232.48 Predisposition investigation and report.

1. The court shall not make a disposition of the matter following the entry of an order of adjudication pursuant to section 232.47 until a predisposition report has been submitted to and considered by the court.

2. After a petition is filed, the court shall direct a juvenile court officer or any other agency or individual to conduct a predisposition investigation and to prepare a predisposition report. The investigation and report shall cover all of the following:

a. The social history, environment and present condition of the child and the child’s family.

b. The performance of the child in school.

c. The presence of child abuse and neglect histories, learning disabilities, physical impairments and past acts of violence.

d. Other matters relevant to the child’s status as a delinquent, treatment of the child or proper disposition of the case.

3. No predisposition report shall be submitted to or considered by the court prior to the completion of the adjudicatory hearing without the consent of the child and the child’s counsel.

4. A predisposition report shall not be disclosed except as provided in this section and in division VIII of this chapter. The court shall permit the child’s attorney to inspect the predisposition report prior to consideration by the court. The court may order counsel not to disclose parts of the report to the child, or to the child’s parent, guardian, guardian ad litem, or custodian if the court finds that disclosure would seriously harm the treatment or rehabilitation of the child. If the report indicates the child has behaved in a manner that threatened the safety of another person, has committed a violent act causing bodily injury to another person, or has been a victim or perpetrator of sexual abuse, unless otherwise ordered by the court, the child’s parent, guardian, or foster parent or other person with custody of the child shall be provided with that information.

[C79, 81, §232.48]

83 Acts, ch 186, §10055, 10201; 85 Acts, ch 88, §1; 2005 Acts, ch 124, §2

Referred to in §232.147