Mission
The mission of the Iowa Civil
Rights Commission is to eliminate discrimination and to establish equality
and justice for all persons within the state through civil rights enforcement,
advocacy and education.
Powers and Duties
The Iowa Civil Rights Commission endeavors to eliminate discrimination
by (1) processing civil rights complaints in the most efficient and effective
manner possible, (2) educating the public through workshops, consultations,
and publications, and (3) advocating tolerant and anti-discriminatory attitudes
and behavior.
The "Iowa Civil Rights Act Of 1965" (overview)
The Act, cited as Iowa Code Chapter 601A, prohibits discrimination based
on certain personal characteristics. Discrimination is prohibited in employment
by Section 601A.6, in public accommodations or services by Section 601A.7,
in housing by Section 601A.8, in education by Section 601A.9, and in credit
by Section 601A.10, and by aiding or abetting and retaliation by Section
601A.11. The protected personal characteristics include:
Age (in employment and credit only)
Race
Creed
Color
Sex*
National origin
Religion
Disability (mental disability
not protected in credit)
Marital status (in credit only)
Protected also are persons who are coerced or compelled to participate in
discriminatory practices or persons who are discriminated against because
they oppose acts forbidden by 601A, obey provisions of 601A, or participate
in proceedings under 601A.
* Effective July 1, 1987, Section 601A.6 added coverage for employment policies
relating to pregnancy and childbirth. See page 16.