HF 2486 (LSB 5539HV (1) 91)

HOUSE FILE 2486

BY  COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

(SUCCESSOR TO HSB 681)

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to student dress code policies of public schools, charter schools, and innovation school zones, and including applicability provisions.
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.  0l.  Be subject to and comply with the requirements of section 279.58 relating to student dress code policies in the same manner as a school district.
    Sec. 2.  Section 256F.4, subsection 2, Code 2026, is amended by adding the following new paragraph:
   NEW PARAGRAPH.  v.  Be subject to and comply with the requirements of section 279.58 relating to student dress code policies in the same manner as a school district.
    Sec. 3.  Section 279.58, Code 2026, is amended by striking the section and inserting in lieu thereof the following:
   279.58  School dress code policies.
   1.  The board of directors of a public school district shall adopt a dress code policy for students in grades kindergarten through twelve requiring students to dress in attire that is all of the following:
   a.  Appropriate for an educational setting.
   b.  Presentable, promoting personal hygiene, neatness, and modesty.
   2.  The dress code policy required in this section must apply to all school-related activities, including regular school hours, extracurricular activities, and school-sponsored events, unless otherwise specified by the school district.
   3.  The dress code policy required in this section must include, at a minimum, all of the following requirements:
   a.  Clothing must be clean, in good repair, and free of language, symbols, or images that promote illegal activities.
   b.  Attire must adequately cover the body, and clothing that exposes undergarments or midriffs shall be prohibited.
   c.  Footwear must be worn at all times and shall be appropriate for the school environment to ensure safety and hygiene.
   d.  Accessories or attire, including gang-related attire, that the board of directors of a school district determine is disruptive to the health, safety, or positive educational environment of students and staff must be prohibited.
   4.  a.  The board of directors of a school district may establish additional dress code requirements tailored to the needs of its student population that are consistent with this section and do not infringe upon rights protected by the Constitution of the State of Iowa and the Constitution of the United States.
   b.  The board of directors of a school district may adopt uniform policies or specific attire guidelines, including requiring collared shirts, specific colors, or other standardized clothing, as determined to be appropriate by the board.
   5.  a.  The board of directors of a school district shall establish procedures for enforcing the dress code policy, including clear consequences for violations, which may include verbal warnings, parent or guardian notification, or other disciplinary actions consistent with the district’s student conduct policies.
   b.  The board of directors of a school district shall provide reasonable accommodations for students based on religious beliefs, medical needs, or other circumstances protected under state or federal law.
   6.  The dress code policy shall be clearly communicated to students and parents at the beginning of each school year and made publicly available on the school district’s internet site.
   7.  The dress code policy shall be applied uniformly to all students without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or any other characteristic protected under state or federal law.
    Sec. 4.  APPLICABILITY.  This Act applies to school years beginning on or after July 1, 2026.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   This bill relates to student dress code policies of school districts, charter schools, and innovation school zones. The bill requires that the board of directors of a public school district adopt a dress code policy applicable to students in kindergarten through grade 12. The bill provides that the dress code policy shall require that students dress in attire that is appropriate for an educational setting, presentable, and promotes personal hygiene, neatness, and modesty.
   The bill further establishes minimum standards that must be included in each school district’s dress code policy, including that clothing is clean, in good repair, adequately covers the body, and that footwear is worn at all times and appropriate for the school environment. The bill prohibits clothing that contains language, symbols, or images that promote illegal activities, and clothing that exposes undergarments or midriffs. Accessories or attire, including gang-related attire, that the board of directors of a school district determine is disruptive to the health, safety, or educational environment are also prohibited.
   The bill permits the board of directors of a school district to adopt additional dress code requirements and uniform policies, provided such requirements comply with the bill, the Constitution of the State of Iowa, and the Constitution of the United States. Each school district must establish enforcement procedures, including consequences for violations, and must provide reasonable accommodations for students based on religious beliefs, medical needs, or other circumstances protected by state or federal law.
   The bill requires that dress code policies be communicated to students and parents at the beginning of each school year and posted on the school district’s internet site. The bill requires dress code policies to be applied uniformly and without discrimination.
   The bill provides that charter schools and innovation school zones are subject to the requirements of the bill in the same manner as a school district. 
   The bill applies to school years beginning on or after July 1, 2026.