Gov. Reynolds' education bill passes Iowa Senate

NEWS AT NINE STARTS RIGHT NOW"> THE BREAKING NEWS COMES FROM THE STATEHOUSE. STATE SENATORS JUST PASSED THE GOVERNOR'S MASSIVE EDUCATION BILL. THIS IS A LIVE LOOK AT THE CAPITOL TONIGHT. THE BILL IS PART OF AN EFFORT THE GOVERNOR SAYS WILL GIVE PARENTS A BIGGER VOICE IN THEIR KIDS' EDUCATION. THE BILL WOULD REQUIRE WRITTEN CONSENT FOR A SCHOOL EMPLOYEE TO ADDRESS A CHILD WITH A NAME OR PRONOUN THAT DOES NOT CORRESPOND WITH THEIR SEX AT BIRTH. THE BILL WOULD ALSO PUT NEW RESTRICTIONS ON SCHOOL LIBRARY BOOKS DEEMED CONTROVERSIAL. REPUBLICANS SAY PARENTS NEED TO BE MORE INVOLVED. <<1843-1854, "ARE OUR CHILDREN SUPPOSED TO BE TAUGHT WHAT THIS PERSON BELIVES SOCIETY NEEDS OUR CHILDREN SHOULD KNOW? I BELIEVE THAT'S THE FUNDAMENTAL ISSUE WE'RE ADDRESSING.">> <<523-533, DONAHUE, D- LINN, "WE GO IN THERE TO MAKE SURE IT'S THE BEST DAY THEY'VE EVER HAD. AND IN SOME CASES, WE ARE THE BEST SPACE THEY HAVE. AND YOU'RE TAKING

Gov. Kim Reynolds' sweeping education bill passed the Iowa Senate Wednesday In a 34-16 vote.Senate File 496 would set new standards for what students are taught and schools and would establish 'parental rights,' giving parents more control over their children's education. If passed, the bill would prohibit teaching gender identity in kindergarten through sixth grade. (A previous version of the bill would prohibit teaching gender identity through third grade.)Republicans say the bill protects children and supports parental control."Are children now to be simply taught what this person believes society needs our children to know? I believe that’s the fundamental issue that we’re addressing," Republican state Sen. Ken Rozenboom said during debate Wednesday.But Democrats argue that the bill harms vulnerable children. "We go in there to make sure it’s the best day they’ve ever had. And in some cases, we are the best space they have. And you’re taking that away," teacher and Democratic state Sen. Molly Donahue said.The bill also requires prior written consent for an employee to address a child with a name or pronoun not corresponding to the biological sex on their birth certificate. The bill would also put new restrictions on school library books deemed controversial, allowing parents to request any material be removed and creating a statewide "removal list" that would keep track of what books have been removed from schools. The bill will now go to the House.

DES MOINES, Iowa —

Gov. Kim Reynolds' sweeping education bill passed the Iowa Senate Wednesday In a 34-16 vote.

Senate File 496 would set new standards for what students are taught and schools and would establish 'parental rights,' giving parents more control over their children's education.

If passed, the bill would prohibit teaching gender identity in kindergarten through sixth grade. (A previous version of the bill would prohibit teaching gender identity through third grade.)

Republicans say the bill protects children and supports parental control.

"Are children now to be simply taught what this person believes society needs our children to know? I believe that’s the fundamental issue that we’re addressing," Republican state Sen. Ken Rozenboom said during debate Wednesday.

But Democrats argue that the bill harms vulnerable children.

"We go in there to make sure it’s the best day they’ve ever had. And in some cases, we are the best space they have. And you’re taking that away," teacher and Democratic state Sen. Molly Donahue said.

The bill also requires prior written consent for an employee to address a child with a name or pronoun not corresponding to the biological sex on their birth certificate.

The bill would also put new restrictions on school library books deemed controversial, allowing parents to request any material be removed and creating a statewide "removal list" that would keep track of what books have been removed from schools.

The bill will now go to the House.

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