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Bill > SF8
IA SF8
IA SF8A bill for an act prohibiting school districts and charter schools from taking disciplinary action against employees, contractors, or students for the use of legal names, the use of student names as listed in school registration forms or records, or for the failure to use personal pronouns in official communications, and providing civil penalties.
summary
Introduced
01/13/2025
01/13/2025
In Committee
06/16/2025
06/16/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
91st General Assembly
Bill Summary
This bill prohibits school districts and charter schools from taking disciplinary action against employees, contractors, or students for the use of legal names, the use of student names as listed in school registration forms or records, or for the failure to use personal pronouns in official communications. The bill prohibits the board of directors of school districts and the governing boards of charter schools from taking any disciplinary action against an employee, contractor, or student for addressing other employees, contractors, or students using the employee’s, contractor’s, or student’s legal name. The bill also prohibits the boards of directors of school districts and the governing boards of charter schools from taking any disciplinary action against an employee, contractor, or student for addressing other students using the student’s name as it is listed in the school’s registration forms or records. The bill prohibits the board of directors of school districts and the governing boards of charter schools from taking any disciplinary action against an employee, contractor, or student for failing to disclose or use any personal pronouns in the greeting or signature block of any form of official communication. The bill allows an employee whose employment is terminated in violation of these provisions to enforce the provisions through a civil action which allows the aggrieved employee to receive reinstatement, with or without back pay, civil damages in an amount not to exceed three times the aggrieved employee’s annual wages and benefits, and any other equitable relief the court deems appropriate, including attorney fees and costs. Injunctive relief is also available. The bill defines “disciplinary action” to include termination of employment or the contractual relationship, suspension from employment or the contractual relationship, demotion, expulsion from school, suspension from school, detention, financial penalties, and written or verbal reprimands.
AI Summary
This bill introduces new protections for employees, contractors, and students in Iowa school districts and charter schools regarding the use of names and pronouns. Specifically, the bill prohibits school district boards from taking disciplinary action against individuals for using legal names, using names listed on school registration forms, or for failing to use personal pronouns in official communications. Disciplinary actions are broadly defined to include termination, suspension, demotion, expulsion, detention, financial penalties, and reprimands. If an employee is terminated in violation of these provisions, they may pursue a civil action under existing state labor laws. The bill appears to address potential conflicts around name and pronoun usage in educational settings by ensuring that individuals cannot be punished for using traditional names or declining to use specific personal pronouns. This legislation seems aimed at protecting individual choice in how people are addressed while preventing potential workplace or school-based penalties related to name and pronoun usage.
Committee Categories
Education
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Referred to Education. S.J. 1057. (on 06/16/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/BillBook?ga=91&ba=SF8 |
| BillText | https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/publications/LGI/91/attachments/SF8.html |
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