HF 2253: Relating to terminology involving a pregnant female

What it does

This bill relates to terminology involving a pregnant female. The bill makes changes to terminology used in the Code. The bill changes the use of “pregnant person” to “pregnant female”.

Senate subcommittee · named March 3, 2026

• Sen. Cherielynn Westrich (R) · cherielynn.westrich@legis.iowa.gov
• Sen. Janet Petersen (D) · janet.petersen@legis.iowa.gov
• Sen. Tom Shipley (R) · tom.shipley@legis.iowa.gov

Lobbying · 10 for, 7 against

For: Anita Fischer - Personal Interest; Iowa Baptists For Biblical Values; Iowa Catholic Conference; Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition; Iowa Minuteman Civil Defense Corps; Iowa Right to Life Committee; Pulse Life Advocates; The Family Leader; The Family Leader Foundation; VALOR Iowa

Against: Bitches Get Stuff Done; Interfaith Alliance of Iowa Action Fund; Iowa Atheists and Freethinkers; Iowa Integrated Health Planning and Advisory Council; One Iowa; One Iowa Action; Planned Parenthood Advocates of Iowa

In plain words

1. January 12, 2026Filed in the House and sent to the Health and Human Services committee · as HSB 501
2. January 12, 2026House subcommittee named: Wood, Brown-Powers, Meyer and A · as HSB 501
3. January 27, 2026Subcommittee recommended passing it · as HSB 501
4. January 29, 2026Approved by the House committee · as HSB 501
5. January 29, 2026Committee vote: 12–5 · as HSB 501
6. January 30, 2026Filed in the House
7. January 30, 2026Approved by the House committee, and given a new number: HF 2253 · as HSB 501
8. February 25, 2026Passed the House, 69–22
9. February 25, 2026Arrived in the Senate
10. March 3, 2026Senate subcommittee named: Westrich, Petersen and Shipley
11. March 9, 2026Subcommittee recommended passing it
12. March 18, 2026Approved by the Senate committee
13. April 1, 2026Passed the Senate, 40–6
14. April 16, 2026Sent to the Governor
15. April 16, 2026Signed into law