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Home My WebLink About02-25-2025 Human Rights CommissionHuman Rights Commission February 25, 2025 Regular Meeting — 5:30 PM Emma J. Harvat Hall, City Hall Agenda: 1. Call the Meeting to Order and Roll Call. 2. Reading of the Native American Land Acknowledgment. 3. Public Comment of Items not on the Agenda. Commentators shall address the commission for no more than five minutes. Commissioners shall not engage in discussion with the public concerning said items. 4. Approval of the January 28, 2025, meeting minutes. 5. Update on Outreach and Engagement by the Police Department. 6. Correspondence. 7. Funding Request Follow Up: Iowa City Foreign Relations Council. 8. Funding Request: Film Scene. 9. Recommendation to the City Council for a resolution on All Are Welcome. 10. Human Rights Grant (March 1 — April 1). 11. Upcoming Save the Dates: • Night of a 1000 Dinners (March 6) • She Speaks (March 8) • Youth Awards (May 21) • Iowa City Juneteenth (June 20) • Iowa City Pride (June 21) • Human Rights Awards Breakfast (October 22). 12. Vote on Whether to Sign On to the Civil and Human Rights Commissioner's Letter in Opposition to HSB242. 1 13. Reports of Commissioners and Staff. This item includes an opportunity for very brief updates from staff and commissioners. Commissioners cannot engage in discussion on any reports. 14. Next Meeting: March 25, 2025 15. Adjournment Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all City of Iowa City - sponsored events. If you are a person with a disability who requires a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in this meeting, please contact the Office of Equity and Human Rights at 319-356-5022 or email humanrights(a-)-iowa- cit .org. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet your access needs. 2 Agenda Item #2 Native American land Acknowledgement Prepared for the City of Iowa City's Ad Hoc Truth and Reconciliation Commission and Human Rights Commission PURPOSE Iowa City owes its existence to the many Indigenous Peoples who were the original stewards of this land and who were subjected to manipulation and violence by non-native settlers, invaders, and governments in order to make this moment possible. Acknowledgement of this truth is central to our work toward reconciliation across all barriers of difference and injustice. Starting with a Native American Land Acknowledgement, this Commission will bear witness to the legacies of violent displacement, migration, and settlement that have marginalized those who were the first inhabitants of this land. We must also address the mistreatment and exclusion that Native Americans continue to face today. The Ad Hoc Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the Human Rights Commission encourage the community and City of Iowa City to join us in these efforts through the use of a Native American Land Acknowledgement. LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT To be read at all public meetings and events: "We meet today in the community of Iowa City, which now occupies the homelands of Native American Nations to whom we owe our commitment and dedication. The area of Iowa City was within the homelands of the Iowa, Meskwaki, and Sauk, and because history is complex and time goes far back beyond memory, we also acknowledge the ancient connections of many other Indigenous Peoples here. The history of broken treaties and forced removal that dispossessed Indigenous Peoples of their homelands was and is an act of colonization and genocide that we can not erase. We implore the Iowa City community to commit to understanding and addressing these injustices as we work toward equity, restoration, and reparations." LEARN MORE Native Governance Center Guide to Indigenous Land Acknowledgement US Department of Arts and Culture: Honor Native Land Virtual Resources and Guide Meskwaki Nation - History Special thanks to the University of Iowa Native American Council for their work and guidance, as well as members of the public, for their input. 3 Agenda Item #4 Draft Minutes Human Rights Commission January 28, 2025 Emma J. Harvat Hall Commissioners present: Doug Kollasch, Idriss Abdullahi, Emily Harkin, Kelsey Paul Shantz, Roger Lusala, Elizabeth Shannon. Commissioners on Zoom: Lubna Mohamed. Commissioners absent: Mark Pries, Viana Qadoura. Staff present: Tre Hall, Stefanie Bowers. Recommendation to City Council: No. Meeting called to order: 5:37 PM. Native American Land Acknowledgement: Abdullahi read the Land Acknowledgement. Approval of meeting minutes of November 26, 2024: Lusala moved, and Abdullahi seconded. Motion passed 7-0. Updates on Outreach and Engagement by the Police Department: Community Outreach Assistant, Tre Hall updated the commission on the police department's recent and upcoming community outreach efforts. On Jan. 6t" community outreach included reading to community members on the west side of Iowa City, giving a squad tour and handing out stickers. A presentation on avoiding scams and fraud was given to groups at Lensing on Jan. 15t" and Featherstone on Jan. 21s'. On MLK day Hall participated in the procession and services that occurred at Mercer to commemorate the holiday. Upcoming events include squad tour and reading at Regina School on Jan. 30t". They will also be sharing coffee and conversations with residents at Melrose Meadows. On Feb. 26t" they will be going to Cedar Falls for a career fair happening at Hawkeye Community College. On Feb. 22nd and 26t" Big Brother and Sisters of Johnson County will be having an event called Bowl for Kid's Sake. Kollasch asked how the police department is reaching out to immigrant communities in Iowa City, so they understand their rights during anticipated raids. Hall confirmed Joshua Dabusu, the other Community Outreach Assistant, who works with immigrant and refugee communities in Iowa City will be holding a talk that allows more building and rapport amongst the immigrant and refugee communities and the police department. Mendez Shannon asked if there would be a possibility to create a Know Your Rights panel. Tre Hall confirmed that is a possibility and offered contact information for Dabusu who is in charge of putting together such events. Kollasch asked if the Iowa City Police Department has a standing policy or potential cooperation with the immigration and customs enforcement. Hall answered that the Iowa City Police Department takes all recommendations from the City Attorney's office as well as the Johnson County's attorney's office which is where questions should be directed. M Correspondence: The Commission received correspondence on upcoming events including "Insubordination: Amma Julia Cooper and the "Courageous Revolt" against Jim Crow..." on Thursday Feb. 20th at 12:00pm and "Tough Conversations about Racial Divide and How We Can Heal" on Saturday, Feb. 15t at the Iowa City Public Library from 1-3pm. They also received an update from Houses Into Homes Youth Volunteer Academy, who received the funds from the Racial Equity and Social Justice Grant, on their guidebook and curriculum. Additionally, they also received a flyer for World Hijab Day happening in Coralville on Saturday Feb. V. Funding Request: Iowa City Foreign Relations Council requested funding for a program in April "Climate Resilience Together." The group is requesting $250 and has provided an itemized budget breakdown. The funding would primarily support significant personnel time and effort including staff time, marketing materials, and day of hosting to create a welcoming experience. Abdullahi was curious to know how the program directly relates to eliminating racial, religious, cultural, and other intergroup tensions and if they should ask for examples of that. Paul Shantz shared she would like to request more information as she is curious to know the future of the organization given recent legislation passed by the US government. She would also like to see more detailed breakdown of where the funding is going towards beyond staff time. Kollasch agreed and wanted to see a more detailed breakdown of where the money is going and how it ties to the work of the commission. Lusala agreed with the points made and would like to know more information as well. Strategic Plan: The commission discussed if they should change the time of year when they elect officers. Currently new officers are elected in January of each year. This suggestion arose from the commission's strategic planning sessions when it was noted that because three new members are appointed every January, they are then required to elect a chair and vice chair who they don't know or worked alongside. Paul Shantz suggested moving it to February. Harkin agreed with moving it to February, however, she does not mind the January date. Lusala noted that the commission operates as one unit with equal responsibility, so it may not be necessary to move the date. Kollasch agreed he feels it is not necessary to move the date from January, at this time. Paul Shantz agreed but suggested moving the date to February as an experiment to see if it lightens the load for the commission. Lusala agreed it may be beneficial to try but suggested not officially changing the bylaws rather tabling it to a later date. Lusala mentioned he appreciates the shared responsibility amongst commissioners. Kollasch mentioned it was a priority for the commission to equally distribute responsibilities. Abdullahi mentioned that part of the strategic plan that caught his eye was strengthening community engagement. Abdullahi suggested establishing committees based on specific communities and rotating responsibilities between commission subcommittees with the idea to focus intimately on working with specific community sectors. Paul Shantz agreed there is a need to recognize where discrimination is occurring in the community and advocate for those groups. Paul Shantz also suggested having the opportunity to have more responsiveness where a small coalition of people who saw a need in the community could meet with commissioners to suggest how to act on these needs. Kollasch spoke on the fragility of human rights in the current social climate. Lusala agreed there is a need to respond and act during these times because of an unpredictable future. Lusala noted flexibility will be important at this time. Harkin noted she liked the idea of flexibility within the subcommittees. Kollasch stated the commission plans to focus on making recommendation to City Council for 5 legislation on discrimination, a topic the commission has not had as much focus on in the past. Mendez Shannon shared she is excited to see different ways the commission can elicit feedback from the community. Kollasch agreed with Mendez Shannon and suggested having a set topic the commission can focus on and advertise in hopes of gaining more community feedback. Paul Shantz shared that the commission has a platform in the education space where they can invite people to participate in the commission's discussions. She also noted it may allow a space for those who have something to say but haven't had a safe space to speak. Mohamed spoke to the commission about the current issues of immigration and how the Iowa City schools are responding. Paul Shantz moved to approve the strategic plan and Lusala seconded. Motion passed 7-0. Racial Equity and Social Justice Grant: The grant will go live on March 15T and be available through April V. It will be an online submission and an online review. Due to time constraints, it is unlikely there will be time to do informational sessions for applicants, but it will be advertised that they can contact staff for and technical assistance. Save the dates: Night of 1000 Dinners: Staff asked commissioners to inform of their interest in attending the event. Paul Shantz shared she has attended in the past, and it was an enjoyable experience. Youth Awords: The application for nominations will be going live soon. Juneteenth and Pride dates were noted by Kollasch with Juneteenth occurring June 20th and Pride occurring June 21'. Kollasch also brought up that the Human Rights Awards Breakfast will be occurring on October 22nd Staff & Commission Updates: Staff updated the commission contact sheet that once reviewed by commissioners will be sent out to each one. Staff also showed commissioners how to sign up to get news updates from the city via text or email. Mendez Shannon updated on her attendance at the Escucha Mi Voz event. The event spoke on immigrant rights and how to handle recent ICE raids and threats. Paul Shantz updated on the importance of showing up for the community in times of hate and being able to identify, act, and prevent hate speech and acts when and wherever possible. She also mentioned her upcoming absence at the next meeting. Kollasch updated on the current news of federal grant freezes and the impact of that issue. Kollasch also brought up the local impact of political efforts to remove gender identity from the Iowa Civil Rights Act. Kollasch mentioned One Iowa which is the state-wide group that organizes on behalf of the LGBTQ+ community in the state of Iowa and encouraged commissioners to get involved and educated with their efforts. Lusala accepted the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. proclamation on behalf of the commission. Lusala shared the four visions of Dr. King's that he finds valuable in today's time including hope, standing up for what is right, the dangers of staying silent, and faith. Harkin updated on her reaction to the regression of human rights in our country due to recent political changes and the need to stand up and act now more than ever. Harkin also spoke on her experience volunteering at a recent expungement clinic. 0 Adjourned: 7:01 PM. The meeting can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/@citychannel4/videos. Human Rights Commission ATTENDANCE RECORD YEAR 2025 (Meeting Date) NAME TERM EXP. 1/28 2/24 3/24 4/22 5/27 6/24 7/22 8/26 9/23 10/21 11/25 Viana Qadoura 2025 A Idriss Abdullahi 2025 P Mark Pries 2025 A Roger Lusala 2026 P Kelsey Paul Shantz 2026 P Liz Mendez -Shannon 2026 P Emily Harkin 2027 P Doug Kollasch 2027 P Lubna Mohamed 2027 Z KEY: X = Present A = Absent Z = Present via Zoom Agenda Item #7 From: Peter Gerlach To: Stefanie Bowers Subject: Re: Human Rights Funding Form Date: Wednesday, February 12, 2025 10:43:51 AM Attachments: imaoe001.ono xx This email originated outside of the City of Iowa City email system. Please take extra care opening any links or attachments. xx Hello Stefanie, Thank you and the Commission for consideration of this funding request. And appreciate the opportunity to revise and consider further our application. I hope the below helps. Please let me know if you need anything else. Best, Peter How the Program Relates to Eliminating Intergroup Tensions The Fostering Climate Resilience Together panel directly addresses racial, religious, cultural, and other intergroup tensions by bringing together diverse perspectives, particularly those historically marginalized in climate policy discussions. The program fosters dialogue and collaboration across different communities, including: • Sovereign Tribal Communities: Indigenous voices are often excluded from mainstream climate conversations. This event centers their knowledge and lived experiences in climate resilience efforts. • Women Farmland Owners: Women landowners, particularly in the Midwest, face unique challenges in sustainable agriculture. By elevating their perspectives, the program contributes to gender equity in environmental decision -making. • Academic and Scientific Experts: University researchers from UI and ISU provide data -driven insights while engaging with communities to ensure scientific findings translate into real -world impact. • Regional Collaboration: The discussion spans across four states (Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, and Missouri), bridging rural -urban divides and highlighting common climate challenges that transcend geographic and cultural differences. 9 By fostering understanding among these groups, the event reduces intergroup tensions and promotes cooperative solutions to shared environmental challenges. Breakdown of Funding Allocation The requested funding will directly support the Fostering Climate Resilience Together event by covering key expenses necessary for successful outreach, accessibility, and community engagement. A portion of the funding will go toward marketing and outreach efforts, ensuring broad participation through both digital and printed materials. This includes promotional content designed to reach diverse audiences and highlight the voices of sovereign tribal communities, women farmland owners, and climate researchers. Additionally, funding will contribute to the honoraria for two interns who play a crucial role in facilitating a welcoming and smooth experience for attendees. Their support helps with event coordination, accessibility, and engagement. A small portion will also assist with the cost of printing and mailing materials, ensuring that information about the event and its broader climate resilience efforts reach key stakeholders who may not have access to digital platforms. Further, the funding will help sustain necessary software subscriptions, such as Zoom and Canva, which are integral for online engagement, content creation, and communications. It will also support minor event -related expenses, such as refreshments for meetings that bring together organizers and panelists for planning discussions. Each of these elements is essential in making the event not only possible but impactful, ensuring that climate resilience efforts are approached collaboratively, inclusively, and with broad community representation. From: Stefanie Bowers <SBowers@iowa-city.org> Sent: Tuesday, February 4, 2025 8:30 AM To: Peter Gerlach <peter@icfrc.org> Subject: RE: Human Rights Funding Form Good morning, The Commission considered the request from Iowa City Foreign Relations Council at its meeting on 10 Tuesday, January 28. They have asked for staff to reach out to acquire more information. The specifics are below. If you could please provide the information no later than Friday, February 14, 1 can be sure to include it in their February meeting packet. Please let me know if you have any questions. 1. How the program directly relates to eliminating racial, religious, cultural, and other intergroup tensions and provide examples. 2. Provide a more detailed breakdown of where the funding is going towards beyond staff time. Stefanie From: no-reply@iowa-city.org <no-reply@iowa-city.org> Sent: Wednesday, January 22, 2025 12:29 PM To: Human Rights <Human Rights@iowa-city.org> Subject: Human Rights Funding Form lip- hot All CITY OF 10VVA CITY UNESCO CITY OF LITERATURE Hello, Please see the attached Human Rights Sponsorship Request form. Please do not reply to this email. This email is system generated. This email address is not monitored. Disclaimer The information contained in this communication from the sender is confidential. It is intended solely for use by the recipient and others authorized to receive it. If you are not the recipient, you are hereby notified that any disclosure, copying, distribution or taking action in relation of the contents of this information is strictly prohibited and may be unlawful. 11 The Iowa City Human Rights Commission is allocated $2000 annually to provide financial assistance to community events designed to eliminate racial, religious, cultural, or other intergroup tensions, including but not limited to, sex, color, creed, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, age, or national origin. Rules and Requirements for Sponsorship: • The organization must be physically located in Iowa City. • The program must take place in Iowa City. • The program must have a date and location. • The event date must be prior to the request for financial assistance. • Applicants cannot be governments, public schools, or colleges/universities. • Applicants request cannot exceed $250.00. • Request must include a budget. • Request must include other sponsors. • Request cannot be for reimbursement or honorariums to speakers or guests. • Request cannot be for rental deposits for the venue. • Request cannot be for fundraising purposes. • Requests will be denied if another city department/division has financially contributed funding or will be contributing funds for the program. • Funding will not be disbursed without the submission of a W9. • If the request is approved for financial assistance an organization cannot request any further assistance in the same fiscal year. Signature* Sign here that you have read and understand the rules and requirements. Date Time 2025-01-22 12:28:26 PM Name* Iowa City Foreign Relations Council Address* Street Address 308 E. Burlington Street #282 Address Line 2 City State/Province/Region Iowa City IA Postal/Zip Code Country 5240 USA Name* Peter Gerlach Preferred pronouns he/him Phone number* 319.244.8886 Email address* peter@icfrc.org Date of Program* 4/4/2025 Program Title* Fostering Climate Resilience Together Location name* Iowa City Public Library Location Address* Street Address 123 S Linn Street Address Line 2 City Iowa City Postal/Zip Code 52240 State/Province/Region IA Country USA Describe how the program eliminates racial, religious, cultural, or other intergroup tensions, related, but not limited to: sex, * color, creed, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, age, or national origin. ICFRC is an independent, non -partisan organization that hosts speaker programs, community forums, and educational experiences to help Iowans better understand international issues and foster global engagement. We welcome, include, and support people of all backgrounds and beliefs and are enriched by learning from and with each other. We embrace the responsibility of creating spaces in which people feel welcome to learn from and engage with others across all lines of difference. Is there a financial cost to participate in the project?* Yes No Describe how socioeconomic barriers to attendance will be addressed. All ICFRC programs are free and open to the public, with in -person, livestream, and recordings for late viewing options. This program is hosted at the ICPL, a community -oriented space in the heart of downtown. Amount Requested (Maximum request $250.00)* $250.00 Has any City of Iowa City department or division provided any support for this event?* (Include in -kind and financial support) Yes No Will any City of Iowa City department or division provide any support for this event?* (Include in -kind and financial support) Yes No Please list all funding sources or in -kind support for this event including the amount* We are currently reaching out to partners and other organizations in the community for funding support. Attache Itemized Budget ICFRC - Itemized Budget - City of Iowa City Human Rights Sponsorship Request Form.docx 16.09 KB 14 Itemized Budget City of Iowa City Human Rights Sponsorship Request Form Fostering Climate Resilience Together Friday, April 4, 12-1pm, ICPL Speakers: Dr. William Gutowski, Jr., Dr. Martha Durr, Dr. Brandi Janssen, and Dr. Linda Shenk Description: A panel of UI and ISU researchers, sovereign tribal communities, and women farmland -owners will discuss how they are collaborating to foster climate resilience through a recently funded NOAA Climate Adaptations program that supports the Central Midwest states of Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, and Missouri. • More information about the NOAA Climate Adaptations Program here. As a small nonprofit, we are primarily requesting support for significant personnel time and effort. This includes staff time for: • producing and disseminating marketing materials • day -of hosting • support from two interns to create a welcoming and smooth experience for attendees. Thank you in advance for considering this request, Peter Peter Gerlach Executive Director ICFRC 15 Agenda Item #8 The Iowa City Human Rights Commission is allocated $2000 annually to provide financial assistance to community events designed to eliminate racial, religious, cultural, or other intergroup tensions, including but not limited to, sex, color, creed, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, age, or national origin. Rules and Requirements for Sponsorship: • The organization must be physically located in Iowa City. • The program must take place in Iowa City. • The program must have a date and location. • The event date must be prior to the request for financial assistance. • Applicants cannot be governments, public schools, or colleges/universities. • Applicants request cannot exceed $250.00. • Request must include a budget. • Request must include other sponsors. • Request cannot be for reimbursement or honorariums to speakers or guests. • Request cannot be for rental deposits for the venue. • Request cannot be for fundraising purposes. • Requests will be denied if another city department/division has financially contributed funding or will be contributing funds for the program. • Funding will not be disbursed without the submission of a W9. • If the request is approved for financial assistance an organization cannot request any further assistance in the same fiscal year. Signature* Sign here that you have read and understand the rules and requirements. 4l�yG°ltaaa Date Time 2025-02-05 04:30:03 PM Name* FilmScene Address* Street Address 404 E College #100 Address Line 2 City State/Province/Region Iowa City IA Postal/Zip Code Country 52240 USA Name* Hayley Crabb Preferred pronouns she / her Phone number* 3198557740 Email address* hayley@icfilmscene.org Date of Program* 3/27/2025 Program Title* Iowa Disability Film Festival Location name* FilmScene at The Chauncey Location Address* Street Address 404 E College Address Line 2 City Iowa City Postal/Zip Code 52240 State/Province/Region IA Country USA Describe how the program eliminates racial, religious, cultural, or other intergroup tensions, related, but not limited to: sex, * color, creed, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, age, or national origin. The second annual Iowa Disability Film Festival (3/27 - 3/29) will present award -winning films by and about people with disabilities with engaging programs that bring together communities to explore, discuss, embrace, and celebrate the diversity of our shared human experience. All tickets are pay -what -you -can, with ASL interpreters, open captions, and descriptive audio (when available). The fest is planned by a committee of staff, local experts, and community members with lived experience. Is there a financial cost to participate in the project?* Yes No Describe how socioeconomic barriers to attendance will be addressed. The Iowa Disability Film Festival is pay -what -you -can, so patrons can pay $0 to attend (we set the suggested ticket price at $10). Amount Requested (Maximum request $250.00)* $250.00 Has any City of Iowa City department or division provided any support for this event? * (Include in -kind and financial support) Q Yes ( No Will any City of Iowa City department or division provide any support for this event?* (Include in -kind and financial support) p Yes ( No Please list all funding sources or in -kind support for this event including the amount* Hoefer & Flaming - $2,500 Bradley & Riley- $500 MiclAmerican Energy - $500 Shuttleworth & Ingersoll - $500 University of Iowa Department of Health & Human Physiology - $500 University of Iowa College of Public Health - $500 Veterans Law Office of Amy B. Kretkowski - $500 MP Climb On - $250 Get Fresh Cafe - donated desserts - in kind TBD KCRG Cares - donated on air promotions - $11,000 in kind While we are asking for $250, any support from the City of Iowa City Human Rights Sponsorship program will help us cover accessibility features like ASL interpreters for the Iowa Disability Film Festival. Attache Itemized Budget Iowa Disability Film Festival Budget -City of Iowa City.xlsx previous 9.67KB Next EXPENSES Catering $500.00 ASL interpretation $1,200.00 Descriptive Audio $700.00 Film Licencing $1,500.00 Personnel & staffin $4,293.00 TOTAL $8,193.00 19 Agenda Item #9 Updated 11.7.2024 All Are Welcome in Iowa Resolution Declaring All Are Welcome in Iowa City Whereas, equal rights under the law and liberty for all is foundational to our nation and government; and Whereas, the Declaration of Independence states, "We hold these truths to be self- evident, that all [people] are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness"; and Whereas, the Iowa state motto states, "Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain": and Whereas, the Iowa Civil Rights Act passed in 1965 and amended in 2007 includes employment, housing, public accommodations, education, and credit considerations as areas of life that cannot be used for discrimination based on a person's color, creed, gender identity, marital status, national origin, disability, race, religion, sex, and sexual orientation; and Whereas, many Iowans are experiencing anger and fear due to several laws passed in Iowa in 2023 and 2024, including the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA), which codifies religious exemptions allowing individuals to use religious beliefs as legal justification to discriminate against other Iowans who are then deprived of their rights and liberties; and Whereas, discrimination and inequality erode the founding principles of our society and government; and Whereas, equal rights under the law and liberty for all require that anti -discrimination protections be considered a compelling government interest and the least restrictive means of achieving that interest. A religious liberty claim should not be elevated above or overrule by law other equally important rights and liberties; and Whereas, no person should be allowed to use religion, religious freedom, or any other reason as justification to discriminate against another person based on color, creed, gender identity, marital status, national origin, disability, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, reproductive status, violence survivor status; and Whereas, Iowans are leaving our communities and the state due to the dangers of RFRA and other laws passed by Iowa lawmakers that send a message contrary to our state's motto and the promise that All Are Welcome in Iowa; and ALL ARE WELCOME IN IOWA COALITION VTERFAITH ALLIANCE OF IOWA I PO Box 41086, Des Moines, IA 50311 20 Updated_ 11.7.2024 iithallianceiowa.org 1 515.279.E 1 info@interfaithalliancei Whereas, these laws, including RFRA, harm the reputation of our state and the best interests of its business community as well as cities and counties large and small, urban and rural; and Whereas, Iowa City aims to create a community where discrimination has no place. It also recognizes ensuring complete safety or freedom from discrimination is a complex, ongoing effort and collaboration among individuals, organizations, and government. Therefore, be it resolved, Iowa City is committed to promoting a united vision where All Are Welcome in Iowa City and further commits Iowa City to being a discrimination -free community. We recognize our responsibility to foster a community that actively works towards inclusivity, equity, and the protection of rights for all, even as we acknowledge the ongoing nature of this work. Be it further resolved, Iowa City encourages businesses, housing developments and landlords, non-profit organizations, houses of worship, educational institutions, and neighborhood associations to unite in the message All Are Welcome in Iowa City and declare themselves as a discrimination -free partner. ALL ARE WELCOME IN IOWA COALITION INTERFAITH ALLIANCE OF IOWA I PO Box 41086, Des Moines, IA 50311 interfaithallianceiowa.org 1515.279.8715 1 info@interfaithallianceiowa.org 21 1 st Mg Scan QR code for nomination forii4 or visit ourwebsite at icgov.org/humanrights EAu @ichumanrights ,ygenaa item TFi i I TY She Speaks 6 Much 8, 2024 Robert A. Lee Recreation Center 220 S. 1-3 ,. p • Women, individuals who identify as women, and nnn-binary individuals are welcome! Le��g and t trageth er! Agenda Item #12 Drafted 2111125, updated 2120125 Civil and Human Rights Commissioner sign -on letter We, the undersigned Commissioners from Civil and Human Rights Commissions across Iowa, unequivocally oppose any effort to strip gender identity protections from the Iowa Civil Rights Act. HSB242 is an unprecedented and dangerous attack on fundamental rights —it seeks to eliminate all civil rights protections for transgender Iowans, impose invasive restrictions on bathrooms and birth certificates, and legally erase anyone who does not conform to rigid, outdated definitions of "man" or "woman." This bill is a direct assault on equality, dignity, and the core values of civil rights, and we urge you to oppose it in the strongest terms. Since 2007, Iowa has recognized and affirmed the fundamental dignity of all its residents by including gender identity as a protected class in our state's civil rights law. This protection ensures that all Iowans —regardless of gender identity —can live, work, and participate fully in society free from discrimination. Iowa has long been a leader in advancing civil rights. In 1839, we were among the first states to reject slavery through our Supreme Court decision in In Re Ralph. In 1868, we struck down racial segregation in education. In 2009, we became one of the first states to affirm marriage equality. These decisions have placed Iowa on the right side of history, demonstrating our collective commitment to fairness, justice, and equal treatment under the law. Removing gender identity protections would represent a dangerous step backward. It would signal to transgender and gender -nonconforming Iowans that they are unworthy of the same rights and protections afforded to others. It would embolden discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations, education, and beyond —areas where safeguards are critical to ensuring everyone has a fair shot at success and security. Eliminating these protections from the Iowa Civil Rights Act would send a clear and harmful message: Iowa is not a place where all people are welcome to live, work, and thrive. This regressive move would have far-reaching consequences, deterring businesses, talent, and investment while deepening harm to already marginalized communities. Beyond the immediate impact on transgender Iowans, this bill threatens our state's workforce, economic growth, and hard-earned reputation as a place that upholds fairness, inclusion, and opportunity for all. This legislation would set Iowa back, making it less competitive and less attractive for future growth. As Commissioners serving on Iowa's civil and human rights commissions across the state, we have been entrusted by all the people of Iowa to uphold and protect their fundamental civil rights. It is our duty to ensure that every Iowan —regardless of gender identity —is treated with dignity, fairness, and respect under the law. We strongly urge you to reject this harmful proposal and instead work toward strengthening and expanding civil rights protections, rather than dismantling them. Weakening protections for any group undermines the very foundation of equality and justice that Iowa stands for. Our Drafted 2111125, updated 2120125 commitment to civil rights must be unwavering, and we call on you to stand with us in defending the rights of all Iowans, ensuring that our state remains a place of opportunity, inclusion, and fairness for everyone. Thank you for your time and consideration. We welcome the opportunity to discuss this matter further and stand ready to work with you to protect and advance civil rights in Iowa. Signatories Name Bethany Snyder Erlin Kakkanad Ekakkanad Commission Doug Kollasch City, Role, Commission Chair, Urbandale Civil Rights Commission Commissioner, West Des Moines Human Rights 2/21 /25, 8:43 AM legis.iowa.gov/legislation/billbook/billResources?action=printOpen&bill=HSB 242&status=i&ga=91 & House Study Bill 242 - Introduced Agenda Item #12 HOUSE FILE BY (PROPOSED COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY BILL BY CHAIRPERSON HOLT) A BILL FOR 1 An Act relating to sex and gender, including those and related 2 terms for purposes of statutory construction, indications 3 of a person's sex on certain vital records, gender identity 4 under the Iowa civil rights Act, and school curricula 5 related to gender theory. 6 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA: TLSB 2312YC (7) 91 cm/jh https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/billbooklbillResources?action=printOpen&bill=HSB 242&status=i&ga=91& 1/18 2/21 /25, 8:43 AM legis.iowa.gov/legislation/billbook/billResources?action=printOpen&bill=HSB 242&status=i&ga=91 & H.F. 1 Section 1. NEW SECTION. 4.1A Statutory construction — sex 2 and related terms. 3 1. In the construction of statutes, the following rules 4 shall be observed with regard to a person's biological sex: 5 a. "Sex", when used to classify or describe a natural 6 person, means the state of being either male or female as 7 observed or clinically verified at birth. 8 b. When used in reference to a natural person, a "female" 9 means an individual who has, had, will have through the course 10 of normal development, or would have but for a developmental 11 anomaly, genetic anomaly, or accident, a reproductive system 12 that at some point produces ova, and a "maLe" means an 13 individual who has, had, will have through the course of normal 14 development, or would have but for a developmental anomaly, 15 genetic anomaly, or accident, a reproductive system that at 16 some point produces sperm. 17 c. The term "woman" or "girL" refers to a female and the 18 term "man" or "boy" refers to a male. 19 d. The term "mother" means a parent who is female and the 20 term "father" means a parent who is male. 21 e. "Gender", when used alone in reference to males, females, 22 or the natural differences between males and females shall 23 be considered a synonym for sex and shall not be considered 24 a synonym or shorthand expression for gender identity, 25 experienced gender, gender expression, or gender role. 26 f. The term "equal" does not mean "same" or "identicaL". 27 g. Separate accommodations are not inherently unequal. 28 h. A person born with a medically verifiable diagnosis of 29 disorder or difference of sex development shall be provided the 30 legal protections and accommodations afforded under the federal 31 Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and applicable state 32 law. 33 2. Any state law, policy, or program that prohibits 34 discrimination on the basis of sex shall be construed to forbid 35 unfair treatment of females or males in relation to similarly LSB 2312YC (7) 91 cm/jh 1/17 https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/billbooklbillResources?action=printOpen&bill=HSB 242&status=i&ga=91& 2/18 2/21 /25, 8:43 AM legis.iowa.gov/legislation/billbook/billResources?action=printOpen&bill=HSB 242&status=i&ga=91 & H.F. 1 situated members of the opposite sex. 2 3. Notwithstanding any provision of state law to the 3 contrary, distinctions based on sex, including but not limited 4 to in prisons or other detention facilities, domestic violence 5 shelters, rape crisis centers, locker rooms, restrooms, and in 6 other contexts where health, safety, or privacy are implicated 7 resulting in separate accommodations, are substantially related 8 to the important government objectives of protecting the 9 health, safety, and privacy of the persons in these contexts. 10 4. Any state department or subunit of a department, or any 11 political subdivision of the state including a city, county, 12 township, or school district that collects vital statistics for 13 the purpose of complying with state antidiscrimination laws, 14 or for the purpose of gathering accurate state public health, 15 crime, economic, or other data, shall identify the sex of each 16 person included in the collected data as either male or female. 17 5. For the purposes of this section, "state Law" includes 18 any state statute or rule. 19 Sec. 2. Section 84A.6, subsection 4, paragraph a, Code 2025, 20 is amended to read as follows: 21 a. The department of workforce development, in consultation 22 with the department of education, shall establish a system that 23 allows the department of education, school districts, charter 24 schools, area education agencies, and accredited nonpublic 25 schools to post job openings on an internet site. The system 26 must include a mechanism for the electronic submission of job 27 openings for posting on the internet site. The system and 28 each job posting on the internet site must include a statement 29 that an employer submitting a job opening for posting on the 30 internet site will not discriminate in hiring on the basis 31 of race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, age, physical 32 disability, sexual orientation, , religion, 33 marital status, or status as a veteran. 34 Sec. 3. Section 144.13, Code 2025, is amended by adding the 35 following new subsection: LSB 2312YC (7) 91 _2_ cm/jh 2/17 https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/billbooklbillResources?action=printOpen&bill=HSB 242&status=i&ga=91& 3/18 2/21 /25, 8:43 AM legis.iowa.gov/legislation/billbook/billResources?action=printOpen&bill=HSB 242&status=i&ga=91 & H.F. 1 NEW SUBSECTION. 5. A certificate of birth filed under this 2 section shall include a designation of the sex of the person. 3 "Sex" for purposes of this chapter means the same as defined in 4 section 4.1A. If the sex of the child cannot be determined at 5 birth, the time period for filing a certificate of birth shall 6 be extended for a period of no more than six months to allow the 7 parents to obtain any diagnosis or testing from a health care 8 provider as defined in section 144.29A, subsection 7, paragraph 9 "a", that is necessary to determine the child's sex. 10 Sec. 4. Section 144.23, Code 2025, is amended to read as 11 follows: 12 144.23 State registrar to issue establish new certificate of 13 birth. 14 1. The state registrar shall establish a new certificate of 15 birth for a person born in this state, when the state registrar 16 receives the following: 17 -1-.- a. An adoption report as provided in section 144.19, or 18 a certified copy of the decree of adoption together with the 19 information necessary to identify the original certificate of 20 birth and to establish a new certificate of birth. 21 -2- b. A request that a new certificate be established and 22 evidence proving that the person for whom the new certificate 23 is requested has been legitimated, or that a court of competent 24 jurisdiction has determined the paternity of the person. 25 26 27 supgepy--ep etheptpeatment ley — the -liEensee, the sex desigratier 28 of the peesenhas been Ehanged. The state Fegistpap may 29 further mvesttgattem er requr re further _mfermat_em meEessary 0 to d et ei+tne wb a t h era sew Ehangehas e E EW-i-ed . 31 2. Pursuant to section 4.1A, a new certificate of birth 32 established under subsection 1 shall include a designation of 33 sex of the person at birth. 34 Sec. 5. Section 144.24, subsections 1 and 2, Code 2025, are 35 amended to read as follows: LSB 2312YC (7) 91 -3- cm/jh 3/17 https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/billbooklbillResources?action=printOpen&bill=HSB 242&status=i&ga=91& 4/18 2/21 /25, 8:43 AM legis.iowa.gov/legislation/billbook/billResources?action=printOpen&bill=HSB 242&status=i&ga=91 & H.F. 1 1. If a new certificate of birth is established, the actual 2 place and date of birth shall be shown on the certificate and 3 shall include a designation of the person's sex pursuant to 4 section 144.23. The certificate shall be substituted for the 5 original certificate of birth. 6 2. Following substitution of the original certificate of 7 birth with a new certificate of birth, the original certificate 8 and the evidence of adoption, paternity, or legitimation, p 9 =___ =hange shall not be subject to inspection except under 10 order of a court of competent jurisdiction, including but 11 not limited to an order issued pursuant to section 261I.2 12 or 600.16A, as provided in section 144.23A or 144.24A, 13 or as provided by administrative rule for statistical or 14 administrative purposes only. 15 Sec. 6. Section 144.31B, subsection 5, paragraph b, 16 subparagraph (2), Code 2025, is amended to read as follows: 17 (2) The name and gerrdem- sex, if known. If the name is not 18 furnished by the patient, the department shall complete the 19 certificate with the name "baby boy" or "baby girl" and the 20 last name of the patient. If the gendep sex is unknown, the 21 department shall complete the certificate with the name "baby" 22 and the last name of the patient. 23 Sec. 7. Section 216.2, subsection 12, Code 2025, is amended 24 by striking the subsection. 25 Sec. 8. Section 216.6, subsection 1, paragraphs a, b, and c, 26 Code 2025, are amended to read as follows: 27 a. Person to refuse to hire, accept, register, classify, 28 or refer for employment, to discharge any employee, or to 29 otherwise discriminate in employment against any applicant 30 for employment or any employee because of the age, race, 31 creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, , 32 national origin, religion, or disability of such applicant or 33 employee, unless based upon the nature of the occupation. If a 34 person with a disability is qualified to perform a particular 35 occupation, by reason of training or experience, the nature LSB 2312YC (7) 91 _4_ cm/jh 4/17 https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/billbooklbillResources?action=printOpen&bill=HSB 242&status=i&ga=91& 5/18 2/21 /25, 8:43 AM legis.iowa.gov/legislation/billbook/billResources?action=printOpen&bill=HSB 242&status=i&ga=91 & H.F. 1 of that occupation shall not be the basis for exception to 2 the unfair or discriminatory practices prohibited by this 3 subsection. 4 b. Labor organization or the employees, agents, or members 5 thereof to refuse to admit to membership any applicant, to 6 expel any member, or to otherwise discriminate against any 7 applicant for membership or any member in the privileges, 8 rights, or benefits of such membership because of the age, 9 race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, gentle; identity, 10 national origin, religion, or disability of such applicant or 11 member. 12 c. Employer, employment agency, labor organization, or the 13 employees, agents, or members thereof to directly or indirectly 14 advertise or in any other manner indicate or publicize that 15 individuals of any particular age, race, creed, color, sex, e A+: +. . 16 sexualorientation, gender _d_.:_,; national origin, religion, 17 or disability are unwelcome, objectionable, not acceptable, or 18 not solicited for employment or membership unless based on the 19 nature of the occupation. 20 (1) If a person with a disability is qualified to perform a 21 particular occupation by reason of training or experience, the 22 nature of that occupation shall not be the basis for exception 23 to the unfair or discriminatory practices prohibited by this 24 subsection. 25 (2) An employer, employment agency, or their employees, 26 servants, or agents may offer employment or advertise for 27 employment to only persons with disabilities, when other 28 applicants have available to them other employment compatible 29 with their ability which would not be available to persons 30 with disabilities because of their disabilities. Any such 31 employment or offer of employment shall not discriminate among 32 persons with disabilities on the basis of race, color, creed, 33 sex, sexual orientation, , or national origin. 34 Sec. 9. Section 216.6, subsection 6, paragraph d, Code 2025, 35 is amended to read as follows: LSB 2312YC (7) 91 _5_ cm/jh 5/17 https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/billbooklbillResources?action=printOpen&bill=HSB 242&status=i&ga=91& 6/18 2/21 /25, 8:43 AM legis.iowa.gov/legislation/billbook/billResources?action=printOpen&bill=HSB 242&status=i&ga=91 & H.F. 1 d. Any bona fide religious institution or its educational 2 facility, association, corporation, or society with respect 3 to any qualifications for employment based on religion,— or 4 sexual orientation, when such qualifications 5 are related to a bona fide religious purpose. A religious 6 qualification for instructional personnel or an administrative 7 officer, serving in a supervisory capacity of a bona fide 8 religious educational facility or religious institution, shall 9 be presumed to be a bona fide occupational qualification. 10 Sec. 10. Section 216.6A, subsection 1, paragraph a, 11 unnumbered paragraph 1, Code 2025, is amended to read as 12 follows: 13 The general assembly finds that the practice of 14 discriminating against any employee because of the age, 15 race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, gentle; identity, 16 national origin, religion, or disability of such employee by 17 paying wages to such employee at a rate less than the rate paid 18 to other employees does all of the following: 19 Sec. 11. Section 216.6A, subsection 1, paragraph b, Code 20 2025, is amended to read as follows: 21 b. The general assembly declares that it is the policy 22 of this state to correct and, as rapidly as possible, to 23 eliminate, discriminatory wage practices based on age, race, 24 creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, , 25 national origin, religion, and disability. 26 Sec. 12. Section 216.6A, subsection 2, paragraph a, Code 27 2025, is amended to read as follows: 28 a. It shall be an unfair or discriminatory practice for any 29 employer or agent of any employer to discriminate against any 30 employee because of the age, race, creed, color, sex, sexual 31 orientation, , national origin, religion, or 32 disability of such employee by paying wages to such employee 33 at a rate less than the rate paid to other employees who are 34 employed within the same establishment for equal work on jobs, 35 the performance of which requires equal skill, effort, and LSB 2312YC (7) 91 _6_ cm/jh 6/17 https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/billbooklbillResources?action=printOpen&bill=HSB 242&status=i&ga=91& 7/18 2/21 /25, 8:43 AM legis.iowa.gov/legislation/billbook/billResources?action=printOpen&bill=HSB 242&status=i&ga=91 & H.F. 1 responsibility, and which are performed under similar working 2 conditions. An employer or agent of an employer who is paying 3 wages to an employee at a rate less than the rate paid to other 4 employees in violation of this section shall not remedy the 5 violation by reducing the wage rate of any employee. 6 Sec. 13. Section 216.6A, subsection 3, paragraph d, Code 7 2025, is amended to read as follows: 8 d. Pay differential is based on any other factor other than 9 the age, race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, gendep 10 may, national origin, religion, or disability of such 11 employee. 12 Sec. 14. Section 216.7, subsection 1, paragraphs a and b, 13 Code 2025, are amended to read as follows: 14 a. To refuse or deny to any person because of race, 15 creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, gentle; identity, 16 national origin, religion, or disability the accommodations, 17 advantages, facilities, services, or privileges thereof, 18 or otherwise to discriminate against any person because of 19 race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, , 20 national origin, religion, or disability in the furnishing 21 of such accommodations, advantages, facilities, services, or 22 privileges. 23 b. To directly or indirectly advertise or in any other 24 manner indicate or publicize that the patronage of persons of 25 any particular race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, 26 , national origin, religion, or disability is 27 unwelcome, objectionable, not acceptable, or not solicited. 28 Sec. 15. Section 216.7, subsection 2, paragraph a, Code 29 2025, is amended to read as follows: 30 a. Any bona fide religious institution with respect to any 31 qualifications the institution may impose based on religion,— or 32 sexual orientation, when such qualifications 33 are related to a bona fide religious purpose. 34 Sec. 16. Section 216.8, subsection 1, paragraphs a, b, c, 35 and d, Code 2025, are amended to read as follows: LSB 2312YC (7) 91 _7_ cm/jh 7/17 https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/billbooklbillResources?action=printOpen&bill=HSB 242&status=i&ga=91& 8/18 2/21 /25, 8:43 AM legis.iowa.gov/legislation/billbook/billResources?action=printOpen&bill=HSB 242&status=i&ga=91 & H.F. 1 a. To refuse to sell, rent, lease, assign, sublease, refuse 2 to negotiate, or to otherwise make unavailable, or deny any 3 real property or housing accommodation or part, portion, or 4 interest therein, to any person because of the race, color, 5 creed, sex, sexual orientation, , religion, 6 national origin, disability, or familial status of such person. 7 b. To discriminate against any person because of the 8 person's race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gendep 9 identity, religion, national origin, disability, or familial 10 status, in the terms, conditions, or privileges of the sale, 11 rental, lease assignment, or sublease of any real property or 12 housing accommodation or any part, portion, or interest in the 13 real property or housing accommodation or in the provision of 14 services or facilities in connection with the real property or 15 housing accommodation. 16 c. To directly or indirectly advertise, or in any other 17 manner indicate or publicize that the purchase, rental, 18 lease, assignment, or sublease of any real property or housing 19 accommodation or any part, portion, or interest therein, by 20 persons of any particular race, color, creed, sex, sexual 21 orientation, gee e; identity, religion, national origin, 22 disability, or familial status is unwelcome, objectionable, not 23 acceptable, or not solicited. 24 d. To discriminate against the lessee or purchaser of any 25 real property or housing accommodation or part, portion, or 26 interest of the real property or housing accommodation, or 27 against any prospective lessee or purchaser of the property or 28 accommodation, because of the race, color, creed, religion, +: +.. 29 sex, sexualorientation, gender __._.:___isa i ity, age, or 30 national origin of persons who may from time to time be present 31 in or on the lessee's or owner's premises for lawful purposes 32 at the invitation of the lessee or owner as friends, guests, 33 visitors, relatives, or in any similar capacity. 34 Sec. 17. Section 216.8A, subsections 1, 2, and 5, Code 2025, 35 are amended to read as follows: LSB 2312YC (7) 91 _8_ cm/jh 8/17 https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/billbooklbillResources?action=printOpen&bill=HSB 242&status=i&ga=91& 9/18 2/21 /25, 8:43 AM legis.iowa.gov/legislation/billbook/billResources?action=printOpen&bill=HSB 242&status=i&ga=91 & H.F. 1 1. A person shall not induce or attempt to induce another 2 person to sell or rent a dwelling by representations regarding 3 the entry or prospective entry into a neighborhood of a person 4 of a particular race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, 5 gemider idemitity, religion, national origin, disability, or 6 familial status. 7 2. A person shall not represent to a person of a particular 8 race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gentle; identity, 9 religion, national origin, disability, or familial status that 10 a dwelling is not available for inspection, sale, or rental 11 when the dwelling is available for inspection, sale, or rental. 12 5. A person shall not deny another person access to, 13 or membership or participation in, a multiple -listing 14 service, real estate brokers' organization or other service, 15 organization, or facility relating to the business of selling 16 or renting dwellings, or discriminate against a person in 17 terms or conditions of access, membership, or participation in 18 such organization because of race, color, creed, sex, sexual 19 orientation, gemider idemitity, religion, national origin, 20 disability, or familial status. 21 Sec. 18. Section 216.8A, subsection 4, paragraph a, Code 22 2025, is amended to read as follows: 23 a. A person whose business includes engaging in residential 24 real estate related transactions shall not discriminate 25 against a person in making a residential real estate 26 related transaction available or in terms or conditions of 27 a residential real estate related transaction because of 28 race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gentle; identity, 29 religion, national origin, disability, or familial status. 30 Sec. 19. Section 216.9, subsection 1, unnumbered paragraph 31 1, Code 2025, is amended to read as follows: 32 It is an unfair or discriminatory practice for any 33 educational institution to discriminate on the basis of 34 race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, gentle; identity, 35 national origin, religion, or disability in any program or LSB 2312YC (7) 91 -9- cm/jh 9/17 https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/billbooklbillResources?action=printOpen&bill=HSB 242&status=i&ga=91& 10/18 2/21 /25, 8:43 AM legis.iowa.gov/legislation/billbook/billResources?action=printOpen&bill=HSB 242&status=i&ga=91 & H.F. 1 activity. Such discriminatory practices shall include but not 2 be limited to the following practices: 3 Sec. 20. Section 216.9, subsection 2, Code 2025, is amended 4 to read as follows: 5 2. For the purpose of this section, "educationaL 6 institution" includes any preschool, elementary or secondary 7 school, community college, area education agency, or 8 postsecondary college or university and their governing boards. 9 This section does not prohibit an educational institution 10 from maintaining separate toilet facilities, locker rooms, or 11 living facilities for the different sexes so long as comparable 12 facilities are provided. Nothing in this section shall be 13 construed as prohibiting any bona fide religious institution 14 from imposing qualifications based on religion,— or sexual 15 orientation, ei- gende; identity when such qualifications are 16 related to a bona fide religious purpose or any institution 17 from admitting students of only one sex. 18 Sec. 21. Section 216.10, subsection 1, paragraphs a, b, and 19 c, Code 2025, are amended to read as follows: 20 a. Creditor to refuse to enter into a consumer credit 21 transaction or impose finance charges or other terms or 22 conditions more onerous than those regularly extended by that 23 creditor to consumers of similar economic backgrounds because 24 of age, color, creed, national origin, race, religion, marital 25 status, sex, sexual orientation, , physical 26 disability, or familial status. 27 b. Person authorized or licensed to do business in this 28 state pursuant to chapter 524, 533, 536, or 536A to refuse 29 to loan or extend credit or to impose terms or conditions 30 more onerous than those regularly extended to persons of 31 similar economic backgrounds because of age, color, creed, 32 national origin, race, religion, marital status, sex, sexual 33 orientation, , physical disability, or familial 34 status. 35 c. Creditor to refuse to offer credit life or health and LSB 2312YC (7) 91 -10- cm/jh 10/17 https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/billbooklbillResources?action=printOpen&bill=HSB 242&status=i&ga=91& 11/18 2/21 /25, 8:43 AM legis.iowa.gov/legislation/billbook/billResources?action=printOpen&bill=HSB 242&status=i&ga=91 & H.F. 1 accident insurance because of color, creed, national origin, 2 race, religion, marital status, age, physical disability, 3 sex, sexual orientation, gemde; mt_ty, or familial status. 4 Refusal by a creditor to offer credit life or health and 5 accident insurance based upon the age or physical disability of 6 the consumer shall not be an unfair or discriminatory practice 7 if such denial is based solely upon bona fide underwriting 8 considerations not prohibited by Title XIII, subtitle 1. 9 Sec. 22. Section 216.12, subsection 1, paragraph a, Code 10 2025, is amended to read as follows: 11 a. Any bona fide religious institution with respect to 12 any qualifications it may impose based on religion,— or sexual 13 orientation, epgende; identity, when the qualifications are 14 related to a bona fide religious purpose, unless the religious 15 institution owns or operates property for a commercial purpose 16 or membership in the religion is restricted on account of race, 17 color, or national origin. 18 Sec. 23. Section 216.12A, Code 2025, is amended to read as 19 follows: 20 216.12A Additional housing exception. 21 Sections 216.8 and 216.8A do not prohibit a person engaged 22 in the business of furnishing appraisals of real estate from 23 taking into consideration factors other than race, color, 24 creed, sex, sexual orientation, gemider idemitity, religion, 25 national origin, disability, or familial status in appraising 26 real estate. 27 Sec. 24. Section 256E.7, subsection 2, paragraphs a and p, 28 Code 2025, are amended to read as follows: 29 a. Meet all applicable federal, state, and local health and 30 safety requirements and laws prohibiting discrimination on the 31 basis of race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, gemider 32 may, national origin, religion, ancestry, or disability. 33 If approved under section 256E.4, the charter school shall be 34 subject to any court -ordered desegregation in effect for the 35 school district at the time the charter school application is LSB 2312YC (7) 91 -11- cm/jh 11/17 https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/billbooklbillResources?action=printOpen&bill=HSB 242&status=i&ga=91& 12/18 2/21 /25, 8:43 AM legis.iowa.gov/legislation/billbook/billResources?action=printOpen&bill=HSB 242&status=i&ga=91 & H.F. 1 approved, unless otherwise specifically provided for in the 2 desegregation order. 3 p. Be subject to and comply with the requirements of section 4 279.80 relating to sexual orientation and gender idemitity 5 theory instruction in kindergarten through grade six in the 6 same manner as a school district. 7 Sec. 25. Section 256F.4, subsection 2, paragraphs a and n, 8 Code 2025, are amended to read as follows: 9 a. Meet all applicable federal, state, and local health and 10 safety requirements and laws prohibiting discrimination on the 11 basis of race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, gemider 12 ideitity, national origin, religion, ancestry, or disability. 13 A charter school or innovation zone school located within 14 the boundaries of a school district subject to court -ordered 15 desegregation at the time the charter school or innovation 16 zone school application is approved shall be subject to the 17 desegregation order unless otherwise specifically provided for 18 in the desegregation order. 19 n. Be subject to and comply with the requirements of section 20 279.80 relating to sexual orientation and gender identity 21 theory instruction in kindergarten through grade six in the 22 same manner as a school district. 23 Sec. 26. Section 261I.1, subsection 3, Code 2025, is amended 24 to read as follows: 25 3. "Sex" means 26 male the same as defined in section 4.1A. The sex listed on a 27 student's official birth certificate or certificate issued upon 28 adoption may be F___=d _per shall be considered presumptively 29 correct if the certificate was issued at or near the time of 30 the student's birth. 31 Sec. 27. Section 279.78, subsection 1, paragraph a, Code 32 2025, is amended to read as follows: 33 a. "Gender identity"means the sa:::= as -._._. ed in section 34 216.2an individual's subjective identification as male, 35 female, or neither male nor female. Gender identity shall not LSB 2312YC (7) 91 -12- cm/jh 12/17 https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/billbooklbillResources?action=printOpen&bill=HSB 242&status=i&ga=91& 13/18 2/21 /25, 8:43 AM legis.iowa.gov/legislation/billbook/billResources?action=printOpen&bill=HSB 242&status=i&ga=91 & H.F. 1 be considered a synonym or substitute for sex or gender. 2 Sec. 28. Section 279.80, Code 2025, is amended to read as 3 follows: 4 279.80 Sexual orientation and gender sty theory — 5 prohibited instruction. 6 1. As used in this section: 7 a. �endep __._.: _ __� "Gender theory means the s-awe—a•s 8 defined to seEtien216i concept that an individual may 9 properly be described in terms of an internal sense of gender 10 that is incongruent with the individual's sex as either 11 male or female. "Gender theory" includes the concept that 12 an individual who experiences distress or discomfort with 13 the individual's sex should identify as and live consistent 14 with the individual's internal sense of gender, and that 15 an individual can delay natural puberty and develop sex 16 characteristics of the opposite sex through the use of puberty 17 blockers, cross -sex hormones, and surgical procedures. 18 b. "Sexual orientation" means the same as defined in section 19 216.2. 20 2. A school district shall not provide any program, 21 curriculum, test, survey, questionnaire, promotion, or 22 instruction relating to gender identity theory or sexual 23 orientation to students in kindergarten through grade six. 24 Sec. 29. Section 280.33, subsection 1, paragraph c, Code 25 2025, is amended to read as follows: 26 c. "Sex" means , 27 e-s the same as defined in section 4.1A. The sex listed on 28 a person's official birth certificate or certificate issued 29 upon adoption shall be considered presumptively correct if the 30 certificate was issued at or near the time of the person's 31 birth. 32 Sec. 30. SEVERABILITY. If any provision of this Act is 33 held invalid, the invalidity shall not affect other provisions 34 or applications of this Act which can be given effect without 35 the invalid provision or application, and to this end the LSB 2312YC (7) 91 -13- cm/jh 13/17 https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/billbooklbillResources?action=printOpen&bill=HSB 242&status=i&ga=91& 14/18 2/21 /25, 8:43 AM legis.iowa.gov/legislation/billbook/billResources?action=printOpen&bill=HSB 242&status=i&ga=91 & H.F. 1 provisions of this Act are severable as provided in section 2 4.12. 3 EXPLANATION 4 The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with 5 the explanation's substance by the members of the general assembly. 6 This bill relates to sex and gender, including those 7 and related terms for purposes of statutory construction, 8 indications of a person's sex on certain vital records, gender 9 identity under the Iowa civil rights Act, and school curricula 10 related to gender theory. 11 The bill creates a new Code section 4.1A (statutory 12 construction — sex and related terms). The bill provides 13 that certain rules of statutory construction shall be observed 14 with regard to a person's sex. These rules with regard to a 15 person's sex include: 16 1. The term "sex", when used to classify or describe a 17 natural person, means the state of being either male or female 18 as observed or clinically verified at birth. 19 2. When used in reference to a natural person, the term 20 "female" means an individual who has, had, will have through 21 the course of normal development, or would have but for 22 a developmental anomaly, genetic anomaly, or accident, a 23 reproductive system that at some point produces ova, and 24 the term "male" means an individual who has, had, will have 25 through the course of normal development, or would have but 26 for a developmental anomaly, genetic anomaly, or accident a 27 reproductive system that at some point produces sperm. 28 3. The term "woman" or "girl" refers to a female and the 29 term "man" or "boy" refers to a male. 30 4. The term "mother" means a parent who is female and the 31 term "father" means a parent who is male. 32 5. The term "gender", when used alone in reference to 33 males, females, or the natural differences between males and 34 females shall be considered a synonym for sex and shall not 35 be considered a synonym or shorthand expression for gender LSB 2312YC (7) 91 -14- cm/jh 14/17 https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/billbooklbillResources?action=printOpen&bill=HSB 242&status=i&ga=91& 15/18 2/21 /25, 8:43 AM legis.iowa.gov/legislation/billbook/billResources?action=printOpen&bill=HSB 242&status=i&ga=91 & H.F. 1 identity, experienced gender, gender expression, or gender 2 role. 3 6. The term "equal" does not mean "same" or "identical". 4 7. Separate accommodations are not inherently unequal. 5 8. A person born with a medically verifiable diagnosis of 6 disorder or difference of sex development shall be provided the 7 legal protections and accommodations afforded under the federal 8 Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and applicable state 9 law. 10 Additionally, under the bill, any state law, policy, or 11 program that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex shall 12 be construed to forbid unfair treatment of females or males in 13 relation to similarly situated members of the opposite sex. 14 Notwithstanding any provision of state law to the contrary, 15 distinctions based on sex in various contexts where health, 16 safety, or privacy are implicated resulting in separate 17 accommodations, are substantially related to the important 18 government objectives of protecting the health, safety, and 19 privacy of the persons in these contexts. In addition, any 20 state department or subunit of a department, or any political 21 subdivision of the state including a city, county, township, 22 or school district that collects vital statistics for the 23 purpose of complying with state antidiscrimination laws or for 24 the purpose of gathering accurate state public health, crime, 25 economic, or other data, shall identify the sex of each person 26 included in the collected data as either male or female. 27 The bill defines "state law" for the purposes of new Code 28 section 4.1A. 29 The bill also amends provisions under Code chapter 144 30 (vital statistics). The bill requires that an original 31 certificate of birth shall include a designation of the sex of 32 the person as defined in new Code section 4.1A. With regard 33 to a new certificate of birth, if a new certificate of birth 34 is established after the state registrar receives an adoption 35 report or a certified copy of an adoption decree or following LSB 2312YC (7) 91 -15- cm/jh 15/17 https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/billbooklbillResources?action=printOpen&bill=HSB 242&status=i&ga=91& 16/18 2/21 /25, 8:43 AM legis.iowa.gov/legislation/billbook/billResources?action=printOpen&bill=HSB 242&status=i&ga=91 & H.F. 1 a determination of paternity, the new certificate of birth 2 shall include a designation of sex of the person at birth; 3 and if a new certificate of birth is established after the 4 state registrar receives a notarized affidavit by a licensed 5 physician and surgeon or osteopathic physician and surgeon 6 stating that by reason of surgery or other treatment by the 7 licensee, the sex designation of the person has been changed, 8 the new certificate of birth shall include a designation of the 9 sex of the person both at the time of birth and at the time of 10 establishment of the new certificate of birth. 11 Under current law, Code chapter 216 prohibits discrimination 12 in employment, wages, public accommodations, housing, 13 education, and credit practices based upon certain 14 characteristics of a person, including gender identity. 15 A person who claims to be aggrieved by an unfair or 16 discriminatory practice prohibited by Code chapter 216 may 17 file a complaint with the Iowa civil rights commission. Code 18 chapter 216 provides various remedies for such practices. Code 19 chapter 216 defines "gender identity" as the gender -related 20 identity of a person, regardless of the person's assigned sex 21 at birth. 22 For purposes of Code chapter 216, the bill removes 23 gender identity as a protected class. The bill also removes 24 gender identity as a protected class in the prohibition of 25 discrimination under federal, state, and local law for charter 26 schools and innovation schools. 27 Under current Code section 279.80, school districts, 28 accredited nonpublic schools, charter schools, and innovation 29 zone schools are prohibited from providing instruction related 30 to gender identity and sexual orientation to students in 31 kindergarten through grade six. The bill replaces the term 32 "gender identity" with the term "gender theory" and defines 33 "gender theory". 34 The bill makes conforming changes related to the strike of 35 the definition of gender identity in the Code. LSB 2312YC (7) 91 -16- cm/jh 16/17 https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/billbooklbillResources?action=printOpen&bill=HSB 242&status=i&ga=91& 17/18 2/21 /25, 8:43 AM legis.iowa.gov/legislation/billbook/billResources?action=printOpen&bill=HSB 242&status=i&ga=91 & H.F. 1 The bill provides that its provisions are severable pursuant 2 to Code section 4.12. LSB 2312YC (7) 91 _17_ cm/jh 17/17 https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/billbooklbillResources?action=printOpen&bill=HSB 242&status=i&ga=91& 18/18 LATE HANDOUTS - THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS WERE DISTRIBUTED AT THE MEETING Stefanie Bowers From. Whit Martinez <whit@englert.org> Sent: Wednesday, February 5, 2025 5:01 PM To: Stefanie Bowers Cc: Eliabeth Shannon; Ernily Harkin; Idriss A. Abdullahi; Ke Subject: Re: Opportunities for Partnership? A W\ � "This email originated outside of the City of Iowa City email system. Please take oxtra care opening any links or attachments. ** Hello all! Stefanie, thankyou forthat introduction! Commissioners, I'm the Community Engagement Coordinator at The Englert. I heard the commission mention the planning of a Know Your Rights panel/event for our immigrant community. Let me know if The Fnglert can partner with or support this event or any events you are currently planning to uplift our immigrant community during this time. I look forward to hearing from you soon and thank you foryour commitment to creating a safe space for our diverse community! Warm regards, Whit Martinez 1-1 On Tue, Feb 4, 2025 at 3:48 PM Stefanie, Bowers < Bowers@iowa-city.or > wrote: H! Whit, Thank you so much for reaching out. I am including those commissioners who I recall discussing such an event. Please all, let me know anything you need from me to assist with making this happen. Stefanie From: Whit Martinez <whitCc�.�ngle t or > Sent; Tuesday, February4, 2025 11:39AM To: Stefanie Bowers <SBowers@iowa.city.org> Subject: Opportunities for Partnership? 0 ** This email originated outside of the City of Iowa City email system. Please take extra care opening any links or attachments. ** I hope you are staying warm and tapping into community this woek.. I attended the Human Rights Commission monthly meeting last weok! 1 had some family circumstances come up and was unable to attend the fast few meetings. I heard the commission mention the planning of a Know Your Rights panel/event for our immigrant community. Let me know if The Englert can partner with or support this event or any events you are currently planning to uplift our immigrant community during this time. i look forward to hearing from you soon and thank you for your commitment to creating a safe space for our diverse community! Warm regards, Whit Martinez