Iowa 2023-2024 Regular Session

Iowa House Bill HF2139

Introduced
1/25/24  
Introduced
1/25/24  

Caption

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 or for the failure to use personal pronouns in official communications, and providing civil penalties.(See HF 2396.)

Impact

If enacted, HF2139 will significantly amend current policies governing disciplinary actions in educational environments, laying out clear guidelines that prevent punishment for supporting or upholding the use of legal names. Key provisions allow individuals who believe their rights under this new law have been violated to seek civil remedies, including reinstatement, back wages, and penalties for wrongful termination. Such mechanisms are intended to hold school authorities accountable, promoting adherence to the law while also balancing the rights of individuals.

Summary

House File 2139 seeks to establish protections for employees, contractors, and students within school districts and charter schools by prohibiting them from facing any disciplinary actions based on their use of legal names or for failing to use personal pronouns in official communications. The bill aims to create a more inclusive and respectful environment within educational institutions by ensuring that individuals are not penalized for simply adhering to traditional naming practices or for choosing not to engage in the use of particular pronouns publicly in communications. This legislative move signals an acknowledgment of the growing conversations around identity and language in educational settings.

Contention

While the bill has garnered support for enhancing civil rights, it has also faced scrutiny for potentially causing friction within school communities. Opponents argue that by prohibiting the use of personal pronouns, the bill could undermine the complexities of gender identity and expression within educational settings. Concerns have been raised about whether the laws might clash with existing policies promoting diversity and inclusion, and how they might affect the dynamics among students and staff. The civil penalties included in the bill could lead to increased litigation within schools, raising questions about the administrative burden this may have on educational institutions enforcing compliance.

Companion Bills

IA HF2396

Similar To 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.(Formerly HF 2139.)

Previously Filed As

IA HF2396

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.(Formerly HF 2139.)

IA HF620

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 or for the failure to use personal pronouns in official communications, and providing civil penalties.(Formerly HF 367.)

IA SF8

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.

IA HF80

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.

IA HF367

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 or for the failure to use personal pronouns in official communications.(See HF 620.)

IA HSB206

A bill for an act relating to education, including authorizing the ombudsman to investigate complaints received by individuals who hold a license, certificate, authorization, or statement of recognition issued by the board of educational examiners, modifying the responsibilities of school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, and charter schools, and authorizing teachers employed by school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, or charter schools to remove disruptive students from the classroom.(See HF 604.)

IA HF362

A bill for an act relating to public education, including participation in surveys, analyses, activities, or evaluations by students, employees, and contractors of school districts or charter schools and prohibiting the use of certain resources or materials related to social and emotional learning.

IA SF85

A bill for an act relating to public education, including participation in surveys, analyses, activities, or evaluations by students, employees, and contractors of school districts or charter schools and prohibiting the use of certain resources or materials related to social and emotional learning.

IA HB1361

Schools; definitions; prohibiting school personnel and students from requesting and using certain pronouns or alternate names in certain situations; effective date; emergency.

IA SF496

A bill for an act relating to children and students, including establishing a parent's or guardian's right to make decisions affecting the parent's or guardian's child, authorizing the parent or guardian of a student enrolled in a school district to enroll the student in another attendance center within the same school district in certain specified circumstances, prohibiting instruction related to gender identity and sexual orientation in school districts, charter schools, and innovation zone schools in kindergarten through grade six, and modifying provisions related to student health screenings, school district library programs, the educational program provided to students enrolled in school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, and charter schools, other duties of school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, the department of education, the board of educational examiners, and the governing boards of charter schools and innovation zone schools, competent private instruction, and special education, and including effective date provisions. (Formerly SSB 1145.) Effective date: 05/26/2023, 07/01/2023.

Similar Bills

IA SF8

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.

IA HF80

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.

IA HF2396

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.(Formerly HF 2139.)

IA HF367

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 or for the failure to use personal pronouns in official communications.(See HF 620.)

IA HF620

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 or for the failure to use personal pronouns in official communications, and providing civil penalties.(Formerly HF 367.)

CA SB610

Contractors: licensing and regulation.

FL H1163

Regulation of Water Resources

CA AB2329

Pupil health: eye examinations: schoolsites.