Bills › 91st General Assembly

SF 542Signed by Governor · May 15, 2026

Relating to the suspension of child support and medical support in certain circumstances

Sponsored by the Senate Judiciary Committee

Topics:Courts & civil lawFamilies & human services

Same legislation: HSB 159, SSB 1123

Where it is now

  1. Done: IntroducedFebruary 13, 2025
  2. Done: SubcommitteeFebruary 13, 2025
  3. Done: Senate committeeMarch 4, 2025
  4. Done: Passes the SenateMarch 25, 202549–0
  5. Done: House committeeApril 1, 2025
  6. Done: Passes the HouseApril 13, 202690–0
  7. Done: To the GovernorMay 5, 2026
  8. Done: Signed into lawMay 15, 2026

Signed into law What’s a funnel?

What’s in it

AI summary If a juvenile court moves a child into the care of the parent who is supposed to pay child support, that parent can ask a court to temporarily stop those payments. The person who used to receive the support can ask to start the payments again if the child is moved back to their care. To make this easier, courts will not charge fees for these requests and will provide standard forms for parents to use.1

Read the official explanation

This bill relates to the suspension of child support and medical support (support) in certain circumstances. The bill allows a court to enter an ex parte order suspending support if a dispositional or permanency order in juvenile court places the custody or physical care of a child with a parent who is obligated to pay support for the child (supporting parent); the juvenile court files a notice of change of custody; and the supporting parent files an application requesting a suspension of support in the case in which child support was ordered. The bill details required contents of the application, procedural requirements related to the application, and who may object to the application. The order is effective on the date the next support payment is due, and that payment is suspended. The bill details the process of how the parent previously entitled to receive support (receiving parent) may apply to end a suspension of the support if the custody or physical care of the child is transferred back to the receiving parent. The bill requires the court to waive any court costs or filing fees for an application to suspend support or an application to terminate the suspension of support, and the bill requires the supreme court to prescribe, and distribute to clerks of the district court, standard forms for parents to use for applications to suspend or terminate the suspension of support. The bill requires a court to enter a notice of change of custody at a dispositional hearing if the custody or physical care of a child is transferred to a supporting parent and the supporting parent makes a request for a notice of change of custody. The bill requires a court to file a notice of change of custody if custody or physical care of the child is subsequently transferred back to the receiving parent.

Changed since by amendment S-3035; see Amendments.

Full bill text · What changed before it passed2

House subcommittee

Named March 10, 2026. On March 11, 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§598.21H

Amends§232.102§232.104

How the Code works3

Lobbying

2 for · 0 against · 3 undecided · Who →

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