This bill amends the adjudication process for a child in need of assistance (CINA) in Iowa, specifically addressing cases where a child requires treatment for serious chemical dependency, mental health disorders, or behavioral health disorders. The new language allows a court to adjudicate a child as CINA if the child’s condition compromises their safety or leads to aggressive behavior towards others, and if the parent, guardian, or custodian is unwilling or unable to provide necessary treatment, or if their efforts to secure treatment have been exhausted and unsuccessful. This expands the criteria for adjudication beyond the previous requirement of needing treatment solely for mental illness or emotional damage.

Additionally, the bill removes subsection 13 from Code section 232.96A, which likely contained outdated or redundant provisions. The changes aim to streamline the process and ensure that children who require critical treatment for their well-being can be appropriately adjudicated as needing assistance.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 232.96A