Bills › 91st General Assembly
Exempting a parent’s or legal guardian’s inability to access appropriate behavioral or mental health treatment for their child from the definition of child abuse
Sponsored by the House Health and Human Services Committee
Topics:Courts & civil lawHealth careFamilies & human servicesMental health & addiction
Same legislation: HSB 503
Where it is now
- Done: IntroducedJanuary 12, 2026
- Done: SubcommitteeJanuary 12, 2026
- Done: House committeeJanuary 29, 2026
- Done: Passes the HouseFebruary 26, 202690–0
- Done: Senate committeeMarch 19, 2026
- Done: Passes the SenateApril 6, 202647–0
- Done: To the GovernorMay 6, 2026
- Done: Signed into lawMay 6, 2026
Signed into law What’s a funnel?
What’s in it
AI summary Courts can now declare a child in need of assistance if they require treatment for a serious chemical dependency or mental health disorder that makes them unsafe or aggressive. This applies when a parent or guardian is unable or unwilling to provide the necessary care, even after trying to find help. The change expands the current rules to include chemical dependency as a reason for this legal process.1
Read the official explanation
This bill relates to adjudication of a child in need of assistance due to the need for treatment of a chemical dependency, mental health disorder, or behavioral disorder. The bill allows a court to adjudicate a child in need of assistance (CINA) when the child requires treatment to cure or alleviate a serious chemical dependency or mental or behavioral health disorder that compromises the child’s safety or causes untoward aggressive behavior toward others in the household or the child’s community, and the child’s parent, guardian, or custodian (parent) is unwilling or unable to provide such treatment, or the parent’s efforts to secure needed treatment have been exhausted and unsuccessful. Under current law, to be adjudicated a CINA because treatment is necessary, a child must need treatment to cure or alleviate a serious mental illness or disorder, or emotional damage as evidenced by severe anxiety, depression, withdrawal, or untoward aggressive behavior toward the child’s self or others and the child’s parent is unwilling to provide such treatment.96A(13).
Changed since by amendment S-5120; see Amendments.
Senate subcommittee
Named March 4, 2026. On March 9, 2026 it recommended passage.
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Fiscal note
AI summary This bill prevents the Department of Health and Human Services from labeling a child as a victim of abuse if a parent cannot provide necessary mental or behavioral health treatment due to a lack of access to care. Because the bill was amended, the fiscal note states that it no longer requires an estimate of costs or savings.3
From the note: The introduced version of House File 2256 required a Fiscal Note which included estimated fiscal impacts. House File 2256 was amended by the Senate on April 6, 2026, and the Bill no longer requires a Fiscal Note. Source Department of Health and Human Services /s/ Jennifer Acton April 13, 2026 Doc ID 1604173 The fiscal note for this Bill was prepared pursuant to Joint Rule 17 and the Iowa Code.
- Child in Need of Assistance Adjudication, Serious Chemical Dependency · April 13, 2026
- Child in Need of Assistance Adjudication, Serious Chemical Dependency · March 13, 2026 · $155,000
- Child in Need of Assistance Adjudication, Serious Chemical Dependency · February 25, 2026 · $155,000
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91st General Assembly