This bill amends existing laws regarding aid, processes, and services for children in, adopted from, or in need of foster care in Iowa. It allows a court to adjudicate a child as in need of assistance (CINA) if the child requires treatment for serious chemical dependency or a mental or behavioral health disorder that poses a safety risk or leads to aggressive behavior towards others in the household. This change replaces the previous requirement that focused solely on serious mental illness or emotional damage. Additionally, the bill removes certain circumstances under which a child could be adjudicated as CINA and eliminates specific language related to emotional damage.

Furthermore, the bill modifies the reimbursement structure for foster parents by removing the requirement that reimbursement rates be based on 65 percent of the USDA's cost estimate for raising a child. Instead, it mandates that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) review reimbursement rates at least every three years and establish rules for these rates. The bill also introduces provisions for reimbursing adoption petitioners for preplacement and postplacement investigations, capping the reimbursement at $2,000 for each investigation, but only after the initial background checks are approved.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 232.96A, 234.6