{"id":373335,"date":"2016-03-31T21:35:17","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:35:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ability-fl-prod.internetbrands.com\/ability-law\/state\/iowa-law\/iowa-civil-rights-laws.html"},"modified":"2026-08-13T12:02:55","modified_gmt":"2026-08-13T17:02:55","slug":"iowa-civil-rights-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/iowa-law\/iowa-civil-rights-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Iowa Civil Rights Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\n \n Iowa Civil Rights Laws\n <\/h1>\n \n Learn about your state’s laws by using the links below.\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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\n By Susan Buckner, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Laura Temme, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

The Iowa Civil Rights Act<\/span> of 1965<\/span> protects individuals from discrimination in employment, housing, and education based on protected classes<\/span> like race, sex, and disability. Iowa’s laws<\/span> provide broader protections than federal statutes by covering smaller employers and offering wider age protections. Individuals must file a discrimination complaint with the Iowa Civil Rights Commission<\/span> or the federal EEOC<\/span> within 300 days of the incident to protect their legal rights.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

The term \u201ccivil rights\u201d refers to the rights of all U.S. citizens to be treated equally under the law. Civil rights were codified into federal law<\/span> in the Civil Rights Act of 1964<\/span>. Among other protections, the federal Civil Rights Act permits states to create their own civil rights laws<\/span> and enforce the federal laws<\/span>.<\/p>\n

The Civil Rights Act of 1964<\/span><\/a> prohibits discrimination based on protected characteristics<\/span> like race, religion, sex, and national origin<\/span>. Over time, some states have expanded protections to include disability (including pregnancy), sexual orientation<\/span>, gender identity<\/span>, and age over 40.<\/p>\n

Civil rights laws<\/span><\/a> prevent discrimination in employment, housing, and education. The laws also ensure that people can file civil rights complaints<\/span> for housing and employment discrimination<\/span>. The federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC<\/span>) oversees employment rights in all 50 states.<\/p>\n

In this article, we\u2019ll discuss protected classes<\/span> under the Iowa Civil Rights Act<\/span>, recent changes to Iowa civil rights laws<\/span>, and how civil rights claims work in Iowa. If you suspect an employer, landlord, or educational institution has discriminated against you, consider contacting a local civil rights attorney<\/a> to learn more about your options. They can explain how the laws we discuss below might apply to your unique circumstances.<\/p>\n

State vs. Federal Civil Rights Laws<\/span><\/h2>\n

Federal civil rights laws<\/span> set the floor for protection against discrimination. This means that states must provide at least the same amount of protection as the federal Civil Rights Act. Many states provide broader protections than those found in federal law<\/span>, such as by creating additional protected classes<\/span>.<\/p>\n

The Iowa Civil Rights Act<\/span> of 1965<\/span><\/a> mostly mirrors the federal Civil Rights Act. In general, the state of Iowa<\/span> protects the civil rights of all Iowans<\/span> from discrimination based on race, religion, national origin<\/span>, and sex.<\/p>\n

There are a few places where Iowa provides additional protection, with Iowa\u2019s civil rights laws<\/span> against age discrimination serving as a prime example. Federal civil rights laws<\/span> protect people over 40 from age discrimination. Iowa\u2019s law<\/span> applies to anyone over 18, which allows claims for discrimination or harassment based on being \u201ctoo young\u201d as well as \u201ctoo old.\u201d<\/p>\n

Iowa also applies its employment discrimination<\/span> laws to a broader group of employers. Federal protections under Title VII<\/span> only apply to employers with 15 or more employees. Iowa\u2019s anti-discrimination<\/span> statute covers employees with four or more employees.<\/p>\n

Protected Classes<\/span> Under Iowa Civil Rights Law<\/span><\/h1>\n

Under the Iowa Civil Rights Act<\/span>, the following characteristics are protected from discrimination in employment settings:<\/p>\n