235.1 Definitions.

The terms "state division", "administrator", and "child" are used in this chapter and chapter 238 as the terms are defined in section 234.1.

"Child welfare services" means social welfare services for the protection and care of children who are homeless, dependent or neglected, or in danger of becoming delinquent, or who have a mental illness or mental retardation or other developmental disability, including, when necessary, care and maintenance in a foster care facility. Child welfare services are designed to serve a child in the child's home whenever possible. If not possible, and the child is placed outside the child's home, the placement should be in the least restrictive setting available and in close proximity to the child's home.

235.2 Powers and duties of state division.

The state division, in addition to all other powers and duties given it by law, shall:

1. Administer and enforce the provisions of this chapter.

2. Join and co-operate with the government of the United States through its appropriate agency or instrumentality or with any other officer or agency of the federal government in planning, establishing, extending and strengthening public and private child welfare services within the state.

3. Make such investigations and to obtain such information as will permit the administrator to determine the need for public child welfare services within the state and within the several county departments thereof.

4. Apply for and receive any funds which are or may be allotted to the state by the United States or any agency thereof for the purpose of developing child welfare services.

5. Make such reports and budget estimates to the governor and to the general assembly as are required by law or such as are necessary and proper to obtain the appropriation of state funds for child welfare services within the state and for all the purposes of this chapter.

6. Co-operate with the several county departments within the state, and all county boards of supervisors and other public or private agencies charged with the protection and care of children, in the development of child welfare services.

7. Aid in the enforcement of all laws of the state for the protection and care of children.

8. Co-operate with the juvenile courts of the state and with the other administrators and divisions of the department of human services regarding the management and control of state institutions and the inmates thereof.

235.3 Powers and duties of administrator.

The administrator shall:

1. Plan and supervise all public child welfare services and activities within the state as provided by this chapter.

2. Make such reports and obtain and furnish such information from time to time as may be necessary to permit co-operation by the state division with the United States children's bureau, the social security board, or any other federal agency which is now or may hereafter be charged with any duty regarding child care or child welfare services.

3. Adopt rules as necessary or advisable for the supervision of the private child-caring agencies or their officers which the administrator is empowered to license and supervise.

4. Supervise private institutions for the care of dependent, neglected, and delinquent children, and make reports regarding the institutions.

5. Designate and approve the private and county institutions within the state to which neglected, dependent and delinquent children may be legally committed and to have supervision of the care of children committed thereto, and the right of visitation and inspection of said institutions at all times.

6. Receive and keep on file annual reports from all institutions to which children subject to the jurisdiction of the juvenile court are committed; compile statistics regarding juvenile delinquency, make reports regarding juvenile delinquency, and study prevention and cure of juvenile delinquency.

7. Require and receive from the clerks of the courts of record within the state duplicates of the findings of the courts upon petitions for adoption, and keep records and compile statistics regarding adoptions.

8. License private child-placing agencies, make reports regarding them, and revoke such licenses.

9. Make such rules and regulations as may be necessary for the distribution and use of funds appropriated for child welfare services.

235.4 Licenses.

Licenses issued to private boarding homes for children and private child-placing agencies by the administrator shall remain in effect for the period for which issued, unless sooner revoked according to law. Thereafter each of such agencies shall apply to the administrator for a new license, and shall submit to such rules regarding licensing as the administrator prescribes.

235.5 Inspections.

The department of inspections and appeals shall conduct inspections of private institutions for the care of dependent, neglected, and delinquent children in accordance with procedures established pursuant to chapters 10A and 17A.

235.6 Short title.

This chapter shall be known and may be cited as "The Child Welfare Act of 1937".