The bill amends Section 229.15, subsection 2 of the Iowa Code to update the reporting requirements for the involuntary hospitalization of patients with serious mental impairments. Specifically, it requires the medical director of the facility or the treating psychiatrist or psychiatric advanced registered nurse practitioner to report to the court on the patient's condition and the anticipated length of treatment. The initial report must be submitted within 60 days of the court order, while follow-up reports, which were previously required every 90 days, are now mandated at intervals not to exceed six months.

This change aims to streamline the reporting process and reduce the frequency of court updates, allowing for a more manageable timeline for both medical professionals and the judicial system. The bill emphasizes the importance of monitoring the patient's progress and ensuring that appropriate treatment continues, while also providing flexibility in the reporting schedule as long as the court order remains in effect.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 229.15