Bills › 91st General Assembly
Relating to child abuse based on use of a controlled substance by a pregnant woman
Sponsored by Rep. Thomas Gerhold (R)
Where it is now
- Done: IntroducedFebruary 19, 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 relates to child abuse based on use of a controlled substance by a pregnant woman. For purposes of determining child abuse, the bill includes an individual organism of the species homo sapiens from fertilization to live birth within the meaning of “child”. The bill includes within the definition of “child abuse”, the use of a controlled substance by a pregnant female responsible for the care of a child. By operation of law, the bill requires mandatory reporters of child abuse to report the use of a controlled substance by a pregnant woman to the department of health and human services (HHS) as child abuse.
Read the full explanation
Upon receiving a report of child abuse based on use of a controlled substance by a pregnant female responsible for the care of a child, HHS will commence a child abuse assessment to determine if the report is founded, offer support to the alleged abuser, and perform other actions as permitted by law to protect the health of the child.
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
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 · 0 undecided · Who →