SF 4726 Minnesota Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Licensing and funding for mental health and substance use disorder services requirements modification

This bill modifies Minnesota laws governing licensing and funding requirements for mental health and substance use disorder services, primarily affecting service providers, county boards, and clients receiving care. It mandates that emergency mental health services be free of charge and prohibits providers from delaying care based on a client's insurance or payment source, while also requiring providers to offer tobacco and nicotine educational materials to clients at the start of treatment. The legislation updates qualifications for peer recovery support services and expands client record-keeping requirements to include documentation of tobacco education alongside existing opioid education mandates. Additionally, it requires county emergency service providers to refer eligible clients to engagement services when available, aiming to improve care coordination and access.

Issues: ✓ Healthcare

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Mar 2026

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Mar 23, 2026 Last action Mar 25, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduction → 1st Engrossment · 8 edits · Mar 25, 2026

MODERATE

This bill was updated from its introduction to its first engrossment version, incorporating significant substantive changes to mental health and substance use disorder services. The primary updates include expanding the definition of eligible vendors for peer recovery support services to include specific recovery community organizations, clarifying billing limits, and revising effective dates for new regulations. Additionally, the bill adds new requirements for client records and crisis intervention protocols while removing previous provisions related to demonstration projects and federal approval contingencies.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded to explicitly include recovery community organizations as eligible vendors for peer recovery support services, whereas the original version focused on general peer recovery definitions. Applicability was also refined to specify certification requirements and timelines for these organizations.

ELIGIBILITY

Added specific criteria for recovery community organizations to be eligible vendors, requiring nonprofit status, governance by individuals in recovery, and adherence to a statewide certification process.

TIMELINE

Changed the effective date for the crisis intervention and utilization review sections from 'upon federal approval' to 'the day following final enactment,' removing a federal contingency.

REQUIREMENT

Added new requirements for client records to include documentation of tobacco educational materials and specific grievance procedures for clients transferring between treatment locations.

Revised the definition of 'Peer recovery support services' to reference updated sections of the Minnesota Statutes, specifically linking to section 254B.052 instead of deleted text.

Added a new provision requiring mobile crisis teams to document specific crisis treatment plan goals and objectives and when no further services are required.

DEFINITION

Updated the definition of 'Peer recovery support services' to clarify that services must be provided according to individual recovery plans, treatment plans, or stabilization plans depending on the provider type.

ENFORCEMENT

Added provisions allowing eligible vendors to appeal certification determinations and establishing a two-year temporary vendor status for organizations aggrieved by initial certification denials.

TECHNICAL

Reorganized section numbering and removed references to repealed statutes and demonstration project requirements that were no longer applicable.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 25, 2026

Upper · Passed

Comm report: To pass as amended and re-refer to Health and Human Services

upper

Mar 23, 2026

Committee

Referred to Human Services

upper

Mar 23, 2026

Introduced

Introduction and first reading

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors