235A.24  Order for disclosure or release of child abuse information.
  1.  a.  If a person’s request for information relating to a case of founded child abuse under section 235A.15, subsection 9, is denied or such person does not believe the department has substantially complied with the request and seeks additional information, the person may apply to the juvenile court for an order compelling disclosure of the information.
  b.  The director or the director’s designee may apply, if the conditions under section 235A.15, subsection 11 or 12, are met, to the court requesting a review of confidential information proposed for release and an order authorizing the release of information. A release of information that would otherwise be confidential under section 217.30 concerning social services provided to the child or the child’s family shall not include information concerning financial or medical assistance provided to the child or the child’s family.
  2.  The application shall state in reasonable detail the factors in support of the application. The juvenile court shall have jurisdiction to issue the order. A hearing shall be set immediately upon filing of an application under this section and subsequent proceedings shall be accorded priority by other courts.
  3.  In considering the application, the court shall weigh the public’s interest and right to know the information against the privacy rights of the victim of the child abuse and other individuals who may be affected by the release of the information relating to the case of child abuse.
  4.  After the court has reviewed the information relating to the case in camera, unless the court finds that a restriction listed in section 235A.15, subsection 9, is applicable, the court may issue an order compelling disclosure or authorizing release of the information relating to the case.
2000 Acts, ch 1137, §12, 14; 2004 Acts, ch 1153, §8; 2023 Acts, ch 19, §714
Referred to in §235A.12, 235A.15
Subsection 1, paragraph b amended