SF 81: Relating to paternity and the obligation of parents for support of children

What it does

This bill amends Code chapter 600B (paternity and obligation for support) to allow an alleged father of a child, the child’s mother, or the child to file a complaint to establish paternity of the child and an obligation for support of the child. if the child is or is likely to be a public charge, by the authorities charged with the child’s support. The bill makes conforming changes throughout the Code chapter to provide that the alleged father may also be the complainant or plaintiff. The bill includes an alleged father as a party that may request blood or genetic testing in a proceeding to establish paternity, and provides that a mother or alleged father requesting the testing shall file an affidavit with the court that alleges or denies paternity and contains facts that establish the reasonable possibility that there was, or was not, the requisite sexual contact between the mother and the alleged father.

Senate subcommittee · named January 14, 2026

• Sen. Lynn Evans (R) · lynn.evans@legis.iowa.gov
• Sen. Izaah Knox (D) · izaah.knox@legis.iowa.gov
• Sen. David D. Rowley (R) · david.rowley@legis.iowa.gov

Lobbying · 4 for, 0 against

For: Iowa Baptists For Biblical Values; Iowa Integrated Health Planning and Advisory Council; Iowa State Bar Association; VALOR Iowa

In plain words

1. January 22, 2025Filed in the Senate and sent to the Judiciary committee
2. January 23, 2025Senate subcommittee named: Evans, Knox and Rowley
3. January 29, 2025Subcommittee recommended passing it
4. February 12, 2025Approved by the Senate committee
5. June 16, 2025Sent to the Senate Judiciary committee
6. January 14, 2026Senate subcommittee named: Evans, Knox and Rowley
7. January 21, 2026Subcommittee recommended passing it
8. January 27, 2026Approved by the Senate committee