Purpose

• The bill aims to protect patient privacy by prohibiting health care providers from asking patients or residents about their use, possession, or access to firearms or ammunition. It would add a new subdivision (Subd.16a) to Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 144.651 to establish this prohibition.

Main Provisions

• Adds Subd.16a to Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 144.651 titled "Data collection prohibited firearms."
• Requires health care providers not to inquire, and not to authorize any designee to inquire, about a patient’s or resident’s use, possession, or access to firearms or ammunition.
• Covers both the provider and any designees acting on behalf of the provider.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Creates a new prohibition on data collection related to firearms in health care settings by adding a subdivision to the statute.
• Expands privacy protections by restricting questions about firearms ownership, possession, or access in medical contexts.

Implementation and Scope (inferred)

• Applies to health care providers practicing in Minnesota and any designees they use to obtain information from patients or residents.
• The text does not specify exceptions or enforcement mechanisms within the provided excerpt.

Practical Implications

• Privacy: Strengthens patient privacy by limiting health-related data collection about firearms.
• Medical documentation: Reduces or eliminates questions about firearms in patient records or assessments.
• Public safety balance: Changes how health data related to firearms might be collected or used in care settings.

Potential Limitations or Questions

• The excerpt does not mention any exceptions (e.g., required safety screenings or emergencies).
• It does not specify penalties or enforcement details.

Relevant Terms

firearms, ammunition, data collection, health care providers, patients, residents, use, possession, access, inquire, designee, Minnesota Statutes 144.651, Subd.16a