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.