Senate File 35SENATE FILE BY ZIEMAN Passed Senate, Date Passed House, Date Vote: Ayes Nays Vote: Ayes Nays Approved A BILL FOR 1 An Act relating to the criminal offense of child endangerment. 2 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA: 3 TLSB 1834SS 82 4 jm/es/88 PAG LIN 1 1 Section 1. Section 726.6, subsection 1, paragraph d, Code 1 2 2007, is amended to read as follows: 1 3 d. Willfully deprives a child or minor of necessary food, 1 4 clothing, shelter, health care, or supervision appropriate to 1 5 the child or minor's age, when the person is reasonably able 1 6 to make the necessary provisions and which deprivation 1 7 substantially harms the child or minor's physical, mental, or 1 8 emotional health. For purposes of this paragraph, the failure 1 9 to provide specific medical treatment shall not for that 1 10 reason alone be considered willful deprivation of health care 1 11 if the person can show that such treatment would conflict with 1 12 the tenets and practice of a recognized religious denomination 1 13 of which the person is an adherent or member. This exception 1 14 does not in any manner restrict the right of an interested 1 15 party to petition the court on behalf of the best interest of 1 16 the child or minor.1 17 EXPLANATION 1 18 This bill relates to the criminal offense of child 1 19 endangerment. 1 20 The bill strikes a provision exempting a person from 1 21 committing child endangerment based solely on the willful 1 22 deprivation of health care if the person can prove the reason 1 23 for withholding medical treatment is for religious purposes 1 24 and such treatment would conflict with the tenets and 1 25 practices of their religious denomination. 1 26 LSB 1834SS 82 1 27 jm:nh/es/88