SF901

SF901 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Grant appropriation to provide equine-experiential mental health therapy to first responders suffering from trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder

Related bill: HF261

AI Generated Summary

Senate File No. 901 is a proposed bill focused on economic development and mental health support for first responders in Minnesota. It aims to allocate funding for a specific type of therapy called equine-experiential mental health therapy, which will assist first responders who are dealing with job-related trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The bill proposes to provide a total of $500,000 in funding over two fiscal years (2026 and 2027) to a program managed by "Abijah’s on the Backside." This allocation will fund the therapy sessions for a range of first responders including peace officers, full-time and volunteer firefighters, ambulance service personnel, 911 telecommunicators, and correctional officers.

The organization responsible for providing the therapy must report on its budget, expenditures, and the effectiveness of the program, including how many first responders were helped. These reports are due to the state’s economic development authorities and relevant legislative committees on set dates in 2026 and 2028 to ensure accountability and transparency in the use of public funds.

Bill text versions

Introduction PDF file

Actions

Date	Chamber	Where	Type	Name	Committee Name
February 02, 2025	Senate	Floor	Action	Introduction and first reading
February 02, 2025	Senate	Floor	Action	Referred to	Jobs and Economic Development
February 05, 2025	Senate	Floor	Action	Author added

Citations

[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Clarifies eligibility for equine-experiential therapy."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Defines 'peace officer' for the purpose of first responder eligibility in the therapy program.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "626.84, subdivision 1, paragraph c"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Clarifies eligibility for equine-experiential therapy."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Defines 'full-time firefighter' for the purpose of first responder eligibility in the therapy program.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "299N.03, subdivision 5"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Clarifies eligibility for equine-experiential therapy."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Defines 'volunteer firefighter' for the purpose of first responder eligibility in the therapy program.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "299N.03, subdivision 7"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Clarifies eligibility for equine-experiential therapy."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Defines 'ambulance service personnel' for the purpose of first responder eligibility in the therapy program.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "144E.001, subdivision 3a"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Clarifies eligibility for equine-experiential therapy."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Defines '911 telecommunicator' for the purpose of first responder eligibility in the therapy program.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "403.02, subdivision 17c"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Clarifies eligibility for equine-experiential therapy."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Defines 'correctional officer' for the purpose of first responder eligibility in the therapy program.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "241.026, subdivision 1, paragraph b"
  }
]