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Vilsack signs transportation, child custody legislation
By DAVID PITT/Associated Press Writer
DES MOINES -- Gov. Tom Vilsack signed the remaining two bills from this year's legislative session Wednesday, a $274 million transportation funding bill and a law that encourages courts to award joint physical care of a child in a divorce case.
The child custody bill, which goes into effect July 1, encourages judges to permit both parents to be actively involved in the lives of children. In cases where custody is awarded to one parent, they are required to support the other parent's relationship with the child.
"Physical care awarded one parent does not affect the other's rights and responsibilities as a joint legal custodian," the bill said.
Participation includes decisions about the child's medical care, education and religious instruction, the bill said.
"We took action today on what might be the most significant bill the Legislature did," Vilsack said.
The governor, who said he spent several years bouncing between separated parents, talked to child psychologists and read research on the issue before signing the bill.
He said research indicates children are better adjusted, better educated and better off when both parents participate in raising them.
"I hope it sends a message to fathers and mothers across the state that we want them to be engaged in the raising of their children and we think if they are, the outcomes for their children will be better," he said.
The bill's sponsor, Rep. Dan Boddicker, R-Tipton, said it will change the culture of divorce in the state and could encourage divorcing couples to work through their problems.
The child custody bill, which goes into effect July 1, encourages judges to permit both parents to be actively involved in the lives of children. In cases where custody is awarded to one parent, they are required to support the other parent's relationship with the child.
"Physical care awarded one parent does not affect the other's rights and responsibilities as a joint legal custodian," the bill said.
Participation includes decisions about the child's medical care, education and religious instruction, the bill said.
"We took action today on what might be the most significant bill the Legislature did," Vilsack said.
The governor, who said he spent several years bouncing between separated parents, talked to child psychologists and read research on the issue before signing the bill.
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"I hope it sends a message to fathers and mothers across the state that we want them to be engaged in the raising of their children and we think if they are, the outcomes for their children will be better," he said.
The bill's sponsor, Rep. Dan Boddicker, R-Tipton, said it will change the culture of divorce in the state and could encourage divorcing couples to work through their problems.
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