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A bill for an act relating to terminology involving a pregnant female.(Formerly HSB 501.)
Subcommittee members: Westrich-CH, Petersen, Shipley
Date: Monday, March 9, 2026
Time: 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Location: Room 315
Comments Submitted:
The purpose of comments is to provide information to members of the subcommittee.
Names and comments are public records. Remaining information is considered a confidential record.
03-08-2026
Heather Staton
As a woman, I fear there are far more important things we could be spending our time on, yes? Maybe getting women more access to healthcare? 57% of Iowa counties do not have an obstetric facility, so those who are pregnant have to travel out of their home county for care, sometimes over an hour away from their home which also means over an hour away from emergency care related to their pregnancy.Iowans deserve better than constant attacks on things that literally do not matter and effect literally no one.How about our legislators start acting like adults so we can make some actual meaningful change in our state. Start by focusing on things that matter.
03-08-2026
Grace Rogers
OPPOSE. Please vote NO on HF 2253. This is unnecessary and exclusionary to trans and nonbinary Iowans who deserve the same respect as all Iowans. Please stop with this culture war nonsense.
03-08-2026
Casey Bemis
Oppose. Last time I checked females are still people; and pregnant person means the same thing. This is a complete waste of time and taxpayer money.
03-09-2026
Tom Chapman [Iowa Catholic Conference]
The Iowa Catholic Conference is registered for the bill because we think the suggested word change more precisely describes the people involved.
03-09-2026
Larissa Boeck
OPPOSED. This bill is part of a broader pattern of antitrans legislation in Iowa, denying the reality that pregnancy isn't limited to those identifying as women. This change is unnecessary, politically motivated language policing that promotes a binary, exclusionary view of gender. This bill contributes to a hostile environment for trans and intersex Iowans amid other recent laws removing gender identity protections from civil rights codes. In the context of Iowa's recent legislative trends (e.g., restrictions on genderaffirming care, sports bans, civil rights rollbacks), HF 2253 normalizes discriminatory rhetoric and will negatively affect how pregnant trans or nonbinary are treated in the justice system, healthcare, and society. Please VOTE NO!
03-09-2026
Morgan Hockey
I ask that the subcommittee vote NO on this HF2253. It's a waste of legislative time and my money as a taxpayer to solve a nonissue. This bill will not help the people of Iowa in any meaningful way, it's only a culture war bill to punch down. Stop wasting my money on bills like this and address real issues in Iowa, vote NO on HF2253.
03-09-2026
David Anderson
This bill is scientifically inaccurate and incorrect; biology is complicated. If you want the short version, read this: https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/voices/stopusingphonysciencetojustifytransphobia/ If you want a deeper dive, watch this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVQplt7Chos Vote No on HF 2253.