IowaSF 47491st General Assembly (2025–2026)SenateWALLET

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.) Effective date: 07/01/2025.

Sponsored By: COMMITTEE ON HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

7 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 5 mixed.

Stronger care standards in youth psychiatric care

Beginning July 1, 2025, facilities must serve youth with serious emotional disturbance, substance use disorder, or both, using a professional team for care. Each child’s plan must come from a full diagnostic evaluation, including a physical assessment and a behavioral health review of medical, psychological, social, behavioral, and developmental needs. The law treats “youth” and “resident” as under age 21. A facility cannot force a parent or guardian to give up custody or start a court case to get a child treated.

Courts can order youth treatment and evaluations

Beginning July 1, 2025, courts can order physical assessments or behavioral health evaluations for a child. Evaluations should be outpatient when possible; inpatient can be ordered for up to 30 days. In child‑in‑need cases, a judge can allow up to 30 inpatient days when there is probable cause, the longer stay is needed to prove the case, and the child’s attorney agrees. Courts may place minors in public hospitals, and those hospitals have up to 30 days to report back. Juvenile social records now include assessment and evaluation reports. For a second delinquency, the court screens for behavioral health needs and can refer the child for treatment. Courts can order youth to join education, assessments, or treatment, and may require a custodial parent to attend education if it helps the child. The law also adds clear definitions for behavioral‑health terms used in these cases.

Mixed changes to kids health coverage

Beginning July 1, 2025, Medicaid home‑ and community‑based services cover care from residential programs for people age 16 and older. For those under 18, care must be in settings separate from anyone older than 21. If a child has a biologically based mental illness and meets Medical Assistance admission rules, group health plans must cover medically necessary inpatient care and cannot deny it as custodial. If a child on Medicaid becomes an inmate of a public institution, the state suspends Medicaid after the first 30 days and must restore it quickly when the child is released.

State pays child exams, may recover costs

Beginning July 1, 2025, the state pays for a child’s physical assessment, behavioral health evaluation, or related treatment when a parent or guardian consents and no other law requires payment. The department can set rules and seek reimbursement when the law allows. Foster‑care funds can pay a foster child’s share for a stay in a children’s psychiatric facility. DHHS may seek repayment, apply to receive the child’s unearned income, and recommend parental liability when appropriate.

New licensing rules for youth psychiatric centers

Beginning July 1, 2025, children’s psychiatric centers must hold a new chapter 135H license. They must also hold a comprehensive residential facility license, or a substance use disorder license if they offer SUD care. The initial license fee is $25 and the annual fee is $25. Licenses issue only when the facility is accredited, has adequate staff and space, follows state rules, and DHHS signs off on need and location. The department accepts national accreditation and will avoid duplicating standards, and it must create a faster path to get related licenses at the same time. The state caps approved converted SUD treatment beds at 430 unless the director shows good cause; nonresident beds not paid by Iowa public funds do not count.

Safer youth facilities and locked‑unit rules

Beginning July 1, 2025, the state aligns rules on restraints and seclusion and writes standards for using a “protective locked environment.” The law defines a protective locked environment as a setting that stops a person from leaving to keep them safe. DHHS runs criminal and child‑abuse checks for people seeking to work, live, or be licensed in youth psychiatric settings, and can bar unsafe applicants. Mandated reporters must finish child‑abuse training within six months of hire and repeat it every three years. Final licensing and approved accreditation findings for these facilities are public, while most other records stay confidential.

State review of youth services system

Beginning July 1, 2025, DHHS brings together courts, law enforcement, hospitals, providers, people with lived experience, and four lawmakers to review youth services. DHHS must send findings and recommendations to the governor and legislature by October 1, 2025. The law also repeals two prior sections from the 2024 session.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

COMMITTEE ON HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Affiliation unavailable

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 187 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/29/2025

Passed Senate

Yes: 48 • No: 0

House vote • 4/22/2025

Passed House

Yes: 92 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/16/2025