Iowa Legislature Passes Sexual Orientation Law

Iowa's civil rights laws are found in Chapter 216 of the Iowa Code and recently were expanded to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. Under this new law, it will be illegal to discriminate against a person based on his/her sexual orientation or gender identity in employment, public accommodation, credit, housing and education.

That is all well and good, and it is an important statement to Iowa's residents, businesses and those who might consider moving here. But, it is going to be an empty statement if the enforcement body, the Iowa Civil Rights Commission, is not provided additional resources to handle the caseload it has, and that which it will have. In some cases, the complaints can and should be handled by the local commissions [many if not most of whom have their own sexual orientation provision already]. But many parts of Iowa are only protected by the enforcement powers of the ICRC and yet, the Commission is already having some difficulties in efficiently and effectively handling its case load. It is possible that there will not be all that many complaints filed, but funding adequate enforcement powers or changing the process of enforcement should be contemplated.