2007 Minnesota Statutes

CHAPTER 198. VETERANS HOMES

198.001 DEFINITIONS.
    Subdivision 1. Scope. For the purposes of this chapter, the terms defined in this section have
the meanings given them.
    Subd. 2. Resident. "Resident" means a person admitted to any of the Minnesota veterans
homes.
    Subd. 3.[Repealed, 1975 c 61 s 26]
    Subd. 4. Administrator. "Administrator" means an administrator of any of the Minnesota
veterans homes.
    Subd. 5. Commissioner. "Commissioner" means the commissioner of veterans affairs.
    Subd. 6. Board. "Board" means the board of directors of the Minnesota veterans homes
created by section 198.002.
    Subd. 7.[Repealed, 2004 c 219 s 7]
    Subd. 8. Home. "Home" means any of the Minnesota veterans homes.
    Subd. 9. Executive director. "Executive director" means the executive director for the board
of directors of the Minnesota veterans homes.
History: 1965 c 643 s 1; 1967 c 148 s 2; 1971 c 619 s 1; 1975 c 61 s 14,15; 1988 c 699
s 5; 2004 c 219 s 2

198.002 BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
    Subdivision 1. Creation. The Minnesota veterans homes are governed by a board of
directors appointed by the governor.
    Subd. 2. Membership. The board consists of nine voting members appointed by the
governor with the advice and consent of the senate. The members of the board shall fairly
represent the geographic areas of the state. The members are:
    (1) a chair, who must be designated by the governor, and who must be a veteran as that term
is defined in section 197.447; and
    (2) eight public members experienced in policy formulation with professional experience in
health care delivery.
    At least five members must be members of congressionally chartered veterans organizations
or their auxiliaries that have a statewide organizational structure and state level officers in
Minnesota.
    The commissioner of veterans affairs shall serve as an ex officio, nonvoting member of the
board. From each house of the legislature, the chair of the committee that deals with veterans
affairs or the chair's designee shall serve as an ex officio, nonvoting member of the board.
    Subd. 3. Terms; compensation. Membership terms, compensation of members, removal of
members, and filling of vacancies are as provided in section 15.0575.
    Subd. 4.[Repealed, 1996 c 310 s 1]
    Subd. 5.[Repealed, 2004 c 219 s 7]
    Subd. 6. Future elimination. If the governor fails to appoint a board, or if the board is
eliminated by any other means, its authority vests in the commissioner of veterans affairs.
History: 1988 c 699 s 6; 1996 c 292 s 1; 1996 c 305 art 1 s 54; 2007 c 45 art 2 s 4

198.003 POWERS AND DUTIES.
    Subdivision 1. Policy; rules. The board shall determine policy and, subject to chapter 14,
adopt, amend, and repeal rules for the governance of the homes. With respect to residents'
administrative appeal time periods that are not established by statute, the board may create by rule
reasonable time periods within which a resident must appeal an administrative determination to
the next administrative level. If the determination is not appealed within the time set by rule, the
determination becomes final.
The board shall take other action as provided by law.
    Subd. 2.[Repealed, 2004 c 219 s 7]
    Subd. 3. Use of campus. The board may allow veterans organizations or public or private
social service, educational, or rehabilitation agencies or organizations and their clients to use
surplus space on a home's campus, staff, and other resources of the board and may require the
participating agencies or organizations to pay for that use.
    Subd. 4. Veterans homes resources account. Money received by the board under
subdivision 3 must be deposited in the state treasury and credited to a veterans homes resources
account in the special revenue fund. Money in the account is appropriated to the board to operate,
maintain, and make repairs at the campus used under subdivision 3, including payment of
associated legal fees and expenses.
    Subd. 5. Appropriation transfers to be reported. When the board transfers operational
money between programs under section 16A.285, in addition to the requirements of that section
the board must provide the chairs of the legislative committees that have jurisdiction over the
board's budget with sufficient detail to identify the account to which the money was originally
appropriated, and the account to which the money is being transferred.
    Subd. 6. Meetings by telephone or other electronic means. (a) Notwithstanding sections
13D.01 and 13D.02 of the Open Meeting Law, the Minnesota Veterans Homes Board of Directors
may conduct a meeting of its members by telephone or other electronic means so long as the
following conditions are met:
(1) all members of the board participating in the meeting, wherever their physical location,
can hear one another and can hear all discussion and testimony;
(2) members of the public present at the regular meeting location of the board can hear all
discussion and testimony and all votes of the members of the board;
(3) at least one member of the board, the executive director, or an attorney for the agency is
physically present at the regular meeting location; and
(4) all votes are conducted by roll call, so each member's vote on each issue can be identified
and recorded.
(b) Each member of the board participating in a meeting by electronic means is considered
present at the meeting for purposes of determining a quorum and participating in all proceedings.
(c) If telephone or another electronic means is used to conduct a meeting, to the extent
practical, the board shall allow a person to monitor the meeting electronically from a remote
location. The board may require the person making a connection to pay for the documented
additional cost that the board incurs as a result of the additional connection.
(d) If telephone or another electronic means is used to conduct a regular, special, or
emergency meeting, the agency shall provide notice of the regular meeting location, of the fact that
some members may participate by electronic means, and of the provisions of paragraph (c). The
timing and method of providing notice is governed by section 13D.04 of the Open Meeting Law.
History: 1988 c 699 s 7; 1989 c 84 s 1; 1991 c 24 s 1; 1991 c 186 s 1; 1995 c 207 art 7 s
20,21; 1996 c 292 s 2; 1996 c 305 art 2 s 36; 1999 c 245 art 1 s 15; 2006 c 198 s 1

198.004 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.
    Subdivision 1. Appointment. (a) The board shall appoint an executive director. The
executive director shall serve in the unclassified service at the pleasure of the board. The executive
director must be a resident of the state of Minnesota and citizen of the United States. Preferably,
the executive director shall be a veteran as that term is defined in section 197.447, but it is not
required that the person be a veteran. The executive director shall serve as secretary of the board.
    (b) When selecting an executive director, the board shall give preference to qualified
applicants who are veterans by initially placing only the names of qualified applicants who are
veterans on the selection list for final consideration. If the list contains fewer than three qualified
applicants who are veterans, the names of qualified applicants who are not veterans shall be added
to the list. The board shall then select the most qualified applicant from the list. At any point in
the executive director selection process, if the board concludes that no applicant is sufficiently
qualified for the position, the board may reopen the application process.
    Subd. 2. Powers and duties. The executive director appointed under subdivision 1 has
the powers and duties delegated by the board or assigned to the executive director by law. A
delegation must be in writing, signed by the board chair, and filed with the secretary of state.
History: 1988 c 699 s 8; 1990 c 413 s 1; 2004 c 219 s 3; 2007 c 45 art 2 s 5

198.005 ADMINISTRATORS.
The board shall appoint an administrator for each of the veterans homes. The administrators
act as the administrative head for their respective veterans homes. The administrators shall have
a current Minnesota nursing home administrator's license and shall serve in the unclassified
service. The salaries of the administrators are not subject to section 43A.17, subdivision 1. The
administrators serve at the pleasure of the board and report directly to the executive director.
History: 1988 c 699 s 9; 1991 c 24 s 2; 2004 c 219 s 4

198.006 SUPPLEMENTAL PROGRAMS.
The board of directors shall work with federal, state, local, and private agencies to develop
alternative institutional and noninstitutional care programs for veterans to supplement the mission
of the homes. Veterans shall be afforded the least restrictive, most appropriate level of care
available.
History: 1988 c 699 s 10

198.007 QUALITY ASSURANCE.
Each home shall have a utilization review committee comprised of the appropriate
professionals employed by or under contract to the home. The committee shall use a patient
classification system approved by the board to assess the appropriateness and quality of care
and services provided residents of the homes.
Each home shall have an admissions committee comprised of the appropriate professionals
employed by or under contract to each home and adopt a preadmission screening program for
all applicants for admission to the homes who may require nursing or boarding care, taking into
account the eligibility requirements in section 198.022, the admissions criteria established by
board rules, and the availability of space in the homes.
History: 1988 c 699 s 11; 1989 c 84 s 2; 1991 c 292 art 7 s 3; 2004 c 219 s 5

198.01 VETERANS HOME; ELIGIBILITY OF VETERANS.
The Minnesota veterans homes shall provide nursing care and related health and social
services for veterans and their spouses who meet eligibility and admission requirements of the
Minnesota veterans homes. The word "veteran" as used in this section has the meaning provided
in section 197.447.
History: (4344) RL s 1835; 1931 c 176 s 1; 1943 c 54 s 1; 1951 c 71 s 1; 1957 c 150 s 1;
1967 c 52 s 1; 1967 c 148 s 1; 1971 c 619 s 2; 1973 c 572 s 11; 1975 c 61 s 16; 1980 c 414 s 6;
1984 c 609 s 18; 1985 c 248 s 70; 1988 c 699 s 12

198.02 [Repealed, 1953 c 117 s 2]

198.021 [Repealed, 1971 c 619 s 17]

198.022 ELIGIBILITY OF SPOUSES AND SURVIVING SPOUSES.
The board is authorized to admit eligible spouses of those veterans who are or if living
would be, eligible for admission to the homes.
(1) Except as provided in section 198.03, all applicants for admission to one of the Minnesota
veterans homes must be without adequate means of support and unable by reason of wounds,
disease, old age, or infirmity to properly maintain themselves.
(2) Veterans must have served in a Minnesota regiment or have been credited to the state
of Minnesota, or have been a resident of the state in accordance with board rules preceding the
date of application for admission.
(3) Spouses and surviving spouses of eligible veterans must be at least 55 years of age,
have been residents of the state of Minnesota in accordance with board rules preceding the
date of application for admission, and meet the criteria for admission to a home established in
the rules of the home in accordance with this chapter and the applicable statutes and rules of
the Department of Health.
History: 1971 c 619 s 3; 1975 c 61 s 17; 1986 c 444; 1988 c 699 s 13; 1989 c 84 s 3;
1993 c 103 s 1

198.03 MAINTENANCE CHARGES.
    Subdivision 1. Discretionary admission. Any person otherwise eligible for admission
to the Minnesota veterans homes, except that the person has means of support, may, at the
discretion of the board, be admitted to one of the Minnesota veterans homes upon entering into
and complying with the terms of a contract made by the person with the board, providing for
reasonable compensation to be paid by such person to the state of Minnesota for care, support,
and maintenance in the home. Any earnings derived by the person from participating in a work
therapy program while the person is a resident of the home may not be considered a means of
support. Rebates of federal taxes and state taxes may not be considered a means of support.
    Subd. 2. Cost of care. The board shall set out in rules the method of calculating the average
cost of care for the domiciliary and nursing care residents. The cost must be determined yearly
based upon the average cost per resident taking into account, but not limited to, administrative
cost of the homes, the cost of service available to the resident, and food and lodging costs. These
average costs must be calculated separately for domiciliary and nursing care residents. The
amount charged each resident for maintenance, if anything, must be based on the appropriate
average cost of care calculation and the assets and income of the resident but must not exceed
the appropriate average cost of care.
    Subd. 3. Arrearages. Residents are liable for paying all of their overdue maintenance
charges. Overdue maintenance charges incurred after May 1, 1990, may be charged interest
according to section 334.01. A resident owing overdue maintenance to the state of Minnesota for
charges incurred prior to May 1, 1990, may continue to stay in the home if the resident enters
into an agreement, including a payment schedule, with the administrator for the payment of the
arrearage and abides by the agreement. Residents who do not promptly pay maintenance or who
do not abide by their agreements to pay overdue maintenance to the state of Minnesota may be
discharged from the home. The payment schedule agreed to between the administrator and the
resident must provide for the prompt payment of the overdue maintenance owed by the resident,
but it must not reduce the resident's personal needs allowance below that which is provided
for in the administrative rules of the facility.
History: (4346) 1923 c 13; 1967 c 148 s 2; 1971 c 619 s 4; 1975 c 61 s 18; 1984 c 505 s 1;
1986 c 444; 1988 c 699 s 14; 1989 c 84 s 4; 1991 c 24 s 3; 2000 c 442 s 1; 2002 c 313 s 1

198.04 [Repealed, 1967 c 52 s 11]

198.045 REMOVAL.
If a resident who is ordered discharged from a home refuses to leave the home, the
administrator of the home may apply to the district court for an order enforcing the administrative
order of discharge. The district court shall order the sheriff of the county in which the home is
located to remove the resident from the home and authorize the administrator to remove the
resident's property from the resident's room and hold it until it can be returned to the resident.
History: 1989 c 84 s 5

198.05 NEW BUILDINGS.
The Department of Administration shall have and exercise full authority in the erection and
construction of new buildings at the veterans homes. When new buildings are to be erected and
constructed by authority of the state or old buildings to be remodeled it shall be the duty of the
Department of Administration to cause to be prepared plans and specifications for the same, but in
so doing it shall consult with the board in respect to these plans and specifications and shall adopt
and carry out, so far as it deems practicable, their requests and desires in the matter.
History: (4348) 1913 c 88 s 1; 1967 c 148 s 2; 1975 c 61 s 19; 1988 c 699 s 15

198.055 [Repealed, 1983 c 147 s 5]

198.06 [Repealed, 1988 c 699 s 33]

198.061 [Repealed, 1971 c 619 s 17]

198.065 CHIROPRACTIC CARE AVAILABILITY.
In addition to the other services now provided to residents of the Minnesota veterans homes,
the board shall provide chiropractic services. The services shall be provided, as appropriations
permit, without charge to residents by a licensed chiropractor who is either employed by the board
for the purpose or who has contracted with the board to provide the services.
History: 1982 c 503 s 1; 1988 c 699 s 16

198.066 GERIATRIC RESEARCH AND TEACHING.
The board of directors shall develop a geriatric research and teaching mission for the homes
in collaboration with the Veterans Administration and other medical education and allied health
facilities.
History: 1988 c 699 s 17

198.07 [Repealed, 1975 c 61 s 26]

198.071 [Repealed, 1975 c 61 s 26]

198.072 [Repealed, 1975 c 61 s 26]

198.073 [Repealed, 1975 c 61 s 26]

198.075 MINNESOTA VETERANS HOME EMPLOYEES; EXCLUDED FROM
COMMISSARY PRIVILEGES.
    Except as provided in this section, no commissary privileges including food, laundry service,
janitorial service, and household supplies shall be furnished to any employee of the Minnesota
veterans homes. An employee of the Minnesota veterans homes who works a second shift that
is consecutive with a regularly scheduled shift may be allowed one free meal at the veterans
home on the day of that extra shift.
History: 1979 c 333 s 93; 1988 c 699 s 18; 2007 c 147 art 16 s 15

198.08 [Repealed, 1975 c 61 s 26]

198.09 [Repealed, 1975 c 61 s 26]

198.10 [Repealed, 1967 c 886 s 15]

198.11 [Repealed, 1967 c 886 s 15]

198.12 [Repealed, 1967 c 886 s 15]

198.13 [Repealed, 1967 c 52 s 11; 1967 c 886 s 15]

198.14 [Repealed, 1971 c 619 s 17]

198.15 [Repealed, 1971 c 619 s 17]

198.16 PLANNED GIVING.
The board is authorized to accept on behalf of the state any gift, grant, bequest, or devise
made for the purposes of this chapter, and administer the same as directed by the donor. All
proceeds therefrom including money derived from the sale of any real or personal property must
be deposited in the state treasury, invested by the State Board of Investment in accordance with
sections 11A.24 and 11A.25, and credited to the Minnesota veterans home endowment, bequest,
and devises fund. That fund consists of separate accounts for investing general and restricted gifts,
money, and donations received and for any currently expendable proceeds.
The board shall maintain records of all gifts received, clearly showing the identity of the
donor, the purpose of the donation, and the ultimate disposition of the donation. Each donation
must be duly receipted and must be expended or used by the board as nearly in accordance with
the condition of the gift or donation as is compatible with the best interests of the residents of
the homes. Money in the fund is appropriated to the board for the purposes for which it was
received. Disbursements from this fund shall be made in the manner provided for the issuance of
other state warrants.
Whenever the board shall deem it advisable, in accordance with law, to sell or otherwise
dispose of any real or personal property thus acquired, the commissioner of administration upon
the request of the board shall sell or otherwise dispose of said property in the manner provided by
law for the sale or disposition of other state property by the commissioner of administration.
History: (4359) RL s 1846; 1913 c 170 s 1; 1945 c 444 s 1; 1967 c 148 s 2; 1969 c 540 s 10;
1971 c 619 s 12; 1973 c 492 s 14; 1975 c 61 s 21; 1988 c 699 s 19; 1993 c 192 s 81; 2001 c 75 s 1

198.161 [Repealed, 2001 c 75 s 2]

198.17 [Repealed, 1967 c 52 s 11]

198.18 [Repealed, 1971 c 619 s 17]

198.19 [Repealed, 1967 c 52 s 11]

198.20 [Repealed, 1971 c 619 s 17]

198.21 [Repealed, 1967 c 52 s 11]

198.22 [Repealed, 1967 c 886 s 15]

198.23 PERSONAL PROPERTY OF RESIDENTS; WILLS.
Upon the decease of any resident of the homes, the board shall cause such of the resident's
personal estate as may be left in the resident's possession to be disposed of pursuant to the
resident's will, if any. All property of the deceased resident of the home not so bequeathed by will,
and remaining at a home, unclaimed, for one year after the resident's death, shall be inventoried,
appraised, and sold, and the proceeds thereof paid into the state treasury to the credit of the
Minnesota veterans homes endowment, bequest and devises fund.
History: (4366) RL s 1848; 1965 c 643 s 10; 1967 c 148 s 2; 1971 c 619 s 14; 1975 c 61 s
23; 1975 c 225 s 1; 1986 c 444; 1988 c 699 s 21

198.231 PERSONAL PROPERTY OF DISCHARGED RESIDENTS.
Personal property of discharged residents of the veterans homes that remains unclaimed for
one year after discharge may be inventoried, appraised, and sold. The proceeds from the sale must
be deposited into the state treasury. Proceeds from the sale of personal property and any funds
held on behalf of the resident in the member's depository accounts must be credited to a separate
state account and disposed of in accordance with sections 345.41 to 345.43.
History: 1983 c 147 s 3; 1986 c 444; 1988 c 699 s 22

198.26 [Repealed, 1969 c 1153 s 16]

198.261 CANTEEN, COFFEE SHOP, AND WOOD SHOP.
Any profits derived from the operation of canteens, coffee shops, and wood shops at the
Minnesota veterans homes shall be used by the board only for the direct benefit of the residents of
the homes.
History: 1969 c 1153 s 14; 1971 c 619 s 15; 1975 c 61 s 24; 1988 c 699 s 23; 2004 c
219 s 6; 2004 c 288 art 5 s 1

198.265 DEPOSIT ACCOUNTS.
The board may accept money from residents for safekeeping purposes to be returned to the
residents on demand. Sufficient money must be retained at the homes to satisfy normal demand
withdrawal requests of the residents and other anticipated needs. Residents' accounts must be
deposited and maintained in the state treasury in a separate interest-bearing investment account
provided by the commissioner of finance, which must be invested by the State Board of Investment
in accordance with sections 11A.24 and 11A.25. Residents' money on deposit at the homes may
be placed in a depository account only after the resident or resident's representative has signed an
agreement that the resident is willing to have the money in an account maintained by the homes.
Residents' accounts of $100 or more must be credited with interest earned from the
investment of resident accounts. Interest must be credited to each resident's account on a quarterly
basis. The board is not required to pay interest on any resident accounts less than $100.
There is annually appropriated from the account established by this section a sufficient
amount to return to the Minnesota veterans homes, upon written request, sufficient money to
satisfy the demand of residents for the return of their money and other requirements.
History: 1969 c 1153 s 15; 1971 c 619 s 16; 1973 c 492 s 14; 1975 c 61 s 25; 1980 c 607 art
14 s 46; 1986 c 444; 1988 c 699 s 24; 2001 c 111 s 1

198.266 IMPREST CASH FUNDS.
The board may establish an imprest cash fund in accordance with section 15.191, subdivision
2 . The purpose of the fund is to maintain sufficient money to satisfy normal demand withdrawal
requests from residents of the veterans homes as provided for in section 198.265. The fund may
also be utilized for the payment of costs for residents to participate in on campus work therapy
programs.
History: 1983 c 147 s 4; 1988 c 699 s 25

198.31 VETERANS HOME; HASTINGS.
Control of the state hospital facilities at Hastings is transferred to the board. This transfer
includes the cemetery. The board shall establish a veterans home in these facilities. The veterans
home shall be licensed in accordance with the boarding care rules of the Department of Health.
History: 1978 c 554 s 1; 1979 c 333 s 94; 1988 c 699 s 26

198.32 VETERANS HOME; COMPLAINTS; RESIDENT'S RIGHTS.
    Subdivision 1. Resident's rights. A resident of a Minnesota veterans home has the right to
complain and otherwise exercise freedom of expression and assembly which is guaranteed by
amendment I of the United States Constitution. The administrator of the home shall inform each
resident in writing at the time of admission of the right to complain to the administrator about
home accommodations and services. A notice of the right to complain shall be posted in the
home. The administrator shall also inform each resident of the right to complain to the board or to
the commissioner of veterans affairs. Each resident of a home shall be encouraged and assisted,
throughout the period of stay in the home, to understand and exercise the rights of freedom
of expression and assembly as a resident and as a citizen, and, to this end, the resident may
voice grievances and recommend changes in policies and services to home staff, other residents,
and outside representatives of the resident's choice, free from restraint, interference, coercion,
discrimination, or reprisal, including retaliatory eviction.
    Subd. 2. Retaliation prohibited. An administrator may not retaliate against any resident
who exercises the right to voice grievances by evicting the resident. There shall be a rebuttable
presumption that any eviction within 45 days of the exercise by a resident of the right to voice
grievances is retaliatory. This presumption does not apply in favor of a resident who has failed to
pay maintenance fees unless the resident pays the overdue fees.
History: 1983 c 313 s 1; 1986 c 444; 1988 c 699 s 27; 1989 c 84 s 6

198.33 PRIVACY OF RESIDENTS; SEARCH AND SEIZURE LIMITED TO CRIMINAL
WARRANT.
    Subdivision 1. Searches prohibited. Residents of the Minnesota veterans homes have the
right to a legitimate expectation of privacy in their persons and property against unreasonable
searches and seizures. A search of a resident's room or property may be conducted only when
necessary to protect the residents from weapons, illegal drugs, or alcohol, if possession is
prohibited by the board, and is subject to the following:
(a) Prior to conducting a search of a resident's room or property, the administrator or
the administrator's designee shall provide written authorization to conduct the search. This
authorization must identify the resident whose room or property is to be searched, state the nature
of the risk to the health or safety of that resident or to other individuals in the home, set forth the
facts which establish that the risk exists and the source of those facts, and particularly describe the
area to be searched and the property to be seized. A separate authorization must be completed for
each resident whose room or property is to be searched.
(b) The resident shall be informed of the reasons necessitating a search of the room or
property and shall be present during the conduct of the search if the resident requests to be present.
A copy of the written authorization to conduct the search must be given to the resident.
(c) If property or other items are taken, a written receipt describing the property or items
taken must be given to the resident.
(d) The provisions of this section do not restrict the entry by employees of the home into a
resident's room or into areas where the personal possessions of residents are stored for the purpose
of providing care or services to the resident or for housekeeping and maintenance purposes. The
provisions of this section do not apply to inspections conducted by governmental agencies for the
purpose of assessing compliance with state or federal laws and regulations.
(e) Unauthorized searches or seizures by employees of the Minnesota veterans homes may
be grounds for dismissal.
    Subd. 2. Waiver prohibited. The Minnesota veterans homes may not require a resident to
waive protection against unreasonable searches and seizures as a condition of eligibility for
admission or continuing residence at a home. A search conducted under a waiver obtained in
violation of this section is an unlawful search and seizure and the person aggrieved may move the
district court for return of the property under section 626.21.
History: 1983 c 174 s 1; 1986 c 444; 1988 c 699 s 28; 1992 c 410 s 2

198.34 DEPOSIT OF RECEIPTS.
Federal money received by the board for the care of veterans in a veterans home must be
deposited into a dedicated account in the state treasury and is appropriated to the veterans homes
board of directors for the operational needs of the veterans homes and the board of directors.
Money paid to the board by a veteran or by another person on behalf of a veteran for care in a
veterans home must be deposited in the state treasury in a dedicated account and is appropriated
to the veterans homes board of directors for the operational needs of the veterans homes and
the board of directors.
History: 1Sp1985 c 13 s 299; 1988 c 699 s 29; 1Sp1993 c 1 art 9 s 65

198.35 VETERANS HOME; SILVER BAY.
    Subdivision 1. Establishment. The board may establish a veterans home in Silver Bay by
renovating an existing facility owned by the city of Silver Bay if the city donates the building
to the board at no cost. Contracts made by the board for the purposes of this subdivision are
subject to chapter 16C. Buildings used for the veterans home must comply with requirements
established by federal agencies as conditions for the receipt of federal funds for the nursing
and boarding care of veterans. The city of Silver Bay shall secure the state match requirement
from sources other than the state general fund. Money from other sources must equal at least 35
percent of the total cost of the renovation with the remainder of the funds to be provided by
the United States Veterans Administration.
    Subd. 2. Operation. The home must provide beds for nursing or boarding and nursing care
in conformance with licensing rules of the Department of Health. The home must be under the
management of an administrator appointed by the board in the unclassified service.
History: 1988 c 689 art 2 s 63; 1991 c 24 s 4; 1998 c 386 art 2 s 67

198.36 VETERANS HOME; FERGUS FALLS.
    Subdivision 1. Establishment. The board shall establish a veterans home in Fergus Falls
to provide at least 60 beds for skilled nursing care in conformance with licensing rules of the
Department of Health.
    Subd. 2. Funding. The home must be purchased or built with funds, 65 percent of which
must be provided by the federal government, and 35 percent by other nonstate sources, including
local units of government, veterans' organizations, and corporations or other business entities.
    Subd. 3. Support services. Upon request, the Department of Human Services shall arrange
for the extension of support services to the veterans home in Fergus Falls including, but not
limited to, the provision of utilities, and kitchen and laundry services.
History: 1Sp1993 c 1 art 9 s 66

198.37 TRANSITIONAL HOUSING.
The board may establish programs to assist homeless or disabled veterans on the campuses
of the veterans homes. The board may use federal grant money for the Hastings veterans home to
purchase single-family dwellings, make necessary repairs and improvements with the help of the
Department of Administration, and operate the program. Continuation of these programs will be
contingent on the availability of federal funds.
History: 2000 c 442 s 2