Prohibiting discrimination based on an individual’s texture or style of hair

Where it is now

Done: IntroducedFebruary 13, 2025
Done: SubcommitteeFebruary 20, 2025
Stopped: Senate committeeDied when the General Assembly ended
Next: Passes the Senate
Next: House committeeFunnel: by March 20, 2026
Next: Passes the House
Next: To the Governor
Next: Signed into law

Died when the session ended The 2026 session adjourned on May 3, 2026, the General Assembly’s last regular session. Bills that didn’t pass both chambers died. What’s a funnel?

What’s in it

AI summary Iowa would add new protections to prevent people from being treated unfairly because of their natural or protective hairstyles, such as braids, locs, or afros. These rules would apply to schools, workplaces, housing, and places of public business. The law ensures that hair textures or styles commonly associated with race cannot be used as a reason for discrimination.¹

Read the official explanation

This bill provides an additional prohibition against discrimination in schools, workplaces, housing, places of public accommodations, and other contexts on the basis of hair texture, hair type, and natural or protective hairstyles that are historically and commonly associated with race.4 (fair employment practices). §1981(c), based upon the person’s natural or protective hairstyle, race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, religion, ancestry, or disability. The bill provides that discrimination on the basis of race includes discrimination on the basis of natural or protective hairstyles. The bill defines “natural or protective hairstyles” to include but is not limited to braids, locs, twists, tight coils or curls, cornrows, bantu knots, afros, and headwraps.

Full bill text²

Senate subcommittee

Named February 20, 2025. 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

Iowa Code it changes

Creates§216.23

Amends§15A.1 §19B.1 §216.2 §256.2 §256B.2 §256E.2 §256F.2 §261A.4 §279.58 §280.2 §341A.1 §400.17 §602.1401 §729.4 §8A.416

How the Code works³

Courts interpreting this law

Patty A. Thorington, individually and as administrator of the Estate of Robert Ronald Mitchell, v. Scott County, Iowa an…
Iowa Supreme Court · May 29, 2026 · cites §602.4107
Criminal appeal No. 25-0157
Iowa Supreme Court · May 8, 2026 · cites §602.8102
Matthew Lewis Hunter v. City of Des Moines, Iowa; and Des Moines Police Bargaining Unit, Jane Doe No. 1, John Doe No. 2,…
Iowa Supreme Court · April 24, 2026 · cites §216.6
Dr. Paul R. Gausman v. Sioux City Community School District, Daniel D. Greenwell, Jan George, Taylor Goodvin, and Bob Mi…
Iowa Supreme Court · April 17, 2026 · cites §256.158, §279.23A
Beecher Store, Inc., v. Iowa Department of Revenue Alcoholic Beverages Division
Iowa Supreme Court · February 20, 2026 · cites §256.9
State Public Defender v. Iowa District Court For Scott County
Iowa Supreme Court · January 30, 2026 · cites §602.1010

Opinions of Iowa’s appeals courts that cite this part of the Iowa Code.⁴

Lobbying

1 for · 0 against · 0 undecided · Who →

Family tree

Tried before

HF 471Cleared committee89th GA HF 2110Cleared committee89th GA

91st General Assembly

SF 318Cleared committee

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.

HF 2110 Prohibiting discrimination based on an individual’s texture or style of hair
89th General Assembly · In committee · same title
Cleared committee
HF 471 Prohibiting discrimination based on an individual’s texture or style of hair
89th General Assembly · In committee · same title
Cleared committee

Matched by wording or an identical title.