The bill introduces significant changes to the legal definitions and guidelines surrounding sex and gender in Iowa. It establishes that "sex" is defined strictly as the biological classification of individuals as either male or female based on observable characteristics at birth. Terms such as "woman," "man," "mother," and "father" are also defined in relation to biological sex. The bill clarifies that "gender" is synonymous with sex and does not encompass gender identity or expression. Additionally, it mandates that vital statistics collected by state departments must identify individuals as either male or female and provides legal protections for individuals with disorders or differences of sex development under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Moreover, the bill amends existing laws by removing references to "gender identity" as a protected class from the Iowa Civil Rights Act and other related laws, replacing it with "gender theory" in educational contexts for students in kindergarten through grade six. It also mandates that birth certificates must reflect the sex of individuals as defined in the new legal language and repeals provisions that allowed changes to sex designation based on surgery or treatment. The legislation emphasizes that distinctions based on sex are permissible in certain settings, such as prisons and shelters, to ensure health, safety, and privacy, ultimately aiming 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