HF 692 — A bill for an act relating to the staffing of brain health professionals in primary and secondary schools and making appropriations.

Bill Text

• Introduced View text Current pdf

AI-generated reading aid from the bill's amendatory text — verify against the official bill.

The bill establishes requirements for the staffing of brain health professionals in primary and secondary schools in Iowa.

• Section 135.1

  NEW SUBSECTION . 01. 'Brain health' means the same as in section 225C.2, and incorporates the findings and purposes stated in section 225C.1, subsection 3.

  Defines 'brain health' in the context of Iowa's public health code.

• Section 135.11

  NEW SUBSECTION. 22A. Adopt rules which allow mental health providers to use the term 'brain health' synonymously with the terms 'mental health' or 'mental illness' and promote the usage of the term 'brain health' for the purpose of reducing stigma related to mental health disease and illness.

  Allows mental health providers to use 'brain health' interchangeably with existing terms to help reduce stigma.

• Section 225C.1

  the services to persons with mental illness, an intellectual disability disabilities, developmental disabilities, or brain injury injuries → the services to persons with mental illness, an intellectual disability, developmental disabilities, or brain injury or other brain health issues

  Updates the language in the findings to include 'brain health issues' alongside existing categories.

• Section 225C.1

  mental → brain

  Changes references from 'mental' to 'brain' health services to reflect the new terminology.

• Section 225C.1

  NEW SUBSECTION. 3. a. The general assembly finds that to reduce the stigma associated with brain health disease and illness and to assist Iowans in receiving brain health diagnosis and treatment, the term 'brain health' may be used synonymously with the terms 'mental health' and 'mental illness' to allow for more preventative and earlier treatments of those Iowans with brain health issues.

  Establishes a legislative finding that promotes the use of 'brain health' to improve treatment access.

• Section 225C.1

  b. The recognition of the term 'brain health' does not replace the terms 'mental health' or 'mental illness' as it relates to medical billing or state professional licensure.

  Clarifies that 'brain health' does not alter existing medical billing or licensing practices.

• Section 225C.2

  NEW SUBSECTION . 1A. 'Brain health' means all aspects of the brain impacted by biological and physical characteristics of the brain affecting mood and behavior.

  Defines 'brain health' in terms of biological and physical brain characteristics influencing behavior.

• Section 280.33

  1. As used in this section, 'brain health' means the same as in section 225C.2, and incorporates the findings and purposes stated in section 225C.1, subsection 3.

  Establishes a definition for 'brain health' in the context of school health professionals.

• Section 280.33

  2. Each public school and nonpublic school shall have a minimum of one health care professional with brain health credentials available on site daily to assist students during normal hours of instruction.

  Mandates the presence of at least one brain health professional in each school.

• Section 280.33

  3. There is appropriated annually from the general fund of the state to the department of education an amount sufficient to meet the requirements of subsection 1.

  Allocates state funds to ensure schools can employ brain health professionals.

• Section 280.33

  4. The department of health and human services shall assist the department of education in determining the annual amount necessary to meet the requirements of subsection 1.

  Requires coordination between departments to assess funding needs for brain health staffing.

Action History

1. April 06, 2023

   Introduced, referred to Health and Human Services.

Sponsors

• Jennifer Konfrst · Primary
• Lindsay James · Primary
• Heather Matson · Primary
• Jeff Cooling · Primary
• Ross Wilburn · Primary
• Jerome Amos Jr. · Primary
• SCHEETZ · Primary
• Timi M. Brown-Powers · Primary
• Josh Turek · Primary
• Dr. Megan L. Srinivas · Primary
• Elizabeth Wilson · Primary
• BUCK · Primary
• Sean Bagniewski · Primary
• FORBES · Primary
• Austin Baeth · Primary
• Tracy A. Ehlert · Primary
• Ken Croken · Primary
• Mary Lee Madison · Primary
• STECKMAN · Primary
• Elinor A. Levin · Primary
• Art Staed · Primary
• CAHILL · Primary
• Monica Kurth · Primary
• Bob Kressig · Primary
• Ruth Ann Gaines · Primary
• ISENHART · Primary

Subjects