Dress code bill is a distraction

Just when we though legislative micromanaging of Iowa’s public schools has gone as far as it could go, Republicans who run the Statehouse took it to another level.

A bill, HSB681, requires school districts and charter schools to adopt a dress code policy for students, with the goal of requiring kids to wear clothes that are “presentable, promoting personal hygiene, neatness and modesty.”

The bill prescribes that “clothing must be clean, in good repair, free of language symbols or images that promote illegal activities. Attire must adequately cover the body. And clothing that exposes undergarments or midriffs shall be prohibited.”

Like so many other issues, the Legislature has absolutely no business legislating what kids can wear to school. This is an issue that can be handled locally. Many districts already have dress codes or police the hallways for anything inappropriate.

This would be humorous if legislators had not already done so much damage through edicts to school districts. And there are bills being considered this year that would dictate what teachers can and cannot teach, barring schools from working with local public libraries and even erasing vaccine requirements for enrollment

Lawmakers’ focus should be on the plight of underfunded school districts facing building closures, eliminating teaching positions and canceling programs. Instead, the Legislature is preparing to approve another state aid increase that doesn’t keep up with inflation. It’s hurting schools’ ability to educate students, which is far more important than worrying about what they’re wearing.

But GOP leaders have positioned Legislature as a mega school board with the authority to meddle where their help is not needed while turning a deaf ear to real needs.

We also appreciate the efforts of two Cedar Rapids Democrats, Reps. Tracy Ehlert and Angel Ramirez, who had to explain how a dress code could become yet another hardship for low-income families.

“I know these parents would love to have their kids in some nice, clean clothes,” Ehlert said. “It’s just not an option for our families, and I feel like this is shaming them for not having the financial means to do better — because if they could, they would.”

The bill suggests that schools can partner with churches and other groups to provide clothing for students. Ramirez said that’s already happening.

Lawmakers clearly have many important education issues to address. What kids wear to school is not one of the them.