SF 329 – Administration of Pneumococcal Vaccine in Hospitals & Long-Term Care Settings
HF 468 – Mental Health Advocates
FLOOR ACTION:
SF 329 directs the Board of Pharmacy to adopt administrative rules to authorize administration of a pediatric dose of the pneumococcal vaccine in a hospital or long-term care setting without a written or verbal order according to the facility’s physician-approved policy and after the patient has been assessed for contraindications. This vaccine can help prevent pneumonia and other illnesses. This bill conforms Iowa’s pneumococcal vaccine standards to those used by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration. [3/30: 48-0 (Bertrand, Zaun absent)]
COMMITTEE ACTION:
HF 468, as amended in committee, clarifies the employment status and roles of various government agencies concerning mental health advocates. Mental health advocates work to ensure that government operates in the best interest of those involuntarily civilly hospitalized due to a mental health crisis. HF 468 creates consistency across the state by having county boards of supervisors appoint mental health advocates for their counties. Judges will assign mental health advocates from local areas to advocate on behalf of involuntarily committed individuals. The mental health advocate services may be paid by the involuntarily hospitalized persons’ county or mental health and disability services region, as appropriate. Mental health advocates will remain employees of counties. Additionally, the bill directs the Mental Health & Disability Commission to promulgate rules to provide consistent, high-quality mental health advocacy services across the state. The rules must include grievance procedures and conflict of interest provisions. The goal the bill is to ensure consistent, high-quality, conflict-free advocacy for involuntarily hospitalized individuals in Iowa. [3/26: short form]