[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6325900,"mediaKeyId","2330509-cfc519a81ed436c0d71c0cc35b6d4170","parentId",2330509,"title","Committee lays over bill seeking criminal immunity for healthcare providers in cases of honest mistakes amid sharp partisan debate","audioSeconds",2118,"startMs",3527000,"endMs",5645000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2330509-cfc519a81ed436c0d71c0cc35b6d4170&start=3527&end=5645","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2330509-cfc519a81ed436c0d71c0cc35b6d4170/thumbnail_3527000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6325900/Minnesota/Committee-lays-over-bill-seeking-criminal-immunity-for-healthcare-providers-in-cases-of-honest-mistakes-amid-sharp-partisan-debate","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6325900-a53ce34e452254a6c0583ab1ddb364cc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163684&Signature=Tiy0W3vl5YKnX2ozwkBPIu8gwP2bRReQgqgASuLgrhDeczSiSZNy54QjtZpZf4jzDRCD3UenJ-XJ6FDBlWmOmkdexFofa4kMnd80LpxRRD8n8DmLI8QA1w4PzVuBPP8k1kOMsUPDVHctJiufTOte~MysYG-S6rSdddZ9eJwG4ms5M7jPTBJGw8xpSXbXrI8X9SXULxfoP6a1ckiDvRP210~Yyvrm2KQdjS~qi6QD1XWwOinljt9OWg-ephydBoK~Lou3Wug1fG0hoSQBSJaHsR7wfSTdC9YeB3p6oikP~53VGEzvjVpqVevTNVojiLoeGyisca6vvEC-FJKpHoHXZQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Minnesota Legislature","date","2025-02-18T00:00:00Z","article","Senate File 971, a bill that would limit criminal prosecution of health care providers for good‑faith medical errors while preserving civil and licensing remedies, drew extensive testimony both for and against and was laid over by the Senate Health and Human Services Committee on Feb. 18, 2025.

Sponsor Senator Mann said the bill is intended to protect clinicians from criminal prosecution for unintentional mistakes and to encourage transparent reporting and systems learning. “This bill does not prevent investigation. This bill does not prevent the removal of a medical license,” Mann said, adding that “an unintended error should not make someone a criminal.” He and supporters also emphasized the need to maintain workforce recruitment and retention.

Supporters included Adam Carlin, chief nursing officer at M Health Fairview Southdale and policy chair of the Minnesota Organization of Leaders in Nursing, who warned that criminal prosecution for errors chills reporting and undermines patient safety efforts. Kelly Hagen, a chief nursing officer at Rainy Lake Medical Center, said immunity for good-faith clinical errors would “support a culture of transparency and reporting” and help with workforce retention.

Opponents included Dr. Patrice Narad, who urged rejection of the bill, arguing it would “eliminate accountability” and could shield reckless or unethical conduct; Dr. Narad said the measure was too broad and risked eroding public trust. Several committee members expressed concern about the breadth of the bill and whether existing criminal statutes (including for intentional harm and assisted suicide) would remain enforceable.

Senator Lisky offered an A1 amendment to carve out conduct related to assisted suicide (citing statutory provisions that exclude certain acts from immunity). The amendment’s sponsor and other senators debated whether the carve-out was necessary because the bill’s existing language preserved criminal liability for “gross negligence or wanton willful, malicious, or intentional misconduct.” Counsel advised that the bill’s ‘‘notwithstanding’’ language and then the explicit carve-outs in paragraph B would need careful review to determine whether the assisted‑suicide carve‑out was already covered. Several members said they were not ready to vote and urged further drafting and review.

Given the unresolved legal questions and the intensity of the debate, members agreed to lay SF 971 over to allow additional discussion and potential revisions; the committee record lists the measure as laid over on Feb. 18, 2025.

Testimony repeatedly emphasized that the bill would not change civil liability or board/licensure processes. Sponsor and supporting witnesses cited the 2022 Tennessee case of a nurse convicted for a fatal medication error as motivating the proposal; opponents countered that the danger of removing criminal accountability outweighed any gains in reporting.

The committee laid the bill over to permit further review and stakeholder discussions in advance of possible future action.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Committee on Health and Human Services - 02/18/25","oneSentenceSummary","Senate File 971, which would limit criminal prosecution of healthcare providers for good-faith medical errors while preserving civil and licensing remedies, drew strong support from many nursing and hospital leaders and sharp opposition from others; the committee laid the bill over after heated debate and a proposed amendment.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature MN, Minnesota","taxId",77817,"location","Minnesota","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6325906,"Bill to formalize DHS notice to reviser about federal approvals laid over for later consideration",157,3341000,3498000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2330509-cfc519a81ed436c0d71c0cc35b6d4170&start=3341&end=3498","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2330509-cfc519a81ed436c0d71c0cc35b6d4170/thumbnail_3341000.jpg","/articles/6325906/Minnesota/Bill-to-formalize-DHS-notice-to-reviser-about-federal-approvals-laid-over-for-later-consideration","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6325906-d858d47d242319fdef6b448163ceedbb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163684&Signature=KZ62QVjBiszPg~iqnr9M2GOF7CFd7FjefrfN18HeDQ93Ah5CAPYpCk6vJBTxYicsZ45yqjKhkBTk4NRLt260Ytczyih~dttogGAyuSgIaIC0efRwnKkpiQJ3rq0M9vgAm9y34RZ87INKKR6lvF7sejgQzdAGEj6wJe1MEuIIWIYGO6Aspqsk0eu1sXqdNUDYJEK6482D06YvFjNgNJtxZBW93l4Zop6LK~mAji34~pZflgTWLgzHtpWYzUqO4LrszfA1QPPeK3e6LKj-IM6wES0whQv1pE9mpW7Dm-UJKL7H5ZryEq5dlVy9xhKPx3tmXhfGM32uA5KRtNdcld4vNg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate File 684, a technical measure to codify an existing process by which the Department of Human Services notifies the Revisor of Statutes about enacted provisions whose effective date is contingent on federal approval, was presented to the Senate Health and Human Services Committee on Feb. 18, 2025 and laid over for possible inclusion in other legislation.

Sponsor Senator Hoffman said the bill does not create a new process but seeks to provide transparency and a defined reporting cadence. Under the proposed language, DHS would notify the Revisor of Statutes of enacted provisions that include an effective date contingent on federal approval, and thereafter periodically report which provisions have received federal approval and the dates of those approvals. Examples of required report content would include the listing of provisions that received approval and a statement when none have.

Committee members had no major substantive questions and the chair said the bill would be laid over for possible inclusion in other bills later in the session. The committee record lists SF 684 as laid over on Feb. 18, 2025.","Senate File 684, which would codify an existing practice requiring the Department of Human Services to notify the Revisor of Statutes of enactments contingent on federal approval and to report when federal approvals arrive, was introduced and laid over for future consideration.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6325910,"Committee backs bill restoring option for out‑of‑home respite in unlicensed homes for waiver recipients",513,2816000,3329000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2330509-cfc519a81ed436c0d71c0cc35b6d4170&start=2816&end=3329","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2330509-cfc519a81ed436c0d71c0cc35b6d4170/thumbnail_2816000.jpg","/articles/6325910/Minnesota/Committee-backs-bill-restoring-option-for-outofhome-respite-in-unlicensed-homes-for-waiver-recipients","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6325910-777d67f7c4109b0a245a7de5ca0cb355/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163684&Signature=W~D28kstGhzegcRa4rqFObsSH~Nt48vepdVmusJZfRJgJrPH-sWbfDOT9XWsZLAnX-wdUys7oAFsuyW6-3KsmYrxBIU66mvACsgFC~NEnuBrXtB1fq~gwv6Ft7K5URg4i~r~Pb4BAkWGnTgPhqNBz6peoUcalVof~QkOvnr1Qa03vdGG4srXc~kpTwTD6xlOPpJhdgkSrTrOrX14bTzQ8Z0p1l7SznuJQSEuMhjrrp3~roSzvBN~3jVWSx9vordPkIRcbsx4t~CypbtUTNFvYeB8BsF~Ev~L7u6f5znWudjp~UrI7ldcHMatxlyGEWxuUaKpt8P7uS8CtdGwNuwuow__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate File 446, a bill to allow out-of-home respite for children receiving services through the four disability waivers to be provided in unlicensed residential settings under specific safeguards, was recommended to pass and referred to the House-equivalent Human Services Committee by the Senate Health and Human Services Committee on Feb. 18, 2025.

Sponsor Senator Rasmussen said the change would restore a pre-2020 practice that allowed licensed 245D providers to deliver respite in unlicensed settings with case manager and guardian approvals. “The change resulted in the loss of trusted options for families and reduced availability, especially in rural communities,” Rasmussen said.

Sarah Grafstrom, senior director of state and federal policy at ARM (a trade association of residential service providers), described how a 2020 Department of Human Services change limited respite to licensed settings and removed some trusted community options. Grafstrom described proposed safeguards: background studies for everyone in the home, assessment and documentation by the child’s case manager, guardian visitation before the child’s first stay, residential-only settings, a maximum of four children per home, separate bedrooms for each child (except siblings), no mixed-age placements with adults over 21, a 10-consecutive-day limit per stay, and a 46-day annual cap.

Grafstrom said the 46-calendar-day limit was intended to allow recurring short respite stays and occasional longer vacations without effectively converting the placement to a longer-term licensed arrangement. Committee members praised the bill as a targeted change to improve family options and reduce crisis placements that can result from lack of respite.

Senator Abler moved, and the committee approved by voice vote, that SF 446 be recommended to pass and be referred to the Human Services Committee. Committee testimony stressed that the bill would expand safe, community-based respite options for families while retaining background checks and case-manager oversight.

The committee record shows SF 446 was referred to the Human Services Committee for further consideration.","Senate File 446 would allow certain out-of-home respite for children and adults receiving disability waiver services to be provided in unlicensed residential settings under specified safeguards; the committee referred the bill to the Human Services Committee.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6325916,"Senate advances continuation of childcare staffing flexibility allowing aides to supervise part of the day",439,2341000,2780000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2330509-cfc519a81ed436c0d71c0cc35b6d4170&start=2341&end=2780","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2330509-cfc519a81ed436c0d71c0cc35b6d4170/thumbnail_2341000.jpg","/articles/6325916/Minnesota/Senate-advances-continuation-of-childcare-staffing-flexibility-allowing-aides-to-supervise-part-of-the-day","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6325916-80dc7dcbeb0f35dfdbb3d4aa32c119e1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163684&Signature=f6nnq7R-QL5zQ~mQjj1-g7ueARmM-~0mliai~TYoT84NkHSEtYEUnUqKp7fCBYVJQxg3uRp15N3yRU~MjecSTzv2Uk7PBUIBFkoCmPort1abxoLULdaGwWgDyW6GlyEtkq2tqaMWM06qW~YpBlR6hfWCIlit52vUfIt08MH-fyk5nKyNRZQzWid4203tI~-nuJttChrWkrbVhtyem3HXGV6E4fVYWE~hcQy-8lbiHefKoVdaaxqQPPWftT9UPhXBjHJ~NPhbsRvRWLn3dIobXod59toZfa8WHaMqrg-dbAMzGmG79eEBna5uQMPv211jpj6RCHluP3jLdN9BCj--Aw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate File 91, which would make permanent a staffing flexibility for licensed childcare centers first enacted in 2023, was recommended to pass by the Senate Health and Human Services Committee on Feb. 18, 2025 and placed on the Senate general orders calendar.

Sponsor Senator Hoffman and representatives of childcare providers told the committee the policy has operated for 18 months with no reported safety issues and helps address staffing shortages by allowing aides to supervise children for up to 25% of the day under guardrails intended to preserve safety and training.

Claire Sanford, government relations chair for the Minnesota Child Care Association, described the measure as “a continuation of what is currently in law that was passed in 2023” and said the A2 amendment the committee adopted removes the sunset that would otherwise end the flexibility in July. Sanford said that aides allowed to be alone with children must be at least 18, have 30 days of employment at the center, and—if they have been employed for fewer than 90 days—must complete required licensing training sooner to serve in that capacity.

Jen Orth, owner of High Point Child Care, described operational benefits: scheduling teachers during core instructional hours and having aides cover transitions improves staff retention, reduces overtime, and helps maintain program stability. “Allowing aides to supervise up to 25% of the day independently has had no negative impact on the quality of care, safety, or well-being of the children at our centers,” Orth said.

Members asked procedural and technical questions about the divided A2 amendment. Committee discussion referenced that the amendment was split so that lines 1.1 to 1.14 were adopted and the remainder was not; members clarified the amendment’s technical effect and that no other committee referrals were required for the amended bill.

Senator Hoffman moved that SF 91, as amended, be recommended to pass and be placed on general orders; the committee approved the motion by voice vote. The committee record shows the measure advanced to the Senate floor without further committee referrals.

Providers said the temporary flexibility had allowed programs to avoid reduced hours due to staffing shortages and had enabled scheduling that focuses certified teachers on core learning times. Testimony included operational details such as centers extending availability to approx. 10.5 hours per day and using the policy to reduce overtime and burnout.

The committee placed SF 91 on general orders on Feb. 18, 2025.","The committee recommended passage of Senate File 91, removing a sunset to continue temporary childcare staffing flexibility that allows aides to be alone with children for up to 25% of the day under specific guardrails.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6325919,"Senate committee advances bill to ban hospital \"facility fees\" for many outpatient visits",2140,69000,2209000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2330509-cfc519a81ed436c0d71c0cc35b6d4170&start=69&end=2209","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2330509-cfc519a81ed436c0d71c0cc35b6d4170/thumbnail_69000.jpg","/articles/6325919/Minnesota/Senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-hospital-facility-fees-for-many-outpatient-visits","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6325919-18881ffdd3cead6ba7eae8102db6dcca/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163684&Signature=oALIMG9K62atGVvlUUZiQVevUlCLmfo6D-yXWCLnQZnvUDtLjW73TcOX4dDC-98bHI~D2DRNkyaDZELQi-yGATywV~UewRp-L1tl4R0b44BdGvgj2ThIiiCFj50IrFK5waZv8Yb2Dh83pTKUrf9fyn6Nmw7e8yXdDY8jrCsztW-2IKROfXRf-hAQCMtapeBeLQjzxWW6mjhTQ2Cam8rJ83uBFQWkeOPIleVmCDv5sBwkOs5ojkYiBHz52mcOJOtpHMcMZlULZar2I-CgfgiB3St1F~8aK2LRkuzDvMTZSZGRjr6YHXTOGGtUbElddoT2sR7dLcxbWJ-5KnuqZMKA2A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate File 1503, a measure to prohibit so-called facility fees charged by hospital-affiliated clinics for many nonemergency outpatient services, was recommended to pass as amended by the Minnesota Senate Health and Human Services Committee on Feb. 18, 2025 and was referred to the Judiciary Committee.

The bill’s author, Senator Uma Verbatin, told the committee the legislation would “eliminate facility fees” that she characterized as “predatory, unpredictable and very hard to avoid,” and that facility fees result from consolidation when hospitals acquire clinics and then add separate charges unrelated to the care delivered.

Verbatin said facility fees can appear for routine services—including preventive care, evaluation-and-management visits and telehealth—and sometimes exceed the professional charge for the visit. “These fees are driving up health care costs,” she said. She described the bill’s provisions, including a definition section, a prohibition on facility fees for nonemergency provider-based clinic services and telehealth, a reporting requirement to the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), MDH rulemaking authority, and enforcement tools that would allow MDH and the attorney general to pursue violations.

The committee heard testimony from patients and health-sector groups. Melissa Finnegan, a constituent of the author, described a follow-up pediatric visit for her 4-year-old that produced a $423 outpatient hospital services charge in addition to a $201 professional charge despite the child never entering a hospital. “After several rounds of customer service calls…we learned that this charge was a facility fee,” Finnegan said, adding that the facility relied on a sign at the clinic as the required notice and that many families would not see such notice before an appointment.

Representatives of labor and hospitals gave opposing views. Ben Ballio of the Minnesota Nurses Association supported the bill, saying it would bring transparency and counter incentives for consolidation. By contrast, Joe Schindler, vice president of finance for the Minnesota Hospital Association, warned that nonprofit hospitals are under financial strain and said facility fees cover costs associated with equipment, maintenance and staffing. “Eliminating this long-standing funding source without alternatives does not make the cost go away,” Schindler said.

Supporters pointed to similar actions in other states: Connecticut has banned facility fees broadly, Colorado has limited them for preventive care, and Ohio has restricted telehealth facility fees. Senator Verbatin said MDH reporting and penalties would provide enforcement and transparency.

Committee members asked about who can be charged the fee and how MDH’s rulemaking authority would be exercised. Verbatin said any patient can be charged a facility fee if the clinic is associated with a hospital and described the MDH rulemaking as narrowly focused on identifying outpatient imaging or other services that can safely be provided outside hospitals.

The committee adopted an author’s A1 amendment by voice vote and then approved, by voice vote, a motion to recommend passage of SF 1503 as amended; committee minutes record an affirmative voice vote with no opposing voices recorded. The bill will next be considered by the Judiciary Committee.

Clarifying details from testimony include the example household billing amounts Finnegan provided: a $201 charge for professional services and a $423 facility fee for a single pediatric follow-up visit, and a citation to Minnesota statute 62J.0824 referenced by Finnegan regarding notice requirements for facility fees.

Supporters and opponents agreed that facility fees intersect with consolidation and with rural access: witnesses said facility fees can be especially burdensome for patients in Greater Minnesota who have fewer provider choices.

Senate File 1503 will now be considered by the Judiciary Committee; the committee record shows the measure advanced from HHS to Judiciary on Feb. 18, 2025.","The Senate Health and Human Services Committee advanced Senate File 1503, a bill that would prohibit hospital-affiliated clinics from charging separate facility fees for many nonemergency outpatient services, after author testimony and mixed responses from providers and advocates.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee lays over bill seeking criminal immunity for healthcare providers in cases of honest mistakes amid sharp partisan debate

Bill to formalize DHS notice to reviser about federal approvals laid over for later consideration

Committee backs bill restoring option for out‑of‑home respite in unlicensed homes for waiver recipients

Senate advances continuation of childcare staffing flexibility allowing aides to supervise part of the day

Senate committee advances bill to ban hospital "facility fees" for many outpatient visits