HF 2219 (LSB 5095YH (6) 91)

HOUSE FILE 2219

BY  CROKEN, MADISON, KURTH, and RAMIREZ

A BILL FOR

An Act requiring postadoption interviews of adoptive parents and adopted persons by the department of health and human services, and including applicability provisions.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  NEW SECTION.  600.8A  Postadoption interviews.
   1.  The department shall conduct an interview with the parent named in a final adoption decree and the adopted person at least eighteen months but no later than thirty-six months from the date of the final adoption decree issued by the court establishing the parent-child relationship between the parent named in the final adoption decree and the adopted person.
   2.  An interview conducted under this section must, at a minimum, consist of all of the following:
   a.  A face-to-face interview with the parent named in the final adoption decree.
   b.  A face-to-face interview with the adopted person conducted outside the presence of the parent named in the final adoption decree.
   c.  An assessment of the adopted person’s living conditions to determine the adequacy of the living conditions.
   d.  Any other interviews the department determines relevant to assess the adopted person’s well-being.
   3.  The department shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 17A to implement this section.
    Sec. 2.  APPLICABILITY.  This Act applies to adoptions in which a final adoption decree is issued on or after the effective date of this Act.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   This bill requires the department of health and human services (HHS) to conduct interviews of the parent named in a final adoption decree (adopter) and the adopted person (adoptee) at least 18 months but no later than 36 months from the date of the final adoption decree issued by the court establishing the parent-child relationship between the adopter and the adoptee. The interview must, at a minimum, consist of a face-to-face interview with the adopter, a face-to-face interview with the adoptee conducted outside the presence of the adopter, an assessment of the adoptee’s living conditions to determine the adequacy of the living conditions, and any other interviews HHS determines relevant to assess the adoptee’s well-being.
   The bill applies to adoptions in which a final adoption decree is issued on or after the effective date of the bill.