Extend The Existing ERPO (Extreme Risk Protection Order) Law To Teachers, Healthcare Professionals, Therapists, And

Counselors.

 

The purpose of my bill is to extend the already existing ERPO law to healthcare professionals and teachers. There will

be a mandatory training to spot the signs of harm. My bill is to prevent harm to oneself and others.

 

 

In the last 10 years, we’ve seen a growth in gun violence around Minnesota. In the years 2013-2022, gun homicides have

increased significantly by 86%, and gun-related suicides have risen by 11%. The number of deaths related to gun violence

has increased, having over 500 deaths since 2018. My bill is to extend the recent bill that was passed in 2024, AKA the

ERPO law, or the “red flag” law. A judge enacts the ERPO law; the judge receives a petition from people who find this

person to have posed an immediate risk to themself or others. Law enforcement officers will temporarily take the

firearms away. People who are already allowed to file a petition are family and household members, city or county

attorneys, guardians, and law enforcement officers. This bill will be extended to people like therapists, doctors,

teachers, and other healthcare providers, such as guidance counselors, to help prevent people from making the wrong

decision. My bill will also require teachers and healthcare professionals to attend training on how to identify and

properly apply the ERPO law to situations. People in charge of training will be officers or ERPO specialists from local

police departments, sheriff’s offices, or state departments of justice, licensed clinical psychologists, psychiatrists,

counselors, or social workers experienced in threat assessment and crisis intervention. Hospital compliance officers,

medical ethicists, or risk management staff, and attorneys with experience in constitutional or civil rights law, ACLU

advisors, or legal educators. These will vary based on the environment. Training should cover the legal framework of

ERPOs, including what behaviors, threats, or patterns justify an ERPO, and who can file for one. Training should go over

the specific criteria for initiating an ERPO, such as recent threats, erratic behavior, violent tendencies, or concerns

about self-harm or harm to others. Other signs they’d be trained to look for are the use of drugs or alcohol as a means

to cope with mental distress, uncontrollable anger, irritability, panic attacks, expressions of hopelessness, excessive

sadness, or comments indicating suicidal thoughts. De-escalation Techniques would include training teachers and

healthcare professionals in de-escalation strategies to avoid exacerbating a tense situation. This could include active

listening, empathy, and trying to engage in a calming conversation. Differentiating mental health issues from threats is

also something they’d need to learn. The law should focus on preventing harm, not punishing mental health struggles.

Training should also cover how to avoid biases that may cloud judgment. For example, teachers should be careful not to

over-identify certain behaviors as “threats” based on past experiences or societal stereotypes. Teachers and healthcare

workers would learn to include details on how to document specific behaviors or threats and when it’s appropriate to

file a report. Confidentiality should also be included. Collaborating with mental health professionals for early

intervention is essential. Teachers and healthcare workers should have access to a network of counselors or

psychologists who can step in before more drastic measures like ERPOs are needed. Check-ins and ERPO-related training

should not be a one-time event but part of an ongoing effort to ensure that staff members are up-to-date on the latest

signs and procedures.

 

ERPO- Extreme Risk Protection Order. Allows specified family or household members, law enforcement officers, city/county

attorneys, or guardians to petition a court for an order to temporarily prohibit a person from possessing or purchasing

firearms if that person poses a significant danger of bodily harm to others or a significant risk of suicide.

ACLU- American Civil Liberties Union. A non-profit organization that defends and preserves the individual rights and

liberties guaranteed by the U.S

MDE- Minnesota Department of Education

MDH- Minnesota Department of Health

Fiscal Year- a year as reckoned for taxing or accounting purposes.

 

The sum of $2,000,000 per fiscal year, beginning FY2026, is appropriated from the general fund to the Minnesota

Department of Health (MDH) and the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) to implement the ERPO Expansion and Training

Act.

 

All covered professionals (teachers, healthcare providers, therapists, counselors) must complete state-approved ERPO

training within 6–12 months of the law taking effect or within 90 days of employment. Employers are responsible for

ensuring that training is happening and being done. The MDE and MDH would be overseeing compliance. Fines of 500-1000$

will be enacted on people who don’t act in training. If employers or MDE and MDH are noncompliant, they risk losing

state funding and grants. Penalties for filing a false report under Minnesota Statutes, section 609.505 (False reports

of crime) apply here. False petitions can cost up to $1,000 or imprisonment for up to 90 days. Engaging in gross

negligence( If a professional files an ERPO without proper documentation or fails to meet criteria), they will face a

written reprimand by their licensing board, and Additional re-training and possible suspension for repeat offenders.

 

 

January 1st, 2027