HF 269: Prohibiting certain requirements for students and faculty at regents institutions relating to diversity, equity, inclusion, and critical race theory and including applicability provisions

What it does

This bill prohibits certain requirements for students and faculty at regents institutions relating to diversity, equity, inclusion, and critical race theory. The bill requires the state board of regents to establish a policy that ensures that regents institutions do not require or constrain students to enroll in a diversity, equity, inclusion, and critical race theory-related course, as defined in the bill, in order to satisfy the requirements of any academic degree program, including general education, major, minor, or certificate requirements.

Senate subcommittee · named March 26, 2025

• Sen. Kerry Gruenhagen (R) · kerry.gruenhagen@legis.iowa.gov
• Sen. Mike Pike (R) · mike.pike@legis.iowa.gov
• Sen. Herman C. Quirmbach (D) · herman.quirmbach@legis.iowa.gov

Lobbying · 15 for, 15 against

For: Barry Goldwater Institute for Public Policy Research; Cicero Action; Do No Harm Action; Foundation for Government Accountability Action; Inspired Life; Iowa Baptists For Biblical Values; Iowa Board of Regents; Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition; Iowa Minuteman Civil Defense Corps; PELLA PAC; Professional Educators of Iowa; Protect My Innocence; and 3 more

Against: American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa (ACLU-IA); Episcopal Diocese of Iowa; Interfaith Alliance of Iowa Action Fund; Iowa Atheists and Freethinkers; Iowa Conference of the United Methodist Church; Iowa Insurance Associates; Iowa Integrated Health Planning and Advisory Council; Iowa Mental Health Counselors Association; Iowa Safe Schools; League of Women Voters of Iowa; NAACP, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Iowa-Nebraska; National Association of Social Workers, Iowa Chapter; and 3 more

In plain words

1. January 22, 2025Filed in the House and sent to the Higher Education committee · as HSB 53
2. January 22, 2025House subcommittee named: Holt, Wheeler and Wilburn · as HSB 53
3. January 30, 2025Subcommittee recommended passing it · as HSB 53
4. February 5, 2025Approved by the House committee · as HSB 53
5. February 5, 2025Committee vote: 7–3 · as HSB 53
6. February 6, 2025Filed in the House
7. February 6, 2025Approved by the House committee, and given a new number: HF 269 · as HSB 53
8. March 18, 2025Passed the House, 63–34
9. March 19, 2025Arrived in the Senate
10. March 26, 2025Senate subcommittee named: Gruenhagen, Pike and Quirmbach
11. March 31, 2025Subcommittee recommended passing it