IA
Iowa Senate Bill SSB1120

Iowa 2025-2026 Regular Session

Iowa Senate Bill SSB1120

Introduced
2/13/25  

Caption

A bill for an act relating to services and support for youth, including treatment, physical assessments, and behavioral health evaluations; exemptions from children's residential facility certification; the director of juvenile court services and chief juvenile court officers; and suspension of Hawki eligibility for public institution inmates.(See SF 474.)

Impact

One significant impact of SSB1120 is the modification of existing laws regarding the Hawki program, whereby a child who is an inmate in a public institution may have their eligibility suspended under certain conditions, particularly if they were previously enrolled. This change addresses legal and health service provisions for youth in the juvenile justice system, ensuring that while they are committed, they do not lose access to healthcare benefits through the Hawki program, albeit temporarily. The bill also emphasizes the need for comprehensive care plans, assessment protocols, and ongoing communication between the institutions and health services programs.

Summary

Senate Study Bill 1120 (SSB1120) focuses on enhancing services and support for youth in Iowa, particularly concerning treatment and evaluations related to mental health and substance use disorders. The bill proposes a framework for administering treatment, physical assessments, and behavioral health evaluations tailored to support children and adolescents with serious emotional disturbances or substance use disorders. A core aspect of the bill is its aim to streamline operations and regulations governing psychiatric medical institutions for children (PMICs), ensuring they can provide effective rehabilitation without unnecessary licensing barriers.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding SSB1120 revolve around the implications of exempting specific facilities from children's residential facility certification. Critics argue that such exemptions could potentially lower standards for care and oversight, creating concerns about the quality of services provided to vulnerable populations. Furthermore, while the streamlining of operational protocols for PMICs presents opportunities for improved service delivery, stakeholders in child welfare and mental health advocate for careful oversight to ensure that these changes do not compromise the quality and safety of care. Overall, the bill seeks a balance between facilitating access to care and maintaining necessary protections for children and youth.

Latest SSB1120 Activity

Companion Bills

IA SF474

Replaced by A bill for an act relating to services and support for youth, including treatment, physical assessments, and behavioral health evaluations for youth involved in involuntary commitment, juvenile delinquency, child in need of assistance, and family in need of assistance proceedings; the licensing and certification of certain residential facilities; the provision of home and community-based services and habilitation services to certain youth by residential programs; administration and supervision of juvenile court services; and the suspension of Hawki eligibility for inmates of public institutions.(Formerly SSB 1120.)

IA HF833

Replaced by A bill for an act relating to services and support for youth, including treatment, physical assessments, and behavioral health evaluations for youth involved in involuntary commitment, juvenile delinquency, child in need of assistance, and family in need of assistance proceedings; the licensing and certification of certain residential facilities; the provision of home and community-based services and habilitation services to certain youth by residential programs; administration and supervision of juvenile court services; and the suspension of Hawki eligibility for inmates of public institutions.(Formerly HSB 153; See HF 984.)

IA HSB153

Related A bill for an act relating to services and support for youth, including treatment, physical assessments, and behavioral health evaluations; exemptions from children's residential facility certification; the director of juvenile court services and chief juvenile court officers; and suspension of Hawki eligibility for public institution inmates.(See HF 833, HF 984.)

IA HF984

Replaced by A bill for an act relating to services and support for youth, including treatment, physical assessments, and behavioral health evaluations for youth involved in juvenile delinquency and child in need of assistance proceedings; the licensing and certification of certain residential facilities; the provision of home and community-based services and habilitation services to certain youth by residential programs; administration and supervision of juvenile court services; and the suspension of Hawki eligibility for inmates of public institutions.(Formerly HF 833, HSB 153.)

Similar Bills

IA HF984

A bill for an act relating to services and support for youth, including treatment, physical assessments, and behavioral health evaluations for youth involved in juvenile delinquency and child in need of assistance proceedings; the licensing and certification of certain residential facilities; the provision of home and community-based services and habilitation services to certain youth by residential programs; administration and supervision of juvenile court services; and the suspension of Hawki eligibility for inmates of public institutions.(Formerly HF 833, HSB 153.)

IA HSB153

A bill for an act relating to services and support for youth, including treatment, physical assessments, and behavioral health evaluations; exemptions from children's residential facility certification; the director of juvenile court services and chief juvenile court officers; and suspension of Hawki eligibility for public institution inmates.(See HF 833, HF 984.)

IA HF833

A bill for an act relating to services and support for youth, including treatment, physical assessments, and behavioral health evaluations for youth involved in involuntary commitment, juvenile delinquency, child in need of assistance, and family in need of assistance proceedings; the licensing and certification of certain residential facilities; the provision of home and community-based services and habilitation services to certain youth by residential programs; administration and supervision of juvenile court services; and the suspension of Hawki eligibility for inmates of public institutions.(Formerly HSB 153; See HF 984.)

IA SF474

A bill for an act relating to services and support for youth, including treatment, physical assessments, and behavioral health evaluations for youth involved in juvenile delinquency and child in need of assistance proceedings; the licensing and certification of certain residential facilities; the provision of home and community-based services and habilitation services to certain youth by residential programs; administration and supervision of juvenile court services; and the suspension of Hawki eligibility for inmates of public institutions. (Formerly SSB 1120.)

KY SB88

AN ACT relating to physician assistants.

AZ SB1246

Child neglect; exception; financial resources

MT SB191

Provide for the licensure of residential treatment centers

IL SB2421

PSYCHIATRIC RESIDENTIAL FACILY