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Bills › 91st General Assembly

SF 81Died when the session ended · January 27, 2026

Relating to paternity and the obligation of parents for support of children

Sponsored by Sen. Lynn Evans (R)

Topics:Courts & civil lawFamilies & human services

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Official bill pageLobbyist declarationsOne-pager to print

Where it is now

  1. Done: IntroducedJanuary 22, 2025
  2. Done: SubcommitteeJanuary 23, 2025
  3. Done: Senate committeeFebruary 12, 2025
  4. Stopped: Passes the SenateDied when the General Assembly ended
  5. Next: House committeeFunnel: by March 20, 2026
  6. Next: Passes the House
  7. Next: To the Governor
  8. Next: Signed into law

Died when the session ended The 2026 session adjourned on May 3, 2026, the General Assembly’s last regular session. Bills that didn’t pass both chambers died. What’s a funnel?

What’s in it

AI summary An alleged father would now have the right to go to court to prove he is the parent and take on child support responsibilities. The mother or the child can also start this legal process. If a mother or father asks for a DNA test, they must provide a sworn statement to the court explaining the facts regarding their relationship.1

Read the official explanation

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.

Full bill text2

Senate subcommittee

Named January 14, 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

Amends§600B.11§600B.13§600B.14§600B.16§600B.17§600B.21§600B.22§600B.24§600B.29§600B.36§600B.4§600B.41§600B.6§600B.8§600B.9

How the Code works3

Lobbying

4 for · 0 against · 0 undecided · Who →

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Tried before

SF 397Cleared committee90th GA

91st General Assembly

SF 81Cleared committee

Earlier and later bills are matched by wording or an identical title.

Tried before

This idea has been filed in an earlier General Assembly. None got through a chamber.

  • SF 397 Relating to paternity and the obligation of parents for support of children
    90th General Assembly · Approved by committee · similar
    Cleared committee

Matched by wording or an identical title.