Iowa Code § 19B.2: Equal opportunity in state employment — affirmative action.

1. It is the policy of this state to provide equal opportunity in state employment to all persons. An individual shall not be denied equal access to state employment opportunities because of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, or physical or mental disability. It also is the policy of this state to apply affirmative action measures to correct deficiencies in the state employment system where those remedies are appropriate. This policy shall be construed broadly to effectuate its purposes.

2. It is the policy of this state to permit special appointments by bypassing the usual testing procedures for any applicant for whom the division of vocational rehabilitation services of the department of workforce development or the department for the blind has certified the applicant’s disability and competence to perform the job. The department of administrative services, in cooperation with the department for the blind and the division of vocational rehabilitation services, shall develop appropriate certification procedures. This subsection should not be interpreted to bar promotional opportunities for persons who are blind or persons with physical or mental disabilities. If this subsection conflicts with any other provisions of this chapter, the provisions of this subsection govern.