This bill amends existing laws regarding the recording of interviews during child abuse assessments and family assessments in Iowa. It redefines the term "interview" to include verbal exchanges between child protection workers and individuals other than the child, aimed at gathering information about child abuse or exposure to violence. Additionally, it establishes new definitions for "observation," detailing the conditions under which child protection workers may view children, including the ability to conduct observations without parental consent under certain circumstances.

Furthermore, the bill mandates that all interviews conducted by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) during assessments must be recorded using electronic audio, body camera video, or other reasonable means. These recordings must be retained for a minimum of five years and can only be released under specific conditions, such as to individuals involved in the investigation or legal proceedings related to the child. The bill also outlines penalties for unauthorized release of recordings and clarifies that HHS's failure to comply with the provisions does not provide grounds for legal action against the state or affect the admissibility of evidence obtained during interviews.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 232.68, 232.71B