What Does the Iowa Safe Schools Law Prohibit?

Iowa Safe Schools Law
Effective September 1, 2007, Iowa Code Chapter 280 requires both public and private schools to establish policies prohibiting harassment and bullying against students by employers, schools volunteers, or other students. Students may now seek remedies under both Chapter 216 (Civil Rights Act) and Chapter 280.

What Does This Law Prohibit?
"Harassment" or "bullying" can e written, verbal, electronic, or physical conduct based on an actual or perceived trait or characteristic of the student which creates an objectively hostile school environment. "Hostile environment" means one or more of the following:

• Conduct which places the student in reasonable fear of harm to the student's person or property
• Conduct which has a substantially detrimental effect on the student's physical or mental health
• Conduct which substantially interferes with a student's academic performance
• Conduct which substantially interferes with the student's ability to participate in or benefit from the services, activities, or privileges provided by a school

Who Does This Law Protect?
The safe schools law, unlike the Iowa Civil Rights Act, applies only to students, not to school employees.