Iowa’s Hate Crime Laws:

§ Prohibit public offenses of assault, criminal mischief, trespass, arson or intimidation by threat of violence committed BECAUSE OF protected characteristics:

race

color

religion

ancestry

national origin

political affiliation

sex

sexual orientation

age

physical/mental disability

or because of the person’s association with people of these traits

• Define Hate Crimes • Provide victims civil relief against offenders

• Provide enforceable penalties one degree higher than underlying offense

• Require sensitivity and Hate Crime In-service training for law enforcement

• Require monitoring of Hate Crime violations • Allow for local ordinances

Follow these steps if you are a Victim of a Hate Crime or Helping a Victim:

· Call local law enforcement

· Preserve all physical evidence

· Call Iowa Civil Rights Commission 515-281-4121 or 1-800-457-4416

If Hate Crime occurs in areas of housing, employment, credit, public accommodations, or education, it may also be a discriminatory act under Iowa Code §216. Complaint must be filed within 180 days.

· Call U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Washington DC

Nat’l Housing Discrimination Hotline 1-800-669-9777; TDD 1-800-927-9275

If Hate Crime occurs in housing because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, familial status or handicap, victim may be able to file complaint under Federal Fair Housing law, Title VII.

Iowa Civil Rights Commission

Grimes State Office Building

Des Moines, Iowa 50319

Call 515-281-4121 or Toll Free In Iowa 1-800-457-4416, FAX 515-242-5840

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