The bill, titled "Brent's Law," aims to enhance public safety by establishing a program for responding to mental health crisis emergency calls. It amends Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 403.03, to require that every public safety answering point (PSAP) maintain a program for identifying individuals in need of mental health crisis services. This can be achieved either through training 911 telecommunicators in recognizing mental health crises or by employing mental health practitioners to screen calls. Additionally, the bill mandates that the Statewide Emergency Communications Board adopt protocols to ensure compliance with these new requirements.

Furthermore, the bill introduces civil remedies for government entities that fail to adhere to the established protocols. It allows individuals or representatives of decedents who suffer damages due to violations to bring legal action against the responsible government entity, with provisions for damages, attorney fees, and potential exemplary damages for willful violations. The bill also includes measures to prevent government entities from obstructing the dispatch of mental health crisis teams, and it allows for court intervention to enforce compliance with the new regulations.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 403.03