Requiring a child abuse investigation for newborn children whose biological parent previously had the parent’s parental rights terminated due to child abuse

Where it is now

Done: IntroducedJanuary 15, 2026
Stopped: SubcommitteeDied when the General Assembly ended
Next: House committeeFunnel: by February 20, 2026
Next: Passes the House
Next: Senate committeeFunnel: by March 20, 2026
Next: Passes the Senate
Next: To the Governor
Next: Signed into law

Died when the session ended The General Assembly adjourned on October 2, 2026. Bills that didn’t pass both chambers died. What’s a funnel?

What’s in it

This bill requires a child abuse investigation for newborn children whose biological parent previously had the parent’s parental rights terminated due to child abuse.69, who is required to make a child abuse report to the department of health and human services when the person, in the scope of the person’s professional practice or while performing the person’s employment responsibilities, reasonably believes a child has suffered child abuse, sexual abuse, or has engaged in prostitution. A permissive reporter is any other person who believes a child has been abused.

Read the full explanation

A permissive reporter may make a child abuse report. The bill requires a mandatory reporter to make a child abuse report if the mandatory reporter learns that a person who previously had the person’s parental rights to a child terminated due to child abuse is the biological parent of a newborn child. By operation of law, a permissive reporter may make a child abuse report upon learning the same information.71B.

From the explanation printed with the bill as introduced, written by the Legislative Services Agency. Amendments adopted later aren’t reflected. Full bill text

Iowa Code it changes

Amends§232.69 §232.70

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

Lobbying

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