HF 2329 (LSB 6139YH (3) 88)

HOUSE FILE 2329

BY  DONAHUE, GAINES, and STAED

A BILL FOR

An Act requiring annual volunteer service by high school students and including applicability provisions.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  NEW SECTION.  256.18B  Volunteer service requirement for high school students —— policy.
   1.  Commencing with the school year beginning July 1, 2020, the board of directors of each local public school district and the authorities in charge of each nonpublic school shall require, as a condition of graduation, that all students in grades nine through twelve complete a minimum of thirty-five hours of volunteer service per school year. Volunteer service performed at school functions or community activities or for nonprofit organizations shall be eligible for this requirement. Such volunteer service may include service that is performed for nonprofit organizations of a political or religious nature.
   2.  The board of directors of a school district and the authorities in charge of an accredited nonpublic school shall establish a policy for reporting and verifying hours of volunteer service as required by this section. The policy may provide for recognition of outstanding volunteer service by students.
   3.  Credit for hours of volunteer service may be transferred between school years and between school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, or both within a school year.
    Sec. 2.  APPLICABILITY.  This Act does not apply to academic years completed prior to the effective date of this Act.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   This bill requires as a condition of graduation that students in grades 9 through 12 in school districts and accredited nonpublic schools complete a minimum of 35 hours of volunteer service per school year commencing with the school year beginning July 1, 2020. Volunteer service performed at school functions or community activities or for nonprofit organizations shall be eligible for this requirement. Such volunteer service may include service that is performed for nonprofit organizations of a political or religious nature.
   The bill requires school boards and authorities in charge of accredited nonpublic schools to establish a policy for reporting and verifying hours of volunteer service. The policy may provide for recognition of outstanding volunteer service by students.
   The bill authorizes transfer of credit for hours of volunteer service between school years and between school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, or both within a school year.
   The bill does not apply to academic years completed prior to the effective date of the bill.