HF 235 (LSB 2022YH (1) 88)

HOUSE FILE 235

BY  JACOBY

A BILL FOR

An Act providing for a study regarding the possible establishment of a jail diversion program for offenders with a mental illness.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  JAIL DIVERSION PROGRAM FOR OFFENDERS WITH A MENTAL ILLNESS —— STUDY.  The division of criminal and juvenile justice planning of the department of human rights shall conduct a study regarding the possible establishment of a jail diversion program for the purpose of reducing jail recidivism rates for nonviolent criminal offenders who suffer from mental illness. The division shall solicit input from the department of human services; the department of corrections and other members of the criminal justice system including judges, prosecutors, and defense counsel; specially trained law enforcement crisis intervention teams and crisis intervention response teams; and the Iowa association of community providers, the Iowa behavioral health association, and other mental health service providers including providers of crisis stabilization services and providers of integrated mental health and substance abuse inpatient, outpatient, and rehabilitation services.
   The study shall consider and review social, clinical, housing, and welfare services currently available and services that should be developed to meet the needs of nonviolent criminal offenders who suffer from mental illness. The system elements addressed by the study shall also include but are not limited to regulatory, liability, and funding issues. The division shall establish the membership, scope, and duties of the study committee and shall also consider the feasibility of establishing a jail diversion pilot program. The division shall submit a report on the study and make recommendations to the governor and the general assembly by December 15, 2019.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   This bill directs the division of criminal and juvenile justice planning of the department of human rights to conduct a study regarding the possible establishment of a jail diversion program for offenders with a mental illness for the purpose of reducing jail recidivism rates for nonviolent criminal offenders who suffer from mental illness. The bill requires the division to work with interested stakeholders including representatives from the department of human services, the department of corrections and other members of the criminal justice system, certain specially trained law enforcement personnel, and mental health providers. The study shall consider and review social, clinical, housing, and welfare services and shall also consider regulatory, liability, and funding issues. The division is required to submit a report with recommendations to the governor and the general assembly by December 15, 2019.