With a contentious legislative session in full swing, every once in awhile there’s a cause both sides of the aisle can agree on, and right now that is a bill relating to the disclosure of mental health information to law enforcement professionals. State Senator Kevin Kinney (D) and State Representative Jarad Klein (R) have collaborated on bills that would take away red tape and allow for better communication between mental health providers and law enforcement officials. Senate File 75 is out of subcommittee. The legislation would enable law enforcement to obtain information about people having mental health episodes before engaging the situation.

Kinney says the legislation fixes a flaw in the current law, and is important to protect officers and patients, “There’s a loophole that won’t allow some of the mental health providers to allow law enforcement to learn that someone is having serious mental issues, where they might be a harm to themselves or others. So we’re just trying to get that straightened out.” The legislation was proposed to Kinney and Klein by the Washington County Sheriff’s Office and Washington County Attorney’s Office. With support from democrats and republicans, Kinney believes the bill will pass both houses easily. To hear more about the current legislative session, listen to the In Touch with Southeast Iowa interview with Kinney at KCIIRadio.com.