HF 506

as introduced - 93rd Legislature (2023 - 2024) Posted on 01/30/2023 08:25pm

A bill for an act
relating to public safety; appropriating money to fund a grant to provide equine
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 THERAPY FOR FIRST RESPONDERS; APPROPRIATION;
REPORTING.
new text end

new text begin (a) $250,000 in fiscal year 2024 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner
of public safety for the Office of Justice Programs to issue a grant to Abijahs on the Backside
to provide equine experiential mental health therapy to first responders suffering from
job-related trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder.
new text end

new text begin (b) For purposes of this section, a "first responder" is a peace officer as defined in
Minnesota Statutes, section 626.84, subdivision 1, paragraph (c); a full-time firefighter as
defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 299N.03, subdivision 5; or a volunteer firefighter as
defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 299N.03, subdivision 7.
new text end

new text begin (c) Abijahs on the Backside must report to the commissioner of public safety and the
chairs and ranking minority members of the house of representatives and senate committees
overseeing public safety 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, 2024,
and a final report is due by January 15, 2025.
new text end