What is the role of the Iowa Civil Rights Commission?

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.

The powers and duties of the commission are 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, cited as Iowa Code Section 601A, prohibits discrimination based on certain personal characteristics. Discrimination is prohibited in employment, public accommodations or service, housing, education, credit, and by aiding or abetting and retaliation.

The protected personal characteristics include:

Age (in employment and credit only)

Race

Creed

Sex

National Origin

Color

Religion

Physical and Mental Disability (mental disability not protected in credit)

Marital Status

Familial Status (in housing only, effective July 1,1989)

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.