Bills › 91st General Assembly
Relating to recordings of interviews during child abuse assessments and family assessments
Sponsored by Rep. Joshua Meggers (R)
Topics:Courts & civil law
Where it is now
- Done: IntroducedFebruary 16, 2026
- Done: SubcommitteeFebruary 17, 2026
- Stopped: House committeeDied when the General Assembly ended
- 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
The federal Generate Recordings of All Child protective Interviews Everywhere (GRACIE) Act established grants for states that meet certain requirements. This bill implements the requirements of the GRACIE Act by redefining “interview” for purposes of child abuse assessments and family assessments (assessments), and requiring each interview performed by the department of health and human services (HHS) during an assessment to be recorded by audio recording, body camera video, or other reasonable means of recording the interview.
Read the full explanation
Recordings must be retained for a minimum of five years from the date the recording was made and released only to persons specified in the bill. A person who releases a recording to a person not authorized by the bill shall be subject to a penalty established by HHS. HHS’s failure to comply with the bill’s provisions does not provide an individual a cause of action against the state, a subdivision, or an agent of the state or a subdivision of the state; and does not constitute grounds to preclude statements, observations, or other evidence obtained during an interview from being admitted in a legal proceeding. The bill directs HHS to adopt rules to implement the bill.
From the explanation printed with the bill as introduced, written by the Legislative Services Agency. Amendments adopted later aren’t reflected. Full bill text
House subcommittee
Named February 17, 2026. On February 18, 2026 it recommended 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
Read from the bill as introduced. Each links to every bill touching that chapter of the Iowa Code. How the Code works
Lobbying
1 for · 0 against · 3 undecided · Who →