HOUSE FILE 2076

BY  SWEENEY, S. OLSON, HAGER, MASSIE, JORGENSEN, PEARSON, LOFGREN, HUSEMAN, WATTS, BAUDLER, RAYHONS, L. MILLER, GARRETT, BRANDENBURG, HEATON, SODERBERG, COWNIE, GRASSLEY, WORTHAN, MOORE, KLEIN, PAUSTIAN, WAGNER, DEYOE, ALONS, IVERSON, BERRY, MUHLBAUER, HANUSA, STECKMAN, and KOESTER

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to establishing cohabitation with a sex offender as a potential substantial change in circumstances for the purposes of modification of decree or order regarding custody, visitation, or physical care.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  NEW SECTION.  598.41E  Cohabitation of parent with sex offender —— potential substantial change in circumstances —— modification of child custody, visitation, or parenting time.
   Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, if a parent awarded joint legal custody and physical care, joint legal custody and visitation, or sole legal custody is cohabitating with a person who is required to register or is on the sex offender registry as a sex offender under chapter 692A, the court may consider the cohabitation as a substantial change in circumstances, and modify the decree or order regarding child custody, visitation, or physical care to protect the best interests of the child.
EXPLANATION
   This bill provides that if a parent who is awarded joint legal custody and physical care, joint legal custody and visitation, or sole legal custody is cohabitating with a person who is required to register for or is on the sex offender registry, the court may consider such cohabitation a substantial change in circumstances and modify the decree or order for child custody, visitation, or physical care to protect the best interests of the child.