HF3978 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))
Protections provided to participants in and employees and operators of a health care provider wellness program.
Related bill: SF4583
AI Generated Summary
Purpose
- Create and govern a physician health care provider wellness program designed to help physicians address career fatigue and work-related stress. The program is run by a statewide association that primarily represents physicians and osteopaths from multiple specialties.
Main Provisions
Definitions
- Health care provider: an individual licensed or registered to provide health care services in Minnesota within their scope of practice.
- Physician health care provider wellness program: a program offering evaluation, counseling, or other services to address career fatigue or work-stress wellness for physicians licensed under chapter 147, administered by a statewide association tax-exempt under 501(c)(6).
- Note: The wellness program does not include services intended to monitor for impairment under another statute (section 214.31).
Confidentiality
- Participation records are confidential and cannot be disclosed through discovery, subpoenas, or to health-related licensing boards or the commissioner of health unless the participant voluntarily releases information or disclosure is required to meet reporting obligations under law (per section 147.111).
Civil liability immunity
- Any person, agency, institution, facility, or organization contracted with or operating the wellness program is immune from civil liability for actions related to duties in connection with the program, as long as they act in good faith.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Amends Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 214.41 to create a formal physician health care provider wellness program with defined confidentiality protections and immunity from civil liability for good-faith activities related to the program.
- Explicitly separates the wellness program from impairment monitoring obligations, maintaining that impairment monitoring remains governed by section 214.31.
Practical Impact
- Encourages physician participation in a confidential wellness program without fear of automatic disclosure or broad civil liability, provided actions are in good faith.
- Establishes a clear, Privacy-focused framework for evaluating and assisting physicians with work-related stress and fatigue, while maintaining separation from impairment monitoring processes.
Notable Relationships to Existing Law
- The wellness program is tied to a statewide association, tax-exempt under 501(c)(6), and targets physicians licensed under chapter 147.
- It explicitly excludes activities that would function as impairment monitoring under section 214.31.
Relevant Terms - physician health care provider wellness program - health care provider - physician - career fatigue - work stress - confidentiality - discovery - subpoena - health-related licensing board - commissioner of health - section 147.111 - Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 214.41 - impairment monitoring - section 214.31 - 501(c)(6) - good faith - civil liability immunity - statewide association - physicians licensed under chapter 147
Bill text versions
- Introduction PDF PDF file
Past committee meetings
- Health Finance and Policy on: March 18, 2026 17:00
- Health Finance and Policy on: March 16, 2026 13:00
Actions
| Date | Chamber | Where | Type | Name | Committee Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 05, 2026 | House | Action | Introduction and first reading, referred to | Health Finance and Policy |
Citations
[
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Defines health care provider and physician health care provider wellness program.",
"States the program is administered by a statewide association exempt from taxation under 26 U.S.C. § 501(c)(6) and that primarily represents physicians and osteopaths of multiple specialties.",
"Specifies that the wellness program is not intended to monitor impairment under Minn. Stat. § 214.31."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "This bill defines a physician health care provider wellness program and related terms, clarifying scope and governance while excluding impairment monitoring.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "214.41",
"subdivision": "Subdivision 1"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Makes any record of a person's participation confidential and not subject to discovery, subpoena, or reporting to health-related licensing boards or the commissioner of health unless a written release is provided or disclosure is required to meet reporting obligations under Minn. Stat. § 147.111."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Confidentiality protections for participation in the physician health care provider wellness program.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "214.41",
"subdivision": "Subdivision 2"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Provides immunity from civil liability for any person, agency, institution, facility, or organization contracted with or operating the wellness program for actions related to the program if done in good faith."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Immunity from civil liability for entities involved with the wellness program when acting in good faith.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "214.41",
"subdivision": "Subdivision 3"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Mentions Chapter 147 as the licensing framework for physicians."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "References to physicians licensed under Minnesota Statutes Chapter 147.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "147",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Explicitly states that the wellness program does not include impairment monitoring under Minn. Stat. § 214.31."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Program does not include impairment monitoring under Minn. Stat. § 214.31.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "214.31",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"References Minn. Stat. § 147.111 regarding reporting requirements to licensing boards or the commissioner of health."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Conferring that reporting obligations may apply to the 147.111 framework.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "147.111",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"The program is administered by a statewide association exempt from taxation under 26 U.S.C. § 501(c)(6)."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "The wellness program administrator is described as being a tax-exempt organization under 26 U.S.C. § 501(c)(6).",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "26 U.S.C. § 501(c)(6)",
"subdivision": ""
}
]Progress through the legislative process
In Committee