Text: HF00393 Text: HF00395 Text: HF00300 - HF00399 Text: HF Index Bills and Amendments: General Index Bill History: General Index
PAG LIN
1 1 Section 1. Section 598.41, subsection 7, Code 1997, is
1 2 amended to read as follows:
1 3 7. If an application for modification of a decree or a
1 4 petition for modification of an order is filed, based upon
1 5 differences between the parents regarding the custody
1 6 arrangement established under the decree or order, unless the
1 7 court determines that a history of domestic abuse exists as
1 8 specified in subsection 3, paragraph "j", or unless the court
1 9 determines that direct physical harm or significant emotional
1 10 harm to the child, other children, or a parent is likely to
1 11 result, the court may require the parents to participate in
1 12 mediation to attempt to resolve the differences between the
1 13 parents. The court may also require an evaluation of the
1 14 child to assist the court in determining the best interests of
1 15 the child, prior to the granting of an order to modify a
1 16 custody arrangement. The evaluation shall be performed by a
1 17 person licensed to practice psychology pursuant to chapter
1 18 154B who is knowledgeable in psychology relating to children.
1 19 A report of the evaluation's findings and recommendations
1 20 regarding the best interests of the child and modification of
1 21 a decree or custody order shall be submitted to the court for
1 22 review and shall be part of the record unless otherwise
1 23 ordered by the court.
1 24 EXPLANATION
1 25 This bill allows a court, in an application for
1 26 modification of a decree or a petition for modification of an
1 27 order for custody of a child, to require an evaluation of the
1 28 child by a licensed psychologist knowledgeable regarding the
1 29 psychology of children to assist the court in determining the
1 30 best interests of the child prior to the granting of an order
1 31 to modify the custody arrangement. The evaluation report
1 32 containing findings and recommendations regarding the best
1 33 interests of the child and modification of a decree or custody
1 34 order is to be submitted to the court for review and is made
1 35 part of the record unless otherwise ordered by the court.
2 1 LSB 1217YH 77
2 2 pf/cf/24
Text: HF00393 Text: HF00395 Text: HF00300 - HF00399 Text: HF Index Bills and Amendments: General Index Bill History: General Index
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