A bill for an act requiring the department of health and human services to establish peer-run respite programs.

HF 2263 requires Iowa's Department of Health and Human Services to establish seven statewide peer-run respite programs. These programs must provide voluntary, short-term support for individuals experiencing emotional distress, mental health crises, or "life-altering challenges" (as defined in the bill), while operating independently from medical facilities and ensuring at least 51% of each program's board consists of people with lived experience of mental health conditions or similar challenges. The bill also limits clinical mental health services to under 10% of a program's total offerings and mandates that programs cannot be located on clinical or medical facility campuses. This legislation directly affects Iowans seeking crisis support and the state agency responsible for implementing these services.