1. For the purposes of this subchapter, the terms “department of human services”, “department”, or “county attorney” ordinarily refer to the service area or local office of the department of human services or of the county attorney’s office serving the county in which the child‘s home is located.
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Terms Used In Iowa Code 232.72

  • abuse: means :
     (1) Any nonaccidental physical injury, or injury which is at variance with the history given of it, suffered by a child as the result of the acts or omissions of a person responsible for the care of the child. See Iowa Code 232.68
  • Child: means any person under the age of eighteen years. See Iowa Code 232.68
  • Department: means the state department of human services and includes the local, county, and service area offices of the department. See Iowa Code 232.68
  • Health practitioner: includes a licensed physician and surgeon, osteopathic physician and surgeon, dentist, optometrist, podiatric physician, or chiropractor; a resident or intern in any of such professions; a licensed dental hygienist, a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse; a physician assistant; and an emergency medical care provider certified under section 147A. See Iowa Code 232.68
  • person: means individual, corporation, limited liability company, government or governmental subdivision or agency, business trust, estate, trust, partnership or association, or any other legal entity. See Iowa Code 4.1
 2. If the person making a report of child abuse pursuant to this chapter does not know where the child’s home is located, or if the child’s home is not located in the service area where the health practitioner examines, attends, or treats the child, the report may be made to the department or to the local office serving the county where the person making the report resides or the county where the health practitioner examines, attends, or treats the child. These agencies shall promptly proceed as provided in section 232.71B, unless the matter is transferred as provided in this section.
 3. If the child’s home is located in a county not served by the office receiving the report, the department shall promptly transfer the matter by transmitting a copy of the report of injury and any other pertinent information to the office and the county attorney serving the other county. The office and the county attorney shall promptly proceed as provided in section 232.71B.