IA
Iowa House Bill HF482

Iowa 2023-2024 Regular Session

Iowa House Bill HF482

Introduced
2/28/23  
Introduced
2/28/23  

Caption

A bill for an act prohibiting persons from entering single and multiple occupancy toilet facilities in elementary and secondary schools that do not correspond with the person's biological sex.

Impact

If enacted, HF482 would amend existing laws regarding civil rights in Iowa, explicitly stating that it is not considered an unfair or discriminatory practice for schools to enforce these biological sex-based regulations. This change is aimed at addressing concerns from proponents who argue that the presence of individuals in facilities that do not align with their biological sex could lead to discomfort and safety issues among students. As such, the bill aligns school restroom policies more closely with proponents' social views on the matter while removing previous interpretations of non-discrimination in this context.

Summary

House File 482 introduces regulations regarding the use of single and multiple occupancy toilet facilities in elementary and secondary schools. The bill specifies that persons may only enter toilet facilities that correspond with their biological sex as indicated on their birth certificate. This stipulation applies to all public and private elementary and secondary schools in Iowa, effectively reinforcing biological sex as the determining factor for access to restroom facilities within educational institutions.

Contention

The proposal has spurred significant debate regarding its impact on transgender and non-binary students. Opponents of the bill contend that such regulations may lead to the marginalization and stigmatization of these students. Advocates for transgender rights argue that the bill disregards the complexity of gender identity and the rights of individuals to access facilities in a manner that aligns with their gender identity. These discussions reflect broader societal tensions surrounding gender rights, representation in schools, and the role of government in personal identity matters.

Latest IA HF482 Activity

View All Events: IA 2023-2024 Regular Session HF482

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

IA SF335

A bill for an act prohibiting persons from entering single and multiple occupancy toilet facilities and other facilities in elementary and secondary schools that do not correspond with the person's biological sex and including effective date provisions.(See SF 482.)

IA SF482

A bill for an act prohibiting persons from entering single and multiple occupancy restrooms or changing areas and other facilities in elementary and secondary schools that do not correspond with the person's biological sex and including effective date provisions. (Formerly SF 335.) Effective date: 03/22/2023.

IA SF2055

A bill for an act prohibiting persons from entering single and multiple occupancy restrooms or changing areas and other facilities in public accommodations that do not correspond with the person's biological sex, and including effective date provisions.

IA HF622

A bill for an act permitting public schools to designate and allow the use of restrooms and changing facilities only by persons of the same biological sex, and providing a private cause of action.(Formerly HSB 208.)

IA HSB208

A bill for an act permitting public schools to designate and allow the use of restrooms and changing facilities only by persons of the same biological sex, and providing a private cause of action.(See HF 622.)

IA HR1579

Prohibiting Members, officers, and employees of the House from using single-sex facilities other than those corresponding to their biological sex, and for other purposes.

IA HF583

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.(Formerly HSB 242.)

IA HSB242

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.(See HF 583.)

IA SF156

A bill for an act relating to policies for certain private spaces in facilities of public entities, providing penalties, and including effective date provisions.

IA SF418

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.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.