Iowa court says student release forms are unenforceable

(AP) - The Iowa Supreme Court says release forms signed by parents before their children go on field trips violate public policy and are unenforceable.

The court Friday overturned a lower court decision in a Black Hawk County case involving 14-year-old Taneia Galloway.

She went on a field trip in 2005 organized by the University of Northern Iowa and the state of Iowa. She was hit by a car and injured.

Galloway's mother had signed a permission form and a medical authorization, releasing the program, the university and the state from liability.

Galloway sued, but the lower court found the releases waived Galloway's claims.

The supreme court says public policy protecting children "must trump any competing interests" to nullify a child's personal injury claim before an injury occurs.

Two justices dissented, saying the issue is for lawmakers to decide.