Relating to child preference for physical care of the child and parental visitation rights, and including effective date provisions

Where it is now

1. ✓
   Done: IntroducedJanuary 13, 2026
2. ✕
   Stopped: SubcommitteeDied when the General Assembly ended
3. Next: House committeeFunnel: by February 20, 2026
4. Next: Passes the House
5. Next: Senate committeeFunnel: by March 20, 2026
6. Next: Passes the Senate
7. Next: To the Governor
8. Next: Signed into law

Died when the session ended The General Assembly adjourned on October 2, 2026. Bills that didn’t pass both chambers died. What’s a funnel?

What’s in it

This bill relates to child preference for physical care of the child and visitation rights. The bill permits a child who is years of age or older to request a hearing to modify an order issued by a court establishing custody rights, visitation rights, or both to the child. The bill requires a court to modify an order establishing physical care of the child, visitation rights, or both, to grant the child’s preference for physical care and visitation rights unless the court finds by clear and convincing evidence that the child’s preference is a result of coercion, the child would be harmed if the court issued an order granting the child’s preference, or either of the child’s parents would be effectively prohibited from exercising the parent’s right to raise the child.

From the explanation printed with the bill as introduced, written by the Legislative Services Agency. Amendments adopted later aren’t reflected. Full bill text

Iowa Code it changes

Amends§598.21C§598.41

Read from the bill as introduced. Each links to every bill touching that chapter of the Iowa Code. How the Code works