HF 4959

2nd Engrossment - 93rd Legislature (2023 - 2024) Posted on 04/08/2024 03:38pm

A bill for an act
relating to public safety; establishing the Task Force on Holistic and Effective
Responses to Illicit Drug Use; requiring a report; appropriating money.

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

Section 1. new text begin TASK FORCE ON HOLISTIC AND EFFECTIVE RESPONSES TO
ILLICIT DRUG USE.
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new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Establishment. new text end

new text begin The Task Force on Holistic and Effective Responses to
Illicit Drug Use is established to review the reports on approaches to address illicit drug use
in Minnesota prepared and submitted pursuant to Laws 2023, chapter 52, article 2, section
3, subdivision 8, paragraph (v); develop a phased timeline for implementation of policy
changes; and make policy and funding recommendations to the legislature.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Membership. new text end

new text begin (a) The task force consists of the following members:
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new text begin (1) the state public defender or a designee;
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new text begin (2) two county attorneys, one from a county in the metropolitan area as defined in
Minnesota Statutes, section 473.121, subdivision 2, and one from a county outside the
metropolitan area, appointed by the Minnesota County Attorneys Association;
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new text begin (3) one peace officer, as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 626.84, subdivision 1,
paragraph (c), appointed by the Minnesota Sheriffs' Association;
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new text begin (4) one peace officer, as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 626.84, subdivision 1,
paragraph (c), appointed by the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association;
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new text begin (5) two medical professionals, of whom one has expertise in substance use disorder
treatment and one has experience working with harm reduction providers, appointed by the
Minnesota Medical Association;
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new text begin (6) one member appointed by the Minnesota Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers;
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new text begin (7) one member representing a Tribal government, appointed by the Indian Affairs
Council;
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new text begin (8) one member with knowledge of expungement law, representing criminal legal reform
organizations;
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new text begin (9) one academic researcher specializing in drug use or drug policy;
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new text begin (10) one member with lived experience with drug use;
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new text begin (11) one member who resides in a community that has been disproportionately impacted
by drug sentencing laws;
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new text begin (12) one member representing an organization with knowledge of youth intervention
services and the juvenile justice system; and
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new text begin (13) one member, appointed by the Minnesota Association of County Social Service
Administrators, with experience administering supportive social services, including mental
health, substance use disorder, housing, and other related services.
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new text begin (b) The members identified in paragraph (a), clauses (8) to (12), must be appointed by
the governor.
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new text begin (c) Appointments must be made no later than August 31, 2024.
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new text begin (d) Members of the task force serve without compensation.
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new text begin (e) Members of the task force serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority or until
the task force expires. Vacancies shall be filled by the appointing authority consistent with
the qualifications of the vacating member required by this subdivision.
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new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Duties. new text end

new text begin (a) The task force must:
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new text begin (1) review and analyze the research and recommendations released in reports prepared
by Rise Research pursuant to Laws 2023, chapter 52, article 2, section 3, subdivision 8,
paragraph (v);
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new text begin (2) collect, review, and analyze other relevant information and data;
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new text begin (3) gather and consider input and feedback from the public, including but not limited to
feedback from individuals with lived experience involving the use of illicit drugs and family
members of persons with that lived experience; and
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new text begin (4) make recommendations, including specific plans and timeline goals, to implement
and fund policies addressing illicit drug use, with the goal of reducing and, where possible,
preventing harm to users of illicit drugs and promoting the health and safety of individuals
and communities.
new text end

new text begin (b) The task force may examine other issues relevant to the duties specified in this
subdivision.
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new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Officers; meetings. new text end

new text begin (a) The director of the Office of Addiction and Recovery
shall convene the first meeting of the task force by September 30, 2024.
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new text begin (b) At the first meeting, the members of the task force shall elect a chair and vice-chair,
and may elect other officers as the members deem necessary.
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new text begin (c) The task force shall meet monthly or as determined by the chair. The task force shall
meet sufficiently enough to accomplish the tasks identified in this section. Meetings of the
task force are subject to Minnesota Statutes, chapter 13D.
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new text begin (d) Upon the request of the task force or researchers at Rise Research, the task force
shall receive public data and summary data, as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 13.02,
subdivision 19, from executive branch agencies and local law enforcement agencies,
including the Department of Health, Department of Human Services, Department of Public
Safety, Department of Corrections, Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines Commission, county
attorneys, and local public health agencies. The task force may also work with the judicial
branch to receive relevant information. The task force may request the assistance of other
organizations and individuals with experience and expertise in the impact of laws related
to drug policy and effective health responses to illicit drug use.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Staff; meeting space. new text end

new text begin The Office of Addiction and Recovery shall provide
support staff, office and meeting space, and administrative services for the task force.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Reports. new text end

new text begin The task force must submit an initial report and a final report to the
chairs and ranking members of the house of representatives and senate committees with
jurisdiction over public safety, health, and human services on the work, findings, and
recommendations of the task force. The recommendations of the task force must include
proposed legislation and implementation plans. The task force must submit the initial report
by February 15, 2025, and must submit the final report by February 15, 2026.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Expiration. new text end

new text begin The task force expires upon submission of its final report or upon
adjournment sine die of the 94th Minnesota Legislature, whichever is later.
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Sec. 2. new text begin TASK FORCE ON HOLISTIC AND EFFECTIVE RESPONSES TO ILLICIT
DRUG USE; APPROPRIATION.
new text end

new text begin $....... in fiscal year 2025 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner of
management and budget for the Office of Addiction and Recovery to provide support staff,
office and meeting space, and administrative services for the Task Force on Holistic and
Effective Responses to Illicit Drug Use. The base for this appropriation is $....... in fiscal
year 2026 and $0 in fiscal year 2027.
new text end