Iowa 2025-2026 Regular Session

Iowa House Bill HF855

Introduced
3/7/25  

Caption

A bill for an act prohibiting community colleges from establishing diversity, equity, and inclusion offices and engaging in certain other activities relating to diversity, equity, and inclusion.(Formerly HSB 61.)

Impact

If enacted, HF855 could significantly reshape the operational landscape of community colleges in Iowa by limiting their ability to foster inclusive educational environments. The legislation mandates annual compliance reporting from these institutions to both the Iowa General Assembly and the governor, with enforcement overseen by the attorney general. This could create a climate where community colleges may feel pressured to curtail initiatives aimed at promoting diversity and inclusivity in response to fear of potential legal ramifications.

Summary

House File 855 is proposed legislation that seeks to restrict community colleges from establishing offices dedicated to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. This bill classifies community colleges as public institutions of higher education under existing Iowa laws and specifically prohibits these institutions from engaging in various DEI-related activities, including the establishment of DEI offices, requiring diversity statements, or granting preferential treatment based on DEI statements. The bill is part of a broader trend in legislative measures concerning educational policy and institutional governance.

Contention

The bill has sparked notable contention within the community and among lawmakers, with proponents arguing that it addresses concerns about equity policies perceived to favor certain groups over others. They assert that the elimination of DEI offices is necessary to ensure fairness in educational opportunities. Conversely, opponents have raised alarms over the potential negative consequences of such restrictions, arguing that the absence of DEI initiatives could undermine efforts to create equitable and supportive educational environments, particularly for marginalized student populations and those facing systemic barriers.

Companion Bills

IA HSB61

Related A bill for an act prohibiting community colleges from establishing diversity, equity, and inclusion offices and engaging in certain other activities relating to diversity, equity, and inclusion.(See HF 855.)

Previously Filed As

IA HF616

A bill for an act prohibiting institutions of higher learning governed by the state board of regents from expending moneys to fund diversity, equity, and inclusion offices or to hire individuals to serve as diversity, equity, and inclusion officers, creating a private cause of action, and including effective date provisions.(Formerly HSB 218.)

IA HSB218

A bill for an act prohibiting institutions of higher learning governed by the state board of regents from expending moneys to fund diversity, equity, and inclusion offices or to hire individuals to serve as diversity, equity, and inclusion officers, creating a private cause of action, and including effective date provisions.(See HF 616.)

IA HF2327

A bill for an act relating to higher education, including diversity, equity, and inclusion policies, tuition, and administrator hiring at state universities, membership of the state board of regents, and student-employer work and tuition programs at state universities and community colleges.(See HF 2558.)

IA HF2558

A bill for an act relating to higher education, including by modifying the responsibilities of private institutions of higher education, community colleges, the state board of regents, and institutions of higher education governed by the state board of regents, modifying provisions related to diversity, equity, and inclusion policies, tuition, and administrator hiring at state universities, membership of the state board of regents, and student-employer work and tuition programs at state universities and community colleges, and including applicability provisions. (Formerly HF 2327.)

IA SF81

A bill for an act relating to racism or sexism trainings at, and diversity and inclusion efforts by, governmental agencies and entities, school districts, and public postsecondary educational institutions, and including civil penalties.

IA HF2704

A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations to the education system, including the funding and operation of the department for the blind, department of education, and state board of regents; modifying provisions related to compulsory education, open enrollment, the state board of regents presidential search committee, the Iowa tuition grants program, and the Iowa dyslexia board; establishing restrictions related to diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts of institutions of higher education governed by the state board of regents; providing penalties; and including effective date and applicability provisions.

IA SF2435

A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations to the education system, including the funding and operation of the department for the blind, department of education, and state board of regents; modifying provisions related to compulsory education, open enrollment, the state board of regents presidential search committee, the Iowa tuition grants program, and the Iowa dyslexia board; establishing restrictions related to diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts of institutions of higher education governed by the state board of regents; providing penalties; and including effective date and applicability provisions. (Formerly SSB 3201.) Effective date: 05/09/2024, 07/01/2024, 07/01/2025. Applicability date: 07/01/2024.

IA SF252

A bill for an act relating to students who are pregnant or who recently gave birth who attend state institutions of higher education governed by the board of regents and community colleges.(Formerly SF 58.)

IA HF639

A bill for an act relating to apprenticeships and establishing an Iowa office of apprenticeship and Iowa apprenticeship council.(Formerly HSB 82.)

IA HF2454

A bill for an act relating to the exercise of religion, and including effective date and applicability provisions.(Formerly HSB 614.)

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.