The Mental Health Institutes in Mount Pleasant and Clarinda are set to close June 30th. Legislation that would stall the closings until a transition plan is developed has moved out of the House Appropriations Committee and is now eligible for debate. If Senate File 402 is approved by the house, it will go to Governor Branstad, who announced his plan to close the facilities in January.

According to State Representative for House District 84, Dave Heaton, the bill has created an opportunity for the governor to work with the legislature on an alternative. He shares their discussions with the department of human services and the governor’s office that began two weeks ago continue as they try to reach an agreement.

Meanwhile, layoffs at the Mount Pleasant facility have begun. Heaton says staff in two of the institute’s programs were let go Monday. The second and final round of layoffs is expected to take place in early-June.