SF 2219 (LSB 5971SV (2) 91)

SENATE FILE 2219

BY  COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

(SUCCESSOR TO SSB 3041)

(As Amended and Passed by the Senate 2026-02-23)

A BILL FOR

An Act requiring boards of directors of school districts, governing boards of charter schools, and authorities in charge of accredited nonpublic schools to adopt policies related to exempting student absences for 4-H club or FFA activities.
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.  0w.  Be subject to and comply with the requirements of section 299.1, subsection 5, relating to absences from school because of involvement in an activity or project sponsored by a 4-H club or the FFA in the same manner as a school district.
    Sec. 2.  Section 299.1, Code 2026, is amended by adding the following new subsection:
   NEW SUBSECTION.  5.  The board of directors of each public school district and the governing body of each accredited nonpublic school shall adopt a policy that requires the school district or the accredited nonpublic school to grant a student an exempt absence when the student is absent from school because of the student’s involvement in an activity or project sponsored by a 4-H club or the FFA. The policy shall also require the school district or accredited nonpublic school to allow a student who is absent from school because of the student’s involvement in an activity or project sponsored by a 4-H club or the FFA to make up any classwork the student was not able to complete as a result of the absence.