This bill focuses on enhancing child welfare and mental health services under the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). It introduces new definitions for "behavioral health district" and "disability access point," which will serve as local resources for individuals with disabilities and their caregivers. The legislation also updates the roles of advocates for involuntarily hospitalized patients and clarifies the responsibilities of foster care providers, including individual licensees and approved kinship caregivers. Significant amendments include the removal of outdated terminology, such as replacing "licensed foster care providers" with "individual licensee or approved kinship caregiver," and emphasizing timely communication regarding children's health and welfare between the department and foster care providers.

Additionally, the bill establishes new licensing requirements for individual licensees and approved kinship caregivers, including the completion of a written social assessment and personal references prior to licensing. It mandates that the department conduct visits to children placed with these caregivers within two weeks of placement and monthly thereafter. The bill also outlines the approval process for kinship caregivers, requiring criminal background checks and specifying that individuals with certain felony convictions will not be granted a license. Furthermore, it enhances confidentiality provisions for child and dependent adult abuse information and appropriates funds to support the transition of services to the behavioral health services system. Overall, the legislation aims to strengthen oversight, improve support for foster care and kinship care systems, and enhance the protection of vulnerable populations.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 97B.1A, 229.1, 229.19, 229.14, 232.78, 232.95, 232.102, 234.1, 234.39, 232.2, 237.1, 237.2, 237.3, 256B.2, 237.4, 237.5A, 237.6, 237.8, 237.9, 217.30, 237.13, 16.57, 237.15, 237A.1, 237A.3A, 237C.1, 237C.3, 282.19, 414.22, 423.3, 135.118, 235A.1, 235A.15, 235B.2, 235B.3, 235B.6, 249A.4, 232.68, 432.1B