House File 644 - Enrolled House File 644 AN ACT RELATING TO THE DELEGATION OF CUSTODIAL RIGHTS AND DUTIES WITH RESPECT TO A CHILD. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA: DIVISION I DELEGATION OF CUSTODIAL RIGHTS AND DUTIES —— CONTINGENT ON NONENACTMENT OF LEGISLATION Section 1. Section 232.2, subsection 12, paragraph c, Code 2025, is amended to read as follows: c. (1) All rights and duties of a custodian shall be subject to any residual rights and duties remaining in a parent or guardian. (2) Notwithstanding subparagraph (1), the department may consent to emergency medical care and routine medical care for a child that will allow the child to experience childhood and participate in activities in a manner similar to the child’s peers. “Routine medical care” includes but is not limited to all of the following: (a) Preventative care, also known as wellness care, not including the administration of a vaccination. (b) Nonemergency medical care including but not limited to a physical examination, a diagnostic laboratory test, or a medical visit for a minor illness.

House File 644, p. 2 (c) Use of necessary medication, including but not limited to antibiotics. (3) Notwithstanding subparagraph (1), the department may consent to a child’s participation in an individualized education program. Sec. 2. Section 232.2, subsection 12, Code 2025, is amended by adding the following new paragraph: NEW PARAGRAPH . d. If a court order entered under this chapter transfers legal custody of a child to the department, the department shall have the authority to delegate the department’s rights and duties as custodian of the child to a licensee under chapter 237. Sec. 3. Section 237.10, subsection 1, Code 2025, is amended by adding the following new paragraph: NEW PARAGRAPH . d. (1) The department shall notify an individual licensee, and the parents or guardians of a child, if the department delegates the department’s right to consent to emergency medical care and routine medical care on behalf of the child under section 232.2, paragraph “c” , to the individual licensee. (2) The department shall notify the department of education, an individual licensee, and the parents or guardians of a child if the department delegates the department’s right to consent to participation in an individualized education program on behalf of the child under section 232.2, paragraph “c” , to the individual licensee. Sec. 4. CONTINGENT EFFECTIVE DATE. This division of this Act takes effect unless division II of this Act takes effect. DIVISION II DELEGATION OF CUSTODIAL RIGHTS AND DUTIES —— CONTINGENT ON ENACTMENT OF LEGISLATION Sec. 5. Section 232.2, subsection 12, paragraph c, Code 2025, is amended to read as follows: c. (1) All rights and duties of a custodian shall be subject to any residual rights and duties remaining in a parent or guardian. (2) Notwithstanding subparagraph (1), the department may consent to emergency medical care and routine medical care for a child that will allow the child to experience childhood and

House File 644, p. 3 participate in activities in a manner similar to the child’s peers. “Routine medical care” includes but is not limited to all of the following: (a) Preventative care, also known as wellness care, not including the administration of a vaccination. (b) Nonemergency medical care including but not limited to a physical examination, a diagnostic laboratory test, or a medical visit for a minor illness. (c) Use of necessary medication, including but not limited to antibiotics. (3) Notwithstanding subparagraph (1), the department may consent to a child’s participation in an individualized education program. Sec. 6. Section 232.2, subsection 12, Code 2025, is amended by adding the following new paragraph: NEW PARAGRAPH . d. If a court order entered under this chapter transfers legal custody of a child to the department, the department shall have the authority to delegate the department’s rights and duties as custodian of the child to an individual licensee, or an approved kinship caregiver under chapter 237. Sec. 7. Section 237.10, subsection 1, Code 2025, is amended by adding the following new paragraph: NEW PARAGRAPH . d. (1) The department shall notify an individual licensee or an approved kinship caregiver, and the parents or guardians of a child, if the department delegates the department’s right to consent to emergency medical care and routine medical care on behalf of the child under section 232.2, paragraph “c” , to the individual licensee or approved kinship caregiver. (2) The department shall notify the department of education, an individual licensee or an approved kinship caregiver, and the parents or guardians of a child, if the department delegates the department’s right to consent to participation in an individualized education program on behalf of the child under section 232.2, paragraph “c” , to the individual licensee or approved kinship caregiver. Sec. 8. CONTINGENT EFFECTIVE DATE. This division of this Act takes effect July 1, 2025, only if 2025 Iowa Acts, Senate

House File 644, p. 4 File 582, or House File 757, or successor legislation to Senate File 582 or House File 757, is enacted on or before July 1, 2025. ______________________________ PAT GRASSLEY Speaker of the House ______________________________ AMY SINCLAIR President of the Senate I hereby certify that this bill originated in the House and is known as House File 644, Ninety-first General Assembly. ______________________________ MEGHAN NELSON Chief Clerk of the House Approved _______________, 2025 ______________________________ KIM REYNOLDS Governor