HOUSE LABELS DRUG MAKING AS CHILD ABUSE

DES MOINES -- Manufacturing drugs in front of children would be considered
an act of abuse that could trigger the child's removal from the home under
legislation approved Wednesday in the Iowa House.

The House voted 94-1 to define the manufacture of drugs in a child's
presence as a situation that would trigger an assessment by the Department
of Human Services to determine whether the child should be removed from the
home.

"The process of making meth involves the use of extremely dangerous and
explosive chemicals," Rep. Dan Boddicker, R-Tipton said.

The bill includes not only the manufacture of methamphetamine but also of
other illegal drugs and the possession of chemicals used to make them.
Lawmakers amended the bill to cover drug labs in outbuildings and vehicles
on a property, as well as situations in which a parent or guardian allows
someone else to cook drugs but is not personally involved.

Boddicker noted that lawmakers decided several years ago to allow minors
who manufacture meth to be sentenced to life in prison. "It only makes
sense that making meth on front of your kids or other kids is included as a
definition of child abuse," he said.

The bill now goes to the Senate for consideration.