(Des Moines) A bill that was prompted by the alleged abuse of an Urbandale student is making progress.
Paige Petek said school staff watched as her special-needs son Keaton was banging his head on a floor in 2023 and that his special ed teacher pushed him down the hall with her foot.
During a hearing on Monday, Petek told a House subcommittee that she attempted to file a report with the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services but was told it was outside their jurisdiction. That could change under House file 186 as it would expand the definition of caregiver to include teachers and school employees, and the department could place school staff on leave while they investigate abuse claims. The bill has passed the House subcommittee, and it’s being advanced to the full committee.
In other legislative action, rules are now set for an Iowa law that restricts graphic sexual content in books in K-6 school libraries and classrooms after time for public comment.
Schools are required to follow the law, Senate File 496 that restricts graphic sexual content in books for grades K through 6. They must publish a comprehensive list of books available in the school library. It also bans teaching or promoting gender identity and sexual orientation to K-6 students.
