Relating to fundamental parental rights

Topics:Courts & civil law Families & human services

Same legislation: HF 819

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Official bill page Lobbyist declarations One-pager to print

Where it is now

Done: IntroducedMarch 3, 2021
Done: SubcommitteeMarch 3, 2021
Done: House committeeMarch 11, 2021
Skipped: Passes the HouseContinued as HF 819
Next: Senate committee
Next: Passes the Senate
Next: To the Governor
Next: Signed into law

Became HF 819 → Its progress continues under the new number. Go to HF 819 What’s a funnel?

What’s in it

AI summary This law would protect the rights of parents to make important decisions about their children's education, care, and upbringing. It assumes that parents are fit and acting in their child's best interests unless the state can prove otherwise with strong evidence. Being divorced or unmarried cannot be used as a reason to take away these parental rights.¹

Read the official explanation

This bill establishes fundamental rights of parents relating to the upbringing, rearing, associations, care, education, custody, and control of a parent’s child with which state action shall not infringe or interfere without meeting the strict scrutiny level of judicial review. The bill provides that divorce or marital status shall not diminish the fundamental right, render a parent unfit, or establish a compelling state interest. A parent is presumed to be a fit parent, and the presumption may be overcome only by clear and convincing evidence. The bill also provides that it is presumed that the actions of a fit parent are in the best interests of the parent’s child; the presumption may be overcome only by clear and convincing evidence; and state action to determine the best interests of the child shall not be taken until the state overcomes such presumption.

Changed since by amendments H-1299, H-1287; see Amendments.

Full bill text²

House subcommittee

Named March 3, 2021. On March 4, 2021 it recommended passage. Vote Total: 2-0.

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Iowa Code it changes

Creates§597A.1

How the Code works³

Lobbying

13 for · 0 against · 5 undecided · Who →

Family tree

89th General Assembly

HF 714Renumbered HF 819Passed a chamberfrom HF 714

Picked up later

HF 486Cleared committee90th GA

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

Similar bills

HF 486 Relating to fundamental parental rights
90th General Assembly · In committee
Nearly identical

Matched by wording or an identical title.