SF 217 (LSB 1953XS (1) 91)

SENATE FILE 217

BY  TRONE GARRIOTT

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to surveys administered to students or school employees.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 256E.7, subsection 2, paragraph o, Code 2025, is amended by striking the paragraph.
    Sec. 2.  Section 256E.7, subsection 2, Code 2025, is amended by adding the following new paragraph:
   NEW PARAGRAPH.  0t.  Be subject to and comply with the requirements of section 280.36 relating to the administration of the Iowa youth survey in the same manner as a school district.
    Sec. 3.  Section 256F.4, subsection 2, paragraph m, Code 2025, is amended by striking the paragraph.
    Sec. 4.  Section 256F.4, subsection 2, Code 2025, is amended by adding the following new paragraph:
   NEW PARAGRAPH.  r.  Be subject to and comply with the requirements of section 280.36 relating to the administration of the Iowa youth survey in the same manner as a school district.
    Sec. 5.  NEW SECTION.  280.36  Iowa youth survey.
   The board of directors of each school district and the authorities in charge of each accredited nonpublic school shall do all of the following:
   1.  Assist the department of health and human services in the administration of the Iowa youth survey described in section 135.11, subsection 24.
   2.  Report the results of the administration of the Iowa youth survey to the department of education and the department of health and human services. The report shall not contain any personally identifiable information related to any student.
    Sec. 6.  REPEAL.  Section 279.79, Code 2025, is repealed.
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 surveys administered to students or school employees.
   The bill requires school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, charter schools, and innovation zone schools to assist the department of health and human services in the administration of the Iowa youth survey, which is administered every two years to students enrolled in grades 6, 8, and 11, and contains questions related to student health behaviors and experiences. Schools are required to report the results of the Iowa youth survey to the department of education and the department of health and human services.
   Current Code section 279.79 provides that school districts must receive the prior written consent of a student’s parent or guardian before requiring a student to take part in any survey, analysis, activity, or evaluation that reveals information concerning certain specified subjects. Current Code section 279.79 also prohibits an employee of a school district, or a contractor engaged by a school district, from answering any question pertaining to any particular student enrolled in the school district in any survey related to the social or emotional abilities, competencies, or characteristics of the student, unless the board of directors of the school district satisfies certain specified requirements. Charter schools and innovation zone schools are required to comply with the provisions of Code section 279.79. The bill repeals Code section 279.79 and strikes provisions requiring charter schools and innovation zone schools to comply with the provisions of Code section 279.79.