MN SF4439

Establishes a planning group to conduct a community needs assessment and advise the legislature on legal and policy issues related to decriminalization of mental illness, focusing on law enforcement practices, court access barriers, and correctional disparities.

Planning group shall study training protocols for law enforcement, incarceration rates and alternatives, sentencing practices, correctional accessibility, probation/parole/reentry, competency standards, health care access, and prosecution and legal representation for persons with mental illness.

Membership includes commissioners of human services, public safety, corrections, and health; the attorney general; a judicial representative; representatives from four mental health organizations; law enforcement and correctional administrators; two individuals with mental illness experience in corrections; and two parent advocates.

Commissioner of administration shall convene the first meeting by September 1, 2020, provide three administrative staff members, and arrange meeting space; members serve without compensation.

Planning group must submit a preliminary report by December 1, 2022 identifying critical problems and early solutions, and a final report by December 1, 2025 with comprehensive findings and recommendations; the commissioners of public safety and corrections must take immediate corrective action on identified critical problems or provide written justification for refusing.