Minnesota Session Laws - 1984, Regular Session

  

                         Laws of Minnesota 1984 

                        CHAPTER 616-S.F.No. 1614 
           An act relating to mental health; authorizing 
          establishment of a demonstration project for treatment 
          of compulsive gamblers; appropriating money; proposing 
          new law coded in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 240. 
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 
    Section 1.  [DEMONSTRATION PROJECT FOR TREATMENT OF 
COMPULSIVE GAMBLERS.] 
     Subdivision 1.  [AUTHORIZATION.] The commissioner of public 
welfare is authorized to establish a pilot demonstration project 
to be completed no later than June 30, 1985, for the treatment 
of compulsive gamblers.  For purposes of this act, a "compulsive 
gambler" means a person who is chronically and progressively 
preoccupied with gambling and the urge to gamble, and with 
gambling behavior that compromises, disrupts, or damages 
personal, family, or vocational pursuits.  
    Subd. 2.  [SERVICES.] The services provided shall include 
outpatient services, consultation and educational services, and 
other forms of preventive treatment, or rehabilitation services 
for compulsive gamblers.  The commissioner may enter into 
agreements with county agencies or other organizations and may 
employ consultants as necessary to assist in providing these 
services.  
    Subd. 3.  [REPORT.] The commissioner shall report to the 
legislature during the 1985 session on the progress of the 
demonstration project.  The commissioner shall deliver a final 
report to the legislature by January 15, 1986.  The report shall 
consider, among other things, the following issues:  
    (1) the nature of compulsive gambling and current practices 
in diagnosing and treating it;  
    (2) the extent of compulsive gambling in this state and the 
effect of current and proposed forms of legalized gambling on 
the incidence of compulsive gambling;  
    (3) existing programs in this state to deal with compulsive 
gambling;  
    (4) proposals for additional efforts to deal with 
compulsive gambling by both public and private agencies;  
    (5) coverage of compulsive gambling under existing health 
insurance policies and proposals to change that coverage;  
    (6) recommendations for a coordinated program of public and 
private action to deal with compulsive gambling by means of both 
treatment and public information, with recommended funding 
levels and implementation strategy; and 
    (7) the estimated annual cost of establishing compulsive 
gambling treatment programs.  
     Sec. 2.  [RULES.] 
     The commissioner of public welfare is authorized to adopt 
temporary and permanent rules as necessary for implementation of 
section 1.  
    Sec. 3.  [APPROPRIATION.] 
    Subdivision 1.  [GENERALLY.] $50,000 is appropriated from 
the general fund to the commissioner of public welfare for the 
purpose of implementing sections 1 and 2.  The sum is available 
until June 30, 1985. 
    Subd. 2.  [OTHER SOURCES.] For purposes of implementing 
section 1, the commissioner of public welfare may obtain 
contributions from other sources.  Amounts received are 
appropriated to the commissioner of public welfare. 
    Approved May 2, 1984