This bill seeks to improve the delivery of health and human services in Iowa by establishing health and human services districts (HHS districts) that align with existing behavioral health districts. It introduces a "Behavioral Health District Advisory Council" and defines "Health and Human Services District" as a designated geographic area for statewide program delivery. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is required to review these districts every seven years, allowing for modifications based on factors such as population size and service needs. The bill also updates terminology in the Code of 2026, replacing "district behavioral health plans" with "behavioral health district plans" and clarifying the roles of administrative services organizations and advisory councils.

Additionally, the bill establishes a subunit for volunteerism within HHS to create volunteer programs that support the department's services and the Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service. An executive director appointed by the HHS director will oversee this subunit, which can employ personnel as needed. Volunteers registered with this subunit will be considered state employees for certain legal purposes, although they remain subject to specific duties and liabilities. The bill emphasizes the need for coordination among state agencies to enhance national and community service and mandates HHS to adopt rules for administering these provisions, with all changes taking effect upon enactment.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 12.51, 217.1, 217.1B, 225A.4, 225A.3, 225A.5, 225A.6, 225A.7, 225A.8, 231.4, 231.23, 15H.4, 217.13