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SF 8

A bill for an act prohibiting school districts and charter schools from taking disciplinary action against employees, contractors, or students for the use of legal names, the use of student names as listed in school registration forms or records, or for the failure to use personal pronouns in official communications, and providing civil penalties.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jesse Green

Iowa bill prohibits schools from disciplining staff or students for using legal names or declining to use personal pronouns, with civil penalties for violations.

Referred to Education.
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Bill Summary · SF 8

Legislative bill overview

SF 8 prohibits Iowa school districts and charter schools from disciplining employees, contractors, or students for using legal names, names as they appear in official registration records, or for declining to use personal pronouns in communications. The bill also establishes civil penalties for schools that violate these prohibitions.

Why is this important

This bill directly impacts how schools handle student identity, naming practices, and pronoun usage in day-to-day operations. It affects school policies, staff conduct guidelines, and potential liability exposure for educational institutions, while raising questions about student safety, inclusion, and parental authority in schools.

Potential points of contention

  • Student safety and bullying concerns: Opponents argue the bill could prevent schools from protecting transgender or non-binary students from harassment by restricting pronoun-related accommodations
  • Parental rights versus student autonomy: Supporters contend parents should control how their child is identified at school; critics worry this limits students' ability to express their identity safely
  • Staff free speech and conscience protections: The bill protects staff from discipline for pronoun usage, but raises questions about whether this conflicts with creating inclusive school environments and anti-discrimination policies
  • Civil penalty framework: Unclear standards for what constitutes a violation and how schools will navigate potential conflicting claims from students, parents, and staff

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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