IA HSB669

Amends Iowa Code Section 232.68 to exclude from the definition of "child abuse" the act of raising, guiding, or instructing a child in a manner consistent with the child's biological sex, including using sex-consistent pronouns/titles, seeking mental health services to help the child live consistently with their sex, making health decisions based on the child's sex, and declining to consent to gender transition procedures.

Amends Iowa Code Section 232.71B regarding child abuse assessments to add provisions allowing children aged 10 or older to terminate contact with a child protection worker and restructuring facility/school visit procedures during investigations.

Adds a new subsection to Iowa Code Section 237.5 prohibiting the Department of Health and Human Services from refusing to issue a foster care or childcare license based on an individual's or agency's intent to raise, guide, or instruct a child in a manner consistent with the child's sex.

Adds a new subsection to Iowa Code Section 598.41 prohibiting courts from considering as a negative factor in custody determinations that a parent is raising, guiding, or instructing—or intends to raise, guide, or instruct—a child in a manner consistent with the child's sex, including using sex-consistent pronouns, seeking related mental health services, or declining consent to gender transition procedures.

Proposed by the House Judiciary Committee (Chairperson Holt) for the 91st Iowa General Assembly, applying to Code 2026.