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HF 261

as introduced - 94th Legislature (2025 - 2026) Posted on 03/10/2025 04:45pm

KEY: stricken = removed, old language.
underscored = added, new language.
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A bill for an act
 relating to economic development; appropriating money for a grant to provide
equine-experiential mental health therapy to first responders suffering from trauma
and post-traumatic stress disorder; requiring a report.

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

Section 1. new text begin EQUINE-EXPERIENTIAL MENTAL HEALTH THERAPY FOR FIRST
RESPONDERS; APPROPRIATION; REPORTING.
new text end

new text begin (a) $250,000 in fiscal year 2026 and $250,000 in fiscal year 2027 are appropriated from
the general fund to the commissioner of employment and economic development for a grant
to Abijah's on the Backside to provide equine-experiential mental health therapy to first
responders suffering from job-related trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder. This is a
onetime appropriation.
 new text end

new text begin (b) For purposes of this section, a "first responder" is an active or retired:
 new text end

new text begin (1) peace officer as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 626.84, subdivision 1,
paragraph (c);
 new text end

new text begin (2) full-time firefighter as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 299N.03, subdivision
5;
 new text end

new text begin (3) volunteer firefighter as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 299N.03, subdivision
7;
 new text end

new text begin (4) ambulance service personnel as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 144E.001,
subdivision 3a;
 new text end

new text begin (5) 911 telecommunicator as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 403.02, subdivision
17c; or
 new text end

new text begin (6) correctional officer as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 241.026, subdivision
1, paragraph (b).
 new text end

new text begin (c) Abijah's on the Backside must report to the commissioner of employment and
economic development and the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative
committees with jurisdiction over employment and economic development policy and
finance on the equine-experiential mental health therapy provided to first responders under
this section. The report must include an overview of the program's budget, a detailed
explanation of program expenditures, the number of first responders served by the program,
and a list and explanation of the services provided to and benefits received by program
participants. An initial report is due by January 15, 2026, and a final report is due by January
15, 2028.
 new text end

Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes, Centennial Office Building, 3rd Floor, 658 Cedar Street, St. Paul, MN 55155