR

An Act requiring that public schools and accredited nonpublic schools cause the pledge of allegiance to be recited each school day.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

   Section 1.  Section 280.5, Code 2011, is amended to read as follows:
   280.5  Display of United States flag and Iowa state flag —— recitation of pledge of allegiance.
   1.  The board of directors of each public school district and the authorities in charge of each nonpublic school shall provide and maintain a suitable flagstaff on each school site under its control, and the United States flag and the Iowa state flag shall be raised on all school days when weather conditions are suitable.
   2.  The board of directors of each public school and the authorities in charge of each nonpublic school shall cause the pledge of allegiance to be recited each school day. Persons reciting the pledge of allegiance shall stand holding their right hand over their heart. A student shall not be compelled, against the student’s objections or those of the student’s parent or guardian, to recite the pledge of allegiance, but shall be required to maintain a respectful silence. A nonpublic school is exempt from this requirement if the authorities in charge of a nonpublic school determine that this requirement conflicts with the school’s religious doctrines.
EXPLANATION
   This bill requires the board of directors of each public school and the authorities in charge of each accredited nonpublic school to cause the pledge of allegiance to be recited each school day. Persons reciting the pledge of allegiance must stand holding their right hand over their heart. A student shall not be compelled against the student’s objections, or those of the student’s parent or guardian, to recite the pledge, but shall be required to maintain a respectful silence. A nonpublic school is exempted if the requirement conflicts with the school’s religious doctrines.