Iowa Code » Chapter 232 — JUVENILE JUSTICE
Iowa Code

Iowa Code § 232.1 (2026)

Rules of construction

✓ current as of July 2026
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This chapter shall be liberally construed to the end that each child under the jurisdiction of the court shall receive, preferably in the child’s own home, the care, guidance and control that will best serve the child’s welfare and the best interest of the state. When a child is removed from the control of the child’s parents, the court shall secure the least restrictive care for the child’s placement with a preference for placement with the child’s family or a fictive kin. [S13, §254-a14; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §3617; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §232.1] 2022 Acts, ch 1098, §1

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Notes of Decisions
Cited in 113 cases (17 in the last 5 years), 1967–2026 · leading case: State of Iowa v. Iowa Dist. Court for Warren Cnty., 828 N.W.2d 607 (Iowa 2013).
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State of Iowa v. Iowa Dist. Court for Warren Cnty., 828 N.W.2d 607 (Iowa 2013). · cites it 19× “See Iowa Code § 232.1 (2011). 3. Original consent decree provision.”
In the Interest of J.c, Minor Child. D.C., Father, 857 N.W.2d 495 (Iowa 2014). · cites it 8× “” Iowa Code § 232.1 . In addition, several settled principles of statutory interpretation arise here.”
In the Interest of M.D., K.T., G.A., E.A. & S.A., Minor Child., 921 N.W.2d 229 (Iowa 2018). · cites it 4× “2d 495, 500 (Iowa 2014); see also Iowa Code § 232.1 (2017) (“This chapter shall be liberally construed to the end that each child under the jurisdiction of the court shall receive, preferably in the child’s own home, the care, guidance and control that will best serve the…”
In the Interest of J.S. & N.S., Minor Child., A.S., Mother, 846 N.W.2d 36 (Iowa 2014). · cites it 4× “2d 489, 494 (Iowa 1990); see also Iowa Code § 232.1 19 (requiring liberal construction of child protection statutes to serve children’s welfare).”
In the Interest of C.F.-h., Minor Child, C.H., Father, 889 N.W.2d 201 (Iowa 2016). · cites it 4× “” Iowa Code § 232.1 ; In re A.M., 856 N.W.2d 365, 373 (Iowa 2014).”
Shannon & Danny NELSON, Individually, & on Behalf of E.N. F/K/A E.N., a Minor, Appellees, v. Lynn M. LINDAMAN, Lynn M. Lindaman, M.D., P.L.C. D/B/A Lindaman Orthopaedic, & Mercy Med. Ctr.—Des Moines, Appellants, 867 N.W.2d 1 (Iowa 2015). · cites it 4× “” Iowa Code § 232.1 . The legislature elaborated on the purpose of the child abuse reporting provisions: Children in this state are in urgent need of protection from abuse.”
In the Interest of Johnson, 257 N.W.2d 47 (Iowa 1977). · cites it 6× “2d 726, 728 ; Code section 232.1. A child under jurisdiction of the juvenile court is not amenable to prosecution under the criminal law until she is *49 transferred for prosecution as an adult.”
State v. Speck, 242 N.W.2d 287 (Iowa 1976). · cites it 6× “It should at the outset be noted section 232.1 provides chapter 232 is to “ * ⅜ * be liberally construed to the end that each child coming within the jurisdiction of the juvenile court shall receive, preferably in his home, the care, guidance, and control that will conduce to…”
In the Interest of A.M., Minor Child. Heather Thomas, Subpoenaed Witness, 856 N.W.2d 365 (Iowa 2014). · cites it 2× “Iowa Code § 232.1 . We honor the legislature’s directive to construe chapter 232 liberally to “best serve the child’s welfare.”
In the Interest of T.D.C., 336 N.W.2d 738 (Iowa 1983). · cites it 4× “Iowa Code § 232.1 (1981). The trial court recognized this clear and convincing evidence standard in its conclusions of law.”
In the Interest of L.L., 459 N.W.2d 489 (Iowa 1990). · cites it 2× “See Iowa Code § 232.1 . II. Iowa Code section 232.”
Anne Hensler Vs. City Of Davenport, 790 N.W.2d 569 (Iowa 2010). · cites it 2× “See Iowa Code §§ 232.1 -.196. Consequently, Anne has failed to produce “persuasive concrete evidence of an intent to preempt the field in the language that the legislature actually chose to employ.”
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— Iowa Code § 232.1(111) — 1 case
In the Interest of R.G. & L.G., Minor Child. (Iowa Ct. App. 2022).
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