Lohmer bill signed into law

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A Lake Elmo lawmaker’s bill that expands mental health treatment options was signed into law Monday by Gov. Mark Dayton.

“Although Minnesota has a strong reputation for providing quality mental health care for children who are deaf, deafblind, or hard of hearing, some children require specialized care that is not offered here,” said Rep. Kathy Lohmer, R-Lake Elmo, a chief co-author on the bill.

Lohmer represents House District 56A, which includes portions of Woodbury.

The legislation allows out-of-state residential mental health treatment for children who are deaf and have additional special needs. This bill passed both bodies of the Legislature with unanimous support.

According to a Lohmer news release the law will allow children receiving care under the state’s Medical Assistance Services for Children with Severe Emotional Disturbance to pursue out-of-state treatment for providers who abide the Interstate Compact on Mental Health.

“Children with these special needs often receive expensive in-patient placements because they do not have access to 24-hour care,” Lohmer said in the release. “After implementation, our Medical Assistance program will save thousands of dollars a day while ensuring our state’s children receive the quality care they deserve.”

-Mike Longaecker

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