Iowa Bill Makes Political Affiliation, Vaccine Status Protected Classes

Some Iowa House Republicans want to amend the Iowa Civil Rights Code to include political beliefs and immunization status as protected classes.

If added, those two categories would join race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, and disability, among others.

The bill, House File 2141, was introduced Friday and is sponsored by Republican Reps. Eddie Andrews of Johnston, Rob Bacon of Slater, Cherielynn Westrich of Ottumwa, Thomas Gerhold of Atkins, Norlin Mommsen of DeWitt, Brooke Boden of Indianola, and Jon Jacobsen of Council Bluffs.

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As with all civil rights code protections, employers would be prohibited from firing or dismissing anyone based on their immunization status or political belief.

This would then apply to any businesses or groups that require their employees to have vaccines. The bill is particularly a response to the businesses and hospitals that required COVID-19 vaccines in an effort to mitigate the spread of the virus in the workplace.

Employers would also be forbidden to refuse to hire or accept someone based on political belief or immunization status. Employers and agencies also couldn’t advertise that a potential employee would be unwelcome or objectionable based on their immunization status or political belief.

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The civil rights code also applies to housing, lending, education, and public accommodations. The bill does allow religious institutions to have qualifications for political belief or immunization status if it’s related to a “bona fide religious purpose.”

The penalty for violations is a simple misdemeanor which means no more than 30 days confinement and a fine between $105 and $855.

Nikoel Hytrek
1/28/22

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