HF 824: Relating to consideration of the educational setting of a minor child in a child custody proceeding

What it does

This bill provides that in determining temporary custody orders or the award of joint legal custody for a minor child, if the parents are in disagreement over the minor child’s educational setting, the court is to consider the educational setting of the minor child. In the case of awarding joint legal custody, the court is also to include a provision in the order regarding the educational setting of the minor child. There is a rebuttable presumption that it is in the best interest of the minor child to remain in the educational setting in which the minor child was enrolled during the immediately preceding school year.

House subcommittee · named January 16, 2026

• Rep. Bill Gustoff (R) · bill.gustoff@legis.iowa.gov
• Rep. Skyler Wheeler (R) · skyler.wheeler@legis.iowa.gov
• Rep. Ross Wilburn (D) · ross.wilburn@legis.iowa.gov

Lobbying · 3 for, 1 against

For: Homeschool Iowa; Iowa Association of Christian Schools; VALOR Iowa

Against: Iowa Integrated Health Planning and Advisory Council

In plain words

1. March 6, 2025Filed in the House
2. January 16, 2026House subcommittee named: Gustoff, Wheeler and Wilburn
3. January 22, 2026Subcommittee recommended passing it
4. January 28, 2026Approved by the House committee
5. January 28, 2026Committee vote: 18–2