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Bill > HF2014
IA HF2014
IA HF2014A bill for an act relating to child preference for physical care of the child and parental visitation rights, and including effective date provisions.
summary
Introduced
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
91st General Assembly
Bill Summary
This bill relates to child preference for physical care of the child and visitation rights. The bill permits a child who is 16 years of age or older to request a hearing to modify an order issued by a court establishing custody rights, visitation rights, or both to the child. The bill requires a court to modify an order establishing physical care of the child, visitation rights, or both, to grant the child’s preference for physical care and visitation rights unless the court finds by clear and convincing evidence that the child’s preference is a result of coercion, the child would be harmed if the court issued an order granting the child’s preference, or either of the child’s parents would be effectively prohibited from exercising the parent’s right to raise the child. The bill lists several factors a court must consider when determining whether a parent would be effectively prohibited from exercising the parent’s right to raise the child. The bill shall not be construed to limit a court’s authority to enter protective orders or other orders necessary to protect the welfare of a child. The bill makes a conforming change to Code section 598.21C, subsection 1. The bill takes effect upon enactment.
AI Summary
This bill allows a child who is sixteen years of age or older to ask a court to change existing custody or visitation orders, which are legal decisions about who a child lives with and when they see each parent. If the child requests a hearing, the court must generally grant the child's preference for where they live and their visitation schedule unless the court finds strong evidence that the child's choice was forced, that the child would be harmed by it, or that one of the parents would be prevented from raising their child. To decide if a parent would be prevented from raising their child, the court will consider how often each parent could visit, if they've followed past orders, their ability to make important decisions for the child, how much the child's routine would be disrupted, and any other relevant factors. The bill also clarifies that this new rule does not stop courts from issuing protective orders to keep a child safe and makes a related change to another section of the law.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Introduced, referred to Judiciary. H.J. 42. (on 01/13/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/BillBook?ga=91&ba=HF2014 |
| BillText | https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/publications/LGI/91/attachments/HF2014.html |
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