SF 523: Relating to the establishment or modification of legal custody of a child

What it does

This bill relates to the establishment or modification of legal custody of a child. The bill allows a court to award separate rights and responsibilities of joint legal custody to each parent in a dissolution of marriage proceeding. The bill allows a court to resolve joint legal custody disputes between parents during or after the pendency of the parents’ dissolution of marriage action. To initiate a dispute resolution, a parent must file an application with the court and serve process on the other parent.

House subcommittee · named March 10, 2026

• Rep. Bill Gustoff (R) · bill.gustoff@legis.iowa.gov
• Rep. Steven C. Holt (R) · steven.holt@legis.iowa.gov
• Rep. Beth Wessel-Kroeschell (D) · beth.wessel-kroeschell@legis.iowa.gov

Lobbying · 5 for, 4 against

For: Iowa Academy of Trial Lawyers; Iowa Association for Justice; Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence; Iowa Integrated Health Planning and Advisory Council; Iowa State Bar Association

Against: IowaFathers; Personal Interest-Troy Tech; Reforging Families; Steve Krug

In plain words

1. February 13, 2025Filed in the Senate and sent to the Judiciary committee · as SSB 1124
2. February 13, 2025Senate subcommittee named: Taylor, Bisignano and Green · as SSB 1124
3. March 3, 2025Subcommittee recommended passing it with changes · as SSB 1124
4. March 4, 2025Approved by the Senate committee, and given a new number: SF 523 · as SSB 1124
5. March 5, 2025Filed in the Senate
6. March 5, 2025Approved by the Senate committee
7. March 18, 2025Passed the Senate, 48–0
8. March 18, 2025Arrived in the House
9. March 10, 2026House subcommittee named: Gustoff, Holt and Wessel-Kroeschell