Print
House File 285 - IntroducedA Bill ForAn Act 1relating to excused absences for certain autism-related
2health care activities for students of a school district.
3BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:
1 Section 1. Section 299.1, Code 2023, is amended by adding
2the following new subsection:
3 NEW SUBSECTION. 3. Policies and rules adopted by a board of
4directors of a public school district pursuant to this section
5shall include excusing the absence of a student who has been
6diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder as defined in section
7514C.28, subsection 2, to do any of the following:
8a. Attend an appointment with a health care practitioner.
9b. Receive services generally recognized to assist people
10with autism spectrum disorder including applied behavioral
11analysis, speech therapy, and occupational therapy.
12c. Travel to an appointment or receive services as described
13in paragraph “a” or “b”.
14EXPLANATION
15The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
16the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
17This bill requires the policies and rules adopted by a public
18school district’s board of directors to include excusing the
19absence of a student diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder
20to attend an appointment with a health care practitioner; to
21receive services generally recognized to assist people with
22autism spectrum disorder including applied behavioral analysis,
23speech therapy, and occupational therapy; or to travel to these
24appointments or services. The bill’s requirements do not
25extend to charter schools or nonpublic schools.
-1-dg/jh
2health care activities for students of a school district.
3BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:
1 Section 1. Section 299.1, Code 2023, is amended by adding
2the following new subsection:
3 NEW SUBSECTION. 3. Policies and rules adopted by a board of
4directors of a public school district pursuant to this section
5shall include excusing the absence of a student who has been
6diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder as defined in section
7514C.28, subsection 2, to do any of the following:
8a. Attend an appointment with a health care practitioner.
9b. Receive services generally recognized to assist people
10with autism spectrum disorder including applied behavioral
11analysis, speech therapy, and occupational therapy.
12c. Travel to an appointment or receive services as described
13in paragraph “a” or “b”.
14EXPLANATION
15The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
16the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
17This bill requires the policies and rules adopted by a public
18school district’s board of directors to include excusing the
19absence of a student diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder
20to attend an appointment with a health care practitioner; to
21receive services generally recognized to assist people with
22autism spectrum disorder including applied behavioral analysis,
23speech therapy, and occupational therapy; or to travel to these
24appointments or services. The bill’s requirements do not
25extend to charter schools or nonpublic schools.
-1-dg/jh