HF 953: Relating to legal representation for children who are placed in, or may be placed in, foster care

What it does

This bill relates to legal representation for children who are placed in, or may be placed in, foster care. The bill requires a court to appoint counsel for a child years of age or older when the child is identified in a child in need of assistance (CINA) petition as a party to the CINA proceedings. The bill requires a court to appoint counsel and a guardian ad litem (GAL) for a child below years of age when the child is identified in a CINA petition as a party to the CINA proceedings. If a child identified in a CINA petition already has counsel in a juvenile delinquency matter or parental termination proceeding, or a GAL has previously been appointed for the child in a juvenile delinquency proceeding or a matter involving a public offense in which the court has waived jurisdiction, the bill requires the court to appoint the same counsel or GAL upon the filing of the CINA petition.

Senate subcommittee · named March 31, 2025

• Sen. Sandy Salmon (R) · sandy.salmon@legis.iowa.gov
• Sen. Dennis Guth (R) · dennis.guth@legis.iowa.gov
• Sen. Mike Zimmer (D) · mike.zimmer@legis.iowa.gov

Lobbying · 4 for, 2 against

For: Coalition for Family and Children's Services in Iowa; Four Oaks; Iowa ACEs 360; Iowa Integrated Health Planning and Advisory Council

Against: Iowa County Attorneys Association; Youth Law Center

In plain words

1. March 12, 2025Filed in the House
2. March 26, 2025Passed the House, 94–2
3. March 27, 2025Arrived in the Senate
4. March 31, 2025Senate subcommittee named: Salmon, Guth and Zimmer