600.1 Construction.

1. This chapter* shall be construed liberally. The best interest of the person to be adopted shall be the paramount consideration in interpreting this chapter. However, the interests of the adopting parents shall be given due consideration in this interpretation. However, in determining the best interest of the person to be adopted and the interests of the adopting parents, any evidence of interests relating to a period of time during which the person to be adopted is placed with prospective adoptive parents and during which the placement is not in compliance with the law, adoption procedures, or any action by the juvenile court or court, shall not be considered in the determination.

2. If a proceeding held under this chapter involves an Indian child as defined in section 232B.3 and the proceeding is subject to the Iowa Indian child welfare Act under chapter 232B, the proceeding and other actions taken in connection with the proceeding or this chapter shall comply with chapter 232B. In any proceeding held or action taken under this chapter involving an Indian child, the applicable requirements of the federal Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997, Pub. L. No. 105-89, shall be applied to the proceeding or action in a manner that complies with chapter 232B and the federal Indian Child Welfare Act, Pub. L. No. 95-608.

[C77, 79, 81, §600.1]

94 Acts, ch 1174, §6, 22; 2000 Acts, ch 1145, §2; 2003 Acts, ch 153, §16; 2014 Acts, ch 1026, §125; 2018 Acts, ch 1041, §127

*Enacted as sections 600.1 – 600.16, Code 1977

Code editor directive applied