Bills › 90th General Assembly
Prohibiting school districts and charter schools from taking disciplinary action against employees, contractors, or students for the use of legal names or for the failure to use personal pronouns in official communications, and providing civil penalties
Topics:Civil rightsK–12 education
Same legislation: HF 2396
Where it is now
- Done: IntroducedJanuary 25, 2024
- Done: SubcommitteeJanuary 30, 2024
- Done: House committeeFebruary 6, 2024
- Skipped: Passes the HouseContinued as HF 2396
- Next: Senate committee
- Next: Passes the Senate
- Next: To the Governor
- Next: Signed into law
Became HF 2396 → Its progress continues under the new number. Go to HF 2396 What’s a funnel?
What’s in it
AI summary Iowa school districts and charter schools cannot punish students or staff for using legal names or for not using specific personal pronouns in official messages. This rule prevents schools from using discipline like suspensions, expulsions, or firing someone because of how they address others. If an employee is fired for violating these rules, they can sue the school for money and to get their job back.1
Read the official explanation
This bill prohibits school districts and charter schools from taking disciplinary action against employees, contractors, or students for the use of legal names 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 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.
Why it matters. School districts and charter schools would be prohibited from disciplining students, employees, or contractors for using legal names or for not using personal pronouns in official communications. Employees terminated for violating these rules could sue for reinstatement, attorney fees, and civil damages up to three times their annual wages and benefits.2
House subcommittee
Named January 30, 2024. On February 5, 2024 it recommended passage. Vote Total: 2-1.
Three legislators hear a bill first and recommend what the committee should do; it’s the best time to weigh in. How to take part
65 written public comments to its subcommittee: February 5, 2024 (65) · on the Legislature’s site
Family tree
90th General Assembly
Picked up later
Earlier and later bills are matched by wording or an identical title.
Similar bills
- HF 80 Prohibiting school districts and charter schools from taking disciplinary action against e…91st General Assembly · Subcommittee recommends passageNearly identical
- HF 620 Prohibiting school districts and charter schools from taking disciplinary action against e…90th General Assembly · Approved by committeeNearly identical
Matched by wording or an identical title.