Iowa GOP Governor Kim Reynolds Signs Major Mental Healthcare Reform Legislation

Iowa GOP Governor Kim Reynolds is taking action on mental healthcare reform, signing two major bipartisan bills today to prevent suicide in schools and strengthen the state’s mental healthcare system. Governor Reynolds noted that she was proud to sign the bills, which gained unanimous support in the legislature.

The Associated Press reports,

A new law is expanding access to mental health services across Iowa.

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed legislation Thursday at a ceremony in the state Capitol rotunda that creates six access centers to provide short-term care for people in crisis. The legislation also doubles the number of teams across the state that provide 24/7 flexible treatment and support to patients.

… Reynolds also signed a bill requiring Iowa school districts to train educators on how to identify and help students at risk of suicide.

Radio Iowa continues,

Reynolds spoke to a large crowd of legislators and advocates who lobbied for the bills she approved today. One man in the capitol held a photo of his son, who committed suicide. Many in the audience shed tears and Reynolds was emotional, too.

“How proud I am to stand here and work with the legislators in both the House and the Senate that came together on this extremely important issue,” Reynolds said, “to pass a comprehensive bill unanimously and I think that deserves a huge round of applause.”