Bills › 91st General Assembly
Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Iowa relating to the right to reproductive care
Sponsored by Sen. Tony Bisignano (D), Sen. Matt Blake (D), Sen. Molly Donahue (D), Sen. William A. Dotzler Jr. (D), Sen. Catelin Drey (D), Sen. Renee Hardman (D), Sen. Izaah Knox (D), Sen. Janet Petersen (D), Sen. Herman C. Quirmbach (D), Sen. Art Staed (D), Sen. Thomas Townsend (D), Sen. Janice Weiner (D), Sen. Cindy Winckler (D), Sen. Mike Zimmer (D)
Topics:Reproductive rights
Where it is now
- Done: IntroducedJanuary 13, 2026
- Stopped: Approved in committeeDid not pass
- Next: Passes the Senate
- Next: Passes the House
- Next: Passes again next General AssemblyThe same wording, after an election
- Next: Voters decideOn the next general election ballot
Did not pass It didn’t pass both chambers before the General Assembly ended. What’s a funnel?
What’s in it
AI summary This amendment would add a new right to the Iowa Constitution protecting individual reproductive freedom. It covers things like prenatal care, birth, contraception, and abortion care, while preventing the state from interfering with these private decisions. The state could only limit abortion care after a fetus is viable, and even then, it cannot stop an abortion if a doctor decides it is necessary to protect the person's health.1
Read the official explanation
This joint resolution proposes an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Iowa relating to the right to reproductive care. The proposed amendment provides that the right to reproductive freedom is a fundamental individual right; the state shall not deny or interfere with an individual’s reproductive freedom and an individual’s private decisions concerning reproductive freedom shall not be infringed. The proposed amendment declares that the right shall not be denied, burdened, or infringed upon absent a compelling state interest achieved by the least restrictive means. The proposed amendment defines reproductive freedom to include prenatal care, childbirth, postpartum care, contraception, sterilization, abortion care, miscarriage management, and infertility care. The proposed amendment provides the exception that the state may regulate the provision of abortion care after fetal viability provided the state does not prohibit an abortion that, in the professional judgment of an attending health care professional, is medically indicated to protect the life or physical or mental health of the pregnant individual. “Fetal viability” is defined by the proposed amendment. The joint resolution, if adopted, would be published and then referred to the next general assembly (92nd) for adoption, before being submitted to the electorate for ratification.
Why it matters. Iowans would gain a fundamental individual right to reproductive freedom, which includes decisions regarding prenatal care, childbirth, postpartum care, contraception, sterilization, abortion care, miscarriage management, and infertility care. The state would be prohibited from denying or interfering with these private decisions unless it has a compelling interest achieved by the least restrictive means. The state could still regulate abortion care after fetal viability, provided it does not prohibit procedures medically necessary to protect the life or health of the pregnant individual.2
Senate subcommittee
Named January 20, 2026. It hasn’t reported yet.
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
Lobbying
2 for · 9 against · 0 undecided · Who →
Family tree
91st General Assembly
Earlier and later bills are matched by wording or an identical title.
Tried before
This idea has been filed in an earlier General Assembly. None got through a chamber.
- HJR 9 Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Iowa relating to the right to r…90th General Assembly · In committee · similarCleared committee
- SJR 2001 Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Iowa relating to the right to r…90th General Assembly · In committee · similarCleared committee
Similar bills this General Assembly
- HJR 10 Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Iowa relating to the right to r…91st General Assembly · In committeeSimilar
- SJR 1 Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Iowa relating to the right to r…91st General Assembly · In committeeSimilar
Matched by wording or an identical title.