The bill amends various sections of the Iowa Code to enhance the consideration of a minor child's educational setting during child custody proceedings. A new definition of "educational setting" is introduced, which encompasses various forms of education, including public schools, accredited nonpublic schools, and private instruction, without specifying a particular school or location. Additionally, the bill establishes a rebuttable presumption that it is in the best interest of the child 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.

Furthermore, the bill mandates that if parents disagree on a child's educational setting, the court must take this into account when making temporary custody orders and include provisions in custody orders that outline each parent's rights and responsibilities regarding the child's education. This includes access to the child during school hours, decision-making authority, and access to educational records. However, it specifies that a parent cannot access the other parent's home during private instruction sessions. Legal custody holders are 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
Reprinted: 598.1, 598.10, 598.41