Relating to grandparent and great-grandparent visitation

Topics:Courts & civil law

Same legislation: SF 522

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Official bill page Lobbyist declarations One-pager to print

Where it is now

Done: IntroducedJanuary 15, 2019
Done: SubcommitteeJanuary 16, 2019
Done: Senate committeeMarch 7, 2019
Skipped: Passes the SenateContinued as SF 522
Next: House committee
Next: Passes the House
Next: To the Governor
Next: Signed into law

Became SF 522 → Its progress continues under the new number. Go to SF 522 What’s a funnel?

What’s in it

This bill relates to grandparent and great-grandparent visitation. Under current law, a grandparent or great-grandparent may only petition the court for visitation of a minor child if the parent of the minor child, who is the child of the grandparent or the grandchild of the great-grandparent, is deceased. The court may only grant such visitation if the court finds by clear and convincing evidence that granting such visitation is in the best interest of the child, the presumption that the parent of the child is fit to make the decision regarding visitation is overcome, and the grandparent or great-grandparent has established a substantial relationship with the child prior to the filing of the petition.

Read the full explanation

Under the bill, if a party objects to the petition filed, the court shall stay the proceedings and refer the parties to mediation. If an agreement is reached through mediation, the parties are required to file the signed agreement with the court for approval and the court is required to dismiss the petition. If the parties do not reach an agreement through mediation, the parties shall proceed to a hearing on the petition unless the petition is otherwise dismissed or withdrawn. The costs of mediation provided shall be borne by the petitioner.

Full bill text¹

Senate subcommittee

Named January 16, 2019. On February 26, 2019 it recommended passage.

Three legislators hear a bill first and recommend what the committee should do; it’s the best time to weigh in. How to take part

Iowa Code it changes

Amends§600C.1

How the Code works²

Lobbying

1 for · 3 against · 5 undecided · Who →

Family tree

88th General Assembly

SF 10Renumbered SF 522Cleared committeefrom SF 10

Picked up later

SSB 1005Cleared committee89th GA

Earlier and later bills are matched by wording or an identical title.

Similar bills

SSB 1005 SSB 1005
89th General Assembly · In committee
Nearly identical

Matched by wording or an identical title.