Commissioner of veterans affairs allowed to close veterans homes under certain circumstances.

A bill for an act

relating to veterans; allowing the commissioner of veterans affairs to close veterans

homes under certain circumstances; amending Minnesota Statutes 2024, section

198.01.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 198.01, is amended to read:

198.01 VETERANS HOME; ELIGIBILITY OF VETERANS.

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(a)
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The Minnesota veterans homes shall provide nursing care and related health and

social services for veterans and their spouses who meet eligibility and admission requirements

of the Minnesota veterans homes. The commissioner may not close a veterans home unless

closure of the home is specifically authorized or required by a law enacted after July 1,

2015. The word "veteran" as used in this section has the meaning provided in section
197.447
.

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(b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), the commissioner may close a veterans home in

compliance with Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services requirements upon receiving

an involuntary termination notice. The commissioner must not close a veterans home until

the veterans home has transferred, relocated, or discharged every resident according to

section 144A.161, subdivision 6, in a safe and orderly manner to the most appropriate setting

for the resident. Before closing a veterans home, the commissioner must provide notice of

a closure under this paragraph to the governor and the chairs and ranking minority members

of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over veterans affairs.

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