The proposed bill in Iowa seeks to redefine legal terms related to sex and gender, establishing that "sex" is strictly based on biological classification as male or female determined at birth. It introduces a new Code section 4.1A, which clarifies that terms such as "woman," "man," "mother," and "father" are to be understood solely in relation to biological sex. The bill also removes "gender identity" as a protected class from the Iowa Civil Rights Act and replaces it with "gender theory" for educational contexts, particularly for students in kindergarten through grade six. Additionally, it mandates that vital records, including birth certificates, must reflect the biological sex of individuals and outlines the conditions for any changes to sex designations.

Moreover, the legislation emphasizes that distinctions based on sex are permissible in specific settings, such as prisons and shelters, to ensure health, safety, and privacy. It includes provisions for the establishment of new birth certificates that align with the defined sex at birth and asserts that separate accommodations based on sex are not inherently unequal. The bill also contains a severability clause, ensuring that if any part of the legislation is deemed invalid, the remaining provisions will still be enforceable. Overall, the bill aims to reinforce traditional definitions of sex and gender while limiting the recognition of gender identity in legal contexts.

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