Bills › 89th General Assembly

HF 825Signed by Governor · May 2, 2022

Relating to consent agreements for domestic abuse and sexual abuse protective orders

Sponsored by the House Judiciary Committee

Topics:Courts & civil lawCrime & corrections

Same legislation: HF 450, SF 428, SF 512

Where it is now

  1. Done: IntroducedFebruary 9, 2021
  2. Done: SubcommitteeFebruary 15, 2021
  3. Done: House committeeMarch 2, 2021
  4. Done: Passes the HouseFebruary 24, 202297–0
  5. Done: Senate committeeMarch 15, 2022
  6. Done: Passes the SenateApril 6, 202247–0
  7. Done: To the GovernorMay 2, 2022
  8. Done: Signed into lawMay 2, 2022

Signed into law What’s a funnel?

What’s in it

AI summary Courts would no longer need to officially find that domestic or sexual abuse happened before they can approve a consent agreement. These agreements can set rules like requiring a person to stay away from someone's home or school, stop certain behaviors, or pay support. They can also include temporary rules about who gets to live in a house or how to handle child custody and visitation.1

Read the official explanation

This bill relates to consent agreements and domestic abuse and sexual abuse protective orders. Under current law, upon a finding of domestic abuse or sexual abuse, the court may approve a consent agreement or grant a protective order. The bill strikes the requirement that a finding of domestic abuse or sexual abuse must occur before the court approves a consent agreement.26; grant possession of the residence to the plaintiff to the exclusion of the defendant or that the defendant provide suitable alternate housing for the plaintiff; pay separate support and maintenance to the plaintiff and any children under years of age; and avoid any contact with animals owned by the plaintiff, defendant, or minor child of the defendant. A consent agreement may also contain a provision relating to an award of temporary custody or temporary visitation rights with regard to any children under years of age.7 (sexual abuse) may contain but is not limited to provisions that the defendant cease sexual abuse of the plaintiff and stay away from the plaintiff’s residence, school, or place of employment.

Full bill text · What changed before it passed2

Senate subcommittee

Named March 1, 2022. On March 8, 2022 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§236.5§236A.7

How the Code works3

Lobbying

7 for · 0 against · 6 undecided · Who →

Family tree

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

Tried before

This idea has been filed in an earlier General Assembly. None became law, though one got through a chamber.

  • HF 522 Relating to consent agreements for domestic abuse and sexual abuse protective orders
    88th General Assembly · In committee · same title
    Cleared committee
  • SF 254 Relating to consent agreements for domestic abuse and sexual abuse protective orders
    88th General Assembly · Renumbered as SF 448 · same title
    Cleared committee
  • SF 448 Relating to consent agreements for domestic abuse and sexual abuse protective orders
    88th General Assembly · Passed Senate · same title
    Passed a chamber

Matched by wording or an identical title.