SF 138 Iowa Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

A bill for an act relating to elective social studies courses emphasizing religious scripture that school districts may offer and teach.

This bill allows Iowa public school districts to offer elective high school courses (grades 9-12) focused on biblical texts, including the Old Testament, New Testament, or both. School boards must approve such courses after a school improvement committee recommends them by majority vote. Courses must teach biblical content to help students understand culture and society, while strictly following religious neutrality rules - no endorsement of any faith, and students may use alternative Bible translations. The bill also permits displays of religious materials in class if educationally appropriate, without requiring students to engage with texts conflicting with their family's beliefs.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 27, 2025 Last action Mar 4, 2025
Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
5
Key actions
4
Committee
4
Mar 4, 2025
Upper · Passed
Committee report approving bill, renumbered as SF 510.
upper
Feb 13, 2025
Legislature · Passed
Subcommittee recommends passage.
legislature
Feb 3, 2025
Legislature · Passed
Subcommittee Meeting: 02/13/2025 8:00AM Room 315.
legislature
Jan 28, 2025
Upper · Passed
Subcommittee: Salmon, Campbell, and Trone Garriott.
upper
Jan 27, 2025
Introduced
Introduced, referred to Education.
upper
4 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors