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 newsletters, 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. 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)
The Act generally prohibits persons (e.g. employers) from considering or using protected personal characteristics (e.g. race) in making personnel decisions. A discriminatory practice in employment occurs when race, for example, is a "but for" factor in the employer's hiring or termination decision.