Library material—contents of complaint; application to mandatory district curriculum—gender theory, sexual orientation, 12.3

What it changes

Following appellate decisions allowing 2023 Iowa Acts, Senate File 496, to take effect (e.g., Iowa Safe Schools v. Reynolds, 172 F.4th 589 (8th Cir. 2026)), this proposed rulemaking provides further clarity in enforcement.

In the agency’s words, from the notice.

Carries out

• SF 496: A bill for an act relating to children and students, including establishing a parent's or guardian's right to make decisions affecting the parent's or guardian's child, authorizing the parent or guardian of a student enrolled in a school district to enroll the student in another attendance center within the same school district in certain specified circumstances, prohibiting instruction related to gender identity and sexual orientation in school districts, charter schools, and innovation zone schools in kindergarten through grade six, and modifying provisions related to student health screenings, school district library programs, the educational program provided to students enrolled in school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, and charter schools, other duties of school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, the department of education, the board of educational examiners, and the governing boards of charter schools and innovation zone schools, competent private instruction, and special education, and including effective date provisions. (Formerly SSB 1145.) Effective date: 05/26/2023, 07/01/2023.

Reviewed by legislators

• Administrative Rules Review Committee, Monday, September 14, 2026

The committee, ten legislators from both parties, can object to a rule or delay it.

Public hearings

• Tuesday, September 22, 2026

  8 to 9 a.m. Room B50Grimes State Office BuildingDes Moines, IowaVia videoconference: meet.google.com/bqq-inqz-hhaBy phone: 1.609.438.1406PIN: 271 490 390#

Rules and law it touches

• Rule 281-12.3(10)"c"
• Rule 281-12.3(15)"d"