A bill for an act exempting a parent’s or legal guardian’s inability to access appropriate behavioral or mental health treatment for their child from the definition of child abuse.

Summary

HF 2256 changes Iowa law so that a child can be declared a Child in Need of Assistance (CINA) if they require treatment for serious mental health, chemical dependency, or behavioral issues and the parent is unwilling, unable, or has exhausted attempts to get care. It removes a previous restriction that only considered a parent’s unwillingness as grounds for CINA status. This expands protection for children whose families cannot secure needed treatment.

AI-generated summary — may be incomplete or inaccurate. Verify against the official bill text.

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