Panel advances bill clarifying residents' right to a designated support person in long‑term‑care settings

The House Human Services Finance and Policy Committee considered House File 2407, a bill that clarifies and codifies the right of residents in long‑term care settings — including assisted living and residential facilities — to have a designated support person present when the resident desires.

Representative Zelenskacar, the bill author, said the measure aims to correct drafting errors from prior legislation and to specify how the right applies in various licensed settings. The committee adopted two amendments: the A4 amendment to add clarifying language about residents and specific programs, and the A3 amendment, offered by the Minnesota Department of Health, which includes four components covering case mix review, supplemental nursing services agency survey frequency, assisted living licensure updates and expanded approval authority for medication training programs.

Supporters told the committee the right to a support person helps prevent social isolation and supports residents’ physical and mental health. Parice Rudina from the Office of Ombudsman for Long Term Care said visitation pauses during the COVID‑19 pandemic had severe consequences for some residents and that the bill’s protections would help prevent similar harms. Rudina testified, “This right is essential for preventing isolation, improving socialization and in many cases ensuring the resident has all their care needs met.” Representatives of long‑term care providers and advocacy groups generally supported the bill while urging clearer definitions in some sections.

The Department of Health described technical adjustments included in the A3 amendment, such as aligning Minnesota's Medicaid case‑mix system with federal changes to Medicare nursing facility payment and restoring the intended biennial survey schedule for supplemental nursing services agencies. MDH also proposed changes to assisted living licensing language to strengthen resident protections and allow MDH to approve medication training programs developed by providers (rather than requiring them to be offered only by post‑secondary institutions).

Providers and advocates said the changes would expand access to trained medication aides and support residents’ rights while also raising questions about implementation costs and definitions, particularly around fire‑barrier language and restraint provisions. Testimony from Long Term Care Imperative and from provider representatives expressed support for medication training expansions and asked for clear, consistently defined rules for new assisted‑living safety language.

The committee adopted the A4 and A3 amendments by voice vote and laid the bill over for possible inclusion. Sponsors and supporters said the bill aims to balance resident rights, facility operations and fire/life safety standards; further technical work was expected as the bill moves through committee.