Relating to child placements

Sponsored by the House Appropriations (successor To Hsb 146) Committee

Topics:State budget

Same legislation: HSB 146, HF 638

Write your legislators about itWhat changed before it passed

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Where it is now

Done: IntroducedFebruary 28, 2025
Done: SubcommitteeMarch 24, 2025
Done: House committeeApril 9, 2025
Done: Passes the HouseApril 22, 202592–0
Done: Senate committeeFebruary 4, 2026
Done: Passes the SenateMay 1, 202643–0
Done: To the GovernorMay 13, 2026
Done: Signed into lawMay 15, 2026

Signed into law What’s a funnel?

What’s in it

The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly. This bill relates to child placements. Under current law, the department of health and human services (HHS) is required to exercise due diligence in identifying and providing notice to certain relatives of a child when the child has been removed from the child’s parent’s custody. The bill requires HHS to employ dedicated staff at HHS’s central office for the sole purpose of exercising HHS’s due diligence requirements related to identifying and providing notice to certain relatives of children removed from parental custody.

Read the full explanation

102(1)(a) (transfer of legal custody of child and placement). If a child was placed with a licensed foster parent for at least nine months immediately preceding the dispositional hearing, the bill prohibits the court from placing the child with a different individual unless the court makes a specific finding that placement with the different individual is in the child’s best interests, and the court provides reasons for the finding.

From the explanation printed with the bill as introduced, written by the Legislative Services Agency. Changed since by amendments H-8459, S-5004; see Amendments. Full bill text · What changed before it passed

Senate subcommittee

Named January 21, 2026. On January 26, 2026 it recommended amendment and passage.

Three legislators hear a bill first and recommend what the committee should do; it’s the best time to weigh in. How to take part

Iowa Code it changes

Amends§232.102 §232.84

Read from the bill as introduced. Each links to every bill touching that chapter of the Iowa Code. How the Code works

Lobbying

2 for · 0 against · 11 undecided · Who →

Family tree

Where this legislation came from and where it went: earlier tries, the versions it moved through this Assembly, and later bills built on it.

Study bill

HSB 146Renumbered

91st General Assembly

HF 638Renumberedfrom HSB 146 HF 1003Became lawfrom HF 638

Earlier and later bills are matched by wording or an identical title; check the text to be sure it’s the same idea.