HF 2232 (LSB 5978YH (3) 88)

HOUSE FILE 2232

BY  GAINES

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to the commission on the status of African Americans and the office on the status of African Americans.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 216A.1, subsection 1, paragraph a, subparagraph (5), Code 2020, is amended to read as follows:
   (5)   Office on the status of African Americans people of African descent.
    Sec. 2.  Section 216A.3, subsection 2, paragraph a, Code 2020, is amended to read as follows:
   a.  The voting members shall consist of nine voting members selected by each of the permanent commissions within the department, and two voting members, appointed by the governor. For purposes of this paragraph “a”, “permanent commissions” means the commission of Latino affairs, commission on the status of women, commission of persons with disabilities, commission on community action agencies, commission of deaf services, justice advisory board, commission on the status of African Americans people of African descent, commission of Asian and Pacific Islander affairs, and commission of Native American affairs. The term of office for voting members is four years.
    Sec. 3.  Section 216A.132, subsection 1, paragraph b, subparagraph (8), Code 2020, is amended to read as follows:
   (8)  The office on the status of African Americans people of African descent.
    Sec. 4.  Section 216A.141, subsections 1 and 2, Code 2020, are amended to read as follows:
   1.  “Commission” means the commission on the status of African Americans people of African descent.
   2.   “Office” means the office on the status of African Americans people of African descent of the department of human rights.
    Sec. 5.  Section 216A.142, subsection 1, Code 2020, is amended to read as follows:
   1.  The commission on the status of African Americans people of African descent is established and shall consist of seven members appointed by the governor, subject to confirmation by the senate. All members shall reside in Iowa. At least five members shall be individuals who are African American people of African descent. 
    Sec. 6.  Section 216A.143, subsection 1, Code 2020, is amended to read as follows:
   1.  Study the opportunities for and changing needs of the African American community of people of African descent in this state. 
    Sec. 7.  Section 216A.146, Code 2020, is amended to read as follows:
   216A.146  Office on the status of African Americans people of African descent.
   The office on the status of African Americans people of African descent is established and shall do the following:
   1.  Serve as the central permanent agency to advocate for African Americans people of African descent.
   2.  Coordinate and cooperate with the efforts of state departments and agencies to serve the needs of African Americans people of African descent in participating fully in the economic, social, and cultural life of the state, and provide direct assistance to individuals who request it.
   3.  Develop, coordinate, and assist other public or private organizations which serve African Americans people of African descent.
   4.  Serve as an information clearinghouse on programs and agencies operating to assist African Americans people of African descent.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   This bill relates to the commission on the status of African Americans and the office on the status of African Americans. The bill changes the name of the commission on the status of African Americans to the “commission on the status of people of African descent” and the name of the office on the status of African Americans to the “office on the status of people of African descent”. The bill also changes references to African Americans in Code chapter 216A, subchapter 10, to “people of African descent”.