Senate File 72 - Introduced SENATE FILE 72 BY CHELGREN A BILL FOR An Act relating to the consideration of gender of the parent in 1 the awarding of joint custody of a child. 2 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA: 3 TLSB 1466XS (3) 87 pf/nh

S.F. 72 Section 1. Section 598.41, Code 2017, is amended by adding 1 the following new subsection: 2 NEW SUBSECTION . 3A. In considering what custody 3 arrangement under subsection 2 is in the best interest of the 4 minor child, the court shall not give preference to either 5 parent in the awarding of custody based on that parent’s 6 gender. The court shall not presume that a parent, solely 7 because of the parent’s gender, is more qualified than the 8 other parent to be awarded legal custody of the child. 9 EXPLANATION 10 The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with 11 the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly. 12 This bill provides that in awarding joint legal custody of a 13 child to a parent when the parents do not agree to joint legal 14 custody, the court shall not give preference to either parent 15 in the awarding of custody based on that parent’s gender. The 16 court shall not presume that a parent, solely because of the 17 parent’s gender, is more qualified than the other parent to be 18 awarded legal custody of the child. 19 -1- LSB 1466XS (3) 87 pf/nh 1/ 1