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Iowa Code Title XV. Judicial Branch and Judicial Procedures [Chs. 595-686] § 601.1. Parents and guardians--rights

Current as of January 01, 2024 | Updated by Findlaw Staff

<[Text subject to final changes by the Iowa Code Editor for Code 2024.]>

1. For purposes of this section:

a. “Emergent care situation” means a sudden or unforeseen occurrence or onset of a medical or behavioral condition that could result in serious injury or harm to a minor child in the event immediate medical attention is not provided.

b. “Medical care” means any care, treatment, service, or procedure to prevent, diagnose, alleviate, treat, or cure a minor child's physical or mental condition.

c. “Minor child” means an unmarried and unemancipated person under the age of eighteen years.

2. Subject to section 147.164, as enacted by 2023 Iowa Acts, Senate File 538, a parent or guardian bears the ultimate responsibility, and has the fundamental, constitutionally protected right, to make decisions affecting the parent's or guardian's minor child, including decisions related to the minor child's medical care, moral upbringing, religious upbringing, residence, education, and extracurricular activities. Any and all restrictions of this right shall be subject to strict scrutiny.

3. This section shall not be construed to prohibit any of the following:

a. A minor child from receiving medical attention in an emergent care situation.

b. A person from cooperating in a child abuse assessment commenced in accordance with section 232.71B.

c. A court from issuing an order that is permitted by law.

4. This section shall not be construed to authorize a parent or guardian to engage in conduct that is unlawful or to abuse or neglect a minor child in violation of the laws of this state.

5. The rights guaranteed to parents and guardians by this section are not a comprehensive list of the rights reserved to parents or guardians of a minor child. The enumeration of the rights contained in this section shall not be construed to limit the rights reserved to parents or guardians of a minor child.

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Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Iowa Code Title XV. Judicial Branch and Judicial Procedures [Chs. 595-686] § 601.1. Parents and guardians--rights - last updated January 01, 2024 | https://codes.findlaw.com/ia/title-xv-judicial-branch-and-judicial-procedures-chs-595-686/ia-code-sect-601-1/

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