House File 2507 - Reprinted HOUSE FILE 2507 BY COMMITTEE ON HUMAN RESOURCES (SUCCESSOR TO HSB 653) (As Amended and Passed by the House March 10, 2022 ) A BILL FOR An Act relating to juvenile justice including juvenile 1 delinquency, child in need of assistance and family in 2 need of assistance proceedings, juvenile justice reform, 3 and juvenile court expenses and costs, and including 4 effective date, applicability, and retroactive applicability 5 provisions. 6 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA: 7 HF 2507 (7) 89 dg/rh/md
H.F. 2507 DIVISION I 1 JUVENILE JUSTICE —— CONSTRUCTION AND DEFINITIONS 2 Section 1. Section 232.1, Code 2022, is amended to read as 3 follows: 4 232.1 Rules of construction. 5 This chapter shall be liberally construed to the end that 6 each child under the jurisdiction of the court shall receive, 7 preferably in the child’s own home, the care, guidance and 8 control that will best serve the child’s welfare and the best 9 interest of the state. When a child is removed from the 10 control of the child’s parents, the court shall secure the 11 least restrictive care for the child care as nearly as possible 12 equivalent to that which should have been given by the parents 13 child’s placement with a preference for placement with the 14 child’s family or a fictive kin . 15 Sec. 2. Section 232.2, subsection 6, Code 2022, is amended 16 by striking the subsection and inserting in lieu thereof the 17 following: 18 6. “Child in need of assistance” means a child who has been 19 found to meet the grounds for adjudication pursuant to section 20 232.96A. 21 Sec. 3. Section 232.2, subsection 9, Code 2022, is amended 22 to read as follows: 23 9. “Court appointed special advocate” means a person duly 24 certified by the child advocacy board created in section 25 237.16 for participation in the court appointed special 26 advocate program and appointed by the court to represent the 27 interests of a child in any judicial proceeding to which the 28 child is a party or is called as a witness or relating to any 29 dispositional order involving the child resulting from such 30 proceeding carry out duties pursuant to section 237.24 . 31 Sec. 4. Section 232.2, Code 2022, is amended by adding the 32 following new subsections: 33 NEW SUBSECTION . 20A. “Fictive kin” means an adult person 34 who is not a relative of a child but who has an emotionally 35 -1- HF 2507 (7) 89 dg/rh/md 1/ 47
H.F. 2507 positive significant relationship with the child or the child’s 1 family. 2 NEW SUBSECTION . 20B. “Foster care” means the provision of 3 parental nurturing, including but not limited to the furnishing 4 of food, lodging, training, education, supervision, treatment, 5 or other care, to a child on a full-time basis by a person, 6 including an adult relative or fictive kin of the child, and 7 where the child is under the placement, care, or supervision 8 of the department, juvenile court services, or tribes with 9 whom the department has entered into an agreement pursuant 10 to a court order or voluntary placement, but not including a 11 guardian of the child. 12 Sec. 5. Section 232.2, subsection 21, paragraph a, Code 13 2022, is amended to read as follows: 14 a. “Guardian” means a person who is not the parent of 15 a child, but who has been appointed by a court or juvenile 16 court having jurisdiction over the child, to have a permanent 17 self-sustaining relationship with the child and to make 18 important decisions which have a permanent effect on the life 19 and development of that child and to promote the general 20 welfare of that child. A guardian may be a court or a juvenile 21 court . Guardian does not mean conservator, as defined in 22 section 633.3 , although a person who is appointed to be a 23 guardian may also be appointed to be a conservator. 24 Sec. 6. Section 232.2, subsection 22, paragraph a, Code 25 2022, is amended to read as follows: 26 a. “Guardian ad litem” means a person appointed by the 27 court to represent the interests of a child in any judicial 28 proceeding to which the child is a party , and includes a court 29 appointed special advocate, except that a court appointed 30 special advocate shall not file motions or petitions pursuant 31 to section 232.54, subsection 1 , paragraphs “a” and “d” , section 32 232.103, subsection 2 , paragraph “c” , and section 232.111 . 33 Sec. 7. Section 232.2, subsection 22, paragraph b, 34 unnumbered paragraph 1, Code 2022, is amended to read as 35 -2- HF 2507 (7) 89 dg/rh/md 2/ 47
H.F. 2507 follows: 1 Unless otherwise enlarged or circumscribed after a finding 2 of good cause by a court or juvenile court having jurisdiction 3 over the child or by operation of law, the duties of a guardian 4 ad litem with respect to a child shall include the following: 5 Sec. 8. Section 232.2, subsection 22, paragraph b, Code 6 2022, is amended by adding the following new subparagraphs: 7 NEW SUBPARAGRAPH . (8) Submitting a written report to 8 the juvenile court and to each of the parties detailing 9 compliance with this subsection. If the guardian ad litem 10 is also appointed to represent the child as an attorney, the 11 written report shall contain an assessment of this dual role 12 and whether there is a need for the court to appoint a separate 13 guardian ad litem. A written report shall be submitted for 14 each court hearing unless otherwise ordered by the court. 15 NEW SUBPARAGRAPH . (9) Providing a sibling of a child 16 not placed with the child with the reasons why the child and 17 the sibling have not been placed together and an explanation 18 of the efforts being made to facilitate placement together 19 or why efforts to place the child and sibling together 20 are not appropriate. This subparagraph shall not apply if 21 the sibling’s age or mental state makes such explanations 22 inappropriate. 23 Sec. 9. Section 232.2, subsection 22, Code 2022, is amended 24 by adding the following new paragraph: 25 NEW PARAGRAPH . e. In determining the best interests of 26 the child, rather than relying solely on a guardian ad litem’s 27 life experiences or instinct, a guardian ad litem shall, with 28 the primary goal of achieving permanency for the child by 29 preserving the child’s family or reunifying the child with the 30 child’s family, do all of the following: 31 (1) Determine the child’s circumstances through a full, 32 independent, and efficient investigation, including the 33 information gathered from the child’s medical, mental health, 34 and education professionals, social workers, other relevant 35 -3- HF 2507 (7) 89 dg/rh/md 3/ 47
H.F. 2507 experts, and other sources obtained in accordance with this 1 subsection. 2 (2) Assess the child and the totality of the child’s 3 circumstances at the time of each placement determination, 4 including any potential trauma to the child that may be caused 5 by any recommended action. 6 (3) Examine all options available to the child in light of 7 the permanency plans. 8 (4) Incorporate a child’s expressed wishes in 9 recommendations and reports. 10 Sec. 10. Section 232.2, Code 2022, is amended by adding the 11 following new subsection: 12 NEW SUBSECTION . 35A. “Neglect” means the failure on the 13 part of a person responsible for the care of a child to provide 14 for adequate food, shelter, clothing, medical or mental health 15 treatment, supervision, or other care necessary for the child’s 16 health and welfare when financially able to do so or when 17 offered financial or other reasonable means to do so. 18 Sec. 11. Section 232.2, subsection 42, Code 2022, is amended 19 to read as follows: 20 42. “Physical abuse or neglect” or “abuse or neglect” 21 “Physical abuse” means any nonaccidental physical injury 22 suffered by a child as the result of the acts or omissions of 23 the child’s parent, guardian, or custodian or other person 24 legally responsible for the child. 25 Sec. 12. Section 232.2, Code 2022, is amended by adding the 26 following new subsection: 27 NEW SUBSECTION . 045A. “Putative father” means a person who 28 has been identified by the mother of a child as the child’s 29 potential biological father or a person who claims to be the 30 biological father of a child and who was not married to the 31 child’s mother at the time of the child’s birth, when all of 32 the following circumstances apply: 33 a. Biological testing has not excluded the person as the 34 child’s biological father. 35 -4- HF 2507 (7) 89 dg/rh/md 4/ 47
H.F. 2507 b. No legal father has been established, biological 1 testing excludes the previously identified father, or previous 2 paternity has otherwise been disestablished. 3 c. Information sufficient to identify and find the person 4 has been provided to the county attorney by the mother, the 5 person, or a party to proceedings under this chapter. 6 d. The person has not been found by a court to be 7 uncooperative with genetic testing. 8 Sec. 13. Section 232.2, subsection 46A, Code 2022, is 9 amended by striking the subsection and inserting in lieu 10 thereof the following: 11 46A. “Relative” means an individual related to a child 12 within the fourth degree of consanguinity or affinity, by 13 marriage, or through adoption. For purposes of subchapters III 14 and IV, “relative” includes the parent of a sibling of the child 15 if the sibling’s parent’s parental rights were not previously 16 terminated in relation to the child. 17 Sec. 14. Section 232.2, subsection 52, Code 2022, is amended 18 to read as follows: 19 52. “Sibling” means an individual who is related to 20 another individual by blood, adoption, or affinity through a 21 common legal or biological parent , regardless of whether a 22 common legal or biological parent’s parental rights have been 23 terminated . 24 Sec. 15. Section 232.3, subsection 1, Code 2022, is amended 25 to read as follows: 26 1. During the pendency of an action under this chapter , a 27 party to the action is estopped from litigating concurrently 28 the custody, guardianship, or placement of a child who 29 is the subject of the action, in a court other than the 30 juvenile court. A district judge, district associate judge, 31 magistrate, or judicial hospitalization referee, upon notice 32 of the pendency of an action under this chapter , shall not 33 issue an order, finding, or decision relating to the custody, 34 guardianship, or placement of the child who is the subject of 35 -5- HF 2507 (7) 89 dg/rh/md 5/ 47
H.F. 2507 the action, under any law, including but not limited to chapter 1 232D, 598, 598B , or 633 . 2 DIVISION II 3 JUVENILE DELINQUENCY PROCEEDINGS —— TAKING A CHILD INTO CUSTODY 4 Sec. 16. Section 232.19, subsection 1, paragraph c, Code 5 2022, is amended to read as follows: 6 c. By a peace officer, when the peace officer has 7 reasonable grounds to believe the child has run away from the 8 child’s parents, guardian, or custodian, for the purposes 9 of determining whether the child shall be reunited with the 10 child’s parents, guardian, or custodian , or placed in shelter 11 care , or, if the child is a chronic runaway and the county has 12 an approved county runaway treatment plan, placed in a runaway 13 assessment center under section 232.196 . 14 DIVISION III 15 JUVENILE DELINQUENCY PROCEEDINGS —— JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS 16 Sec. 17. Section 232.37, subsection 4, Code 2022, is amended 17 to read as follows: 18 4. Service of summons or notice shall be made personally 19 by the sheriff by delivering a copy of the summons or notice 20 to the person being served. If the court determines that 21 personal service of a summons or notice is impracticable, the 22 court may order service by certified mail addressed to the last 23 known address, by publication, or by electronic mail or other 24 electronic means with the consent of the party to be served. 25 Service of summons or notice shall be made not less than five 26 days before the time fixed for hearing. Service of summons, 27 notice, subpoenas or other process, after an initial valid 28 summons or notice, shall be made in accordance with the rules 29 of the court governing such service in civil actions. 30 Sec. 18. Section 232.57, subsection 2, paragraphs d, e, f, 31 and g, Code 2022, are amended to read as follows: 32 d. The parent has been convicted of the murder of another 33 child of the parent . 34 e. The parent has been convicted of the voluntary 35 -6- HF 2507 (7) 89 dg/rh/md 6/ 47
H.F. 2507 manslaughter of another child of the parent . 1 f. The parent has been convicted of aiding or abetting, 2 attempting, conspiring in, or soliciting the commission of 3 the murder or voluntary manslaughter of another child of the 4 parent . 5 g. The parent has been convicted of a felony assault which 6 resulted in serious bodily injury of the child or of another 7 child of the parent . 8 DIVISION IV 9 CHILD IN NEED OF ASSISTANCE PROCEEDINGS —— CHILD ABUSE 10 REPORTING, ASSESSMENT, AND REHABILITATION 11 Sec. 19. Section 232.67, Code 2022, is amended to read as 12 follows: 13 232.67 Legislative findings —— purpose and policy. 14 Children in this state are in urgent need of protection 15 from abuse. It is the purpose and policy of this part 2 of 16 subchapter III to provide the greatest possible protection 17 to victims or potential victims of abuse through encouraging 18 the increased reporting of suspected cases of abuse, ensuring 19 the thorough and prompt assessment of these reports, and 20 providing rehabilitative services, where appropriate and 21 whenever possible to abused children and their families which 22 will stabilize the home environment so that the family can 23 remain intact without further danger to the child. The state 24 recognizes removing a child from the child’s family will cause 25 the child harm and that the harm caused by a child’s removal 26 must be weighed against the potential harm in allowing a child 27 to remain with the child’s family. 28 Sec. 20. Section 232.68, subsection 2, paragraph a, 29 subparagraph (4), subparagraph division (a), Code 2022, is 30 amended to read as follows: 31 (a) The failure on the part of a person responsible for 32 the care of a child to provide for the adequate food, shelter, 33 clothing, medical or mental health treatment, supervision, or 34 other care necessary for the child’s health and welfare when 35 -7- HF 2507 (7) 89 dg/rh/md 7/ 47
H.F. 2507 financially able to do so or when offered financial or other 1 reasonable means to do so and the failure occurred within five 2 years of a report . 3 Sec. 21. Section 232.68, subsection 2, paragraph a, 4 subparagraph (7), Code 2022, is amended to read as follows: 5 (7) The person responsible for the care of a child, 6 in the presence of a child, as defined in section 232.2, 7 subsection 6 , paragraph “p” 232.96A, subsection 16, paragraph 8 “e” , unlawfully uses, possesses, manufactures, cultivates, 9 or distributes a dangerous substance, as defined in section 10 232.2, subsection 6 , paragraph “p” 232.96A, subsection 16, 11 paragraph “f” , or knowingly allows such use, possession, 12 manufacture, cultivation, or distribution by another person in 13 the presence of a child; possesses a product with the intent 14 to use the product as a precursor or an intermediary to a 15 dangerous substance in the presence of a child; or unlawfully 16 uses, possesses, manufactures, cultivates, or distributes a 17 dangerous substance specified in section 232.2, subsection 6 , 18 paragraph “p” , subparagraph (2), subparagraph division (a), 19 (b), or (c) 232.96A, subsection 16, paragraph “f” , subparagraph 20 (1), (2), or (3) , in a child’s home, on the premises, or in a 21 motor vehicle located on the premises and the incident occurred 22 within five years of a report to the department . 23 Sec. 22. Section 232.70, subsection 1, Code 2022, is amended 24 by striking the subsection and inserting in lieu thereof the 25 following: 26 1. Each report made by a mandatory reporter, as defined 27 in section 232.69, subsection 1, or a permissive reporter, as 28 defined in section 232.69, subsection 2, shall be oral. 29 Sec. 23. Section 232.71B, subsection 11, Code 2022, is 30 amended to read as follows: 31 11. Multidisciplinary team. In each county or multicounty 32 area in which more than fifty child abuse reports are made 33 per year, the department shall establish a multidisciplinary 34 team, as defined in section 235A.13, subsection 8 . Upon the 35 -8- HF 2507 (7) 89 dg/rh/md 8/ 47
H.F. 2507 department’s request, a multidisciplinary team shall assist 1 the department in the assessment, diagnosis, and disposition 2 of a child abuse assessment and the subsequent provision of 3 services . 4 DIVISION V 5 CHILD IN NEED OF ASSISTANCE PROCEEDINGS —— TEMPORARY CUSTODY 6 OF A CHILD 7 Sec. 24. Section 232.78, subsection 1, paragraph b, Code 8 2022, is amended to read as follows: 9 b. It appears The court has found that substantial evidence 10 exists to demonstrate that the need for removal outweighs the 11 potential harm removal of the child would cause the child, 12 including but not limited to any physical, emotional, social, 13 and mental trauma the removal may cause the child. 14 c. The court finds that the child’s immediate removal 15 is necessary to avoid imminent danger to the child’s life 16 or health. The circumstances or conditions indicating the 17 presence of such imminent danger shall include but are not 18 limited to any of the following: 19 (1) The refusal or failure of the person responsible for 20 the care of the child to comply with the request of a peace 21 officer, juvenile court officer, or child protection worker 22 for such person to obtain and provide to the requester the 23 results of a physical or mental examination of the child. The 24 request for a physical examination of the child may specify the 25 performance of a medically relevant test. 26 (2) The refusal or failure of the person responsible for 27 the care of the child or a person present in the person’s home 28 to comply with a request of a peace officer, juvenile court 29 officer, or child protection worker for such a person to submit 30 to and provide to the requester the results of a medically 31 relevant test of the person. 32 Sec. 25. Section 232.78, subsection 7, Code 2022, is amended 33 to read as follows: 34 7. Any order entered under this section authorizing 35 -9- HF 2507 (7) 89 dg/rh/md 9/ 47
H.F. 2507 temporary removal of a child must include both all of the 1 following: 2 a. A determination made by the court that continuation 3 of the child in the child’s home would be contrary to the 4 welfare of the child. Such a determination must be made on a 5 case-by-case basis. The grounds for the court’s determination 6 must be explicitly documented and stated in the order. 7 However, preserving the safety of the child must be the court’s 8 paramount consideration. If imminent danger to the child’s 9 life or health exists at the time of the court’s consideration, 10 the determination shall not be a prerequisite to the removal 11 of the child. 12 b. A determination made by the court that the necessity 13 of the removal of the child from the child’s home, due to an 14 imminent risk to the child’s life or health, is greater than 15 the potential harm including but not limited to physical, 16 emotional, social, and mental trauma the removal may cause the 17 child. 18 b. c. A statement informing the child’s parent that the 19 consequences of a permanent removal may include termination of 20 the parent’s rights with respect to the child. 21 Sec. 26. Section 232.78, Code 2022, is amended by adding the 22 following new subsection: 23 NEW SUBSECTION . 8. a. If the juvenile court determines 24 that the child should be temporarily removed from the child’s 25 home under this section, the court shall consider placing the 26 child in the custody of another parent of the child. If the 27 juvenile court determines placing custody of the child with any 28 of the child’s parents is not in the child’s best interests, 29 the child’s custody shall be transferred to the department for 30 placement of the child in any of the following categories in 31 the following order of priority: 32 (1) An adult relative of the child including but not limited 33 to adult siblings and parents of siblings. 34 (2) A fictive kin. 35 -10- HF 2507 (7) 89 dg/rh/md 10/ 47
H.F. 2507 (3) Any other suitable placement identified by the child’s 1 relatives. 2 (4) An individual licensed to provide foster care pursuant 3 to chapter 237. If the child is placed with a licensed foster 4 care provider, the department shall assign decision-making 5 authority to the foster care provider for the purpose of 6 applying the reasonable and prudent parent standard during the 7 child’s placement. 8 (5) A group care facility, shelter care facility, or other 9 residential treatment facility. 10 b. (1) If the court places custody of the child with the 11 department pursuant to paragraph “a” , the court may identify a 12 category listed in paragraph “a” for placement of the child, but 13 the department shall have the authority to select the specific 14 person or facility within that category for placement, subject 15 to court review at the request of an interested party. 16 (2) The court shall give deference to the department’s 17 decision for placement of a child. A party opposed to the 18 department’s placement of a child shall have the burden 19 to prove the department failed to act in the child’s best 20 interests by unreasonably or irresponsibly failing to discharge 21 its duties in selecting a suitable placement for the child. 22 c. A juvenile court shall not order placement of a child 23 in a category listed in paragraph “a” , subparagraph (2), (3), 24 (4), or (5), without a specific finding that placement with a 25 relative is not in the child’s best interests and shall provide 26 reasons for the court’s finding. 27 Sec. 27. Section 232.79, subsection 2, Code 2022, is amended 28 by adding the following new paragraph: 29 NEW PARAGRAPH . 0c. Make every reasonable effort to place 30 the child with an adult relative or a fictive kin of the child. 31 Sec. 28. Section 232.79A, Code 2022, is amended to read as 32 follows: 33 232.79A Children without adult supervision. 34 If a peace officer determines that a child does not have 35 -11- HF 2507 (7) 89 dg/rh/md 11/ 47
H.F. 2507 adult supervision because the child’s parent, guardian, or 1 other person responsible for the care of the child has been 2 arrested and detained or has been unexpectedly incapacitated, 3 and that no adult who is legally responsible for the care 4 of the child can be located within a reasonable period of 5 time, the peace officer shall attempt to place the child with 6 an adult relative of the child , an adult person who cares 7 for the child, or another adult person who is known to the 8 child or a fictive kin . The person with whom the child is 9 placed is authorized to give consent for emergency medical 10 treatment of the child and shall not be held liable for any 11 action arising from giving the consent. Upon the request 12 of the peace officer, the department shall assist in making 13 the placement. The placement shall not exceed a period of 14 twenty-four hours and shall be terminated when a person who 15 is legally responsible for the care of the child is located 16 and takes custody of the child. If a person who is legally 17 responsible for the care of the child cannot be located within 18 the twenty-four hour period or a placement in accordance with 19 this section is unavailable, the provisions of section 232.79 20 shall apply. If the person with whom the child is placed 21 charges a fee for the care of the child, the fee shall be paid 22 from funds provided in the appropriation to the department for 23 protective child care. 24 Sec. 29. NEW SECTION . 232.79B Safety plans. 25 1. For the purposes of this section, “safety plan” means 26 a short-term, time-limited agreement entered into between the 27 department and a child’s parent designed to address signs of 28 imminent or impending danger to a child identified by the 29 department. 30 2. Upon the department’s determination that potential harm 31 to a child may be mitigated by the development of a safety 32 plan, the department may enter into a safety plan with the 33 child’s parent. 34 3. A safety plan shall not be construed as a removal from 35 -12- HF 2507 (7) 89 dg/rh/md 12/ 47
H.F. 2507 parental custody absent a court order placing the child with a 1 person or facility other than the parent who entered into the 2 safety plan. 3 4. The department shall adopt rules to implement this 4 section. 5 Sec. 30. Section 232.82, Code 2022, is amended to read as 6 follows: 7 232.82 Removal of sexual offenders , and physical abusers , and 8 domestic abusers from the residence pursuant to court order. 9 1. Notwithstanding section 561.15 , if it is alleged by 10 a person authorized to file a petition under section 232.87, 11 subsection 2 , or by the court on its own motion, that a parent, 12 guardian, custodian, or an adult member of the household in 13 which a child resides has committed a sexual offense with or 14 against the child, pursuant to chapter 709 or section 726.2 , or 15 a physical abuse as defined by in section 232.2, subsection 42 , 16 or domestic abuse assault as defined in section 708.2A, against 17 the child or another household member at a location or in a 18 manner a reasonably prudent person would know the child could 19 see, hear, or otherwise experience, the juvenile court may 20 enter an ex parte order requiring the alleged sexual offender , 21 or physical abuser , or domestic abuser to vacate the child’s 22 residence upon a showing that probable cause exists to believe 23 that the sexual offense , or physical abuse , or domestic abuse 24 has occurred and that substantial evidence exists to believe 25 that the presence of the alleged sexual offender , or physical 26 abuser , or domestic abuser in the child’s residence presents a 27 danger to the child’s life or physical, emotional, or mental 28 health. 29 2. If an order is entered under subsection 1 and a petition 30 has not yet been filed under this chapter , the petition shall 31 be filed under section 232.87 by the county attorney, the 32 department of human services, or a juvenile court officer 33 within three days of the entering of the order. 34 3. The juvenile court may order on its own motion, or 35 -13- HF 2507 (7) 89 dg/rh/md 13/ 47
H.F. 2507 shall order upon the request of the alleged sexual offender , 1 or physical abuser, or domestic abuser a hearing to determine 2 whether the order to vacate the residence should be upheld, 3 modified, or vacated. The hearing shall be held within thirty 4 days of removal of the alleged sexual offender, physical 5 abuser, or domestic abuser from the residence. The juvenile 6 court may in any later child in need of assistance proceeding 7 uphold, modify, or vacate the order to vacate the residence. 8 Sec. 31. Section 232.84, subsection 2, Code 2022, is amended 9 to read as follows: 10 2. Within Unless the custody of a child is transferred 11 from one of the child’s parents to another parent of the 12 child, within thirty days after the entry of an order under 13 this chapter transferring custody of a child to an agency for 14 placement removing a child from the custody of a parent or 15 parents of the child , the agency department shall exercise due 16 diligence in identifying and providing notice to the child’s 17 grandparents, aunts, uncles, adult siblings, parents of the 18 child’s siblings, and adult relatives suggested by the child’s 19 parents, subject to exceptions due to the presence of family or 20 domestic violence. 21 Sec. 32. Section 232.84, Code 2022, is amended by adding the 22 following new subsections: 23 NEW SUBSECTION . 4. The agency may share information as 24 necessary to explore a child’s potential placement with any 25 adult relative who may receive notice pursuant to subsection 2. 26 NEW SUBSECTION . 5. If an adult relative entitled to notice 27 pursuant to subsection 2 is later discovered by or identified 28 to the department, the department shall provide notice to that 29 relative within thirty days of that relative becoming known to 30 the department. 31 Sec. 33. NEW SECTION . 232.96A Child in need of assistance 32 adjudication. 33 The court may adjudicate a child in need of assistance 34 if such child is unmarried and meets any of the following 35 -14- HF 2507 (7) 89 dg/rh/md 14/ 47
H.F. 2507 requirements: 1 1. The child’s parent, guardian, or other custodian has 2 abandoned or deserted the child. 3 2. The child’s parent, guardian, other custodian, or 4 other member of the household in which the child resides has 5 physically abused or neglected the child, or is imminently 6 likely to physically abuse or neglect the child. 7 3. The child has suffered or is imminently likely to suffer 8 harmful effects as a result of any of the following: 9 a. Mental injury caused by the acts of the child’s parent, 10 guardian, or custodian. 11 b. The failure of the child’s parent, guardian, custodian, 12 or other member of the household in which the child resides to 13 exercise a reasonable degree of care in supervising the child. 14 c. The child’s parent, guardian, custodian, or person 15 responsible for the care of a child as defined in section 16 232.68, has knowingly disseminated or exhibited obscene 17 material, as defined in section 728.1, to the child. 18 4. The child has been, or is imminently likely to be, 19 sexually abused by the child’s parent, guardian, custodian, or 20 other member of the household in which the child resides. 21 5. The child is in need of medical treatment to cure, 22 alleviate, or prevent serious physical injury or illness and 23 whose parent, guardian, or custodian is unwilling or unable to 24 provide such treatment. 25 6. The child is in need of treatment to cure or alleviate 26 serious mental illness or disorder, or emotional damage 27 as evidenced by severe anxiety, depression, withdrawal, or 28 untoward aggressive behavior toward the child’s self or others 29 and the child’s parent, guardian, or custodian is unwilling to 30 provide such treatment. 31 7. The child’s parent, guardian, or custodian fails to 32 exercise a minimal degree of care in supplying the child with 33 adequate food, clothing, or shelter and refuses other means 34 made available to provide such essentials. 35 -15- HF 2507 (7) 89 dg/rh/md 15/ 47
H.F. 2507 8. The child has committed a delinquent act as a result 1 of pressure, guidance, or approval from a parent, guardian, 2 custodian, or other member of the household in which the child 3 resides. 4 9. The child has been the subject of or a party to sexual 5 activities for hire or who poses for live display or for 6 photographic or other means of pictorial reproduction or 7 display which is designed to appeal to the prurient interest, 8 is patently offensive, and taken as a whole, lacks serious 9 literary, scientific, political, or artistic value. 10 10. The child is without a parent, guardian, or other 11 custodian. 12 11. The child’s parent, guardian, or other custodian for 13 good cause desires to be relieved of the child’s care and 14 custody. 15 12. The child for good cause desires to have the child’s 16 parents relieved of the child’s care and custody. 17 13. The child is in need of treatment to cure or alleviate 18 chemical dependency and whose parent, guardian, or custodian is 19 unwilling or unable to provide such treatment. 20 14. The child’s parent, guardian, or custodian suffers 21 from a mental incapacity, a mental condition, imprisonment, or 22 drug or alcohol abuse that results in the child not receiving 23 adequate care or being imminently likely not to receive 24 adequate care. 25 15. The child’s body has an illegal drug present as a 26 direct and foreseeable consequence of the acts or omissions of 27 the child’s parent, guardian, or custodian. The presence of 28 the drug shall be determined in accordance with a medically 29 relevant test as defined in section 232.73. 30 16. The child’s parent, guardian, custodian, or other adult 31 member of the household in which a child resides does any of 32 the following: 33 a. Unlawfully uses, possesses, manufactures, cultivates, or 34 distributes a dangerous substance in the presence of the child. 35 -16- HF 2507 (7) 89 dg/rh/md 16/ 47
H.F. 2507 b. Knowingly allows the use, possession, manufacture, 1 cultivation, or distribution of a dangerous substance by 2 another person in the presence of the child. 3 c. Possesses a product with the intent to use the product as 4 a precursor or an intermediary to a dangerous substance in the 5 presence of the child. 6 d. Unlawfully uses, possesses, manufactures, cultivates, 7 or distributes a dangerous substance listed in paragraph “f” , 8 subparagraph (1), (2), or (3), in the child’s home, on the 9 premises, or in a motor vehicle located on the premises. 10 e. For the purposes of this subsection, in the presence of 11 a child” means in the physical presence of a child or occurring 12 under other circumstances in which a reasonably prudent person 13 would know that the use, possession, manufacture, cultivation, 14 or distribution of a dangerous substance may be seen, smelled, 15 ingested, or heard by a child. 16 f. For the purposes of this subsection, “dangerous 17 substance” means any of the following: 18 (1) Amphetamine, its salts, isomers, or salts of its 19 isomers. 20 (2) Methamphetamine, its salts, isomers, or salts of its 21 isomers. 22 (3) A chemical or combination of chemicals that poses a 23 reasonable risk of causing an explosion, fire, or other danger 24 to the life or health of persons who are in the vicinity while 25 the chemical or combination of chemicals is used or is intended 26 to be used in any of the following: 27 (a) The process of manufacturing an illegal or controlled 28 substance. 29 (b) As a precursor in the manufacturing of an illegal or 30 controlled substance. 31 (c) As an intermediary in the manufacturing of an illegal 32 or controlled substance. 33 (4) Cocaine, its salts, isomers, salts of its isomers, or 34 derivatives. 35 -17- HF 2507 (7) 89 dg/rh/md 17/ 47
H.F. 2507 (5) Heroin, its salts, isomers, salts of its isomers, or 1 derivatives. 2 (6) Opium and opiate, and any salt, compound, derivative, or 3 preparation of opium or opiate. 4 17. The child is a newborn infant whose parent has 5 voluntarily released custody of the child in accordance with 6 chapter 233. 7 DIVISION VI 8 CHILD IN NEED OF ASSISTANCE PROCEEDINGS —— JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS 9 Sec. 34. Section 232.89, subsection 1, Code 2022, is amended 10 to read as follows: 11 1. Upon the filing of a petition the parent, guardian, 12 putative father, or custodian identified in the petition 13 shall have the right to counsel in connection with all 14 subsequent hearings and proceedings. If that person desires 15 but is financially unable to employ counsel, the court shall 16 appoint counsel. A putative father is not a necessary party 17 to a proceeding until the putative father’s paternity is 18 established. 19 Sec. 35. Section 232.89, subsection 2, paragraph a, Code 20 2022, is amended to read as follows: 21 a. If the child is represented by counsel and the court 22 determines there is a conflict of interest between the child 23 and the child’s parent, guardian, putative father, or custodian 24 and that the retained counsel could not properly represent the 25 child as a result of the conflict, the court shall appoint 26 other counsel to represent the child, who shall be compensated 27 pursuant to the provisions of subsection 3 . 28 Sec. 36. Section 232.89, subsection 4, Code 2022, is amended 29 to read as follows: 30 4. The same person may serve both as the child’s counsel 31 and as guardian ad litem. However, the court may appoint a 32 separate guardian ad litem, if the same person cannot properly 33 represent the legal interests of the child as legal counsel 34 and also represent the best interest interests of the child as 35 -18- HF 2507 (7) 89 dg/rh/md 18/ 47
H.F. 2507 guardian ad litem in accordance with section 232.2, subsection 1 22, paragraph “e” , or a separate guardian ad litem is required 2 to fulfill the requirements of subsection 2 . If a child’s 3 guardian ad litem is also acting as an attorney for the child, 4 each report submitted to a court by the guardian ad litem shall 5 contain a statement indicating whether a separate guardian ad 6 litem is required based on the guardian ad litem’s interviews 7 and investigations conducted until the time a report is 8 submitted to the court. 9 Sec. 37. Section 232.91, subsections 1, 2, 3, and 4, Code 10 2022, are amended to read as follows: 11 1. Any hearings or proceedings under this subchapter 12 subsequent to the filing of a petition shall not take place 13 without the presence of the child’s parent, guardian, 14 custodian, or guardian ad litem in accordance with and subject 15 to section 232.38 . A parent without custody may petition 16 the court to shall be made a party to proceedings under this 17 subchapter . 18 2. An agency, facility, institution, or person adult 19 relative with a substantial relationship to the child, fictive 20 kin , including a foster parent or an individual providing 21 preadoptive care, or individual providing custodial care to the 22 child may petition the court to be made a party to proceedings 23 under this subchapter . 24 3. Any person who is entitled under section 232.88 to 25 receive notice of a hearing concerning a child shall be given 26 the opportunity to be heard in any other review or hearing 27 involving the child. A foster parent, adult relative, or other 28 individual with whom a child has been placed for preadoptive 29 care shall have the right to be heard in any proceeding 30 involving the child. If a child is of an age appropriate to 31 attend the hearing but the child does not attend, the court 32 shall determine if the child was informed of the child’s right 33 to attend the hearing. A presumption exists that it is in the 34 best interests of a child fourteen ten years of age or older to 35 -19- HF 2507 (7) 89 dg/rh/md 19/ 47
H.F. 2507 attend all hearings. 1 4. If a child is of an age appropriate to attend a hearing 2 but the child does not attend, the court shall determine if the 3 child was informed of the child’s right to attend the hearing. 4 A presumption exists that it is in the best interests of a 5 child fourteen ten years of age or older to attend all hearings 6 and all staff or family meetings involving placement options 7 or services provided to the child. The department shall allow 8 the child to attend all such hearings and meetings unless the 9 attorney for the child finds the child’s attendance is not in 10 the best interests of the child. If the child is excluded from 11 attending a hearing or meeting, the department shall maintain a 12 written record detailing the reasons for excluding the child. 13 Notwithstanding sections 232.147 through 232.151 , a copy of the 14 written record shall be made available to the child upon the 15 request of the child after reaching the age of majority. 16 Sec. 38. NEW SECTION . 232.94B Continuances. 17 A court may grant a continuance in a child in need of 18 assistance proceeding or a termination of a parent-child 19 relationship proceeding only for good cause shown. 20 Sec. 39. Section 232.95, subsection 2, Code 2022, is amended 21 by striking the subsection and inserting in lieu thereof the 22 following: 23 2. a. Upon such hearing, the court may do any of the 24 following: 25 (1) Return the child to a person with legal custody of the 26 child pending a final order of disposition. 27 (2) Remove the child from home and place the child with a 28 parent of the child pending a final order of disposition. 29 (3) Remove the child from home and place custody of the 30 child with the department for placement of the child, pending a 31 final order of disposition, in any of the following categories 32 in the following order of priority: 33 (a) An adult relative of the child including but not limited 34 to adult siblings and parents of siblings. 35 -20- HF 2507 (7) 89 dg/rh/md 20/ 47
H.F. 2507 (b) A fictive kin. 1 (c) Any other suitable placement identified by the child’s 2 relatives. 3 (d) An individual licensed to provide foster care pursuant 4 to chapter 237. If the child is placed with a licensed foster 5 care provider, the department shall assign decision-making 6 authority to the foster care provider for the purpose of 7 applying the reasonable and prudent parent standard during the 8 child’s placement. 9 (e) A group care facility, shelter care facility, or other 10 residential treatment facility. 11 (4) Authorize a physician or hospital to provide medical 12 or surgical procedures if such procedures are necessary to 13 safeguard the child’s life or health. 14 Sec. 40. Section 232.95, Code 2022, is amended by adding the 15 following new subsections: 16 NEW SUBSECTION . 5. a. If the court orders a removal 17 pursuant to subsection 2, paragraph “a” , subparagraph (2) or 18 (3), the court shall, in addition, make a determination that 19 continuation of the child in the child’s home would be contrary 20 to the welfare of the child, and that reasonable efforts have 21 been made to prevent or eliminate the need for removal of the 22 child from the child’s home. The court shall also make a 23 finding that substantial evidence exists to demonstrate that 24 the need for removal due to an imminent risk to the child’s 25 life or health is greater than the potential harm including 26 but not limited to any physical, emotional, social, or mental 27 trauma the removal may cause the child. 28 b. The court’s determination regarding continuation 29 of the child in the child’s home and regarding reasonable 30 efforts, including those made to prevent removal and those 31 made to finalize any permanency plan in effect as well as any 32 determination by the court that reasonable efforts are not 33 required, must be made on a case-by-case basis. The grounds 34 for each determination must be specifically documented and 35 -21- HF 2507 (7) 89 dg/rh/md 21/ 47
H.F. 2507 stated in the court order. However, preserving the safety of 1 the child must be the court’s paramount consideration. If 2 imminent danger to the child’s life or health exists at the 3 time of the court’s consideration, the determinations otherwise 4 required under this paragraph shall not be a prerequisite for 5 an order for temporary removal of the child. 6 NEW SUBSECTION . 6. a. (1) If the court places custody 7 of the child with the department pursuant to subsection 2, 8 paragraph “a” , subparagraph (3), the court may identify a 9 category listed in subsection 2, paragraph “a” , subparagraph 10 (3), for placement of the child, but the department shall have 11 the authority to select the specific person or facility within 12 that category for placement, subject to court review at the 13 request of an interested party. 14 (2) The court shall give deference to the department’s 15 decision for placement of a child. A party opposed to the 16 department’s placement of a child shall have the burden 17 to prove the department failed to act in the child’s best 18 interests by unreasonably or irresponsibly failing to discharge 19 its duties in selecting a suitable placement for the child. 20 b. The court shall not order placement of a child in 21 a category identified in subsection 2, paragraph “a” , 22 subparagraph (3), subparagraph division (b), (c), (d), or 23 (e), without a specific finding that placement with an adult 24 relative is not in the child’s best interests and providing 25 reasons for the finding. 26 c. If the court orders the removal of a child pursuant 27 to subsection 2, paragraph “a” , subparagraph (2) or (3), the 28 order shall also include a statement informing the child’s 29 parent that the consequences of a permanent removal may include 30 termination of the parent’s rights with respect to the child. 31 Sec. 41. Section 232.96, subsection 6, Code 2022, is amended 32 to read as follows: 33 6. A report, study, record, or other writing or an 34 audiotape or videotape recording made by the department of 35 -22- HF 2507 (7) 89 dg/rh/md 22/ 47
H.F. 2507 human services, a juvenile court officer, a peace officer , a 1 child protection center, or a hospital relating to a child in a 2 proceeding under this subchapter is admissible notwithstanding 3 any objection to hearsay statements contained in it provided 4 it is relevant and material and provided its probative value 5 substantially outweighs the danger of unfair prejudice to the 6 child’s parent, guardian, or custodian. The circumstances of 7 the making of the report, study, record or other writing or an 8 audiotape or videotape recording, including the maker’s lack of 9 personal knowledge, may be proved to affect its weight. 10 Sec. 42. Section 232.96, subsection 10, Code 2022, is 11 amended to read as follows: 12 10. If the court enters an order adjudicating the child 13 to be a child in need of assistance, the court, if it has not 14 previously done so, may issue an order authorizing temporary 15 removal of the child from the child’s home as set forth in 16 section 232.95, subsection 2 , paragraph “a” , subparagraph (2) 17 or (3), pending a final order of disposition. The order shall 18 include both all of the following: 19 a. A determination that continuation of the child in the 20 child’s home would be contrary to the welfare of the child, 21 and that reasonable efforts , as defined in section 232.102, 22 have been made to prevent or eliminate the need for removal of 23 the child from the child’s home and the court has found that 24 substantial evidence exists to demonstrate that the need for 25 removal due to an imminent risk to the child’s life or health 26 is greater than the potential harm including but not limited to 27 any physical, emotional, social, or mental trauma the removal 28 may cause the child . The court’s determination regarding 29 continuation of the child in the child’s home, and regarding 30 reasonable efforts, including those made to prevent removal 31 and those made to finalize any permanency plan in effect, as 32 well as any determination by the court that reasonable efforts 33 are not required, must be made on a case-by-case basis. The 34 grounds for each determination must be explicitly documented 35 -23- HF 2507 (7) 89 dg/rh/md 23/ 47
H.F. 2507 and stated in the court order. However, preserving the safety 1 of the child is the paramount consideration. If imminent 2 danger to the child’s life or health exists at the time of the 3 court’s consideration, the determinations otherwise required 4 under this paragraph shall not be a prerequisite for an order 5 for temporary removal of the child. 6 b. A statement informing the child’s parent that the 7 consequences of a permanent removal may include termination of 8 the parent’s rights with respect to the child. 9 c. If the court orders a removal of a child pursuant to this 10 subsection and placement of a child pursuant to section 232.95, 11 subsection 2, paragraph “a” , subparagraph (3), subparagraph 12 division (b), (c), (d), or (e), a specific finding that 13 placement with an adult relative is not in the child’s best 14 interests and the reasons for the finding. 15 Sec. 43. Section 232.96, Code 2022, is amended by adding the 16 following new subsection: 17 NEW SUBSECTION . 11. a. If the court places custody of the 18 child with the department pursuant to subsection 10, the court 19 may identify a category listed in section 232.95, subsection 2, 20 paragraph “a” , for placement of the child, but the department 21 shall have the authority to select the specific person or 22 facility within that category for placement, subject to court 23 review at the request of an interested party. 24 b. The court shall give deference to the department’s 25 decision for placement of a child. A party opposed to the 26 department’s placement of a child shall have the burden 27 to prove the department failed to act in the child’s best 28 interests by unreasonably or irresponsibly failing to discharge 29 its duties in selecting a suitable placement for the child. 30 Sec. 44. Section 232.97, subsection 3, Code 2022, is amended 31 to read as follows: 32 3. The social report shall not be disclosed except as 33 provided in this section and except as otherwise provided in 34 this chapter . At least five days prior to the hearing at which 35 -24- HF 2507 (7) 89 dg/rh/md 24/ 47
H.F. 2507 the disposition is determined, the court department shall send 1 file a copy of the social report to with the court and the court 2 shall restrict access of the social report to counsel for the 3 child, counsel for the child’s parent, guardian, or custodian, 4 the department, the court appointed special advocate, a local 5 board as defined in section 237.15, the county attorney, 6 the state’s counsel, and the guardian ad litem. The court 7 may in its discretion order counsel not to disclose parts 8 of the report to the child, or to the parent, guardian, or 9 custodian if disclosure would seriously harm the treatment 10 or rehabilitation of the child or would violate a promise of 11 confidentiality given to a source of information . If the 12 report indicates the child or parent has behaved in a manner 13 that threatened the safety of another person, has committed a 14 violent act causing bodily injury to another person, or has 15 committed sexual abuse, or the child has been a victim or 16 perpetrator of sexual abuse, unless otherwise ordered by the 17 court, the child’s parent, guardian, or foster parent or other 18 person with custody of or providing substantial care to the 19 child shall be provided with that information. 20 Sec. 45. Section 232.102, subsection 1, paragraph a, Code 21 2022, is amended by striking the paragraph and inserting in 22 lieu thereof the following: 23 a. After a dispositional hearing, the court may enter an 24 order transferring the legal custody of the child to a parent 25 of the child. If the court finds that custody with either 26 of the child’s parents is not in the child’s best interests, 27 the child’s custody shall be transferred to the department for 28 placement of the child in any of the following categories in 29 the following order of priority: 30 (1) An adult relative of the child including but not limited 31 to adult siblings and parents of siblings. 32 (2) A fictive kin. 33 (3) Any other suitable placement identified by the child’s 34 relatives. 35 -25- HF 2507 (7) 89 dg/rh/md 25/ 47
H.F. 2507 (4) An individual licensed to provide foster care pursuant 1 to chapter 237. If the child is placed with a licensed foster 2 care provider, the department shall assign decision-making 3 authority to the foster care provider for the purpose of 4 applying the reasonable and prudent parent standard during the 5 child’s placement. 6 (5) A group care facility, shelter care facility, or other 7 residential treatment facility. 8 b. (1) If the court places custody of the child with the 9 department pursuant to paragraph “a” , the court may identify a 10 category listed in paragraph “a” for placement of the child, but 11 the department shall have the authority to select the specific 12 person or facility within that category for placement, subject 13 to court review at the request of an interested party. 14 (2) The court shall give deference to the department’s 15 decision for placement of a child. A party opposed to the 16 department’s placement of a child shall have the burden 17 to prove the department failed to act in the child’s best 18 interests by unreasonably or irresponsibly failing to discharge 19 its duties in selecting a suitable placement for the child. 20 c. A court shall not order placement of a child in a 21 category identified in paragraph “a” , subparagraph (2), (3), 22 (4), or (5) without a specific finding that placement with 23 an adult relative is not in the child’s best interests and 24 providing reasons for the court’s finding. 25 d. If the child is fourteen years of age or older, the 26 order shall specify the services needed to assist the child in 27 preparing for the transition from foster care to adulthood. If 28 the child has a case permanency plan, the court shall consider 29 the written transition plan of services and needs assessment 30 developed for the child’s case permanency plan. If the child 31 does not have a case permanency plan containing the transition 32 plan and needs assessment at the time the order is entered, the 33 written transition plan and needs assessment shall be developed 34 and submitted for the court’s consideration no later than six 35 -26- HF 2507 (7) 89 dg/rh/md 26/ 47
H.F. 2507 months from the date of the transfer order. The court shall 1 modify the initial transfer order as necessary to specify 2 the services needed to assist the child in preparing for the 3 transition from foster care to adulthood. If the transition 4 plan identifies services or other support needed to assist 5 the child when the child becomes an adult and the court deems 6 it to be beneficial to the child, the court may authorize 7 the individual who is the child’s guardian ad litem or court 8 appointed special advocate to continue a relationship with and 9 provide advice to the child for a period of time beyond the 10 child’s eighteenth birthday. 11 Sec. 46. Section 232.102, subsection 2, Code 2022, is 12 amended to read as follows: 13 2. The court shall not order group foster care placement of 14 the child which is a charge upon the state if that placement 15 is not in accordance with the service area plan for group 16 foster care established pursuant to section 232.143 for the 17 departmental service area in which the court is located unless 18 the group foster care meets the requirements established by the 19 department by rule . 20 Sec. 47. Section 232.102, subsections 5, 11, and 12, Code 21 2022, are amended by striking the subsections. 22 Sec. 48. Section 232.102, subsection 10, Code 2022, is 23 amended by striking the subsection and inserting in lieu 24 thereof the following: 25 10. Unless prohibited by court order or the department or 26 juvenile court services finds that allowing the visitation 27 would not be in the child’s best interests, the department or 28 juvenile court services may authorize reasonable visitation 29 between the child and the child’s adult relative or a fictive 30 kin. 31 Sec. 49. NEW SECTION . 232.102A Reasonable efforts. 32 1. For the purposes of this subchapter: 33 a. “Reasonable efforts” means the efforts made to preserve 34 and unify a family prior to the out-of-home placement of a 35 -27- HF 2507 (7) 89 dg/rh/md 27/ 47
H.F. 2507 child in foster care or to eliminate the need for removal of 1 the child or make it possible for the child to safely return 2 to the family’s home. Reasonable efforts include but are not 3 limited to giving consideration, if appropriate, to interstate 4 placement of a child in the permanency planning decisions 5 involving the child and giving consideration to in-state and 6 out-of-state placement options at a permanency hearing and 7 when using concurrent planning. If returning the child to the 8 family’s home is not appropriate or not possible, reasonable 9 efforts shall include the efforts made in a timely manner to 10 finalize a permanency plan for the child. A child’s health 11 and safety shall be the paramount concern in making reasonable 12 efforts. Reasonable efforts may include but are not limited 13 to family-centered services, if the child’s safety in the home 14 can be maintained during the time the services are provided. 15 In determining whether reasonable efforts have been made, the 16 court shall consider all of the following: 17 (1) The type, duration, and intensity of services or support 18 offered or provided to the child and the child’s family. If 19 family-centered services were not provided, the court record 20 shall enumerate the reasons the services were not provided, 21 including but not limited to whether the services were not 22 available, not accepted by the child’s family, judged to be 23 unable to protect the child and the child’s family during 24 the time the services would have been provided, judged to be 25 unlikely to be successful in resolving the problems which would 26 lead to removal of the child, or other services were found to 27 be more appropriate. 28 (2) The relative risk to the child of remaining in the 29 child’s home versus removal of the child. 30 b. “Family-centered services” means services and other 31 support intended to safely maintain a child with the child’s 32 family or with an adult relative, to safely and in a timely 33 manner return a child to the home of the child’s parent or 34 relative, or to promote achievement of concurrent planning 35 -28- HF 2507 (7) 89 dg/rh/md 28/ 47
H.F. 2507 goals by identifying and helping the child secure placement for 1 adoption, with a guardian, or with other alternative permanent 2 family connections. Family-centered services include services 3 adapted to the individual needs of a family in regard to the 4 specific services and other support provided to the child’s 5 family and the intensity and duration of service delivery and 6 services intended to preserve a child’s connections to the 7 child’s neighborhood, community, and family and to improve the 8 overall capacity of the child’s family to provide for the needs 9 of the children in the family. 10 2. Family interactions shall continue regardless of a 11 parent’s failure to comply with the requirements of a court 12 order or the department, provided there is no finding by 13 a court or the department that such interaction would be 14 detrimental to the child. 15 3. The performance of reasonable efforts to place a child 16 for adoption or with a guardian may be made concurrently with 17 making reasonable efforts as defined in this section. 18 4. If the court determines by clear and convincing evidence 19 that aggravated circumstances exist supported by written 20 findings of fact based upon evidence in the record, the court 21 may waive the requirement for making reasonable efforts. The 22 existence of aggravated circumstances is indicated by any of 23 the following: 24 a. The parent has abandoned the child. 25 b. The court finds the circumstances described in section 26 232.116, subsection 1, paragraph “i” , are applicable to the 27 child. 28 c. The parent’s parental rights have been terminated under 29 section 232.116 or involuntarily terminated by an order of a 30 court of competent jurisdiction in another state with respect 31 to another child who is a member of the same family, and there 32 is clear and convincing evidence to show that the offer or 33 receipt of services would not be likely within a reasonable 34 period of time to correct the conditions which led to the 35 -29- HF 2507 (7) 89 dg/rh/md 29/ 47
H.F. 2507 child’s removal. 1 d. The parent has been convicted of the murder of another 2 child. 3 e. The parent has been convicted of the voluntary 4 manslaughter of another child. 5 f. The parent has been convicted of aiding or abetting, 6 attempting, conspiring in, or soliciting the commission of the 7 murder or voluntary manslaughter of another child. 8 g. The parent has been convicted of a felony assault which 9 resulted in serious bodily injury to the child or another 10 child. 11 5. Prior services the state provided to the family shall not 12 be considered in making a determination as to whether a waiver 13 of reasonable efforts is appropriate. 14 Sec. 50. Section 232.103, subsection 2, paragraph b, Code 15 2022, is amended to read as follows: 16 b. The child’s parent, guardian or custodian, except that 17 such motion may be filed by that person not more often than 18 once every six months sixty days except with leave of court for 19 good cause shown. 20 Sec. 51. Section 232.103A, Code 2022, is amended by adding 21 the following new subsection: 22 NEW SUBSECTION . 8. A court-appointed attorney shall be paid 23 by the state public defender’s office for work done relating 24 to a bridge order. 25 Sec. 52. Section 232.104, subsection 2, paragraph d, 26 subparagraphs (1) and (2), Code 2022, are amended by striking 27 the subparagraphs and inserting in lieu thereof the following: 28 (1) Transfer sole custody of the child from one parent to 29 another parent. 30 (2) Transfer guardianship and custody of the child to an 31 adult relative, a fictive kin, or another suitable person. 32 Sec. 53. Section 232.104, Code 2022, is amended by adding 33 the following new subsection: 34 NEW SUBSECTION . 4A. A court shall apply the priority 35 -30- HF 2507 (7) 89 dg/rh/md 30/ 47
H.F. 2507 of placement requirements of section 232.102, subsection 1 1, paragraphs “a” and “c” , when entering a permanency order 2 pursuant to subsection 2, paragraph “d” . 3 Sec. 54. Section 232.108, subsections 1, 2, and 3, Code 4 2022, are amended to read as follows: 5 1. If the court orders the transfer of custody of a 6 child and siblings to the department or other agency for 7 placement under this subchapter , under subchapter II , relating 8 to juvenile delinquency proceedings, or under any other 9 provision of this chapter , the department or other agency 10 shall make a reasonable effort efforts to place the child and 11 siblings together in the same placement whenever possible if 12 such placement is in the best interests of each child . The 13 requirement of this subsection remains applicable to custody 14 transfer orders made at separate times and provided the 15 requirement will not jeopardize the stability of placements 16 and is in the best interests of each child. The requirement 17 of this subsection also applies in addition to efforts made by 18 the department or agency to place the child with a an adult 19 relative. 20 2. If the requirements of subsection 1 apply but the 21 siblings are not placed in the same placement together, the 22 department or other agency child’s attorney or guardian ad 23 litem shall provide the siblings with the reasons why and the 24 efforts being made to facilitate such placement, or why making 25 efforts for such placement is not appropriate. An explanation 26 is not required if the ages or mental states of the siblings 27 make such an explanation inappropriate. Unless visitation or 28 ongoing interaction with siblings is suspended or terminated 29 by the court, the department or agency shall make reasonable 30 effort efforts to provide for frequent visitation or other 31 ongoing interaction between the child and the child’s siblings 32 from the time of the child’s out-of-home placement until 33 the child returns home or is in a permanent placement. The 34 department shall make reasonable efforts for such visitations 35 -31- HF 2507 (7) 89 dg/rh/md 31/ 47
H.F. 2507 or interactions to occur at least once every thirty days unless 1 more frequent or less frequent visitation is ordered by the 2 court based on the child’s circumstances. 3 3. A person who wishes to assert a sibling relationship 4 with a child who is subject to an order under this chapter for 5 an out-of-home placement and to request frequent visitation 6 or other ongoing interaction with the child may file a motion 7 or petition with the court with jurisdiction over the child. 8 Unless the court determines it would not be in the child’s best 9 interest interests , upon finding that the person is a sibling 10 of the child, the provisions of this section providing for 11 frequent visitation or other ongoing interaction between the 12 siblings shall apply. Nothing in this section is intended to 13 provide or expand a right to counsel under this chapter beyond 14 the right provided and persons specified in sections 232.89 and 15 232.113 . 16 DIVISION VII 17 TERMINATION OF PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIP PROCEEDINGS 18 Sec. 55. Section 232.111, subsection 2, paragraph a, 19 subparagraphs (2), (4), (5), and (6), Code 2022, are amended 20 to read as follows: 21 (2) A court has determined aggravated circumstances exist 22 and has waived the requirement for making reasonable efforts 23 under , as defined in section 232.102 232.102A because the court 24 has found the circumstances described in section 232.116, 25 subsection 1 , paragraph “i” , are applicable to the child. 26 (4) The parent has been convicted of the murder or the 27 voluntary manslaughter of another child of the parent . 28 (5) The parent has been convicted of aiding or abetting, 29 attempting, conspiring in, or soliciting the commission of 30 the murder or voluntary manslaughter of another child of the 31 parent . 32 (6) The parent has been convicted of a felony assault which 33 resulted in serious bodily injury of the child or of another 34 child of the parent . 35 -32- HF 2507 (7) 89 dg/rh/md 32/ 47
H.F. 2507 Sec. 56. Section 232.112, subsection 3, Code 2022, is 1 amended to read as follows: 2 3. Notice under this section shall be served personally, 3 sent by restricted certified mail, or sent by electronic mail 4 or other electronic means with the consent of the party to be 5 served, whichever is determined by the court to be the most 6 effective means of notification. If the court determines 7 that personal service is impracticable, the court may order 8 service by publication. Such notice shall be made according 9 to the rules of civil procedure relating to an original notice 10 where not inconsistent with the provisions of this section . 11 Notice by personal delivery and notice sent by electronic 12 mail or other electronic means with the consent of the party 13 to be served shall be served not less than seven days prior 14 to the hearing on termination of parental rights. Notice by 15 restricted certified mail shall be sent not less than fourteen 16 days prior to the hearing on termination of parental rights. 17 A notice by restricted certified mail which is refused by the 18 necessary party given notice shall be sufficient notice to the 19 party under this section . 20 Sec. 57. Section 232.116, subsection 1, paragraph d, 21 subparagraph (1), Code 2022, is amended to read as follows: 22 (1) The court has previously adjudicated the child to be 23 a child in need of assistance after finding the child to have 24 been physically or sexually abused or neglected as the result 25 of the acts or omissions of one or both parents, or the court 26 has previously adjudicated a child who is a member of the 27 same family to be a child in need of assistance after such a 28 finding. This paragraph shall not be construed to require that 29 a finding of sexual abuse or neglect requires a finding of a 30 nonaccidental physical injury. 31 Sec. 58. Section 232.116, subsection 1, paragraph i, 32 subparagraph (1), Code 2022, is amended to read as follows: 33 (1) The child meets the definition of child in need of 34 assistance based on a finding of physical or sexual abuse or 35 -33- HF 2507 (7) 89 dg/rh/md 33/ 47
H.F. 2507 neglect as a result of the acts or omissions of one or both 1 parents. This paragraph shall not be construed to require that 2 a finding of sexual abuse or neglect requires a finding of a 3 nonaccidental physical injury. 4 Sec. 59. Section 232.116, subsection 1, paragraph l, 5 subparagraphs (1) and (2), Code 2022, are amended by striking 6 the subparagraphs and inserting in lieu thereof the following: 7 (1) The child has been adjudicated a child in need of 8 assistance pursuant to section 232.96 and custody has been 9 transferred from the child’s parents for placement pursuant to 10 section 232.102. 11 (2) The parent has a severe substance-related disorder as 12 described by either of the following: 13 (a) The severe substance-related disorder meets the 14 definition for that term as defined in the most current edition 15 of the diagnostic and statistical manual prepared by the 16 American psychiatric association, and the parent presents a 17 danger to self or others as evidenced by prior acts. 18 (b) The disorder is evidenced by continued and repeated use 19 through the case, the parent’s refusal to obtain a substance 20 abuse evaluation or treatment after given the opportunity to 21 do so, and the parent presents a danger to self or others as 22 evidenced by prior acts. 23 Sec. 60. Section 232.117, subsection 3, Code 2022, is 24 amended by striking the subsection and inserting in lieu 25 thereof the following: 26 3. If the court concludes that facts sufficient to sustain 27 the petition have been established by clear and convincing 28 evidence, the court may order parental rights terminated. If 29 the court terminates the parental rights of a child’s parent, 30 the court shall transfer the guardianship and custody of the 31 child to a parent of the child whose parental rights have not 32 been terminated. If the court finds guardianship and custody 33 with the child’s parents is not in the child’s best interests, 34 guardianship and custody shall be transferred for placement of 35 -34- HF 2507 (7) 89 dg/rh/md 34/ 47
H.F. 2507 the child in any of the following categories in the following 1 order of priority: 2 a. The department if the department had custody of the child 3 at the time of the filing of the petition for termination of 4 parental rights, or if custody with the department is necessary 5 to facilitate the permanency or adoption goal, unless the 6 department waives its priority. 7 b. An adult relative of the child, including but not limited 8 to adult siblings or parents of siblings. 9 c. A fictive kin. 10 d. A child-placing agency or other suitable private agency, 11 facility, or institution which is licensed or otherwise 12 authorized by law to receive and to provide care for the child. 13 Sec. 61. Section 232.117, subsection 4, Code 2022, is 14 amended by striking the subsection and inserting in lieu 15 thereof the following: 16 4. If the court orders a termination of parental rights 17 and siblings are not placed together but have an existing 18 relationship, the court shall order ongoing contact between 19 the siblings in accordance with section 232.108 if the court 20 finds that either visitation or ongoing interaction is in the 21 best interests of each sibling. This subsection shall not be 22 construed to require visitation between a child and a parent 23 whose parental rights have been terminated as to that child, 24 even if a sibling remains with the parent. 25 Sec. 62. Section 232.118, subsection 1, Code 2022, is 26 amended by adding the following new paragraphs: 27 NEW PARAGRAPH . a. The moving party or a party opposed to 28 the actions of the guardian has the burden to establish that 29 the court-appointed guardian failed to act in the child’s best 30 interests by unreasonably or irresponsibly failing to discharge 31 the guardian’s duties in finding a suitable adoptive home for 32 the child. 33 NEW PARAGRAPH . b. The court shall give deference to the 34 decision of the guardian. 35 -35- HF 2507 (7) 89 dg/rh/md 35/ 47
H.F. 2507 DIVISION VIII 1 FAMILY IN NEED OF ASSISTANCE PROCEEDINGS 2 Sec. 63. Section 232.126, subsection 2, Code 2022, is 3 amended to read as follows: 4 2. The court may appoint a court appointed special 5 advocate to act as guardian ad litem . The court appointed 6 special advocate shall receive notice of and may attend all 7 depositions, hearings, and trial proceedings to support the 8 child and advocate for the protection of the child. The court 9 appointed special advocate shall not be allowed to separately 10 introduce evidence or to directly examine or cross-examine 11 witnesses. The court appointed special advocate shall submit 12 reports to the court and the parties to the proceedings 13 containing the information required in reports submitted by 14 a court appointed special advocate under section 232.89, 15 subsection 5 237.24, subsection 2, paragraphs “g” and “h” . In 16 addition, the court appointed special advocate shall file other 17 reports to the court as required by the court. 18 Sec. 64. Section 232.127, subsection 8, Code 2022, is 19 amended to read as follows: 20 8. The court shall not order group foster care placement of 21 the child which is a charge upon the state if that placement 22 is not in accordance with the service area plan for group 23 foster care established pursuant to section 232.143 for the 24 departmental service area in which the court is located unless 25 the group foster care meets requirements as established by the 26 department by rule . 27 Sec. 65. NEW SECTION . 237.24 Court appointed special 28 advocates. 29 1. A court appointed special advocate shall receive notice 30 of all depositions, hearings, and trial proceedings in a matter 31 to which the court appointed special advocate is appointed. 32 2. The duties of a court appointed special advocate with 33 respect to a child, unless otherwise enlarged or circumscribed 34 by a court or juvenile court with jurisdiction over the 35 -36- HF 2507 (7) 89 dg/rh/md 36/ 47
H.F. 2507 child after a finding of good cause, shall include all of the 1 following: 2 a. Conducting in-person interviews with the child every 3 thirty days, if the child’s age is appropriate for the 4 interview, and interviewing each parent, guardian, or other 5 person having custody of the child as needed, if authorized by 6 counsel. 7 b. Visiting the home, residence, or both home and residence 8 of the child and any prospective home or residence of the 9 child, including each time placement is changed. 10 c. Interviewing any person providing medical, mental health, 11 social, educational, or other services to the child. 12 d. Obtaining firsthand knowledge, if possible, of the facts, 13 circumstances, and parties involved in the matter in which the 14 court appointed special advocate is appointed. 15 e. Attending any depositions, hearings, and trial 16 proceedings in a matter to which the court appointed special 17 advocate is appointed for the purpose of supporting the child 18 and advocating for the child’s protection. 19 f. Assisting the transition committee in the development of 20 a transition plan if the child’s case permanency plan calls for 21 the development of a transition plan. 22 g. (1) Submitting a written report to the juvenile court 23 and to each of the parties identified in section 237.21, 24 subsection 4, prior to each court hearing unless otherwise 25 ordered by the court. 26 (2) The report shall include but not be limited to the 27 identified strengths of the child and the child’s family, 28 concerns identified by the court appointed special advocate, 29 the court appointed special advocate’s recommendations 30 regarding the child’s placement, and other recommendations the 31 court appointed special advocate believes are in the child’s 32 best interests. 33 h. Submitting periodic reports to the court or juvenile 34 court with jurisdiction over a child and interested parties 35 -37- HF 2507 (7) 89 dg/rh/md 37/ 47
H.F. 2507 detailing the child’s situation as long as the child remains 1 under the jurisdiction of the court or juvenile court. 2 i. Filing other reports as ordered by a court or juvenile 3 court. 4 DIVISION IX 5 JUVENILE COURT EXPENSES AND COSTS —— SHELTER AND DETENTION 6 HOMES 7 Sec. 66. Section 232.141, subsection 8, Code 2022, is 8 amended to read as follows: 9 8. This subsection applies only to placements in a juvenile 10 shelter care home which is publicly owned, operated as a county 11 or multicounty shelter care home, organized under a chapter 28E 12 agreement, or operated by a private juvenile shelter care home. 13 If the actual and allowable costs of a child’s shelter care 14 placement exceed the amount the department is authorized to 15 pay in accordance with law and administrative rule , the unpaid 16 costs may be recovered from the child’s custodial parent’s 17 county of residence. However, the maximum amount of the 18 unpaid costs which may be recovered under this subsection is 19 limited to the difference between the amount the department is 20 authorized to pay and the statewide average of the actual and 21 allowable rates in effect in May of the preceding fiscal year 22 for reimbursement of juvenile shelter care homes as reasonably 23 determined by the department annually . In no case shall the 24 A home may only be reimbursed for more than the lesser of the 25 home’s actual and allowable costs or the statewide average of 26 the actual and allowable rates as determined by the department 27 in effect on the date the costs were paid . The unpaid costs 28 are payable pursuant to filing of verified claims against the 29 child’s custodial parent’s county of residence. A detailed 30 statement of the facts upon which a claim is based shall 31 accompany the claim. Any dispute between counties arising from 32 filings of claims pursuant to this subsection shall be settled 33 in the manner provided to determine residency in section 34 331.394 . 35 -38- HF 2507 (7) 89 dg/rh/md 38/ 47
H.F. 2507 Sec. 67. Section 232.142, subsections 3, 4, 5, and 6, Code 1 2022, are amended to read as follows: 2 3. A county or multicounty juvenile detention home approved 3 pursuant to this section shall receive financial aid from the 4 state in a manner approved by the director , the director of the 5 department of human rights, or a designee of the director of 6 the department of human rights . Aid paid by the state shall 7 be at least ten percent and not more than fifty percent of the 8 total cost of the establishment, improvements, operation, and 9 maintenance of the home. This subsection is repealed July 1, 10 2023. 11 4. The director , the director of the department of human 12 rights, or a designee of the director of the department of 13 human rights shall adopt minimal rules and standards for the 14 establishment, maintenance, and operation of such homes as 15 shall be necessary to effect the purposes of this chapter . The 16 rules shall apply the requirements of section 237.8 , concerning 17 employment and evaluation of persons with direct responsibility 18 for a child or with access to a child when the child is 19 alone and persons residing in a child foster care facility, 20 to persons employed by, residing in, or volunteering for a 21 home approved under this section . The director shall, upon 22 request, give guidance and consultation in the establishment 23 and administration of the homes and programs for the homes. 24 This subsection is repealed July 1, 2023. 25 5. The director , the director of the department of human 26 rights, or a designee of the director of the department of 27 human rights shall approve annually all such homes established 28 and maintained under the provisions of this chapter . A home 29 shall not be approved unless it complies with minimal rules and 30 standards adopted by the director and has been inspected by the 31 department of inspections and appeals. The statewide number 32 of beds in the homes approved by the director shall not exceed 33 two hundred seventy-two beds beginning July 1, 2017. This 34 subsection is repealed July 1, 2023. 35 -39- HF 2507 (7) 89 dg/rh/md 39/ 47
H.F. 2507 6. A juvenile detention home fund is created in the 1 state treasury under the authority of the department or the 2 department of human rights as the department and the department 3 of human rights agree . The fund shall consist of moneys 4 deposited in the fund pursuant to section 602.8108 . The moneys 5 in the fund shall be used for the costs of the establishment, 6 improvement, operation, and maintenance of county or 7 multicounty juvenile detention homes in accordance with annual 8 appropriations made by the general assembly from the fund for 9 these purposes. This subsection is repealed July 1, 2023. 10 Sec. 68. Section 232.142, Code 2022, is amended by adding 11 the following new subsections: 12 NEW SUBSECTION . 7. A county or multicounty juvenile 13 detention home approved pursuant to this section shall receive 14 financial aid from the state in a manner approved by the 15 director of the department of human rights or a designee of the 16 director of the department of human rights. Aid paid by the 17 state shall be at least ten percent and not more than fifty 18 percent of the total cost of the establishment, improvements, 19 operation, and maintenance of the home. 20 NEW SUBSECTION . 8. The director of the department of 21 human rights or a designee of the director of the department 22 of human rights shall adopt minimal rules and standards for 23 the establishment, maintenance, and operation of such homes as 24 shall be necessary to effect the purposes of this chapter. The 25 rules shall apply the requirements of section 237.8, concerning 26 employment and evaluation of persons with direct responsibility 27 for a child or with access to a child when the child is 28 alone and persons residing in a child foster care facility, 29 to persons employed by, residing in, or volunteering for a 30 home approved under this section. The director shall, upon 31 request, give guidance and consultation in the establishment 32 and administration of the homes and programs for the homes. 33 NEW SUBSECTION . 9. The director of the department of human 34 rights or a designee of the director of the department of human 35 -40- HF 2507 (7) 89 dg/rh/md 40/ 47
H.F. 2507 rights shall approve annually all such homes established and 1 maintained under the provisions of this chapter. A home shall 2 not be approved unless it complies with minimal rules and 3 standards adopted by the director and has been inspected by the 4 department of inspections and appeals. The statewide number 5 of beds in the homes approved by the director shall not exceed 6 two hundred seventy-two beds. 7 NEW SUBSECTION . 10. The juvenile detention home fund in the 8 state treasury shall be under the authority of the department 9 of human rights. The fund shall consist of moneys deposited in 10 the fund pursuant to section 602.8108. The moneys in the fund 11 shall be used for the costs of the establishment, improvement, 12 operation, and maintenance of county or multicounty juvenile 13 detention homes in accordance with annual appropriations made 14 by the general assembly from the fund for these purposes. 15 DIVISION X 16 JUVENILE JUSTICE REFORM —— DECATEGORIZATION OF CHILD WELFARE 17 AND JUVENILE JUSTICE FUNDING INITIATIVE —— EARLY INTERVENTION 18 PROGRAMS 19 Sec. 69. Section 232.188, subsection 5, paragraph b, 20 unnumbered paragraph 1, Code 2022, is amended to read as 21 follows: 22 Notwithstanding section 8.33 , moneys designated for a 23 project’s decategorization services funding pool that remain 24 unencumbered or unobligated at the close of the fiscal year 25 shall not revert but shall remain available for expenditure as 26 directed by the project’s governance board for child welfare 27 and juvenile justice systems enhancements and other purposes 28 of the project for the next two three succeeding fiscal years. 29 Such moneys shall be known as “carryover funding” . Moneys may 30 be made available to a funding pool from one or more of the 31 following sources: 32 Sec. 70. NEW SECTION . 232.192 Early intervention and 33 follow-up programs. 34 Contingent on a specific appropriation for these purposes, 35 -41- HF 2507 (7) 89 dg/rh/md 41/ 47
H.F. 2507 juvenile court services shall do the following: 1 1. Develop or expand programs providing specific life 2 skills and interpersonal skills training for adjudicated 3 delinquent youth who pose a low or moderate risk to the 4 community. 5 2. Develop or expand a school-based program addressing 6 truancy and school behavioral problems for youth ages twelve 7 through seventeen. 8 3. Develop or expand an intensive tracking and supervision 9 program for adjudicated delinquent youth at risk for placement 10 who have been released from resident facilities, which shall 11 include telephonic or electronic tracking and monitoring and 12 intervention by juvenile authorities. 13 4. Develop or expand supervised community treatment 14 for adjudicated delinquent youth who experience significant 15 problems and who constitute a moderate community risk. 16 DIVISION XI 17 JUDICIAL BRANCH NONREVERSION OF CERTAIN MONEYS —— CHILD WELFARE 18 AND JUVENILE JUSTICE 19 Sec. 71. NONREVERSION OF CERTAIN MONEYS RELATED TO CHILD 20 WELFARE AND JUVENILE JUSTICE. 21 1. Notwithstanding section 8.33, moneys received by the 22 state beginning July 1, 2020, pursuant to Tit. IV-B or Tit. 23 IV-E of the federal Social Security Act as reimbursement for 24 claims or pursuant to the federal Family First Prevention 25 Services Act of 2018, Pub. L. No. 115-123 as transition funds, 26 that remain unencumbered or unobligated at the close of the 27 fiscal year shall not revert to the general fund of the state 28 but shall remain available for expenditure for child welfare 29 and juvenile justice services including but not limited to 30 reimbursement of qualified expenses and administrative costs 31 until expended. 32 Sec. 72. EFFECTIVE DATE. This division of this Act, being 33 deemed of immediate importance, takes effect upon enactment. 34 Sec. 73. RETROACTIVE APPLICABILITY. This division of this 35 -42- HF 2507 (7) 89 dg/rh/md 42/ 47
H.F. 2507 Act applies retroactively to the fiscal year beginning July 1, 1 2020. 2 DIVISION XII 3 CONFORMING CODE CHANGES 4 Sec. 74. Section 232.52, subsection 3, paragraph c, Code 5 2022, is amended to read as follows: 6 c. Notwithstanding subsection 2 , the court shall not order 7 group foster care placement of the child which is a charge 8 upon the state if that placement is not in accordance with the 9 service area plan for group foster care established pursuant to 10 section 232.143 for the departmental service area in which the 11 court is located unless the group foster care placement meets 12 requirements as established by the department by rule . 13 Sec. 75. Section 232.70, subsection 4, Code 2022, is amended 14 by striking the subsection. 15 Sec. 76. Section 232.71B, subsection 16, Code 2022, is 16 amended to read as follows: 17 16. Conclusion of family assessment. At the conclusion 18 of a family assessment, the department shall transfer the 19 case, if appropriate, to a contracted provider to review the 20 service plan for the child and family. The contracted provider 21 shall make a referral to the department abuse hotline if a 22 family’s noncompliance with a service plan places a child at 23 risk. If any of the criteria for child abuse as defined in 24 section 232.68, subsection 2 , paragraph “a” , are met, the 25 department shall commence a child abuse assessment. If any of 26 the criteria for a child in need of assistance , as defined in 27 pursuant to section 232.2, subsection 6 232.96A , are met, the 28 department shall determine whether to request a child in need 29 of assistance petition. 30 Sec. 77. Section 232.83, subsection 2, unnumbered paragraph 31 1, Code 2022, is amended to read as follows: 32 Anyone authorized to conduct a preliminary investigation 33 in response to a complaint may apply for, or the court on its 34 own motion may enter an ex parte order authorizing a physician 35 -43- HF 2507 (7) 89 dg/rh/md 43/ 47
H.F. 2507 or hospital to conduct an outpatient physical examination or 1 authorizing a physician, a psychologist certified under section 2 154B.7 , or a community mental health center accredited pursuant 3 to chapter 230A to conduct an outpatient mental examination of 4 a child if necessary to identify the nature, extent, and causes 5 of any injuries, emotional damage, or other such needs of a 6 child as specified in section 232.2, subsection 6 , paragraph 7 “c” , “e” , or “f” 232.96A, subsection 3, 5, or 6 , provided that 8 all of the following apply: 9 Sec. 78. Section 232.89, subsection 5, Code 2022, is amended 10 by striking the subsection. 11 Sec. 79. Section 232.98, subsection 1, paragraph b, 12 subparagraph (1), Code 2022, is amended to read as follows: 13 (1) Probable cause exists to believe that the child is 14 a child in need of assistance pursuant to section 232.2, 15 subsection 6, paragraph “e” or “f” 232.96A, subsection 5 or 6 . 16 Sec. 80. Section 232.102, subsection 9, unnumbered 17 paragraph 1, Code 2022, is amended to read as follows: 18 An agency, facility, institution, or person to whom custody 19 of the child has been transferred pursuant to this section 20 shall file a written report with the court at least every six 21 months concerning the status and progress of the child. The 22 court shall hold a periodic dispositional review hearing for 23 each child in placement pursuant to this section in order 24 to determine whether the child should be returned home, 25 an extension of the placement should be made, a permanency 26 hearing should be held, or a termination of the parent-child 27 relationship proceeding should be instituted. The placement 28 shall be terminated and the child returned to the child’s home 29 if the court finds by a preponderance of the evidence that the 30 child will not suffer harm in the manner specified in section 31 232.2, subsection 6 232.96A . If the placement is extended, 32 the court shall determine whether additional services are 33 necessary to facilitate the return of the child to the child’s 34 home, and if the court determines such services are needed, the 35 -44- HF 2507 (7) 89 dg/rh/md 44/ 47
H.F. 2507 court shall order the provision of such services. When the 1 child is not returned to the child’s home and if the child has 2 been previously placed in a licensed foster care facility, the 3 department or agency responsible for the placement of the child 4 shall consider placing the child in the same licensed foster 5 care facility. 6 Sec. 81. Section 232.117, subsection 5, Code 2022, is 7 amended to read as follows: 8 5. If after a hearing the court does not order the 9 termination of parental rights but finds that there is clear 10 and convincing evidence that the child is a child in need 11 of assistance, under pursuant to section 232.2, subsection 12 6 232.96A , due to the acts or omissions of one or both of 13 the child’s parents the court may adjudicate the child to 14 be a child in need of assistance and may enter an order in 15 accordance with the provisions of section 232.100 , 232.101 , 16 232.102 , or 232.104 . 17 Sec. 82. Section 234.6, subsection 1, paragraph e, 18 subparagraph (3), Code 2022, is amended to read as follows: 19 (3) Family-centered services, as defined in section 20 232.102, subsection 10, paragraph “b” 232.102A, subsection 1, 21 paragraph “b” . 22 Sec. 83. Section 234.35, subsection 1, paragraph e, Code 23 2022, is amended to read as follows: 24 e. When a court has entered an order transferring the legal 25 custody of the child to a foster care placement pursuant to 26 section 232.46 , section 232.52, subsection 2 , paragraph “d” , 27 or section 232.102, subsection 1 . However, payment shall not 28 be made for a group foster care placement shall be limited to 29 those placements which conform to a service area group foster 30 care plan established pursuant to section 232.143 unless the 31 group foster care meets requirements as established by the 32 department by rule . 33 Sec. 84. Section 234.35, subsection 1, paragraph i, Code 34 2022, is amended by striking the paragraph. 35 -45- HF 2507 (7) 89 dg/rh/md 45/ 47
H.F. 2507 Sec. 85. Section 234.35, subsection 3, paragraph a, Code 1 2022, is amended to read as follows: 2 a. For a child who is eighteen years of age, family 3 Family foster care or independent supervised apartment living 4 arrangements. 5 Sec. 86. Section 234.35, subsection 3, paragraph b, Code 6 2022, is amended by striking the paragraph. 7 Sec. 87. Section 234.35, subsection 4, Code 2022, is amended 8 by striking the subsection. 9 Sec. 88. Section 237.21, subsection 5, Code 2022, is amended 10 to read as follows: 11 5. Members of the state board and local boards, court 12 appointed special advocates, and the employees of the 13 department and the department of inspections and appeals are 14 subject to standards of confidentiality pursuant to sections 15 217.30 , 228.6, subsection 1 , sections 235A.15 , 600.16 , 16 and 600.16A . Members of the state and local boards, court 17 appointed special advocates, and employees of the department 18 and the department of inspections and appeals who disclose 19 information or records of the board or department, other than 20 as provided in subsections 2, 3, and 4 , sections 232.89 and 21 section 232.126 , and section 237.20, subsection 2 , are guilty 22 of a simple misdemeanor. 23 Sec. 89. Section 709A.5, Code 2022, is amended to read as 24 follows: 25 709A.5 Interpretative clause. 26 For the purposes of this chapter the word “dependency” 27 shall mean all the conditions as enumerated in section 232.2, 28 subsection 6 232.96A . 29 DIVISION XIII 30 REPEALS 31 Sec. 90. REPEAL. Sections 232.107, 232.143, 232.175, 32 232.176, 232.177, 232.178, 232.179, 232.180, 232.181, 232.182, 33 232.183, 232.195, and 232.196, Code 2022, are repealed. 34 Sec. 91. FUTURE REPEAL. Sections 232.189 and 232.191, Code 35 -46- HF 2507 (7) 89 dg/rh/md 46/ 47
H.F. 2507 2022, are repealed effective July 1, 2023. 1 DIVISION XIV 2 EFFECTIVE DATES 3 Sec. 92. EFFECTIVE DATE. The following take effect July 1, 4 2023: 5 1. The section of this Act enacting section 232.142, 6 subsections 7, 8, 9, and 10. 7 2. The section of this Act enacting section 232.192. 8 DIVISION XV 9 APPLICABILITY 10 Sec. 93. APPLICABILITY. The section of this Act enacting 11 section 232.79B shall apply beginning on the effective date 12 specified in rules adopted by the department of human services 13 pursuant to chapter 17A to implement that section. 14 -47- HF 2507 (7) 89 dg/rh/md 47/ 47