Bills › 91st General Assembly
Relating to the establishment or modification of legal custody of a child
Topics:Courts & civil law
Where it is now
- Done: IntroducedFebruary 12, 2025
- Done: SubcommitteeFebruary 12, 2025
- Stopped: House committeeDied when the General Assembly ended
- Next: Passes the House
- Skipped: Senate committeeSkipped
- Done: Passes the SenateMarch 18, 202548–0
- Next: To the Governor
- 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 the establishment or modification of legal custody of a child. If the district court finds by clear and convincing evidence that it is in the best interest of the child, the bill allows the court presiding over a dissolution of marriage case to award separate rights and responsibilities of joint legal custody to each parent. If each parent is awarded separate rights and responsibilities of joint legal custody, both parents retain the right to legal access to information concerning the child.
Read the full explanation
The bill defines “established custodial environment of the child” as an environment in which a child has a stable, permanent, and significant relationship with a parent or a caregiver. The environment includes the physical, emotional, and psychological conditions that support the child’s well-being and development. The bill authorizes a district court to resolve disputes related to custody rights. A parent may initiate a dispute resolution by filing an application with the court and serving process on the other parent. The court must set a hearing on the matter upon receipt of the application. The bill requires a court to determine whether a resolution proposed by either parent will modify the established custodial environment of the child. _____ determination from the child’s standpoint rather than that of the parents. If a proposed resolution will modify the established custodial environment of the child, the parent who proposed the resolution has the burden to establish by clear and convincing evidence that the resolution is in the best interest of the child. If a resolution will not modify the established custodial environment of the child, the parent who proposed the resolution must establish by a preponderance of the evidence that the proposed resolution is in the best interest of the child. The bill requires a court, during a custodial rights dispute resolution, to consider all factors the court is required to consider when considering custody during a dissolution of marriage proceeding. If the court determines a factor does not apply, the court only need articulate the reasons that the factor does not apply.
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 February 17, 2025. On February 20, 2025 it recommended passage.
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
3 written public comments to its subcommittee: February 20, 2025 (3) · on the Legislature’s site
Iowa Code it changes
Creates§598.41E
Amends§598.41
Read from the bill as introduced. Each links to every bill touching that chapter of the Iowa Code. How the Code works
Lobbying
5 for · 4 against · 3 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.
91st 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.