HSB 522 (LSB 5340YC (3) 86)

HOUSE FILE _____

BY  (PROPOSED COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY BILL BY CHAIRPERSON BALTIMORE)

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to the appointment of a guardian ad litem in an adoption proceeding.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 600.5, Code 2016, is amended by adding the following new subsection:
   NEW SUBSECTION.  13.  Whether or not a guardian ad litem should be appointed for a minor child to be adopted, and if not, the reasons therefor.
    Sec. 2.  NEW SECTION.  600.6A  Court determination of appointment of guardian ad litem prior to setting adoption hearing.
   Prior to ordering a hearing on the adoption petition, the court shall make a determination of the need for a guardian ad litem for a minor child to be adopted and shall, in writing, either appoint or waive the appointment of a guardian ad litem for purposes of the adoption proceeding in the order setting the adoption hearing.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with

the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   This bill relates to the appointment of a guardian ad litem (GAL) for a minor person in an adoption proceeding. Under the bill, an adoption petition is to state whether a GAL should be appointed for a minor child to be adopted, and if not, the reasons why a GAL should not be appointed. The bill also requires that, prior to ordering a hearing on the adoption petition, the court shall make a determination of the need for a GAL for a minor child to be adopted and shall, in writing, either appoint or waive the appointment of a GAL for purposes of the adoption proceeding in the order setting the adoption hearing.