Attorney General Brenna Bird announced on Apr. 6 that the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals has vacated a preliminary injunction against Senate File 496, allowing Iowa to resume enforcement of the law. The rulings are seen as a significant development for parental rights and local control in education.
Senate File 496, passed in 2023, bans sexually explicit books and materials from school libraries and requires schools to provide age-appropriate instruction. The law also prohibits teaching about gender identity or sexual orientation in kindergarten through sixth grade. Additionally, it mandates that parents be informed and involved in important decisions regarding their children’s wellbeing at school.
The enforcement of this law had been halted since March 2025 due to ongoing litigation. With the court’s recent decision, Iowa officials can now move forward with implementing its provisions.
“This is a huge win for Iowa parents,” said Attorney General Bird. “Parents should always know that school is a safe place for their children to learn, not be concerned they are being indoctrinated with inappropriate sexual materials and philosophies. I am grateful that our law protecting children was upheld today.”
The full text of the court’s decisions is available online.
