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Kim Reynolds
GOVERNOR
Office of the GovernorChris Cournoyer
LT governor
June 02, 2026
The Honorable Paul Pate
Secretary of State of Iowa
State Capitol
Des Moines, Iowa 50319
Dear Mr. Secretary,
I hereby transmit:
House File 2711, an Act relating to state policies and programs with race or gender
requirements.
The above House File is hereby approved on this date.
SinceKly,
KimVeynolds VJReynolds
Govemor of Iowa
cc: Secretary of the Senate
Clerk of the House
state CAPITOL DES MOINES, IOWA 50319 515.281.5211 WWW.GOVERNOR.IOWA.GOV
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House Pile 2711
AN ACT
RELATING TO STATE POLICIES AND PROGRAMS WITH RACE OR GENDER
REQUIREMENTS.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OP THE STATE OP IOWA;
Section 1. Section 8A.111, subsection 7, Code 2026r is
amended by striking the subsection.
Sec. 2. Section 8A.402, subsection 1, paragraph d. Code
2026, is amended to read as follows:
d. Equal employment opportunity, affirmative action, and
workforce diversity programs.
Sec. 3. Section 19B.1, subsection 1, Code 2026, is amended
by striking the subsection.
Sec. 4. Section 19B.2, subsection 1, Code 2026, is amended
to read as follows:
1. It is the policy of this state to provide equal
opportunity in state employment to all persons. An individual
shall not be denied equal access to state employment
opportunities because of race, creed, color, religion, national
origin, sex, age, or physical or mental disability. It also is
the policy of this state to apply affirmative action measures
to correct dGficienciea in the state employment system whore
those rcmcdios are appropriate. This policy shall be construed
broadly to effectuate its purposes.
Sec. 5. Section 196.3, Code 2026, is amended to read as
follows:
19B.3 Administrative responsibilities of department of
House File 2711, p. 2
administrative services and board of regents.
1. The department of administrative services is responsible
for the administration and promotion of equal opportunity and
affirmative action efforts in the recruitment, appointment,
assignment, and advancement of personnel by all state agencies
except the state board of regents and the institutions
under -ttd the board^s jurisdiction. In carrying out this
responsibility^^ the department shall do all of the following
with respect to state agencies other than the state board of
regents and the board^s institutions:
&-i—Designate a position as the state affirmative action
administrator.
—Propose affirmative action standards applicable to each
state agency based on the population of the community in V7hich
the agency functions,—the population served by the agency,—et
the persons that can bo reasonably recruited.
g. Gather data necessary to maintain an ongoing assessment
of affirmative action efforts in state agencies.
d-i—Monitor accomplishments with respect to affirmative
action remedies identified in affirmative action plans of state
agencies.
e-i—Conduct studies of preemployment and postemployment
processes in order to evaluate employment practices and develop
improved methods of dealing with all employment issues related
to equal employment opportunity and affirmative action.
—Establish a state recruitment coordinating committee
to assist in addressing affirmative action recruitment needs,
with members appointed by the director of the department of
administrative services.
^ Address equal opportunity and affirmative action
training needs of all state agencies by doing all of the
following:
(1) Providing appropriate training for managers and
supervisors.
(2) Insuring Ensuring that all state agencies make training
available for all staff members whose duties relate to
personnel administration.
(3) Investigating means for training in the area of career
development.
House File 2711, p. 3
At- ^ Coordinate and develop equal employment opportunity
reports, including the initiation of the processes necessary
for the completion of the annual EEO-4 report required by the
federal equal employment opportunity commission.
^ £1. Address equal opportunity and affirmative action
policies with respect to employee benefits and leaves of
absence.
^ dj_ Adopt equal employment opportunity and affirmative
action rules in accordance with chapter 17A.
2. The state board of regents is responsible for the
administration and promotion of equal opportunity
affirmative action efforts in the recruitment, appointment,
assignment, and advancement of personnel by the board and the
institutions under its jurisdiction. In carrying out this
responsibility^ the board shall do all of the following with
respect to the board and its institutions:
d-s—Designate a position as the regents^ affirmative action
coordinator.
At—Propose affirmative action standards applicable to the
board and each institution under its jurisdiction.
c't—Gather data necessary to maintain an ongoing assessment
of affirmative action efforts.
rfr—Monitor accomplishments with respect to affirmative
action remedies identified in affirmative action plans.
g. Conduct studies of preemployment and postemployment
processes in order to evaluate employment practices and develop
improved methods of dealing with all employment issues related
to equal employment opportunity and affirmative action.
A;—Establish an equal employment committee to assist in
addressing affirmative action needs^—including recruitment.
g-r aj^ Address equal opportunity and affirmative action
training needs by doing all of the following:
(1) Providing appropriate training for managers and
supervisors.
(2) Insuring Ensuring that the board and its institutions
make training available for all staff members whose duties
relate to personnel administration.
(3) Investigating means for training in the area of career
development.
House Pile 2711, p. 4
h-r bj_ Require development of equal employment opportunity
reports, including the initiation of the processes necessary
for the completion of reports required by the federal equal
employment opportunity commission.
4rr Address equal opportunity and affirmative action
policies with respect to employee benefits and leaves of
absence.
^ Adopt equal employment opportunity and affirmative
action rules in accordance with chapter 17A.
Sec. 6. Section 19B.4, subsection 1, Code 2026, is amended
by striking the subsection.
Sec. 7. Section 19B.6, Code 2026, is amended to read as
follows;
19B.6 Responsibilities of department of administrative
services affirmative action.
The department of administrative services shall oversee
the implementation of sections 19B.1 through IQD.5 19B.4 and
shall work with the governor to ensure compliance with those
sectionsT—including the attainment of affirmative action goals
and timetables, by all state agencies, excluding the state
board of regents and ±-fes- the board's institutions.
Sec. 8. Section 19B.7, subsection 1, paragraph a,
subparagraph (1), Code 2026, is amended by striking the
subparagraph.
Sec. 9. Section 19B.7, subsection 1, paragraph a,
subparagraph (2), Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
(2) The utilization of minority, women^s, and disadvantaged
Iowa-based business enterprises as sources of supplies,
equipment, construction, and services.
Sec. 10. Section 19B.7, subsection 1, paragraph d. Code
2026, is amended to read as follows:
d. Report results under the contract compliance policy
to the governor and the general assembly on an annual basis.
Any information reported by the department of administrative
services to the economic development authority pursuant to
section 15.100 73.22 shall not be required to be part of the
report under this paragraph. The report shall must detail
specific efforts to promote equal opportunity through state
contracts and services and efforts to promote, develop.
House Pile 2711, p. 5
and stimulate the utilization of minority, womon^s, and
disadvantaged Iowa-based business enterprises in programs
receiving or benefiting from state financial assistance.
Sec. 11. Section 19B.7, subsection 1, paragraph e. Code
2026, is amended by striking the paragraph.
Sec. 12. Section 19B.8, Code 2026, is amended to read as
follows;
19B.8 Sanctions.
The department of administrative services may impose
appropriate sanctions on individual state agencies, including
the state board of regents and the board's institutions,
and upon a community college, area education agency, or school
district, in order to ensure compliance with state programs
emphasizing equal opportunity through affirmative action,
contract compliance policies, and requirements for procurement
goals for targeted small businesses Iowa-based business
enterprises.
Sec. 13. Section 19B.11, Code 2026, is amended to read as
follows;
19B.11 School districts, area education agencies, and
community colleges — duties of director of department of
education.
1. It is the policy of this state to provide equal
opportunity in school district, area education agency, and
community college employment to all persons. An individual
shall not be denied equal access to school district, area
education agency, or community college employment opportunities
because of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, sex,
age, or physical or mental disability. It also io the policy
of this state to apply affirmative action meaauros to correct
deficiencies in school district# area education agency, and
community college employment systems where those remedies
are appropriate.—This policy shall be construed broadly to
effectuate its purposes.
2. The director of the department of education shall
actively promote fair employment practices for all school
district, area education agency, and community college
employees^ and the state board of education shall adopt rules
requiring specific steps by school districts, area education
House File 2711, p. 6
agencies, and community colleges to accomplish the goals goal
of equal employment opportunity and affirmative action in
the recruitment, appointment, assignment, and advancement of
personnel. Each school district, area education agency, and
community college—shall be—required to develop affirmative
action standards which arc based on the population of the
community in which it functions,—the student population
served,—or the persons who can be reasonably recruited. The
director of education shall consult with the department of
administrative services in the performance of duties under this
section.
•3-s—Bach school district, area education agency, and
community college in the state shall submit to the director
of the department of education an annual report of the
accomplishments and programs of the district# agency^ or
community college in carrying out its duties under this
section.—The report shall be submitted between December 15 and
December 31 each year.—The director shall prescribe the form
and content of the report.
■4-r The director of the department of education shall
prepare a compilation of the reports required by subsection
3 and shall submit this compilation,—together with a report
of the director's accomplishments and programs pursuant to
this section^ to the department of management and the general
assembly by January 31 of each year.
Sec. 14. Section SOB.11, subsection 1, paragraph d. Code
2026, is amended by striking the paragraph.
Sec. 15. Section 80B.11G, subsections 1 and 3, Code 2026,
are amended to read as follows:
1. A law enforcement agency shall provide annual training
to every law enforcement officer on issues relating to
de-escalation techniques and the prevention of bias. Every law
enforcement officer in the state must participate in annual
training in accordance with this section.
3. Every law enforcement officer shall adhere to the
training guidelines developed by the academy pursuant to this
section. The training guidelines shall include all of the
following:
os—An emphasis on law enforcGmcnt officer understanding
House File 2711, p. 7
and rcopGct for diverse communitioo and the importancG of
offoctivo, noncombativG methods of carrying out law Gnforcomont
activities in a diverse community.
Instruction on diverse communities in order to foster
mutual respect and cooperation between law enforcement and
members of all diverse communities.
€f-.—An examination of the patterns, practices, and protocols
that cause biased law enforcement actions, and the tools to
prevent such actions.
^3—An examination and identification of key indices and
perspectives that make up differences among residents in a
local community.
e-s Instruction on implicit bias and consideration of the
negative impact of bias, whether intentional or implicit,
on effective law enforcement,—including examination of how
historical perceptions of profiling have harmed community
relations.
#3—Instruction on the perspectives of diverse local
constituency groups from experts on particular cultural and law
enforcement-community relations issues in a local area.
g-,—A presentation of the history and the role of the civil
rights movement and the impact on law enforcement.
h-, Instruction instruction on de-escalation techniques,
including verbal and physical tactics to minimize the need for
the use of force and nonlethal methods of applying force.
Sec. 16. Section SOB.116, subsection 4, Code 2026, is
amended by striking the subsection.
Sec. 17. Section 135.63, subsection 1, paragraph a. Code
2026, is amended to read as follows:
a. The contribution of the proposed institutional health
service in meeting the needs of the medically underserved,
including persons in rural areas, low-income persons, racial
and ethnic minorities^ persons with disabilities, and the
elderly, as well as the extent to which medically underserved
residents in the applicant's service area are likely to have
access to the proposed institutional health service.
Sec. 18. Section 148.3, subsection 3, Code 2026, is amended
to read as follows:
3. The board shall give priority to the processing of
House File 2711, p. 8
applications for licensure submitted by physicians and surgeons
and osteopathic physicians and surgeons whose practice will
primarily involve provision of service to medically underserved
populations, including but not—1-imited to minorities or
low-income persons, or who live in rural areas.
Sec. 19. Section 256.36, subsection 2, paragraph a,
unnumbered paragraph 1, Code 2026, is amended to read as
follows:
The goals of the math and science education program may
include but arc not limited to any of the following;
Sec. 20. Section 256.36, subsection 2, paragraph a,
subparagraph (6), Code 2026, is amended by striking the
subparagraph.
Sec. 21. Section 256.177, subsection 10, Code 2026, is
amended to read as follows:
10. Require any postsecondary institution whose students
are eligible for or who receive financial assistance under
programs administered by the commission to transmit annually
to the commission information about the numbers of minority
students enrolled in and minority faculty members employed at
the institution. The commission shall compile and report the
information collected to the general assembly, the governor,
and the legislative services agency by March 1 annually. For
purposes of this subsection, ^minority'' means the same as
defined in 12 C.F.R. §4.62, as effective on January 1, 2026.
Sec. 22. Section 256.183, subsection 1, paragraph d. Code
2026, is amended to read as follows:
d. Promotes equal opportunity and affirmative action efforts
in the recruitment, appointment, assignment, and advancement of
personnel at the institution and provides information regarding
such efforts to the commission upon request.
Sec. 23. Section 256.213, Code 2026, is amended to read as
follows:
256.213 Legislative intent.
The general assembly finds that the failure of many young
lowans to complete their education limits their opportunity
for a life of fulfillment and hinders the state's efforts to
provide a well-trained workforce for business and industry
in Iowa. The general assembly also declares that it is the
House File 2711, p. 9
policy of this state to apply positive moasurGs to Gnouro that
equal opportunities exist for minority persons to purauo their
educational goals. Therefore, the **Iowa Minority Academic
Grants for Economic Success" program is established to provide
additional funding to the state board of regents institutions,
community colleges, and accredited private institutions in
order to encourage resident minority students to remain in
Iowa, to attend community colleges, private colleges, and
universities in Iowa, and to assure that a limited family
income will not be a barrier for a minority person to pursue a
postsecondary education.
Sec. 24. Section 256.214, subsection 3, Code 2026, is
amended to read as follows:
3. ^Financial need" means the difference between the
student's financial resources, including resources available
from the student's parents and the student, as determined
by a completed parents' financial statement and including
any noncampus-administered federal or state grants and
scholarships, and the student's estimated expenses while
attending the institution. A student shall accept all
available federal and state grants and scholarships before
being considered eligible for grants under the Iowa minority
academic grants for economic success program. Financial need
shall be reconsidered on at least an annual basis.
Sec. 25. Section 256.214, subsection 5, Code 2026, is
amended by striking the subsection.
Sec. 26. Section 256.214, subsection 7, Code 2026, is
amended to read as follows:
7. ^Program" means the Iowa minority academic grants for
economic success program established in this subpart.
Sec. 27. Section 256.215, subsection 1, Code 2026, is
amended by striking the subsection.
Sec. 28. Section 256.216, subsection 7, Code 2026, is
amended by striking the subsection.
Sec. 29. Section 256.216, subsection 8, Code 2026, is
amended to read as follows:
8. Administer funds appropriated for the Iowa minority
academic grants for economic success program to carry out the
duties of the commission.
House File 2711, p. 10
Sec. 30. Section 262.9, subsection 21, Code 2026, is amended
to read as follows;
21. Direct the administration of the Iowa minority academic
grants for economic success program as established in section
256.213 for the institutions under its control.
Sec. 31. Section 262.93, Code 2026, is amended to read as
follows:
262.93 Reports to general assembly.
The college student aid commission and the state board of
regents each shall submit to the general assembly, by January
15 of each year, a report on the progress and implementation
of the programs which they administer program under sections
256.214 through 256.217 and 262.02. By January 31 of each
year^ the state board of regents shall submit a report to the
general assembly regarding the progress and implementation
of the program administered pursuant to section 262.82. The
reports shall report must include but ^ not limited to the
numbers of students and educators participating in the programs
program and allocation of funds appropriated for the programs
program.
Sec. 32. Section 602.1204, subsection 2, Code 2026, is
amended to read as follows:
2. The state court administrator may issue directives
relating to the management of the judicial branch. The subject
matters of these directives shall include, but need not be
limited to, fiscal procedures, the judicial retirement system,
and the collection and reporting of statistical and other
data. The directives shall provide for an affirmative action
plan which shall be based upon guidelines provided by the Iowa
state civil rights commission. In addition, when establishing
salaries and benefits the state court administrator shall not
discriminate in the employment or pay between employees on
the basis of gender by paying wages to employees at a rate
less than the rate at which wages are paid to employees of the
opposite gender for work of comparable worth. As used in this
section '^comparable worth'' means the value of work as measured
by the composite of the skill, effort, responsibility, and
working conditions normally required in the performance of
work.
House File 2711, p. 11
Sec. 33. Section 602.1209, subsection 3, Code 2026, is
amended to read as follows:
3. Authorize the filling of vacant court employee
positions— and review the qualifications of each person
to be employed within the judicial branch, and aDouro that
affirmative action goals arc being mot by the judicial branch.
The state court administrator shall not approve the employment
of a person when either the proposed terms and conditions
of employment or the qualifications of the individual do
not satisfy personnel policies of the judicial branch. The
administrator shall implement the comparable worth directives
issued under section 602.1204, subsection 2j_ in all court
employment decisions.
Sec. 34. REPEAL. Sections 8.11, 19B.5, 260C.29, 262.81,
262.82, 262.91, and 262.92, Code 2026, are repealed.
Sec. 35. CODE EDITOR DIRECTIVE.
1. The Code editor is directed to make the following
transfer:
Section 262.93 to section 256.217A.
2. The Code editor shall correct internal references in the
Code and in any enacted legislation as necessary due to the
enactment of this section.
PAT GRASSLEy/ AMY SINQAIR
Speaker of the House President of the Senate
I hereby certify that this bill originated in the House and
is known as House File 2711, Ninety-first General Assembly.
Approved # , 2026
MEGm^N NELSON
Chief iClerk o/HIhe House
KIM REVflOLDS
Governor