The bill amends various sections of the Iowa Code to improve the delivery of health and human services, with a particular emphasis on behavioral health services. It introduces the term "behavioral health district advisory council" and establishes the concept of a "health and human services district" (HHS district), which designates specific geographic areas for statewide program and service delivery. The bill requires the state to be divided into HHS districts, initially aligning them with existing behavioral health districts, and mandates a review of these districts every ten years to evaluate their effectiveness. Additionally, it modifies existing language to ensure consistency by replacing references to "district behavioral health" with "behavioral health district" throughout various sections.

Moreover, the bill enhances the state's approach to tobacco use prevention and control and improves the administration of volunteer services. It clarifies that entities must adhere to the state behavioral health service system plan regarding tobacco initiatives and establishes a framework for collaboration between the Department of Health and Human Services and area agencies on aging for potential redesignation of planning and service areas. The bill also creates a subunit for volunteerism within the Department, overseeing volunteer programs and supporting the Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service. It includes provisions for the commission to delegate nonpolicymaking duties and ensures that volunteers registered under these programs are considered state employees for liability purposes. The entire division of this Act is set to take effect immediately 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
Reprinted: 12.51, 217.1, 217.1B, 225A.4, 225A.3, 225A.5, 225A.6, 225A.7, 225A.8, 15H.4, 217.13