A bill for an act relating to the establishment or modification of legal custody of a child.

This bill (SF 523) changes Iowa's legal custody rules for children in divorce cases. It allows courts to award parents "separate rights and responsibilities" under joint legal custody when it benefits the child, rather than requiring shared decision-making. Parents can also propose a parenting plan outlining specific duties and time-sharing, which courts must approve unless it harms the child's best interest. The bill creates a clear process for resolving custody disputes: a parent files a court application, and the court must hold a hearing to decide in the child's best interest. It directly affects parents and children involved in divorce proceedings where custody is contested or modified.