217.13 Department to provide certain volunteer services — volunteer liability.

1. The department of human services shall establish volunteer programs designed to enhance the services provided by the department. Roles for volunteers may include but shall not be limited to parent aides, friendly visitors, commodity distributors, clerical assistants, medical transporters, and other functions to complement and supplement the department’s work with clients. Roles for volunteers shall include conservators and guardians. The department shall adopt rules for programs which are established.

2. a. The director shall appoint a coordinator of volunteer services to oversee the provision of services of volunteer conservators and guardians on a volunteer basis to individuals in this state requiring such services. The coordinator, after consulting with personnel assigned to the district of the department, shall recommend to the director how best to serve the needs of individuals in need of the services of a guardian or conservator. Where possible, the coordinator shall recommend that the services be provided on a multicounty basis.

b. The coordinator shall cooperate with the administrators of the divisions of the department in providing these services and shall seek out alternative sources for providing the services required under this section.

3. All volunteers registered with the department and in compliance with departmental rules are considered state employees for purposes of chapter 669. However, this section does not except a conservator or guardian from an action brought under section 658.1A or 658.3. This section does not relieve a guardian or conservator from duties under chapter 633.

88 Acts, ch 1170, §1; 2005 Acts, ch 175, §91