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HF 4212

Access to certain information allowed, references to chapter 144D removed, documentation on use of patient restraints required, and change of ownership provisions clarified.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Bianca Virnig

The bill requires formal documentation of patient restraints to improve tracking, accountability, and safety oversight.

Motion to recall and re-refer, motion prevailed Human Services Finance and Policy
#healthandhealthdepartment #hospitalsandhealthfacilities
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Bill Summary · HF 4212

Summary of Minnesota HF 4212 (2025-2026)

Purpose and Intent

HF 4212 aims to modify how certain information is accessed, remove references to a specific chapter (144D) from current law, require documentation on the use of patient restraints, and clarify provisions related to change of ownership. The bill appears to focus on transparency, oversight, and administrative clarity in the context of health and human services, with particular attention to patient care practices and organizational transitions.

Key Provisions

  • Access to Information; references to Chapter 144D removed

    • The bill expands or clarifies the accessibility of certain information by allowing access to specified records or data.
    • It simultaneously removes or excludes references to Minnesota Statutes Chapter 144D from the statute, effectively eliminating or reclassifying how certain information is governed under that chapter.
    • Practical effect: Clarifies the regulatory framework for accessing information and shifts governance away from Chapter 144D for the affected materials.

  • Documentation on Use of Patient Restraints

    • Requires formal documentation regarding the use of patient restraints.
    • Specifications likely include capture of the reason for restraint, duration, type of restraint used, debrief or review procedures, and notification requirements.
    • Practical effect: Improves tracking, accountability, and potential quality or safety oversight related to restraint use in care settings.

  • Change of Ownership Provisions Clarified

    • Clarifies processes and requirements when there is a change of ownership for relevant entities (e.g., health care facilities, providers, or organizations subject to the bill’s scope).
    • May address notification timelines, licensing or accreditation considerations, and ongoing compliance during ownership transitions.
    • Practical effect: Reduces ambiguity in transfer scenarios and helps ensure continuity of care and regulatory compliance.

Who Is Affected

  • Health care and human services entities subject to Minnesota statutes that deal with patient care, restraints, and information access.
  • Facilities and providers undergoing ownership changes, mergers, or acquisitions.
  • Regulators and oversight bodies that manage access to information and enforce documentation and ownership-change requirements.
  • Patients and residents in care settings, who would benefit from increased documentation of restraint use and clearer management of care during ownership transitions.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Introduced and First Reading: February 2026 (referred to Health Finance and Policy).
  • Recall/Referral Action: March 16, 2026, where a motion to recall and re-refer prevailed within the Human Services Finance and Policy committee.
  • The action history indicates ongoing committee consideration and potential amendments, with formal referrals and potential revisions before floor action.

Potential Impacts and Considerations

  • Increased transparency around information access and restraint practices.
  • Improved accountability and documentation standards for restraints in care settings.
  • Greater clarity in regulatory obligations during ownership changes, potentially affecting compliance costs and due diligence.
  • Administrative shift away from Chapter 144D for certain information, which may influence how records are governed and accessed.

If you would like, I can add a section with a comparison to current law (before HF 4212) to show exactly what changes the bill would implement.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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