State attorney argues Iowa schools have been too broad in banning books under SF 496
The attorney representing the state of Iowa suggested in federal court Friday that school districts have been too broadly interpreting a new state law that restricts schools from teaching about LGBTQ-related topics and requires them to ban books depicting sex acts.
The law, Senate File 496, is at the center of two lawsuits before the U.S. District Court Southern District of Iowa. Lawyers for both cases argued in court Friday for an injunction to stop school districts from removing books while the lawsuits move through the court system.
Judge Stephen Locher said the two cases have not been combined, but a joint hearing on the plaintiffs’ requests for an injunction was held because of their similar nature questioning the constitutionality of Senate File 496. Locher said he would issue a decision on the request for an injunction on or before Jan. 1.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa and Lambda Legal — representing eight Iowa students and their families, along with Iowa Safe Schools, a nonprofit that advocates for LGBTQ students — argued SF 496 discriminates against LGBTQ students and violates their constitutional rights. Specifically, those rights are to free speech, free association, equal protection and due process under the First and 14th amendments.
