HSB 61: Prohibiting community colleges from establishing diversity, equity, and inclusion offices and engaging in certain other activities relating to diversity, equity, and inclusion

What it does

This bill provides that a public institution of higher education for purposes of Code chapter 261J, relating to diversity, equity, and inclusion, includes a community college. Code chapter 261J generally prohibits public institutions of higher education from establishing diversity, equity, and inclusion offices, as defined in Code chapter 261J; requiring a person to provide a diversity, equity, or inclusion statement; or giving preferential treatment to any person based on the provisions of such a statement.

House subcommittee · named January 22, 2025

• Rep. Taylor R. Collins (R) · taylor.collins@legis.iowa.gov
• Rep. Heather Hora (R) · heather.hora@legis.iowa.gov
• Rep. Monica Kurth (D) · monica.kurth@legis.iowa.gov

Lobbying · 10 for, 10 against

For: Cicero Action; Do No Harm Action; Foundation for Government Accountability Action; Inspired Life; Iowa Baptists For Biblical Values; Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition; Iowa Minuteman Civil Defense Corps; The Family Leader; The Family Leader Foundation; VALOR Iowa

Against: 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 Safe Schools; NAACP, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Iowa-Nebraska; One Iowa; One Iowa Action

In plain words

1. January 22, 2025Filed in the House and sent to the Higher Education committee
2. January 22, 2025House subcommittee named: Collins, Hora and Kurth
3. February 26, 2025Approved by the House committee
4. February 26, 2025Committee vote: 7–4
5. March 7, 2025Approved by the House committee, and given a new number: HF 855