§ 216A.3 — Human rights board

Iowa § 216A.3

• Jurisdiction: Iowa
• Title VI: HUMAN SERVICES
• Ch. 216A: DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES — HUMAN RIGHTS

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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. Advancetheinterestsofunderrepresentedpopulationsorgroupsintheareasofhuman
rights, access to justice, economic equality, and the elimination of discrimination.