House File 644 amends existing Iowa law regarding the delegation of custodial rights and duties for children. The bill specifies that all rights and duties of a custodian are subject to any residual rights of a parent or guardian. However, it allows the department to consent to emergency and routine medical care for a child, enabling them to participate in activities similar to their peers. Routine medical care is defined to include preventative care, nonemergency medical care, and necessary medication. Additionally, the department may consent to a child's participation in an individualized education program.

The bill also introduces provisions for the delegation of custodial rights to individual licensees or approved kinship caregivers. If a court order transfers legal custody of a child to the department, it grants the department the authority to delegate its rights and duties as custodian. The department is required to notify the relevant parties, including parents or guardians, when such delegations occur, particularly regarding consent for medical care and educational programs. The effective date of this legislation is contingent upon the enactment of related legislation by July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 232.2, 237.10
Enrolled: 232.2, 237.10