1. The general assembly finds and declares that the students and the administrative and instructional staffs of Iowa's public schools have the right to be safe and secure at school. Gang-related apparel worn at school draws attention away from the school's learning environment and directs it toward thoughts or expressions of violence, bigotry, hate, and abuse.

2. The board of directors of a school district may adopt, for the district or for an individual school within the district, a dress code policy that prohibits students from wearing gang-related or other specific apparel if the board determines that the policy is necessary for the health, safety, or positive educational environment of students and staff in the school environment or for the appropriate discipline and operation of the school. Adoption and enforcement of a dress code policy is not a violation of section 280.22.

The board of directors of each school district shall adopt, in collaboration with teachers and administrative staff employed by the school district, policies for different grade levels that describe how a school district may discipline a student for making a threat of violence or causing an incident of violence that results in injury or property damage or assault. All of the following shall apply to the policies:  

1. The policies must incorporate strategies that are designed to correct the student’s behavior.  

2. The policies must provide for parent or guardian conferences, counseling sessions, or mental health counseling sessions, when appropriate. The policies must provide that the school district must receive the prior written consent of the student’s parent or guardian before requiring the student to participate in a counseling session or a mental health counseling session.  

3. The policies must be consistent with the provisions of chapter 256B, the administrative rules adopted by the state board for purposes of chapter 256B, the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 20 U.S.C. §1400 et seq., and the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended and codified in 29 U.S.C. §701 et seq.  

4. The policies must provide for escalating levels of discipline each time the student makes a threat of violence or causes an incident of violence that results in injury or property damage or assault.  

5. The policies must allow for the school district to select the level of discipline that the school district determines corresponds to the severity of the threat of violence or incident of violence.  

6. The policies must allow the school district to suspend the student, permanently remove the student from a particular class, expel the student, or place the student in an alternative learning environment, including a therapeutic classroom, when appropriate.  

7. The policies must require an individualized education program meeting if the student who made the threat of violence or caused the incident of violence that resulted in injury or property damage or assault has an individualized education program.  

8. The policies must be published on the school district’s internet site and in applicable student handbooks.

The board of directors of a school district shall review and modify existing policies related to student discipline and student conduct that are designed to promote responsible behavior on school property and at school functions in order that the policy shall govern the conduct of students, teachers and other school personnel, and visitors; provide opportunities for students to exercise self-discipline and practice cooperative classroom behavior; and encourage students and practitioners to model fairness, equity, and respect. The policy shall specify the responsibilities of students, parents and guardians, and practitioners in creating an atmosphere where all individuals feel a sense of respect, safety, and belonging, and shall set forth the consequences for unacceptable behavior. The policy shall be published in the student handbook.

3. Policy. On or before September 1, 2007, the board of directors of a school district and the authorities in charge of each accredited nonpublic school shall adopt a policy declaring harassment and bullying in schools, on school property, and at any school function, or school-sponsored activity regardless of its location, in a manner consistent with this section, as against state and school policy.

2. a. The board of directors of a public school district or the governing body of an accredited nonpublic school shall set the number of days or hours of required attendance for the schools under its control.

b. The board of directors of a public school district or the governing body of an accredited nonpublic school may, by resolution, require attendance for the entire time when the schools are in session in any school year.

3. The board of directors of a public school district shall adopt a policy related to absenteeism and truancy. The policy may contain attendance requirements that are more stringent than the attendance requirements established under this chapter.

4. a. The board of directors of a public school district shall adopt a policy or rules relating to children who are chronically absent. The policy or rules must contain provisions that clearly explain all of the following:

(1) How the board of directors determines whether a child is chronically absent.

(2) The different interventions that the board of directors may use when a child is chronically absent.

(3) The different penalties associated with a child being chronically absent.

b. The policy or rules adopted by the board of directors of a public school district pursuant to paragraph “a” must not apply to any child:

(1) Who has completed the requirements for graduation in a public school district or has obtained a high school equivalency diploma under chapter 259A.

(2) Who is excused for sufficient reason by any court of record or judge.

(3) While attending religious services or receiving religious instructions.

(4) Who is unable to attend school due to legitimate medical reasons.

(5) Who has an individualized education program that affects the child’s attendance.

(6) Who has a plan under section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act, 29 U.S.C. §794, that affects the child’s attendance. 

The board of directors of a public school district or the authorities in charge of an accredited nonpublic school shall prescribe reasonable rules for the punishment of truants.

12.3(6) Student responsibility and discipline. The board shall adopt student responsibility and discipline policies as required by Iowa Code section 279.8. The board shall involve parents, students, instructional and noninstructional professional staff, and community members in the development and revision of those policies where practicable or unless specific policy is mandated by legislation. The policies shall relate to the educational purposes of the school or school district. The policies shall include, but are not limited to, the following: attendance; use of tobacco; the use or possession of alcoholic beverages or any controlled substance; harassment of or by students and staff as detailed in subrule 12.3(13); violent, destructive, and seriously disruptive behavior; suspension, expulsion, emergency removal, weapons, and physical restraint; out-of-school behavior; participation in extracurricular activities; academic progress; and citizenship.