HF2575 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))
Continuing education requirements for licensed alcohol and drug counselors modified, religious objections to placements in substance use disorder treatment programs allowed, comprehensive assessment requirements modified, and courts or other placement authorities prohibited from compelling an individual to participate in religious elements of substance use disorder treatment.
Related bill: SF271
AI Generated Summary
Purpose
This bill aims to enhance the autonomy and rights of individuals in substance use disorder treatment by ensuring they are not compelled to participate in elements of treatment programs that conflict with their religious beliefs.
Main Provisions
- Continuing Education: Licensed alcohol and drug counselors must complete specific training on handling religious objections in substance use disorder treatment.
- Religious Objections in Treatment: Individuals, including offenders and patients, can object to participating in religious-based elements of treatment programs. The bill requires courts and other authorities to respect these objections and provide alternative secular treatment options.
- Treatment Program Requirements: The bill mandates the development and licensing of more secular treatment programs, ensuring availability of non-religious treatment options.
- Patient Rights: Patients in treatment facilities have the right to refrain from religious activities and to object to the religious nature of a treatment program.
- Assessment Modifications: Comprehensive assessments must respect the cultural and religious context of clients and include documentation of religious preferences.
Significant Changes
- Prohibition of Compelling Religious Participation: Authorities cannot require individuals to participate in religious parts of treatments, and refusal to partake in such elements cannot negatively impact their legal or rehabilitation status.
- Documentation and Reporting Requirements: Any objections due to religious reasons must be documented, and a report on religious prevalence in treatment programs along with secular options must be submitted by 2027.
- Expansion of Secular Treatment Options: The commissioner is directed to increase the availability of secular treatment options and provide technical assistance to ensure compliance.
Relevant Terms
substance use disorder, religious objection, secular treatment, alcohol and drug counselors, continuing education, patient rights, alternative treatment, therapeutic programs, religious elements, non-religious treatment, diagnostic assessment, voluntary admission, probation, secular options, therapeutic participation.
Bill text versions
- Introduction PDF file
Actions
| Date | Chamber | Where | Type | Name | Committee Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 19, 2025 | House | Floor | Action | Introduction and first reading, referred to | Human Services Finance and Policy |
Citations
[
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Require at least one clock hour on regulatory requirements related to religious objections."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "This bill amends continuing education requirements for licensed alcohol and drug counselors, modifying section 148F.075 subdivision 2.",
"modified": [
"Increase the diversity hours and add requirements for secular approaches."
]
},
"citation": "148F.075",
"subdivision": "subdivision 2"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Provision on emergency opiate antagonist rescue kits.",
"Document offenders' objections to religious elements."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "This bill modifies the release plans for substance abuse under section 241.415.",
"modified": [
"Clarifications on requirements for equivalent alternative treatment."
]
},
"citation": "241.415",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"New subdivision for religious objections in compulsory treatment programs."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "This section is focused on linking release conditions to religious objections.",
"modified": [
"Documenting objections and options for offenders."
]
},
"citation": "244.0513",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Amends patient rights concerning religious elements under section 245F.10 subdivision 1.",
"modified": [
"Emphasizes rights in sections 144.651, 148F.165, 253B.03, and 254B.035."
]
},
"citation": "245F.10",
"subdivision": "subdivision 1"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Expands client rights related to religious objections in section 245G.15 subdivision 1.",
"modified": [
"Inclusions of rights in additional sections such as 144.651, 148F.165."
]
},
"citation": "245G.15",
"subdivision": "subdivision 1"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Cultural and religious context accommodations for assessments."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Amends elements of standard diagnostic assessments under section 245I.10 subdivision 6.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "245I.10",
"subdivision": "subdivision 6"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Amends patient rights for special visitation and involvement in religious exercises.",
"modified": [
"Affirms right to decline participation in religious programs under subdivisions 4 and 10."
]
},
"citation": "253B.03",
"subdivision": "subdivisions 4, 10"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Modifies voluntary admission and treatment rights under section 253B.04 subdivision 1.",
"modified": [
"Emphasizes option for alternative non-religious treatment paths."
]
},
"citation": "253B.04",
"subdivision": "subdivision 1"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Amends eligible vendor requirements under section 254B.05 subdivision 1.",
"modified": [
"Incorporates provisions for vendors accommodating religious objections."
]
},
"citation": "254B.05",
"subdivision": "subdivision 1"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Modifies alternatives to incarceration considering religious objections under section 609.14 subdivision 2a.",
"modified": [
"Clarifies documentation and options available for defendants objecting to religious elements."
]
},
"citation": "609.14",
"subdivision": "subdivision 2a"
}
]