A bill for an act relating to family interactions during an ongoing child in need of assistance proceeding. (Formerly HSB 40.) Effective date: 07/01/2025.
Summary
HF 367 amends Iowa Code section 232.102A governing family interactions during an ongoing child in need of assistance (CINA) proceeding. The bill states that family interactions must continue even if a parent does not comply with a court order or department requirements, so long as there is no finding by a court or the department that the interaction would be detrimental to the child. It further provides that a court may stop those interactions only if substantial evidence shows that supervised or unsupervised family interactions would pose a serious risk of physical or emotional harm to the child.
In practical terms, the bill strengthens the presumption in favor of maintaining parent-child or family contact during CINA cases and narrows the circumstances under which visitation or other family interactions can be restricted. It shifts the focus toward preserving family relationships unless there is a clear, evidence-based safety concern, and it applies to proceedings involving child welfare oversight by the court and the Department of Health and Human Services.
Impact
The bill amends Iowa’s child welfare statute on family interactions in CINA cases, making continued contact the default rule unless a court or the department finds detriment or serious risk of harm. This affects courts, the Department of Health and Human Services, parents, children, and other family members involved in dependency proceedings by limiting the ability to suspend visitation solely for noncompliance with court-ordered requirements. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have broad bipartisan support and little visible opposition. It passed the House unanimously, 91-0, and the Senate by a wide margin, 46-1, suggesting general agreement with the goal of preserving family interactions while still protecting child safety. The lack of committee transcript discussion in the provided materials also suggests the measure was relatively noncontroversial.
Contention
The main policy tension in HF 367 is between preserving family contact and ensuring child safety in CINA proceedings. Supporters of the bill appear to favor maintaining family interactions even when a parent is not fully complying with court or department requirements, while the limiting language preserves judicial authority to restrict contact when substantial evidence shows a serious risk of physical or emotional harm. Any opposition likely centers on whether the bill makes it too difficult to suspend visitation in cases involving noncompliance or potential safety concerns, but the recorded vote shows only one dissenting vote in the Senate.
A bill for an act making children of child care workers in this state eligible for the state child care assistance program. (Formerly HSB 500.) Effective date: 07/01/2026.
A bill for an act authorizing the waiver of preplacement investigations and reports in certain adoption proceedings. (Formerly HSB 41.) Effective date: 07/01/2025.