HSB 30 (LSB 1620YC (6) 91)

HOUSE FILE _____ 

BY  (PROPOSED COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION BILL BY CHAIRPERSON WHEELER)

A BILL FOR

An Act requiring students to pass the United States citizenship and immigration services naturalization civics test as a condition of high school graduation and high school equivalency diplomas.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 259A.1, Code 2025, is amended to read as follows:
   259A.1  Assessment of competency.
   The department of education shall cause to be made available for qualified individuals a high school equivalency diploma. The diploma shall be issued on the basis of demonstrated to qualified individuals who successfully pass the civics examination as set forth in section 280.9A, and demonstrate competence in all of the following core areas: reading, language arts, literacy, mathematics, science, and social studies.
    Sec. 2.  Section 280.9A, Code 2025, is amended by adding the following new subsection:
   NEW SUBSECTION.  1A.  a.  Commencing with the school year beginning July 1, 2026, the board of directors of each local public school district and the authorities in charge of each nonpublic school shall require that all students in grades nine through twelve attain, as a condition of graduation, a passing score on an assessment that consists of the multiple choice questions contained in the most recent version of the civics test developed by the United States citizenship and immigration services.
   b.  A student must answer at least sixty percent of the questions on the assessment described in paragraph “a” correctly to attain a passing score. A student who fails to answer at least sixty percent of the questions on such assessment correctly may retake the assessment as many times as is necessary.
   c.  The board of directors of a local public school district or the authorities in charge of an accredited nonpublic school shall not impose or collect any fee in connection with the administration of the assessment described in paragraph “a”.
   d.  The state board of education shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 17A to administer this subsection.
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 students to pass the United States citizenship and immigration services naturalization civics test as a condition of high school graduation and high school equivalency diplomas.
   The bill provides that the board of directors of each local public school district and the authorities in charge of each nonpublic school are to require, commencing with the school year beginning July 1, 2026, all students in grades 9 through 12 to attain, as a condition of graduation, a passing score on an assessment that consists of the multiple choice questions contained in the most recent version of the civics test developed by the United States citizenship and immigration services. A student must answer at least 60 percent of the questions on the assessment correctly to attain a passing score. A student who fails to answer at least 60 percent of the questions on the assessment correctly may retake the assessment as many times as is necessary. The bill prohibits school districts and accredited nonpublic schools from imposing or collecting any fee in connection with the administration of the assessment. The bill requires the state board of education to adopt rules to administer these provisions. The bill provides that individuals seeking a high school equivalency diploma must also pass such an examination.