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Bill would create a behavioral‑health workforce education center modeled on Nebraska program

Minnesota House Human Services Finance and Policy Committee · April 9, 2026

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Summary

Representative Norris introduced House File 4725 to create an education center to grow Minnesota’s mental‑health and substance‑use workforce; NAMI Minnesota described Nebraska’s center as a model that increased licensed providers and rural capacity, and the bill was laid over.

Representative Norris presented House File 4725, which proposes a mental‑health and substance use disorder education center to address Minnesota’s workforce shortage. NAMI Minnesota’s senior policy coordinator, Elliot Butai, testified the Nebraska model led to increases in licensed behavioral health providers and rural practitioner gains and outlined proposed center duties: research, training, outreach, loan‑forgiveness support, a job board, and learning collaboratives.

Members described the workforce shortage in Greater Minnesota and supported proactive approaches to pipeline, training and supervision. No appropriation or final structural language was adopted; the committee laid the bill over for further consideration and stakeholder work.