Bills › 90th General Assembly
Relating to fundamental parental rights
Topics:Courts & civil law
Where it is now
- Done: IntroducedFebruary 28, 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
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.
Read the full explanation
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.
From the explanation printed with the bill as introduced, written by the Legislative Services Agency. Amendments adopted later aren’t reflected. Full bill text
House subcommittee
Named March 1, 2023. Meeting: Thursday, March 2 · 9:30 AM · RM 304.
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
Creates§597A.1
Read from the bill as introduced. Each links to every bill touching that chapter of the Iowa Code. How the Code works
Lobbying
8 for · 2 against · 9 undecided · Who →
Family tree
Where this legislation came from and where it went: earlier tries, the versions it moved through this Assembly, and later bills built on it.
90th General Assembly
Earlier and later bills are matched by wording or an identical title; check the text to be sure it’s the same idea.
Tried before
This idea has been filed in an earlier General Assembly. None became law, though one got through a chamber.
- HF 819 Relating to fundamental parental rights89th General Assembly · Passed House · same titlePassed a chamber
- HF 714 Relating to fundamental parental rights89th General Assembly · Renumbered as HF 819 · same titleCleared committee
Matched by the wording of each bill’s explanation, or an identical title. Companion bills and renumbered versions of this bill aren’t listed; they’re the same bill.