This bill addresses the discipline of students exhibiting disorderly conduct in classrooms across school districts, charter schools, and innovation zone schools in Iowa. It introduces a new section, 279.65B, which defines "disorderly conduct" and outlines the procedures for teachers to exclude students from their classrooms for such behavior. Teachers are empowered to place students under the supervision of the principal if they engage in disorderly conduct, threaten or intimidate others, or use abusive language. The bill mandates that students in grades K-5 cannot be readmitted to the classroom without written notice from the principal, while students in grades 6-12 must wait until the next school day for readmission. Additionally, if a student is excluded three times in a 30-day period, the principal must take disciplinary action, which may include suspension or placement in an alternative learning environment.

The bill also establishes protections for teachers, allowing them to appeal decisions made by principals regarding student exclusions and readmissions without fear of disciplinary action against them. It grants immunity to school employees from civil or criminal liability for physical contact made while addressing student conduct, provided it complies with existing laws. Furthermore, if a teacher is injured due to a student's disorderly conduct, they are entitled to a paid leave of absence for recovery. The bill emphasizes the need for school policies to align with its provisions and ensures that teachers' actions in maintaining classroom safety are presumed necessary in any legal proceedings.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 256E.7, 279.65B