The Iowa House Appropriations Committee will consider legislation today that would keep the Mount Pleasant and Clarinda Mental Health Institutes open until a transition plan is in place. Senate File 402 would require the department of human services to develop a long-term comprehensive plan to ensure the needs of patients at the mental health institutes are met. It would also require the department to accept patients through June 30^th.

A House appropriations subcommittee approved the bill Wednesday. If approved by the full committee and then the House, the bill will go to Governor Branstad.

According to state Senator Rich Taylor, layoffs at the Mount Pleasant facility are expected to begin Monday.

Listen to our conversation with Taylor during today’s In Touch with Southeast Iowa for more information.

To review Senate File 402, click here.