HF2810 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))
Grant funding provided for equine-experiential mental health therapy for first responders suffering from trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder, report required, and money appropriated.
Related bill: SF2761
AI Generated Summary
Purpose of the Bill
The bill aims to improve mental health support for first responders by funding equine-experiential therapy. This form of therapy is intended to help those suffering from job-related trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Main Provisions
- The bill allocates $250,000 each for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to be used for equine-experiential mental health therapy specifically for first responders.
- The funds are appropriated to the commissioner of employment and economic development to be granted to 7 Stars Ranch, which will conduct the therapy sessions.
- First responders eligible for this program include peace officers, full-time and volunteer firefighters, ambulance service personnel, 911 telecommunicators, and correctional officers.
Reporting Requirements
- 7 Stars Ranch is required to provide reports on the therapy program to the commissioner of employment and economic development, as well as legislative committees involved in employment and economic development.
- Reports must detail the program’s budget, expenditures, the number of first responders served, and the types of services and benefits provided.
- An initial report is due by January 15, 2026, with a final report due by January 15, 2028.
Relevant Terms
equine therapy, mental health support, first responders, trauma, PTSD, peace officers, firefighters, ambulance service personnel, 911 telecommunicators, correctional officers, 7 Stars Ranch, funding, reporting requirements.
Bill text versions
- Introduction PDF file
Actions
| Date | Chamber | Where | Type | Name | Committee Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 25, 2025 | House | Floor | Action | Introduction and first reading, referred to | Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy |
| March 26, 2025 | House | Floor | Action | Author added |
Citations
[
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Inclusion of peace officers as eligible beneficiaries of the therapy grant."
],
"removed": [
""
],
"summary": "Defines peace officers for the purposes of eligibility for equine-experiential mental health therapy funding.",
"modified": [
""
]
},
"citation": "626.84",
"subdivision": "subdivision 1, paragraph c"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Eligibility criteria for full-time firefighters to access mental health therapy."
],
"removed": [
""
],
"summary": "Defines full-time firefighters, ensuring their eligibility in mental health therapy treatment.",
"modified": [
""
]
},
"citation": "299N.03",
"subdivision": "subdivision 5"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Ambulance service personnel included for therapy access under the grant."
],
"removed": [
""
],
"summary": "Ambulance service personnel's definition for mental health therapy eligibility.",
"modified": [
""
]
},
"citation": "144E.001",
"subdivision": "subdivision 3a"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Telecommunicators included as eligible for mental health therapy grants."
],
"removed": [
""
],
"summary": "Defines 911 telecommunicators for eligibility under the mental health therapy program.",
"modified": [
""
]
},
"citation": "403.02",
"subdivision": "subdivision 17c"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Defines correctional officers as eligible participants for therapy."
],
"removed": [
""
],
"summary": "Correctional officers' eligibility for mental health therapy using the proposed funding.",
"modified": [
""
]
},
"citation": "241.026",
"subdivision": "subdivision 1, paragraph b"
}
]