Bill > SF2284

This bill expands the definition of a hate crime in Iowa to include offenses motivated by a person's "gender identity," which refers to a person's gender-related identity regardless of their sex assigned at birth, and "gender expression," which encompasses actual or perceived gender-related characteristics. Previously, hate crimes were defined as offenses committed against a person or their property due to their race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, political affiliation, sex, sexual orientation, age, or disability, or their association with someone of such characteristics. The bill amends Section 729A.2 of the Iowa Code to incorporate these new protected categories into the existing framework of hate crime offenses, which include assault, violations of individual rights, criminal mischief, and trespass when committed with the specified motivations.