Bill > HF682

This bill establishes comprehensive standards for medical care in Minnesota correctional facilities and jails, named partially in honor of Hardel Sherrell, a person who experienced medical neglect while incarcerated. The bill defines "basic medical care" expansively to include emergency care, ongoing treatment for pre-existing and new health conditions, mental health and substance use disorder treatment, prescription medications, medical devices, and basic dental care. It mandates that only licensed medical personnel can make medical care decisions for confined or incarcerated individuals, and declares that failure to provide basic medical care constitutes "deliberate indifference" to medical needs. The bill introduces legal recourse for individuals harmed by medical negligence, including potential fines against facilities with repeated violations. Additionally, the legislation requires all correctional facilities and jails to provide a standardized medical information release form at intake, allowing individuals to designate contact persons in case of incapacitation. Another key provision requires all correctional officers and staff to be equipped with portable recording systems to document interactions with incarcerated persons, with policies governing device usage and the Department of Corrections providing funding for implementation. To support these efforts, the bill appropriates $370,000 in fiscal year 2026 to a nonprofit organization to provide training on the act's provisions for correctional staff and incarcerated individuals.

Justice

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=House&f=HF0682&ssn=0&y=2025