Latest news with #HSB242
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Iowa bill ending transgender protections heads to governor's desk
A bill that would repeal civil rights protections for transgender Iowans has passed the state House and Senate and is on its way to be signed by Governor Kim Reynolds. Tyler Mitchell, Director of Development at The Project of the Quad Cities spoke with Our Quad Cities News via Zoom to discuss the ramifications of HSB 242/SF 418. 'To my knowledge, it has not yet been signed,' Mitchell said. 'However, we anticipate that it will be signed at some point, probably relatively soon.' He explained why protestors have been demonstrating against the proposed law. 'This bill is dangerous for a number of different reasons. Iowa would become the first state in the entire country to remove a protected class from its Civil Rights Code. By doing so, we are essentially taking away equal treatment and protection under the law for transgender and nonbinary Iowans. This is a huge and significant deal.' Mitchell is concerned that the impact of the bill might not be immediately visible. 'The trans community in the state of Iowa is relatively small. Nonetheless, this impacts people's lives in a negative way. It might not be an impact that we'll see tomorrow or even the day after. Certainly, within the next year or so, I can see certain things coming to fruition.' 'It is a removal of a protected class from the Iowa Civil Rights Code. What this can impact for people are certain protections, access to housing, employment opportunities, very much sort of cutting off the core freedoms that all of us should be able to experience, and all the opportunities that every Iowan, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, whoever they might be, should experience. Every Iowan should have access to those opportunities.' 'It is really important that we as a community make our voices heard. Letting the governor know at this moment, that is really the last hoop that this bill has to go through. So, our last chance really to stop this bill is to appeal to Governor Reynolds, to say to her that Iowa should not be the state whose reputation will be known as the first to remove a protected class from its Civil Rights Code.' Iowa became one of the first states to legalize same sex marriages, after a unanimous ruling by the state Supreme Court in 2009. 'We were known for being one of the first (states) to pass marriage equality,' he said. 'We added sexual orientation and gender identity to our Iowa Civil Rights Code. These were really important steps that we took, and now we're starting to see some of that unravel.' Mitchell says that no matter what happens to the bill, LGBTQ+ residents in the Quad Cities will still have services. 'Here at The Project of the Quad Cities, we serve people who identify as transgender and nonbinary. We provide LGBTQ+ healthcare services like behavioral health, STI and HIV screenings and primary care. There are so many things that go into healthcare and support for LGBTQ+ people. We want that community to know, in particular, here in the Quad Cities that we are still here, our doors are open, and we want people to access services with us.' He says that despite the insecurity in society, it's more important than ever for people to stick together. 'I would just say, right now, there is so much uncertainty. I think we can take comfort in community and in being together and in supporting one another. As the LGBTQ community continues to experience attacks, in particular trans people, it is important that the entire community, all people in the LGBTQ+ community, come together to stand up for trans and nonbinary individuals who are being impacted by this legislation. We have to come together as a community, and we're calling on our allies to join us.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Bill removing gender identity as protected class passes through house and senate
DES MOINES, Iowa — The bill removing gender identity as a protected class has passed through both the House and Senate, it now moves to the governors' desk. The bill, HSB 242, SF 418 was introduced on February 20 and completely removes gender identity as a protected class, meaning protections from discrimination in employment, housing, wages, etc. would be removed. Protests, public hearings start Thursday with Iowa Republicans working to remove gender identity as a protected class Thursday morning the bill saw protests and public comment periods; it was moved to a vote early this afternoon. On Thursday, the senate voted to pass the bill 33-15 down party lines, while the house went less down the line with a 60-36 vote. The bill will now move to Governor Kim Reynolds' desk to be signed into law. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Iowa lawmakers look to change protected classes in Iowa Civil Rights on Thursday
DES MOINES, Iowa — After a week of protests, large police presence, and public comment periods, both chambers of lawmakers are set to debate a bill removing 'gender identity' from the Iowa Civil Rights code. The bill, HSB 242, was introduced on February 20 and would completely remove gender identity as a protected class, meaning protections from discrimination in employment, housing, wages, etc. would be removed. This move could make Iowa the first state to take back civil rights to a protected class after they had been afforded. Food restrictions for Iowans on SNAP benefits advances in Iowa House The Iowa Senate Judiciary committee advanced the bill on Wednesday afternoon, clearing the way for debate Thursday. A public hearing is set for Thursday morning in the Iowa House chamber. This will last for 90 minutes, and then both chambers are expected to debate the bill, which could send the legislation to the Governor's desk just a week after these proposals were introduced. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Iowa bill removing gender identity from Civil Rights Act advances
DES MOINES, Iowa — House Republicans on Monday advanced a bill that would remove gender identity as a protected class from the Iowa Civil Rights Act. On Monday morning House Republicans took up HSB 242 in a subcommittee meeting and dozens of LGBTQ advocates attended to voice their opposition to the bill. At some points speakers were forced to pause until protestors in the Capitol stopped chanting. WATCH: Semi fire reported on I-80 near Altoona The subcommittee advanced the bill to the House Judiciary Committee scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Monday afternoon. Only a couple hours later the Judiciary Committee passed the bill along party lines 13 to 8. HSB 242 is now eligible for debate on the House floor. According to Iowa Safe Schools, if the bill is passed Iowa would be the first state in the country to remove a protected class from a civil rights act. 'Today is a dark day for all Iowans as the Iowa legislature has moved this devastating piece of legislation forward,' Becky Tayler, Executive Director for Iowa Safe Schools, said. 'Make no mistake — HSB 242 will empower individuals to discriminate against their fellow Iowans. It sends a message that Iowans aren't welcome in their own state. We urge the Iowa House to reject this bill.' Iowa News: 'Picture of perseverence': Marshalltown man's legacy lives on 100+ years later in historically African-American school Iowa bill removing gender identity from Civil Rights Act advances WHO 13 Farm Report: Monday, February 24 One injured after officer-involved shooting in Sioux City Hearing for Iowa bill removing gender identity from Civil Rights Act scheduled for Monday Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
21-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Gender identity would be removed from Iowa's Civil Rights Act under new bill
DES MOINES, Iowa — Iowa House Republicans introduced a bill on Thursday that would remove gender identity from Iowa's Civil Rights Act. In 2007 the Iowa Civil Rights Act was expanded to include sexual orientation and gender identity as protected classes. The new bill, HSB 242, would completely remove gender identity as a protected class, meaning protections from discrimination in employment, housing, wages, etc. would be removed. Critics against the bill say it would erase transgender Iowans' existence. HSB 242 subverts the constitutional guarantees of equality under the law and seeks to push trans Iowans back into the shadows. This bill sends a message that trans Iowans aren't welcome in their own state. We will not stand by while the Iowa Legislature seeks to erase the students we serve. Executive Director of Iowa Safe Schools Becky Tayler Ames man charged for allegedly shooting Good Boy the dog This is the worst bill we have ever seen come out of the Iowa Legislature, and that is a high bar. This would wreak havoc on the lives of transgender people across the state, upending their ability to do basic things like rent an apartment or get a credit card. More than that, it removes their ability to get government documents that match their gender and legally defines them out of existence. The consequences of this bill will also serve to weaken protections for intersex and cisgender Iowans who fail to meet the rigid gender assumptions contained within. This bill is pointless, unnecessary, and unbelievably cruel. Transgender Iowans are our friends, our neighbors, and our coworkers. We deserve the same fundamental rights, dignity, and respect as anyone else. This legislation will not improve the life of a single Iowan, but it will undoubtedly make the lives of transgender Iowans worse. We call on legislators to reject this proposal and get back to work on policies that make our state better for everyone. One Iowa Executive Director Max Mowitz Iowa Republican Representative Steve Holt, who brought forward the bill, said in a statement on Facebook that the bill doesn't legalize discrimination against transgender Iowans. His statement reads in part: 'Over the past few years, the Iowa Legislature has passed a number of common sense policies at the urging of Iowans, such as protections for girls' sports, locker rooms, and restrooms, and prohibiting gender affirming care for minors. I have reached the conclusion that these policies that are overwhelmingly supported by Iowans are at risk of being struck down in court so long as gender identity remains a protected class in Iowa code.' Governor Kim Reynolds introduced a similar bill in 2024 that would have legally defined the term mother as being only female and would have required transgender Iowans to have their sex at birth and their gender identity listed on birth certificates and drivers or state licenses. That bill failed to advance. HSB 242 has been assigned to a subcommittee, but a meeting date has not been scheduled. Iowa News: WHO 13 Farm Report: Friday, February 21 Gender identity would be removed from Iowa's Civil Rights Act under new bill Ames man charged for allegedly shooting Good Boy the dog DMPD says man who stole dog back from shelter shot at Iowa police who tried to arrest him Springlike weather to follow frigid conditions in central Iowa Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
