Iowa House passes bill prohibiting diversity initiatives in public education

The Iowa House of Representatives convened on March 18, 2025, to discuss significant legislative measures, including House Bill 856 and House File 295.

House Bill 856, which aims to prohibit public entities and private educational institutions from engaging in certain diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) activities, successfully passed with a vote of 60 in favor and 30 against. The bill also establishes a private cause of action and includes provisions for its effective date. The passage of this bill reflects a growing trend in legislative actions concerning DEI initiatives within educational settings.

Following this, Representative Wills introduced House File 295, known as the Accreditation Autonomy Act. This bill seeks to enhance the autonomy of public higher education institutions in Iowa by protecting them from penalties imposed by accrediting agencies for compliance with state laws. Representative Wills emphasized that the bill would allow universities to defend their adherence to state regulations, particularly in light of previous legislation that made DEI programs illegal at Regents universities.

The discussions surrounding these bills highlight ongoing debates about the role of diversity initiatives in education and the autonomy of educational institutions in Iowa. The outcomes of these legislative actions may have lasting implications for how public and private educational entities operate within the state.