An individual may seek district court review of certain child support services or licensing authority decisions, and the filing triggers an automatic stay of licensing actions.
1. Following the issuance of a written decision by child support services under section 252J.6 which includes the issuance of a certificate of noncompliance, or following provision of notice to the individual by a licensing authority pursuant to section 252J.8, an individual may seek review of the decision and request a hearing before the district court as follows: a. If the action is a result of section 252J.2, subsection 2, paragraph “a”, in the county in which the underlying support order is filed, by filing an application with the district court, and sending a copy of the application to child support services. b. If the action is a result of section 252J.2, subsection 2, paragraph “b”, and the individual is not an obligor, in a county in which the dependent child or children reside if the child or children reside in Iowa; in the county in which the dependent child or children last received public assistance if the child or children received public assistance in Iowa; or in the county in which the individual resides if the action is the result of a request from a child support agency in another state or foreign country. 2. An application shall be filed to seek review of the decision by child support services or following issuance of notice by the licensing authority no later than within thirty days after the issuance of the notice pursuant to section 252J.8. The clerk of the district court shall schedule a hearing and mail a copy of the order scheduling the hearing to the individual and child support services and shall also mail a copy of the order to the licensing authority, if applicable. Child support services shall certify a copy of its written decision and certificate of noncompliance, indicating the date of issuance, and the licensing authority shall certify a copy of a notice issued pursuant to section 252J.8, to the court prior to the hearing. 3. The filing of an application pursuant to this section shall automatically stay the actions of a licensing authority pursuant to section 252J.8. The hearing on the application shall be scheduled and held within thirty days of the filing of the application. However, if the individual fails to appear at the scheduled hearing, the stay shall be lifted and the licensing authority shall continue procedures pursuant to section 252J.8. 4. The scope of review by the district court shall be limited to demonstration of a mistake of fact relating to the delinquency of the obligor or the noncompliance of the individual with a subpoena or warrant. Issues related to visitation, custody, or other provisions not related to the support provisions of a support order are not grounds for a hearing under this chapter. 5. Support orders shall not be modified by the court in a hearing under this chapter. 6. If the court finds that child support services was in error in issuing a certificate of noncompliance, or in failing to issue a withdrawal of a certificate of noncompliance, child support services shall issue a withdrawal of a certificate of noncompliance to the appropriate licensing authority. 95 Acts, ch 115, §9; 97 Acts, ch 175, §121; 2009 Acts, ch 41, §246; 2015 Acts, ch 110, §110; 2023 Acts, ch 19, §969 – 971 Referred to in §252J.6, 252J.8, 522C.16, 522F.23