Iowa 2025-2026 Regular Session

Iowa Senate Bill SF515

Introduced
3/5/25  

Caption

A bill for an act relating to consideration of the educational setting of a minor child in a child custody proceeding. (Formerly SF 182.)

Impact

If enacted, SF 515 will modify the existing laws related to child custody to ensure that decisions made during custody disputes give significant weight to the child's established educational setting. By establishing a presumption regarding the educational environment, the bill intends to provide stability for minors amid familial transitions. This change seeks to mitigate potential upheavals in children's education when parents cannot reach consensus, thus supporting their educational continuity during times of parental separation.

Summary

Senate File 515 pertains to considerations of the educational environment during child custody proceedings in Iowa. It specifically addresses situations where parents disagree over their child's educational setting, introducing a rebuttable presumption that it is in the child's best interest to remain in the educational environment they attended during the previous school year. This presumption can only be overturned by evidence demonstrating that such a setting is detrimental to the child's welfare. Moreover, all custody orders must clearly outline the educational rights and responsibilities of each parent, ensuring clarity regarding decision-making authority and access to educational records.

Sentiment

Overall, the sentiment surrounding SF 515 appears to be favorable among legislators, given that it passed unanimously with 46 votes in favor during its recent consideration. Supporters argue that the bill solidifies the importance of the child's educational setting in custody discussions, which is crucial for their well-being. Nonetheless, some voices may highlight concerns regarding how strictly the bill's provisions are enforced and whether they adequately address all scenarios wherein the educational setting might not serve the child's best interests.

Contention

There may be contention related to the interpretation and application of the rebuttable presumption established by the bill. Critics may question whether the presumption could lead to rigid outcomes that might not adapt to individual circumstances where a child's needs would be better met in a different educational environment. The balance between ensuring the child's stability in their educational setting and allowing flexibility for exceptional circumstances is likely to be a topic of ongoing debate as the bill is implemented.

Companion Bills

IA SF182

Similar To A bill for an act relating to consideration of the educational setting of a minor child in a child custody proceeding.(See SF 515.)

Previously Filed As

IA HF636

A bill for an act relating to consideration of the educational setting of a minor child in a child custody proceeding. (Formerly HF 438.)

IA HF438

A bill for an act relating to consideration of the educational setting of a minor child in a child custody proceeding.(See HF 636.)

IA HF2547

A bill for an act relating to education, including by requiring school engagement meetings and attendance cooperation proceedings when children are absent from school, requiring school districts to restrict student use of cellular phones and smartphones, modifying provisions related to open enrollment of truant students, and modifying penalties. (Formerly HF 2254.)

IA SF2403

A bill for an act relating to responsibility for payment of fees relating to termination of parental rights proceedings.(Formerly SF 2350, SSB 3005.)

IA HF2322

A bill for an act relating to the awarding of joint physical care of children to parents awarded joint legal custody.(Formerly HSB 574.)

IA SF496

A bill for an act relating to children and students, including establishing a parent's or guardian's right to make decisions affecting the parent's or guardian's child, authorizing the parent or guardian of a student enrolled in a school district to enroll the student in another attendance center within the same school district in certain specified circumstances, prohibiting instruction related to gender identity and sexual orientation in school districts, charter schools, and innovation zone schools in kindergarten through grade six, and modifying provisions related to student health screenings, school district library programs, the educational program provided to students enrolled in school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, and charter schools, other duties of school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, the department of education, the board of educational examiners, and the governing boards of charter schools and innovation zone schools, competent private instruction, and special education, and including effective date provisions. (Formerly SSB 1145.) Effective date: 05/26/2023, 07/01/2023.

IA SF514

A bill for an act relating to the organization, structure, and functions of state government, providing for salaries of appointed state officers, providing for penalties, making appropriations, providing Code editor directives and transition provisions, and including applicability and effective date provisions. (Formerly SSB 1123.) Contingent effective date. Applicability date: Enactment, 07/01/2023.

IA SF542

A bill for an act relating to youth employment, providing for a minor driver's license interim study committee, and making penalties applicable. (Formerly SF 167.) Effective date: 07/01/2023.

IA SF2109

A bill for an act relating to the driving privileges of persons under eighteen years of age, and making penalties applicable. (Formerly SSB 3097.) Effective date: 07/01/2024.

IA SF2389

A bill for an act relating to commercial transactions, including control and transmission of electronic records and digital assets. (Formerly SF 540, SSB 1177.) Effective date: 07/01/2024.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.