Providing for requirements related to racism or sexism trainings at, and diversity and inclusion efforts by, governmental agencies and entities, school districts, and public postsecondary educational institutions

This bill provides requirements related to racism or sexism trainings, and to diversity and inclusion efforts, at or by school districts and public postsecondary educational institutions. Each school district and each public institution of higher learning may continue all training that fosters a workplace that is respectful of all employees and students, but the superintendent of the school district or the president of the institution must ensure that any mandatory staff or student training provided by an employee of the school district or the institution or by a contractor hired by the school district or the institution does not teach, advocate, act upon, or promote divisive concepts, which the bill defines to include that one race or sex is inherently superior to another; that Iowa or the United States is fundamentally or systemically racist or sexist; that an individual, by virtue of the individual’s race or sex, is inherently racist, sexist, or oppressive; that an individual should be discriminated against or receive adverse treatment solely or partly because of his or her race or sex; that members of one race or sex cannot and should not attempt to treat others without respect to race or sex; that an individual’s moral character is necessarily determined by his or her race or sex; that an individual bears responsibility for actions committed in the past by other members of the same race or sex; that any individual should feel psychological distress on account of that individual’s race or sex; that meritocracy or traits such as a hard work ethic are racist or sexist, or were created by a particular race to oppress another race; and any other form of race or sex scapegoating or any other form of race or sex stereotyping. In addition, a school district must ensure that curriculum provided does not teach, advocate, act upon, or promote divisive concepts. The bill defines “race or sex scapegoating” as assigning fault, blame, or bias to a race or sex; or to members of a race or sex because of their race or sex; or claiming that, consciously or unconsciously, and by virtue of persons’ race or sex, members of any race are inherently racist or are inherently inclined to oppress others, or that members of a sex are inherently sexist or inclined to oppress others; and defines “race or sex stereotyping” as ascribing character traits, values, moral and ethical codes, privileges, status, or beliefs to a race or sex, or to an individual because of the individual’s race or sex. Institution diversity and inclusion efforts must discourage employees and students of the school district or institution from discriminating against another by color, race, ethnicity, sex, political ideology, or any other characteristic protected under the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964 or applicable state law. Nothing in the bill shall be construed to inhibit or violate the first amendment rights of students or faculty or undermine the institution’s or school district’s duty to protect intellectual freedom and free expression; prevent a school district or public postsecondary institution from promoting racial, cultural, ethnic, intellectual, or academic diversity or inclusiveness; to prohibit discussing divisive concepts as part of a larger course of academic instruction; or to create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the state of Iowa, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.3.2, subsection 3, which would relieve a political subdivision from complying with a state mandate if funding for the cost of the state mandate is not provided or specified. Therefore, political subdivisions are required to comply with any state mandate included in the bill.