1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to veterans; allowing the commissioner of veterans affairs to temporarily close veterans 
1.3 	homes under certain circumstances;amending Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 
1.4 	198.01.
1.5 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.6 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 198.01, is amended to read:
1.7 	198.01 VETERANS HOME; ELIGIBILITY OF VETERANS.
1.8 	(a) The Minnesota veterans homes shall provide nursing care and related health and 
1.9 	social services for veterans and their spouses who meet eligibility and admission requirements 
1.10 	of the Minnesota veterans homes. The commissioner may not permanently close a veterans 
1.11 	home unless closure of the home is specifically authorized or required by a law enacted by 
1.12 	the legislature after July 1, 2015. The word "veteran" as used in this section has the meaning 
1.13 	provided in section 197.447.
1.14 	(b) The commissioner may temporarily close a veterans home in compliance with Centers 
1.15 	for Medicare and Medicaid Services requirements upon receiving an involuntary termination 
1.16 	notice. The commissioner must not close a veterans home until the veterans home has 
1.17 	transferred, relocated, or discharged every resident according to section 144A.161, 
1.18 	subdivision 6, in a safe and orderly manner to the most appropriate setting for the resident. 
1.19 	Before temporarily closing a veterans home, the commissioner must provide notice of a 
1.20 	closure under this paragraph to the governor and the chairs and ranking minority members 
1.21 	of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over veterans affairs.