HF491

Purpose

This bill creates a funding program to support mental health services and outdoor activities for current and former public safety personnel, including police officers, firefighters, and emergency medical services (EMS) responders.

Main Provisions

• Funding and source:
  • Appropriates $250,000 in fiscal year 2026 and $250,000 in fiscal year 2027 from Minnesota’s general fund.
  • Funds are provided to the Commissioner of Public Safety.
• Grant to a nonprofit:
  • The money is to be granted to Hometown Hero Outdoors, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Stillwater, Minnesota.
• Use of funds:
  • The grant finances outdoor recreational activities and mental health services for present and former law enforcement officers, firefighters, and EMS personnel.
  • Aims to promote positive mental health and improve interactions with mental health service professionals.
  • Seeks to support longevity and quality of life through outdoor activities and mental health services, including public education.

Beneficiaries

• Present and former law enforcement officers, firefighters, and emergency medical services personnel.
• The organization’s ongoing ability to support these individuals is a stated goal.

Administration and Oversight

• The funding is administered by the Commissioner of Public Safety.
• The bill specifies funding for a grant to a single nonprofit organization to carry out these activities; no other program changes are detailed in the provided text.

Significance and Changes to Existing Law

• Creates a new appropriation and grant program within public safety funding.
• Establishes financial support for a specific nonprofit to provide mental health services and outdoor activities to public safety personnel; does not specify broader statutory changes beyond this appropriation.

Relevant Terms

• general fund
• appropriation
• grant
• Hometown Hero Outdoors
• Stillwater
• 501(c)(3)
• nonprofit
• law enforcement officers
• firefighters
• emergency medical services personnel
• mental health services
• outdoor recreational activities
• public education
• longevity
• quality of life
• commissioner of public safety

Relevant Terms - general fund - appropriation - grant - Hometown Hero Outdoors - Stillwater - 501(c)(3) - nonprofit - law enforcement officers - firefighters - emergency medical services personnel - mental health services - outdoor recreational activities - public education - longevity - quality of life - commissioner of public safety