The bill introduces significant changes to the legal definitions and guidelines surrounding sex and gender in Iowa. It establishes that "sex" is strictly defined as the biological classification of individuals as male or female at birth, and terms such as "woman," "man," "mother," and "father" are aligned with these biological distinctions. The legislation clarifies that gender, when related to biological sex, should not be confused with gender identity or expression. Additionally, it mandates that state departments collecting vital statistics must categorize individuals as either male or female, reinforcing the notion that separate accommodations based on sex are justified for health, safety, and privacy reasons.

Moreover, the bill amends existing laws to eliminate references to "gender identity" as a protected class under the Iowa Civil Rights Act, thereby limiting discrimination protections to biological sex and sexual orientation. It introduces the term "gender theory" to replace "gender identity" and provides a specific definition for it, which encompasses an individual's internal sense of gender and related medical interventions. The legislation also requires that vital records, including birth certificates, must designate a person's sex based on the new definitions. Overall, the bill aims to reshape Iowa's legal framework regarding sex and gender, particularly in the areas of educational instruction and civil rights protections.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 84A.6, 144.13, 144.29A, 144.19, 216.2, 216.6, 216.6A, 216.7, 216.8, 216.9, 216.10, 216.12A, 279.78, 279.80, 280.33