Senate File 2290 - Introduced SENATE FILE BY COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY (SUCCESSOR TO SSB 3093) Passed Senate, Date Passed House, Date Vote: Ayes Nays Vote: Ayes Nays Approved A BILL FOR 1 An Act relating to the payment of costs of reasonable attorney 2 fees and other expenses related to certain paternity and 3 adoption procedings. 4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA: 5 TLSB 5233SV 81 6 pf/sh/8 PAG LIN 1 1 Section 1. NEW SECTION. 600B.26 PAYMENT OF ATTORNEY 1 2 FEES. 1 3 In a proceeding to determine custody or visitation, or to 1 4 modify a paternity, custody, or visitation order under this 1 5 chapter, the court may award the prevailing party reasonable 1 6 attorney fees. 1 7 Sec. 2. 2004 Iowa Acts, chapter 1175, section 139, 1 8 subsection 1, paragraph b, is amended to read as follows: 1 9 b. The general limitation on attorney fees under the 1 10 program shall be $500 per recipient. However, up to an 1 11 additional $200 may be allowed for reasonable court costs and 1 12 other related legal expenses. 1 13 EXPLANATION 1 14 This bill relates to the awarding and allowance of attorney 1 15 fees and other expenses related to proceedings involving 1 16 establishment of paternity, determination of custody and 1 17 visitation, and modifications of the orders relating to these 1 18 proceedings and those expenses related to the adoption subsidy 1 19 program. The bill provides that in addition to the existing 1 20 provision which allows for the awarding of the reasonable 1 21 costs of the suit, including reasonable attorney fees, to the 1 22 prevailing party in a proceeding to establish paternity, in a 1 23 proceeding to determine custody or visitation, or to modify a 1 24 paternity, custody, or visitation order under the chapter 1 25 relating to paternity and obligation for support, the court 1 26 may award the prevailing party reasonable attorney fees. 1 27 The bill also provides that under the adoption subsidy 1 28 program, in addition to the existing provision which allows 1 29 for the payment of reasonable attorney fees up to $500, up to 1 30 an additional $200 would be allowed for the payment of 1 31 reasonable court costs and other related legal expenses. 1 32 LSB 5233SV 81 1 33 pf:nh/sh/8