Bill > SF154

This bill modifies Iowa's adoption laws to expand circumstances under which preplacement investigations and reports can be waived. Currently, such investigations could only be waived if the adoption petitioner was related within the fourth degree of consanguinity (a legal term meaning blood relatives within a certain family connection). The bill now allows courts to waive these investigations if the petitioner has been the legal guardian of the person to be adopted for 36 consecutive months immediately preceding the adoption petition, and has complied with all guardian responsibilities during that time. This change provides more flexibility for guardians seeking to formally adopt children they have been caring for over an extended period. The bill also clarifies that if an adoption petitioner has a criminal conviction (beyond a simple misdemeanor) or a founded child abuse report, they must disclose this information to the court, which will then decide whether to require an investigation. These modifications aim to streamline adoption processes for long-term guardians while maintaining safeguards to protect the welfare of the children being adopted.

Judiciary (Senate)

https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/BillBook?ga=91&ba=SF154