Minnesota Statutes
Chapter 254A — Treatment For Alcohol And Drug Abuse
Section 254A.19 — Chemical Use Assessments.

Subdivision 1. Persons arrested outside of home county. When a chemical use assessment is required under Minnesota Rules, parts 9530.6600 to 9530.6655, for a person who is arrested and taken into custody by a peace officer outside of the person's county of residence, the assessment must be completed by the person's county of residence no later than three weeks after the assessment is initially requested. If the assessment is not performed within this time limit, the county where the person is to be sentenced shall perform the assessment. The county of financial responsibility is determined under chapter 256G.
Subd. 1a. Emergency room patients. A county may enter into a contract with a hospital to provide chemical use assessments under Minnesota Rules, parts 9530.6600 to 9530.6655, for patients admitted to an emergency room or inpatient hospital when:
(1) an assessor is not available; and
(2) detoxification services in the county are at full capacity.
Subd. 2. Probation officer as contact. When a chemical use assessment is required under Minnesota Rules, parts 9530.6600 to 9530.6655, for a person who is on probation or under other correctional supervision, the assessor, either orally or in writing, shall contact the person's probation officer to verify or supplement the information provided by the person.
Subd. 3. Financial conflicts of interest. (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b), (c), or (d), an assessor conducting a chemical use assessment under Minnesota Rules, parts 9530.6600 to 9530.6655, may not have any direct or shared financial interest or referral relationship resulting in shared financial gain with a treatment provider.
(b) A county may contract with an assessor having a conflict described in paragraph (a) if the county documents that:
(1) the assessor is employed by a culturally specific service provider or a service provider with a program designed to treat individuals of a specific age, sex, or sexual preference;
(2) the county does not employ a sufficient number of qualified assessors and the only qualified assessors available in the county have a direct or shared financial interest or a referral relationship resulting in shared financial gain with a treatment provider; or
(3) the county social service agency has an existing relationship with an assessor or service provider and elects to enter into a contract with that assessor to provide both assessment and treatment under circumstances specified in the county's contract, provided the county retains responsibility for making placement decisions.
(c) The county may contract with a hospital to conduct chemical assessments if the requirements in subdivision 1a are met.
An assessor under this paragraph may not place clients in treatment. The assessor shall gather required information and provide it to the county along with any required documentation. The county shall make all placement decisions for clients assessed by assessors under this paragraph.
(d) An eligible vendor under section 254B.05 conducting a comprehensive assessment for an individual seeking treatment shall approve the nature, intensity level, and duration of treatment service if a need for services is indicated, but the individual assessed can access any enrolled provider that is licensed to provide the level of service authorized, including the provider or program that completed the assessment. If an individual is enrolled in a prepaid health plan, the individual must comply with any provider network requirements or limitations.
Subd. 4. Civil commitments. A Rule 25 assessment, under Minnesota Rules, part 9530.6615, does not need to be completed for an individual being committed as a chemically dependent person, as defined in section 253B.02, and for the duration of a civil commitment under section 253B.065, 253B.09, or 253B.095 in order for a county to access the behavioral health fund under section 254B.04. The county must determine if the individual meets the financial eligibility requirements for the behavioral health fund under section 254B.04. Nothing in this subdivision prohibits placement in a treatment facility or treatment program governed under this chapter or Minnesota Rules, parts 9530.6600 to 9530.6655.
Subd. 5. Assessment via telehealth. Notwithstanding Minnesota Rules, part 9530.6615, subpart 3, item A, a chemical use assessment may be conducted via telehealth as defined in section 256B.0625, subdivision 3b.
[See Note.]
History: 2007 c 147 art 12 s 10; 2008 c 234 s 2,3; 2012 c 247 art 5 s 3; 1Sp2017 c 6 art 8 s 52; 1Sp2019 c 9 art 6 s 41; 2021 c 30 art 13 s 83; 1Sp2021 c 7 art 6 s 7
NOTE: The amendment to subdivision 5 by Laws 2021, First Special Session chapter 7, article 6, section 7, is effective upon federal approval. The commissioner of human services shall notify the revisor of statutes when federal approval is obtained. Laws 2021, First Special Session chapter 7, article 6, section 7, the effective date.