A ban on holding cell phones while driving, removal of gender identity protections in the Iowa Civil Rights Act and a ban on diversity, equity, and inclusion programs are among the new state laws taking effect July 1. Stakeholders from some of the various areas that these laws impact share their perspectives.
We hear Melissa Peterson of the Iowa State Education Association about several laws that reshape PreK-12 schools — one law will require schools to show fetal development videos that “depict the humanity of the unborn child” and will forbid schools from using any materials created by an organization that performs or promotes abortions.
Cassity Gutierrez of the Iowa Rural Health Association weighs in on laws that address Iowa's physician shortage, including prioritizing Iowa residents in admission to the University of Iowa's medical and dental schools. Finally, Nick Salazar of LULAC comments on a law that allows election workers to challenge voters at the polls on their citizenship status.
Guests:
- Sgt. Alex Dinkla, public information officer, Iowa State Patrol
- Melissa Peterson, legislative and policy director, Iowa State Education Association
- Nick Salazar, former state director, LULAC Iowa; member, Council 371 in Muscatine
- Cassity Gutierrez, professor of health sciences, Drake University; executive director, Iowa Rural Health Association
