—Falsely characterized books being banned in Iowa in reply to a reporter asking about clarifications on the state’s new book ban law: “Our kids and our teachers deserve better, they deserve the tools to help these kids succeed, not a damn distraction on a nasty pornographic book that should never, ever be in a classroom.” Reynolds did not provide tools to help kids succeed, or explain how SF 496 helps kids succeed, or add clarification to SF 496’s book banning requirements.
— Signed Senate File 496 into law. Iowa’s version of “don’t say LGBTQ” legislation bans classroom discussions of any LGBTQ topic for students in kindergarten through sixth grade, and requires schools to forcibly out transgender students. The law orders the removal from schools of books that contain sex acts. Schools are required to notify parents if their child requests to use a different name or pronouns than what they were assigned at birth. School administrators, educators, and staff who fail to comply could be subject to disciplinary action. A supermajority of Americans oppose banning books in public schools.
–Signed into law Senate File 538 which prohibits transgender youth health care. Health care for transgender people and youth is mainstream medical care supported by every major medical association and leading world health authority.
—Signed into law Senate File 482 which bars trans youth from the bathroom and changing rooms they feel safest in. A national survey shows 45% of LGBTQ students report they avoid the bathroom at school because they feel unsafe.
—Spoke at event hosted by book banning extremist hate group Moms for Liberty in Des Moines, calling for an end to what she called “indoctrination” in the public school system: “It’s sad that any of this actually needs to be written into law, but unfortunately that is where we’re at,” Reynolds said and went on to claim that “Material that is removed by any Iowa school district would require consent in every district before being shared with children,” offering no guidance for school districts or parents, or budgetary and other resource considerations for the proposed added burden on schools, educators and parents. Praised the book banning group: “Thank you for speaking out, for your refusal to stand quietly by while we’ve seen the radical left treat our kids like their personal property.” In the 2023 elections in November, voters rejected all but one Moms for Liberty-endorsed candidates for Iowa school boards and rejected ballot initiatives moving book banning decisions away from library and educational experts.
—Claimed, without evidence, that “drag shows in schools” and “elementary school lessons on pronouns” were negative aspects of the public education system. According to a 2022 Trevor Project survey, 86% of trans or nonbinary children reported the political debate surrounding trans issues negatively affected their mental health. Nearly half considered suicide.
—Signed into law HF2416 that bans transgender girls and women in the state from competing in sports according to their gender identity. The measure applies to public and private K–12 schools and community colleges as well as colleges and universities affiliated with the NCAA and NAIA. Reports noted Reynolds “surrounded herself with members of the conservative parents-rights group Moms for Liberty” at the signing ceremony and that “Reynolds’ staff said she did not speak with any transgender girls about the legislation before signing it into law.”