If enacted, the bill would significantly impact existing Minnesota statutes related to corrections and public safety. It includes provisions for standardized medical care, outlining specific requirements for the evaluation, treatment, and discharge planning of individuals with mental health issues and substance use disorders. The introduction of minimum standards, which requires ongoing compliance assessments by the commissioner of corrections, aims to enhance the overall quality of care in correctional settings, thereby promoting inmate well-being and reducing recidivism rates.
Summary
SF3509, known as the 'Larry R. Hill Medical Reform Act', seeks to establish improved medical care standards in correctional facilities throughout Minnesota. The bill mandates the inspection and licensing of all correctional facilities, both public and private, and proposes amendments to existing regulations to enhance the health and treatment of individuals incarcerated in these institutions. Key to this reform is the emphasis on mental health and substance use disorder treatments within the correctional system, ensuring that such individuals receive appropriate care during their confinement.
Contention
While the bill is welcomed by advocates for criminal justice reform who argue for better healthcare access for incarcerated individuals, it may face opposition regarding the funding and logistical implications of these changes. Critics may argue that imposing additional standards and requirements could strain existing resources and create challenges in implementation across diverse correctional facilities. The debate surrounding the bill will likely center on balancing the need for improved medical care against the financial and administrative realities of operating correctional institutions.
Department of Corrections; various provisions modified relating to data sharing, correctional officer use of deadly force, electronic filing of detainer, disclosure to victims of city and zip codes of offender after incarceration, disqualifying medical conditions, health care peer review committee, jail inspection data, medical director designee, Supervised Release Board, probation report date, and comprehensive community supervision and probation services.
Standards of basic medical care for confined or incarcerated persons established, information release forms provided, portable recording system for correctional facility and jail staff and correctional officers required, and money appropriated.
Public safety; policy and technical changes made to provisions including crime victim policy, criminal justice reform, public safety policy, predatory offenders, and corrections policy; crimes established; penalties provided; data classified; and reports required.
Supervised and medical release provisions modifications, Supervised Released Board membership modifications, and Medical Release Review Board establishment
Allocation of incarcerated persons based on their last known address in Minnesota required, and Department of Corrections required to collect last residential address of an inmate before incarceration.
Short-term medical assistance enrollment assistance established, and medical assistance coverage for prerelease care transition services to incarcerated individuals established.