SF 369 — A bill for an act requiring students to pass the United States citizenship and immigration services naturalization civics test as a condition of high school graduation and high school equivalency diplomas.

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A 1 B I , Z ' I,., 1IIU JV1 2I I I 1 1!?I VIi.ltl II.I I IIIV Senate File 369 AN ACT REQUIRING STUDENTS TO PASS THE UNITED STATES CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION SERVICES NATURALIZATION CIVICS TEST AS A CONDITION OF HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION AND HIGH SCHOOL EQUIVALENCY DIPLOMAS.

Section 11. .

NEW SUBSECTION.SUBSECTION .

On or before the January 31 immediately subsequent to each general election which is a presidential election, update the test described in paragraph 'a'“a” and distribute the updated test to school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, charter schools, and innovation zone schools.

NEW SUBSECTION.SUBSECTION .

Study the relationship between high school graduation rates and the number of students who attain a passing score on the civics test described in section 280.9A, subsection 1A,lA, and submit a report that contains the results of the study to the general assembly on or before June 30, 2029.

This subsection is repealed July 11, , 2029.

22. .

Section 256E.7, subsection 22, , Code 2025, is amended Senate File 369, pp. .

NEW PARAGRAPH.PARAGRAPH .

O.0r.

Be subject to and comply with the requirements of section 280.9A, subsection 1A,lA, related to the administration of a civics test in the same manner as a school district.

Section 256F.4, subsection 2, Code 2025, iis s amended by adding the following new paragraph:

NEW PARAGRAPH.PARAGRAPH .

Ber. subject to and comply with the requirements of section 280.9A, subsection 1A, related to the administration of a civics test in the same manner as a school district.

Be subject to and comply with the requirements of section 280.9A, subsection lA, related to the administration of a civics test in the same manner as a school district.

The diploma shall be issued enon the basis efof defaenstraÇe-ddemonstrated to qualified individuals who successfully pass the civics test as set forth in section 280.9A, and demonstrate competence in all of the following core areas:

NEW SUBSECTION.SUBSECTION .

Commencing with the school year beginning July 11, , 2026, the board of directors of each local public school district and the authorities in charge of each accredited nonpublic school shall administer to students enrolled in grades nine through twelve the most recent version of the test distributed to the school district or accredited nonpublic school by the director of the department of education pursuant to section 256.9, subsection 69, in written or electronic format, and shall ensure that each student receives one passing score on the test as a condition of graduation.

A student must answer at least sixty percent of the questions on the test described in paragraph -a-“a” correctly Senate File 369, pp. .

The board of directors of a local public school district or the authorities in charge of an accredited nonpublic school shall not impose or collect any fee in connection with the administration of the test described in paragraph -a-.“a”.

(1) Modify the test described in paragraph "a“a” - for a student who has an individualized education program or a plan under section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act, 229 9 U.S.C.

(3) Modify the test described in paragraph -a-“a” for a student who is an English learner as defined in section 280.4.

On or before June 30 of each year, the board of directors of each local public school district and the authorities in charge of each accredited nonpublic school shall submit the results of the test described in paragraph a“a” - to the department of education.

•______________________________ •______________________________ elfe••• I4/_• / AMY SINCLSINCLAIR PAT GRASSLEY President of the Senate Speaker of the House I hereby certify that this bill originated in the Senate and is known as Senate File 369, Ninety-first General Assembly.

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CHARLES SMITHSON Secretary of the Senate Approved ,_______________, 2025 ______________________________ KIM REYNOLDS Governor