This bill aims to improve services and support for youth involved in legal proceedings, particularly in the areas of involuntary commitment and juvenile delinquency. It introduces new provisions for treatment, physical assessments, and behavioral health evaluations tailored specifically for youth. Key amendments include the addition of a new paragraph in Section 125.13 that recognizes psychiatric medical institutions for children and a comprehensive update to Section 135H.1, which now includes definitions for terms such as "approved qualifying organization," "mental health disorder," and "youth." The bill emphasizes the importance of licensing and certification for residential facilities, mandates the provision of individualized care plans by professional teams, and streamlines access to care by removing previous conditions related to court proceedings or custody relinquishment.

Additionally, the bill modifies various sections of the Iowa Code to update terminology and procedures related to child welfare, mental health evaluations, and juvenile court services. It replaces terms like "examination" with "physical assessment" and "behavioral health evaluation," and clarifies the responsibilities of the Department of Health and Human Services in adopting rules for protective locked environments in psychiatric institutions. The bill also outlines the circumstances under which a juvenile court may order assessments and establishes that costs for these evaluations will be covered by the state with parental consent. Overall, the amendments reflect a shift towards a more supportive and health-focused approach to youth care and evaluation in Iowa.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 125.13, 135H.1, 135H.3, 514C.22, 237.3, 135H.6, 135H.10, 135H.13, 229.13, 229.14, 232.2, 232.49, 232.47, 232.68, 232.69, 232.71B, 232.77, 232.78, 232.79, 232.83, 232.96A, 232.98, 232.141, 237.1, 237.4, 237C.1, 237C.4, 602.1101, 602.1217, 602.7201, 135B.12, 135B.20, 135C.2, 135C.6, 135C.9, 135J.3, 155A.13, 232.36, 232.37, 232.101A, 232.102A, 232B.5, 232.57