Iowa Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds on Friday signed legislation prohibiting teachers from discussing gender identity and sexual orientation with students up to grade six, while all books that depict sex acts will be removed from school libraries.
The newly enacted law is part of a trend seen in other Republican-controlled state legislatures. Like them, Iowa Republicans described their measure as a sensible step to uphold parental authority in overseeing their children’s education and to prevent teachers from discussing subjects such as gender and sexuality.
“Despite the opposition of all Democratic legislators, Republicans who hold large majorities in Iowa’s state House and Senate approved the measure in April and there was little doubt that Reynolds would sign it; she had made issues related to gender identity and sexuality a focal point of her legislative agenda this year,” The Associated Press reported.
In a statement, Reynolds said: “This legislative session, we secured transformational education reform that puts parents in the driver’s seat, eliminates burdensome regulations on public schools, provides flexibility to raise teacher salaries, and empowers teachers to prepare our kids for their future.”
The newly passed law in Iowa also mandates that school administrators must inform parents if students express a desire to change their pronouns or names. Additionally, religious texts will be exempted from the prohibition on books depicting sexual acts in school libraries, the AP reported.
In addition, the law stipulates that schools must publish a list of books available in their libraries online, along with guidelines for parents to review both books and instructional materials. Furthermore, schools must seek parental consent before administering surveys to students on various topics, including mental health, sex, and political affiliation, the report continued.
Earlier this year, Reynolds enacted two bills that place restrictions on restroom usage for transgender students and prohibit transgender procedures and therapies for individuals under 18, including the use of puberty blockers. Additionally, Reynolds signed a bill last year that prohibits transgender females from participating in girls’ high school and women’s college athletics.
All of the measures align with similar bills passed by Republican-led states across the nation, reflecting a broader trend within the party, the AP noted.
