Iowa · statute · Iowa Code ch. 232 · 145 active provisions
This chapter shall be liberally construed to the end that each child under the jurisdiction of the court shall receive, preferably in the child’s own home, the care, guidance and control that will best serve the child’s welfare and the best interest of the state. When a child is removed from the control of the child’s…
The annual state goal for children placed in foster care that is funded under the federal Social Security Act, Tit. IV-E, is that not more than fifteen percent of the children will be in a foster care placement for a period of more than twenty-four months.
As used in this chapter unless the context otherwise requires: 1. “Abandonment of a child” means the relinquishment or surrender, without reference to any particular person, of the parental rights, duties, or privileges inherent in the parent-child relationship. Proof of abandonment must include both the intention to a…
1. During the pendency of an action under this chapter, a party to the action is estopped from litigating concurrently the custody, guardianship, or placement of a child who is the subject of the action, in a court other than the juvenile court. A district judge, district associate judge, magistrate, or judicial hospit…
1. During an action under subchapter III, child in need of assistance proceedings, or subchapter IV, termination of parent-child relationship proceedings, the court may, on its own motion or that of any party, require the child and established father of the child to submit to blood or genetic testing in accordance with…
Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, and for the purposes of establishing a parental liability obligation for a child under the jurisdiction of the juvenile court, a support obligation shall be established pursuant to section 234.39.
The court shall have exclusive jurisdiction over the proceedings for the granting of an order for waiver of the notification requirements relating to the performance of an abortion on a minor pursuant to section 135L.3.
The court may exercise jurisdiction over adoption and termination of parental rights proceedings under chapters 600 and 600A.
1. If a proceeding held under this chapter involves an Indian child as defined in section 232B.3 and the proceeding is subject to the Iowa Indian child welfare Act under chapter 232B, the proceeding and other actions taken in connection with the proceeding or this chapter shall comply with chapter 232B. 2. In any proce…
Proceedings under this chapter are subject to rules prescribed by the supreme court under section 602.4201.
1. Except as provided in subsections 2 and 3, this chapter does not apply to juvenile court cases brought prior to July 1, 1979, or to acts committed prior to July 1, 1979, which would otherwise bring a child or a child’s parent, guardian, or custodian within the jurisdiction of the juvenile court pursuant to this chap…
1. a. The juvenile court has exclusive original jurisdiction in proceedings concerning a child who is alleged to have committed a delinquent act unless otherwise provided by law, and has exclusive original jurisdiction in proceedings concerning an adult who is alleged to have committed a delinquent act prior to having…
Prior to a hearing pursuant to sections 232.44 through 232.47, 232.50, or 232.54, the child may file a motion with the district court for the appointment of a new judge. The chief judge of the district court for cause shown shall appoint a new judge.
1. Venue for delinquency proceedings shall be in the judicial district where the child is found, where the child resides, or where the alleged delinquent act occurred. 2. The court may transfer delinquency proceedings to the court of any county having venue at any stage in the proceeding as follows: a. When it appears…
1. A child shall have the right to be represented by counsel at the following stages of the proceedings within the jurisdiction of the juvenile court under subchapter II or subchapter VIII: a. From the time the child is taken into custody for any alleged delinquent act that constitutes a serious or aggravated misdemean…
Upon the filing of a petition the county attorney shall represent the state in all adversary proceedings arising under this subchapter and shall present evidence in support of the petition.
1. For purposes of chapter 669, the following persons shall be considered state employees: a. A child given a work assignment of value to the state or the public or a community work assignment under this chapter. b. A court appointed special advocate and the members of the child advocacy board created in section 237.16…
1. A child may be taken into custody: a. By order of the court. b. For a delinquent act pursuant to the laws relating to arrest. c. By a peace officer, when the peace officer has reasonable grounds to believe the child has run away from the child’s parents, guardian, or custodian, for the purposes of determining whethe…
1. If a child is taken into custody and not released as provided in section 232.19, subsection 2, the child shall immediately be taken to a detention or shelter care facility as specified in sections 232.21 or 232.22. 2. When a child is admitted to a detention or shelter care facility the person in charge of the facili…
1. No child shall be placed in shelter care unless one of the following circumstances applies: a. The child has no parent, guardian, custodian, responsible adult relative or other adult approved by the court who will provide proper shelter, care and supervision. b. The child desires to be placed in shelter care. c. It…
1. A child shall not be placed in detention unless one of the following conditions is met: a. The child is being held under warrant for another jurisdiction. b. The child is an escapee from a juvenile correctional or penal institution. c. There is probable cause to believe that the child has violated conditions of rele…
1. After waiver of a child who will be prosecuted as a youthful offender, the child shall be held in a facility under section 232.22, subsection 3, paragraph “a” or “b”, unless released in accordance with subsection 2. 2. a. The court shall determine, at the detention hearing under section 232.44, the amount of bail, a…
1. Any person having knowledge of the facts may file a complaint with the court or its designee alleging that a child has committed a delinquent act. A written record shall be maintained of any oral complaint received. 2. The court or its designee shall refer the complaint to an intake officer who shall consult with la…
1. The informal adjustment of a complaint is a permissible disposition of a complaint at intake subject to the following conditions: a. The child has admitted the child’s involvement in a delinquent act. b. The intake officer shall advise the child and the child’s parent, guardian, or custodian that they have the right…
1. A formal judicial proceeding to determine whether a child has committed a delinquent act shall be initiated by the filing by the county attorney of a petition alleging that a child has committed a delinquent act. After a petition has been filed, service of a summons requiring the child to appear before the court or…