Community Access
Last updated
Minnesota
Last updated
The requires state and local governments to “coordinate with trusted partners, including community stakeholders, to collect and share information about successful regional and other high-impact strategies and opioid treatment programs.”[1]
75% local share: Up to each locality (not required). Beyond the above general mandate, there is no specific obligation for the state to seek public input on the use of settlement funds. However, each may choose to seek such input. For example, Ramsey County launched a survey to collect community input on settlement fund uses and encourages members of the public to to the county’s opioid settlement specific updates.[2] Minneapolis and Steele County also conducted community surveys on settlement spending priorities.[3]
25% state share: Yes (not required). Beyond the above general mandate, there is no specific obligation for localities to seek public input on the use of settlement funds. However, the (OERAC) are open to the public and often include time for public comment.[4]
Meetings are required to be held at least quarterly but in practice have been held monthly,[5] with both virtual and in-person attendance options.[6] Information on upcoming and past meetings is available on OERAC’s .
State law also requires that meetings be held across different locations to promote geographic access, with at least half of meetings held outside the Twin Cities seven-county metropolitan area.[7]
Yes. Minnesota has established settlement-funded grant opportunities for which community organizations may apply. Local governments also may create grant programs to distribute their share of funds. The existence, parameters, and processes for local settlement grant programs will vary by locality, so stay alert for new opportunities. Visit the (OpioidSettlementTracker.com and Legal Action Center) for the most up-to-date information on settlement grant opportunities for community organizations.
For updates on the local share, a good starting point is to check the website for your county commission, city council, or local health department. See also individual localities’ opioid settlement-specific websites (e.g., , , ).[8]
See also the Association of Minnesota Counties’ and the League of Minnesota Cities’ pages.
For updates on the state share, visit the OERAC’s and from the Minnesota Department of Human Services.
Minnesota’s counties are required to host an annual meeting with all their municipalities to receive input and promote collaboration on uses of opioid settlement funds. Though local governments are not specifically required to consider public input at these meetings, the meetings must be open to the public.[9]
Minn. Stat. Ann. Sec. 256.042, Subd. 2(d). ↑
Minn. Stat. Ann. Sec. 256.042, Subd. 2(d). The seven counties include Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, and Washington. See Minn. Stat. Ann. Sec. 473.121, Subd. 4 (defining “Metropolitan county”). ↑
Amended Minnesota Opioids State-Subdivision Memorandum of Agreement, Sec. (Collaboration). ↑
(“Stay up-to-date”). Ramsey Conty website. Accessed September 1, 2024 (“Find the latest information about the Opioid Response Initiative in the (PDF). You can also sign up for email updates about the opioid settlement and use of resources in Ramsey County: ”). See also
(“Community feedback survey” under the “Working with community” drop-down menu). Ramsey Conty website. Accessed September 1, 2024 (“June - August 2022 - An electronic community feedback survey was available to Ramsey County residents and others who work in the county (including county employees). The survey asked for opinions on how important is it that Ramsey County prioritize resources for each defined remediation categories outlined in the 1st Opioid Settlement Agreement. Over 350 people responded”). ↑
. City of Minneapolis press release. March 12, 2024. Accessed September 1, 2024 (“We are looking for feedback on how to best support our community and use the opioid settlement funds”); . Steele County Public Health. Accessed September 1, 2024 (“Steele County Public Health sought public input utilizing a Funding Prioritization Survey from May 10th, 2023-October 1st, 2023. The data ... will be used to inform decision-making on funding distribution”). ↑
See, e.g., . Minnesota Opioid Epidemic Response Advisory Council. Accessed September 1, 2024 (including two “rounds” of public comment). See also Opioid Epidemic Response Advisory Council (““). Minnesota Department of Human Services website. Accessed September 1, 2024 (“All meetings are open to the public. Public comment time during every meeting, submit questions about the public comment period to ); Minn. Stat. Ann. Sec. 256.042, Subd. 2(f) (subjecting OERAC to Minnesota’s Open Meeting Law, chapter 13D, which does not require that public meetings include the opportunity for public participation; read more about the Open Meeting Law’s rules and requirements ). ↑
Opioid Epidemic Response Advisory Council (“”). Minnesota Department of Human Services website. Accessed September 1, 2024 (“Live-streaming webcast: You can view a live-streaming Webex of each meeting … All guests will be muted so the council members can fully participate in the meeting. … 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 ”). ↑
See also, e.g., , , , , , , , . ↑
Amended Minnesota Opioids State-Subdivision Memorandum of Agreement, Sec. (Consultation and partnerships). ↑
