Accessibility menu
State Representative Kathy Lohmer
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-4244
For more information contact: House GOP Communications 651-296-5520
HOUSE BRIEFS
E-Mail Update: Bills in the House
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
The Legislature is in full swing as we enter the last month of session. Committee deadlines have passed, and my fellow legislators and I have spent all day (and many evenings) on the House floor. We have passed a series of bills, some large, and some small.
Major pieces of legislation include a capital investment (“bonding”) bill, Legacy funding allocations, and final passage of the Voter ID bill. In November, Minnesotans will be asked the following question on their ballots: “Shall the Minnesota Constitution be amended to require all voters to present valid photo identification to vote and to require the state to provide free identification to eligible voters, effective July 1, 2013?”
On Monday the House unanimously passed my bill, Senate File 2173, which authorizes automated drug distribution systems in health care facilities that do not have in-house pharmacies, such as nursing homes and correctional facilities. The bill was amended on the floor to benefit areas where there is a shortage of licensed health professionals.
Not only does the legislation increase resident safety and care, as well as increase one-on-one time between nurses and patients, it also reduces spending on unused medications. SF2173 also passed the Senate on a unanimous vote and has been endorsed by the Long-Term Care Imperative and the Minnesota Board of Pharmacy.
Additionally, I received word on Monday that the governor had signed into law my human services legislation, House File 2253. As I noted in my previous update, the law will now expand mental health treatment options for Minnesota children who are deaf, deafblind, or hard of hearing. Specifically, it allows children who receive care under the state program Medical Assistance Services for Children with Severe Emotional Disturbance to pursue out-of-state treatment and specialized health care services from providers who abide under the Interstate Compact on Mental Health. Families are now able to look beyond Minnesota’s borders to ensure that their children receive the best possible care.
As always, it is a pleasure and a privilege to represent you at the State Capitol. Please feel free to contact me at any time – I look forward to hearing from you!
Happy Passover and Easter,
Kathy
News Items
- Legislative Update (May 24, 2013) - (Posted: May 24 2013 6:53PM)
- Legislative Update (May 17, 2013) - (Posted: May 17 2013 3:13PM)
- Legislative Update (May 10, 2013) - (Posted: May 10 2013 1:50PM)
- Archived News Items
- Subscribe to RSS News Feeds
- Read more about RSS.