All Roll Calls
Yes: 93 • No: 51
IowaSF 41891st General Assembly (2025–2026)SenateWALLET
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. Effective date: 07/01/2025.
Sponsored By: Jason Schultz (Republican)
Signed by Governor
judiciary
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
12 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 9 mixed.
State defines sex and records it
The law defines sex in state law as male or female based on observation or clinical verification at birth. Sex‑bias bans are read as comparing treatment of males and females. State and local data systems that collect vital or similar data must record each person’s sex as male or female. These rules take effect July 1, 2025.
Fair lending covers orientation and identity
Lenders and insurers for credit cannot deny or worsen terms because of sexual orientation or gender identity. This covers loans, credit terms, and credit‑related insurance. It takes effect July 1, 2025.
Schools cannot discriminate on identity
Preschools, K–12 schools, colleges, and education agencies cannot discriminate based on sexual orientation or gender identity. Charter and innovation schools must also meet health and safety rules and follow the same nondiscrimination laws. These protections start July 1, 2025.
Stronger job and pay protections
The law bans job bias based on sexual orientation or gender identity. It also bans paying a worker less for these reasons. These rules cover hiring, firing, and wages. They take effect July 1, 2025.
Fair housing expands; appraisal rules clarified
Housing providers and real estate pros cannot discriminate based on sexual orientation or gender identity. Steering, false availability claims, and blocking access to listing services are banned. Appraisers may consider factors other than protected traits when valuing property. These rules apply July 1, 2025.
Schools use biological sex for records
Schools define sex as biological male or female. Birth or adoption certificates issued at or near birth are presumed correct for school records. Schools may keep separate bathrooms, locker rooms, or housing by sex if facilities are comparable. Gender identity is defined but not treated as the same as sex. These rules take effect July 1, 2025.
Wider exemptions for religious employers
Religious institutions and their schools may set job rules tied to religion, sexual orientation, or gender identity when tied to a bona fide religious purpose. This changes who can be hired or kept in some roles. The change starts July 1, 2025.
Public accommodations rules and religious exceptions
Businesses open to the public cannot refuse service or advertise refusals based on sexual orientation or gender identity. Bona fide religious institutions get an exception for faith‑based qualifications tied to a bona fide religious purpose. The exception does not apply to commercial property or racial membership limits. A specific civil‑rights definition is also removed. These changes take effect July 1, 2025.
Sex‑separate facilities allowed for privacy
Agencies may separate facilities by sex in places like prisons, detention centers, domestic violence shelters, rape crisis centers, locker rooms, and restrooms. The law states these separations serve health, safety, and privacy. This applies beginning July 1, 2025.
Birth certificates list sex at birth
Birth certificates must list the child’s sex as defined by law. If sex cannot be determined at birth, parents have up to six months to complete filing after medical testing. When a new birth certificate is issued, it must still show the actual birth place and date and include sex, and access to the original is limited. Forms use the word “sex,” and default naming rules apply if no name is provided. These rules start July 1, 2025.
No K–6 gender theory lessons
Schools may not teach gender theory or sexual orientation in kindergarten through grade 6. The law defines what “gender theory” means for schools. Charter and innovation schools must follow the same rules. These limits start July 1, 2025.
K–12 job posts require nondiscrimination
All statewide postings for K–12 education jobs must include a nondiscrimination statement. It must cover sexual orientation and gender identity. Employers face a new posting step, and jobseekers get clear notice. This applies starting July 1, 2025.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Jason Schultz
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 2/27/2025
Passed Senate
Yes: 33 • No: 15
House vote • 2/27/2025
Passed House
Yes: 60 • No: 36
Actions Timeline
Explanation of vote.
3/26/2025legislatureExplanation of vote.
3/4/2025legislatureExplanation of vote.
3/3/2025legislatureSigned by Governor.
2/28/2025GovernorReported correctly enrolled, signed by President and Speaker, and sent to Governor.
2/28/2025SenateExplanation of vote.
2/28/2025legislatureMessage from House.
2/27/2025HouseImmediate message.
2/27/2025legislaturePassed House, yeas 60, nays 36.
2/27/2025HouseSubstituted for HF 583.
2/27/2025legislatureRead first time, passed on file.
2/27/2025legislatureMessage from Senate.
2/27/2025SenateImmediate message.
2/27/2025legislaturePassed Senate, yeas 33, nays 15.
2/27/2025SenateAmendment S-3013 filed, lost.
2/27/2025legislatureAmendment S-3012 filed, lost.
2/27/2025legislatureAmendment S-3011 filed, lost.
2/27/2025legislaturePlaced on calendar.
2/26/2025legislatureCommittee report, recommending passage.
2/26/2025legislatureSubcommittee recommends passage.
2/25/2025legislatureSubcommittee Meeting: 02/25/2025 12:00PM Room G15.
2/24/2025legislatureSubcommittee: Schultz, Blake, and Dawson.
2/24/2025legislatureIntroduced, referred to Judiciary.
2/24/2025legislature
Bill Text
As Introduced
Enrolled
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