Minnesota Law Requiring Jail Medication Access Temporarily Suspended Amid Lawsuit

Strategic Insights -

Advocates for the mentally ill and incarcerated people in Minnesota are fighting back against a temporary restraining order that has suspended a new law requiring jail officials to provide access to previously prescribed medications. The law, named the Larry R. Hill Reform Act, was passed in May and aimed to improve health care access in jails. However, the Minnesota Sheriffs Association and other groups have filed a lawsuit, arguing that the law could be harmful or fatal to inmates.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Larry R. Hill Reform Act requires jail officials to provide access to previously prescribed medications, including antipsychotics, to inmates.
  • The law includes exceptions for inmates who do not want to take their prescribed medication or for health care professionals who determine that the medication is no longer necessary.
  • The lawsuit, filed by the Minnesota Sheriffs Association and other groups, argues that the law would require medical professionals to use medication that "could be harmful or fatal to inmates."
  • Advocacy organizations, such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness Minnesota, have spoken out against the lawsuit, saying that denying inmates access to their medications can lead to decompensation or death.
  • The temporary restraining order will be in effect until August 1, and a hearing on the case is set to take place on July 25.
  • The new law was named after Larry R. Hill, who died in Hennepin County Jail after not receiving medication.
  • MEnD Correctional Care, the largest provider of health care in Minnesota jails, went bankrupt in 2022 after several lawsuits alleged that its services led to preventable deaths.
  • The bill was passed after efforts from Minnesota groups seeking to improve health care access in jails.

Statistics:

  • 1 in 5 people in U.S. prisons and jails have a serious mental illness (National Alliance on Mental Illness Maryland).
  • The U.S. Department of Justice reported that in 2019, there were over 1.4 million inmates in local jails across the country (U.S. Department of Justice).
  • The Hennepin County Jail, where Larry R. Hill died, has been the subject of several lawsuits and scandals related to its treatment of inmates (Star Tribune).

Sources:

  • "Mn. sheriffs sue state over new law about jail medication they say could have deadly consequences" by KSTP News (no date).
  • "Some of Minnesota's largest jail health care companies went bankrupt in 2022. What's happening?" by MPR News, January 4, 2023.
  • "Rep. Moller, Rep. Hanson respond to lawsuit against Larry R. Hill Reform Act" by KSTP News (no date).
  • "National Alliance on Mental Illness Minnesota Statement on Lawsuit Against Larry R. Hill Reform Act" (no date).
  • "Public Safety Bill" (H.F. 34-33) signed by Gov. Tim Walz on May [no date].
  • "New law requires jails to provide inmates with prescribed medications" by Kare 11 (no date).