Relating to televised testimony in involuntary commitment hearings for persons with substance-related disorders and persons with mental illness

Sponsored by the House Health and Human Services Committee

Topics:Courts & civil law Health care

Same legislation: HSB 133

Write your legislators about itWhat changed before it passed

Official bill page Lobbyist declarations One-pager to print

Where it is now

Done: IntroducedFebruary 2, 2023
Done: SubcommitteeFebruary 2, 2023
Done: House committeeFebruary 23, 2023
Done: Passes the HouseMarch 15, 202397–0
Done: Senate committeeMarch 30, 2023
Done: Passes the SenateApril 26, 202349–0
Done: To the GovernorMay 9, 2023
Done: Signed into lawJune 1, 2023

Signed into law What’s a funnel?

What’s in it

AI summary Courts could allow health professionals to give testimony through video during hearings about mental health or substance abuse commitments. Judges also have the power to hold these hearings over the phone. People involved in the case, such as the person being evaluated or their lawyer, can choose to opt out of the video testimony.¹

Read the official explanation

This bill relates to televised testimony at involuntary commitment hearings for persons with substance-related disorders and persons with a mental illness. The bill provides that a court, in a hearing related to a person’s involuntary commitment for a substance-related disorder or mental illness, may allow a specified health professional who examined the respondent in connection with the commitment hearing to provide testimony at the hearing via televised means. The bill also allows such hearings to take place telephonically at the discretion of the court. The bill provides that, in a hearing relating to a person’s involuntary commitment for a substance-related disorder or mental illness, an applicant, respondent, and a respondent’s attorney may waive the televised appearance at the hearing of the health professional who examined the respondent in connection with the commitment hearing. The bill also allows such hearings to take place telephonically at the discretion of the court.

Full bill text · What changed before it passed²

Senate subcommittee

Named March 21, 2023. On March 22, 2023 it recommended passage. [].

Three legislators hear a bill first and recommend what the committee should do; it’s the best time to weigh in. How to take part

Iowa Code it changes

Amends§125.82 §229.12

How the Code works³

Lobbying

1 for · 0 against · 14 undecided · Who →

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Study bill

HSB 133Renumbered

90th General Assembly

HF 466Became lawfrom HSB 133