Iowa SSB1150

"Diversity, equity, and inclusion" includes all of the following: [...] Any effort to promote or promulgate trainings, programming, or activities designed or implemented with reference to race, color, ethnicity, gender identity, or sexual orientation. [...] Any effort to promote, as the official position of the school district, a particular, widely contested opinion referencing [...] allyship, transgender ideology, [...] social justice, intersectionality, neopronouns, heteronormativity, disparate impact, gender theory, [...] or any related formulation of these concepts.

The bill allows parents or guardians of a student enrolled in the school, or an employee of the school [...] to bring a civil action. [...] If a parent, guardian, or employee is the prevailing party in that civil action, the bill requires the court to award reasonable court costs and attorney fees to the parent, guardian, or employee, and to assess a $50,000 civil penalty.

The bill includes community colleges within the definition of “public institution of higher education” in 2024 Iowa Acts, chapter 1152, so that these restrictions also apply to community colleges. In addition, the bill authorizes a student enrolled in a public institution of higher education, or an employee [...] to bring a civil action. [...] If a student or employee is the prevailing party in the civil action, the bill requires the court to award reasonable court costs and attorney fees to the student or employee, and to assess a $100,000 civil penalty.