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IA SF287

IA SF287
A bill for an act relating to family interactions during an ongoing child in need of assistance proceeding.(Formerly SSB 1008.)


summary

Introduced
02/12/2025
In Committee
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

91st General Assembly

Bill Summary

This bill relates to family interactions (interactions) during an ongoing child in need of assistance (CINA) proceeding. Under current law, interactions during an ongoing CINA proceeding must continue unless a court or the department of health and human services finds that the interactions would be detrimental to a child. The bill requires interactions to continue unless a court finds substantial evidence exists that the interactions, whether supervised or unsupervised, would pose a serious risk of physical or emotional harm to the child.

AI Summary

This bill modifies existing Iowa law regarding family interactions during a Child In Need of Assistance (CINA) proceeding by changing the standard for when family interactions can be interrupted. Currently, interactions can be stopped if a court or the department of health and human services determines they would be detrimental to the child. The new bill raises the threshold for stopping interactions, requiring that a court must find "substantial evidence" that the interactions (either supervised or unsupervised) would pose a serious risk of physical or emotional harm to the child. This means that even if a parent fails to comply with a court order, family interactions are presumed to continue unless there is clear and significant proof that such interactions would seriously threaten the child's wellbeing. The change appears designed to ensure more consistent family contact and connections during child welfare proceedings, making it harder to completely cut off parent-child interactions without strong justification.

Sponsors (0)

No sponsors listed

Other Sponsors (1)

Judiciary (Senate)

Last Action

Withdrawn. S.J. 723. (on 04/08/2025)

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