The following are legal documents filed or created by the ACLU of Iowa:
October 25, 2024
Letter sent to all Iowa county auditors, reminding them of state and federal law regarding voter challenges
Iowa Safe Schools et al. v Reynolds
October 18, 2024
Amended complaint, renewed motion for preliminary injunction, brief in support of our motion for a preliminary injunction, with supporting declarations. With these filings, plaintiffs again ask the district court to block Iowa's don't say LGBTQ, book ban, and forced outing law.
- Exhibit 1
- Exhibit 2
- Exhibit 3
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- Exhibit 5
- Exhibit 6
- Exhibit 7
- Exhibit 8
- Exhibit 9
- Exhibit 10
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- Exhibit 12
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- Exhibit 14
- Exhibit 15
- Exhibit 16
State of Iowa v. Ronald Pagliai
October 14, 2024
Amicus curiae brief filed in support of the appellant on behalf of the ACLU of Iowa, the Fines and Fees Justice Center, and Public Justice, which argues that Iowa courts may not bill low-income Iowans for the cost of their court-appointed defense attorney when criminal charges against the person have been dismissed.
States v. EEOC
September 4, 2024
Amicus brief filed on behalf of the National Women's Law Center, ACLU, and ACLU affiliates in the 8th Circuit, including the ACLU of Iowa, in support of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s (EEOC) regulations implementing the landmark Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), including the regulations’ explicit protection for workers who have abortions.
Wright, Harris, and Fagan v. State of Iowa
August 26, 2024
Amended applications for post-conviction relief filed on behalf of three prisoners at the Iowa Correctional Institution for Women (“ICIW”) in Mitchellville, Iowa, challenging numerous systemic problems in the disciplinary process at Iowa prisons, as demonstrated by a mass urinalysis (“UA”) testing on incarcerated individuals absent any suspicion of illicit drug use, which, undertaken with inadequate procedures and coupled with an unconstitutional "some evidence" burden of proof before the disciplinary body, has resulted in the erroneous imposition of major disciplinary sanctions on Applicant and others despite their innocence.
Walls et al. v. Olivia
August 23, 2024
Amicus brief filed by the ACLU, ACLU affiliates in the 8th Circuit, including the ACLU of Iowa, and PEN America, a First Amendment challenge to Arkansas’s ban on “prohibited indoctrination” in K-12 public schools, urging the Court to protect a student's right to learn about race in schools.
Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice et al. v. Bird
August 20, 2024
Appellees' brief filed in the 8th Cir. asking the Court to uphold the preliminary injunction blocking Iowa's SF 2340, an anti-immigrant copycat law to Texas’s SB4. The law makes it a crime for an immigrant to be present in our state and country if they have previously been removed, even if they now have lawful status.
Roberts et al. v. Thompson et al.
August 13, 2024
Brief filed in opposition to Defendants' motion to dismiss in case challenging Black Hawk County Sheriff's policies, practices, and customs of using confessions of judgment to impose and collect booking fees and/or room and board (“jail fees”) from individuals released from the Black Hawk County Jail.
Roberts et al. v. Thompson et al.
August 9, 2024
Reply brief filed supporting motion for preliminary injunction blocking the Black Hawk County Sheriff's policies, practices, and customs of using confessions of judgment to impose and collect booking fees and/or room and board (“jail fees”) from individuals released from the Black Hawk County Jail.
July 20, 2024
Letter sent to the Des Moines City Council, urging it to reconsider a heartless ordinance penalizing homeless people and to slow down fast-tracking passage of the ordinance.
Roberts et al. v. Thompson et al.
July 12, 2024
Brief filed supporting motion for preliminary injunction blocking the Black Hawk County Sheriff's policies, practices, and customs of using confessions of judgment to impose and collect booking fees and/or room and board (“jail fees”) from individuals released from the Black Hawk County Jail.
Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice et al. v. Brenna Bird et al.
May 9, 2024
The national ACLU, the ACLU of Iowa, the American Immigration Council—on behalf of Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice and two pseudonymous individuals with lawful permanent resident status (green card holders)—and the U.S. Department of Justice, filed a federal lawsuit to block SF 2340, Iowa’s anti-immigrant copycat law to Texas’s SB4. The law makes it a crime for an immigrant to be present in our state and country if they have previously been removed, even if they now have lawful status.
Iowa Safe Schools et al. v Reynolds
April 19, 2024
Amicus briefs filed in support of Iowa Safe Schools and student Plaintiffs, opposing the book ban and "Don't Say LGBTQ" portions of SF 496 and resisting the state's effort to overturn a temporary injunction preventing enforcement of these provisions as the case is litigated.
- American Booksellers for Free Expression
- Constitutional Law Professors at Law Schools Throughout the 8th Circuit
- The Freedom to Read Foundation, Iowa Library Association, and American Association of School Librarians
- Iowa School Counselor Association
- National Education Association
- One Iowa and the League of Women Voters
- PEN American Center
- The Trevor Project and GLSEN
Iowa Safe Schools et al. v Reynolds
April 11, 2024
Brief resisting the state's appeal of a temporary injunction preventing enforcement of the book ban and "Don't Say LGBTQ" provisions of SF 496 while the case is litigated.
Singer v. City of Orange City
April 10, 2024
Amicus brief and supporting U.S. Census Data filed in the Iowa Supreme Court, arguing that under the Iowa Constitution, a warrant supported by probable cause is required prior to conducting a search of a renter-occupied property who do not consent to the search. As the brief points out, such intrusive searches effectively invite criminal law enforcement, and do so in a manner bound to disproportionately subject Iowans with low incomes and racial and ethnic minorities, who are more likely to rent, to more inspections of their most private space, the home.
Grants Pass v. Johnson
April 3, 2024
Amicus brief filed on behalf of the ACLU, the ACLU of Iowa, and others, in the U.S. Supreme Court case Grants Pass v. Johnson, arguing that the Eighth Amendment’s prohibition on cruel and unusual punishments does not allow cities to issue fines or arrest people for sleeping outside in public when they have no access to adequate shelter.
Woods v. City of Des Moines et al.
February 21, 2024
Motion and brief filed on behalf of the Iowa Freedom of Information Council to intervene in a federal lawsuit for the purpose of unsealing body camera footage and maintaining access to other judicial records, evidence, and proceedings in a case stemming from a fatal police shooting of a Black 16-year-old child.
State v. Canady III
January 31, 2024
Amicus brief filed by the ACLU and ACLU of Iowa arguing that evidence that a criminal defendant listened to rap music should rarely if ever be admissible against them.
PPH et al. v. Reynolds et al.
January 15, 2024
Amicus briefs filed in support of Planned Parenthood of the Heartland and the Emma Goldman Clinic, and opposing the Iowa Governor's effort to ban abortions in Iowa at six weeks, before many people realize they are pregnant:
- Brief by the Interfaith Alliance of Iowa
- Brief by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, American Medical Association, and Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine
- Brief by the Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Iowa Coalition Against Sexual Assault
- Brief by Medical Students for Choice
- Brief by out-of-state abortion providers
- Brief by Resolve: The National Infertility Association
PPH et al. v. Reynolds et al.
January 7, 2024
Appellee proof brief, filed in support of Planned Parenthood of the Heartland and the Emma Goldman Clinic, and opposing the Iowa Governor's effort to ban abortions in Iowa at six weeks, before many people realize they are pregnant; resisting state's effort to overturn temporary injunction preventing enforcement of the ban as the case below is litigated.
Iowa Safe Schools et al. v Reynolds
December 29, 2023
Order granting a preliminary injunction
Iowa Safe Schools et al. v Reynolds
November 28, 2023
- Complaint Cover
- Complaint Main
- Motion for PI Brief
- Exhibits:
- 1. Declaration of B.F.
- 2. Declaration of P.B.
- 3. Declaration of B.F.S.
- 4. Declaration of P.C.
- 5. Declaration of James Doe
- 6. Declaration of T.S.
- 7. Declaration of Becky Tayler on behalf of Iowa Safe Schools
- 8. Declaration of Robert Smith
- 9. Declaration of Richard Carlson
- 10. Declaration of Brigit Stevens
- 11. Declaration of Lara Newsom
- 12. Declaration of Ulrike Carlson
- Motion for PI
- Motion for Pseudo Proposed Order
- Motion for Pseudo Brief
- Motion for Pseudo
K.C. v. Iowa District Court
August 11, 2023
Amicus brief filed before Iowa Supreme Court in appeal of juvenile court order denying full payment of expert fees to testify at hearing to determine waiver to adult court, arguing for a more protective standard for juveniles
Teig v. Chavez et al.
August 3, 2023
Amicus brief filed before Iowa Supreme Court in open records challenge, arguing Iowa's chapter 22/open records law does not authorize general "search and retrieval" fees
Planned Parenthood et al. v. Reynolds et al. (2023-enacted 6-week abortion ban)
July 17, 2023
Order granting temporary injunctions of Iowa's 6-week abortion ban
Planned Parenthood et al. v. Reynolds et al. (2023-enacted 6-week abortion ban)
July 13, 2023
Supplemental attachment in support of papers seeking to block Iowa's 6-week abortion ban: signing announcement
Planned Parenthood et al. v. Reynolds et al. (2023-enacted 6-week abortion ban)
July 12, 2023
Petition, motion for a temporary injunction, declarations, and attachments filed on behalf of abortion care providers to block Iowa's new 6-week abortion ban.
The Arc of Iowa et al. v. Reynolds et al.
June 5, 2023
Appellee brief, filed on behalf of the ACLU's clients, parents of children with disabilities making them highly vulnerable to COVID-19, asking the Court of Appeals to uphold the district court award of declaratory relief allowing Iowa schools to accommodate students with masking requirements if determined to be a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act.
PPH et al. v. Reynolds et al.
March 20, 2023
Amicus briefs filed in support of Planned Parenthood of the Heartland and the Emma Goldman Clinic, and opposing the Iowa Governor's effort to ban abortions in Iowa at six weeks, before many people realize they are pregnant:
- Brief by the Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Iowa Coalition Against Sexual Assault
- Brief by out-of-state abortion providers
- Brief by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, American Medical Association, and Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine
- Brief by the Interfaith Alliance of Iowa
PPH et al. v. Reynolds et al.
March 13, 2023
Brief filed on behalf of Planned Parenthood of the Heartland and the Emma Goldman Clinic asking the Iowa Supreme Court to affirm the lower court's decision throwing out the Iowa Governor's effort to reinstate a ban on all abortions at six weeks, before many people realize they are pregnant.
Kass et al. v. Western Dubuque Cmty. Sch. Dist. et al.
February 27, 2023
Amicus brief filed by the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates, National Disability Rights Network, and ACLU of Iowa in support of Plaintiffs in an important civil rights case seeking to ensure that students with disabilities are provided with a free appropriate education in Iowa.
Planned Parenthood of the Heartland et al. v. Reynolds et al.
December 12, 2022
Iowa District Court order ruling against the state's efforts to ban abortion at 6 weeks of pregnancy (just a week or two after a missed period, and before many women know they are pregnant). The state sought to dissolve the prior, unappealed final judgment permanently blocking the abortion ban that we won in 2019.
The Arc of Iowa et al. v. Reynolds et al.
November 1, 2022
Federal district court order granting partial summary judgment in favor of the ACLU's clients, parents of children with disabilities making them highly vulnerable to COVID-19, and awarding declaratory relief allowing Iowa schools to accommodate students with masking requirements if determined to be a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act
Parents Defending Freedom v. Linn Mar Community Schools et al.
December 13, 2022
Amicus brief filed on behalf of One Iowa and Iowa Safe Schools in the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals, asking the Court to affirm the district court's decision not to block the Linn-Mar Community School's gender support plan, which prohibits the bullying and harassment of Iowa schoolchildren based on their gender identity consistent with state and federal law.
Belin et al. v. Reynolds et al.
October 13, 2022
Proof brief in interlocutory appeal to Iowa Supreme Court in case filed on behalf of Iowa reporters seeking to enforce Iowa's open records law against the Iowa Governor's Office for delays in providing records spanning five to over 18 months long.
Belin et al. v. Reynolds et al.
October 13, 2022
Proof brief in interlocutory appeal to Iowa Supreme Court in case filed on behalf of Iowa reporters seeking to enforce Iowa's open records law against the Iowa Governor's Office for delays in providing records spanning five to over 18 months long.
PPH v. Reynolds
Sept. 12, 2022
Brief in Opposition to State's Motion to Dissolve Injunction Blocking 6-Week Ban on Abortions
P.D.F. v. Linn-Mar Community Schools
Sept. 13, 2022
Amicus brief filed on behalf of One Iowa and Iowa Safe Schools in support of Defendants in challenge to school's gender support plan policy
The Arc of Iowa et al. v. Reynolds et al.
August 15, 2022
Plaintiff's Reply in Support of their Motion for Summary Judgment in case filed on behalf of Iowa students with disabilities
The Arc of Iowa et al. v. Reynolds et al.
August 15, 2022
Plaintiff's Response to School District Defendants' Motions to Dismiss
Vasquez et al. v. Iowa Department of Human Services
September 6, 2022
Final reply brief filed on behalf of Aiden Vasquez and Mika Covington in Iowa Supreme Court case challenging a statutory amendment to the Iowa Civil Rights Act that discriminates against transgender Iowans.
Gregory et al. v. State et al.
August 9, 2022
Amicus brief filed in support of Iowa prisoners, arguing that the Iowa Constitution protects the speech rights of prisoners at least as strongly as the First Amendment to the United States Constitution.
ALDF et al. v. Reynolds et al. No. 22-1830
August 9, 2022
Brief filed on behalf of ALDF, Iowa CCI, Bailing Out Benji, and other clients in case challenging Iowa's second "Ag Gag" law. The plaintiffs obtained a permanent injunction blocking the law below, and the state has appealed.
Arc of Iowa et al. v. Reynolds et al.
July 29, 2022
Response to State Defendants' Motion to Dismiss filed on behalf of plaintiff organizations and children.
Belin et al. v. Reynolds et al.
May 6, 2022
Order denying state's motion to dismiss this important open records case filed on behalf of reporters and media groups.
The Arc of Iowa et al. v. Reynolds et al.
July 1, 2022
Brief supporting our motion for summary judgment seeking declaratory relief finding that (1) the term “other provision[s] of law” as it is used in Section 280.31 includes Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (“Section 504” or “Rehabilitation Act”); and (2) Section 280.31 cannot be cited as a basis to deny a student’s request for a reasonable modification or accommodation under the ADA or Rehabilitation Act that includes requiring others to wear masks.
Vasquez et al. v. Iowa Dept. of Hum. Servs.
June 17, 2022
Appellees-Cross Appellants Brief filed before Iowa Supreme Court on behalf of Aiden Vasquez and Mika Covington, in our challenge to the state's statute amending the Iowa Civil Rights Act to strip nondiscrimination protections against denials of Iowa Medicaid coverage of medically necessary gender affirming surgery. The state has finally agreed not to further challenge the other main piece of the district court decision in our clients' favor, which held that the Iowa Medicaid regulation prohibiting coverage of gender affirming surgeries is unconstitutional.
Vasquez et al. v. Iowa Dept. of Hum. Servs.
June 24, 2022
Amicus brief filed in support of our case:
Amicus Brief of American Medical Association et al.
Amicus Brief of LGBTQ Organizations
Amicus Brief of Chicago Lawyers' Committee et al.
Amicus Brief of Iowa Law Professors
Amicus Brief of One Iowa
Arc of Iowa et al v. Reynolds et al.
March 16, 2022
Decision by the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals vacating the preliminary injunction and allowing the case to continue below in our disability rights challenge to Iowa's policy of prohibiting masking requirements in school when needed as a reasonable accommodation for students with disabilities to attend school in person with their peers.
ALDF et al. v. Reynolds et al.
March 14, 2022
Summary judgment ruling that found Iowa’s second Ag Gag law unconstitutional
Arc of Iowa et al v. Reynolds et al.
March 3, 2022
28j Letter Submitted on behalf of Plaintiffs
Feb. 22, 2022
Plaintiffs' Response to Petition for En Banc Review
ALDF et al. v. Reynolds
March 4, 2022
Plaintiffs' Supplemental Reply Brief, cross-filed in Ag-Gag "1.0" and "2.0".
Jan. 18, 2022
Plaintiffs' Supplemental Brief, cross-filed in Ag-Gag "1.0" and "2.0".
August 10, 2021
Decision by 8th Circuit Court of Appeals affirming in part and reversing in part grant of summary judgment for Plaintiffs in "Ag-Gag 1.0"
Belin et al. v. Reynolds et al.
February 7, 2022
Resistance to the State's motion to dismiss, brief in support, and exhibits in support of resistance.
The Arc of Iowa et al. v. Reynolds et al.
January 25, 2022
Ruling in support of The Arc of Iowa and other individual plaintiffs.
2021
Adam Klein v. Iowa Public Information Board
December 30, 2021
Iowa Supreme Court decision reversing dismissal of our client's case seeking public records related to the police shooting of an unarmed Iowa parent and in close proximity to her child.
Belin et al. v. Reynolds et al.
Dec. 16, 2021
Petition and attached exhibits challenging Iowa Governor's Office systematic failure to comply with Iowa's open records law, filed on behalf three journalists and three media organizations.
- Petition
- Exhibit A
- Exhibit B
- Exhibit C
- Exhibit D
- Exhibit E
- Exhibit F
- Exhibit G
- Exhibit H
- Exhibit I
- Exhibit J
- Exhibit K
Vasquez et al. v. Iowa Department of Human Services
Nov. 22, 2021
Order finding that Iowa law and regulation singling out transgender Iowans on Medicaid for discrimination by denying them coverage of medically necessary gender-affirming surgery violations the Iowa Constitutional's guarantee of equal protection and the Iowa Civil Rights Act.
The Arc of Iowa et al. v. Reynolds et al.
November 9, 2021
Amicus brief filed by the Iowa Chapter of American Academy of Pediatrics and American Academy of Pediatrics, in support of The Arc of Iowa and other individual plaintiffs.
The Arc of Iowa et al. v. Reynolds et al.
November 8, 2021
Brief on behalf of The Arc of Iowa and individual plaintiffs who have children with disabilities, including underlying conditions, that put them at greater risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and death from COVID-19, in 8th Circuit Court of Appeals appeal of preliminary injunction blocking Iowa law prohibiting mask requirements in schools.
PPH et al. v. Reynolds et al.
November 1, 2021
Briefs filed on behalf of Planned Parenthood in Iowa Supreme Court appeal in case challenging Iowa's law imposing a 24 hour minimum waiting period and second, medically unnecessary clinic visit in order to access abortion.
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the American College of Physicians, The American Medical Association, the Iowa Medical Society, and other medical groups, in support of Planned Parenthood
- Iowa law professors, in support of Planned Parenthood
- League of Women Voters (Iowa Chapter)
- Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Iowa Coalition Against Sexual Assault
PPH et al. v. Reynolds et al.
October 9, 2021
Brief filed on behalf of Planned Parenthood in Iowa Supreme Court appeal in case challenging Iowa's law imposing a 24 hour minimum waiting period and second, medically unnecessary clinic visit in order to access abortion.
The Arc et al. v. Reynolds et al.
October 8, 2021
Order granting a preliminary injunction
The Arc et al. v. Reynolds et al.
September 29, 2021
Amicus brief filed by the American Academy of Pediatrics and its Iowa Chapter in support of a preliminary injunction in our mask case.
The Arc et al. v. Reynolds et al.
September 3, 2021
Stamped complaint
Brief in Support of Motion for Temporary Restraining Order and Preliminary Injunction
Declarations by parents of children with disabilities, including underlying conditions, that make them more vulnerable to risk of severe illness or death as a result of COVID-19, and by infectious disease and pediatrics experts
- Declaration of Dr. Joel Waddell
- Declaration of Dr. Megan Srinivas
- Declaration of Jonathan Craig
- Declaration of Melissa Hadden
- Declaration of Carissa Froyum Roise
- Declaration of Erin Vercande
- Declaration of Lisa Hardisty Sithonnorath
- Declaration of Rebekah Stewart
- Declaration of Michelle Croft
- Declaration of Amanda Devereaux
- Declaration of Heather Lynn Preston
- Declaration of Lidija Geest
- Declaration of Charmaine Alexander
Johnson et al. v. Bayens et al.
August 17, 2021
District court order approving and adopting settlement agreement
Vasquez v. Iowa Dep't of Human Servs.
June 18, 2021
Judicial review brief filed on behalf of Aiden Vasquez in case challenging Iowa Medicaid policy denying coverage of medically necessary surgery to transgender Iowans.
Planned Parenthood of the Heartland et al. v. Reynolds et al.
June 21, 2021
District Court order blocking as unconstitutional an Iowa law requiring medically unnecessary second clinic appointment a minimum of 24 hours prior to obtaining an abortion.
Vasquez v. Iowa Dep't of Human Servs.
May 24, 2021
Brief filed in resistance to state's motion to dismiss challenge brought on behalf of client Aiden Vasquez to Iowa Medicaid policy denying coverage of medically necessary gender-affirming surgery to transgender Iowans.
Vroegh v. Iowa Department of Corrections et al.
April 28, 2021
Reply brief, arguing that transgender Iowa State employee who was denied insurance coverage for his medically necessary surgery should be allowed to try his Iowa Civil Rights Act case against the State's third party insurance administrator to a jury.
Aiden Vasquez v. Iowa Department of Human Services
April 22, 2021
Petition for Judicial Review filed in state district court asking that the state's continued policy of denying Medicaid coverage to transgender Iowans who require gender affirming surgery again be struck down as a violation of the Iowa Constitution's equal protection guarantee and the Iowa Civil Rights Act prohibition on gender identity and sex discrimination.
State v. Jerry Lynn Burns
March 30, 2021
Amicus brief filed by the ACLU of Iowa, national ACLU, and Electronic Frontier Foundation, arguing that a warrant is required before law enforcement may extract, sequence, and analyze unavoidably shed DNA. Without a warrant, the Iowa law enforcement secretly collected Mr. Burns’s DNA from a straw he used at a restaurant, and then extracted and sequenced that DNA for criminal investigative purposes.
Planned Parenthood of the Heartland v. Reynolds et al.
March 18, 2021
Reply/resistance brief filed in support of Planned Parenthood of the Heartland's Motion for Summary Judgment in lawsuit challenging Iowa's law requiring a 24-hour minimum mandatory delay and additional, medically unnecessary appointment for Iowans seeking abortions.
Bauer v. Brinkman
Mar. 1, 2021
Amicus brief filed with the Iowa Supreme Court, urging it to uphold the district court's dismissal of a defamation claim based on a social media post characterizing a local landlord as "Piece of Sh*t" and "nothing more than a Slum Lord!", because allowing the claim to move forward would chill protected speech.
Vroegh v. Iowa Dep't of Corrections et al.
February 23, 2021
Appellee/cross-appellant brief filed on behalf of Jesse Vroegh in the appeal of his case against the Iowa Department of Corrections and Wellmark.
Planned Parenthood of the Heartland v. Reynolds et al.
January 22, 2021
Brief filed in support of Planned Parenthood of the Heartland's Motion for Summary Judgment in lawsuit challenging Iowa's law requiring a 24-hour minimum mandatory delay and additional, medically unnecessary appointment for Iowans seeking abortions.
2020
December 10, 2020
Johnson et al. v. Bayens et al.
Preliminary injunction temporarily blocking Iowa State Patrol's enforcement of six-month and one-year bans attempting to stifle Des Moines BLM protesters' exercise of free speech and assembly at the Iowa state capitol.
Dec. 18, 2020
State v. Doss
Amicus brief before the Iowa Supreme Court, arguing that parole restrictions limiting family associations, dating, attending church, and using the internet are unconstitutional as applied.
November 18, 2020
Planned Parenthood of the Heartland v. Reynolds et al.
Brief filed on behalf of Planned Parenthood of the Heartland in Iowa Supreme Court in response to state's appeal of previous district court order permanently blocking an Iowa law targeting Planned Parenthood for defunding its work to provide sex education programming in Iowa. The district court held that the law violated equal protection.
November 13, 2020
Complaint About State Program Administration (CASPA)
Federal complaint filed with OSHA about failures of Iowa OSHA to meet its statutory obligation to protect the safe and healthful working conditions for Iowans, during the COVID-19 pandemic and before.
November 12, 2020
Klein v. Iowa Public Information Board
Reply brief filed in the Iowa Supreme Court on behalf of Adam Klien, appealing the district court's dismissal of his challenge to the Iowa Public Information Board's decision to allow state and municipal law enforcement to withhold numerous public records regarding the police shooting of Autumn Steele.
November 5, 2020
Johnson v. Bayens
Reply brief filed on behalf of all Plaintiffs in support of their motion for a preliminary injunction.
October 5, 2020
Johnson v. Bayens
Motion for Preliminary Injunction
Brief in Support of Motion for Preliminary Injunction
Declaration of Jalesha Johnson
Declaration of Louise Bequeaith
Declaration of Haley Jo Dikkers
October 3, 2020
LULAC of Iowa v. Pate
Amicus brief filed on behalf of the ACLU of Iowa and League of Women Voters of Iowa in support of Petitioners, asking that the Iowa Supreme Court stay the new absentee ballot request form law.
Sept. 15, 2020
Vroegh v. Iowa Dept. of Corrections and Wellmark et al.
Proof brief filed on behalf of our client, Jesse Vroegh, in our case challenging the discriminatory exclusion of gender-affirming surgery in employer-provided health insurance benefits under the Iowa Civil Rights Act. In the brief, we argue that Wellmark, the third-party administrator of the state of Iowa's employer-provided healthcare benefits, should not have been dismissed from the case by the district court.
August 25, 2020
Covington v. Reynolds
Application for further review filed in the Iowa Supreme Court on behalf of petitioners Aiden Vasquez, Mika Covington, and One Iowa, arguing that the Iowa Court of Appeals decision dismissing their case should be reviewed and reversed.
August 18, 2020
Adam Klein v. Iowa Public Information Board
Brief filed in the Iowa Supreme Court on behalf of Adam Klien, appealing the district court's dismissal of his challenge to the Iowa Public Information Board's decision to allow state and municipal law enforcement to withhold numerous public records regarding the police shooting of Autumn Steele.
July 9, 2020
Iowa ABI v. City of Waterloo
June 30, 2020
Planned Parenthood et al v. Reynolds et al.
June 23, 2020
Planned Parenthood et al v. Reynolds et al.
Stamped motion for temporary injunction
Stamped brief for temporary injunction
Stamped petition for declaratory judgment and injunctive relief
June 1, 2020
ALDF et al. v. Reynolds et al.
Plaintiffs' reply brief on summary judgment arguing that Iowa's second "Ag Gag" law should be struck down.
May 7, 2020
Planned Parenthood of the Heartland v. Reynolds et al.
Order permanently blocking an Iowa law targeting Planned Parenthood for defunding its work to provide sex education programming in Iowa. The court held that the law violated equal protection.
April 30, 2020
Open letter to Gov. Kim Reynolds and the Iowa Utilities Board to extend statewide moratoriums against evictions and utility shut-offs and to commit to preventing mass evictions after the moratoriums end
April 29, 2020
Public records request seeking information on COVID-19 in Iowa prisons
April 16, 2020
Open letter to federal ICE officials with responsibility for responding to COVID-19 in the immigration legal system in Iowa.
March 30, 2020
Petition and temporary injunction brief filed on behalf of Planned Parenthood to protect access to essential abortion services during the COVID-19 public health emergency.
March 20, 2020
Open letter to state leaders with responsibility for responding to COVID-19 in the criminal legal system.
March 17, 2020
Brief filed on behalf of petitioners ALDF, Bailing Out Benji, CCI, and others seeking summary judgment enjoining Iowa's second "ag gag" law.
March 4, 2020
Order denying state's motion for a new trial, and granting $384,227 in attorneys fees to ACLU attorneys in Vroegh v. Department of Corrections et al., our historic transgender rights employment and benefits discrimination case.
February 10, 2020
Reply brief filed in support of motion for summary judgment on behalf of Planned Parenthood in our lawsuit to protect sex education in Iowa.
January 21, 2020
Brief filed with the Iowa District Court on behalf of Planned Parenthood of the Heartland in resistance to the State's motion for summary judgment in our case to block a law excluding Planned Parenthood of the Heartland from receiving crucial funding to provide sex education for youth in Iowa.
January 10, 2020
2019
Proof reply brief filed by ACLU of Iowa on behalf of Mika Covington, Aiden Vasquez, and One Iowa in their expedited appeal of the district court's dismissal of their challenge to an Iowa law that creates an exception to the Iowa Civil Rights Act to reinstate the state's discriminatory Medicaid coverage ban on gender-affirming surgery, despite medically necessity. The brief also seeks a temporary injunction of the new law.
Amicus brief filed in Robbins v. City of Des Moines by ACLU of Iowa in the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals arguing that the First Amendment protects the right to record police in public.
- The Iowa Federation of Labor
- New York University Professors Brooke Kroeger and Ted Conover
- Iowa Freedom of Information Council
- 23 media organizations and associations representing journalists, writers, and researchers, including the Iowa Newspaper Association, Politico, Gannett, Reporters Without Borders, and the Society of Professional Journalists
- University of California, Irvine School of Law Professor Erwin Chemerinsky
- United Farm Workers of America
- Scholars of First Amendment and Information Law
Resistance to the state's motion to dismiss in our case challenging Ag-Gag 2.0
Brief we filed seeking a Preliminary injunction in our Ag Gag 2.0 case
Stipulated injunction entered in Jon Goldsmith v. Adams County Sheriff's Office case.
May 17, 2019
Wednesday, May 15, 2019
Saturday, April 27, 2019
Monday, April 13, 2019
April 22, 2019
Complaint filed in federal court challenging the constitutionality of Iowa's "ag gag" law Order
March 25, 2019
March 8, 2019
Iowa Supreme Court ruling striking down the Iowa Department of Human Services' categorical ban on gender-affirming, medically necessary transgender surgical care
January 22, 2019
Ruling on Motion for Summary Judgement that found Iowa's 6-week abortion ban is unconstitutional
January 9, 2018
Order granting our Motion for Summary Judgment in our challenge of Iowa's "ag gag" law order
2018
October 11, 2018
Final reply brief filed in Bonilla v. Iowa Board of Parole, which seeks the appointment of counsel, in-person hearings, independent and specialize psychological evaluations, and other safeguards necessary to provide juveniles with a realistic and meaningful opportunity for parole upon demonstrated rehabilitation and maturity.
September 26, 2018
Amicus briefs filed in support of EerieAnna Good and Carol Beal:
Impact Fund, National Women's Law Center, and 25 other legal and advocacy organizations.
One Iowa, Individual Transgender Iowans, and Allies.
Iowa Scholars of Law, History, Bioethics, Gender, and Sexuality.
September 24, 2018
Motion, brief, and related documents in support of Summary Judgment filed by Petitioners in Planned Parenthood of the Heartland v. Reynolds.
Brief in support of petitioners' motion for summary judgment
Petitioners' statement of undisputed facts
Affidavits of Jill Meadows, M.D. and Abbey Hardy-Fairbanks, M.D.
September 19, 2018
Proof brief filed in Iowa Supreme Court case on behalf of EerieAnna Good and Carol Beal challenging Iowa Medicaid's discriminatory exclusion of coverage for gender-affirming surgery for transgender Iowans.
August 28, 2018
Copies of the demand letters the ACLU of Iowa and the National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty sent to three Iowa cities that have ordinances that forbid panhandling in public spaces:
Grimes panhandling ordinance letter
Des Moines panhandling ordinance letter
Council Bluffs panhandling ordinance letter
July 30, 2018
Amicus curiae brief filed by the Freedom of Information Council and the Iowa Center for Public Affairs Journalism in support of ACLU of Iowa clients Bailing out Benji, CCI, ALDF, PETA, and the Center for Food Safety in challenging Iowa's "Ag Gag" law, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa.
July 27, 2018
Petitioners Planned Parenthood of the Heartland, Dr. Jill Meadows, and Emma Goldman Clinic' Resistance to the Thomas More Society's Motion to Dismiss, filed in our challenge to Iowa's 6-week abortion ban, which has been temporarily enjoined by the Iowa District Court.
July 9, 2018
Amicus curiae brief filed by the Juvenile Law Center in support of ACLU of Iowa client Julio Bonilla in our case seeking to bring reforms to Iowa's parole process for juvenile offenders before the Iowa Supreme Court.
Amicus curiae brief filed by Juvenile Sentencing Project and Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth in support of ACLU of Iowa client Julio Bonilla in our case seeking to bring reforms to Iowa's parole process for juvenile offenders before the Iowa Supreme Court
July 2, 2018
Brief filed with the Iowa Supreme Court on behalf of ACLU client Julio Bonilla, asking that the Iowa Board of Parole implement procedures, like right to counsel and access to rehabilitative programming, to provide juvenile offenders with a realistic and meaningful opportunity for parole as required under the U.S. and Iowa Constitutional prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment.
Petitioners Planned Parenthood of the Heartland, Dr. Jill Meadows, and Emma Goldman Clinic' Resistance to Save the 1's Motion to Intervene filed by Save the 1, filed in our challenge to Iowa's 6-week abortion ban, which has been temporarily enjoined by the Iowa District Court.
June 29, 2018
Iowa Supreme Court ruling striking down the Iowa law that would have required women seeking abortion services to make a second, medically unnecessary clinic visit and then wait an additional 72 hours to receive those services.
June 26, 2018
Brief filed with the federal district court seeking summary judgment on behalf of ACLU clients Bailing Out Benji, Iowa CCI, ALDF, Center for Food Safety, and PETA asking the court to strike down Iowa's "Ag-Gag" law as a violation of the constitutional right to free speech under the First Amendment.
June 7, 2018
Order striking down Iowa Medicaid's exclusion of medically necessary gender-affirming surgical care for transgender Iowans because it violated the Iowa Civil Rights Act, Iowa Constitution, imposed burdens on private parties that outweighed benefits to the public, and because it was arbitrary and capricious.
June 4, 2018
Order entering a temporary injunction of Iowa’s six-week abortion ban law.
June 2, 2018
Brief filed with the Iowa district court on behalf of Planned Parenthood of the Heartland and the Emma Goldman Clinic in their challenge to Iowa's six-week abortion ban, asking the court to deny Save the 1's Motion to Intervene.
May 15, 2018
The following documents were filed in our lawsuit to block Iowa's 6-week abortion ban from going into effect.
Motion for Temporary Injunction
Brief in Support of Asking for a Temporary Injunction
Petition for Declaratory Judgement and a Permanent Injunction
Affidavit of Jill Meadows, M.D.
March 29, 2018
Injunction in Harms v. City of Sibley, blocking the city from violating Josh Harms free speech rights
March 23, 2018
Reply Brief filed on behalf of clients Carol Beal and EerieAnna Good challenging the state's blanket ban on payment for medically necessary gender affirming surgical procedures under Iowa Medicaid.
March 8, 2018
Harms v. City of Sibley: Verified complaint filed by the plantiff, Josh Harms, against the City of Sibley, Iowa, allegeding violations of First Amendment rights. Also, included is the brief in support of plaintiff’s motion for a preliminary injunction.
Exhibit A accompanying the complaint
Exhibit B accompanying the complaint
Exhibit C accompanying the complaint
Exhibit D accompanying the complaint
Exhibit E accompanying the complaint
February 9, 2018
Merits brief in consolidated Beal/Good case, which challenges Iowa Medicaid's ban on medically necessary gender confirmation surgery as a violation of the Iowa Civil Rights Act and Iowa Constitution.
January 19, 2018
Lockheart and Bonilla v. Iowa Board of Parole: Reply brief on behalf of Julio Bonilla in our challenge to require the Iowa Board of Parole to alter its procedures for juveniles sentenced to life.
January 17, 2018
Agan v. Krambeck: Amicus brief filed in the Iowa Supreme Court by the ACLU of Iowa, ACLU Women's Rights Project, Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence, National Housing Law Project, National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty, National Network to End Domestic Violence, and Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law in support of a domestic violence survivor's right under Iowa's Right to Assistance law to be protected from eviction after summoning police assistance during an attack.
January 16, 2018
Animal Legal Defense Fund et al. v. Reynolds: Resistance to State's Motion to Dismiss ACLU of Iowa clients' free speech challenge to Iowa's "Ag-Gag" law
January 12, 2018
Beal v. Department of Human Services: Resistance to State's Motion to Dismiss ACLU of Iowa's client's challenge to Iowa Medicaid's discriminatory ban on medically necessary gender confirmation surgical care coverage.
November 30, 2017
Amicus brief filed with the Iowa Supreme Court by the ACLU of Iowa, NAACP, LULAC of Iowa, and 1000 Kids for Iowa in the case State v. Brown, arguing that pretext stops drive racial profiling in traffic enforcement and should be banned under the Iowa Constitution.
November 27, 2017
Denial of state's motion to dismiss ACLU client EerieAnna Good's case against Iowa Medicaid for discriminating against her on the basis of gender identity, ruling in her favor to allow her claims under the Iowa Civil Rights Act and Iowa Constitution to move forward.
November 20, 2017
Brief on the Merits filed in the District Court by the ACLU on behalf of Julio Bonilla in his challenge to Iowa Board of Parole procedures as a violation of the rights of juvenile offenders
November 17, 2017
Order denying Iowa DHS's Motion to Dismiss EerieAnna Good's petition for judicial review challenging Iowa Medicaid's discriminatory ban on coverage of gender affirming surgery.
November 16, 2017
Resistance filed in the Iowa District Court by the ACLU on behalf of Jesse Vroegh to Wellmark, Inc.'s Motion to Dismiss in his challenge to discriminatory use policies for employee bathrooms and discrimination in state employee bathrooms and discrimination in state health benefits
November 7, 2017
Proof Brief filed in the Iowa Supreme Court by Planned Parenthood and the ACLU of Iowa on behalf of Planned Parenthood of the Heartland in its challenge to Iowa's abortion pre-requisits law as a violation of the rights of Iowa women under the state constitution
October 26, 2017
Resistance filed in the Iowa District Court by the ACLU on behalf on EerieAnna Good to Iowa Dept. of Human Services's Motion to Dismiss her challenge to the ban on transition related surgical care in Iowa Medicaid
October 25, 2017
Order from the Iowa Supreme Court adopting new rules on prohibiting routine use of restrains on juveniles in state court hearings
The new rule that prohibits the routine use of those restraints
October 23, 2017
Iowa Supreme Court order upholding a temporary injunction on key elements of Iowa's new abortion law
October 10, 2017
Complaint filed in federal court challenging the constitutionality of Iowa's "ag gag" law Order
October 5, 2017
Resistance filed in the Iowa District Court by the ACLU on behalf of Jesse Vreogh to Iowa Dept. of Corrections's Motion to Dismiss in his challenge to discriminatory use policies for employee bathrooms and discrimination in state employee health benefits
September 21, 2017
Petition challenging the Iowa Department of Human Services’ ban on Medicaid coverage for necessary surgical care for transgender Iowans
September 19, 2017
Formal comments about the Iowa Secretary of State's proposed rules regarding implementation of Iowa's new voter ID law, filed by the ACLU of Iowa and other concerned advocacy groups
Formal comments about the Iowa Voter Registration Commission proposed rules regarding implementation of Iowa's new voter ID law, filed by the ACLU of Iowa and other concerned advocacy groups
Comments September 8, 2017
Petitioner's closing briefs and state's closing briefs in Planned Parenthood of the Heartland, Inc. and Dr. Jill Meadows v. Kimberly Reyolds and the Iowa Board of Medicine
August 28, 2017
Petition filed asserting the right of transgender prison nurse Jesse Vroegh to be free from discrimination on the basis of his gender identity
August 27, 2017
Appeal filed with the Windsor Heights Board of Adjustment on behalf of residents Jamie and Marijetka Orr, and Diane Foss and Mike Miller, regarding the unconstitutional permitting scheme and sign ordinance in Windsor Heights.
July 18, 2017
FOIA Request to Iowa Secretary of State for Records of Commission on Election Integrity
June 26, 2017
Petition requesting that the Department of Education change its administrative rules regarding the use of seclusion rooms and physical restraints on students
Exhibit One accompanying the petition
Exhibit Two accompanying the petition
June 16, 2017
Final Comments filed by the ACLU of Iowa and the Middleton Center Children's Rights at Drake Law School recommending reforms to curtail and regulate the use of shackles and other restraints on children in court hearings.
May 9, 2017
Order from the Iowa Supreme Court that extends the temporary injunction in Planned Parenthood v. Branstad and the Iowa Board of Medicine and remands the case to district court.
May 8, 2017
Order for emergency temporary injunction from Iowa Supreme Court in Planned Parenthood v. Branstad and the Iowa Board of Medicine
Petitioner's-Appellants' Reply Brief in Planned Parenthood v. Branstad and the Iowa Board of Medicine
Affidavit of Jason Burkhiser Reynolds in Support of Petitioner'-Appellants Motion for Temporary Injunction in Planned Parenthood v. Branstad and the Iowa Board of Medicine.
Amicus brief on behalf of the Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence, et all in support in Planned Parenthood v. Branstad and the Iowa Board of Medicine.
May 3, 2017
Petition asking Court for temporary and permanent injunction and declaratory relief to stop abortion regulations from taking effect in Iowa.
Brief in support of petitioners Planned Parenthood and Dr. Jill Meadows, motion asking the Court to block immediately Iowa's 72-hour forced wait period and additional clinic visit requirement.
April 12, 2017
A complaint filed initiating a FOIA lawsuit, demanding records from the Chicago Field Office of U.S. Customs and Border Protection about the on-the-ground implementation of President Trump’s Muslim bans.
March 3, 2017
Judicial Review Order in which former County Auditor Tom Slockett prevails in his lawsuit against the Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board.
January 17, 2017
Demand letter to City of Marion to change its unconstitutional ordinance regarding public displays of free speech.
January 13, 2017
Letter to the Iowa City Public Library requesting action regarding privacy and surveillance cameras and their use and signage in the library bathrooms.
January 10, 2017
Plaintiffs' Brief in Reply to amicus Iowa County Attorney Association in support of their Motion for a Preliminary Injunction in Doe v. Bull, the ACLU of Iowa's case on behalf of teenager Nancy Doe and her parents asking the court to protect her from the local prosecutor’s threat of criminal charges for her taking and sending two non-nude photographs of herself to another teen at his request.
January 10, 2017
Plaintiffs' Brief in Reply to Defendant Bull and in support of their Motion for a Preliminary Injunction, also in Doe v. Bull.
January 6, 2017
Order denying Board of Parole's motion to dismiss ACLU of Iowa clients Christine Lockheart and Julio Bonilla, both juvenile offenders, in challenging the Board of Parole's unconstitutional procedures as cruel and unusual punishment.\
December 13, 2016
An informal letter that went out to all superintendents of Iowa Schools regarding rights to equal education, nondiscrimination, and safety at school for immigrant students.
Brief in support of our Motion for a Preliminary Injunction asking the federal district court to protect a teen and her parents from an Iowa prosecutor's threat of criminal charges stemming from her taking two non-nude selfies. The Doe's argue that the threatened prosecution violates their free speech, equal protection, and substantive due process parental rights.
December 8, 2016
Petitioner's Reply Brief asking the state district court to uphold an elected official's First Amendment free speech rights to engage in core political speech.
November 10, 2016
Amended complaint filed on behalf of teenager Nancy Doe and her parents asking the court to protect her from the local prosecutor’s threat of criminal charges for her taking and sending two non-nude photographs of herself to another teen at his request.
October 27, 2016
Brief in support of judicial review in Tom Slockett v. Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board.
October 17, 2016
Petitioners' Resistance opposing the Board of Parole's Motion to Dismiss. Petitioners, who were children at the time of their offenses, seek basic procedural safeguards to ensure their constitutional right to a meaningful opportunity for parole and to be free from cruel and unusual punishment.
September 28, 2016
An informational letter that went out to all Iowa County Auditors regarding training for poll workers on protecting voting rights of transgender Iowans.
September 14, 2016
A petition for judicial review filed by Christine Lockheart to require the Iowa Board of Parole to alter its procedures for juveniles sentenced to life.
A petition for judicial review filed by Julio Bonilla to require the Iowa Board of Parole to alter its procedures for juveniles sentenced to life.
September 1, 2016
An informational letter that went out to all public school superintendents following a troubling school assembly at the Logan-Magnolia High School advising them of their obligations under the First Amendment not to engage in religious proselytizing at public school assemblies.
August 30, 2016
Amicus brief filed in State v. Zarate regarding constitutionality of juvenile sentencing factors
June 16, 2016
Amicus brief filed in State v. Martinez, by ACLU of Iowa cooperating attorney Bram Elias, clinical law professor at the University of Iowa College of Law, arguing that federal law does not permit a state criminal prosecution of Martinez, a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival recipient (or “Dreamer”), for identity theft and forgery for obtaining employment.
January 14, 2016
Proof reply brief filed by the ACLU of Iowa in Griffin v. Pate asking the Court to overturn the district court below and affirm Kelli Griffin's right to vote
December 8, 2015
Brief filed with the Iowa Supreme Court on behalf of Kelli Griffin, an Iowa mom asking the court to recognize and protect her right to vote, arguing that her non-violent felony conviction was not an "infamous crime" to disqualify her from voting
November 10, 2015
Complaint filed with the Iowa Civil Rights Commission on behalf of Meagan Taylor, a Black transgender woman who was illegally profiled and jailed.
November 5, 2015
Comments filed with the Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights to ensure nondiscrimination in federally funded health care programs.
October 19, 2015
Amicus brief filed in the State of Iowa v. Martinez by ACLU of Iowa cooperating attorney Bram Elias, clinical law professor at the University of Iowa College of Law, arguing that federal law does not permit a state criminal prosecution of Martinez, a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival recipient (or "Dreamer"), for identity theft and forgery for obtaining employment.
August 21, 2015
Brief filed in Slockett v. Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board, arguing that the Board's regulation of political speech and expression violated the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and Art. I, Sec. 7 facially and as applied.
June 29, 2015
Brief filed on behalf of Kelli Griffin in opposition to the state's motion for summary judgment
June 8, 2015
Brief filed on behalf of Montrose, Iowa, mom Kelli Griffin asking the court to recognize and protect her right to vote, arguing that her low-level drug conviction from years ago was not an "infamous crime" to disqualify her from voting
May 21, 2015
Appeal on behalf of former Johnson County Auditor Tom Slockett challenging the formal reprimand issued by the Iowa Campaign and Ethics Board. Argues that the reprimand and related proceedings violated Slockett's right to free speech
April 24, 2015
Friend-of-the-court brief by the ACLU of Iowa and the Iowa affiliate of the National Employment Lawyers Association (NELA) in support of the Appellant in the case Anderson v. State. The brief argues for the preservation of traditional notice-pleading standards in Iowa Civil Rights Act cases in order to protect access to the courts for Iowans who experience illegal discrimination.
March 13, 2015
The state drops its appeal in ACLU of Iowa and LULAC vs. the Iowa Secretary of State.
January 20, 2015
Petition filed on November 7, 2014 on behalf of Kelli Jo Griffin, an Iowa mom suing the state to get back her right to vote.
January 14, 2015
Recommendations on behalf of the ACLU of Iowa and the Hawkeye Chapter of the ACLU of Iowa, pertaining to the provisions of the Iowa City Charter that govern initiative and referendum petitions.
December 22, 2014
Final amicus brief filed in Planned Parenthood of the Heartland v. the Iowa Board of Medicine.
December 4, 2014
Judge’s decision in the ACLU of Iowa lawsuit on behalf of member of the Westboro Baptist Church, striking down Iowa’s flag desecration laws as unconstitutionally overbroad.
November 3, 2014
Comments filed by the ACLU of Iowa with other Iowa voting rights organizations asking the Voting Rights Commission to make significant changes to a proposed regulation that would limit online voter registration to those with a particular form of identification.
October 20-23, 2014
Final briefs submitted October 20-23, 2014, by the ACLU of Iowa and League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) in the Iowa v. Schultz case in the Iowa Supreme Court. The documents were submitted by the State of Iowa, the ACLU of Iowa and LULAC of Iowa, Project Vote, and MALDEF with additional voting rights organizations signing on.
October 14, 2014
ACLU Public Comments made to the Iowa Criminal and Juvenile Justice Planning Advisory Council regarding the crisis of our system of mass incarceration in Iowa, as well as Iowa's worst-in-the-nation status for racial disparities in arrest and imprisonment rates, and proposing solutions.
August 21 and 22, 2014
On August 21, 2014, the ACLU of Iowa sent a letter to the Bettendorf city government requesting that it rescind or revise its ordinance governing political signs. The ordinance regulates speech based on the political content of the message on the sign and also limits the exercise of that speech to narrow time and size limits, which courts have ruled violates free speech.
On August 22, 2014, the Bettendorf City Attorney informed the ACLU that the city would not enforce the ordinance, would remove the ordinance in the reorganization of the city code already in progress, and had already informed those people who had been told that they were in violation of the ordinance that it would no longer be enforced.
August 18, 2014
The ACLU of Iowa submitted its formal response to the Iowa Department of Public Safety's questionnaire to stakeholders regarding the regulation of drones (unmanned aerial vehicles).
August 18, 2014
The ACLU of Iowa filed formal comments to regulations proposed by the Iowa department of public health in implementing Iowa's new Medical Cannabidiol Act for patients with intractable epilepsy.
June 9, 2014
The ACLU submitted a petitioners’ brief in resistance to State’s motion for summary judgment regarding misuse and desecration of flags in the case of Phelps, et. al. vs. Red Oak Police Chief Powers and Montgomery County Sheriff Sampson.
May 15, 2014
The ACLU submitted a brief in support of motion for summary judgment regarding misuse and desecration of flags in the case of Phelps, et. al. vs. Red Oak Police Chief Powers; Montgomery County Sheriff Sampson, and Council Bluffs Police Chief O’Donnell.
May 14, 2014
The State of Iowa submitted an intervenor's memorandum in support of motion for summary judgment regarding misuse and desecration of flags in the case of Phelps, et. al. vs. Red Oak Police Chief Powers; Montgomery County Sheriff Sampson, and Council Bluffs Police Chief O’Donnell.
April 25, 2014
The ACLU of Iowa has sent legal update letters to the sheriffs of all 99 Iowa counties advising them on the legal limits and points of potential liability in entertaining U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainers. These detainers are non-mandatory and expensive for local law enforcement, without public safety benefits. The letter includes a one-page insert prepared by the University of Iowa College of Law Clinic.
April 22, 2014
Written testimony on the status of voting rights in Iowa, submitted April 22 by the ACLU of Iowa to the National Commission on Voting Rights, an endeavor by the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, to support the Kansas City Regional Hearing held April 21.
April 17, 2014
Ames v. Nationwide amicus brief. The ACLU of Iowa joined an amicus brief written by the national ACLU Women's Rights Project in the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals. The brief asks the federal Court of Appeals to reconsider its decision to affirm the lower court's grant of summary judgment in favor of Nationwide against a nursing Iowa mother who faced discrimination upon her return back to work.
April 16, 2014
Amicus brief filed in the case State of Iowa v. Yvette Marie Louisell. Joined by the national ACLU, National Juvenile Justice Network, and Iowa Coalition 4 Juvenile Justice. It asks the Iowa Supreme Court to affirm the re-sentencing of a woman first sentenced as a juvenile in 1988 to a life sentence without the possibility of parole. The new sentence makes her eligible for supervised release.
April 3, 2014
Amicus brief filed in the case Chiodo v. Section 43.24 Panel. It asks the Iowa Supreme Court to overrule prior decisions that permanently disqualified all persons convicted of crimes punishable by more than one year in a prison from voting.
March 7, 2014
March 5, 2014
Order against the Secretary of State striking the controversial Voter Removal Rule
January 14, 2014
Amicus brief filed in the case Dordt College et al v. Sebelius. The ACLU of Iowa joined the national ACLU’s Reproductive Freedom Project in filing an amicus brief in support of the government in Dordt College et al v. Sebelius.
December 10, 2013
Settlement of Nancy Sebring Open Meetings Lawsuit in Graham Gillette v. The Des Moines School Board
November 12, 2013
October 30, 2013
September 23, 2013
September 16, 2013
August 26, 2013
Additional documents filed in the Iowa Secretary of State voter suppression lawsuit:
Statement of Undisputed Facts in Support of the Motion for Review of Merits
Motion for Review on the Merits, or, in the Alternative, for Temporary Injunctive Relief
August 20, 2013
July 19, 2013
July 8, 2013
ACLU of Iowa amicus brief in State of Iowa v. Gabriel Avila
July 5, 2013
ACLU Actions in Regard to Changes to Iowa's Voter Registration Form
May 10, 2013
April 18, 2013
Complaint filed for Westboro Baptist Church Members in Flag Desecration Lawsuit
April 3, 2013
March 29, 2013
Documents Filed in Renewed Secretary of State Voter Suppression Lawsuit:
Petitioners' Motion for Leave of Court to Amend Petition for Judicial Review of Agency Action
Second Amended Petition for Judicial Review of Agency Action Under Iowa Code S17A
January 17, 2013
Comments filed by the ACLU of Iowa on behalf of itself and several other groups for the same meeting, addressing the issue of the Iowa Department of Transportation decision to deny driver's licenses for young immigrants who have been granted deferred status
December 28, 2012
December 27, 2012
Iowa DOT Letter Denying DREAMers Driver's Licenses
November 9, 2012
The ACLU of Iowa submitted a brief in support of a summary judgment regarding Tom Slockett, Johnson County Auditor, and his case regarding First Amendment Rights.
October 17, 2012
October 5, 2012:
September 21, 2012
July-September 2012:
Other legal documents pertaining to our efforts in this lawsuit
August 3, 2012:
A request that emergency rules not be enacted to halt funding for certain Medicaid abortions
August 2, 2012:
June 29, 2012
Appeal of Iowa Campaign Ethics Board reprimand of Johnson County Auditor Tom Slockett
July 27, 2012
May 21, 2012
The amicus brief filed in the case of Gartner v. the Iowa Department of Public Health
March 7, 2012
