February 22, 2025 Action ALERT:

The Faith Works team, with help from Interfaith Alliance of Iowa, has identified these current bills before the Iowa Legislature that are concerning as they run counter to Faith's support of immigrants, LGBTQ+ individuals, and others who face discrimination and oppression in our society. Because of our Open and Affirming, Just Peace, and Economic Justice covenants along with the Gospels, Faith UCC has always raised its voice whenever the rights of our neighbors have come under attack. If you've already written to legislators about these issues, thank you! If not, support is still needed to change the course of several bills as described here. Information on how to contact legislators can be found at the end of this action alert. .

GENDER IDENTITY ERASURE ACT!

HSB242 (Against) A bill for an act relating to sex and gender, including those and related terms for purposes of statutory construction, indications of a person’s sex on certain vital records, gender identity under the Iowa civil rights Act, and school curricula related to gender theory.

EXPLANATION OF THE BILL

  • The bill removes Iowans who are transgender from the Iowa Civil Rights Act and from other areas of the Iowa Code.

  • It legalizes discrimination against Iowans who are transgender in the areas of employment, housing, public accommodation, education, and credit.

  • The bill replaces the term gender identity with “gender theory” in various areas of law, erasing Iowans who are transgender under the law.

  • It removes the ability of Iowans to update gender on their birth certificates.

  • The bill weakens protections for other Iowans who are intersex and cisgender who don’t fit rigid gender norms.

OUR MESSAGE

  • Transgender people are our friends, neighbors, family, and coworkers. When it comes to being able to earn a living, having a place to live, or being served by a business or government office, people who are transgender should be treated like anyone else and not be discriminated against.

  • All hardworking people – including those who are transgender – should be treated fairly and equally by the laws of our state.

  • For people of faith:

    • Protecting people who are transgender from discrimination means treating others as we want to be treated.

    • God’s call to care for all children of God ensures all people are children of God and should be treated as such. Including gender identity in the civil rights law and protecting people who are transgender from discrimination upholds God’s call.

  • Please be brave and stand for what you know is right. Taking away protections from a group of people who have been historically discriminated against is not right. Please vote no.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

1 – Email the majority leader in the House.

Matt.Windschitl@legis.iowa.gov

2 – Email these House members. Please send a separate email to each member.

Michael.Bergan@legis.iowa.gov
Jane.Bloomingdale@legis.iowa.gov
Jacob.Bossman@legis.iowa.gov
Taylor.Collins@legis.iowa.gov
Austin.Harris@legis.iowa.gov
Chad.Ingels@legis.iowa.gov
Tom.Jeneary@legis.iowa.gov
Megan.Jones@legis.iowa.gov
Bobby.Kaufmann@legis.iowa.gov
Shannon.Latham@legis.iowa.gov
Brian.Lohse@legis.iowa.gov
Shannon.Lundgren@legis.iowa.gov
Gary.Mohr@legis.iowa.gov
Tom.Moore@legis.iowa.gov
Carter.Nordman@legis.iowa.gov
Mike.Sexton@legis.iowa.gov
Brent.Siegrist@legis.iowa.gov
Travis.Sitzmann@legis.iowa.gov
Hans.Wilz@legis.iowa.gov
Devon.Wood@legis.iowa.gov
David.Young@legis.iowa.gov

3 – Contact Governor Kim Reynolds.

515-281-5211

PUBLIC EDUCATION

HSB84 (Against) A bill for an act prohibiting school districts, charter schools, and innovation zone schools from providing any program, curriculum, test, survey, questionnaire, promotion, or instruction relating to gender identity or sexual orientation to students in grades seven through twelve.

The subcommittee recommends passage. The bill is eligible for consideration by the House Education Committee.

This bill prohibits schools from providing any program, curriculum, test, survey, instruction, etc., relating to gender identity or sexual orientation to students in grades 7–12, extending the prohibition already in place for grades kindergarten to 6.

HIGHER EDUCATION

HSB60 (Against) A bill for an act prohibiting private institutions of higher education that participate in the Iowa tuition grant program from establishing diversity, equity, and inclusion offices.

The subcommittee recommends passage. The bill is eligible for consideration by the House Higher Education Committee.

The bill prohibits private colleges and universities in Iowa from establishing, sustaining, supporting, or staffing a diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) office. If found in violation, the institution shall be ineligible to receive funds from the Iowa Tuition Grant program on behalf of eligible students for the next academic year.

SF335 (Against) An Act relating to education, including by modifying provisions related to trainings and curricula provided by school districts and prohibited sexual orientation and gender identity instruction, and implementing prohibitions related to the diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts of institutions of higher learning governed by the state board of regents, community colleges, and public schools.

A subcommittee meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 25, at 10:30 AM in the Senate Lounge. The subcommittee members include:

Sandy.Salmon@legis.iowa.gov
Mike.Pike@legis.iowa.gov
Herman.Quirmbach@legis.iowa.gov

This bill is about punishment of educational professionals if a parent or guardian has a complaint, founded or not, about curriculum and trainings that include information related to sexual orientation or gender identity in grades kindergarten to 6. The bill allows a parent or guardian to bring a civil action against the school district or an administrator and requires the Board of Educational Examiners to revoke the license of an administrator or teacher who is in violation. The bill also creates additional pathways should the parent or guardian be dissatisfied with any decision by any of the decision-making bodies including access to the state attorney general and complaints being made directly to the Department of Education.

Separately, the bill adds community colleges to the definition of higher education institutions and for community colleges to be included in the restrictions implemented by the law passed in 2024 regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion offices at public institutions of higher education.

LGBTQ RIGHTS

SF8 and HF80 (Against) A bill for an act prohibiting school districts and charter schools from taking disciplinary action against employees, contractors, or students for the use of legal names, the use of student names as listed in school registration forms or records, or for the failure to use personal pronouns in official communications, and providing civil penalties.

The subcommittees both recommend passage. The bills are eligible for consideration by the Senate and House Education Committee.

SF8 and HF80 prohibit schools from taking disciplinary action against employees, contractors, and students for using the legal name (the name listed in the school’s registration for the student) or for the failure of using another student’s preferred pronouns. The bills prohibit the governing board from taking any disciplinary action. They also provide employees who have been terminated a right of action to enforce the provisions of the bills and to receive reinstatement, with or without back pay, and civil damages.

The bill is not focused on kids or staff who unintentionally make a mistake with the use of a name or pronouns that is not preferred. Mistakes are made, even by those committed to respecting other people.

This bill is about state sanctioned bullying. Giving permission to habitual offenders who intentionally and habitually use the wrong name or pronouns. People who are disrespectful and don’t care about the other person or their rights. Kids and adults who choose to bully.

We have worked hard in Iowa for the last 18 years to educate kids – and adults – about bullying and harassment and its impact. This bill is harmful and takes us backwards.

IMMIGRATION

HSB187 (Against) An Act relating to participation by law enforcement agencies in immigration programs.

The subcommittee recommends passage. The bill is eligible for consideration by the House Judiciary Committee.

This bill would require all law enforcement in Iowa at every level to cooperate and assist with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and sign an agreement regarding that cooperation.

HSB15 (Against) A bill for an act establishing the criminal offense of the smuggling of persons, and providing penalties.

The bill passed out of the House Judiciary Committee. The bill will be renumbered and eligible for consideration by the House.

Although we obviously oppose smuggling and human trafficking, the legislation is familiar language that has been used in other states to target those who have assisted immigrants, even in the most mundane ways. Many of the bill’s provisions are duplicative of current federal law that prohibits knowingly transporting a person who is in the state without authorization – targeting smugglers. However, there is concern that the legislation includes language similar to other states that could place others in jeopardy such as volunteers, family members, and even Uber drivers.

HOW TO CONTACT LEGISLATORS

Your state representative and senator need to hear from you on the issues, and that you are paying attention to their votes.

Call, email, text, or write them. Meet with them at the Iowa Capitol. If you are one of their constituents, build a relationship with your elected officials ahead of time so they know you care about these important issues.

Many legislators hold forums in their district throughout the legislative session. It is a great opportunity to hear from your lawmakers, ask questions, and build a relationship.

Find your state senator or representative and other elected officials.
https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislators/find

House Switchboard:  515.281.3221
Senate Switchboard:  515.281.3371 

Legislative Emails:  FIRSTname.LASTname@legis.iowa.gov

Iowa Governor Contact Form: https://governor.iowa.gov/contact-office-governor

Iowa Capitol mailing address:
State Capitol Building, 1007 East Grand Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa 50319