Iowa Code § 226.7: Order of receiving patients.

1. a. Preference in the reception of patients into the mental health institutes shall be exercised in the following order:

(1) Cases of less duration than one year.

(2) Chronic cases, where the disease is of more than one-year duration, presenting the most favorable prospect for recovery.

(3) Those for whom application has been longest on file, other things being equal.

b. Where cases are equally meritorious in all other respects, the indigent shall have the preference.

2. If the district court commits a patient to a state mental health institute and a bed for the patient is not available, the institute shall assist the court in locating an alternative placement for the patient.