House Study Bill 3
HOUSE FILE
BY (PROPOSED COMMITTEE ON
JUDICIARY BILL BY
CHAIRPERSON SWAIM)
Passed House, Date Passed Senate, 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 related to certain paternity and adoption proceedings.
3 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:
4 TLSB 1076HC 82
5 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 EXPLANATION
1 8 This bill relates to the awarding and allowance of attorney
1 9 fees related to proceedings involving establishment of
1 10 paternity, determination of custody and visitation, and
1 11 modifications of the orders relating to these proceedings and
1 12 those expenses related to the adoption subsidy program. The
1 13 bill provides that in addition to the existing provision which
1 14 allows for the awarding of the reasonable costs of the suit,
1 15 including reasonable attorney fees, to the prevailing party in
1 16 a proceeding to establish paternity, in a proceeding to
1 17 determine custody or visitation, or to modify a paternity,
1 18 custody, or visitation order under the chapter relating to
1 19 paternity and obligation for support, the court may award the
1 20 prevailing party reasonable attorney fees.
1 21 LSB 1076HC 82
1 22 pf:nh/sh/8