Iowa Senate File 538
{{Short description|2023 Iowa law}}
{{Use American English|date=June 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2025}}
{{Infobox legislation
| short_title = Senate File 538
| legislature = Iowa General Assembly
| image = Seal of Iowa.svg
| long_title = An act relating to prohibited activities regarding gender transition procedures relative to minors, and including effective date and applicability provisions.
| citation = [https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/publications/LGE/90/Attachments/SF538_GovLetter.pdf]
| territorial_extent = Iowa
| enacted_by = Iowa Senate
| date_passed = March 7, 2023
| enacted_by2 = Iowa House of Representatives
| date_passed2 = March 8, 2023
| signed_by = Kim Reynolds
| date_signed = March 22, 2023
| date_effective = March 22, 2023
| bill_history_url = https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/billTracking/billHistory?billName=SF%20538&ga=90
| 1st_reading_for = 33
| 1st_reading_against = 16
| 1st_reading_absent = 1
| 1st_reading2_for = 58
| 1st_reading2_against = 39
| 1st_reading2_absent = 3
| summary = Restricts access to gender-affirming medical care for Iowans under 18 years old.
| status = in force
}}
Iowa Senate File 538 (S.F. 538) is a 2023 law in the state of Iowa that restricts access to gender-affirming care for Iowans under eighteen years of age, including hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and puberty blockers. It was signed into law by Governor Kim Reynolds on March 22, 2023 and took effect immediately.{{Cite web |last=Reynolds |first=Kim |date=2023-03-22 |title=SF538_GovLetter.pdf |url=https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/publications/LGE/90/Attachments/SF538_GovLetter.pdf |access-date=2025-06-02 |website=Iowa Legislature}}
The bill passed the Senate by a vote of 33-16 on March 7 and the House of Representatives by a vote of 58-39 on March 8.{{Cite web |date=2023-03-07 |title=03-07-2023 - 20230307SJNL.pdf |url=https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/publications/SJNL/20230307_SJNL.pdf |access-date=2025-06-02 |website=Iowa Legislature}}{{Cite web |date=2023-03-08 |title=03-07-2023 - 20230308_HJNL.pdf |url=https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/publications/HJNL/20230308_HJNL.pdf |access-date=2025-06-02 |website=Iowa Legislature |page=5}} A major high school student protest took place on March 1 in protest of Senate File 538.{{Cite web |last=Delgado |first=Emily |date=2023-03-08 |title=Iowa Legislature passes bill to restrict gender-affirming health care for minors - The Daily Iowan |url=https://dailyiowan.com/2023/03/08/iowa-legislature-passes-bill-to-restrict-gender-affirming-health-care-for-minors/ |access-date=2025-06-02 |website=The Daily Iowan}}{{Cite web |last1=Hernandez |first1=Samantha |last2=Higgins |first2=Chris |last3=Block |first3=Francesca |last4=Sitter |first4=Phillip |last5=Shillcock |first5=George |last6=Gruber-Miller |first6=Stephen |date=2023-03-01 |title=Hundreds of Iowa students walk out to protest LGBTQ bills |url=https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/education/2023/03/01/hundreds-of-iowa-students-walk-out-to-protest-lgbtq-bills/69949781007/ |access-date=2025-06-02 |website=Des Moines Register}}
Provisions
Senate File 538 prohibits medical professionals from providing gender-affirming medical care to minors in the state of Iowa. A grandfather clause was included, which allowed Iowan minors already receiving such care to continue receiving it until September 18, 2023.{{Cite web |last=Akin |first=Katie |date=2022-03-22 |title=Gender-affirming care ban and transgender bathroom bill become Iowa law. What it means. |url=https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/2023/03/22/gender-affirming-care-ban-and-transgender-bathroom-bill-become-iowa-law-what-it-means/70004084007/ |access-date=2025-06-02 |website=Des Moines Register}}{{Cite web |last1=Akin |first1=Katie |last2=Ramm |first2=Michaela |date=2023-09-17 |title=Iowa ban on gender-affirming care for kids takes effect. What to know |url=https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/health/2023/09/17/iowas-gender-affirming-care-ban-for-transgender-minors-is-now-fully-in-effect-reynolds-lgbtq/70776450007/ |access-date=2025-06-02 |website=Des Moines Register}} Medical professionals who violate the law can be subject to disciplinary actions or lawsuits.{{Cite web |last=Barton |first=Tom |date=2023-03-22 |title=Reynolds signs transgender 'bathroom bill', Iowa ban on gender-affirming care for minors into law |url=https://www.thegazette.com/government-politics/reynolds-signs-transgender-bathroom-bill-iowa-ban-on-gender-affirming-care-for-minors-into-law/ |access-date=2025-06-02 |website=The Gazette}}
The bill separately contains language specifying it does not violate the Iowa Civil Rights Act, which drew controversy.{{Cite web |last=Opshal |first=Robin |date=2023-03-07 |title=Bills on transgender youths' medical care, bathroom use in schools pass Senate |url=https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2023/03/07/bills-on-transgender-youths-medical-care-bathroom-use-in-schools-pass-senate/ |access-date=2025-06-02 |website=Iowa Capital Dispatch}}{{Cite web |last=Belin |first=Laura |date=2023-03-13 |title=Iowa ban on gender-affirming care would face uphill battle in court - Bleeding Heartland |url=https://www.bleedingheartland.com/2023/03/13/iowa-ban-on-gender-affirming-care-would-face-uphill-battle-in-court/ |access-date=2025-06-02 |website=Bleeding Heartland}}
Reactions
= Support =
Governor Kim Reynolds did not strongly support Senate Bill 538, but signed it into law. She stated in a press conference that while the bill would harm some Iowans, it was necessary for the safety of children as the long-term effects of such care are unknown.{{Cite web |last=Migdon |first=Brooke |date=2023-03-23 |title=Iowa governor signs transgender bathroom bill, bans gender-affirming care for youth |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/3915121-iowa-governor-signs-transgender-bathroom-bill-bans-gender-affirming-care-for-youth/ |access-date=2025-06-02 |website=The Hill}}{{Cite web |last=Opsahl |first=Robin |date=2023-03-22 |title=Governor signs transgender medical care, bathroom use bills into law |url=https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/briefs/governor-signs-transgender-medical-care-bathroom-use-bills-into-law/ |access-date=2025-06-02 |website=Iowa Capital Dispatch}} A poll conducted between March 5-8 by Selzer & Co. showed that 52% of Iowans supported such a ban.{{Cite web |last=Akin |first=Katie |date=2023-03-13 |title=Most Iowans support LGBTQ bills, gender-affirming bans, Iowa Poll says |url=https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/iowa-poll/2023/03/13/iowa-poll-majority-support-legislature-gender-affirming-care-ban-lgbtq-bills/69989888007/ |access-date=2025-06-02 |website=Des Moines Register}} The main sponsor of the bill, Steven Holt, stated that he did not believe that gender-affirming care for minors had enough evidence to be safe.{{Cite web |last1=Rose |first1=Andy |last2=Forrest |first2=Jack |date=2023-03-22 |title=Iowa's governor signs law banning gender-affirming care for minors {{!}} CNN Politics |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/03/22/politics/iowa-gender-affirming-care-ban |access-date=2025-06-02 |website=CNN}}
= Opposition =
Several local organizations and medical professionals opposed Senate File 538, including the Human Rights Campaign and One Iowa Action.{{Cite web |date=2023-03-07 |title=HRC {{!}} Human Rights Campaign Condemns Iowa Senate for Passing Two Discriminatory Bills; Urges House to Vote Down Bills |url=https://www.hrc.org/press-releases/human-rights-campaign-condemns-iowa-senate-for-passing-two-discriminatory-bills-urges-house-to-vote-down-bills |access-date=2025-06-02 |website=Human Rights Campaign}}{{Cite web |last1=Akin |first1=Katie |last2=Gruber-Miller |first2=Stephen |date=2023-02-23 |title=Iowa bill to ban gender care for kids a possibility: House speaker |url=https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/2023/02/23/iowa-house-speaker-gop-may-introduce-bill-to-ban-gender-care-for-kids/69936706007/ |access-date=2025-06-02 |website=Des Moines Register}}{{Cite web |last=Akin |first=Katie |date=2023-03-07 |title=Iowa lawmakers approve gender-affirming care ban for transgender youth |url=https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/2023/03/07/iowa-lawmakers-approve-gender-affirming-care-ban-for-transgender-youth/69980950007/ |access-date=2025-06-02 |website=Des Moines Register}}{{Cite web |last=Fong |first=Johnathan |date=2023-03-27 |title=Activists, health experts speak out on gender-related Iowa laws {{!}} wqad.com |url=https://www.wqad.com/article/news/local/activists-mental-health-experts-on-gender-related-iowa-bills/526-09159362-690c-4114-8656-2950e698ccaa |access-date=2025-06-02 |website=WQAD8 ABC}} Over 60 businesses are known to have opposed Senate File 538.{{Cite web |last1=Crumb |first1=Michael |last2=Kestel |first2=Emily |last3=Bogaards |first3=Sarah |date=2023-03-10 |title=Business owners, activists call for more 'economic pressure' on anti-LGBTQ bills |url=https://www.businessrecord.com/business-owners-activists-call-for-more-economic-pressure-on-anti-lgbtq-bills/ |access-date=2025-06-02 |website=Business Record}}{{Cite web |last=Gruber-Miller |first=Stephen |date=2023-03-13 |title=Businesses spoke out on Iowa's prior LGBTQ bills. Why aren't they now? |url=https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/2023/03/13/iowa-lgbtq-bills-why-businesses-are-arent-involved-kum-go-disney/69977127007/ |access-date=2025-06-02 |website=Des Moines Register}} The Iowa Starting Line did not officially take a stance but referred to the bill as "homophobic".{{Cite web |last=Rushing |first=Ty |date=2023-03-07 |title=Republican-Led Iowa Senate Passes Homophobic Bills Aimed at LGBTQ Kids |url=https://iowastartingline.com/2023/03/07/republican-led-iowa-senate-passes-homophobic-bills-aimed-at-lgbtq-kids/ |access-date=2025-06-02 |website=Iowa Starting Line}} The Scarlet & Black, a newspaper connected to Grinnell College, opposed Senate File 538.{{Cite web |last=Spindler-Krage |first=Zach |date=2023-04-10 |title="I know that children with die because of this law:" anti-trans legislation threatens Iowa |url=https://thesandb.com/42495/article/i-know-that-children-will-die-because-of-this-law-anti-trans-legislation-threatens-iowa/ |access-date=2025-06-02 |website=The Scarlet & Black}}