Relating to child custody for parents subject to short-term deployments

Where it is now

Done: IntroducedJanuary 14, 2026
Done: SubcommitteeJanuary 21, 2026
Done: Senate committeeFebruary 4, 2026
Done: Passes the SenateFebruary 23, 202647–0
Done: House committeeMarch 18, 2026
Next: Passes the House
Next: To the Governor
Next: Signed into law

Became SF 2186 → Its progress continues under the new number. Go to SF 2186 What’s a funnel?

What’s in it

This bill relates to child custody and visitation for parents subject to short-term deployment. The bill defines “short-term deployment” as the movement or mobilization of a deploying parent for less than days pursuant to uniformed service member orders that are designated as unaccompanied, do not authorize dependent travel, or otherwise do not permit family members to accompany the deploying parent. The bill allows a deploying parent who is unable to exercise court-ordered physical care or visitation during a short-term deployment to make up the missed time days immediately preceding or days immediately following the deployment.

Read the full explanation

The amount of make-up time may not exceed the number of days missed, and may not exceed days. The bill requires the deploying parent to notify the other parent, in a record, of the short-term deployment unless reasonably prevented by the circumstances of service. The deploying parent must also provide a plan for fulfilling the missed physical care or visitation to the other parent and file the plan with any court that has entered a child-custody determination in effect concerning the child.

From the explanation printed with the bill as introduced, written by the Legislative Services Agency. Changed since by amendment S-5020; see Amendments. Full bill text

Senate subcommittee

Named January 21, 2026. On January 21, 2026 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

Iowa Code it changes

Creates§589D.2 §598D.1

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

Lobbying

1 for · 0 against · 2 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

SF 2053Renumbered SF 2186Passed a chamberfrom SF 2053

Earlier and later bills are matched by wording or an identical title; check the text to be sure it’s the same idea.