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HF 2562

as introduced - 88th Legislature (2013 - 2014) Posted on 03/27/2014 03:25pm

KEY: stricken = removed, old language.
underscored = added, new language.

Bill Text Versions

Engrossments
Introduction Posted on 03/03/2014

Current Version - as introduced

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A bill for an act
relating to public safety; establishing a working group to study and make
recommendations on how to address mentally ill offenders who are arrested or
subject to arrest; requiring a report.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1. new text begin MENTALLY ILL OFFENDERS ARRESTED OR SUBJECT TO
ARREST; WORKING GROUP.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Working group established; study and draft legislation required.
new text end

new text begin The commissioners of corrections and human services shall convene a working group
to address issues related to offenders with mental illness who are arrested or subject
to arrest. The working group shall consider the special needs of these offenders and
determine how best to provide for these needs. Specifically, the group shall consider the
efficacy of a facility that would serve as a central point for accepting, assessing, and
addressing the needs of offenders with mental illness brought in by law enforcement as an
alternative to arrest or following arrest. The facility would consolidate and coordinate
existing resources as well as offer new resources that would provide a continuum of care
addressing the immediate, short-term, and long-term needs of these offenders. The facility
would do the following for these offenders: perform timely, credible, and useful mental
health assessments; identify community placement opportunities; coordinate community
care; make recommendations concerning pretrial release when appropriate; and, in some
cases, provide direct services to offenders at the facility or in nearby jails. The working
group shall establish criteria to determine which offenders may be admitted to the facility.
The facility would be located in the metropolitan region and serve the needs of nearby
counties. The facility would represent a partnership between the state, local units of
government, and the private sector. In addition, the working group may consider how
similar facilities could function in outstate areas. When studying this issue, the working
group shall examine what other states have done in this area to determine what programs
have been successful and use those programs as models in developing the program in
Minnesota. The working group may also study and make recommendations on other ways
to improve the process for addressing and assisting these offenders.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Membership. new text end

new text begin The commissioners shall ensure that the working group
has expertise and a broad range of interests represented, including, but not limited to:
prosecutors; law enforcement, including jail staff; correctional officials; probation
officials; criminal defense attorneys; judges; county and city officials; mental health
advocates; mental health professionals; and hospital and health care officials.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Administrative issues. new text end

new text begin The commissioners shall convene the first meeting
of the working group by September 1, 2014. The departments of corrections and human
services shall provide meeting space and administrative support to the working group.
The working group shall select a chair from among its members.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Report required. new text end

new text begin By December 15, 2015, the working group shall submit a
report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the senate and house of representatives
committees and divisions having jurisdiction over human services and public safety. The
report must summarize the working group's activities and include its recommendations
and draft legislation. The recommendations must be specific and include estimates of the
costs involved in implementing the recommendations, including the funding sources that
might be used to pay for it. The working group shall explore potential funding sources
at the federal, local, and private levels, and provide this information in the report. In
addition, the report must include draft legislation to implement the recommendations.
new text end