This bill amends various provisions related to education in Iowa, specifically focusing on private instruction, world language instruction, dual enrollment, and the tuition and textbook tax credit. Key changes include the removal of the requirement for parents to provide evidence of immunizations and blood lead tests when placing a child under competent private instruction for the first time. The bill also modifies the reporting requirements for private instruction, allowing for a more flexible outline of the course of study and removing the cap on the number of unrelated students in independent private instruction. Additionally, it clarifies that diplomas or credentials from private instruction programs will be treated equally to traditional high school diplomas.

In terms of world language instruction, the bill prohibits the incorporation of gender-neutral language in teaching languages that utilize a grammatical gender system. Furthermore, it increases the tuition tax credit from 25% to 50% of the first $2,000 paid for tuition and textbooks for dependents in grades K-12 receiving private instruction or attending accredited schools. This change is retroactively applicable to tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2025. Overall, the bill aims to enhance educational flexibility and support for families opting for private instruction while ensuring equitable treatment of educational credentials.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 299.4, 299A.2, 299A.8, 256.183, 256E.7, 256.11