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STATE OF IOWA
KIM REYNOLDS
GOVERNOR
April 16, 2026
The Honorable Paul Pate
Secretary of State of Iowa
State Capitol
Des Moines, Iowa 50319
Dear Mr. Secretary,
I hereby transmit:
House File 2619, an Act creating the uniform family law arbitration Act.
The above House File is hereby approved on this date.
Sincerely,
Kim^gj^lds
Governor of Iowa
cc: Secretary of the Senate
Clerk of the House
STATE CAPITOL DES MOINES, IOWA 50319 515.281.5211 WWW.GOVERNOR.IOWA.GOV
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House File 2619
AN ACT
CREATING THE UNIFORM FAMILY LAW ARBITRATION ACT.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:
Section 1. NEW SECTION . 598A.1 Short title.
This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Uniform
Family Law Arbitration Act".
Sec. 2. NEW SECTION . 598A.2 Definitions.
As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise
requires :
1. "Arbitration agreement" means an agreement which subjects
a family law dispute to arbitration.
2. "Arbitration organization" means an association,
agency, board, commission, or other entity which is neutral
and initiates, sponsors, or administers an arbitration or is
involved in the selection of an arbitrator.
3. "Arbitra tor" means an individual selected or appointed,
alone or with others, to make an award in a family law dispute
which is subject to an arbitration agreement.
4. "Award" means an interim award, temporary order, or final
disposition of a family law dispute by an arbitrator.
5. "Child custody dispute" means a family law dispute
regarding legal custody, physical custody, parenting plans,
parenting time, or visitation of a child.
6. "Child support dispute" means a family law dispute
regarding financial support of a child.
7 . "Court" means a district court which has jurisdiction
House File 2619, p. 2
over a family law dispute.
8. '‘'Family law dispute" means a contested issue arising
under chapter 598, 600B, or 600C. "Family law dispute" does not
include an issue under section 598A.3, subsection 2.
9. "Party" means an individual who signs an arbitration
agreement and whose rights will be determined by an award.
10. "Person" means an individual, estate, business
or nonprofit entity, public corporation, government or
governmental subdivision, agency, or instrumentality or any
other legal entity.
11. "Protection order" means an injunction or other
order, issued under the domestic violence, family violence,
or stalking laws of the issuing jurisdiction, to prevent an
individual from engaging in a violent or threatening act
against, harassment of, contact, or communication with or being
in physical proximity to, another individual who is a party or
a child under the custodial responsibility of a party.
12. "Record", used as a noun, means information that
is inscribed on a tangible medium or that is stored in an
electronic or other medium and is retrievable in perceivable
form.
13. "Sign " means , with present intent to authenticate or
adopt a record, any of the following:
a. To execute or adopt a tangible symbol.
b. To attach to or logically associate with the record an
electronic symbol, sound, or process.
14. "State" means a state of the United States, the District
of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, or
any territory or insular possession subject to the jurisdiction
of the United States. "State" includes a federally recognized
Indian tribe.
Sec. 3. NEW SECTION . 598A.3 Scope.
1. Except as provided in subsection 2, this chapter governs
arbitration of a family law dispute.
2. This chapter does not authorize an arbitrator to make an
award that does any of the following:
a. Grants legal separation, divorce, dissolution of
marriage, or annulment.
b. Terminates parental rights.
House File 2619, p. 3
c. Grants an adoption or a guardianship of a child or
protected person.
d. Determines the status of dependency of a child under
chapter 232.
e. Determines the support of a child if support payments
have been assigned to the department of health and human
services pursuant to section 234.39, 239B.6, or 252E.11, or if
services are being provided by child support services pursuant
to chapter 252B.
Sec. 4. NEW SECTION . 598A.4 Applicable law.
1. a. Subject to paragraph "b", the law applicable to
arbitration is chapter 679A.
b. If there is a conflict between chapter 679A and this
chapter, this chapter controls.
2. In determining the merits of a family law dispute, an
arbitrator shall apply the law of this state, including its
choice of law rules.
Sec. 5. NEW SECTION . 598A.5 Arbitration agreements.
1. An arbitration agreement must do the following:
a. Be in a record signed by the parties.
b. Identify the arbitrator, an arbitration organization, or
a method of selecting an arbitrator.
c. Identify the family law dispute the parties intend to
arbitrate .
2. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 3, an
agreement in a record to arbitrate a family law dispute that
arises between the parties before, at the time, or after
the agreement is made is valid and enforceable as any other
contract and irrevocable except on a ground that exists at law
or in equity for the revocation of a contract.
3. An agreement to arbitrate a child custody dispute or
child support dispute that arises between the parties after the
agreement is made is unenforceable unless any of the following
apply:
a. The parties affirm the agreement in a record after the
dispute arises.
b. The agreement was entered during a family law proceeding
and the court approved or incorporated the agreement in an
order issued in the proceeding.
House File 2619, p. 4
4. If a party objects to arbitration on the grounds the
arbitration agreement is unenforceable or the agreement does
not include a family law dispute, the court shall decide
whether the agreement is enforceable or includes the family law
dispute .
Sec. 6. NEW SECTION . 598A.6 Notice of arbitration.
A party shall initiate arbitration by giving notice to
arbitrate to the other party in the manner specified in the
arbitration agreement or, in the absence of a specified manner,
under section 679A.15.
Sec. 7. NEW SECTION . 598A.7 Motion for judicial relief.
1. A motion for judicial relief under this chapter shall be
made to the court in which a proceeding is pending involving a
family law dispute subject to arbitration or, if no proceeding
is pending, a court with jurisdiction over the parties and the
subject matter.
2. On motion by a party, the court may compel arbitration
if the parties have entered into an arbitration agreement that
complies with section 598A.5 unless the court determines under
section 598A.12 that the arbitration should not proceed.
3. On motion of a party, the court shall terminate
arbitration if the court determines any of the following:
a. The agreement to arbitrate is unenforceable.
b. The family law dispute is not subject to arbitration.
c. Under section 598A.12, the arbitration should not
proceed .
4. Unless prohibited by an arbitration agreement, on motion
of a party, the court may order consolidation of separate
arbitrations involving the same parties and a common issue
of law or fact if necessary for the fair and expeditious
resolution of the family law dispute.
Sec. 8. NEW SECTION . 598A.8 Qualification and selection of
arbitrator .
1. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2, unless
waived in a record by the parties, an arbitrator must be all of
the following:
a. An attorney at law, a former attorney at law on inactive
status, or a retired judge.
b. Have successfully completed a combined five hours of
House File 2619, p. 5
instruction in an accredited continuing legal education course
on domestic violence and child abuse.
2. The identification in the arbitration agreement of an
arbitrator, arbitration organization, or method of selection of
the arbitrator controls.
3. If an arbitrator is unable or unwilling to act or if the
agreed-upon method of selecting an arbitrator fails, on motion
of a party, the court shall select an arbitrator.
Sec. 9. NEW SECTION . 598A.9 Disclosure by arbitrator —
disqualification.
1. Before agreeing to serve as an arbitrator, an individual,
after making reasonable inquiry, shall disclose to all parties
any known fact a reasonable person would believe is likely to
affect any of the following:
a. The impartiality of the arbitrator, including bias,
a financial or personal interest in the outcome of the
arbitration, or an existing or past relationship with a party,
attorney representing a party, or witness.
b. The arbitrator's ability to make a timely award.
2. a. An arbitrator, the parties, and the attorneys
representing the parties have a continuing obligation to
disclose to all parties any known fact a reasonable person
would believe is likely to affect the impartiality of the
arbitrator or the arbitrator's ability to make a timely award.
b. The arbitrator shall disclose, and provide in writing to
the parties, the amount of initial fee, any hourly rate to be
charged, the process for invoices and payment for services and
information on the arbitration process, specifically including
how to terminate the arbitration.
3. An objection to selection or continued service of
an arbitrator and a motion for a stay of arbitration and
disqualification of the arbitrator shall be made under section
598A.7.
4. If a disclosure required by subsection 1, paragraph
"a", or subsection 2 is not made, the court may do any of the
following :
a. On motion of a party not later than fifteen days after
the failure to disclose is known, or by the exercise of
reasonable care should have been known to the party, suspend
House File 2619, p. 6
the arbitration.
b. On timely motion of party, vacate an award under section
598A.19, subsection 1, paragraph "b".
c. If an award has been confirmed, grant other appropriate
relief under law of this state other than this chapter.
5. If the parties agree to discharge an arbitrator or
the arbitrator is disqualified, the parties by agreement may
select a new arbitrator or request the court to select another
arbitrator as provided for in section 598A.8.
Sec. 10. NEW SECTION . 598A.10 Party participation.
1. A party may do all of the following:
a. Be represented in an arbitration by counsel.
b. Be accompanied by an individual who will not be called as
a witness or act as an advocate.
c. Participate in the arbitration to the full extent
permitted under section 598A.13 and chapter 679A.
2. A party or representative of a party shall not
communicate ex parte with the arbitrator except to the extent
allowed in a family law proceeding for communication with a
judge.
Sec. 11. NEW SECTION . 598A.11 Temporary order or award.
1. Before an arbitrator is selected and able to act, on
motion of a party, the court may enter a temporary order under
section 598.10 or 600B.40A and the applicable Iowa rules of
civil procedure.
2. After an arbitrator is selected, all of the following
apply:
a. The arbitrator may make a temporary award under section
598.10 or 600B.40A and the applicable Iowa rules of civil
procedure .
b. If the matter is urgent and the arbitrator is not able to
act in a timely manner or provide an adequate remedy, on motion
of a party, the court may enter a temporary order.
3. On motion of a party, before the court confirms a final
award, the court, under section 598A.16, 598A.18, or 598A.19,
may confirm, correct, vacate, or amend a temporary award made
under subsection 2, paragraph "a".
4. On motion of a party, the court may enforce a subpoena
or interim award issued by an arbitrator for the fair and
House File 2619, p. 7
expeditious disposition of the arbitration.
Sec. 12. NEW SECTION . 598A.12 Protection of party or child.
1. a. This subsection applies if a party is subject
to a protection order or the arbitrator determines there
is a reasonable basis to believe a party is the victim of
domestic violence or a party's safety or ability to participate
effectively in arbitration is otherwise at risk.
b. If the conditions described in paragraph "'a" are met,
the arbitrator shall stay the arbitration and refer the parties
to court. The arbitration shall not proceed unless the party
at risk affirms the arbitration agreement in a record and the
court determines all of the following are true:
(1) The affirmation is informed and voluntary.
(2) Arbitration is not inconsistent with the protection
order .
(3) Reasonable procedures are in place to protect the party
from risk of harm, harassment, or intimidation.
2. If the arbitrator determines that there is a reasonable
basis to believe a child who is the subject of a child custody
dispute is abused or neglected, the arbitrator shall terminate
the arbitration of the child custody dispute and report the
abuse or neglect to the court, or to another appropriate
authority.
3. An arbitrator may make a temporary award to protect a
party or child from harm, harassment, or intimidation.
4. On motion of a party, the court may stay arbitration and
review a determination or temporary award under this section.
5. This section supplements remedies available under
law of this state other than this chapter for the protection
of victims of domestic violence, family violence, stalking,
harassment, and similar abuse.
Sec. 13. NEW SECTION . 598A.13 Powers and duties of
arbitrator .
1. An arbitrator shall conduct an arbitration in a manner
the arbitrator considers appropriate for a fair and expeditious
disposition of the family law dispute.
2. An arbitrator shall provide each party a right to be
heard, to present evidence material to the family law dispute,
and to cross-examine witnesses.
House File 2619, p. 8
3. Unless the parties otherwise agree in a record, an
arbitrator may do all of the following:
a. Select the rules for conducting the arbitration.
b. Hold a conference with the parties before a hearing.
c. Determine the date, time, and place of a hearing.
d. Require a party to provide all of the following:
(1) A copy of a relevant court order.
(2) Information required to be disclosed in a family law
proceeding under chapters 598 and 600B and the applicable Iowa
rules of civil procedure.
(3) A proposed award which addresses each issue in
arbitration .
e. Interview a child who is the subject of a child custody
dispute .
f. Appoint a private expert at the expense of the parties.
g. Administer an oath or affirmation and issue a subpoena
for the attendance of a witness or the production of documents
and other evidence at a hearing.
b. Permit and compel discovery concerning the family law
dispute and determine the date, time, and place of discovery.
i. Determine the admissibility and weight of evidence.
j. Permit deposition of a witness for use as evidence at a
hearing .
k. For good cause, prohibit a party from disclosing
information .
1. Appoint an attorney, guardian ad litem, or other
representative for a child at the expense of the parties.
m. Impose a procedure to protect a party or child from risk
of harm, harassment, or intimidation.
n. Allocate arbitration fees, attorney fees, expert witness
fees, and other costs to the parties.
o. Impose a sanction on a party for bad faith or misconduct
during the arbitration according to standards governing
imposition of a sanction for litigant misconduct in a family
law proceeding.
4. An arbitrator shall not allow ex parte communication
except to the extent allowed in a family law proceeding for
communication with a judge.
Sec. 14. NEW SECTION . 598A.14 Recording of hearing.
House File 2619, p. 9
An arbitration hearing need not be recorded unless required
by the arbitrator, provided by the arbitration agreement, or
requested by a party.
Sec. 15. NEW SECTION . 598A.15 Award.
1. An arbitrator shall make an award in a record, dated and
signed by the arbitrator. The arbitrator shall give notice of
the award to each party by a method agreed on by the parties
or, if the parties have not agreed on a method, under section
679A.15.
2. a. Except as provided in paragraph "b", the arbitrator
shall make written findings explaining an award.
b. Except as provided in subsection 3, the parties, by
agreement, may stipulate that paragraph "a" does not apply.
3. Notwithstanding subsection 2, paragraph "b", for an award
determining a child custody dispute or a child support dispute,
the arbitrator shall state the reasons on which the award is
based as required by chapter 598.
4. An award is not enforceable as a judgment until confirmed
under section 598A.16.
Sec. 16. NEW SECTION . 598A.16 Confirmation of award.
1. After an arbitrator gives notice under section 598A.15,
subsection 1, or makes a correction under section 598A.17, a
party may move the court for an order confirming the award or,
when applicable, entry of the decree of dissolution of marriage
incorporating the award.
2. Except as set forth in subsection 3, the court shall
confirm an award if any of the following apply:
a. The parties agree in a record to confirmation.
b. All of the following apply:
(1) The time period under section 598A.18 has expired, and
no motion is pending under section 598A.18.
(2) The time period under section 598A.19, subsection 5, has
expired, and no motion is pending under section 598A.19.
3. If an award determines a child custody dispute or a
child support dispute, the court shall confirm the award under
subsection 2 if the court finds, after a review of the record
if necessary, that the award on its face does all of the
following :
a. Complies with section 598A.15 and chapter 598 or 600B.
House File 2619, p. 10
b. Is in the best interests of the child.
4. On confirmation, an award is enforceable as a judgment.
5. Unless the parties otherwise agree, the arbitration
proceedings and the arbitration award are confidential. If
either party includes, in the motion under subsection 1, a
request that the arbitration award be filed under seal, the
court shall file the award under seal.
Sec. 17. NEW SECTION . 598A.17 Correction by arbitrator of
unconfirmed award.
On motion of a party made not later than twenty days after
an arbitrator gives notice under section 598A.15, subsection
1, the arbitrator may correct the award if the award has an
evident mathematical miscalculation or an evident mistake in
the description of a person, thing, or property or to clarify
the award.
Sec. 18. NEW SECTION . 598A.18 Correction or confirmation
by court of unconfirmed award.
1. On motion of a party made not later than thirty days
after an arbitrator gives notice under section 598A.15,
subsection 1, or makes a correction under section 598A.17, the
court shall correct the award if any of the following are true:
a. The award has an evident mathematical miscalculation or
an evident mistake in the description of a person, thing, or
property .
b. The arbitrator made an award on a family law dispute not
submitted to the arbitrator, and the award may be corrected
without affecting the merits of the issues submitted.
2. A motion under this section to correct an award may be
joined with a motion to vacate or amend the award under section
598A.19 .
3. Unless a motion under section 598A.19 is pending, the
court may confirm a corrected award under section 598A.16.
Sec. 19. NEW SECTION . 598A.19 Vacation, amendment, or
confirmation by court of unconfirmed award.
1. Subject to subsection 2, on motion of a party, the
court shall vacate an unconfirmed award if the moving party
establishes any of the following:
a. The award was procured by corruption, fraud, or other
undue means.
House File 2619, p. 11
b. There was any of the following:
(1) Evident partiality by the arbitrator.
(2) Corruption by the arbitrator.
(3) Misconduct by the arbitrator substantially prejudicing
the rights of a party.
c. The arbitrator refused to postpone a hearing on showing
of sufficient cause for postponement, refused to consider
evidence material to the controversy, or otherwise conducted
the hearing contrary to section 598A.13, so as to prejudice
substantially the rights of a party.
d. The arbitrator exceeded the arbitrator's powers.
e. No arbitration agreement exists, unless the moving
party participated in the arbitration without making a motion
under section 598A.7 not later than the beginning of the first
arbitration hearing.
f. The arbitration was conducted without proper notice under
section 598A.6, so as to prejudice substantially the rights of
a party.
2. Subject to subsection 3, on motion of a party, the court
shall vacate an unconfirmed award which determines a child
custody dispute or a child support dispute if the moving party
establishes any of the following:
a. That the award does not comply with section 598A.15 or
chapter 598 or 600B or is contrary to the best interests of the
child .
b. That the statement of reasons in the award is inadequate
for the court to review the award.
c. That a ground for vacating the award under subsection 1
exists .
3. If an award is subject to vacation under subsection
2, paragraph "a", on motion of a party, the court may amend
the award, if amending rather than vacating is in the best
interests of the child.
4. The court may determine a motion under subsection 2 or
3 as follows:
a. Based on the record of the arbitration hearing, if the
hearing was recorded, and facts occurring after the hearing.
b. If there is no record, de novo.
5. A motion under this section to vacate or amend an award
House File 2619, p. 12
must be filed not later than thirty days after the following:
a. Except as set forth in paragraph "b", after an arbitrator
gives notice under section 598A.15, subsection 1, or makes a
correction under section 598A.17.
b. For a motion under subsection 1, paragraph "a", the
ground of corruption, fraud, or other undue means is known or,
by the exercise of reasonable care, should be known to the
party filing the motion.
6. If the court under this section vacates an award for a
reason other than the absence of an enforceable arbitration
agreement, the court may order a rehearing before an
arbitrator. The rehearing shall be before another arbitrator
if the reason for vacating the award is any of the following:
a. The award was procured by corruption, fraud, or other
undue means.
b. There was evident partiality, corruption, or misconduct
by the arbitrator.
7. If the court under this section denies a motion to vacate
or amend an award, unless a motion is pending under section
598A.18, the court may confirm the award under section 598A.16.
Sec. 20. NEW SECTION . 598A.20 Clarification of confirmed
award.
If the meaning or effect of an award confirmed under section
598A.16 is in dispute, the parties may do any of the following:
1. Agree to arbitrate the family law dispute before the
original arbitrator or another arbitrator.
2. Proceed under rule of civil procedure 1.1101.
Sec. 21. NEW SECTION . 598A.21 Judgment on award.
1. On granting an order confirming, vacating without
directing a rehearing, or amending an award under this chapter,
the court shall enter judgment in conformity with the order.
2. On motion of a party, the court shall order that a
document or part of the arbitration record be sealed or
redacted to prevent public disclosure of all or part of the
record or award.
Sec. 22. NEW SECTION . 598A.22 Modification of confirmed
award or judgment.
If a party requests under law of this state other than
this chapter modification of an award confirmed under section
House File 2619, p. 13
598A.16 or of a judgment on an award, based on a fact occurring
after confirmation:
1. The parties shall proceed under the dispute resolution
method specified in the award or judgment.
2. If the award or judgment does not specify a dispute
resolution method, the parties may do any of the following:
a. Agree to arbitrate the modification before the original
arbitrator or another arbitrator.
b. Absent agreement, proceed under chapter 598 or 600B and
the applicable Iowa rules of civil procedure.
Sec. 23. NEW SECTION . 598A.23 Enforcement of confirmed
award.
1. A court shall enforce an award confirmed under section
598A.16, including a temporary award, in the manner and to the
same extent as any other order or judgment of a court.
2. A court shall enforce an arbitration award in a family
law dispute confirmed by a court in another state in the manner
and to the same extent as any other order or judgment from
another state.
Sec. 24. NEW SECTION . 598A.24 Appeal.
1. An appeal may be taken under this chapter from all of the
following :
a. An order granting or denying a motion to compel
arbitration .
b. An order granting or denying a motion to stay
arbitration .
c. An order confirming or denying confirmation of an award.
d. An order correcting an award.
e. An order vacating an award without directing a rehearing.
f. A final judgment.
2. An appeal under this section may be taken as from an
order or a judgment in a civil action.
Sec. 25. NEW SECTION . 598A.26 Uniformity of application
and construction.
In applying and construing this uniform act, consideration
must be given to the need to promote uniformity of the law with
respect to its subject matter among states that enact it.
Sec. 26. NEW SECTION . 598A.27 Relation to Electronic
Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act.
House File 2619, p. 14
To the extent permitted by section 102 of the federal
Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, 15
Ü.S.C. §7002, this chapter may supersede provisions of that
Act .
Sec. 27. NEW SECTION . 598A.28 Transitional provision.
1. This chapter applies to arbitration of a family law
dispute under an arbitration agreement made on or after the
effective date of this Act.
2. If an arbitration agreement was made before the effective
date of this Act, the parties may agree in a record that this
chapter applies to the arbitration.
PAT GRASSLEY
Speakerof the House
X6t^
AMY SINCLAIR
President of the Senate
I hereby certify that this bill originated in the House and
is known as House File 2619, Ninety-first General Assembly.
Approved
MEGHAN NELSON
Chief Clerk of the House
1 KIM REFOLDS /j
Governor