SF24

This bill in Minnesota establishes a new advisory group called the Climate and Mental Health Advisory Task Force. The main goal of this group is to understand how climate change and extreme weather can affect people's mental health. The task force will include members from both the Minnesota Senate and House, as well as other appointed members representing various communities affected by climate changes, such as farmers, Indigenous people, and individuals involved in outdoor recreation.

The tasks for this advisory group include: 1. Identifying the mental health impacts of climate change on the residents of Minnesota. 2. Analyzing how severe these impacts might become in the future. 3. Determining which communities are currently or will be most affected. 4. Developing strategies to reduce these negative effects. 5. Gathering public feedback on their findings. 6. Reporting their findings and recommendations to the state's health commissioner. 7. Offering a detailed plan on how to implement their strategies, including setting specific goals, actions, timelines, budgets, and assigning responsibilities.

To support the work of this task force, funds are allocated for the fiscal year 2026, which must be used by June 30, 2031. This bill essentially aims to improve Minnesota's readiness and responsiveness to the mental health challenges posed by climate change.