HF 2277: Creating the uniform family law arbitration Act

What it does

This bill creates the Iowa uniform family law arbitration Act. The bill provides definitions, including the terms “arbitrator”, “child custody dispute”, “child support dispute”, and “family law dispute”. The bill governs the arbitration in a family dispute but does not allow an arbitrator to grant a legal separation, a divorce, a dissolution of marriage, or an annulment; to terminate parental rights, to grant an adoption or a guardianship of a child or protected person; or to determine the status of dependency of a child or the support of a child.

House subcommittee · named February 9, 2026

• Rep. Jon Dunwell (R)
• Rep. Bill Gustoff (R) · bill.gustoff@legis.iowa.gov
• Rep. Angel Ramirez (D) · angel.ramirez@legis.iowa.gov

Lobbying · 4 for, 0 against

For: Iowa Association of Business and Industry (ABI); Iowa Cable and Telecommunications Association; Iowa Commission on Uniform State Laws c/o David S. Walker, Chair; Iowa State Bar Association

In plain words

1. February 4, 2026Filed in the House and sent to the Judiciary committee
2. February 9, 2026House subcommittee named: Dunwell, Gustoff and Ramirez
3. February 11, 2026Subcommittee recommended passing it
4. February 17, 2026Approved by the House committee
5. February 17, 2026Committee vote: 20–0
6. February 19, 2026Approved by the House committee, and given a new number: HF 2619
7. March 16, 2026Withdrawn