Purpose of the Bill

The bill aims to update the legal provisions concerning assisted living facilities in Minnesota. The changes focus on how these facilities are licensed, how they manage restraints, and the necessary staff training and safety measures, specifically targeting improvements in care for residents, including those with dementia.

Main Provisions

• Definitions and Restraints: The bill adds definitions for chemical, manual, and mechanical restraints to Minnesota Statutes, ensuring clarity and standardized understanding across facilities.

• Licensing Requirements: The bill specifies that all assisted living facilities in Minnesota must be properly licensed. Facilities must ensure fire safety measures like a fire barrier between licensed and unlicensed areas.

• Director Licensing: Each assisted living facility must employ a licensed assisted living director.

• Title Use Restriction: Starting January 2026, only licensed facilities can use the term "assisted living" in their branding and service descriptions, and they cannot incorporate “home care” or “nursing home” in their names.

• Restraint Use and Training: Facilities must ensure staff are trained in the use of emergency manual restraints, emphasizing person-centered approaches, de-escalation techniques, and cultural competence. Staff must also complete annual refresher training.

• Restraint Restrictions: Residents must be free from restraints used for discipline or convenience, and any restraints used must be strictly for medical reasons or immediate protection from harm.

• Fire Safety and Environment: Assisted living facilities with dementia care must have completed fire safety assessments and implement sprinkler systems by August 2029.

• Repeal of Task Force: The bill repeals the existing Resident Quality of Care and Outcomes Improvement Task Force.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Clarification on Restraints: There is now a clear delineation of what constitutes chemical, manual, and mechanical restraints and guidelines for their use to ensure resident safety and dignity.

• Stricter Licensure Enforcement: The new requirements and restrictions on the use of the "assisted living" title aim to prevent misuse and ensure that facilities meet specific compliance standards to continue operation.

• Staff Training: The enhanced focus on mandatory training and annual refreshers for staff related to restraint protocols indicates a significant push towards better handling of aggressive or harmful situations without compromising resident dignity and care quality.

Relevant Terms

chemical restraint, manual restraint, mechanical restraint, assisted living license, dementia care, director license, restraint training, fire safety, task force repeal.