HOUSE FILE 423

BY  SCHULTE

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to quality standards for children in a foster care, preadoption or adoption, or subsidized guardianship placement.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

   Section 1.  NEW SECTION.  234.5  Quality standards for children in placement —— legislative intent.
   1.  For the purposes of this section,“child in placement”means a child in a foster care, preadoption or adoption, or subsidized guardianship placement in accordance with a court order or agreement with the department of human services.
   2.  It is the intent of the general assembly that the department of human services and others providing care or other support for a child in placement will strive to attain the quality standards enumerated in this subsection. The quality standards for each child in placement include all of the following:
   a.  Being treated with respect.
   b.  Being safe and well cared for.
   c.  Being accepted for who they are.
   d.  Maintaining and developing lifelong family connections.
   e.  Being fully informed about changes that affect them and why the changes are being made.
   f.  Having an opportunity to attend hearings regarding their care.
   g.  Receiving adequate health and mental health care.
   h.  Having access to a good, stable education.
   i.  Attaining the skills, knowledge, and resources needed to become an independent adult.
   j.  Achieving permanency.
   k.  Receiving assistance if these quality standards are not being attained.
   3.  The department of human services shall work with those persons providing care and other support to children in placement to develop written materials and other forms of communication to build awareness among providers and children in placement concerning the quality standards enumerated in this section.
EXPLANATION
   This bill relates to quality standards for a “child in placement”, which is defined by the bill in new Code section 234.5 to mean a child in a foster care, preadoption or adoption, or subsidized guardianship placement in accordance with a court order or agreement with the department of human services.
   The bill states legislative intent that the department of human services and others providing care or other support for a child in placement will strive to attain a list of quality standards for each child during placement. The list includes being treated with respect, receiving adequate health and mental health care, achieving permanency, and receiving assistance if the quality standards are not being attained.
   The department is required to work with other persons to develop written materials and other forms of communication to build awareness among providers and children in placement concerning the quality standards.