Opinion ID: 2027679
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Permanency Hearing.

Text: Marcy argues that the permanency hearing was not a valid proceeding under Iowa Code section 232.103 because the court impermissibly initiated the hearing. This contention lacks merit. Section 232.103 provides for the termination, modification, vacation and substitution of dispositional orders. Permanency hearings are controlled by Iowa Code section 232.104. Thus, section 232.104 governs this issue, not section 232.103. Section 232.104 expressly states that if a child has been in foster care for twelve months, the court shall, on its own motion, or upon application of any interested party..., hold a hearing to consider the issue of the establishment of permanency for the child. Iowa Code § 232.104 (1993) (emphasis added). Thus, the court properly scheduled a permanency hearing once it determined that the children had been in foster care for twelve months. That brings us to Marcy's second challenge to the juvenile court's orderwere the children in foster care for twelve months.