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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Nels Pierson (R)

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Clearing Up Misinformation on Lodging Facilities

Friday, April 17, 2015

Friends,

Many of you have reached out to me in the wake of this Rochester Post-Bulletin piece to share your concerns about one of my bills, HF1960. I always appreciate hearing your concerns, and wanted to have the opportunity to clear up any misinformation you may have heard about this bill.

This bill does not impose any new taxes or regulations on lodging facilities. This bill merely modifies the current definition of a “lodging establishment” to include housing within ten miles of a hospital or medical center which caters exclusively to patients undergoing medical treatment, their families, and their caregivers, allowing establishments to choose to become licensed to ensure their guests share safe and clean accommodations. Current law does not allow establishments with fewer than five beds to have this license. This bill will help our district and others with extensive medical networks provide a listing of “lodging establishments” that meet lodging and cleanliness standards to best suit those undergoing transplants, chemotherapy, and other intensive medical services. This bill allows patients a choice to stay near their place of care in a living arrangement that may feel more like home.

As always, I continue to support a limited role of government in our business and health care decisions. I’m proud of the work Senator Nelson and I have done on this issue, and look forward to bringing it to the floor in the coming weeks.

Please continue to share thoughts on this and any other legislation. Your demonstrated interest in the future success of businesses in our community is a great asset to our state. You can reach me via phone at (651) 296-2208, or via email at rep.nels.pierson@house.mn.

Have a great weekend,

Nels