In 2019, Governor Tim Walz signed the Opiate Epidemic Response bill into law, which raises funds from drug manufacturers and wholesalers to fight the opioid crisis, while creating the Opioid Epidemic Response Advisory Council to oversee the funding. Printable information page (PDF)
The Opiate Epidemic Response law is expected to raise $20 million annually through fees and for prescribers, drug manufacturers and distributors. The fees collected will go into an opiate epidemic response account established in the state government special revenue fund. This means there will be sustainable funding to fight the opioid epidemic and therefore more sustainable treatment and recovery services across the state.
The purpose of the council
The Opiate Epidemic Response bill establishes the Opioid Epidemic Response Advisory Council to develop and implement a comprehensive and effective statewide effort to address the opioid addiction and overdose epidemic in Minnesota.
The council will:
Review of local, state and federal initiatives and activities related to education, prevention, treatment and services for individuals and families experiencing and affected by opioid use disorder
Establish priorities to address the state’s opioid epidemic, for the purpose of recommending initiatives to fund
Recommend to the commissioner of human services specific projects and initiatives to be funded
Ensure that available funding is allocated to align with other state and federal funding to achieve the greatest impact and ensure a coordinated state effort
Consult with the commissioners of human services, health, and management and budget to develop measurable outcomes to determine the effectiveness of funds allocated
Develop recommendations for an administrative and organizational framework for the allocation, on a sustainable and ongoing basis, of any money collected from the Opiate Epidemic Response.
Opioid Epidemic Response Advisory Council membership
The council will be made up of legislators from both bodies, tribal nations, state agency representatives, providers, advocates and individuals personally impacted by the opioid crisis, as well as representation from law enforcement, social service agencies and the judicial branch.
The commissioner of human services shall coordinate the commissioner’s appointments to provide geographic, racial and gender diversity, and shall ensure that at least one-half of council members appointed by the commissioner reside outside of the seven-county metropolitan area. Of the members appointed by the commissioner, to the extent practicable, at least one member must represent a community of color disproportionately affected by the opioid epidemic.
The council shall convene at least quarterly, and may convene other meetings as necessary. The chair shall convene meetings at different locations in the state to provide geographical access, and shall ensure that at least one-half of the meetings are held at locations outside of the seven-county metropolitan area.
Commissioner of the Department of Human Services or Delegate
Commissioner of the Department of Health or Delegate
Commissioner of the Department of Corrections or Delegate
Opioid Epidemic Response Advisory Council meetings
All meetings are open to the public. Public comment time during every meeting, submit questions about the public comment period to BHD_Opioid@state.mn.us.
Live-streaming webcast: You can view a live-streaming Webex of each meeting and submit written comments or questions in real time. Submitted comments and questions will be addressed during the public comment portion of each meeting. All guests will be muted so the council members can fully participate in the meeting.
To request an accommodation: To request a reasonable accommodation to make it possible for you to attend any of the meetings or view the live webcast, please send a request as soon as possible to BHD_Opioid@state.mn.us.
