Iowa law lets public school students attend private religious classes

Iowa Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds on Friday signed into law a measure that will allow parents to sign their children out of school for private faith-based classes. The legislation permits students to attend private religious courses provided by private organizations during the school day, as long as they do not miss more than 5 hours of regular schooling per week. State senators voted unanimously to pass the bill, while only two Democrats voted against the measure in the Iowa House of Representatives. The provision is due to take effect in July before the start of the next school year.

What else is included in the law? Religious organizations that offer courses will be required to keep attendance records and be liable for children’s safety while they take the classes. Meanwhile, the organization, parents, or the student will be responsible for transportation to and from the courses. Public schools will not be allowed to use funds or facilities to facilitate the courses. Parents will be able to take action against any school that does not allow students to leave for religious instruction. The law is consistent with a U.S. Supreme Court decision in 1952 that determined religious release time was in line with the Constitution, according to the Alliance Defending Freedom. States including Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Tennessee are among more than a dozen states with laws specifically allowing the practice, according to the organization Released Time Religious Education. In states without laws, parents can petition their child’s school to accommodate religious instruction.

Dig deeper: Read Kristen Waggoner’s opinion piece about a Supreme Court case regarding the nation’s first religious charter school.