HF2416

Purpose of the Bill

The purpose of this bill is to revise the financial responsibilities of counties related to the cost of care for individuals receiving treatment at state-operated facilities such as the Anoka-Metro Regional Treatment Center. It aims to modify the timelines for admission and outline the conditions under which counties and clients are financially responsible for treatment costs.

Main Provisions

• County Cost of Care Adjustments:

  • Counties will be responsible for zero percent of the costs for the first 30 days of care at the Anoka-Metro Regional Treatment Center.
  • From day 31 onward, if the stay remains clinically necessary, counties will pay 20 percent of the care costs.
  • Counties will be responsible for 100 percent of the costs only when the facility deems discharge appropriate and the stay is beyond the clinically appropriate period, barring certain exceptions.

• Exceptions and Temporary Provisions:

  • Between July 1, 2023, and March 31, 2025, counties are not responsible for additional costs if the client is committed due to mental illness and poses a danger, while awaiting transfer to another state facility.
  • From April 1, 2025, to June 30, 2025, counties will not be responsible for costs if a civilly committed client is awaiting transfer to a Department of Corrections facility or another state-operated program, provided specific criteria are met.

• Client Payment Responsibility:

  • The bill specifies that clients themselves are not responsible for covering the costs of care under these updated provisions.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• The bill introduces specific scenarios in which counties are exempt from covering the full costs of care when individuals are waiting for transfer to other state-operated facilities.
• It provides temporary relief from county payment responsibilities for certain periods, aimed at supporting facilities and counties during transfers of clients who require specific types of care.

Relevant Terms

• County cost of care, Anoka-Metro Regional Treatment Center, clinically appropriate, mental illness, direct care and treatment, civilly committed, state-operated facility, Department of Corrections.