The Digester

Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a bill that forces local governments to limit civil rights protections to those in the Iowa Civil Rights Act, undoing local gender identity protections and removing a requirement for some cities to keep independent civil rights commissions.

Governor Kim Reynolds signed a law requiring local civil rights rules to match the Iowa Civil Rights Act, preventing cities from adding protections beyond state code.
The law removes the requirement that cities with more than 29,000 people maintain an independent local civil rights agency or commission.
Last year the Legislature removed gender identity as a protected class from state law, and some cities had since affirmed or added local protections.
Under the new law, complaints involving a political subdivision filed with a local agency must be referred to the Iowa Office of Civil Rights for processing.
Eighteen local governments are affected and local leaders say the change prevents cities from enforcing their gender identity protections even if ordinances remain on the books.
Supporters say the law brings consistency and protects girls' sports, while city officials and advocates say it undermines local control and harms transgender residents.

Iowa law bars cities from expanding civil rights, ending local gender identity protections

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