SF 2004 (LSB 5402XS (3) 85)

SENATE FILE 2004

BY  BREITBACH

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to factors considered in determining the best interest of the child in child custody arrangements.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 598.41, subsection 3, Code 2014, is amended by adding the following new paragraph:
   NEW PARAGRAPH.  l.  Whether a parent has a consistent pattern of specific conduct or a specific condition directly relating to the parent-child relationship which is determined by the court to be of a duration or nature that renders the parent unable, for the reasonably foreseeable future, to act as a suitable custodian for the child, including whether the parent has a medically verifiable emotional illness, mental illness, mental deficiency, or substance-related disorder as defined in section 125.2.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with

the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   This bill adds to the factors for consideration by the court in determining what custody arrangement is in the best interest of the child, whether a parent has a consistent pattern of specific conduct or a specific condition directly relating to the parent-child relationship which is determined by the court to be of a duration or nature that renders the parent unable, for the reasonably foreseeable future, to act as a suitable custodian for the child, including whether the parent has a medically verifiable emotional illness, mental illness, mental deficiency, or substance-related disorder.