Minneslate Logo

SF1492 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Civil Commitment Coordinating Division establishment provision, various grant programs establishment provision, transport hold working group establishment provision, and appropriations

Related bill: HF1853

AI Generated Summary

Purpose of the Bill

This legislative bill aims to enhance Minnesota's mental health service systems through the establishment of a Civil Commitment Coordinating Division in the Office of the Attorney General. It seeks to improve practices and resources related to civil commitment processes statewide and create various programs and studies to better manage mental health issues within the community and justice systems.

Main Provisions

  • Civil Commitment Coordinating Division: This new division within the Attorney General's office will oversee services related to civil commitment, including engagement services, outpatient commitment options, and provisional discharges. The division will also coordinate with various stakeholders to implement best practices and provide technical assistance at local and regional levels.

  • Civil Commitment Advisory Committee: Established to advise and provide recommendations on best practices, this committee will include diverse representation from mental health and government sectors to ensure comprehensive guidance and policy development.

  • Diversion Studies: Each county is required to conduct studies to assess and improve their capacity to divert individuals with mental illness, developmental disabilities, or substance use disorders away from the criminal justice system and into appropriate treatment services.

  • Transport Hold Work Group: A work group will be created to develop best practices and policy recommendations for safely transporting individuals in mental health crises. This includes identifying alternatives to law enforcement involvement during such transports.

  • Funding and Appropriations: The bill allocates funds for the establishment of the new division, hiring of staff, contracts for data services, and public awareness campaigns to inform the public about available mental health services.

Significant Changes

  • Establishment of a Coordinating Division: The bill introduces a formal structure within the Attorney General's office to oversee civil commitment, reflecting a significant organizational change.
  • Emphasis on Data and Analysis: The bill mandates data collection and analysis to evaluate and improve civil commitment processes actively, which is a new structured approach to understanding and improving mental health service outcomes.
  • Creation of Specialized Work Groups and Committees: These bodies are tasked with ensuring that best practices are developed and implemented across the state, focusing on integrating input from a wide range of mental health and legal experts.

Relevant Terms

civil commitment, engagement services, outpatient commitment, provisional discharge, diversion studies, public awareness campaign, mental health crisis, transport hold, Attorney General's Office, technical assistance, data collection and analysis, mental illness, developmental disability, substance use disorder.

Bill text versions

Actions

DateChamberWhereTypeNameCommittee Name
February 16, 2025SenateFloorActionIntroduction and first reading
February 16, 2025HouseFloorActionIntroduction and first reading
February 16, 2025SenateFloorActionIntroduction and first reading
February 16, 2025SenateFloorActionReferred toJudiciary and Public Safety
February 16, 2025HouseFloorActionReferred toJudiciary and Public Safety
February 16, 2025SenateFloorActionReferred toJudiciary and Public Safety
March 05, 2025SenateFloorActionAuthor added
March 05, 2025SenateFloorActionAuthor added
March 09, 2025SenateFloorActionAuthor added
March 09, 2025SenateFloorActionAuthor added
March 23, 2025SenateFloorActionComm report: To pass as amended and re-refer toState and Local Government
March 23, 2025SenateFloorActionComm report: To pass as amended and re-refer toState and Local Government
March 23, 2025SenateFloorActionAuthor added
March 23, 2025SenateFloorActionAuthor added
March 31, 2025SenateFloorActionComm report: To pass as amended and re-refer toJudiciary and Public Safety
March 31, 2025SenateFloorActionComm report: To pass as amended and re-refer toJudiciary and Public Safety

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Definitions for the terms used in the new sections 8.37 to 8.39."
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "The bill establishes a Civil Commitment Coordinating Division and references definitions outlined in section 253B.02.",
      "modified": [
        ""
      ]
    },
    "citation": "253B.02",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Incorporation of engagement services under new provisions."
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "Section 253B.041 is referenced in relation to engagement services.",
      "modified": [
        ""
      ]
    },
    "citation": "253B.041",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Provisions related to outpatient commitments and discharges referenced."
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "Outpatient civil commitment options and provisional discharge procedures referenced under section 253B.09, subdivision 1.",
      "modified": [
        ""
      ]
    },
    "citation": "253B.09",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 1"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Data protection and privacy requirements integrated into new sections."
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "Data handling requirements are to be in accordance with chapter 13.",
      "modified": [
        ""
      ]
    },
    "citation": "13",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Inclusion of definitions for underrepresented communities in health professional contexts."
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "Mental health professionals from underrepresented communities as defined in section 148E.010, subdivision 20.",
      "modified": [
        ""
      ]
    },
    "citation": "148E.010",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 20"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Best practices for custody and transport in mental health crises."
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "Transport hold procedures and authorized force in custody cases are related to section 253B.051.",
      "modified": [
        ""
      ]
    },
    "citation": "253B.051",
    "subdivision": ""
  }
]

Sponsors