Relating to the awarding of joint custody and joint physical care

Same legislation: SF 274

Official bill page Lobbyist declarations One-pager to print

Where it is now

Done: IntroducedFebruary 13, 2023
Done: SubcommitteeMarch 1, 2023
Stopped: House committeeDied when the General Assembly ended
Next: Passes the House
Next: Senate committee
Next: Passes the Senate
Next: To the Governor
Next: Signed into law

Died when the session ended The 2024 session adjourned on April 19, 2024, the General Assembly’s last regular session. Bills that didn’t pass both chambers died. What’s a funnel?

What’s in it

AI summary If a court gives both parents joint legal custody of a child, the law will now assume that both parents should also share physical care. Unless one parent can prove this is not in the child's best interest, the court must grant joint physical care if either parent asks for it.¹

Read the official explanation

This bill relates to joint legal custody and joint physical care of a child. The bill provides that the award of a court of joint legal custody of a child creates a rebuttable presumption that joint physical care is in the best interest of the child. Additionally, the bill provides that if joint legal custody is awarded to both parents, unless the presumption that joint physical care is in the best interest of the child is rebutted, the court shall award joint physical care to both joint custodial parents upon the request of either parent.

Full bill text²

House subcommittee

Named March 1, 2023. On March 2, 2023 it recommended indefinite postponement. Vote Total: 2-1.

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

2 written public comments to its subcommittee: March 2, 2023 (1), February 22, 2023 (1) · on the Legislature’s site

Iowa Code it changes

Amends§598.41

How the Code works³

Lobbying

11 for · 2 against · 3 undecided · Who →

Family tree

Tried before

SF 571Passed a chamber88th GA SF 11Renumbered88th GA HF 2429Cleared committee88th GA HF 202Cleared committee89th GA

90th General Assembly

SF 274Cleared committeeSenate companion HF 485Cleared committeeHouse companion

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

Tried before

This idea has been filed in 2 earlier General Assemblies. None became law, though one got through a chamber.

HF 202 Relating to the awarding of joint custody and joint physical care
89th General Assembly · Subcommittee recommends passage · same title
Cleared committee
HF 2429 Relating to the awarding of joint custody and joint physical care
88th General Assembly · In committee · same title
Cleared committee
SF 11 Relating to the awarding of joint custody and joint physical care
88th General Assembly · Renumbered as SF 571 · same title
Cleared committee
SF 571 Relating to the awarding of joint custody and joint physical care
88th General Assembly · Passed Senate · same title
Passed a chamber

Matched by wording or an identical title.