1. Prior to an emancipation hearing held pursuant to section 232C.1, the court, on its own motion, may stay the proceedings, and refer the parties to mediation or request that the department of health and human services investigate any allegations of child abuse or neglect contained in the petition, and order that a written report be prepared and filed by the department.

Terms Used In Iowa Code 232C.2

  • Child: includes but shall not be limited to a stepchild, foster child, or legally adopted child and means a child actually or apparently under eighteen years of age, and a dependent person eighteen years of age or over who is unable to maintain the person's self and is likely to become a public charge. See Iowa Code 252A.2
  • Court: shall mean and include any court upon which jurisdiction has been conferred to determine the liability of persons for the support of dependents. See Iowa Code 252A.2
  • Department: means the department of health and human services. See Iowa Code 249L.2
  • Guardian: A person legally empowered and charged with the duty of taking care of and managing the property of another person who because of age, intellect, or health, is incapable of managing his (her) own affairs.
 2. If a minor’s parent or guardian objects to the petition filed pursuant to section 232C.1, the juvenile court shall stay the proceedings and refer the parties to mediation unless the juvenile court finds that mediation would not be in the best interests of the minor.
 3. If an agreement is reached through mediation, the parties shall file the signed agreement with the juvenile court.
 4. Notwithstanding subsections 1 through 3, the juvenile court, on its own motion, may discontinue emancipation proceedings pursuant to this chapter and interpret the petition as a petition to initiate family in need of assistance proceedings and consider the petition under sections 232.122 through 232.127.
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