When couples who have children get divorced, the mother is typically favored when it comes to parental custody but a bill being considered by the Iowa legislature would even that playing field.

State Representative Ralph Watts says the idea was brought up by several fathers who were left out of their children’s lives due to divorce.

“The bill that we passed would make the presumption from the get-go in a divorce case that the parents would be allowed 50-50 (custody).  It would require joint physical custody of the children unless it is determined by the court to not be in the best interest of the child and they could make that determination. But at least it provides a midpoint as a start for the parents to workout an arrangement.”

Watts says it’s a bill he voted in favor of.

“I think that’s a fair thing to do.  We wish there weren’t as many divorces as there are or there seems to be and this will hopefully give us a better opportunity for both parents to be a part of the lives of the children because that’s extremely important in most cases.”

The bill passed in the House with a 56 to 41 vote with three representatives absent or not voting.  Four Democrats voted for the bill, while four Republicans were among those voting against it.