IA HF1003

Requires the Department of Health and Human Services to employ dedicated staff at its central office specifically for identifying and notifying relatives (grandparents, aunts, uncles, adult siblings, parents of siblings) within 30 days when a child is removed from parental custody

Prohibits courts from placing a child with non-relatives (foster care, group facilities) without making a specific finding that placement with an adult relative is not in the child's best interests and providing reasons for that determination

Protects placement stability for children in long-term foster care by prohibiting courts from moving a child who has been with the same licensed foster parent for at least 9 months immediately before the dispositional hearing unless the court specifically finds the move is in the child's best interests

Includes exceptions to relative notification requirements in cases involving family or domestic violence