The bill modifies Iowa's education laws to enhance the distribution of guidance on constitutionally protected prayer and religious expression in public schools. It mandates the Department of Education to annually distribute updated guidance from the U.S. Department of Education to school superintendents and principals, who must then share this information with their boards and teachers, as well as publish it on the department's website. Additionally, the bill introduces a professional development training program for school districts and charter schools and establishes a model policy to ensure compliance with federal standards regarding religious expression. It also protects students' rights to engage in religious, political, or ideological speech, prohibiting discrimination based on their viewpoints and allowing for civil penalties against non-compliant school districts.

Furthermore, the bill amends existing laws related to funding and definitions of textbooks and tuition for accredited nonpublic schools. It removes the requirement that textbooks be nonsectarian and nonreligious, allowing the Department of Education to determine funding amounts for these schools. The bill clarifies that textbooks include instructional materials for extracurricular activities and eliminates previous exclusions for materials related to religious teachings. It also revises penalties for county officers who violate certain provisions and includes a retroactive applicability clause for specific sections, effective from January 1, 2026, for tax years beginning on or after that date.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 261A.34, 261E.6, 261E.8, 331.901, 422.12
Enrolled: 256.9, 279.89, 256C.4, 261E.6, 261E.8, 331.901, 422.12