IA HF665

Requires Iowa public colleges and universities (Board of Regents institutions and community colleges) to implement mental health awareness programs, including annual orientation sessions, online screening tools for conditions like depression and anxiety, and posting crisis hotline information on student ID cards issued after July 1, 2026

Mandates that resident assistants, advisors, and campus security officers complete national mental health first aid training before beginning their duties

Requires each institution to establish peer support programs using trained student peers to assist students with mental health conditions, following recovery model best practices

Establishes a benchmark ratio of one clinical staff member per 1,250 students, achievable through on-campus counselors, off-campus provider agreements, and telehealth services, with the Mental Health Technical Assistance Center reporting updated ratios to the legislature every five years starting July 1, 2027

Creates a Mental Health Technical Assistance Center within the Department of Health and Human Services to develop standardized medical leave policies, set statewide standards, collect and analyze mental health data, and monitor compliance across institutions