Iowa Code 600A.2A – Rights and duties of custodian

1. The rights and duties of a custodian with respect to a child shall be as follows:

a. To maintain or transfer to another the physical possession of that child.

b. To protect, train, and discipline that child.

c. To provide food, clothing, housing, and ordinary medical care for that child.

d. To consent to emergency medical care, including surgery.

e. To sign a release of medical information to a health professional.

Child: means a son or daughter of a parent, whether by birth or adoption. See Iowa Code 600A.2
Custodian: means a stepparent or a relative within the fourth degree of consanguinity to a minor child who has assumed responsibility for that child, a person who has accepted a release of custody, or a person appointed by a court or juvenile court having jurisdiction over a child. See Iowa Code 600A.2
Parent: means a father or mother of a child, whether by birth or adoption. See Iowa Code 600A.2

2. All rights and duties of a custodian shall be subject to any residual rights and duties remaining in a parent or guardian.