The new director of the Iowa Department of Human Services is planning to ensure thousands of adopted children in Iowa visit a doctor at least once a year. The new rule would apply to the adopted children of parents who receive adoption SUBSIDIES from the state. Iowa Department of Human Services director Jerry Foxhoven  says it would make sure the kids are seen by “professional eyes” who’ve been trained to recognize and report suspected child abuse and neglect.

Foxhoven’s proposal is part of the agency’s response to the tragic deaths of two teenage girls who were adopted out of foster care. Autopsies revealed both were severely malnourished.

Foxhoven is consulting with lawyers to figure out the best way to enforce this new rule. He may be able to add it to the contracts adoptive parents sign with the state.

If it requires a change in state law, Republican Representative Bobby Kaufmann  of Wilton predicts legislators will act quickly in 2018.