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SF 1538

Minnesota Epilepsy Program creation and appropriation

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jim Abeler and 2 co-sponsors

Creates the Minnesota Epilepsy Program and appropriates funding to improve epilepsy care, education, surveillance, and privacy protections.

Referred to Health and Human Services
#datapracticesandprivacy #healthandhealthdepartment
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Bill Summary · SF 1538

SF 1538 — Minnesota Epilepsy Program creation and appropriation

Overview

  • bill number: SF 1538
  • title: Minnesota Epilepsy Program creation and appropriation
  • status: Referred to Health and Human Services
  • introduced: February 17, 2025
  • companion: HF 1765 (House)
  • subject/classification: Data Practices and Privacy; Health and Health Department

Note: The question does not provide the full bill text. This summary reflects the bill’s stated purpose in the title and the procedural information available, along with typical provisions such a measure would include. The exact statutory language, funding amounts, and operational details should be obtained from the official bill text and fiscal notes.

Purpose and intent

  • Create a Minnesota Epilepsy Program to address epilepsy-related health needs in the state.
  • Provide an appropriation to support the program’s activities.
  • Likely aim: improve outcomes for people with epilepsy through coordinated public health efforts, patient support, education, and system-level improvements.
  • The bill’s subject areas suggest a focus on data practices and privacy, and oversight or administration by the Minnesota Department of Health (or a related health agency).

Key provisions you would expect (based on the title; not confirmed in the provided text)

  • Establishment of the Minnesota Epilepsy Program, including goals, governance, and oversight.
  • Authorization of state funding to support program operations, staff, services, research, or public outreach.
  • Definition of program responsibilities (e.g., epidemiological surveillance, patient and caregiver education, provider training, access to care initiatives).
  • Data practices and privacy provisions governing epilepsy-related information, in line with Minnesota data privacy law. Protections for patient confidentiality, applicability to the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, and rules for data sharing with researchers or other agencies.
  • Reporting and evaluation requirements (annual or periodic progress reports, performance metrics).
  • Coordination with healthcare providers, hospitals, public health partners, patient organizations, and possibly insurers.
  • Potential sunset or review provisions, governance structure, and applicability to current law.

Who would be affected

  • People with epilepsy and their families or caregivers (through program services and protections).
  • Healthcare providers and clinics delivering epilepsy-related care.
  • Minnesota Department of Health and any partner agencies administering the program.
  • Researchers and public health entities that may access data under privacy protections for surveillance or study purposes.
  • Private entities involved in program implementation (e.g., hospitals, nonprofits, professional associations).

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduced on February 17, 2025.
  • Referred to the Health and Human Services committee on the same day.
  • Companion bill HF 1765 indicates parallel action in the House.
  • No further committee action, amendments, or fiscal notes are provided in the information given; actual progress depends on committee hearings, markups, and floor votes.

Next steps for readers

  • Review the full text and any fiscal notes on the Minnesota Legislature website to confirm provisions, funding levels, and effective dates.
  • Check for amendments, committee testimony, and anticipated schedule for hearings in Health and Human Services.
  • Compare SF 1538 with HF 1765 to understand differences or alignment between the Senate and House versions.

For precise details, access the official bill language and fiscal notes through the Minnesota Legislature’s website and related summaries.

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

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