Iowa Senate Bill 505 of 2015: Health & Human Service Appropriations, With Provisions To Privatize Two State Mental Health Facilities

On May 6, 2015, the Iowa Senate passed legislation (Senate Bill 505) appropriating funds for the Department of Human Services (DHS), which provided funding and directed DHS to continue operating the Clarinda and Mt. Pleasant mental health institutes (MHIs) through December 15, 2015. DHS had proposed transitioning the facility residents at the two other MHIs or community placements and closing the facilities by June 30, 2015, and turning over the two MHI campuses to the Department of Corrections. Senate Bill 505 directs DHS to operate the two facilities while determining the feasibility of allowing private provider organizations to operate specific . . .