Iowa Senate passes bill striking “gender identity” from Civil Rights Act; three amendments to restore protections fail

The Iowa Senate on Feb. 27, 2025, approved Senate File 418, a bill that removes the words “gender identity” from chapter 216 of the Iowa Code (the Iowa Civil Rights Act), by a 33-15 vote and immediately sent the bill to the governor.

Supporters, led by the bill sponsor, Senator Schultz, said the change clarifies state law and protects “women, children and taxpayers.” Opponents said removing gender identity from state civil‑rights protections would permit discrimination in employment, housing and access to credit and invited litigation.

Senate File 418 and how it moved

Senator Schultz (the senator from Crawford) opened debate by saying the bill would remove the phrase “gender identity” from Iowa’s civil‑rights chapter and make related conforming changes. “It is my intention to protect women, children and taxpayers from, from what has happened,” Schultz said on the floor.

Senator Whitver (the senator from Polk) successfully moved a time‑certain motion to end debate and force votes by 3:30 p.m.; the motion passed 33-15. After debate closed, the chamber considered and rejected three floor amendments offered by Senator Blake that would have restored specific protections for employment (Senate Amendment S3011), credit and financial institutions (S3012), and housing (S3013). Each amendment failed on a recorded roll call, 15 ayes to 33 nays. After the amendments were defeated, the Senate advanced Senate File 418 on final passage by a 33-15 vote. The Senate then agreed to an immediate message sending the bill to the governor.

What passed and what the amendments would…