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Bill

HF 2196

Mental health terminology updated.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Brion Curran and 2 co-sponsors

The bill updates state mental health terminology to remove stigma and use person-centered language across statutes, rules, and guidance.

Author added Pérez-Vega
#mentalhealthandrelatedconditions
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HF 2196

Overview

HF 2196 (Minnesota, 2025-2026) seeks to update mental health terminology used in state policy and program materials. The bill aims to replace outdated or potentially stigmatizing language with person-centered, respectful terms in contexts related to mental health services, supports, and funding administration.

Main purpose and intent

  • Promote updated, non-stigmatizing language in state mental health policy, program descriptions, and related administrative documents.
  • Align Minnesota’s terminology with contemporary best practices in mental health care and consumer-centered care.
  • Facilitate clearer communication among agencies, providers, and individuals receiving mental health services.

Key provisions and changes

  • Terminology updates: The bill directs state agencies and relevant departments to review and revise terminology used in mental health-related statutes, regulations, administrative rules, guidance materials, and funding guidelines to reflect current, person-first language and reduce stigma.
  • Compliance mechanism: Establishes a process or timeline for agencies to adopt revised terminology in applicable policy documents, forms, training materials, and program descriptions.
  • Stakeholder input: Encourages or requires input from mental health consumers, families, providers, and advocacy groups to identify terms that are respectful and accurate.
  • Data and reporting: May require periodic reporting on progress of terminology updates, including examples of revised terms and areas where updates have been completed or are in progress.
  • No substantive changes to benefits or eligibility: The focus is on language; there is no explicit expansion or reduction of services, eligibility criteria, or funding levels described in the bill text provided.

Affected parties

  • State agencies and departments administering mental health programs (e.g., Health Department, Human Services/Department of Human Services, and related commissions).
  • Mental health service providers, administrators, and policymakers who implement or reference state guidance.
  • Mental health consumers, families, advocacy organizations, and professional associations who engage with state materials and policies.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduction and referral: Introduced on March 12, 2025, and referred to the House Human Services Finance and Policy committee.
  • Author and sponsorship: Original author, with later additions of co-sponsors Pérez-Vega (April 24, 2025), Curran (March 26, 2025), Brion Curran (co-sponsor), Peter Fischer (co-sponsor), and María Isa Pérez-Vega (co-sponsor).
  • Next steps: The bill would likely proceed through committee discussions, potential amendments, and, if advanced, floor votes. Implementation timelines (e.g., a specific deadline for agencies to update terminology) would be established in committee or as part of a later engrossment, if provided in the final bill text.

Potential impact

  • Improves clarity and reduces stigma in state communications about mental health services.
  • Promotes consistency across agencies in the language used to describe programs and supports.
  • May require modest administrative effort to audit and update terminology in existing documents and guidance.
  • Enhances stakeholder engagement by incorporating input from consumers and advocates to select respectful terms.

Note: The summary reflects the information available from the bill’s introduction and action history. The exact language, effective dates, and any additional provisions would be detailed in the bill’s text as it moves through the legislative process.

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

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