House File 819 - Reprinted
HOUSE FILE 819
BY COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY
(SUCCESSOR TO HF 714)
(As Amended and Passed by the House March 25, 2021)
A BILL FOR
1 An Act relating to fundamental parental rights.
2 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:
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 H.F. 819
1 Section 1. NEW SECTION. 597A.1 Fundamental parental rights.
2 1. The right to direct the care and custody of a parent’s
3 child is a parent’s fundamental right.
4 2. State action infringing on this fundamental right shall
5 be subject to strict scrutiny and shall be narrowly tailored to
6 serve a compelling state interest.
7 3. Marital status shall not diminish this fundamental
8 right, render a parent unfit, or establish a compelling state
9 interest.
10 4. A parent is presumed to be a fit parent. This
11 presumption may be overcome only by clear and convincing
12 evidence.
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