House Study Bill 727 PAG LIN 1 1 HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 1 2 BY (PROPOSED COMMITTEE ON HUMAN RESOURCES RESOLUTION 1 3 BY CHAIRPERSON SMITH) 1 4 A Resolution requesting the legislative council to 1 5 authorize a study committee for the 2008 interim to 1 6 review Iowa's system of mental health patient 1 7 advocates appointed by the courts. 1 8 WHEREAS, the mental health patient advocates appointed by 1 9 the courts provide a valuable service in providing a 1 10 competent, independent review to the court of the situations 1 11 of patients hospitalized with a mental illness or serious 1 12 mental impairment; and 1 13 WHEREAS, the patient advocates are primarily appointed by 1 14 the chief judge of each judicial district while the costs for 1 15 an advocate are paid by the patient's county of legal 1 16 settlement and questions have been raised as to whether this 1 17 is the best approach for funding and supporting the patient 1 18 advocates; NOW THEREFORE, 1 19 BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, That the 1 20 legislative council is requested to authorize a study 1 21 committee for the 2008 interim to review the system for mental 1 22 health patient advocates in order to provide recommendations 1 23 for the best means for funding and supporting the system. 1 24 LSB 6360HC 82 1 25 jp/rj/8