This bill amends Section 232.102A of the Iowa Code regarding family interactions during ongoing child in need of assistance (CINA) proceedings. The current law mandates that family interactions must continue unless a court or the Department of Health and Human Services determines that such interactions would be detrimental to the child. The proposed changes stipulate that interactions should continue unless a court finds substantial evidence indicating that these interactions, whether supervised or unsupervised, pose a serious risk of physical or emotional harm to the child.

The bill aims to strengthen the rights of families involved in CINA proceedings by ensuring that family interactions are preserved unless there is clear and substantial evidence of potential harm. This shift in legal language emphasizes the importance of maintaining family connections while also addressing the safety and well-being of the child involved in the proceedings.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 232.102A