1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to veterans; authorizing the commissioner of veterans affairs to contract 
1.3 	with certain individuals and entities to provide alternative treatment options for 
1.4 	certain veterans; authorizing rulemaking authority;proposing coding for new law 
1.5 	in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 196.
1.6 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.7 	Section 1. [196.31] ALTERNATIVE TREATMENT OPTIONS.
1.8 		Subdivision 1.Definitions. (a) For purposes of this section, the following terms have 
1.9 	the meanings given.
1.10 	(b) "Accelerated resolution therapy" means a process that replaces negative images and 
1.11 	sensations with positive ones, uses specific eye movements in conjunction with controller 
1.12 	verbalization about details of a prior traumatic experience, and uses metaphors and other 
1.13 	interventions that assist a patient in recalling less distressing images while retaining the 
1.14 	facts of an original experience.
1.15 	(c) "Acupuncture" has the same meaning as provided in section 147B.01, subdivision 
1.16 	3.
1.17 	(d) "Alternative treatment" means a treatment that is not part of the standard of medical 
1.18 	care established by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs for treating traumatic 
1.19 	brain injury or post-traumatic stress disorder but has been shown by at least one scientific 
1.20 	or medical peer-reviewed study to have some positive effect for the treatment of traumatic 
1.21 	brain injury or post-traumatic stress disorder.
2.1 	(e) "Equine therapy" means the use of interaction with horses under the supervision of 
2.2 	a trained equine instructor to improve a patient's sense of trust and self-efficiency, increase 
2.3 	communication, socialization, and emotional management skills, and decrease isolation.
2.4 	(f) "Hyperbaric oxygen therapy" means the use of 100 percent oxygen at an increased 
2.5 	level of atmospheric pressure to promote the delivery of oxygen from the environment to 
2.6 	a patient's bloodstream, organs, and tissues.
2.7 	(g) "Meditation therapy" means the use of physical positions or relaxation techniques 
2.8 	to encourage calm, reflective thinking, and self-inquiry.
2.9 	(h) "Music therapy" means the clinical, evidence-based use of music interventions to 
2.10 	accomplish individualized goals for people of all ages and ability levels in a therapeutic 
2.11 	relationship by a board-certified music therapist. The interventions may include music 
2.12 	improvisation, receptive music listening, songwriting, lyric discussion, music and imagery, 
2.13 	singing, music performance, learning through music, music combined with other arts, 
2.14 	music-assisted relaxation, music-based patient education, electronic music technology, 
2.15 	adapted music intervention, and movement to music.
2.16 	(i) "Outdoor and indoor sports therapy" means the use of sports involving physical 
2.17 	activity or action to improve a patient's functional, occupational, and physical fitness. The 
2.18 	term does not include any physical activity or action that may result in contact with a patient's 
2.19 	head.
2.20 	(j) "Service animal training therapy" means a technique that allows a patient to work 
2.21 	directly with an animal trainer to train animals as therapy or service animals.
2.22 	(k) "Yoga therapy" means the use of physical postures, breathing techniques, and 
2.23 	meditation or relaxation for the purpose of reducing a patient's physical, mental, or emotional 
2.24 	stress.
2.25 		Subd. 2.Authority to contract. (a) The commissioner may contract with one or more 
2.26 	individuals, organizations, the University of Minnesota, or Minnesota State Colleges and 
2.27 	Universities to provide the following alternative treatment options for veterans who have 
2.28 	been certified by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs or any branch of the 
2.29 	United States armed forces as having a traumatic brain injury or post-traumatic stress 
2.30 	disorder:
2.31 	(1) accelerated resolution therapy;
2.32 	(2) acupuncture;
2.33 	(3) art therapy;
3.1 	(4) equine therapy;
3.2 	(5) hyperbaric oxygen therapy, if provided at a hyperbaric oxygen facility pursuant to 
3.3 	a written prescription from a physician licensed under chapter 147;
3.4 	(6) meditation therapy;
3.5 	(7) music therapy;
3.6 	(8) outdoor and indoor sports therapy;
3.7 	(9) service animal training therapy; and
3.8 	(10) yoga therapy.
3.9 	(b) The provision of alternative treatment must be part of the veteran's treatment plan 
3.10 	as prescribed by a health care professional licensed under chapter 147.
3.11 		Subd. 3.Rulemaking authority. The commissioner may adopt rules to implement this 
3.12 	section.