A bill for an act prohibiting discrimination based on an individual’s texture or style of hair.
SF 318 prohibits discrimination based on an individual’s hair texture, style, or natural/protective hairstyles (including braids, locs, twists, afros, and cornrows) in schools, workplaces, housing, and public accommodations. It amends Iowa’s civil rights laws to explicitly include hairstyle as a protected characteristic under existing race discrimination protections. The bill defines "natural or protective hairstyles" and requires school districts to remove dress code policies banning such styles. It applies statewide to all programs receiving state funding and aligns with federal protections under 42 U.S.C. §1981(c).
Bill status
in committee
1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Feb 13, 2025
Last action Feb 20, 2025
Floor votes
How they voted
No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
2
Key actions
1
Committee
1
Feb 20, 2025
Upper · Passed
Subcommittee: Schultz, Bousselot, and Knox.
upper
Feb 13, 2025
Introduced
Introduced, referred to Judiciary.
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Izaah Knox
DDemocratic
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