This bill amends existing Iowa law regarding child custody proceedings by emphasizing the importance of a minor child's educational setting. It introduces a definition of "educational setting," which includes public schools, accredited nonpublic schools, and various forms of private instruction that meet compulsory education requirements. The bill establishes that if parents disagree on a child's educational setting during custody proceedings, the court must consider this aspect when making temporary custody orders. There is a rebuttable presumption that it is in the child's best interest to remain in the educational setting they were enrolled in during the previous school year, which can only be overturned by a preponderance of evidence.

Additionally, the bill mandates that all custody orders specify the rights and responsibilities of each parent concerning the child's educational setting. This includes details about physical access during school hours, access to educational records, decision-making authority, and conditions under which a child may be removed from the educational setting. Notably, the order does not require a parent to have access to the child during school hours if the child is receiving competent private instruction. Parents with legal custody are also required to provide a copy of the custody order to the child's educational setting and school district.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 598.1, 598.10, 598.41