Iowa Code ch. 235B

Dependent Adult Abuse

Iowa Code Chapter 235B establishes a dependent adult abuse services program and central information registry administered by the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services. It defines dependent adult abuse, mandates reporting by specified professionals (including community mental health center staff, social workers, and health practitioners), and sets procedures for receiving, evaluating, and disseminating abuse reports. The chapter also governs authorized access to registry information, protective services, and penalties for failure to report — but does not license or set operating standards for any specific behavioral health, IDD, or other care facility type.

1
DEPENDENT
ADUL
T
ABUSE
SER
VICES
—
INFORMA
TION
REGISTR
Y
,
§235B.1
CHAPTER
235B
DEPENDENT
ADUL
T
ABUSE
SER
VICES
—
INFORMA
TION
REGISTR
Y
Referred
to
in
§216A
.136
,
235E.2
,
256.146
Dependent
adult
abuse
in
facilities
and
programs,
see
chapter
235E
Legislative
services
agency
to
monitor
reporting
of
dependent
adult
abuse,
investigations,
and
workload
and
performance
of
personnel,
and
report
annually
by
F
ebruary
1;
department
of
health
and
human
services
and
department
of
inspections,
appeals,
and
licensing
to
cooperate;
87
Acts,
ch
182,
§11
;
2003
Acts,
ch
35,
§46,
49
;
2009
Acts,
ch
182,
§137
;
2023
Acts,
ch
19,
§1358
SUBCHAPTER
I
GENERAL
PRO
VISIONS
235B.1
Dependent
adult
abuse
services.
235B.2
Definitions.
235B.3
Dependent
adult
abuse
reports.
235B.3A
P
revention
of
additional
abuse
—
notification
of
rights.
SUBCHAPTER
II
DEPENDENT
ADUL
T
ABUSE
INFORMA
TION
REGISTR
Y
235B.4
Legislative
findings
and
purposes.
235B.5
Creation
and
maintenance
of
a
central
registry
.
235B.6
A
uthorized
access.
235B.7
Requests
for
dependent
adult
abuse
information.
235B.8
Redissemination
of
dependent
adult
abuse
information.
235B.9
Sealing
and
expungement
of
dependent
adult
abuse
information.
235B.10
Examination,
requests
for
correction
or
expungement,
and
appeal.
235B.11
Civil
remedy
.
235B.12
Criminal
penalties.
235B.13
Registry
reports.
235B.14
and
235B.15
Reserved.
SUBCHAPTER
III
MISCELLANEOUS
PRO
VISIONS
235B.16
Information,
education,
and
training
requirements.
235B.16A
Dependent
adults
—
dependency
assessments
—
interagency
training.
235B.17
P
rovision
of
protective
services
with
the
consent
of
dependent
adult
—
caretaker
refusal.
235B.18
P
rovision
of
services
to
dependent
adult
who
lacks
capacity
to
consent
—
hearing
—
findings.
235B.19
Emergency
order
for
protective
services.
235B.20
Dependent
adult
abuse
—
initiation
of
charges
—
penalty
.
Repealed
by
2022
Acts,
ch
1132,
§7
.
SUBCHAPTER
I
GENERAL
PRO
VISIONS
235B.1
Dependent
adult
abuse
ser
vices.
The
department
shall
establish
and
operate
a
dependent
adult
abuse
services
program.
The
program
shall
emphasize
the
reporting
and
evaluation
of
cases
of
abuse
of
a
dependent
adult
who
is
unable
to
protect
the
adult’s
own
interests
or
unable
to
perform
activities
necessary
to
meet
essential
human
needs.
The
program
shall
include
but
is
not
limited
to
:
1.
The
establishment
of
local
or
regional
multidisciplinary
teams
to
assist
in
assessing
the
needs
of,
formulating
and
monitoring
a
treatment
plan
for
,
and
coordinating
services
to
victims
of
dependent
adult
abuse.
The
membership
of
a
team
shall
include
individuals
who
possess
knowledge
and
skills
related
to
the
diagnosis,
assessment,
and
disposition
of
dependent
adult
abuse
cases
and
who
are
professionals
practicing
in
the
disciplines
of
medicine,
public
health,
mental
health,
social
work,
law
,
law
enforcement,
or
other
disciplines
relative
to
dependent
adults.
Members
of
a
team
shall
include
but
are
not
limited
to
persons
representing
the
area
agencies
on
aging,
county
attorneys,
health
care
providers,
and
other
persons
involved
in
advocating
or
providing
services
to
dependent
adults.
2.
P
rovisions
for
information
sharing
and
case
consultation
among
service
providers,
care
providers,
and
victims
of
dependent
adult
abuse.
T
ue
Dec
09
22:20:52
2025
Iowa
Code
2026,
Chapter
235B
(45,
1)

§235B.1,
DEPENDENT
ADUL
T
ABUSE
SER
VICES
—
INFORMA
TION
REGISTR
Y
2
3.
P
rocedures
for
referral
of
cases
among
service
providers,
including
the
referral
of
victims
of
dependent
adult
abuse
residing
in
licensed
health
care
facilities.
83
Acts,
ch
96,
§159,
160
;
83
Acts,
ch
153,
§4
;
84
Acts,
ch
1178,
§3
;
85
Acts,
ch
180,
§1
;
87
Acts,
ch
182,
§2
–
8
;
88
Acts,
ch
1238,
§2
;
89
Acts,
ch
24,
§2,
3
;
90
Acts,
ch
1204,
§52
;
90
Acts,
ch
1271,
§1509
;
91
Acts,
ch
231,
§1
;
96
Acts,
ch
1130,
§1
;
2004
Acts,
ch
1116,
§16
;
2008
Acts,
ch
1093,
§1,
2
;
2009
Acts,
ch
23,
§50
;
2010
Acts,
ch
1069,
§28
;
2011
Acts,
ch
34,
§62
;
2013
Acts,
ch
30,
§46
;
2023
Acts,
ch
19,
§715,
1937,
1938
;
2024
Acts,
ch
1004,
§29
;
2024
Acts,
ch
1170,
§276
Referred
to
in
§235A
.13
235B.2
Definitions.
As
used
in
this
chapter
,
unless
the
context
otherwise
requires:
1.
“Caretaker”
means
a
related
or
nonrelated
person
who
has
the
responsibility
for
the
protection,
care,
or
custody
of
a
dependent
adult
as
a
result
of
assuming
the
responsibility
voluntarily
,
by
contract,
through
employment,
or
by
order
of
the
court.
2.
“Court”
means
the
district
court.
3.
“Department”
means
the
department
of
health
and
human
services.
4.
“Dependent
adult”
means
a
person
eighteen
years
of
age
or
older
who
is
unable
to
protect
the
person
’s
own
interests
or
unable
to
adequately
perform
or
obtain
services
necessary
to
meet
essential
human
needs,
as
a
result
of
a
physical
or
mental
condition
which
requires
assistance
from
another
,
or
as
defined
by
departmental
rule.
5.
a.
“Dependent
adult
abuse”
means:
(1)
Any
of
the
following
as
a
result
of
the
willful
or
negligent
acts
or
omissions
of
a
caretaker
:
(a)
Physical
injury
to
,
or
injury
which
is
at
a
variance
with
the
history
given
of
the
injury
,
or
unreasonable
confinement,
unreasonable
punishment,
or
assault
of
a
dependent
adult.
(b)
The
commission
of
a
sexual
offense
under
chapter
709
or
section
726.2
with
or
against
a
dependent
adult.
(c)
Exploitation
of
a
dependent
adult
which
means
a
fraudulent
or
otherwise
illegal,
unauthorized,
or
improper
attempt,
act,
or
process
by
a
caretaker
or
fiduciary
to
use
the
physical
or
financial
resources
of
a
dependent
adult
for
any
of
the
following
purposes:
(i)
Monetary
or
personal
benefit,
profit,
or
gain.
(ii)
T
o
deprive
the
dependent
adult
of
the
use
of
the
dependent
adult’s
physical
or
financial
resources,
including
any
benefits,
belongings,
or
assets.
(d)
The
deprivation
of
the
minimum
food,
shelter
,
clothing,
supervision,
physical
or
mental
health
care,
or
other
care
necessary
to
maintain
a
dependent
adult’s
life
or
health.
(2)
The
deprivation
of
the
minimum
food,
shelter
,
clothing,
supervision,
physical
or
mental
health
care,
and
other
care
necessary
to
maintain
a
dependent
adult’s
life
or
health
as
a
result
of
the
acts
or
omissions
of
the
dependent
adult.
(3)
(a)
Sexual
exploitation
of
a
dependent
adult
by
a
caretaker
.
(b)
“Sexual
exploitation
”
means
any
consensual
or
nonconsensual
sexual
conduct
with
a
dependent
adult
which
includes
but
is
not
limited
to
kissing;
touching
of
the
clothed
or
unclothed
inner
thigh,
breast,
groin,
buttock,
anus,
pubes,
or
genitals;
or
a
sex
act,
as
defined
in
section
702.17
.
“Sexual
exploitation
”
includes
the
transmission,
display
,
taking
of
electronic
images
of
the
unclothed
breast,
groin,
buttock,
anus,
pubes,
or
genitals
of
a
dependent
adult
by
a
caretaker
for
a
purpose
not
related
to
treatment
or
diagnosis
or
as
part
of
an
ongoing
assessment,
evaluation,
or
investigation.
Sexual
exploitation
does
not
include
touching
which
is
part
of
a
necessary
examination,
treatment,
or
care
by
a
caretaker
acting
within
the
scope
of
the
practice
or
employment
of
the
caretaker
;
the
exchange
of
a
brief
touch
or
hug
between
the
dependent
adult
and
a
caretaker
for
the
purpose
of
reassurance,
comfort,
or
casual
friendship;
or
touching
between
spouses.
(4)
(a)
P
ersonal
degradation
of
a
dependent
adult
by
a
caretaker
.
(b)
(i)
“P
ersonal
degradation
”
means
a
willful
act
or
statement
by
a
caretaker
intended
to
shame,
degrade,
humiliate,
or
otherwise
harm
the
personal
dignity
of
a
dependent
adult,
or
where
the
caretaker
knew
or
reasonably
should
have
known
the
act
or
statement
would
cause
shame,
degradation,
humiliation,
or
harm
to
the
personal
dignity
of
a
reasonable
person.
“P
ersonal
degradation
”
includes
the
taking,
transmission,
or
display
of
an
electronic
image
T
ue
Dec
09
22:20:52
2025
Iowa
Code
2026,
Chapter
235B
(45,
1)

3
DEPENDENT
ADUL
T
ABUSE
SER
VICES
—
INFORMA
TION
REGISTR
Y
,
§235B.2
of
a
dependent
adult
by
a
caretaker
,
where
the
caretaker
’s
actions
constitute
a
willful
act
or
statement
intended
to
shame,
degrade,
humiliate,
or
otherwise
harm
the
personal
dignity
of
the
dependent
adult,
or
where
the
caretaker
knew
or
reasonably
should
have
known
the
act
would
cause
shame,
degradation,
humiliation,
or
harm
to
the
personal
dignity
of
a
reasonable
person.
(ii)
“P
ersonal
degradation
”
does
not
include
any
of
the
following:
(A)
The
taking,
transmission,
or
display
of
an
electronic
image
of
a
dependent
adult
for
the
purpose
of
reporting
dependent
adult
abuse
to
law
enforcement,
the
department,
or
any
other
regulatory
agency
that
oversees
caretakers
or
enforces
abuse
or
neglect
provisions,
or
for
the
purpose
of
treatment
or
diagnosis
or
as
part
of
an
ongoing
investigation.
(B)
The
taking,
transmission,
or
display
of
an
electronic
image
by
a
caretaker
who
takes,
transmits,
or
displays
the
electronic
image
in
accordance
with
the
confidentiality
policy
and
release
of
information
or
consent
policies
of
a
contractor
,
employer
,
or
facility
or
program
not
covered
under
section
235E.1,
subsection
5
,
paragraph
“a”
,
subparagraph
(3).
(C)
A
statement
by
a
caretaker
who
is
the
spouse
of
a
dependent
adult
that
is
not
intended
to
shame,
degrade,
humiliate,
or
otherwise
harm
the
personal
dignity
of
the
dependent
adult
spouse.
b.
“Dependent
adult
abuse”
does
not
include
any
of
the
following:
(1)
Circumstances
in
which
the
dependent
adult
declines
medical
treatment
if
the
dependent
adult
holds
a
belief
or
is
an
adherent
of
a
religion
whose
tenets
and
practices
call
for
reliance
on
spiritual
means
in
place
of
reliance
on
medical
treatment.
(2)
Circumstances
in
which
the
dependent
adult’s
caretaker
,
acting
in
accordance
with
the
dependent
adult’s
stated
or
implied
consent,
declines
medical
treatment
if
the
dependent
adult
holds
a
belief
or
is
an
adherent
of
a
religion
whose
tenets
and
practices
call
for
reliance
on
spiritual
means
in
place
of
reliance
on
medical
treatment.
(3)
The
withholding
or
withdrawing
of
health
care
from
a
dependent
adult
who
is
terminally
ill
in
the
opinion
of
a
licensed
physician,
when
the
withholding
or
withdrawing
of
health
care
is
done
at
the
request
of
the
dependent
adult
or
at
the
request
of
the
dependent
adult’s
next
of
kin,
attorney
in
fact,
or
guardian
pursuant
to
the
applicable
procedures
under
chapter
125
,
144A
,
144B
,
222
,
229
,
or
633
.
6.
“Director”
means
the
director
of
health
and
human
services.
7.
“Emergency
shelter
services”
means
and
includes,
but
is
not
limited
to
,
secure
crisis
shelters
or
housing
for
victims
of
dependent
adult
abuse.
8.
“F
amily
or
household
member”
means
a
spouse,
a
person
cohabiting
with
the
dependent
adult,
a
parent,
or
a
person
related
to
the
dependent
adult
by
consanguinity
or
affinity
,
but
does
not
include
children
of
the
dependent
adult
who
are
less
than
eighteen
years
of
age.
9.
“Immediate
danger
to
health
or
safety
”
means
a
situation
in
which
death
or
severe
bodily
injury
could
reasonably
be
expected
to
occur
without
intervention.
10.
“Individual
employed
as
an
outreach
person
”
means
a
natural
person
who
,
in
the
course
of
employment,
makes
regular
contacts
with
dependent
adults
regarding
available
community
resources.
11.
“Legal
holiday
”
means
a
legal
public
holiday
as
defined
in
section
1C.1
.
12.
“P
erson
”
means
person
as
defined
in
section
4.1
.
13.
“Recklessly
”
means
that
a
person
acts
or
fails
to
act
with
respect
to
a
material
element
of
a
public
offense,
when
the
person
is
aware
of
and
consciously
disregards
a
substantial
and
unjustifiable
risk
that
the
material
element
exists
or
will
result
from
the
act
or
omission.
The
risk
must
be
of
such
a
nature
and
degree
that
disregard
of
the
risk
constitutes
a
gross
deviation
from
the
standard
conduct
that
a
reasonable
person
would
observe
in
the
situation.
14.
“Serious
injury
”
means
the
same
as
defined
in
section
702.18
.
15.
“Support
services”
includes
but
is
not
limited
to
community
-based
services
including
area
agency
on
aging
assistance,
mental
health
services,
fiscal
management,
home
health
services,
housing-related
services,
counseling
services,
transportation
services,
adult
day
services,
respite
services,
legal
services,
and
advocacy
services.
87
Acts,
ch
182,
§9
;
88
Acts,
ch
1238,
§3
;
91
Acts,
ch
231,
§2
;
92
Acts,
ch
1143,
§6,
7
;
93
Acts,
ch
76,
§7
;
95
Acts,
ch
51,
§3
;
96
Acts,
ch
1130,
§2
;
2001
Acts,
ch
64,
§7
;
2006
Acts,
ch
1030,
T
ue
Dec
09
22:20:52
2025
Iowa
Code
2026,
Chapter
235B
(45,
1)

§235B.2,
DEPENDENT
ADUL
T
ABUSE
SER
VICES
—
INFORMA
TION
REGISTR
Y
4
§26
;
2008
Acts,
ch
1093,
§3
;
2009
Acts,
ch
107,
§1
;
2010
Acts,
ch
1073,
§1
;
2019
Acts,
ch
39,
§1
;
2019
Acts,
ch
122,
§1
;
2023
Acts,
ch
19,
§716
;
2025
Acts,
ch
135,
§41
Referred
to
in
§235B.3
,
235B.16A
,
249A
.4
,
502.801
,
633B.116
,
633B.118
,
692A
.102
,
726.26
,
726.28
,
915.84
Subsection
5,
paragraph
a,
subparagraph
(1),
subparagraph
division
(c)
amended
235B.3
Dependent
adult
abuse
reports.
1.
a.
(1)
The
department
shall
receive
dependent
adult
abuse
reports
and
shall
collect,
maintain,
and
disseminate
the
reports
by
establishing
a
central
registry
for
dependent
adult
abuse
information.
The
department
shall
evaluate
the
reports
expeditiously
.
(2)
However
,
the
department
of
inspections,
appeals,
and
licensing
is
solely
responsible
for
the
evaluation
and
disposition
of
dependent
adult
abuse
cases
within
facilities
and
programs
pursuant
to
chapter
235E
and
shall
inform
the
department
of
such
evaluations
and
dispositions
pursuant
to
section
235E.2
.
(3)
If,
in
the
course
of
an
assessment
or
evaluation
of
a
report
of
dependent
adult
abuse,
the
department
determines
the
case
involves
wages,
workplace
safety
,
or
other
labor
and
employment
matters
under
the
jurisdiction
of
the
department
of
inspections,
appeals,
and
licensing
or
the
division
of
labor
services
of
the
department
of
inspections,
appeals,
and
licensing,
the
relevant
portions
of
the
case
shall
be
referred
to
the
department
of
inspections,
appeals,
and
licensing
or
the
division,
as
applicable.
(4)
If,
in
the
course
of
an
assessment
or
evaluation
of
a
report
of
dependent
adult
abuse,
the
department
or
the
department
of
inspections,
appeals,
and
licensing
determines
that
the
case
involves
discrimination
under
the
jurisdiction
of
the
Iowa
office
of
civil
rights,
the
relevant
portions
of
the
case
shall
be
referred
to
the
office.
b.
Reports
of
dependent
adult
abuse
which
is
the
result
of
the
acts
or
omissions
of
the
dependent
adult
shall
be
collected
and
maintained
in
the
files
of
the
dependent
adult
as
assessments
only
and
shall
not
be
included
in
the
central
registry
.
c.
A
report
of
dependent
adult
abuse
that
meets
the
definition
of
dependent
adult
abuse
under
section
235B.2,
subsection
5
,
paragraph
“a”
,
subparagraph
(1),
subparagraph
division
(a)
or
(d),
or
section
235B.2,
subsection
5
,
paragraph
“a”
,
subparagraph
(4),
which
the
department
determines
is
minor
,
isolated,
and
unlikely
to
reoccur
shall
be
collected
and
maintained
by
the
department
as
an
assessment
only
for
a
five-year
period
and
shall
not
be
included
in
the
central
registry
and
shall
not
be
considered
to
be
founded
dependent
adult
abuse.
However
,
a
subsequent
report
of
dependent
adult
abuse
that
meets
the
definition
of
dependent
adult
abuse
under
section
235B.2,
subsection
5
,
paragraph
“a”
,
subparagraph
(1),
subparagraph
division
(a)
or
(d),
or
section
235B.2,
subsection
5
,
paragraph
“a”
,
subparagraph
(4),
that
occurs
within
the
five-year
period
and
that
is
committed
by
the
caretaker
responsible
for
the
act
or
omission
which
was
the
subject
of
the
previous
report
of
dependent
adult
abuse
which
the
department
determined
was
minor
,
isolated,
and
unlikely
to
reoccur
shall
not
be
considered
minor
,
isolated,
and
unlikely
to
reoccur
.
2.
A
person
who
,
in
the
course
of
employment,
examines,
attends,
counsels,
or
treats
a
dependent
adult
and
reasonably
believes
the
dependent
adult
has
suffered
abuse,
shall
report
the
suspected
dependent
adult
abuse
to
the
department.
P
ersons
required
to
report
include
all
of
the
following:
a.
A
member
of
the
staff
of
a
community
mental
health
center
.
b.
A
peace
officer
.
c.
An
in
-home
homemaker
-home
health
aide.
d.
An
individual
employed
as
an
outreach
person.
e.
A
health
practitioner
,
as
defined
in
section
232.68
.
f
.
A
member
of
the
staff
or
an
employee
of
a
supported
community
living
service,
sheltered
workshop,
or
work
activity
center
.
g.
A
social
worker
.
h.
A
certified
psychologist.
i.
A
massage
therapist
licensed
pursuant
to
chapter
152C
.
3.
a.
If
a
staff
member
or
employee
is
required
to
report
pursuant
to
this
section
,
the
person
shall
immediately
notify
the
department
and
shall
also
immediately
notify
the
person
in
charge
or
the
person
’s
designated
agent.
T
ue
Dec
09
22:20:52
2025
Iowa
Code
2026,
Chapter
235B
(45,
1)

5
DEPENDENT
ADUL
T
ABUSE
SER
VICES
—
INFORMA
TION
REGISTR
Y
,
§235B.3
b.
The
employer
or
supervisor
of
a
person
who
is
required
to
or
may
make
a
report
pursuant
to
this
section
shall
not
apply
a
policy
,
work
rule,
or
other
requirement
that
interferes
with
the
person
making
a
report
of
dependent
adult
abuse
or
that
results
in
the
failure
of
another
person
to
make
the
report.
4.
An
employee
of
a
financial
institution
may
report
suspected
financial
exploitation
of
a
dependent
adult
to
the
department.
5.
Any
other
person
who
believes
that
a
dependent
adult
has
suffered
abuse
may
report
the
suspected
abuse
to
the
department.
6.
F
ollowing
the
reporting
of
suspected
dependent
adult
abuse,
the
department
or
an
agency
approved
by
the
department
shall
complete
an
assessment
of
necessary
services
and
shall
make
appropriate
referrals
for
receipt
of
these
services.
The
assessment
shall
include
interviews
with
the
dependent
adult,
and,
if
appropriate,
with
the
alleged
perpetrator
of
the
dependent
adult
abuse
and
with
any
person
believed
to
have
knowledge
of
the
circumstances
of
the
case.
The
department
may
provide
necessary
protective
services
and
may
establish
a
sliding
fee
schedule
for
those
persons
able
to
pay
a
portion
of
the
protective
services.
7.
a.
Upon
a
showing
of
probable
cause
that
a
dependent
adult
has
been
abused,
a
court
may
authorize
a
person,
also
authorized
by
the
department,
to
make
an
evaluation,
to
enter
the
residence
of,
and
to
examine
the
dependent
adult.
b.
Upon
a
showing
of
probable
cause
that
there
has
been
exploitation
of
a
dependent
adult,
a
court
may
authorize
a
person,
also
authorized
by
the
department,
to
make
an
evaluation,
and
to
gain
access
to
the
financial
records
that
the
department
reasonably
believes
are
related
to
the
resources
of
the
dependent
adult.
8.
If
the
department
determines
that
disclosure
is
necessary
for
the
protection
of
a
dependent
adult,
the
department
may
disclose
to
a
subject
of
a
dependent
adult
abuse
report
referred
to
in
section
235B.6,
subsection
2
,
paragraph
“a”
,
that
an
individual
is
listed
in
the
child
or
dependent
adult
abuse
registry
or
is
required
to
register
with
the
sex
offender
registry
in
accordance
with
chapter
692A
.
9.
If,
in
the
course
of
assessment,
evaluation,
or
investigation
of
a
report
of
dependent
adult
abuse,
the
department
determines
that
disclosure
is
necessary
for
the
protection
of
a
dependent
adult’s
resources,
the
department
may
disclose
the
initiation
and
status
of
the
dependent
adult
abuse
evaluation
to
the
dependent
adult’s
bank,
savings
association,
credit
union,
broker
-dealer
as
defined
in
section
502.102,
subsection
4
,
investment
advisor
as
defined
in
section
502.102,
subsection
15
,
financial
advisor
,
or
other
financial
institution,
or
the
administrator
as
defined
in
section
502.102,
subsection
1
.
10.
The
department
shall
inform
the
appropriate
county
attorneys
of
any
reports
of
dependent
adult
abuse.
The
department
may
request
information
from
any
person
believed
to
have
knowledge
of
a
case
of
dependent
adult
abuse.
The
person,
including
but
not
limited
to
a
county
attorney
,
a
law
enforcement
agency
,
a
multidisciplinary
team,
a
social
services
agency
in
the
state,
or
any
person
who
is
required
pursuant
to
subsection
2
to
report
dependent
adult
abuse,
whether
or
not
the
person
made
the
specific
dependent
adult
abuse
report,
shall
cooperate
and
assist
in
the
evaluation
upon
the
request
of
the
department.
If
the
department’s
assessment
reveals
that
dependent
adult
abuse
exists
which
might
constitute
a
criminal
offense,
a
report
shall
be
made
to
the
appropriate
law
enforcement
agency
.
County
attorneys
and
appropriate
law
enforcement
agencies
shall
also
take
any
other
lawful
action
necessary
or
advisable
for
the
protection
of
the
dependent
adult.
a.
If,
upon
completion
of
the
evaluation
or
upon
referral
from
the
department
of
inspections,
appeals,
and
licensing,
the
department
determines
that
the
best
interests
of
the
dependent
adult
require
court
action,
the
department
shall
initiate
action
for
the
appointment
of
a
guardian
or
conservator
or
for
admission
or
commitment
to
an
appropriate
institution
or
facility
pursuant
to
the
applicable
procedures
under
chapter
125
,
222
,
229
,
or
633
,
or
shall
pursue
other
remedies
provided
by
law
.
The
appropriate
county
attorney
shall
assist
the
department
in
the
preparation
of
the
necessary
papers
to
initiate
the
action
and
shall
appear
and
represent
the
department
at
all
district
court
proceedings.
b.
The
department
shall
assist
the
court
during
all
stages
of
court
proceedings
involving
a
suspected
case
of
dependent
adult
abuse.
c.
In
every
case
involving
abuse
which
is
substantiated
by
the
department
and
which
T
ue
Dec
09
22:20:52
2025
Iowa
Code
2026,
Chapter
235B
(45,
1)

§235B.3,
DEPENDENT
ADUL
T
ABUSE
SER
VICES
—
INFORMA
TION
REGISTR
Y
6
results
in
a
judicial
proceeding
on
behalf
of
the
dependent
adult,
legal
counsel
shall
be
appointed
by
the
court
to
represent
the
dependent
adult
in
the
proceedings.
The
court
may
also
appoint
a
guardian
ad
litem
to
represent
the
dependent
adult
if
necessary
to
protect
the
dependent
adult’s
best
interests.
The
same
attorney
may
be
appointed
to
serve
both
as
legal
counsel
and
as
guardian
ad
litem.
Before
legal
counsel
or
a
guardian
ad
litem
is
appointed
pursuant
to
this
section
,
the
court
shall
require
the
dependent
adult
and
any
person
legally
responsible
for
the
support
of
the
dependent
adult
to
complete
under
oath
a
detailed
financial
statement.
If,
on
the
basis
of
that
financial
statement,
the
court
deems
that
the
dependent
adult
or
the
legally
responsible
person
is
able
to
bear
all
or
a
portion
of
the
cost
of
the
legal
counsel
or
guardian
ad
litem,
the
court
shall
so
order
.
In
cases
where
the
dependent
adult
or
the
legally
responsible
person
is
unable
to
bear
the
cost
of
the
legal
counsel
or
guardian
ad
litem,
the
expense
shall
be
paid
by
the
county
.
11.
A
person
participating
in
good
faith
in
reporting
or
cooperating
with
or
assisting
the
department
in
evaluating
a
case
of
dependent
adult
abuse
has
immunity
from
liability
,
civil
or
criminal,
which
might
otherwise
be
incurred
or
imposed
based
upon
the
act
of
making
the
report
or
giving
the
assistance.
The
person
has
the
same
immunity
with
respect
to
participating
in
good
faith
in
a
judicial
proceeding
resulting
from
the
report
or
cooperation
or
assistance
or
relating
to
the
subject
matter
of
the
report,
cooperation,
or
assistance.
12.
It
shall
be
unlawful
for
any
person
or
employer
to
discharge,
suspend,
or
otherwise
discipline
a
person
required
to
report
or
voluntarily
reporting
an
instance
of
suspected
dependent
adult
abuse
pursuant
to
subsection
2
or
5
,
or
cooperating
with,
or
assisting
the
department
in
evaluating
a
case
of
dependent
adult
abuse,
or
participating
in
judicial
proceedings
relating
to
the
reporting
or
cooperation
or
assistance
based
solely
upon
the
person
’s
reporting
or
assistance
relative
to
the
instance
of
dependent
adult
abuse.
A
person
or
employer
found
in
violation
of
this
subsection
is
guilty
of
a
simple
misdemeanor
.
13.
A
person
required
by
this
section
to
report
a
suspected
case
of
dependent
adult
abuse
who
knowingly
and
willfully
fails
to
do
so
commits
a
simple
misdemeanor
.
A
person
required
by
this
section
to
report
a
suspected
case
of
dependent
adult
abuse
who
knowingly
fails
to
do
so
or
who
knowingly
,
in
violation
of
subsection
3
,
interferes
with
the
making
of
such
a
report
or
applies
a
requirement
that
results
in
such
a
failure
is
civilly
liable
for
the
damages
proximately
caused
by
the
failure.
14.
The
department
of
inspections,
appeals,
and
licensing
shall
adopt
rules
which
require
facilities
or
programs
to
separate
an
alleged
dependent
adult
abuser
from
a
victim
following
an
allegation
of
perpetration
of
abuse
and
prior
to
the
completion
of
an
investigation
of
the
allegation.
91
Acts,
ch
231,
§3
;
92
Acts,
ch
1143,
§8,
9
;
93
Acts,
ch
72,
§6
;
95
Acts,
ch
51,
§4
;
96
Acts,
ch
1130,
§3
–
5
;
98
Acts,
ch
1181,
§13
;
99
Acts,
ch
129,
§17
;
2001
Acts,
ch
122,
§7
–
10
;
2003
Acts,
ch
98,
§2
;
2003
Acts,
ch
123,
§2
;
2003
Acts,
ch
166,
§27
;
2003
Acts,
ch
179,
§69
;
2004
Acts,
ch
1116,
§17,
18
;
2006
Acts,
ch
1030,
§27
;
2007
Acts,
ch
159,
§15
;
2008
Acts,
ch
1093,
§4
–
6
;
2009
Acts,
ch
41,
§263
;
2009
Acts,
ch
136,
§7
;
2019
Acts,
ch
122,
§2
;
2022
Acts,
ch
1078,
§3
;
2022
Acts,
ch
1096,
§11
;
2023
Acts,
ch
19,
§717,
1939
–
1941
;
2024
Acts,
ch
1170,
§277
;
2025
Acts,
ch
135,
§42
Referred
to
in
§235B.16
Subsection
7
amended
235B.3A
P
revention
of
additional
abuse
—
notification
of
rights.
If
a
peace
officer
has
reason
to
believe
that
dependent
adult
abuse,
which
is
criminal
in
nature,
has
occurred,
the
officer
shall
use
all
reasonable
means
to
prevent
further
abuse,
including
but
not
limited
to
any
of
the
following:
1.
If
requested,
remaining
on
the
scene
as
long
as
there
is
a
danger
to
the
dependent
adult’s
physical
safety
without
the
presence
of
a
peace
officer
,
including
but
not
limited
to
staying
in
the
dwelling
unit,
or
if
unable
to
remain
at
the
scene,
assisting
the
dependent
adult
in
leaving
the
residence
and
securing
support
services
or
emergency
shelter
services.
2.
Assisting
the
dependent
adult
in
obtaining
medical
treatment
necessitated
by
the
dependent
adult
abuse,
including
providing
assistance
to
the
dependent
adult
in
obtaining
transportation
to
the
emergency
room
of
the
nearest
hospital.
T
ue
Dec
09
22:20:52
2025
Iowa
Code
2026,
Chapter
235B
(45,
1)

7
DEPENDENT
ADUL
T
ABUSE
SER
VICES
—
INFORMA
TION
REGISTR
Y
,
§235B.5
3.
P
roviding
a
dependent
adult
with
immediate
and
adequate
notice
of
the
dependent
adult’s
rights.
The
notice
shall
consist
of
handing
the
dependent
adult
a
document
that
includes
the
telephone
numbers
of
shelters,
support
groups,
and
crisis
lines
operating
in
the
area
and
contains
the
following
written
statement
of
rights;
requesting
the
dependent
adult
to
read
the
document;
and
asking
the
dependent
adult
whether
the
dependent
adult
understands
the
rights:
[1]
Y
ou
have
the
right
to
ask
the
court
for
the
following
help
on
a
temporary
basis:
[a]
K
eeping
the
alleged
perpetrator
away
from
you,
your
home,
and
your
place
of
work.
[b]
The
right
to
stay
at
your
home
without
interference
from
the
alleged
perpetrator
.
[c]
P
rofessional
counseling
for
you,
your
family
,
or
household
members,
and
the
alleged
perpetrator
of
the
dependent
adult
abuse.
[2]
If
you
are
in
need
of
medical
treatment,
you
have
the
right
to
request
that
the
peace
officer
present
assist
you
in
obtaining
transportation
to
the
nearest
hospital
or
otherwise
assist
you.
[3]
If
you
believe
that
police
protection
is
needed
for
your
physical
safety
,
you
have
the
right
to
request
that
the
peace
officer
present
remain
at
the
scene
until
you
and
other
affected
parties
can
leave
or
safety
is
otherwise
ensured.
96
Acts,
ch
1130,
§6
;
2009
Acts,
ch
133,
§87,
88
;
2017
Acts,
ch
54,
§32
;
2018
Acts,
ch
1026,
§71
Similar
provisions,
§235E.3
,
236.12
,
236A
.13
,
709.22
SUBCHAPTER
II
DEPENDENT
ADUL
T
ABUSE
INFORMA
TION
REGISTR
Y
235B.4
Legislative
findings
and
purposes.
1.
The
general
assembly
finds
and
declares
that
a
central
registry
is
required
to
provide
a
single
source
for
the
statewide
collection,
maintenance,
and
dissemination
of
dependent
adult
abuse
information.
Such
a
registry
is
imperative
for
increased
effectiveness
in
dealing
with
the
problem
of
dependent
adult
abuse.
The
general
assembly
also
finds
that
vigorous
protection
of
rights
of
individual
privacy
is
an
indispensable
element
of
a
fair
and
effective
system
of
collecting,
maintaining,
and
disseminating
dependent
adult
abuse
information.
2.
The
purposes
of
this
section
and
sections
235B.5
through
235B.13
are
to
facilitate
the
identification
of
victims
or
potential
victims
of
dependent
adult
abuse
by
making
available
a
single,
statewide
source
of
dependent
adult
abuse
data;
to
facilitate
research
on
dependent
adult
abuse
by
making
available
a
single,
statewide
source
of
dependent
adult
abuse
data;
and
to
provide
maximum
safeguards
against
the
unwarranted
invasions
of
privacy
which
such
a
registry
might
otherwise
entail.
91
Acts,
ch
231,
§4
;
2015
Acts,
ch
30,
§80
Referred
to
in
§235E.4
235B.5
Creation
and
maintenance
of
a
central
registr
y
.
1.
There
is
created
within
the
department
a
central
registry
for
dependent
adult
abuse
information.
The
department
shall
organize
and
staff
the
registry
and
adopt
rules
for
its
operation.
2.
The
registry
shall
collect,
maintain,
and
disseminate
dependent
adult
abuse
information
as
provided
in
this
chapter
.
3.
The
department
shall
maintain
a
toll-free
telephone
line,
which
shall
be
available
on
a
twenty
-four
-hour
-a-day
,
seven
-day
-a-week
basis
and
which
the
department
and
all
other
persons
may
use
to
report
cases
of
suspected
dependent
adult
abuse
and
that
all
persons
authorized
by
this
chapter
may
use
for
obtaining
dependent
adult
abuse
information.
T
ue
Dec
09
22:20:52
2025
Iowa
Code
2026,
Chapter
235B
(45,
1)

§235B.5,
DEPENDENT
ADUL
T
ABUSE
SER
VICES
—
INFORMA
TION
REGISTR
Y
8
4.
An
oral
report
of
suspected
dependent
adult
abuse
initially
made
to
the
central
registry
shall
be
immediately
transmitted
by
the
department
to
the
appropriate
county
department
of
human
services
or
law
enforcement
agency
,
or
both.
5.
An
oral
report
of
suspected
dependent
adult
abuse
initially
made
to
the
central
registry
regarding
a
facility
or
program
as
defined
in
section
235E.1
shall
be
transmitted
by
the
department
to
the
department
of
inspections,
appeals,
and
licensing
on
the
first
working
day
following
the
submitting
of
the
report.
6.
The
registry
,
upon
receipt
of
a
report
of
suspected
dependent
adult
abuse,
shall
search
the
records
of
the
registry
,
and
if
the
records
of
the
registry
reveal
any
previous
report
of
dependent
adult
abuse
involving
the
same
adult
or
if
the
records
reveal
any
other
pertinent
information
with
respect
to
the
same
adult,
the
department
or
the
appropriate
law
enforcement
agency
shall
be
immediately
notified
of
that
fact.
7.
The
central
registry
shall
include
but
not
be
limited
to
report
data,
investigation
data,
and
disposition
data.
91
Acts,
ch
231,
§5
;
2008
Acts,
ch
1093,
§7
;
2023
Acts,
ch
19,
§718,
1942
Referred
to
in
§235B.4
,
235E.4
,
279.13
,
279.69
,
321.375
235B.6
Authorized
access.
1.
Dependent
adult
abuse
information
shall
be
confidential
and
shall
not
be
a
public
record
under
chapter
22
.
The
confidentiality
of
all
dependent
adult
abuse
information
shall
be
maintained,
except
as
specifically
provided
by
subsections
2
and
3
.
2.
Access
to
dependent
adult
abuse
information
other
than
unfounded
dependent
adult
abuse
information
is
authorized
only
to
the
following
persons:
a.
A
subject
of
a
report
including
all
of
the
following:
(1)
T
o
an
adult
named
in
a
report
as
a
victim
of
abuse
or
to
the
adult’s
attorney
or
guardian
ad
litem.
(2)
T
o
a
guardian
or
legal
custodian,
or
that
person
’s
attorney
,
of
an
adult
named
in
a
report
as
a
victim
of
abuse.
(3)
T
o
the
person
or
the
attorney
for
the
person
named
in
a
report
as
having
abused
an
adult.
b.
A
person
involved
in
an
investigation
of
dependent
adult
abuse
including
all
of
the
following:
(1)
A
health
practitioner
or
mental
health
professional
who
is
examining,
attending,
or
treating
an
adult
whom
such
practitioner
or
professional
believes
or
has
reason
to
believe
has
been
the
victim
of
abuse
or
to
a
health
practitioner
or
mental
health
professional
whose
consultation
with
respect
to
an
adult
believed
to
have
been
the
victim
of
abuse
is
requested
by
the
department.
(2)
An
employee
or
agent
of
the
department
responsible
for
the
investigation
of
a
dependent
adult
abuse
report
or
for
the
purpose
of
performing
record
checks
as
required
under
section
135C.33
.
(3)
A
representative
of
the
department
involved
in
the
certification
or
accreditation
of
an
agency
or
program
providing
care
or
services
to
a
dependent
adult
believed
to
have
been
a
victim
of
abuse.
(4)
A
law
enforcement
officer
responsible
for
assisting
in
an
investigation
of
a
dependent
adult
abuse
allegation.
(5)
A
multidisciplinary
team,
if
the
department
approves
the
composition
of
the
multidisciplinary
team
and
determines
that
access
to
the
team
is
necessary
to
assist
the
department
in
the
investigation,
diagnosis,
assessment,
and
disposition
of
a
case
of
dependent
adult
abuse.
(6)
The
mandatory
reporter
who
reported
the
dependent
adult
abuse
in
an
individual
case.
(7)
Each
board
specified
under
chapter
147
and
the
department
of
inspections,
appeals,
and
licensing
for
the
purpose
of
licensure,
certification
or
registration,
disciplinary
investigation,
or
the
renewal
of
licensure,
certification
or
registration,
or
disciplinary
proceedings
of
health
care
professionals.
c.
A
person
providing
care
to
an
adult
including
all
of
the
following:
T
ue
Dec
09
22:20:52
2025
Iowa
Code
2026,
Chapter
235B
(45,
1)

9
DEPENDENT
ADUL
T
ABUSE
SER
VICES
—
INFORMA
TION
REGISTR
Y
,
§235B.6
(1)
A
licensing
authority
for
a
facility
,
including
a
facility
or
program
defined
in
section
235E.1
,
providing
care
to
an
adult
named
in
a
report.
(2)
A
person
authorized
as
responsible
for
the
care
or
supervision
of
an
adult
named
in
a
report
as
a
victim
of
abuse
or
a
person
named
in
a
report
as
having
abused
an
adult
if
the
court
or
registry
deems
access
to
dependent
adult
abuse
information
by
such
person
to
be
necessary
.
(3)
An
employee
or
agent
of
the
department
responsible
for
registering
or
licensing
or
approving
the
registration
or
licensing
of
a
person,
or
to
an
individual
providing
care
to
an
adult
and
regulated
by
the
department.
(4)
The
legally
authorized
protection
and
advocacy
agency
recognized
pursuant
to
section
135C.2
if
a
person
identified
in
the
information
as
a
victim
or
a
perpetrator
of
abuse
resided
in
or
receives
services
from
a
facility
,
including
a
facility
or
program
defined
in
section
235E.1
,
or
agency
because
the
person
is
diagnosed
as
having
a
developmental
disability
or
a
mental
illness.
(5)
T
o
an
administrator
of
an
agency
certified
by
the
department
to
provide
services
under
a
medical
assistance
home
and
community
-based
services
waiver
,
if
the
information
concerns
a
person
employed
by
or
being
considered
by
the
agency
for
employment.
(6)
T
o
the
administrator
of
an
agency
providing
mental
health,
intellectual
disability
,
or
developmental
disability
services
under
a
regional
service
system
management
plan
implemented
in
accordance
with
section
225C.60
,*
if
the
information
concerns
a
person
employed
by
or
being
considered
by
the
agency
for
employment.
(7)
T
o
an
administrator
of
a
hospital
licensed
under
chapter
135B
if
the
data
concerns
a
person
employed
or
being
considered
for
employment
by
the
hospital.
(8)
An
employee
of
an
agency
requested
by
the
department
to
provide
case
management
or
other
services
to
the
dependent
adult.
d.
Relating
to
judicial
and
administrative
proceedings,
persons
including
all
of
the
following:
(1)
A
court
upon
a
finding
that
information
is
necessary
for
the
resolution
of
an
issue
arising
in
any
phase
of
a
case
involving
dependent
adult
abuse.
(2)
A
court
or
agency
hearing
an
appeal
for
correction
of
dependent
adult
abuse
information
as
provided
in
section
235B.10
.
(3)
An
expert
witness
or
a
witness
who
testifies
at
any
stage
of
an
appeal
necessary
for
correction
of
dependent
adult
abuse
information
as
provided
in
section
235B.10
.
(4)
A
court
or
administrative
agency
making
a
determination
regarding
an
unemployment
compensation
claim
pursuant
to
section
96.6
.
(5)
T
o
a
juvenile
court
involved
in
an
adjudication
or
disposition
of
a
child
that
is
the
subject
of
a
guardianship
proceeding
under
chapter
232D
.
(6)
T
o
a
district
court
upon
a
finding
that
data
is
necessary
for
the
resolution
of
an
issue
arising
in
any
phase
of
a
case
involving
proceedings
for
a
child
guardianship
under
chapter
232D
.
(7)
T
o
a
district
court
conducting
checks
of
the
dependent
adult
abuse
registry
for
all
proposed
guardians
and
conservators
pursuant
to
section
633.564
.
(8)
T
o
a
tribal
court
as
defined
in
section
626D.2
,
a
tribal
prosecutor
,
or
tribal
services
provided
that
the
dependent
adult
is
an
Indian
as
defined
in
section
232B.3
.
e.
Other
persons
including
all
of
the
following:
(1)
A
person
conducting
bona
fide
research
on
dependent
adult
abuse,
but
without
information
identifying
individuals
named
in
a
dependent
adult
abuse
report,
unless
having
that
information
open
to
review
is
essential
to
the
research
or
evaluation
and
the
authorized
registry
officials
give
prior
written
approval
and
the
adult,
the
adult’s
guardian
or
guardian
ad
litem,
and
the
person
named
in
a
report
as
having
abused
an
adult
give
permission
to
release
the
information.
(2)
Registry
or
department
personnel
when
necessary
to
the
performance
of
their
official
duties,
or
a
person,
an
instrumentality
of
the
state,
or
an
agency
under
contract
with
the
department
to
carry
out
official
duties
and
functions.
(3)
The
department
of
justice
for
the
sole
purpose
of
the
filing
of
a
claim
for
reparation
pursuant
to
sections
915.21
and
915.84
.
T
ue
Dec
09
22:20:52
2025
Iowa
Code
2026,
Chapter
235B
(45,
1)

§235B.6,
DEPENDENT
ADUL
T
ABUSE
SER
VICES
—
INFORMA
TION
REGISTR
Y
10
(4)
A
legally
constituted
adult
protection
agency
of
another
state
which
is
investigating
or
treating
an
adult
named
in
a
report
as
having
been
abused.
(5)
The
office
of
the
attorney
general.
(6)
A
health
care
facility
administrator
or
the
administrator
’s
designee,
following
the
appeals
process,
for
the
purpose
of
hiring
staff
or
continued
employment
of
staff.
(7)
T
o
the
administrator
of
an
agency
providing
care
to
a
dependent
adult
in
another
state,
for
the
purpose
of
performing
an
employment
background
check.
(8)
T
o
the
superintendent,
or
the
superintendent’s
designee,
of
a
school
district
or
to
the
authorities
in
charge
of
an
accredited
nonpublic
school
for
purposes
of
a
volunteer
or
employment
record
check.
(9)
The
department
of
inspections,
appeals,
and
licensing
for
purposes
of
record
checks
of
applicants
for
employment
with
the
department
of
inspections,
appeals,
and
licensing.
(10)
The
state
or
a
local
long-term
care
ombudsman
if
the
victim
resides
in
or
the
alleged
perpetrator
is
an
employee
of
a
long-term
care
facility
as
defined
in
section
231.4
.
(11)
The
state
office
or
local
office
of
public
guardian
as
defined
in
section
231E.3
,
if
the
information
relates
to
the
provision
of
legal
services
for
a
client
served
by
the
state
or
local
office
of
public
guardian.
(12)
A
nursing
program
that
is
approved
by
the
state
board
of
nursing
under
section
152.5
,
if
the
information
relates
to
a
record
check
performed
pursuant
to
section
152.5A
.
(13)
T
o
the
board
of
educational
examiners
created
under
chapter
256
for
purposes
of
determining
whether
a
license,
certificate,
or
authorization
should
be
issued,
denied,
or
revoked.
(14)
The
department
for
the
purposes
of
conducting
background
checks
of
applicants
for
employment
with
the
department.
(15)
T
o
the
Iowa
veterans
home
for
purposes
of
record
checks
of
potential
volunteers
and
volunteers
in
the
Iowa
veterans
home.
(16)
T
o
the
administrator
of
a
certified
nurse
aide
program,
if
the
data
relates
to
a
record
check
of
a
student
of
the
program
performed
pursuant
to
section
135C.33
.
(17)
T
o
the
administrator
of
a
juvenile
detention
or
shelter
care
home,
if
the
data
relates
to
a
record
check
of
an
existing
or
prospective
employee,
resident,
or
volunteer
for
or
in
the
home.
(18)
T
o
the
employer
or
prospective
employer
of
a
school
bus
driver
for
purposes
of
an
employment
record
check.
(19)
T
o
a
free
clinic
as
defined
in
section
135.24A
for
purposes
of
record
checks
of
potential
volunteers
and
existing
volunteers
at
the
free
clinic.
(20)
T
o
a
bank,
savings
association,
credit
union,
broker
-dealer
as
defined
in
section
502.102,
subsection
4
,
investment
advisor
as
defined
in
section
502.102,
subsection
15
,
financial
advisor
,
or
other
financial
institution
as
deemed
necessary
by
the
department
to
protect
the
dependent
adult’s
resources.
(21)
T
o
the
social
security
administration.
(22)
T
o
the
administrator
as
defined
in
section
502.102,
subsection
1
.
f
.
T
o
a
person
who
submits
written
authorization
from
an
individual
allowing
the
person
access
to
information
on
the
determination
only
on
whether
or
not
the
individual
who
authorized
the
access
is
named
in
a
founded
dependent
adult
abuse
report
as
having
abused
a
dependent
adult.
3.
Access
to
unfounded
dependent
adult
abuse
information
is
authorized
only
to
those
persons
identified
in
any
of
the
following:
a.
Subsection
2
,
paragraph
“a”
.
b.
Subsection
2
,
paragraph
“b”
,
subparagraphs
(2),
(5),
and
(6).
c.
Subsection
2
,
paragraph
“d”
,
subparagraph
(8).
d.
Subsection
2
,
paragraph
“e”
,
subparagraphs
(2),
(5),
(10),
(20),
(21),
and
(22).
91
Acts,
ch
231,
§6
;
92
Acts,
ch
1163,
§50
;
95
Acts,
ch
50,
§1
;
95
Acts,
ch
93,
§4
;
96
Acts,
ch
1183,
§29
;
97
Acts,
ch
42,
§2
;
98
Acts,
ch
1090,
§65,
84
;
99
Acts,
ch
141,
§32
;
2000
Acts,
ch
1067,
§3
;
2000
Acts,
ch
1153,
§2
;
2001
Acts,
ch
8,
§3
;
2001
Acts,
ch
20,
§4,
5
;
2002
Acts,
ch
1034,
§3
;
2003
Acts,
ch
98,
§3
–
5
;
2005
Acts,
ch
46,
§1
;
2005
Acts,
ch
175,
§143
;
2006
Acts,
ch
1008,
§3
;
2006
Acts,
ch
1030,
§28
;
2006
Acts,
ch
1152,
§2
;
2007
Acts,
ch
10,
§167
;
2008
Acts,
T
ue
Dec
09
22:20:52
2025
Iowa
Code
2026,
Chapter
235B
(45,
1)

11
DEPENDENT
ADUL
T
ABUSE
SER
VICES
—
INFORMA
TION
REGISTR
Y
,
§235B.9
ch
1093,
§8,
9
;
2008
Acts,
ch
1187,
§116
;
2009
Acts,
ch
23,
§51,
52
;
2009
Acts,
ch
93,
§3
;
2010
Acts,
ch
1062,
§9
;
2011
Acts,
ch
98,
§9
;
2012
Acts,
ch
1019,
§95
;
2012
Acts,
ch
1047,
§2
;
2013
Acts,
ch
18,
§32
;
2014
Acts,
ch
1107,
§11,
12
;
2015
Acts,
ch
56,
§22
;
2015
Acts,
ch
69,
§75
;
2018
Acts,
ch
1048,
§13
;
2018
Acts,
ch
1104,
§3,
5
;
2019
Acts,
ch
56,
§33,
44,
45
;
2022
Acts,
ch
1096,
§12,
13
;
2023
Acts,
ch
19,
§719,
1943,
2541
;
2024
Acts,
ch
1009,
§12
;
2024
Acts,
ch
1043,
§70
;
2024
Acts,
ch
1075,
§2,
3
;
2025
Acts,
ch
135,
§43,
44
Referred
to
in
§235B.3
,
235B.4
,
235B.7
,
235B.8
,
235B.12
,
235E.2
,
235E.4
,
331.909
*Chapter
225C
repealed
by
2024
Acts,
ch
1161,
§134;
corrective
legislation
is
pending
Subsection
1
amended
Subsection
2,
paragraph
e,
subparagraph
(2)
amended
235B.7
Requests
for
dependent
adult
abuse
information.
1.
Requests
for
dependent
adult
abuse
information
shall
be
in
writing
on
forms
prescribed
by
the
department,
except
as
otherwise
provided
by
subsection
2
.
Request
forms
shall
require
information
sufficient
to
demonstrate
authorized
access.
2.
a.
Requests
for
dependent
adult
abuse
information
may
be
made
orally
by
telephone
if
a
person
making
the
request
believes
that
the
information
is
needed
immediately
and
if
information
sufficient
to
demonstrate
authorized
access
is
provided.
If
a
request
is
made
orally
by
telephone,
a
written
request
form
shall
be
filed
within
seventy
-two
hours
of
the
oral
request.
b.
The
department
of
inspections,
appeals,
and
licensing
may
provide
access
to
the
single
contact
repository
established
under
section
135C.33,
subsection
7
,
for
criminal
and
abuse
history
checks
made
by
those
employers,
agencies,
and
other
persons
that
are
authorized
access
to
dependent
adult
abuse
information
under
section
235B.6
and
are
required
by
law
to
perform
such
checks.
3.
Subsections
1
and
2
do
not
apply
to
dependent
adult
abuse
information
that
is
disseminated
to
an
employee
of
the
department
or
to
the
office
of
the
attorney
general
as
authorized
by
section
235B.6
.
91
Acts,
ch
231,
§7
;
2014
Acts,
ch
1107,
§13
;
2018
Acts,
ch
1104,
§4,
5
;
2023
Acts,
ch
19,
§1944
Referred
to
in
§235B.4
,
235B.12
,
235E.4
235B.8
Redissemination
of
dependent
adult
abuse
information.
1.
A
recipient
of
dependent
adult
abuse
information
authorized
to
receive
the
information
shall
not
redisseminate
the
information,
except
that
redissemination
shall
be
permitted
when
all
of
the
following
conditions
apply:
a.
The
redissemination
is
for
official
purposes
in
connection
with
prescribed
duties
or
,
in
the
case
of
a
health
practitioner
,
pursuant
to
professional
responsibilities.
b.
The
person
to
whom
such
information
would
be
redisseminated
would
have
independent
access
to
the
same
information
under
section
235B.6
.
c.
A
written
record
is
made
of
the
redissemination,
including
the
name
of
the
recipient
and
the
date
and
purpose
of
the
redissemination.
d.
The
written
record
is
forwarded
to
the
registry
within
thirty
days
of
the
redissemination.
2.
The
department
may
notify
,
orally
,
the
mandatory
reporter
in
an
individual
dependent
adult
abuse
case
of
the
results
of
the
case
investigation
and
of
the
confidentiality
provisions
of
sections
235B.6
and
235B.12
.
The
department
shall
subsequently
transmit
a
written
notice
to
the
mandatory
reporter
of
the
results
and
confidentiality
provisions.
A
copy
of
the
written
notice
shall
be
transmitted
to
the
registry
and
shall
be
maintained
by
the
registry
as
provided
in
section
235B.9
.
91
Acts,
ch
231,
§8
Referred
to
in
§235B.4
,
235B.12
,
235E.4
235B.9
Sealing
and
e
xpungement
of
dependent
adult
abuse
information.
1.
Dependent
adult
abuse
information
which
is
determined
by
a
preponderance
of
the
evidence
to
be
founded,
shall
be
sealed
ten
years
after
the
receipt
of
the
initial
report
of
such
abuse
by
the
registry
unless
good
cause
is
shown
why
the
information
should
remain
open
to
authorized
access.
If
a
subsequent
report
of
founded
dependent
adult
abuse
involving
the
adult
named
in
the
initial
report
as
the
victim
of
abuse
or
a
person
named
in
such
report
as
T
ue
Dec
09
22:20:52
2025
Iowa
Code
2026,
Chapter
235B
(45,
1)

§235B.9,
DEPENDENT
ADUL
T
ABUSE
SER
VICES
—
INFORMA
TION
REGISTR
Y
12
having
abused
an
adult
is
received
by
the
registry
within
the
ten
-year
period,
the
information
shall
be
sealed
ten
years
after
receipt
of
the
subsequent
report
unless
good
cause
is
shown
why
the
information
should
remain
open
to
authorized
access.
2.
a.
Dependent
adult
abuse
reports
that
are
rejected
for
evaluation,
assessment,
or
disposition
for
failure
to
meet
the
definition
of
dependent
adult
abuse
shall
be
expunged
three
years
from
the
rejection
date.
b.
Dependent
adult
abuse
information
which
is
determined
by
a
preponderance
of
the
evidence
to
be
unfounded
shall
be
expunged
five
years
from
the
date
it
is
determined
to
be
unfounded.
3.
However
,
if
a
correction
of
dependent
adult
abuse
information
is
requested
under
section
235B.10
and
the
issue
is
not
resolved
at
the
end
of
one
year
the
information
shall
be
retained
until
the
issue
is
resolved
and
if
the
dependent
adult
abuse
information
is
not
determined
to
be
founded,
the
information
shall
be
expunged
one
year
from
the
date
it
is
determined
to
be
unfounded.
4.
The
registry
,
at
least
annually
,
shall
review
and
determine
the
current
status
of
dependent
adult
abuse
reports
which
are
at
least
one
year
old
and
in
connection
with
which
no
investigatory
report
has
been
filed
by
the
department.
If
no
investigatory
report
has
been
filed,
the
registry
shall
request
the
department
to
file
a
report.
If
a
report
is
not
filed
within
ninety
days
subsequent
to
a
request,
the
report
and
relative
information
shall
be
sealed
and
remain
sealed
unless
good
cause
is
shown
why
the
information
should
remain
open
to
authorized
access.
5.
Dependent
adult
abuse
information
which
is
determined
to
be
minor
,
isolated,
and
unlikely
to
reoccur
shall
be
expunged
five
years
after
the
receipt
of
the
initial
report
by
the
department.
If
a
subsequent
report
of
dependent
adult
abuse
committed
by
the
caretaker
responsible
for
the
act
or
omission
which
was
the
subject
of
the
previous
report
of
dependent
adult
abuse
which
the
department
determined
was
minor
,
isolated,
and
unlikely
to
reoccur
is
received
by
the
department
within
the
five-year
period,
the
information
shall
be
sealed
ten
years
after
receipt
of
the
subsequent
report
unless
good
cause
can
be
shown
why
the
information
should
remain
open
to
authorized
access.
91
Acts,
ch
231,
§9
;
2003
Acts,
ch
98,
§6
;
2007
Acts,
ch
159,
§16
;
2009
Acts,
ch
136,
§8
Referred
to
in
§235B.4
,
235B.8
,
235E.4
235B.10
Examination,
requests
for
correction
or
e
xpungement,
and
appeal.
1.
Any
person
or
that
person
’s
attorney
shall
have
the
right
to
examine
dependent
adult
abuse
information
in
the
registry
which
refers
to
that
person.
The
registry
may
prescribe
reasonable
hours
and
places
of
examination.
2.
A
person
may
file
with
the
department
within
six
months
of
the
date
of
the
notice
of
the
results
of
an
investigation,
a
written
statement
to
the
effect
that
dependent
adult
abuse
information
referring
to
the
person
is
in
whole
or
in
part
erroneous,
and
may
request
a
correction
of
that
information
or
of
the
findings
of
the
investigation
report.
The
department
shall
provide
the
person
with
an
opportunity
for
an
evidentiary
hearing
pursuant
to
chapter
17A
to
correct
the
information
or
the
findings,
unless
the
department
corrects
the
information
or
findings
as
requested.
The
department
shall
delay
the
expungement
of
information
which
is
not
determined
to
be
founded
until
the
conclusion
of
a
proceeding
to
correct
the
information
or
findings.
The
department
may
defer
the
hearing
until
the
conclusion
of
a
court
case
relating
to
the
information
or
findings.
3.
The
decision
resulting
from
the
hearing
may
be
appealed
to
the
court
of
P
olk
county
by
the
person
requesting
the
correction
or
to
the
court
of
the
district
in
which
the
person
resides.
Immediately
upon
appeal
the
court
shall
order
the
department
to
file
with
the
court
a
certified
copy
of
the
dependent
adult
abuse
information.
Appeal
shall
be
taken
in
accordance
with
chapter
17A
.
4.
Upon
the
request
of
the
appellant,
the
record
and
evidence
in
such
cases
shall
be
closed
to
all
but
the
court
and
its
officers,
and
access
to
the
record
and
evidence
shall
be
prohibited
unless
otherwise
ordered
by
the
court.
The
clerk
shall
maintain
a
separate
docket
for
such
actions.
A
person
other
than
the
appellant
shall
not
permit
a
copy
of
the
testimony
or
pleadings
or
the
substance
of
the
testimony
or
pleadings
to
be
made
available
to
any
T
ue
Dec
09
22:20:52
2025
Iowa
Code
2026,
Chapter
235B
(45,
1)

13
DEPENDENT
ADUL
T
ABUSE
SER
VICES
—
INFORMA
TION
REGISTR
Y
,
§235B.14
person
other
than
a
party
to
the
action
or
the
party
’s
attorney
.
V
iolation
of
the
provisions
of
this
subsection
shall
be
a
public
offense
punishable
under
section
235B.12
.
5.
If
the
registry
corrects
or
eliminates
information
as
requested
or
as
ordered
by
the
court,
the
registry
shall
advise
all
persons
who
have
received
the
incorrect
information
of
the
fact.
Upon
application
to
the
court
and
service
of
notice
on
the
registry
,
an
individual
may
request
and
obtain
a
list
of
all
persons
who
have
received
dependent
adult
abuse
information
referring
to
the
individual.
6.
In
the
course
of
any
proceeding
provided
for
by
this
section
,
the
identity
of
the
person
who
reported
the
disputed
information
and
the
identity
of
any
person
who
has
been
reported
as
having
abused
an
adult
may
be
withheld
upon
a
determination
by
the
registry
that
disclosure
of
the
person
’s
identity
would
be
detrimental
to
the
person
’s
interest.
91
Acts,
ch
231,
§10
Referred
to
in
§235B.4
,
235B.6
,
235B.9
,
235E.4
235B.11
Civil
remedy
.
Any
aggrieved
person
may
institute
a
civil
action
for
damages
under
chapter
669
or
670
or
to
restrain
the
dissemination
of
dependent
adult
abuse
information
in
violation
of
this
chapter
,
and
any
person
proven
to
have
disseminated
or
to
have
requested
and
received
dependent
adult
abuse
information
in
violation
of
this
chapter
shall
be
liable
for
actual
damages
and
exemplary
damages
for
each
violation
and
shall
be
liable
for
court
costs,
expenses,
and
reasonable
attorney
’s
fees
incurred
by
the
party
bringing
the
action.
In
no
case
shall
the
award
for
damages
be
less
than
five
hundred
dollars.
91
Acts,
ch
231,
§11
Referred
to
in
§235B.4
,
235E.4
235B.12
Criminal
penalties.
1.
Any
person
who
willfully
requests,
obtains,
or
seeks
to
obtain
dependent
adult
abuse
information
under
false
pretenses,
or
who
willfully
communicates
or
seeks
to
communicate
dependent
adult
abuse
information
to
any
person
except
in
accordance
with
sections
235B.6
through
235B.8
,
or
any
person
connected
with
any
research
authorized
pursuant
to
section
235B.6
who
willfully
falsifies
dependent
adult
abuse
information
or
any
records
relating
to
the
information
is
guilty
of
a
serious
misdemeanor
.
Any
person
who
knowingly
,
but
without
criminal
purposes,
communicates
or
seeks
to
communicate
dependent
adult
abuse
information
except
in
accordance
with
sections
235B.6
through
235B.8
is
guilty
of
a
simple
misdemeanor
.
2.
Any
reasonable
grounds
for
belief
that
a
person
has
violated
any
provision
of
this
chapter
is
grounds
for
the
immediate
withdrawal
of
any
authorized
access
the
person
might
otherwise
have
to
dependent
adult
abuse
information.
91
Acts,
ch
231,
§12
Referred
to
in
§235B.4
,
235B.8
,
235B.10
,
235E.2
,
235E.4
235B.13
Registr
y
reports.
The
registry
may
compile
statistics,
conduct
research,
and
issue
reports
on
dependent
adult
abuse,
provided
identifying
details
of
the
subjects
of
dependent
adult
abuse
reports
are
deleted
from
any
report
issued,
pursuant
to
section
217.22
.
91
Acts,
ch
231,
§13
;
2024
Acts,
ch
1018,
§9,
13,
14
Referred
to
in
§235B.4
,
235E.4
2024
amendment
applies
retroactively
to
reports
due
on
or
after
January
1,
2024;
2024
Acts,
ch
1018,
§14
235B.14
and
235B.15
Reserved.
T
ue
Dec
09
22:20:52
2025
Iowa
Code
2026,
Chapter
235B
(45,
1)

§235B.16,
DEPENDENT
ADUL
T
ABUSE
SER
VICES
—
INFORMA
TION
REGISTR
Y
14
SUBCHAPTER
III
MISCELLANEOUS
PRO
VISIONS
235B.16
Information,
education,
and
training
requirements.
1.
The
department
shall
conduct
a
public
information
and
education
program.
The
elements
and
goals
of
the
program
include
but
are
not
limited
to
:
a.
Informing
the
public
regarding
the
laws
governing
dependent
adult
abuse
and
the
reporting
requirements
for
dependent
adult
abuse.
b.
P
roviding
caretakers
with
information
regarding
services
to
alleviate
the
emotional,
psychological,
physical,
or
financial
stress
associated
with
the
caretaker
and
dependent
adult
relationship.
c.
Affecting
public
attitudes
regarding
the
role
of
a
dependent
adult
in
society
.
2.
The
department,
in
cooperation
with
the
department
of
inspections,
appeals,
and
licensing,
shall
institute
a
program
of
education
and
training
for
persons,
including
members
of
provider
groups
and
family
members,
who
may
come
in
contact
with
dependent
adult
abuse.
The
program
shall
include
but
is
not
limited
to
instruction
regarding
recognition
of
dependent
adult
abuse
and
the
procedure
for
the
reporting
of
suspected
abuse.
3.
The
content
of
the
continuing
education
required
pursuant
to
chapter
272C
for
a
licensed
professional
providing
care
or
service
to
a
dependent
adult
shall
include,
but
is
not
limited
to
,
the
responsibilities,
obligations,
powers,
and
duties
of
a
person
regarding
the
reporting
of
suspected
dependent
adult
abuse,
and
training
to
aid
the
professional
in
identifying
instances
of
dependent
adult
abuse.
4.
The
department
of
inspections,
appeals,
and
licensing
shall
provide
training
to
investigators
regarding
the
collection
and
preservation
of
evidence
in
the
case
of
suspected
dependent
adult
abuse.
5.
a.
F
or
the
purposes
of
this
subsection
,
“licensing
board”
means
a
board
designated
in
section
147.13
,
the
board
of
educational
examiners
created
in
section
256.146
,
or
a
licensing
board
as
defined
in
section
272C.1
.
b.
A
person
required
to
report
cases
of
dependent
adult
abuse
pursuant
to
sections
235B.3
and
235E.2
,
other
than
a
physician
whose
professional
practice
does
not
regularly
involve
providing
primary
health
care
to
adults,
shall
complete
the
core
training
curriculum
relating
to
the
identification
and
reporting
of
dependent
adult
abuse
within
six
months
of
initial
employment
or
self
-employment
which
involves
the
examination,
attending,
counseling,
or
treatment
of
adults
on
a
regular
basis.
W
ithin
one
month
of
initial
employment
or
self
-employment,
the
person
shall
obtain
a
statement
of
the
abuse
reporting
requirements
from
the
person
’s
employer
or
,
if
self
-employed,
from
the
department.
The
person
shall
complete
the
core
training
curriculum
relating
to
the
identification
and
reporting
of
dependent
adult
abuse
every
three
years.
c.
The
core
training
curriculum
relating
to
the
identification
and
reporting
of
dependent
adult
abuse,
as
provided
in
paragraph
“b”
,
shall
be
developed
by
the
department
pursuant
to
subsection
2
and
provided
by
the
department.
d.
An
employer
of
a
person
required
to
report
cases
of
dependent
adult
abuse
pursuant
to
sections
235B.3
and
235E.2
may
provide
supplemental
training,
specific
to
the
identification
and
reporting
of
dependent
adult
abuse
as
it
relates
to
the
person
’s
professional
practice,
in
addition
to
the
core
training
provided
by
the
department.
e.
A
licensing
board
with
authority
over
the
license
of
a
person
required
to
report
cases
of
dependent
adult
abuse
pursuant
to
sections
235B.3
and
235E.2
shall
require
as
a
condition
of
licensure
that
the
person
is
in
compliance
with
the
requirements
for
the
core
training
curriculum
relating
to
the
identification
and
reporting
of
dependent
adult
abuse
under
this
subsection
.
The
licensing
board
shall
require
the
person
upon
licensure
renewal
to
accurately
document
for
the
licensing
board
the
person
’s
completion
of
the
training
requirements.
However
,
the
licensing
board
may
adopt
rules
providing
for
waiver
or
suspension
of
the
compliance
requirements,
if
the
waiver
or
suspension
is
in
the
public
interest,
applicable
to
a
person
who
is
engaged
in
active
duty
in
the
military
service
of
this
state
or
of
the
United
States,
to
a
person
for
whom
compliance
with
the
training
requirements
would
impose
a
T
ue
Dec
09
22:20:52
2025
Iowa
Code
2026,
Chapter
235B
(45,
1)

15
DEPENDENT
ADUL
T
ABUSE
SER
VICES
—
INFORMA
TION
REGISTR
Y
,
§235B.16A
significant
hardship,
or
to
a
person
who
is
practicing
a
licensed
profession
outside
this
state
or
is
otherwise
subject
to
circumstances
that
would
preclude
the
person
from
encountering
dependent
adult
abuse
in
this
state.
f
.
F
or
persons
required
to
report
cases
of
dependent
adult
abuse
pursuant
to
sections
235B.3
and
235E.2
,
who
are
not
engaged
in
a
licensed
profession
that
is
subject
to
the
authority
of
a
licensing
board
but
are
employed
by
a
facility
or
program
subject
to
licensure,
registration,
or
approval
by
a
state
agency
,
the
agency
shall
require
as
a
condition
of
the
renewal
of
the
facility
’s
or
program’s
licensure,
registration,
or
approval,
that
such
persons
employed
by
the
facility
or
program
are
in
compliance
with
the
training
requirements
of
this
subsection
.
g.
F
or
peace
officers,
the
elected
or
appointed
official
designated
as
the
head
of
the
agency
employing
the
peace
officer
shall
ensure
compliance
with
the
training
requirements
of
this
subsection
.
h.
F
or
persons
required
to
report
cases
of
dependent
adult
abuse
pursuant
to
sections
235B.3
and
235E.2
who
are
employees
of
state
departments
and
political
subdivisions
of
the
state,
the
department
director
or
the
chief
administrator
of
the
political
subdivision
shall
ensure
the
persons’
compliance
with
the
training
requirements
of
this
subsection
.
6.
The
department
shall
require
an
educational
program
for
employees
of
the
registry
on
the
proper
use
and
control
of
dependent
adult
abuse
information.
91
Acts,
ch
231,
§14
;
92
Acts,
ch
1143,
§10
;
92
Acts,
ch
1163,
§51
;
2001
Acts,
ch
122,
§11
;
2002
Acts,
ch
1119,
§35
;
2007
Acts,
ch
10,
§168
–
170
;
2008
Acts,
ch
1093,
§10
;
2009
Acts,
ch
23,
§53,
54
;
2013
Acts,
ch
129,
§55,
56
;
2019
Acts,
ch
91,
§4
–
6
;
2023
Acts,
ch
19,
§720,
1945
;
2024
Acts,
ch
1075,
§6
Referred
to
in
§152C.3
,
235E.4
,
256.165
235B.16A
Dependent
adults
—
dependency
assessments
—
interagency
training.
1.
The
department
shall
adopt
a
uniform
assessment
instrument
and
process
for
adoption
and
use
by
the
department
and
other
agencies
involved
with
assessing
a
dependent
adult’s
degree
of
dependency
and
determining
whether
dependent
adult
abuse
has
occurred.
However
,
this
section
shall
not
apply
to
dependent
adult
abuse
assessments
and
determinations
made
under
chapter
235E
.
2.
The
instrument
and
process
design
under
subsection
1
shall
address
but
is
not
limited
to
all
of
the
following:
a.
Evaluation
of
conformity
with
applicable
federal
law
and
regulations
on
the
part
of
the
persons
employing,
housing,
or
providing
services
to
the
dependent
adult.
b.
P
rovision
for
the
final
step
in
the
dependency
assessment
of
a
dependent
adult
to
be
a
formal
assessment
of
the
existence
of
risk
to
the
health
or
safety
of
the
individual
or
of
the
degree
of
the
individual’s
impairment
in
ability
under
the
definition
of
dependent
adult
in
section
235B.2
.
c.
If
the
assessment
under
paragraph
“b”
determines
that
a
risk
to
the
health
or
safety
of
the
individual
exists
or
the
individual
has
a
significant
impairment
in
ability
,
and
the
individual
being
assessed
agrees,
provision
for
a
case
manager
to
be
assigned
to
assist
in
preparing
and
implementing
a
safety
plan
which
includes
protective
services
for
the
individual.
d.
If
the
assessment
under
paragraph
“b”
determines
that
a
risk
to
the
health
or
safety
of
the
individual
exists
or
the
individual
has
a
significant
impairment
in
ability
,
the
individual
being
assessed
does
not
agree
to
the
safety
plan
provisions
under
paragraph
“c”
or
accept
other
services,
and
the
options
available
under
sections
235B.17
,
235B.18
,
and
235B.19
are
not
utilized,
provision
for
the
department
to
maintain
periodic
contact
with
the
individual
in
accordance
with
rules
adopted
for
this
purpose.
The
purpose
of
the
contact
is
to
assess
any
increased
risk
or
impairment
and
to
monitor
the
individual’s
goals,
feelings,
and
concerns
so
that
the
department
can
intervene
when
necessary
or
offer
services
and
other
support
to
maintain
or
sustain
the
individual’s
safety
and
independence
when
the
individual
is
ready
to
agree
to
a
safety
plan
or
accept
services.
3.
The
department
and
other
agencies
involved
with
assessing
a
dependent
adult’s
degree
of
dependency
and
whether
dependent
adult
abuse
has
occurred
shall
adopt
rules
T
ue
Dec
09
22:20:52
2025
Iowa
Code
2026,
Chapter
235B
(45,
1)

§235B.16A
,
DEPENDENT
ADUL
T
ABUSE
SER
VICES
—
INFORMA
TION
REGISTR
Y
16
and
take
other
steps
necessary
to
implement
the
uniform
assessment
instrument
and
process
addressed
by
this
section
on
or
before
July
1,
2010.
4.
The
department
shall
cooperate
with
the
departments
of
inspections,
appeals,
and
licensing,
public
safety
,
and
workforce
development,
the
Iowa
office
of
civil
rights,
and
other
state
and
local
agencies
performing
inspections
or
otherwise
visiting
residential
settings
where
dependent
adults
live,
to
regularly
provide
training
to
the
appropriate
staff
in
the
agencies
concerning
each
agency
’s
procedures
involving
dependent
adults,
and
to
build
awareness
concerning
dependent
adults
and
reporting
of
dependent
adult
abuse.
2009
Acts,
ch
136,
§9
;
2013
Acts,
ch
30,
§47
;
2023
Acts,
ch
19,
§721,
1946
;
2024
Acts,
ch
1170,
§278
Referred
to
in
§235E.4
235B.17
P
rovision
of
protective
ser
vices
with
the
consent
of
dependent
adult
—
caretaker
refusal.
1.
If
a
caretaker
of
a
dependent
adult,
who
consents
to
the
receipt
of
protective
services,
refuses
to
allow
provision
of
the
services,
the
department
may
petition
the
court
with
probate
jurisdiction
in
the
county
in
which
the
dependent
adult
resides
for
an
order
enjoining
the
caretaker
from
interfering
with
the
provision
of
services.
2.
The
petition
shall
be
verified
and
shall
allege
specific
facts
sufficient
to
demonstrate
that
the
dependent
adult
is
in
need
of
protective
services
and
consents
to
the
provision
of
services
and
that
the
caretaker
refuses
to
allow
provision
of
the
services.
The
petition
shall
include
all
of
the
following:
a.
The
name,
date
of
birth,
and
address
of
the
dependent
adult
alleged
to
be
in
need
of
protective
services.
b.
The
protective
services
required.
c.
The
name
and
address
of
the
caretaker
refusing
to
allow
the
provision
of
services.
3.
The
court
shall
set
the
case
for
hearing
within
fourteen
days
of
the
filing
of
the
petition.
The
dependent
adult
and
the
caretaker
refusing
to
allow
the
provision
of
services
shall
receive
at
least
five
days’
notice
of
the
hearing.
4.
If
the
judge
finds
by
clear
and
convincing
evidence
that
the
dependent
adult
is
in
need
of
protective
services
and
consents
to
the
services
and
that
the
caretaker
refuses
to
allow
the
services,
the
judge
may
issue
an
order
enjoining
the
caretaker
from
interfering
with
the
provision
of
the
protective
services.
96
Acts,
ch
1130,
§7
;
2009
Acts,
ch
107,
§2
Referred
to
in
§235B.16A
,
235E.4
235B.18
P
rovision
of
ser
vices
to
dependent
adult
who
lacks
capacity
to
consent
—
hearing
—
findings.
1.
If
the
department
reasonably
determines
that
a
dependent
adult
is
a
victim
of
dependent
adult
abuse
and
lacks
capacity
to
consent
to
the
receipt
of
protective
services,
the
department
may
petition
the
district
court
in
the
county
in
which
the
dependent
adult
resides
for
an
order
authorizing
the
provision
of
protective
services.
The
petition
shall
allege
specific
facts
sufficient
to
demonstrate
that
the
dependent
adult
is
in
need
of
protective
services
and
lacks
capacity
to
consent
to
the
receipt
of
services.
2.
The
petition
specified
in
subsection
1
shall
be
verified
and
shall
include
all
of
the
following:
a.
The
name,
date
of
birth,
and
address
of
the
dependent
adult
alleged
to
be
in
need
of
protective
services.
b.
The
nature
of
the
dependent
adult
abuse.
c.
The
protective
services
required.
3.
The
court
shall
set
the
case
for
hearing
within
fourteen
days
of
the
filing
of
the
petition.
The
dependent
adult
shall
receive
at
least
five
days’
notice
of
the
hearing.
The
dependent
adult
has
the
right
to
be
present
and
represented
by
counsel
at
the
hearing.
If
the
dependent
adult,
in
the
determination
of
the
judge,
lacks
the
capacity
to
waive
the
right
of
counsel,
the
court
may
appoint
a
guardian
ad
litem
for
the
dependent
adult.
4.
If,
at
the
hearing,
the
judge
finds
by
clear
and
convincing
evidence
that
the
dependent
T
ue
Dec
09
22:20:52
2025
Iowa
Code
2026,
Chapter
235B
(45,
1)

17
DEPENDENT
ADUL
T
ABUSE
SER
VICES
—
INFORMA
TION
REGISTR
Y
,
§235B.19
adult
is
in
need
of
protective
services
and
lacks
the
capacity
to
consent
to
the
receipt
of
protective
services,
the
judge
may
issue
an
order
authorizing
the
provision
of
protective
services.
The
order
may
include
the
designation
of
a
person
to
be
responsible
for
performing
or
obtaining
protective
services
on
behalf
of
the
dependent
adult
or
otherwise
consenting
to
the
receipt
of
protective
services
on
behalf
of
the
dependent
adult.
W
ithin
sixty
days
of
the
appointment
of
such
a
person
the
court
shall
conduct
a
review
to
determine
if
a
petition
shall
be
initiated
in
accordance
with
section
633.556
for
good
cause
shown.
The
court
may
extend
the
sixty
-day
period
for
an
additional
sixty
days,
at
the
end
of
which
the
court
shall
conduct
a
review
to
determine
if
a
petition
shall
be
initiated
in
accordance
with
section
633.556
.
A
dependent
adult
shall
not
be
committed
to
a
mental
health
facility
under
this
section
.
5.
A
determination
by
the
court
that
a
dependent
adult
lacks
the
capacity
to
consent
to
the
receipt
of
protective
services
under
this
chapter
shall
not
affect
incompetency
proceedings
under
sections
633.552
,
633.556
,
633.558
,
and
633.560
or
any
other
proceedings,
and
incompetency
proceedings
under
sections
633.552
,
633.556
,
633.558
,
and
633.560
shall
not
have
a
conclusive
effect
on
the
question
of
capacity
to
consent
to
the
receipt
of
protective
services
under
this
chapter
.
A
person
previously
adjudicated
as
incompetent
under
the
relevant
provisions
of
chapter
633
is
entitled
to
the
care,
protection,
and
services
under
this
chapter
.
6.
This
section
shall
not
be
construed
and
is
not
intended
as
and
shall
not
imply
a
grant
of
entitlement
for
services
to
persons
who
are
not
otherwise
eligible
for
the
services
or
for
utilization
of
services
which
do
not
currently
exist
or
are
not
otherwise
available.
96
Acts,
ch
1130,
§8
;
2005
Acts,
ch
50,
§1
;
2009
Acts,
ch
107,
§3
;
2019
Acts,
ch
57,
§3,
43,
44
Referred
to
in
§235B.16A
,
235E.4
,
633.701
235B.19
Emergency
order
for
protective
ser
vices.
1.
If
the
department
determines
that
a
dependent
adult
is
suffering
from
dependent
adult
abuse
which
presents
an
immediate
danger
to
the
health
or
safety
of
the
dependent
adult
or
which
results
in
irreparable
harm
to
the
physical
or
financial
resources
or
property
of
the
dependent
adult,
and
that
the
dependent
adult
lacks
capacity
to
consent
to
receive
protective
services
and
that
no
consent
can
be
obtained,
the
department
may
petition
the
court
with
probate
jurisdiction
in
the
county
in
which
the
dependent
adult
resides
for
an
emergency
order
authorizing
protective
services.
2.
The
petition
shall
be
verified
and
shall
include
all
of
the
following:
a.
The
name,
date
of
birth,
and
address
of
the
dependent
adult
who
needs
protective
services.
b.
The
nature
of
the
dependent
adult
abuse.
c.
The
services
required.
3.
a.
The
department
shall
serve
a
copy
of
the
petition
and
any
order
authorizing
protective
services,
if
issued,
on
the
dependent
adult
and
on
persons
who
are
competent
adults
and
reasonably
ascertainable
at
the
time
the
petition
is
filed
in
accordance
with
the
following
priority:
(1)
An
attorney
in
fact
named
by
the
dependent
adult
in
a
durable
power
of
attorney
for
health
care
pursuant
to
chapter
144B
.
(2)
The
dependent
adult’s
spouse,
if
not
legally
separated
from
the
dependent
adult.
(3)
The
dependent
adult’s
children.
(4)
The
dependent
adult’s
parents.
(5)
The
dependent
adult’s
grandchildren.
(6)
The
dependent
adult’s
siblings.
(7)
The
dependent
adult’s
grandparents.
(8)
The
dependent
adult’s
aunts
and
uncles.
(9)
The
dependent
adult’s
nieces
and
nephews.
(10)
The
dependent
adult’s
cousins.
b.
When
the
department
has
served
a
person
in
one
of
the
categories
specified
in
paragraph
“a”
,
the
department
shall
not
be
required
to
serve
a
person
in
any
other
category
.
c.
The
department
shall
serve
the
dependent
adult’s
copy
of
the
petition
and
order
personally
upon
the
dependent
adult.
Service
of
the
petition
and
all
other
orders
and
notices
T
ue
Dec
09
22:20:52
2025
Iowa
Code
2026,
Chapter
235B
(45,
1)

§235B.19,
DEPENDENT
ADUL
T
ABUSE
SER
VICES
—
INFORMA
TION
REGISTR
Y
18
shall
be
in
a
sealed
envelope
with
the
proper
postage
on
the
envelope,
addressed
to
the
person
being
served
at
the
person
’s
last
known
post
office
address,
and
deposited
in
a
mail
receptacle
provided
by
the
United
States
postal
service.
The
department
shall
serve
such
copies
of
emergency
orders
authorizing
protective
services
and
notices
within
three
days
after
filing
the
petition
and
receiving
such
orders.
d.
The
department
and
all
persons
served
by
the
department
with
notices
under
this
subsection
shall
be
prohibited
from
all
of
the
following
without
prior
court
approval
after
the
department’s
petition
has
been
filed:
(1)
Selling,
removing,
or
otherwise
disposing
of
the
dependent
adult’s
personal
property
.
(2)
W
ithdrawing
funds
from
any
bank,
savings
association,
credit
union,
or
other
financial
institution,
or
from
an
account
containing
securities
in
which
the
dependent
adult
has
an
interest.
4.
Upon
finding
that
there
is
probable
cause
to
believe
that
the
dependent
adult
abuse
presents
an
immediate
threat
to
the
health
or
safety
of
the
dependent
adult
or
which
results
in
irreparable
harm
to
the
physical
or
financial
resources
or
property
of
the
dependent
adult,
and
that
the
dependent
adult
lacks
capacity
to
consent
to
the
receipt
of
services,
the
court
may
do
any
of
the
following:
a.
Order
removal
of
the
dependent
adult
to
safer
surroundings.
b.
Order
the
provision
of
medical
services.
c.
Order
the
provision
of
other
available
services
necessary
to
remove
conditions
creating
the
danger
to
health
or
safety
,
including
the
services
of
peace
officers
or
emergency
services
personnel
and
the
suspension
of
the
powers
granted
to
a
guardian
or
conservator
and
the
subsequent
appointment
of
a
new
temporary
guardian
or
new
temporary
conservator
pursuant
to
subsection
5
pending
a
decision
by
the
court
on
whether
the
powers
of
the
initial
guardian
or
conservator
should
be
reinstated
or
whether
the
initial
guardian
or
conservator
should
be
removed.
5.
a.
Notwithstanding
sections
633.556
and
633.569
,
upon
a
finding
that
there
is
probable
cause
to
believe
that
the
dependent
adult
abuse
presents
an
immediate
danger
to
the
health
or
safety
of
the
dependent
adult
or
is
producing
irreparable
harm
to
the
physical
or
financial
resources
or
property
of
the
dependent
adult,
and
that
the
dependent
adult
lacks
capacity
to
consent
to
the
receipt
of
services,
the
court
may
order
the
appointment
of
a
temporary
guardian
or
temporary
conservator
without
notice
to
the
dependent
adult
or
the
dependent
adult’s
attorney
if
all
of
the
following
conditions
are
met:
(1)
It
clearly
appears
from
specific
facts
shown
by
affidavit
or
by
the
verified
petition
that
a
dependent
adult’s
decision
-making
capacity
is
so
impaired
that
the
dependent
adult
is
unable
to
care
for
the
dependent
adult’s
personal
safety
or
to
attend
to
or
provide
for
the
dependent
adult’s
basic
necessities
or
that
immediate
and
irreparable
injury
,
loss,
or
damage
will
result
to
the
physical
or
financial
resources
or
property
of
the
dependent
adult
before
the
dependent
adult
or
the
dependent
adult’s
attorney
can
be
heard
in
opposition.
(2)
The
department
certifies
to
the
court
in
writing
any
efforts
the
department
has
made
to
give
the
notice
or
the
reasons
supporting
the
claim
that
notice
should
not
be
required.
(3)
The
department
files
with
the
court
a
request
for
a
hearing
on
the
petition
for
the
appointment
of
a
temporary
guardian
or
temporary
conservator
.
(4)
The
department
certifies
that
the
notice
of
the
petition,
order
,
and
all
filed
reports
and
affidavits
will
be
sent
to
the
dependent
adult
by
personal
service
within
the
time
period
the
court
directs
but
not
more
than
seventy
-two
hours
after
entry
of
the
order
of
appointment.
b.
An
order
of
appointment
of
a
temporary
guardian
or
temporary
conservator
entered
by
the
court
under
paragraph
“a”
shall
expire
as
prescribed
by
the
court
but
within
a
period
of
not
more
than
thirty
days
unless
extended
by
the
court
for
good
cause.
c.
A
hearing
on
the
petition
for
the
appointment
of
a
temporary
guardian
or
temporary
conservator
shall
be
held
within
the
time
specified
in
paragraph
“b”
.
If
the
department
does
not
proceed
with
a
hearing
on
the
petition,
the
court,
on
the
motion
of
any
party
or
on
its
own
motion,
may
dismiss
the
petition.
6.
The
emergency
order
expires
at
the
end
of
seventy
-two
hours
from
the
time
of
the
order
unless
the
seventy
-two
-hour
period
ends
on
a
Saturday
,
Sunday
,
or
legal
holiday
in
which
event
the
order
is
automatically
extended
to
4:00
p.m.
on
the
first
succeeding
business
day
.
T
ue
Dec
09
22:20:52
2025
Iowa
Code
2026,
Chapter
235B
(45,
1)

19
DEPENDENT
ADUL
T
ABUSE
SER
VICES
—
INFORMA
TION
REGISTR
Y
,
§235B.20
An
order
may
be
renewed
for
not
more
than
fourteen
additional
days.
A
renewal
order
that
ends
on
a
Saturday
,
Sunday
,
or
legal
holiday
is
automatically
extended
to
4:00
p.m.
on
the
first
succeeding
business
day
.
The
court
may
modify
or
terminate
the
emergency
order
on
the
petition
of
the
department,
the
dependent
adult,
or
any
person
interested
in
the
dependent
adult’s
welfare.
7.
If
the
department
cannot
obtain
an
emergency
order
under
this
section
due
to
inaccessibility
of
the
court,
the
department
may
contact
law
enforcement
to
remove
the
dependent
adult
to
safer
surroundings,
authorize
the
provision
of
medical
treatment,
and
order
the
provision
of
or
provide
other
available
services
necessary
to
remove
conditions
creating
the
immediate
danger
to
the
health
or
safety
of
the
dependent
adult
or
which
are
producing
irreparable
harm
to
the
physical
or
financial
resources
or
property
of
the
dependent
adult.
The
department
shall
obtain
an
emergency
order
under
this
section
not
later
than
4:00
p.m.
on
the
first
succeeding
business
day
after
the
date
on
which
protective
or
other
services
are
provided.
If
the
department
does
not
obtain
an
emergency
order
within
the
prescribed
time
period,
the
department
shall
cease
providing
protective
services
and,
if
necessary
,
make
arrangements
for
the
immediate
return
of
the
person
to
the
place
from
which
the
person
was
removed,
to
the
person
’s
place
of
residence
in
the
state,
or
to
another
suitable
place.
A
person,
agency
,
or
institution
acting
in
good
faith
in
removing
a
dependent
adult
or
in
providing
services
under
this
subsection
,
and
an
employer
of
or
person
under
the
direction
of
such
a
person,
agency
,
or
institution,
shall
have
immunity
from
any
liability
,
civil
or
criminal,
that
might
otherwise
be
incurred
or
imposed
as
the
result
of
the
removal
or
provision
of
services.
8.
Upon
a
finding
of
probable
cause
to
believe
that
dependent
adult
abuse
has
occurred
and
is
either
ongoing
or
is
likely
to
reoccur
,
the
court
may
also
enter
orders
as
may
be
appropriate
to
third
persons
enjoining
them
from
specific
conduct.
The
orders
may
include
temporary
restraining
orders
which
impose
criminal
sanctions
if
violated.
The
court
may
enjoin
third
persons
from
any
of
the
following:
a.
Removing
the
dependent
adult
from
the
care
or
custody
of
another
.
b.
Committing
dependent
adult
abuse
on
the
dependent
adult.
c.
Living
at
the
dependent
adult’s
residence.
d.
Contacting
the
dependent
adult
in
person
or
by
telephone.
e.
Selling,
removing,
or
otherwise
disposing
of
the
dependent
adult’s
personal
property
.
f
.
W
ithdrawing
funds
from
any
bank,
savings
association,
credit
union,
or
other
financial
institution,
or
from
a
stock
account
in
which
the
dependent
adult
has
an
interest.
g.
Negotiating
any
instruments
payable
to
the
dependent
adult.
h.
Selling,
mortgaging,
or
otherwise
encumbering
any
interest
that
the
dependent
adult
has
in
real
property
.
i.
Exercising
any
powers
on
behalf
of
the
dependent
adult
through
representatives
of
the
department,
any
court-appointed
guardian
or
guardian
ad
litem,
or
any
official
acting
on
the
dependent
adult’s
behalf.
j.
Engaging
in
any
other
specified
act
which,
based
upon
the
facts
alleged,
would
constitute
harm
or
a
threat
of
imminent
harm
to
the
dependent
adult
or
would
cause
damage
to
or
the
loss
of
the
dependent
adult’s
property
.
9.
This
section
shall
not
be
construed
and
is
not
intended
as
and
shall
not
imply
a
grant
of
entitlement
for
services
to
persons
who
are
not
otherwise
eligible
for
the
services
or
for
utilization
of
services
which
do
not
currently
exist
or
are
not
otherwise
available.
96
Acts,
ch
1130,
§9
;
2005
Acts,
ch
50,
§2
–
5
;
2006
Acts,
ch
1080,
§1
;
2008
Acts,
ch
1187,
§117,
118
;
2011
Acts,
ch
129,
§91,
156
;
2012
Acts,
ch
1017,
§59,
60
;
2015
Acts,
ch
29,
§36
;
2017
Acts,
ch
44,
§1
;
2019
Acts,
ch
57,
§4,
43,
44
Referred
to
in
§235B.16A
,
235E.4
,
633.701
235B.20
Dependent
adult
abuse
—
initiation
of
charges
—
penalty
.
Repealed
by
2022
Acts,
ch
1132,
§7
.
See
§
726.26
.
T
ue
Dec
09
22:20:52
2025
Iowa
Code
2026,
Chapter
235B
(45,
1)