A bill for an act relating to education, including by modifying provisions related to the protected speech and expression rights of students enrolled in school districts, charter schools, and innovation zone schools and the duties of the department of education, and providing civil penalties.

HF 2106 requires all Iowa public school districts, charter schools (under chapters 256E and 256F), and innovation zone schools to annually distribute U.S. Department of Education guidance on constitutionally protected religious expression to staff and students. It mandates schools to adopt model policies ensuring compliance with federal religious expression standards, provide staff training on these standards, and publish the guidance online. The bill prohibits schools from discriminating against students based on religious, political, or ideological speech in activities like classroom discussions, assignments, clubs, or clothing, as long as it follows the same rules as other student expression. Schools failing to comply face civil penalties of at least $5,000 per violation, payable to the affected student or club. This law directly affects all K-12 public schools in Iowa and their policies regarding student speech rights.