HF1853

This bill proposes the establishment of a Civil Commitment Coordinating Division within the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office to oversee and improve the civil commitment process. It outlines duties for a civil commitment coordinator to provide guidance, technical assistance, advocacy, and data analysis related to engagement services, outpatient civil commitment, and provisional discharge.

Key Provisions:

1. Civil Commitment Coordinating Division (Sec. 8.37):

   • A civil commitment coordinator is appointed by the Attorney General.
   • Responsible for providing best practices, technical assistance, advocacy, data collection, analysis, and a public awareness campaign.
   • Administers diversion study grants and engagement services grants.

2. Civil Commitment Advisory Committee:

   • Established to advise the civil commitment coordinator.
   • Membership includes representatives from the Attorney General’s Office, courts, counties, treatment providers, and individuals with lived experience.

3. Diversion Studies (Sec. 8.38):

   • Counties must conduct studies to assess their ability to divert individuals with mental illness, developmental disabilities, or substance use disorders from the criminal justice system into treatment.
   • The civil commitment coordinator sets guidelines and data reporting requirements.
   • Counties must submit reports by October 1, 2027, and every two years thereafter.
   • A statewide report is due April 1, 2028, and every two years after.

4. Diversion Study Grants:

   • Allows counties to apply for funding to conduct diversion studies.
   • Counties receiving grants must develop action plans to increase diversion efforts.

5. Engagement Services, Outpatient Civil Commitment, & Provisional Discharge Grants (Sec. 8.39):

   • Funding for counties to expand resources and services.
   • Grants can fund:
     • Outreach and education for engagement service staff.
     • Additional prepetition screening staff.
     • Community-based treatment programs and crisis teams.
     • Supervision of individuals on provisional discharge.
   • Grantees must report outcomes data on individuals served.

6. Evaluation & Reports:

   • The civil commitment coordinator evaluates grant-funded programs.
   • Reports on program effectiveness and trends are due every two years starting in 2028.

7. Appropriations:

   • Grants and administrative costs will be funded through state appropriations for fiscal years 2026 and 2027.

Purpose:

This bill aims to improve civil commitment outcomes, divert individuals from the criminal justice system to treatment, increase statewide service capacity, and ensure accountability through data collection and reporting.

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