State policy and objectives.

(1) The general assembly declares that it is the policy of the state to work toward attainment of the following objectives for Iowa’s older individuals and individuals with disabilities:

(1) (a) An adequate income.

(1) (b) Access to physical and mental health care and long-term living and community support services without regard to economic status.

(1) (c) Suitable and affordable housing that reflects the needs of individuals.

(1) (d) Access to comprehensive information and a community navigation system providing all available options related to long-term living and community support services that assist individuals in the preservation of personal assets and the ability to entirely avoid or significantly delay reliance on entitlement programs.

(1) (e) Full restorative services for those who require institutional care, and a comprehensive array of long-term living and community support services adequate to sustain people in their communities and, whenever possible, in their homes, including support for caregivers.

(1) (f) Pursuit of meaningful activity within the widest range of civic, cultural, educational, recreational, and employment opportunities.

(1) (g) Suitable community transportation systems to assist in the attainment of independent movement.

(1) (h) Freedom, independence, and the free exercise of individual initiative in planning and managing their own lives.

(1) (i) Freedom from abuse, neglect, and exploitation.

(2) The general assembly declares that the state of Iowa recognizes a brain injury as a disability, and each agency and subdivision of this state shall recognize a brain injury as a distinct disability.

(3) It is the policy of this state that each state agency shall make reasonable efforts to identify those persons with brain injuries among the persons served by the state agency.

86 Acts, ch 1245, §1003C87, §249D.3C93, §231.32003 Acts, ch 141, §1; 2005 Acts, ch 45, §2; 2009 Acts, ch 23, §14; 2018 Acts, ch 1049, §1, 2; 2024 Acts, ch 1161, §138, 162