SAINT PAUL, MN –Rep. Keith Franke, R-St. Paul Park, successfully amended HF970 in the Behavioral Health Policy Division hearing this morning to expand the bill’s impact in helping all persons struggling with mental illness. HF970 seeks to improve access to mental health services including the creation of the Culturally Informed and Culturally Responsive Mental Health Task Force. This task force will include mental health providers from underrepresented communities. Rep. Franke’s amendment conforms the definition of an “underrepresented community” to current Minnesota law to ensure representation of groups “not represented in the majority with respect to race, ethnicity, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, or physical ability.”
“As the ranking Republican member on the Behavioral Health Policy Division, I am working hard to ensure that mental health services are available to all Minnesotans,” said Rep. Keith Franke. “This amendment to HF970 will make sure all communities are represented in decisions about the mental health needs of our state. I am proud to work with my colleagues on the Behavioral Health Policy Division on this bill and I look forward to its passage.”
HF970 has been referred to the Health Services Finance and Policy Committee.