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 encompasses various types of educational environments, including public schools, charter schools, accredited nonpublic schools, and private instruction. The bill stipulates that if parents disagree on the 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 during school hours if the child is receiving private instruction. Furthermore, any parent with legal custody must provide a copy of the custody order to the child's educational institution.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 598.1, 598.10, 598.41