House File 2274 - Introduced HOUSE FILE 2274 BY SHIPLEY A BILL FOR An Act requesting an interim study committee on gender 1 identity, the Iowa civil rights Act of 1965, and suicide by 2 transgender individuals. 3 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA: 4 TLSB 5608YH (3) 88 je/jh

H.F. 2274 Section 1. INTERIM STUDY COMMITTEE ON GENDER IDENTITY, THE 1 IOWA CIVIL RIGHTS ACT, AND TRANSGENDER SUICIDE. 2 1. The legislative council is requested to establish a 3 study committee for the 2020 interim to examine the outcomes of 4 the inclusion of “gender identity” as a protected class under 5 chapter 216, the Iowa civil rights Act of 1965, in 2007. In 6 recognition that each and every human being is afforded dignity 7 and valued as a child of God, the goal of the study committee 8 shall be to engage in rigorous examination and expansive 9 dialogue regarding issues relating to gender identity in order 10 to end the tragedy of suicide by transgender individuals in 11 this state. 12 2. The study committee shall explore the application 13 of gender identity as a protected class as it relates to 14 prisons, schools, private enterprise, freedom of expression, 15 and other areas of relevance to determine if statutory changes 16 pertaining to the terms “gender”, “gender identity”, “woman”, 17 “sex”, or to other matters under chapter 216 are necessary or 18 advisable. The study committee shall seek input from affected 19 stakeholders. 20 3. The study committee shall have access to aggregate 21 information on and copies of complaints filed with the Iowa 22 civil rights commission regarding violations of chapter 216 23 relating to gender identity. All information provided to 24 the study committee pursuant to this subsection shall be 25 confidential. The Iowa civil rights commission shall redact 26 all personally identifiable information of any party or witness 27 to a complaint prior to providing a copy of the complaint to 28 the study committee. 29 4. The study committee shall consist of five members of 30 the senate, three of whom shall be appointed by the majority 31 leader of the senate and two of whom shall be appointed by 32 the minority leader of the senate, and five members of the 33 house of representatives, three of whom shall be appointed by 34 the speaker of the house of representatives and two of whom 35 -1- LSB 5608YH (3) 88 je/jh 1/ 2

H.F. 2274 shall be appointed by the minority leader of the house of 1 representatives. Any other member of the general assembly may 2 participate in the study committee’s activities as a nonvoting 3 member. 4 5. The interim committee shall submit its findings and 5 recommendations in a report to the general assembly by January 6 11, 2021. 7 EXPLANATION 8 The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with 9 the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly. 10 This bill requests that the legislative council establish 11 a study committee of 10 members for the 2020 interim to 12 examine the outcomes of the inclusion of “gender identity” as a 13 protected class under Code chapter 216, the Iowa civil rights 14 Act of 1965, in 2007. The goal of the study committee shall 15 be to engage in rigorous examination and expansive dialogue 16 regarding issues relating to gender identity in order to end 17 the tragedy of suicide by transgender individuals in Iowa. 18 The study committee shall explore the application of 19 gender identity as a protected class as it relates to prisons, 20 schools, private enterprise, freedom of expression, and other 21 areas of relevance to determine if statutory changes pertaining 22 to the terms “gender”, “gender identity”, “woman”, “sex”, 23 or to other matters under Code chapter 216 are necessary or 24 advisable. 25 The study committee shall have access to aggregate 26 information on and copies of complaints filed with the Iowa 27 civil rights commission regarding violations of Code chapter 28 216 relating to gender identity. Such information shall be 29 confidential, and the commission shall redact personally 30 identifiable information. 31 The interim committee shall submit its findings and 32 recommendations in a report to the general assembly by January 33 11, 2021. 34 -2- LSB 5608YH (3) 88 je/jh 2/ 2