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Senate bill to ease county timelines for civil commitments advances after debate over state capacity
Summary
Lawmakers and state officials debated Senate File 2628, which would let the Human Services commissioner approve limited exceptions to timelines for moving civilly committed patients from hospitals to treatment, amid warnings that returning to a strict 48‑hour standard would strain beds and invite litigation.
Senators advanced Senate File 2628, a bill that would allow the commissioner of the Department of Human Services — or a designee — to approve an exception to timelines for moving certain civilly committed patients from hospital settings into Direct Care and Treatment (DCT). The committee adopted an author’s amendment and voted to refer the measure to the State and Local Government Committee without recommendation.
The bill’s author, Senator Jordan Rasmussen, offered an A‑1 amendment the committee adopted that would permit the commissioner to immediately approve an exception to add up to 10 patients per fiscal year who are civilly committed and remain in hospital settings. Rasmussen said the change was requested by the Minnesota Hospital Association to help get people into appropriate care settings.
Attorney General Keith Ellison, who co‑chaired the priority admissions task force that studied the state’s timelines, told the committee the issue is “extremely complicated” and warned that squeezing one part of the system can create pressures elsewhere. Ellison said Minnesota already has one of the shortest timelines in the country and that rolling back to the prior 48‑hour standard without increased capacity would likely lead to more lawsuits and judges threatening contempt motions.
“More beds is also means more trained staff, and that is not a short term solution,” Ellison said, urging a systematic approach that includes stepped‑down community resources to move people out of DCT when ready.
Direct Care and Treatment Director Kylie Ann Stevens and county officials echoed the need for more capacity and staff. Stevens told the committee that acute hospital and secure forensic beds are the most expensive level of care and emphasized the importance of community step‑down services. She said an estimate exists for a shovel‑ready capital project to add 50 beds at AMRTC that would cost about $75 million.
County representatives and local officials pressed the committee for a workable timeline tied to capacity increases. Terrell Clark, Stearns County commissioner and task force member, pointed to the task force’s recommendation to extend a sunset provision for two years only if the legislature conditions it on funding to increase capacity at DCT and in the community.
Committee members discussed competing options: let the 48‑hour rule return July 1 if the Legislature does nothing, or adopt an extension contingent on visible progress in capacity. Senator Abler moved, without recommendation, to refer the bill to State and Local Government; the motion carried on a voice vote.
The bill’s supporters say the measure would relieve immediate county burdens and hospital boarding, while opponents and some members cautioned the change cannot substitute for sustained investment in beds, staff and community services. The committee and stakeholders agreed to continue negotiating capacity investments and implementation details in follow‑up work.
Evidence from the committee hearing: the attorney general noted task force consensus on capacity needs, counties described people waiting weeks or months in jails or hospitals for DCT beds, and DHS staff identified capital and operating investments needed to expand capacity.
What’s next: Senate File 2628 was referred to the State and Local Government Committee for additional consideration; committee members and state leaders said they would keep working on tied capacity investments and potential amendments.
