House File 2078

                                       HOUSE FILE       
                                       BY  SMITH


    Passed House, Date                Passed Senate,  Date             
    Vote:  Ayes        Nays           Vote:  Ayes        Nays         
                 Approved                            

                                      A BILL FOR

  1 An Act relating to the provision of support including a
  2    postsecondary education subsidy for children born out of
  3    wedlock.
  4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:
  5 TLSB 5747HH 80
  6 pf/sh/8

PAG LIN

  1  1    Section 1.  Section 252A.3, Code 2003, is amended by adding
  1  2 the following new subsection:
  1  3    NEW SUBSECTION.  8A.  If paternity of a child born out of
  1  4 wedlock is established as provided in subsection 8, the court
  1  5 shall establish the respondent's monthly support payment and
  1  6 the amount of the support debt accrued and accruing pursuant
  1  7 to section 598.21, subsection 4.  Additionally, the court may
  1  8 order a postsecondary education subsidy pursuant to section
  1  9 598.21, subsection 5A, if good cause is shown.
  1 10    Sec. 2.  Section 600B.25, subsection 1, Code 2003, is
  1 11 amended to read as follows:
  1 12    1.  a.  Upon a finding of paternity pursuant to section
  1 13 600B.24, the court shall establish the father's monthly
  1 14 support payment and the amount of the support debt accrued or
  1 15 accruing pursuant to section 598.21, subsection 4, until the
  1 16 child reaches majority or until the child finishes high
  1 17 school, if after majority.  Additionally, the court may order
  1 18 a postsecondary education subsidy pursuant to section 598.21,
  1 19 subsection 5A, if good cause is shown.
  1 20    b.  The court may order the father to pay amounts the court
  1 21 deems appropriate for the past support and maintenance of the
  1 22 child and for the reasonable and necessary expenses incurred
  1 23 by or for the mother in connection with prenatal care, the
  1 24 birth of the child, and postnatal care of the child and the
  1 25 mother, and other medical support as defined in section
  1 26 252E.1.
  1 27    c.  The court may award the prevailing party the reasonable
  1 28 costs of suit, including but not limited to reasonable
  1 29 attorney fees.
  1 30                           EXPLANATION
  1 31    This bill relates to the liability of a parent of a child
  1 32 born out of wedlock for support of the child.  The bill
  1 33 provides that if paternity of a child born out of wedlock is
  1 34 established, in addition to the court establishing the
  1 35 parent's monthly support payment and the amount of the support
  2  1 debt accrued and accruing, the court may also order a
  2  2 postsecondary education subsidy if good cause is shown.
  2  3 LSB 5747HH 80
  2  4 pf/sh/8