DES MOINES, Iowa — A hearing regarding a Republican House bill that would remove gender identity from the Iowa Civil Rights Act has been scheduled for Monday.

The bill, HSB 242, was introduced on Thursday by Representative Steve Holt and would remove gender identity as a protected class under the Civil Rights Act. Holt said in a statement on social media that the bill was to ensure that recently passed legislation like prohibiting gender affirming care for minors and barring transgender Iowans from competing in girls’ sports couldn’t be struck down in court.

LGBTQ advocates however say the new bill would open the door for more discrimination against transgender Iowans and erases their existence.

A subcommittee meeting for the bill has been scheduled for Monday at 11 a.m. in room 103 at the Iowa Capitol.

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