This bill proposes updates and clarifications to Minnesota's laws related to corrections, specifically regarding the responsibilities of the Department of Corrections in licensing and inspecting local correctional facilities. Key provisions include:

1. Inspection and Licensing:

   • The Commissioner of Corrections must inspect and license all local correctional facilities, including those that house adults and juveniles.
     
   • Private correctional facilities must be actively licensed to operate.
     
   • Regular inspections (at least once every two years) are required to ensure compliance with state standards.
     

2. Reporting and Compliance:

   • Facility administrators must report all deaths, critical incidents, and emergencies to the commissioner—deaths within 24 hours and other incidents within ten days.
     
   • The commissioner will publicly post facility inspection reports and any licensing actions taken against facilities.
     

3. Death Review Teams:

   • If a person dies while in custody or under care stemming from facility-related issues, a review must be conducted within 90 days.
     
   • A medical expert and, if necessary, a mental health expert must be involved in assessing preventable causes and recommending policy changes.
     

4. Rulemaking and Standards:

   • The commissioner must establish comprehensive rules for local correctional facilities, addressing issues such as mental health screenings, suicide prevention, segregation practices, and opioid overdose management.
     

5. Licensing Actions:

   • Facilities found noncompliant with minimum standards may receive a correction order, a conditional license, or face license revocation.
     
   • Temporary immediate license suspensions are allowed if a facility poses an imminent risk of serious harm.
     
   • Facility administrators can request a review of any licensing action and ultimately appeal decisions.
     

6. Security Audits for State Correctional Facilities:

   • A security audit group will oversee biennial security audits of state correctional facilities.
     
   • Recommendations from the group must be reviewed and responded to by the commissioner.
     
   • The security review process will handle sensitive information confidentially and will be exempt from public meeting laws.
     

7. Updates to Annual Reporting:

   • The Commissioner of Corrections must submit an annual report on facility operations, including data on deaths, use of force incidents, and confinement conditions across state and local institutions.
     

8. Repeal of Prior Statutes:

   • Several outdated provisions from Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 241.021 will be repealed and replaced with updated regulations.
     

Overall, this bill aims to enhance oversight, transparency, and accountability for correctional facilities in Minnesota to improve the safety and well-being of incarcerated individuals.