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232.97 Social investigation and report.

1. The court shall not make a disposition of the petition until two working days after a social report has been submitted to the court and counsel for the child and has been considered by the court. The court may waive the two-day requirement upon agreement by all the parties. The court may direct either the juvenile court officer or the department of human services or any other agency licensed by the state to conduct a social investigation and to prepare a social report which may include any evidence provided by an individual providing foster care for the child. A report prepared shall include any founded reports of child abuse.

2. The social investigation may be conducted and the social history may be submitted to the court prior to the adjudication of the child as a child in need of assistance with the consent of the parties.

3. The social report shall not be disclosed except as provided in this section and except as otherwise provided in this chapter. Prior to the hearing at which the disposition is determined, the court shall permit counsel for the child, counsel for the child's parent, guardian or custodian, and the guardian ad litem to inspect any social report to be considered by the court. The court may in its discretion order counsel not to disclose parts of the report to the child, or to the parent, guardian or custodian if disclosure would seriously harm the treatment or rehabilitation of the child or would violate a promise of confidentiality given to a source of information.

Section History: Early form

[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, § 232.14; C79, 81, § 232.97]

Section History: Recent form

83 Acts, ch 96, § 157, 159; 83 Acts, ch 186, § 10055, 10201; 84 Acts, ch 1279, § 14; 86 Acts, ch 1186, § 9


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