Bills › 91st General Assembly
Relating to the delegation of custodial rights and duties with respect to a child
Sponsored by the House Health and Human Services Committee, Rep. Ann Meyer (R)
Where it is now
- Done: IntroducedFebruary 13, 2025
- Done: SubcommitteeFebruary 19, 2025
- Done: House committeeFebruary 25, 2025
- Done: Passes the HouseMarch 13, 202591–4
- Done: Senate committeeApril 3, 2025
- Done: Passes the SenateApril 22, 202546–0
- Done: To the GovernorMay 19, 2025
- Done: Signed into lawJune 11, 2025
Signed into law What’s a funnel?
What’s in it
AI summary When the Department of Health and Human Services takes legal custody of a child, they can now let licensed foster parents handle daily responsibilities like providing food, clothing, and housing. This change also allows foster parents to give consent for routine medical care so children can stay healthy and active with their peers. These new duties for foster parents do not replace the remaining rights held by the child's actual parents or guardians.1
Read the official explanation
This bill relates to the delegation of custodial rights and duties with respect to a child. If a court transfers legal custody of a child to the department of health and human services (HHS), the bill allows HHS to delegate HHS’s rights and duties as custodian of the child to a person licensed to provide child foster care. Delegable rights and duties are the duty to protect, train, and discipline the child; the duty to provide food, clothing, housing, and medical care for the child; and the right to consent to emergency medical care. Delegable rights and duties are subject to any residual rights and duties of the child’s parent or guardian. The bill clarifies that a parent’s or guardian’s residual rights and duties do not preclude HHS from consenting to routine medical care for a child that will allow the child to engage in normal childhood experiences and participate in activities in a manner similar to the child’s peers. “Routine medical care” includes but is not limited to preventative care not including the administration of a vaccination, nonemergency medical care, and the use of necessary medication. The bill requires HHS to notify an individual licensee if HHS delegates HHS’s right to consent to routine medical care on behalf of a child to the individual licensee.
Why it matters. When the department of health and human services has legal custody of a child, licensed child foster care providers may be given the authority to handle daily responsibilities like providing food, housing, and medical care. These providers would also be able to consent to emergency medical care and routine medical care, such as nonemergency treatments or necessary medications, to ensure the child can participate in normal activities.2
Changed since by amendments S-3058, S-3036; see Amendments.
Iowa Code it changes
Lobbying
2 for · 0 against · 16 undecided · Who →