Commission leader says women made some gains in the Legislature

Leaders of the Iowa Commission on the Status of Women say women had some victories in the just-concluded Iowa Legislature.Iowa Commission on the Status of Women executive director Charlotte Nelson is pleased lawmakers voted to waive the fees women who’re victims of domestic violence have been forced to pay when they seek a “no-contact” order. Another bill Nelson likes would extend the time a person on welfare can get state aid for higher education and training. Nelson says the Commission was glad the Governor vetoed a bill that would have forced women to wait 24-hours before getting an abortion, but Nelson’s disappointed with other legislative priorities.One bill failed that would have given people in a dating relationship the right to get restraining orders for domestic violence, but lawmakers say it will pass next year. Pay equity groups didn’t go anywhere this year. Nelson says her group will keep working for a law to ensure women are paid the same as men.