A bill for an act relating to screening children for commercial sexual exploitation in certain circumstances.

HF 449 requires Iowa courts and child welfare agencies to screen children for commercial sexual exploitation in specific situations. If a juvenile court receives a complaint about a child’s alleged delinquent behavior, it must order screening for exploitation. Similarly, if Iowa’s Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) determines a child abuse report is valid, HHS must screen the child for exploitation within specified timeframes. The bill defines commercial sexual exploitation as forcing or coercing a child into sex or explicit acts for money, goods, or services. These screening requirements apply to children involved in delinquency cases or substantiated child abuse reports.