Iowa Code 235A.13 – Definitions
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As used in chapter 232, subchapter III, part 2, and this subchapter, unless the context otherwise requires:
1. “Assessment data” means any of the following information pertaining to the department‘s evaluation of a family:
a. Identification of the strengths and needs of the child, and of the child’s parent, home, and family.
b. Identification of services available from the department and informal and formal services and other support available in the community to meet identified strengths and needs.
Terms Used In Iowa Code 235A.13
- Allegation: something that someone says happened.
- 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
- Child abuse information: means any or all of the following data maintained by the department in a manual or automated data storage system and individually identified:a. See Iowa Code 235A.13
- Department: means the department of human services. See Iowa Code 235A.13
- Disposition data: means information pertaining to an opinion or decision as to the occurrence of child abuse, including:
a. See Iowa Code 235A.13- Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
- following: when used by way of reference to a chapter or other part of a statute mean the next preceding or next following chapter or other part. See Iowa Code 4.1
- Individually identified: means any report, assessment, or disposition data which names the person or persons responsible or believed responsible for the child abuse. See Iowa Code 235A.13
- 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
- Probation: A sentencing alternative to imprisonment in which the court releases convicted defendants under supervision as long as certain conditions are observed.
2. “Child abuse information” means any or all of the following data maintained by the department in a manual or automated data storage system and individually identified:a. Report data.b. Assessment data.c. Disposition data.3. “Confidentiality” means the withholding of information from any manner of communication, public or private.4. “Department” means the department of human services.5. “Disposition data” means information pertaining to an opinion or decision as to the occurrence of child abuse, including:a. Any intermediate or ultimate opinion or decision reached by assessment personnel.b. Any opinion or decision reached in the course of judicial proceedings.c. The present status of any case.6. “Expungement” means the process of destroying child abuse information.7. “Individually identified” means any report, assessment, or disposition data which names the person or persons responsible or believed responsible for the child abuse.8. “Multidisciplinary team” means a group of individuals who possess knowledge and skills related to the diagnosis, assessment, and disposition of child abuse cases and who are professionals practicing in the disciplines of medicine, nursing, public health, substance abuse, domestic violence, mental health, social work, child development, education, law, juvenile probation, or law enforcement, or a group established pursuant to section 235B.1, subsection 1.9. “Near fatality” means an injury to a child that, as certified by a physician or physician assistant, placed the child in serious or critical condition.10. “Report data” means any of the following information pertaining to an assessment of an allegation of child abuse in which the department has determined the alleged child abuse meets the definition of child abuse:a. The name and address of the child and the child’s parents or other persons responsible for the child’s care.b. The age of the child.c. The nature and extent of the injury, including evidence of any previous injury.d. Additional information as to the nature, extent, and cause of the injury, and the identity of the person or persons alleged to be responsible for the injury.e. The names and conditions of other children in the child’s home.f. A recording made of an interview conducted under chapter 232 in association with a child abuse assessment.g. Any other information believed to be helpful in establishing the information in paragraph “d”.11. “Sealing” means the process of removing child abuse information from authorized access as provided by this chapter.