Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that establishes provisions on diversity, equity, and inclusion for higher education in the state of Iowa.

Highlights:

• Requires students to satisfy the following requirements before the beginning of the 2025-2026 academic year (Sec. 2): 

• Complete the community college’s associates degree program while working part-time for an employer registered in the program; 

• Execute an agreement that requires the student to work part-time for the students employer for at least one calendar year; 

• Requires student’s employer to pay all the tuition and mandatory fees associated with students participating in associates degree program; and

• Mandates the student employer to pay the student a rate of compensation, no less than minimum wage. 

• Establishes the state board of regents as consisting of 9 voting members, eight of whom are selected from the state at large (Sec. 3). 

• Requires the board to meet 4 times a year (Sec.8). 

• Establishes the terms for applicability, vacancies, suspensions, removals, and appointments (Sec. 9). 

• Prohibits any diversity, equity, and inclusion function that is not necessary for compliance with federal or state laws (Sec. 13). 

• Establishes that employees, students, applicants and campus visitors are not required to submit a diversity, equity, and inclusion statement (Sec. 13). 

• Authorizes the board to approve, institute, enforce, and prohibit the consideration of race and other protected class characteristics during the admissions process (Sec. 13). 

• Requires all undergraduate students to complete a 3-credit-hour course devoted to American history and civics prior to graduation (Sec. 13). 

• Prohibits any educational institute funded in whole or any part by the People’s Republic of China (Sec. 13).

Full Bill Text