All Roll Calls
Yes: 143 • No: 2
IowaHF 87091st General Assembly (2025–2026)House
A bill for an act relating to students who attend a course in religious instruction that is provided by a private organization, including by modifying provisions related to compulsory education and chronic absenteeism. (Formerly HSB 218.) Effective date: 07/01/2025.
Sponsored By: COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION
Signed by Governor
education
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Students gain school time for religious classes
Beginning July 1, 2025, Iowa public schools and accredited nonpublic schools must excuse requested time for private religious instruction. The allowed time is at least one hour and no more than five hours per week. A parent, guardian, or custodian must notify the school; an emancipated student can give their own notice. To use this option, students must agree to make up missed schoolwork. The private group must keep attendance records, provide them to the school, and assume liability for students while attending. Transportation must come from the group, a parent, guardian, custodian, or the student—not the school district. Classes cannot use district property without school board approval, and districts can pay only minimal notice-processing and attendance-tracking costs. Qualifying absences are exempt from compulsory attendance requirements and do not count toward chronic absenteeism: missing more than 10% of the grading period’s school days or hours. Parents, guardians, custodians, or emancipated students can sue a district that violates these rights, seeking a court order and actual damages. If the claimant wins, the court must award reasonable court costs and attorney fees.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION
Affiliation unavailable
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 4/15/2025
Passed Senate
Yes: 47 • No: 0
House vote • 3/18/2025
Passed House
Yes: 96 • No: 2
Actions Timeline
Signed by Governor.
6/6/2025HouseReported correctly enrolled, signed by Speaker and President, and sent to Governor.
5/19/2025HouseMessage from Senate.
4/16/2025HouseImmediate message.
4/15/2025SenatePassed Senate, yeas 47, nays 0.
4/15/2025SenatePlaced on calendar under unfinished business.
4/10/2025SenatePlaced on calendar.
3/31/2025legislatureCommittee report, recommending passage.
3/31/2025SenateSubcommittee recommends passage.
3/27/2025legislatureSubcommittee Meeting: 03/27/2025 8:30AM Senate Lounge.
3/26/2025SenateSubcommittee: Pike, Green, and Trone Garriott.
3/26/2025SenateRead first time, referred to Education.
3/19/2025SenateMessage from House.
3/19/2025SenateImmediate message.
3/18/2025HousePassed House, yeas 96, nays 2.
3/18/2025HouseAmendment H-1097 adopted.
3/18/2025HouseAmendment H-1097 filed.
3/17/2025HouseIntroduced, placed on calendar.
3/7/2025House
Bill Text
As Introduced
Enrolled
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