New laws taking effect from July 1 in Iowa, will affect a range of facets from employment to discrimination protections. Under the new regulations, ‘gender identity’ will no longer be a protected characteristic under the Iowa Civil Rights Act. The alteration comes after the majority-Republican General Assembly passed legislation removing gender identity protections from the state’s civil rights code, an unprecedented move in the United States. Alongside this, new driving laws will be implemented, particularly concerning the use of cellphones while on the road. Other areas affected by the sexennial wave of new laws include the lowering of the minimum age to possess a handgun, a crackdown on automated ticket bots, and the launch of a paid family leave program for state employees.

One of the significant changes includes an increased commitment to paid family leave. The state government will offer four weeks of paid leave for new state employee mothers. For the non-birthing parent, a week of paid leave will be provided. This inclusion solidifies Iowa as one of the 25 states now offering a paid family leave program. The issue of paid family leave has long been a contentious one, with workers often struggling to balance their career and family responsibilities. To get a hold of the Paid Family Leave program in Iowa, the best way is to go through the designated channels provided by the state government. More detailed information regarding the application process, eligibilities, and benefits can be obtained via the state’s official channels.