1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to corrections; establishing mental health unit pilot program for individuals 
1.3 	with mental illness and incarcerated in jails; requiring a report.
1.4 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.5 	Section 1. MENTAL HEALTH UNIT PILOT PROGRAM.
 1.6 	(a) The commissioner of corrections shall establish a pilot program with interested 
1.7 	counties to provide mental health care to individuals with serious and persistent mental 
1.8 	illness who are incarcerated in county jails. The pilot program must require the participating 
1.9 	counties to pay according to Minnesota Statutes, section 243.51, a per diem for 
1.10 	reimbursement of the Mental Health Unit at the Minnesota Correctional Facility - Oak Park 
1.11 	Heights, and other costs incurred by the Department of Corrections.
1.12 	(b) The commissioner in consultation with the Minnesota Sheriffs' Association shall 
1.13 	develop program protocols, guidelines, and procedures and qualifications for participating 
1.14 	counties and incarcerated individuals to be treated in the Mental Health Unit. The program 
1.15 	is limited to a total of five incarcerated individuals from the participating counties at any 
1.16 	one time. Incarcerated individuals must volunteer to be treated in the unit and be able to 
1.17 	participate in programming with other incarcerated individuals.
1.18 	(c) The Minnesota Correctional Facility - Oak Park Heights warden, director of 
1.19 	psychology, and associate director of behavioral health, or a designee of each, in consultation 
1.20 	with the Minnesota Sheriffs' Association, the Minnesota branch of the National Association 
1.21 	on Mental Illness, and the Department of Human Services, shall oversee the pilot program.
2.1 	(d) On November 15, 2024, the warden shall submit a report to the chairs and ranking 
2.2 	minority members of the legislative committees and divisions with jurisdiction over 
2.3 	corrections describing the protocols, guidelines, and procedures for participation in the pilot 
2.4 	program by counties and incarcerated individuals, challenges with staffing, cost sharing 
2.5 	with counties, capacity of the program, services provided to the incarcerated individuals, 
2.6 	program outcomes, concerns regarding the program, and recommendations for the viability 
2.7 	of a long-term program.
2.8 	(e) The pilot program expires November 16, 2024.