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Minnesota State Legislative Elder Justice Policy: The Session Concludes

The 2026 Minnesota legislative session ended at midnight on May 17. MEJC was engaged across multiple priorities affecting older and vulnerable adults. We worked in coalition with our long-standing partners on resident protections in long term care; funding for supported decision-making grants; and consumer safeguards against private equity ownership in long term care.

What Passed

MEJC’s policy advocacy work to advance the rights of those living in long term care settings is done in coalition with our partners, including AARP Minnesota, Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid, Office of Ombudsman for Long-Term Care, and Office of Ombudsman for Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities. Two key wins this session:

  • Guardianship as a prerequisite to admission, prohibited. Long-term care facilities, including 245D-licensed settings, assisted living facilities, and nursing homes, can no longer require guardianship or conservatorship as a condition of admission. This protects the autonomy of vulnerable adults and prevents unnecessary guardianships.
  • Restraints guidance in 144G assisted living facilities. For the first time since Minnesota’s Assisted Living licensure law took effect in 2021, providers and residents have clear guidelines on the use of restraints. This closes a gap that has left both groups without guidance. Minn. Stat. 144G.85

What Didn’t Pass

Two priorities did not pass this session:

  • Private equity protections in long term care (SF 2972). The bill advanced further than in any previous session, and came close to final passage, but was removed behind closed doors in conference committee. As for-profit companies, including private equity firms, continue to acquire long-term care facilities, this remains a top priority. With documented negative effects on resident care, MEJC will return to this work over the interim and into the 2027 session.
  • Supported decision-making grant funding. A request for a $2 million one-time appropriation to continue Minnesota’s network of supported decision-making grant program started in 2023 was not included in the final bill this legislative session. Existing grant funding expires June 30, 2026, putting at risk programs that prevent unnecessary guardianship, restore decision-making rights, and operate the statewide guardianship consultation line. Studies show every $1 invested in supported decision-making returns $2.75 in savings. MEJC and our coalition partners will continue to make the case for continued funding during the interim and with an upcoming budget session in 2027.

New Funding for Crime Victim Services

In the final days of session, the legislature passed SF 3432 / HF 3230 (2026 Minn. Laws ch. 118, art. 3, sec. 4), which includes a $12 million investment to create a Minnesota Victims of Crime account in the Office of Justice Programs. The funding will be available as grants to community-based crime victim services providers, including emergency shelters and legal advocacy. This investment helps fill the federal Office for Victims of Crime funding gap and is intended to prevent the anticipated 20 percent reduction to grantees. The bill awaits the Governor’s signature.

On the Horizon: A Working Group on Small Assisted Living Facility Licensure

The Human Services committee was the only committee given a large “cut target” this session and had to find $300M of savings in the Human Services budget. This resulted in cuts to the customized living service which helps pay for residents on medical assistance living in small Assisted Livings, and other Assisted Living settings.

Relatedly, the legislature also passed a law requiring the Commissioner of Health to convene a working group to examine the licensing requirements for Assisted Living facilities with five or fewer residents and to develop draft legislation for a potential new license category. These small settings predominantly serve people receiving customized living services under the brain injury waiver, community access for disability inclusion (CADI) waiver, and elderly waiver, all of which are Medicaid-funded. This is an opportunity to help shape the landscape of Medicaid-funded settings, where many of the gaps in resident protections and quality oversight have been well-documented over the past several years. MEJC and our coalition partners will engage in the working group process to advance resident-protection priorities.

Other Bills That Passed

  • Assisted Living correction plans and Assisted Living Report Card link required on the Uniform Disclosure of Assisted Living Services and Amenities (Chapter 95, Article 3, Section 15)
  • Additional funding and tools for the Medicaid Fraud Unit in the Attorney General’s Office
  • AARP’s ban on crypto kiosks (Chapter 93) and enhancements to the consumer scam restitution fund at the Attorney General’s office (HF 4188, commerce omnibus)
  • The financial industry’s “trusted person” program re: finical exploitation protections (HF 4502)
  • Technical changes to the vulnerable adult act (Chapter 95, Article 7)
  • Vulnerable adult criminal enhancements (SF 4760, public safety omnibus)
  • New medical emergency response policies and procedures for assisted living facilities (Ch 95, Art 3, Secs 18 and 21).

Upcoming

MEJC’s 20th annual Minnesota World Elder Abuse Awareness Day Conference takes place on Wednesday, June 17, 2026 at the Heritage Center of Brooklyn Center. Our policy consultant, Sean Burke, will present on the 2026 session results during the conference.

MEJC will also host a post-session policy webinar on Thursday, June 25, 2026 at noon. Look for details and registration in your inbox.