Iowa IA

SF 538 (2023) prohibits gender-transition procedures and certain prescriptions for minors.

Iowa Legislature (SF538)

State Medicaid policy excludes gender-transition procedures for all ages. A federal CMS final rule (13 Aug 2026) prohibits federal Medicaid and CHIP funding for these procedures for patients under 18 (Medicaid) and under 19 (CHIP).

42 C.F.R. 441.800–802, 457.476 (91 Fed. Reg. 52406)

State employee health plan documents do not explicitly address gender-transition procedures.

Coverage Manual (das.iowa.gov)

State law requires school athletic teams designated for girls or women to be limited to students of the female sex (K-12 and higher education).

HF2416

State law requires multiple-occupancy restrooms and changing facilities in K-12 schools to be designated and used by biological sex.

Iowa SF482

SF496 (2023) barred K–6 gender-identity and sexual-orientation instruction and added parental-notification rules. A federal district order in May 2025 narrowed “program/promotion” language and most notification text; the K–6 mandatory-instruction bar still stands. Written rule, court narrowing — Schools mixed. On 6 April 2026 the 8th Circuit vacated those injunctions (Iowa Safe Schools v. Reynolds, No. 25-2186), so the provisions are enforceable while the case goes back for trial.

Iowa Legislature (SF496 enrolled)

SF496 (2023) barred K–6 gender-identity and sexual-orientation instruction and added parental-notification rules. A federal district order in May 2025 narrowed “program/promotion” language and most notification text; the K–6 mandatory-instruction bar still stands. Written rule, court narrowing — Schools mixed. On 6 April 2026 the 8th Circuit vacated those injunctions (Iowa Safe Schools v. Reynolds, No. 25-2186), so the provisions are enforceable while the case goes back for trial.

Iowa Legislature (SF496 enrolled)

State law defines "sex", "male" and "female" in biological terms for purposes of state law.

SF 418

Birth-certificate sex cannot be changed; driver's licence sex cannot be changed.

SF418

No shield statute identified.

No shield statute identified

Adult access is limited through public funding rules: Medicaid exclusion at all ages, ban on public funds at any age.

Information Letters (secureapp.dhs.state.ia.us)

No state law provides an extended limitations period or other remedy specific to detransitioners.

No state law identified

Biological sex at birth is the primary factor in housing, with individual safety review.

Iowa DOC Policy HSP-704

No active bills (checked 13 Oct 2026). The 2026 regular session has adjourned (or the legislature does not meet in 2026), so 2025-26 bills are no longer moving. LegiScan search linked.

LegiScan search, checked 13 Oct 2026 (adjourned legislature)

Iowa Safe Schools v. Reynolds: on 6 April 2026 the 8th Circuit vacated the preliminary injunctions against SF 496 (K-6 instruction limit, parental notification, library rules) and sent the case back for trial on the merits.

Iowa Safe Schools v. Reynolds, No. 25-2186 (8th Cir. 6 Apr 2026)

No upcoming effective dates or court deadlines were identified.

Review, Oct 2026