Iowa § 216A.3 - 216A.3 Human rights board.

§ 216A.3. 216A.3 Human rights board.

1. A human rights board is created within the department. 2. The board shall consist of twelve members, including seven voting members and five nonvoting members, determined as follows: a. The voting members shall consist of seven voting members who shall be appointed by the governor, subject to confirmation by the senate pursuant to section 2.32, and shall represent underrepresented populations in the state. All voting members shall reside in the state. The term of office for voting members is four years. b. The nonvoting members shall consist of the department director, two state representatives, one appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives and one by the minority leader of the house of representatives, and two state senators, one appointed by the majority leader of the senate and one by the minority leader of the senate. 3. A majority of the voting members of the board shall constitute a quorum, and the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the voting members present is necessary for any substantive action taken by the board. The board shall select a chairperson from the voting members of the board. 4. The board shall do all of the following: a. Develop and monitor implementation of a comprehensive strategic plan to remove barriers for underrepresented populations or groups and, in doing so, to increase Iowa’s productivity and inclusivity, including performance measures and benchmarks. b. Study the opportunities for and changing needs of the underrepresented populations or groups in the state. c. Serve as a liaison between the department and the public, sharing information and gathering constituency input. d. Recommend to the department the adoption of rules pursuant to chapter 17A as the board deems necessary. e. Recommend legislative and executive action to the governor and general assembly to advance the interests of underrepresented populations or groups and to improve the status of low-income persons in the state. f. Establish advisory committees, work groups, or other coalitions as appropriate. g. Advance the interests of underrepresented populations or groups in the areas of human rights, access to justice, economic equality, and the elimination of discrimination. 86 Acts, ch 1245, §1203 C87, §601K.3 88 Acts, ch 1277, §28; 90 Acts, ch 1180, §4 C93, §216A.3 2010 Acts, ch 1031, §103, 170; 2010 Acts, ch 1189, §44; 2013 Acts, ch 140, §18; 2019 Acts, ch 156, §1; 2023 Acts, ch 19, §286; 2024 Acts, ch 1170, §446 Referred to in §216A.1 Thu Dec 11 18:57:24 2025 Iowa Code 2026, Section 216A.3 (30, 0)