Iowa Civil Rights Agency Sees Rise in Complaints, Official Says

DECORAH, Iowa—A representative from the Iowa Office of Civil Rights told a Decorah audience this week that every Iowan is protected under the state's civil rights law, while outlining how discrimination complaints are investigated and resolved. Speaking at the Decorah Public Library, Rose Cooney of the state agency described the Iowa Civil Rights Act as covering residents across five areas: employment, housing, education, credit and public accommodations. The presentation, billed as "Civil Rights 101 in Iowa," focused on the role of the Iowa Office of Civil Rights, which was renamed in 2024 from the Iowa Civil Rights Commission. The agency "investigates discrimination complaints and provides education and outreach across the state", Cooney said. Cooney told attendees the office received more than 2,000 complaints in fiscal year 2025 and completed more than 1,000 investigations, despite having a staff of 27. "We're doing more work with the same amount of staff," she said, noting a 35% increase in complaints filed since 2020. Complaint process outlined Cooney walked through the steps required to file and pursue a discrimination complaint, including submitting forms online, by mail or in person. Each complaint is first reviewed to determine whether it falls within the agency's jurisdiction and meets the legal definition of discrimination under state law. Cases that move forward enter a two-tiered investigation process. The first stage screens whether a complaint meets the legal threshold, while a smaller number proceed to a more detailed second phase involving interviews and deeper review. The office also offers free mediation, which Cooney said resolves many cases before they reach later stages. About 200 cases were settled through mediation last year, she said. Possible outcomes include administrative closure if a complaint does not meet legal standards, a finding of no probable cause, or a determination of probable cause that can advance to a hearing before an administrative law judge. Individuals also retain the option to leave the administrative process and file a lawsuit in district court after 60 days, she said. Examples of discrimination Cooney provided examples of cases handled by the office, including housing complaints involving tenants with disabilities who are denied accommodations such as assistance animals, and employment cases involving workers allegedly fired or passed over due to pregnancy. She also cited a recent case in which a Des Moines landlord was ordered to pay $73,000 after being found to have harassed a tenant with a disability. Public spaces like libraries are also covered under the law, she said, meaning services cannot be denied based on protected characteristics unless unrelated rules, such as conduct policies, are violated. Legal scope and limitations Cooney said the agency enforces Iowa Code Chapter 216, which defines protected classes and varies by category. For example, age discrimination is covered in employment but not housing. The office does not handle all disputes, she added. Issues such as general landlord-tenant conflicts or complaints involving prisons typically fall outside its jurisdiction and are referred elsewhere. During a question-and-answer session, Cooney confirmed that individuals do not need to be U.S. citizens to file a complaint, noting that national origin is a protected category. She also addressed recent changes in state law, saying gender identity was removed as a protected class in 2025. Complaints related to incidents before June 30, 2025, may still be filed within a 300-day window, but cases after that date are no longer investigated by the office. Growing demand, uncertain trends While complaint filings have increased significantly in recent years, Cooney said it is difficult to determine whether that reflects a rise in discrimination or simply greater awareness and reporting. "There's no way to fully track that," she said, noting that some cases leave the agency's process for court or are resolved through mediation without detailed public outcomes. Cooney encouraged attendees to contact the office with questions or to seek more information about filing complaints, emphasizing its role as a neutral, fact-finding agency rather than a legal advocate. "We try to be a resource for folks as much as possible," she said.