1. A formal judicial proceeding to determine whether a child is a child in need of assistance under this chapter shall be initiated by the filing of a petition alleging a child to be a child in need of assistance.
2. A petition may be filed by the department, juvenile court officer, or county attorney.
3. The department, juvenile court officer, county attorney or judge may authorize the filing of a petition with the clerk of the court by any competent person having knowledge of the circumstances without the payment of a filing fee.
4. The petition shall be submitted in the form specified in section 232.36.
5. The petition shall contain the information specified in section 232.36 and a clear and concise summary of the facts which bring the child within the jurisdiction of the court under this subchapter.
83 Acts, ch 96, §157, 159; 83 Acts, ch 186, §10055, 10201; 2020 Acts, ch 1062, §94; 2023 Acts, ch 19, §615