WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

HF 298

Grand Rapids; Old Central School renovation funding provided, and money appropriated.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Spencer Igo

Gives courts authority to place delinquency youth into supervised apartment living as a consent decree option, with state foster-care payments if HHS rules meet standards.

Introduction and first reading, referred to Legacy Finance
#citiesandtowns-specific
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HF 298

Summary — HF 298 (2025): Supervised apartment placements for youth in delinquency cases

Status: Enacted — approved by Governor March 28, 2025
Introduced: February 10, 2025
Action highlights: House passed 3/10/2025 (88–0); Senate substituted/passed 3/11/2025 (47–0); enrolled and signed 3/28/2025. Companion: SF 575.

Purpose

HF 298 authorizes courts to place a child who is the subject of a pending juvenile delinquency petition into a supervised apartment living arrangement as a condition of a consent decree, and clarifies when the state will pay for that placement. The intent is to create an option to support older youth who lack family support and need transitional housing after extended residential care.

Key provisions

  • Amends Iowa Code section 232.46(1)(a) by adding a new subparagraph (6) that permits placement in a supervised apartment living arrangement as a condition of a consent decree when:
    • the child has previously and continuously lived in a qualified residential treatment program, a shelter, or a combination of both for at least six months immediately before the placement decision; and
    • the child lacks the family support necessary to successfully transition to independent living.
  • Amends Iowa Code section 234.35(1) by adding new paragraph 0e specifying that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is responsible for payment for foster-care services when legal custody is transferred to a supervised apartment living arrangement under the new 232.46(1)(a)(6) provision — but only if the supervised apartment living arrangement meets requirements established by the department through rulemaking.

Who is affected

  • Youth who are the subject of pending delinquency petitions and who meet the six‑month prior placement and lack-of-family-support criteria.
  • Juvenile courts (when negotiating/approving consent decrees).
  • Providers of supervised apartment living arrangements and residential treatment/shelter programs (subject to new HHS rules and eligibility for state payment).
  • HHS/state budget: state-funded foster-care payments may apply for eligible supervised apartment placements.

Implementation and oversight

  • Payment by the state is conditional on the supervised apartment living arrangement meeting standards HHS will adopt by administrative rule. These rules will define provider and program requirements needed to receive state foster-care reimbursement.
  • The new placement authority applies only in the context of consent decrees (a court-ordered agreement resolving a delinquency petition without adjudication).

Potential impact and considerations

  • Provides an explicit pathway to help certain youth transition from institutional or shelter settings into independent living with supervision.
  • May reduce inappropriate use of congregate care or provide a more developmentally appropriate placement for older youth lacking family supports.
  • Creates a new fiscal responsibility for HHS when placements meet department rules — budgetary impacts will depend on rule definitions, number of eligible youth, and per-placement costs.
  • Rulemaking by HHS will be important to define eligibility, program standards, supervision, and reimbursement mechanisms.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.