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

Topics:Courts & civil law Crime & corrections

Same legislation: HF 450, SF 512, HF 825

Write your legislators about itWhat changed before it passed

Official bill page Lobbyist declarations One-pager to print

Where it is now

Done: IntroducedFebruary 9, 2021
Done: SubcommitteeFebruary 23, 2021
Done: Senate committeeMarch 2, 2021
Skipped: Passes the SenateContinued as SF 512
Next: House committee
Next: Passes the House
Next: To the Governor
Next: Signed into law

Became SF 512 → Its progress continues under the new number. Go to SF 512 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 allow people involved in such cases to set rules, like staying away from a person's home or school and deciding who gets to live in a house. They can also include rules about child custody, money for support, or rules about contact with pets.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 February 23, 2021. On February 25, 2021 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

Tried before

SF 448Passed a chamber88th GA SF 254Renumbered88th GA HF 522Cleared committee88th GA

89th General Assembly

HF 450RenumberedHouse companion SF 428RenumberedSenate companion SF 512Cleared committeefrom SF 428 HF 825Became lawfrom HF 450

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.