Authorizing the waiver of preplacement investigations and reports in certain adoption proceedings

Sponsored by the House Judiciary (companion To Sf 154 By Committee on Judiciary) Committee

Topics:Courts & civil law Families & human services

Same legislation: SSB 1006, HSB 41, SF 154

Write your legislators about itWhat changed before it passed

Official bill page Lobbyist declarations One-pager to print

Where it is now

Done: IntroducedJanuary 17, 2025
Done: SubcommitteeJanuary 17, 2025
Done: House committeeFebruary 6, 2025
Done: Passes the HouseMarch 10, 202571–18
Done: Senate committeeApril 3, 2025
Done: Passes the SenateApril 7, 202536–11
Done: To the GovernorApril 17, 2025
Done: Signed into lawApril 18, 2025

Signed into law What’s a funnel?

What’s in it

AI summary Courts could skip certain background checks and reports during an adoption if the person asking to adopt has already been the child's legal guardian for at least three years. To qualify, the guardian must have successfully completed all their duties during those three years. Currently, these checks can only be skipped if the person adopting is a close relative.¹

Read the official explanation

This bill relates to the waiver of preplacement investigations and reports in certain adoption proceedings. The bill authorizes a juvenile court or court to waive a preplacement investigation and report for an adoption if the adoption petitioner is the current legal guardian for the person to be adopted and has been for the 36 consecutive months immediately preceding the date the adoption petition was filed. The petitioner must have complied with the duties and responsibilities of a guardian for those 36 consecutive months. Current law only authorizes the court to waive a preplacement investigation and report if the adoption petitioner is related to the person to be adopted within the fourth degree of consanguinity.

Why it matters. Legal guardians who have met their responsibilities for a specific number of consecutive months can have certain preplacement investigations and reports waived during adoption proceedings. This change expands the current rule that only allows such waivers for petitioners related to the person being adopted by blood.²

Full bill text · What changed before it passed³

House subcommittee

Named January 17, 2025 (as HSB 41). On January 28, 2025 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

Amends§600.8

How the Code works⁴

Lobbying

5 for · 0 against · 4 undecided · Who →

Family tree

Study bill

SSB 1006Renumbered HSB 41Renumbered

91st General Assembly

SF 154Didn’t advancefrom SSB 1006 HF 314Became lawfrom HSB 41