HF4674

Purpose

This bill creates temporary exceptions to the minimum site, physical environment, and fire safety requirements for assisted living facilities. It adds county- and building-specific allowances to the current licensing framework, aiming to address the needs of an aging population.

Main Provisions

• Amends Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement section 144G.45 subdivision 8 to add two targeted exceptions to the current rules for assisted living facilities.
• Otter Tail County exception (Subd.8a): In Otter Tail County, a three-story building with Type IIIB construction located in Otter Tail County may apply for an assisted living license under section 144G.191. This exception expires December 31, 2025.
• Hennepin County exception (Subd.8b): In Hennepin County, a four-story building with Type V construction located in Saint Anthony, Minnesota may apply for an assisted living license under section 144G.191. This exception expires December 31, 2026.
• These provisions are specifically tied to the ability to apply for an assisted living license under the licensure framework in 144G.191 and are limited to the named counties and building configurations.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Introduces two temporary, location- and design-specific exceptions to the general minimum site environment and fire safety standards for assisted living facilities.
• Establishes expiration dates for each exception (2025 for Otter Tail County; 2026 for Saint Anthony in Hennepin County).
• Maintains the existing licensure pathway for these facilities under section 144G.191, while temporarily relaxing certain site and safety requirements.

Practical Implications

• Narrowly targeted changes allow potential new or expanded assisted living facilities in Otter Tail County and Saint Anthony (Hennepin County) to pursue licensure with different building heights and construction types than normally permitted.
• The exemptions are time-limited and county-specific, meaning they do not apply statewide or indefinitely.

Relevant Terms assisted living license, minimum site physical environment, fire safety requirements, exceptions, Otter Tail County, Hennepin County, Saint Anthony, Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement section 144G.45 subdivision 8, subdivision 8a, subdivision 8b, three-story, four-story, Type IIIB construction, Type V construction, aging population, section 144G.191, expiration December 31, 2025, expiration December 31, 2026