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HF 2619

A bill for an act creating the uniform family law arbitration Act.

2025-2026 Regular Session

Establishes a uniform, court-based arbitration framework for family law disputes that can pause and transfer to court if safety, violence, or child abuse concerns arise.

Signed by Governor.
#arbitration #civilprocedure #domesticrelations
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Bill Summary · HF 2619

Summary of HF 2619 (Iowa, 2025-2026 Session)

Title: A bill for an act creating the uniform family law arbitration Act

This summary outlines the bill’s purpose, key provisions, who is affected, and notable procedural/timeline aspects. It is designed to be accessible to both policy experts and general readers.

Purpose and intent

  • Establishes a uniform framework for arbitration of family law disputes in Iowa.
  • Aims to provide a structured, efficient, and fair arbitration process as an alternative to court litigation in designated family law matters.
  • Incorporates protection measures when family violence, child safety, or other risk factors are present.

Key provisions and changes

  • Arbitration process and participation

    • The arbitrator is empowered to preside over the arbitration, including prehearing conferences, hearings, and decision-making.
    • The parties (and their representatives) may participate fully; parties are not permitted to communicate ex parte with the arbitrator.
    • The arbitrator has authority to set and enforce procedural rules for the arbitration.

  • Temporary orders and sequencing

    • Before an arbitrator is selected, the court may issue a temporary order in the family law dispute.
    • After selection, the arbitrator may issue a temporary award.

  • Protection from domestic violence and safety considerations

    • If a party is subject to a protection order and the arbitrator determines a reasonable basis to believe that a party is the victim of domestic violence, or that a party’s safety or ability to participate is at risk, the arbitration must be stayed and the matter referred to court.
    • The arbitration cannot resume until:
    • the at-risk party affirmatively records a voluntary, informed agreement to proceed, in a recorded form;
    • the court confirms the affirmation is informed and voluntary;
    • the court determines the arbitration would be consistent with the protection order;
    • reasonable safety procedures are in place to protect the at-risk party.

  • Child safety and abuse reporting

    • If the arbitrator reasonably believes that a child involved in the matter is abused or neglected, the arbitration must be terminated.
    • Any abuse or neglect concerns must be reported to the court or another appropriate authority.

  • Arbitrator powers and procedures

    • The arbitrator may:
    • select the rules governing the arbitration;
    • conduct prehearing conferences and the hearing;
    • administer oaths to parties and witnesses;
    • allow prehearing discovery (interrogatories, depositions, production of documents, or other allowed methods);
    • determine the admissibility of evidence;
    • subpoena witnesses or documents on the arbitrator’s own initiative or at a party’s request.
    • The arbitrator may meet with a child, appoint a representative for the child, and impose protective procedures for parties or children as needed.

  • Fairness and expedition

    • The arbitration must be conducted in a manner appropriate for a fair and expeditious disposition of the case.

Who is affected

  • Parties to family law disputes (e.g., custody, support, dissolution, and related matters) who choose or are subject to arbitration under this act.
  • Domestic violence survivors and at-risk individuals due to protection orders or safety concerns, who have protections and procedural safeguards to pause arbitration if necessary.
  • Children involved in family law matters, with provisions permitting the arbitrator to meet with the child, appoint a representative, and implement protective measures if abuse or neglect is suspected.
  • Arbitrators and counsel participating in family law arbitration, who gain defined powers and duties (discovery, evidence rules, subpoenas, etc.).

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • The bill allows an initial court-ordered temporary order prior to arbitrator selection.
  • Temporary awards may be issued after arbitrator selection.
  • If safety concerns or protection orders are implicated, the arbitration is paused and referred to court, with conditions to resume only after proper affirmations and safeguards.
  • Termination of arbitration is required if abuse or neglect of a child is reasonably believed, with reporting to authorities.
  • The bill outlines explicit procedural steps and timelines to ensure fairness and efficiency.

Status and legislative history (highlights)

  • Introduced and placed on the calendar in February 2026.
  • Passed the House (yea 93, nays 0) on March 10, 2026.
  • Passed the Senate (yea 47, nays 0) on March 23, 2026.
  • Substituted for SF 2371 in March 2026; enrolled and transmitted to the Governor.
  • Signed by the Governor and enacted (as indicated by the enrolled status and signing dates in April 2026).

If you’d like, I can tailor this summary to a specific audience (e.g., judges, litigants, or advocacy groups) or extract a concise one-page briefing with bullet-point takeaways.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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