What does Minnesota Senate Bill SF 2934 do?

SF 2934: Omnibus Human Services appropriations

When was Minnesota Senate Bill SF 2934 introduced?

SF 2934 was introduced on Mar 15, 2023.

Has Minnesota Senate Bill SF 2934 passed the Senate?

Yes, SF 2934 has passed the Senate on Apr 18, 2023.

Has Minnesota Senate Bill SF 2934 passed the House?

Yes, SF 2934 has passed the House on Apr 25, 2023.

Has Minnesota Senate Bill SF 2934 been signed into law?

Yes, SF 2934 was signed into law on May 20, 2023.

What's the current status of Minnesota Senate Bill SF 2934?

The latest action on SF 2934 by the House was: Chapter number 61 on May 20, 2023.

Who introduced Minnesota Senate Bill SF 2934?

SF 2934 was introduced by John A. Hoffman.

Are voting records available for Minnesota Senate Bill SF 2934?

Yes, there are 8 voting records available for SF 2934

Bill tracking in Minnesota - SF 2934 (2023-2024 legislative session)

Introduced
Mar 15, 2023
Passed Senate
Apr 18, 2023
Passed House
Apr 25, 2023
Signed into Law
May 20, 2023

SF 2934

Minnesota Senate Bill

Omnibus Human Services appropriations

Last Action See all actions

House • May 20, 2023: Chapter number 61

Latest Bill Text See all bill texts

CCR-SF2934A

Do you support this bill?

Official Summary/Bill Text

Comments on SF 2934

Beth Hoekstra wrote 8 months ago

After reading the Sober Housing Program Regulation and Consumer Protections Change Item in the Human Services FY 2024-25 Biennial Budget Change Item; We, as a sober home in your district, are compelled to provide our input. Our organization is Project Morning Star and we work to provide drug and alcohol-free housing so individuals in our communities can lead healthy and sober lives. We agree that the status quo should change, we have been working to strengthen and improve sober housing for over a decade and are encouraged that the state is now also interested. The budget proposal puts forth $1,049,000 over the coming years to create a process for DHS to accredit sober homes. The proposal also includes a $200,000 RFP for a contractor to assist in creating this certification process. Thankfully, our state does not need to spend years and over a million dollars to create a certification process. The Minnesota Association of Sober Homes (MASH) has been certifying sober homes using the SAMHSA endorsed NARR Standards for over a decade. Currently, 64 organizations comprising 164 homes and 1830 beds are certified. We should seek to strengthen the existing regulatory structure. Our attached compendium report has a comprehensive roadmap on how to better Minnesota’s sober homes. If DHS were to reinvent the wheel and construct a parallel certification, MASH would cease to exist. It makes no sense to appreciate the NARR Standards and then compromise Minnesota’s NARR Affiliate. If MASH were to disband, Minnesota would lose a dedicated non-profit with an energetic volunteer base, years of experience, training seminars, inspections, standards, a connection with the sober home community and so much more. To improve the quality of sober housing, the state should support MASH. We should follow the national best practice of supporting NARR affiliates that is present in 38 states. Dave Sheridan; the Executive Director of NARR will attest that states see far better results when implementing the NARR Standards through a NARR affiliate instead of state agencies. As non-profit workers and volunteers, it is disheartening to see our state completely disregard community partners. As taxpayers, it is frustrating to see our state seek to create an inferior system at a far higher cost. This also applies to the draft recommendations of the DHS Study Group (SF873). Despite DHS being over 5 months late with their final report, the drafted proposals so far have varied greatly in quality. The following steps will improve Minnesota’s sober homes. These can be done at lower cost, and while collaborating with stakeholders. Raise the quality of Minnesota’s sober homes by incentivizing SAMHSA recognized national standards. Cement a bill of rights for residents that provides comprehensive consumer protections. Provide the necessary financial support for MASH to enhance inspections, certification, and training. Increase access to sober housing. Especially as it pertains to underserved populations. This can be done through increasing accessibility through vouchers and also through providing support to establishing rural and culturally specific organizations. Improve and promulgate the state-wide registry of accredited sober homes. Further incorporate stakeholders beyond sober home operators in MASH. Increase transparency and stakeholder involvement into the complaint process. We would love for you to tour our sober home to learn about this vital part of your constituency if you are able! Please reply with some times and dates that work for you. Thank you for your time and consideration of these important matters, Beth Hoekstra Director of Operations' Project Morning Star