Allowing a person to raise, guide, and instruct a child in a manner consistent with the child’s sex

Where it is now

1. ✓
   Done: IntroducedFebruary 4, 2026
2. ✓
   Done: SubcommitteeFebruary 4, 2026
3. ✓
   Done: House committeeFebruary 12, 2026
4. ✓
   Done: Passes the HouseMarch 4, 202665–31
5. ✓
   Done: Senate committeeMarch 18, 2026
6. Next: Passes the Senate
7. Next: To the Governor
8. Next: Signed into law

Became HF 2557 → Its progress continues under the new number. Go to HF 2557 What’s a funnel?

What’s in it

This bill allows a person to raise, guide, and instruct a child in a manner consistent with the child’s sex. The bill exempts from the definition of child abuse a person raising, guiding, or instructing a child in a manner consistent with the child’s sex, including but not limited to referring to the child by titles or pronouns consistent with the child’s sex; seeking and consenting to a mental health service for a child for the purpose of helping the child live a life consistent with the child’s sex; making mental health or medical decisions based on the child’s sex; and declining to consent to gender transition procedure-related activity for a child.

From the explanation printed with the bill as introduced, written by the Legislative Services Agency. Amendments adopted later aren’t reflected. Full bill text

House subcommittee

Named February 5, 2026. On February 9, 2026 it recommended passage.

• Rep. Jon Dunwell R
• Rep. Steven C. Holt REmail
• Rep. Aime Wichtendahl DEmail

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

Iowa Code it changes

Amends§232.68§232.71B§237.5§598.41§600.7A§726.6

Read from the bill as introduced. Each links to every bill touching that chapter of the Iowa Code. How the Code works

Family tree

Where this legislation came from and where it went: earlier tries, the versions it moved through this Assembly, and later bills built on it.

Earlier and later bills are matched by wording or an identical title; check the text to be sure it’s the same idea.