SSB 3165

This bill establishes a task force relating to the reunification of an unaccompanied child or dependent adult with the child’s or dependent adult’s parent, guardian, or custodian following a natural disaster. The bill requires the department of homeland security and emergency management to convene a task force to study the current status of unaccompanied children and dependent adults following a natural disaster, who are not under the supervision of a school or the department of human services, to ascertain gaps, assess capacity concerns, identify resources, examine issues including specific issues relating to the dangers a child or dependent adult may face and reunification efforts by all agencies and organizations across the response community. The task force shall develop specific policy recommendations relating to the reunification of an unaccompanied child or dependent adult with the child’s or dependent adult’s parent, guardian, or custodian following a natural disaster. The bill provides that task force members shall include but are not limited to representatives from the department of public safety, the Iowa emergency management directors association, the Iowa state sheriffs and deputies association, a police officers association, a fire fighters association, and other agencies as deemed appropriate. The task force members shall also include four legislators as ex officio, nonvoting members. The task force shall convene by October 2, 2020, and shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations to the general assembly for consideration during the 2021 legislative interim.