MN SF1998

Commissioners of Corrections and Human Services shall convene a working group to address issues related to offenders with mental illness who are arrested or subject to arrest.

Working group shall study the efficacy of a centralized facility in the metropolitan region to accept, assess, and address needs of mentally ill offenders, including mental health assessments, community placement coordination, and pretrial release recommendations.

Working group membership must include prosecutors, law enforcement, correctional officials, probation officials, criminal defense attorneys, judges, county and city officials, mental health advocates, and health care professionals.

First meeting must be convened by August 1, 2014, with the Departments of Corrections and Human Services providing meeting space and administrative support.

Working group shall submit a report by January 15, 2015, to legislative committees with jurisdiction over human services and public safety, including recommendations, draft legislation, cost estimates, and potential federal, local, and private funding sources.