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