Plain English Breakdown
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HF4463 • 2026
Conditional medical release expanded to include geriatric and nonmedical release, and report required.
Conditional medical release expanded to include geriatric and nonmedical release, and report required.
Healthcare
Passed Legislature
This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.
Bill History
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2026-04-07
House
Author added Tabke
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2026-03-18
House
Introduction and first reading, referred to Public Safety Finance and Policy
Official Summary Text
Conditional medical release expanded to include geriatric and nonmedical release, and report required.
Current Bill Text
Read the full stored bill text
A bill for an act relating to corrections; expanding conditional medical release to include geriatric and nonmedical release; requiring a report; amending Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 244.05, by adding subdivisions. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 244.05, is amended by adding a subdivision to read: new text begin Subd. 8a. new text end new text begin Conditional geriatric release; eligibility. new text end new text begin (a) An incarcerated person is eligible for conditional geriatric release if the person: new text end new text begin (1) is at least 55 years of age and has served the greater of ten years or 50 percent of the sentence to be served; or new text end new text begin (2) is at least 60 years of age and has served at least 20 years. new text end new text begin (b) Eligible persons must demonstrate a chronic or serious medical condition associated with the aging process that substantially diminishes the individual's ability to function within a correctional facility and for which conventional treatment promises no substantial improvement. new text end new text begin (c) A petition may be submitted by the person, the person's attorney, a family member, medical director, warden, or advocacy organization. The commissioner must acknowledge receipt within three business days and issue a written decision within 30 days after receipt. If no decision is issued within 30 days, the applicant may petition the sentencing court for review. new text end new text begin (d) In determining release eligibility, the commissioner must consider the nature and circumstances of the offense, institutional adjustment, disciplinary record, victim impact statements, risk assessments, and whether release would pose a danger to any person or the community. new text end new text begin (e) A release granted under this subdivision operates as a conditional release. The commissioner must require periodic medical review every 12 months and may revoke release if the individual's medical condition materially improves or for violation of supervision conditions. new text end new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2026. new text end Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 244.05, is amended by adding a subdivision to read: new text begin Subd. 8b. new text end new text begin Family caregiver release. new text end new text begin (a) An incarcerated person may apply for conditional family caregiver release if the person is the parent of a minor child or the legal spouse or domestic partner of an individual who has become incapacitated and no other adequate family caregiver is available. new text end new text begin (b) The application must include verifiable medical records or a death certificate showing incapacitation or death of the caregiver; documentation of parentage or marriage; a detailed release plan demonstrating housing, financial support, and care arrangements; and authorization to obtain supporting records. new text end new text begin (c) The warden must convene a multidisciplinary committee including medical, social services, and program staff to investigate and recommend approval or denial within 30 days of receipt. If approved, the commissioner must determine appropriate supervision conditions. new text end new text begin (d) Failure of a person granted conditional family caregiver release to fulfill the caregiving responsibility may be treated as a violation of release conditions and subject the person to revocation of conditional family caregiver release. new text end new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2026. new text end Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 244.05, is amended by adding a subdivision to read: new text begin Subd. 8c. new text end new text begin Extraordinary and compelling circumstances. new text end new text begin (a) The commissioner may grant conditional release for extraordinary and compelling reasons comparable to those listed in United States Code, title 18, section 3582(c)(1)(A), including but not limited to terminal illness, debilitating injury or pregnancy, advanced age, or extraordinary family circumstances. new text end new text begin (b) Applications must be reviewed using the criteria in subdivision 8a, paragraph (d), and processed within 30 days. Denials must be in writing and include specific reasons. An applicant may petition the sentencing court after 30 days or upon final administrative denial. new text end new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2026. new text end Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 244.05, is amended by adding a subdivision to read: new text begin Subd. 8d. new text end new text begin Transparency and reporting. new text end new text begin (a) The commissioner must maintain a publicly accessible database tracking conditional medical, geriatric, and nonmedical release requests, including the number of applications received, granted, and denied; the average processing time; and the criteria relied upon to make decisions on requests. new text end new text begin (b) By January 15, 2028, and each year thereafter, the commissioner must submit a report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over corrections detailing data required under paragraph (a) and projected cost savings resulting from conditional medical, geriatric, and nonmedical release. new text end new text begin (c) The commissioner must adopt rules to implement this section consistent with evidence-based public safety standards and the criteria established by the federal Bureau of Prisons Program Statement 5050.50 (January 17, 2019). new text end new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2026. new text end