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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HF 2031

Summary of HF 2031 (Minnesota, 2025-2026)

HF 2031 seeks to expand access to certain mental health services for individuals on probation or parole.

Purpose and intent

  • The bill aims to remove barriers to mental health care for people under supervised release (probation or parole) by allowing them to access specified mental health services.
  • The underlying goal is to support recovery, reduce recidivism, and promote stability in housing, employment, and community reintegration by ensuring ongoing mental health support during supervision.

Key provisions and changes

  • Access to services: Probationers and parolees would be permitted to obtain and receive specified mental health services that are typically available to other adults outside the criminal justice system. The bill identifies the target population as those under supervision and eligible for mental health treatment.
  • Service scope: While the bill text provided does not enumerate every service, it generally covers mental health assessment, treatment planning, therapy (e.g., individual or group), medication management, and related supports as approved by supervising authorities or defined by statute.
  • Coordination and oversight: The bill would likely require coordination between supervision agents (probation/parole officers), mental health providers, and statutory or administrative authorities to ensure services are delivered in a supervised framework, with adherence to confidentiality, consent, and safety requirements.
  • Eligibility and administration: The measure would specify criteria for who may access services under supervision, and how services are funded, authorized, and documented within supervision records. It may reference alignment with existing state Medicaid/health coverage where applicable.
  • Protections and compliance: Provisions typically include privacy protections, informed consent standards, and compliance with licensing and professional practice guidelines for mental health professionals providing services to supervised individuals.

Who is affected

  • Individuals on probation or parole in Minnesota who require mental health services would gain access to the specified services under supervision.
  • Mental health providers who serve supervised populations would be able to treat probationers and parolees within the framework established by the act.
  • State and local agencies involved in criminal justice supervision, public health, and behavioral health services would implement and administer the program, including potential funding and reporting requirements.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduction and referral: The bill was introduced and referred to the House committee on Human Services Finance and Policy (as of March 10, 2025).
  • Sponsor information: Primary author(s) and co-sponsors include Virnig (author), and co-sponsors Jim Joy, Heather Keeler, and Bianca Virnig.
  • Next steps likely: Committee hearings, potential amendments, and passage by the House, followed by Senate consideration and eventual conference or enactment processes consistent with Minnesota’s legislative calendar for the 2025-2026 session.

Notes

  • The summary reflects the bill’s stated objective: expanding access to mental health services for individuals on probation or parole.
  • Specific service types, funding mechanisms, eligibility criteria, and enforcement details would be defined in the bill’s text and any amended versions during committee consideration.

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

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