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House
File
851
-
Reprinted
HOUSE
FILE
851
BY
COMMITTEE
ON
STATE
GOVERNMENT
(SUCCESSOR
TO
HSB
173)
(COMPANION
TO
SF
525
BY
COMMITTEE
ON
AGRICULTURE)
(As
Amended
and
Passed
by
the
House
March
19,
2025
)
A
BILL
FOR
An
Act
relating
to
student
nutrition,
including
by
modifying
1
the
curricula
provided
to
students
enrolled
in
kindergarten
2
through
grade
twelve
to
include
instruction
related
to
3
nutrition,
modifying
provisions
related
to
the
agriculture,
4
food,
and
natural
resources
component
of
the
career
and
5
technical
education
instruction
provided
to
students
6
enrolled
in
grades
nine
through
twelve,
and
modifying
7
provisions
related
to
school
meal
programs,
and
including
8
effective
date
and
applicability
provisions.
9
BE
IT
ENACTED
BY
THE
GENERAL
ASSEMBLY
OF
THE
STATE
OF
IOWA:
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Section
1.
Section
256.11,
subsections
2,
3,
and
4,
Code
1
2025,
are
amended
to
read
as
follows:
2
2.
a.
The
kindergarten
program
shall
include
experiences
3
designed
to
develop
healthy
emotional
and
social
habits
and
4
growth
in
the
language
arts
and
communication
skills,
as
well
5
as
a
capacity
for
the
completion
of
individual
tasks,
and
6
protect
and
increase
physical
well-being
with
attention
given
7
to
experiences
relating
to
the
development
of
life
skills
and,
8
subject
to
section
279.80
,
age-appropriate
and
research-based
9
human
growth
and
development.
The
kindergarten
program
shall
10
also
include
instruction
related
to
nutrition
that
emphasizes
11
all
of
the
following:
12
(1)
The
importance
of
animal-based
protein,
dairy,
13
vegetables,
and
fruit.
14
(2)
The
nutritional
benefits
of
animal-based
protein,
15
dairy,
vegetables,
and
fruit.
16
(3)
The
role
that
animal-based
protein,
dairy,
vegetables,
17
and
fruit
play
in
a
balanced
diet.
18
b.
A
kindergarten
teacher
shall
be
licensed
to
teach
in
19
kindergarten.
20
c.
An
accredited
nonpublic
school
must
meet
the
requirements
21
of
this
subsection
only
if
the
nonpublic
school
offers
a
22
kindergarten
program;
provided,
however,
that
section
279.80
23
shall
not
apply
to
a
nonpublic
school.
24
3.
a.
The
following
areas
shall
be
taught
in
grades
25
one
through
six:
English-language
arts,
social
studies,
26
mathematics,
science,
health,
physical
education,
traffic
27
safety,
music,
visual
art,
and,
subject
to
section
279.80
,
28
age-appropriate
and
research-based
human
growth
and
29
development.
The
health
curriculum
shall
include
all
of
the
30
following:
31
(1)
The
characteristics
of
communicable
diseases.
32
(2)
Instruction
related
to
nutrition
that
emphasizes
all
of
33
the
following:
34
(a)
The
importance
of
animal-based
protein,
dairy,
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vegetables,
and
fruit.
1
(b)
The
nutritional
benefits
of
animal-based
protein,
2
dairy,
vegetables,
and
fruit.
3
(c)
The
role
that
animal-based
protein,
dairy,
vegetables,
4
and
fruit
play
in
a
balanced
diet.
5
b.
Computer
science
instruction
incorporating
the
standards
6
established
under
section
256.7,
subsection
26
,
paragraph
7
“a”
,
subparagraph
(4),
shall
be
offered
in
at
least
one
grade
8
level
commencing
with
the
school
year
beginning
July
1,
2023.
9
The
health
curriculum
shall
include
the
characteristics
of
10
communicable
diseases.
11
c.
The
state
board
as
part
of
accreditation
standards
shall
12
adopt
curriculum
definitions
for
implementing
the
elementary
13
program.
14
4.
a.
The
following
shall
be
taught
in
grades
seven
and
15
eight:
English-language
arts;
social
studies,
including
16
instruction
related
to
civics;
mathematics;
science;
17
health;
age-appropriate
and
research-based
human
growth
and
18
development;
career
exploration
and
development;
physical
19
education;
music;
and
visual
art.
20
(1)
Career
exploration
and
development
shall
be
designed
21
so
that
students
are
appropriately
prepared
to
create
an
22
individual
career
and
academic
plan
pursuant
to
section
23
279.61,
incorporate
foundational
career
and
technical
24
education
concepts
aligned
with
the
six
career
and
technical
25
education
service
areas
as
defined
in
subsection
5,
paragraph
26
“h”
,
incorporate
relevant
twenty-first
century
skills
to
27
facilitate
career
readiness,
and
introduce
students
to
career
28
opportunities
within
the
local
community
and
across
this
state.
29
This
subparagraph
shall
not
apply
to
the
teaching
of
career
30
exploration
and
development
in
nonpublic
schools.
31
(2)
The
health
curriculum
shall
include
all
of
the
32
following:
33
(a)
Age-appropriate
and
research-based
information
34
regarding
the
characteristics
of
sexually
transmitted
diseases.
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(b)
Instruction
related
to
nutrition
that
emphasizes
all
of
1
the
following:
2
(i)
The
importance
of
animal-based
protein,
dairy,
3
vegetables,
and
fruit.
4
(ii)
The
nutritional
benefits
of
animal-based
protein,
5
dairy,
vegetables,
and
fruit.
6
(iii)
The
role
that
animal-based
protein,
dairy,
7
vegetables,
and
fruit
play
in
a
balanced
diet.
8
b.
Computer
science
instruction
incorporating
the
standards
9
established
under
section
256.7,
subsection
26
,
paragraph
“a”
,
10
subparagraph
(4),
shall
be
offered
in
at
least
one
grade
level
11
commencing
with
the
school
year
beginning
July
1,
2023.
Career
12
exploration
and
development
shall
be
designed
so
that
students
13
are
appropriately
prepared
to
create
an
individual
career
14
and
academic
plan
pursuant
to
section
279.61
,
incorporate
15
foundational
career
and
technical
education
concepts
aligned
16
with
the
six
career
and
technical
education
service
areas
as
17
defined
in
subsection
5
,
paragraph
“h”
,
incorporate
relevant
18
twenty-first
century
skills
to
facilitate
career
readiness,
19
and
introduce
students
to
career
opportunities
within
the
20
local
community
and
across
this
state.
The
health
curriculum
21
shall
include
age-appropriate
and
research-based
information
22
regarding
the
characteristics
of
sexually
transmitted
diseases.
23
c.
The
state
board
as
part
of
accreditation
standards
shall
24
adopt
curriculum
definitions
for
implementing
the
program
in
25
grades
seven
and
eight.
However,
this
subsection
shall
not
26
apply
to
the
teaching
of
career
exploration
and
development
in
27
nonpublic
schools.
28
Sec.
2.
Section
256.11,
subsection
5,
paragraph
h,
29
subparagraph
(1),
subparagraph
division
(a),
Code
2025,
is
30
amended
to
read
as
follows:
31
(a)
Agriculture,
food,
and
natural
resources
,
which
32
shall
include
instruction
relating
to
food
production
and
the
33
benefits
of
local
sourcing
.
34
Sec.
3.
Section
256.11,
subsection
5,
paragraph
j,
35
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subparagraph
(1),
Code
2025,
is
amended
to
read
as
follows:
1
(1)
One
unit
of
health
education
which
may
include
personal
2
health;
food
and
nutrition;
environmental
health;
safety
and
3
survival
skills;
consumer
health;
family
life;
age-appropriate
4
and
research-based
human
growth
and
development;
substance
5
use
disorder
and
nonuse;
emotional
and
social
health;
health
6
resources;
cardiopulmonary
resuscitation;
and
prevention
7
and
control
of
disease,
including
age-appropriate
and
8
research-based
information
regarding
sexually
transmitted
9
diseases.
The
one
unit
of
health
education
shall
include
10
instruction
related
to
nutrition
that
emphasizes
all
of
the
11
following:
12
(a)
The
importance
of
animal-based
protein,
dairy,
13
vegetables,
and
fruit.
14
(b)
The
nutritional
benefits
of
animal-based
protein,
15
dairy,
vegetables,
and
fruit.
16
(c)
The
role
that
animal-based
protein,
dairy,
vegetables,
17
and
fruit
play
in
a
balanced
diet.
18
Sec.
4.
Section
256E.7,
subsection
2,
paragraph
g,
Code
19
2025,
is
amended
by
adding
the
following
new
subparagraphs:
20
NEW
SUBPARAGRAPH
.
(01)
The
educational
standards
21
established
in
section
256.11,
subsections
2,
3,
and
4,
and
22
section
256.11,
subsection
5,
paragraph
“j”
,
subparagraph
(1),
23
related
to
instruction
on
nutrition.
24
NEW
SUBPARAGRAPH
.
(3)
The
educational
standards
25
established
in
section
256.11,
subsection
5,
paragraph
“h”
,
26
subparagraph
(1),
subparagraph
division
(a),
related
to
27
instruction
relating
to
food
production
and
the
benefits
of
28
local
sourcing.
29
Sec.
5.
Section
256F.4,
subsection
2,
Code
2025,
is
amended
30
by
adding
the
following
new
paragraphs:
31
NEW
PARAGRAPH
.
0p.
Be
subject
to
and
comply
with
the
32
requirements
of
section
256.11,
subsections
2,
3,
and
4,
and
33
section
256.11,
subsection
5,
paragraph
“j”
,
subparagraph
(1),
34
related
to
instruction
on
nutrition
in
the
same
manner
as
a
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school
district.
1
NEW
PARAGRAPH
.
r.
Be
subject
to
and
comply
with
the
2
requirements
of
section
256.11,
subsection
5,
paragraph
3
“h”
,
subparagraph
(1),
subparagraph
division
(a),
related
to
4
instruction
relating
to
food
production
and
the
benefits
of
5
local
sourcing
in
the
same
manner
as
a
school
district.
6
Sec.
6.
NEW
SECTION
.
283A.14
Application
for
waiver
——
7
updated
nutritional
guidelines
——
joint
committee.
8
1.
The
general
assembly
finds
and
declares
all
of
the
9
following:
10
a.
The
nutritional
needs
and
cultural
preferences
of
11
the
students
in
Iowa
might
be
better
served
by
localizing
12
nutritional
standards.
13
b.
Unique
regional
food
sources,
including
corn,
pork,
and
14
dairy,
are
not
adequately
addressed
by
federal
guidelines.
15
c.
Flexibility
in
nutritional
standards
can
enhance
the
16
ability
of
schools
to
provide
meals
that
are
both
nutritious
17
and
appealing
to
students,
which
may
increase
student
18
participation
in
school
breakfast
and
lunch
programs.
19
2.
Within
ninety
days
after
the
effective
date
of
this
Act,
20
the
department
of
education
shall
apply
for
a
waiver
under
the
21
provisions
of
the
federal
National
School
Lunch
Act
of
1966,
42
22
U.S.C.
§1751
et
seq.,
and
the
federal
Child
Nutrition
Act
of
23
1966,
42
U.S.C.
§1771
et
seq.,
to
request
all
of
the
following:
24
a.
An
exemption
from
sodium
limits,
whole
grain
25
requirements,
and
fruit
and
vegetable
variety
stipulations
in
26
school
breakfast
and
lunch
programs.
27
b.
Permission
to
substitute
or
modify
federal
requirements
28
with
state-specific
nutritional
guidelines
that
align
with
29
Iowa’s
dietary
recommendations
or
cultural
food
practices.
30
3.
If
the
waiver
applied
for
by
the
department
of
31
education
under
subsection
2
is
granted,
the
department
of
32
education
shall
adopt
updated
guidelines
for
what
constitutes
33
a
nutritionally
adequate
meal.
The
department
shall
consult
34
with
the
department
of
agriculture
and
land
stewardship,
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experts
in
nutrition,
educators,
parents,
local
farmers,
and
1
other
stakeholders
during
the
process
of
adopting
updated
2
guidelines
for
what
constitutes
a
nutritionally
adequate
meal.
3
The
guidelines
for
what
constitutes
a
nutritionally
adequate
4
meal
may
reflect
local
preferences,
regional
food
sources,
5
including
corn,
pork,
and
dairy,
and
cultural
considerations.
6
The
guidelines
for
what
constitutes
a
nutritionally
adequate
7
meal
must
satisfy
all
of
the
following
requirements:
8
a.
Be
at
least
as
stringent
in
promoting
health
and
9
preventing
chronic
diseases
as
the
federal
guidelines.
10
b.
Maintain
a
commitment
to
nutritional
health
and
student
11
well-being.
12
c.
Prioritize
the
following
food
groups,
in
the
order
13
listed:
14
(1)
Animal-based
protein,
including
but
not
limited
to
15
beef,
pork,
poultry,
fish,
and
eggs.
16
(2)
Dairy
products,
including
but
not
limited
to
milk,
17
cheese,
and
yogurt.
18
(3)
Vegetables,
including
but
not
limited
to
local
and
19
seasonal
produce.
20
(4)
Fresh
fruit
or
dried
or
frozen
fruit
when
fresh
fruit
is
21
not
seasonally
available.
22
4.
If
the
waiver
applied
for
by
the
department
of
education
23
under
subsection
2
is
granted,
the
department
of
education
24
and
the
department
of
agriculture
and
land
stewardship
shall
25
establish
a
joint
committee
to
do
all
of
the
following:
26
a.
Oversee
the
implementation
of
the
guidelines
for
what
27
constitutes
a
nutritionally
adequate
meal.
28
b.
Review
the
outcomes
associated
with
the
guidelines
for
29
what
constitutes
a
nutritionally
adequate
meal.
30
c.
Study
the
nutritional
science
associated
with
the
31
guidelines
for
what
constitutes
a
nutritionally
adequate
meal
32
and
seek
feedback
from
schools,
parents,
and
agricultural
33
stakeholders
related
to
the
guidelines.
34
d.
Provide
recommendations
to
the
department
of
education
35
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related
to
changes
that
may
need
to
be
made
to
the
guidelines
1
for
what
constitutes
a
nutritionally
adequate
meal.
2
5.
If
the
waiver
applied
for
by
the
department
of
3
education
under
subsection
2
is
granted,
the
department
of
4
education
shall
submit
to
the
general
assembly
an
annual
5
report,
beginning
on
or
before
the
first
June
30
after
6
the
implementation
of
the
new
guidelines,
which
describes
7
the
impact
of
the
guidelines
related
to
what
constitutes
a
8
nutritionally
adequate
meal,
including
information
related
9
to
school
breakfast
and
lunch
program
participation,
student
10
health
outcomes,
feedback
from
school
districts,
progress
11
in
implementing
the
guidelines,
challenges
associated
with
12
implementing
the
guidelines,
and
recommendations
for
further
13
enhancement
of
the
guidelines.
14
6.
If
the
waiver
applied
for
by
the
department
of
education
15
under
subsection
2
is
granted,
the
department
of
education
16
shall
conduct
an
evaluation
to
assess
the
effectiveness
of
the
17
guidelines
for
what
constitutes
a
nutritionally
adequate
meal
18
compared
to
the
comparable
federal
standards
within
five
years
19
after
the
effective
date
of
the
waiver.
20
Sec.
7.
EFFECTIVE
DATE.
The
following,
being
deemed
of
21
immediate
importance,
takes
effect
upon
enactment:
22
The
section
of
this
Act
enacting
section
283A.14.
23
Sec.
8.
APPLICABILITY.
The
following
apply
to
school
years
24
beginning
on
or
after
July
1,
2026:
25
1.
The
section
of
this
Act
amending
section
256.11,
26
subsections
2,
3,
and
4.
27
2.
The
section
of
this
Act
amending
section
256.11,
28
subsection
5,
paragraph
“h”,
subparagraph
(1),
subparagraph
29
division
(a).
30
3.
The
section
of
this
Act
amending
section
256.11,
31
subsection
5,
paragraph
“j”,
subparagraph
(1).
32
4.
The
section
of
this
Act
amending
section
256E.7,
33
subsection
2,
paragraph
“g”.
34
5.
The
section
of
this
Act
amending
section
256F.4,
35
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(3)
91
jda/jh/md
7/
8
H.F.
851
subsection
2.
1
-8-
HF
851
(3)
91
jda/jh/md
8/
8