ARC 5130C

ARC 5130C

HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT[441]

Notice of Intended Action

Proposing rule making related to foster care case permanency plans and providing an opportunity for public comment

The Human Services Department hereby proposes to amend Chapter 202, "Foster Care Placement and Services," Iowa Administrative Code.

Legal Authority for Rule Making

This rule making is proposed under the authority provided in Iowa Code section 217.6 and 2019 Iowa Acts, House File 644.

State or Federal Law Implemented

This rule making implements, in whole or in part, 2019 Iowa Acts, House File 644.

Purpose and Summary

The federal Family First Prevention Services Act, Section 422(b)(15)(A)(vii), and 2019 Iowa Acts, House File 644, require protocols to ensure children being placed in out-of-home settings are not inappropriately diagnosed with mental illness, other emotional or behavioral disorders, medically fragile conditions or developmental disabilities. This proposed amendment requires information in case permanency plans for children entering or already in foster care to include efforts to retain existing medical and mental health care providers as well as activities to evaluate service needs.

Fiscal Impact

This rule making has no fiscal impact to the State of Iowa.

Jobs Impact

After analysis and review of this rule making, no impact on jobs has been found.

Waivers

Any person who believes that the application of the discretionary provisions of this rule making would result in hardship or injustice to that person may petition the Department for a waiver of the discretionary provisions, if any, pursuant to rule 441—1.8(17A,217).

Public Comment

Any interested person may submit written comments concerning this proposed rule making. Written comments in response to this rule making must be received by the Department no later than 4:30 p.m.on September 1, 2020. Comments should be directed to:

Public Hearing

No public hearing is scheduled at this time. As provided in Iowa Code section 17A.4(1)"b," an oral presentation regarding this rule making may be demanded by 25 interested persons, a governmental subdivision, the Administrative Rules Review Committee, an agency, or an association having 25 or more members.

Review by Administrative Rules Review Committee

The Administrative Rules Review Committee, a bipartisan legislative committee which oversees rule making by executive branch agencies, may, on its own motion or on written request by any individual or group, review this rule making at its regular monthly meeting or at a special meeting. The Committee's meetings are open to the public, and interested persons may be heard as provided in Iowa Code section 17A.8(6).

The following rule-making action is proposed:

Amend rule 441—202.1(234), definition of "Case permanency plan," as follows:

"Case permanency plan" shall mean the plan identifying goals, needs, strengths, problems, services, time frames for meeting goals and for delivery of the services to the child and parents, objectives, desired outcomes, and responsibilities of all parties involved and reviewing progress. This includes information describing efforts to retain existing medical and mental health care providers for a child entering or in foster care and activities to evaluate service needs to avoid inappropriate diagnoses of mental illness, other emotional or behavioral disorders, medically fragile conditions, or developmental disabilities.