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CBS News
02-07-2025
- Health
- CBS News
Minnesota sheriffs sue Department of Corrections over new state inmate medication law
A newly filed lawsuit is asking for a temporary injunction to prevent from going into effect a new requirement that jails continue to administer medications to inmates that were prescribed before confinement. The lawsuit filed in Minnesota on Thursday challenges the constitutionality of the newly enacted statute. Among those suing Department of Corrections Commissioner Paul Schnell are Crow Wing County Sheriff Eric Klang, Becker County Sheriff Todd Glander, Freeborn County Sheriff Ryan Shea, Pennington County Sheriff Seth Vettleson, the Minnesota Sheriff's Association, St. Louis and Todd counties and multiple medical providers. Correctional facilities' "constitutional and statutory" obligation to provide adequate medical care to those in custody would be jeopardized, the lawsuit says, claiming that plaintiffs could be forced to give medications to inmates even if it would result in an overdose, have harmful interactions or be fatal. The statute does allow for changes to an inmate's medication if a facility's licensed health care professional consults with the person who prescribed the medication and gets permission for the change or if the inmate provides a written notice saying they no longer desire to take their medication. However, the lawsuit argues the provisions would be "problematic, if not impossible." "The reality is that inmates and detainees are brought to county jails at all hours of the day and night and every day of the year, including on weekends and holidays," the lawsuit says. "They frequently arrived during days and at times when community medical providers and pharmacies that provide prescriptions are not open and have no means to be contacted." The lawsuit says even if the prescribing providers could be reached easily, that they are "often inexperienced and unfamiliar" with issues correctional health care providers encounter, like alcoholism, use of street drugs, drug diversion and misuse, and other "security-related issues." If jails comply with the law, the lawsuit claims, they could face civil liability to patients and family members for violations of inmates' constitutional rights if the administering of the medication resulted in harm or death. On the other hand, the lawsuit states that if correctional facilities fail to comply with the law, they may risk penalties such as suspension and disciplinary actions on their jail licenses, which could impact their ability to care for inmates. In response to the lawsuit, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison said the law will not be enforced until Aug. 1 to give time for a decision to be made on the motion for a temporary injunction order. Ellison asked the court to set a hearing for July to decide before then. The Mental Health Work Group of Communities United Against Police Brutality, which helped craft the law, calls the lawsuit's claims that licensed health care professional would prescribe harmful or fatal medications for their patients "ridiculous." "The need for this reform became obvious as we heard from many people who have suffered serious consequences from being denied their prescribed heart and blood pressure medications, anti-seizure medications, HIV drugs, mental health medications and sometimes even insulin," the group said in a statement. The organization says the statute was named after Larry R. Hill, the son of a former corrections officer who died in the Hennepin County Jail after not receiving his mental health medication. "The provision of mental health medications in the jails is especially important as people living with mental health conditions experience high levels of stress and anxiety in the jails and their conditions often deteriorate," the Mental Health Work Group of CUAPB said. "Ensuring access to mental health medications as prescribed allows people to better regulate their behavior and reduces assaults and other problem conduct within the jails, making them safer for everyone."
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Yahoo
Teen driver killed, passenger airlifted after crash with dump truck in central Minnesota
An 18-year-old driver was killed and a passenger was airlifted to a hospital in critical condition following an apparent T-bone crash with a dump truck in central Minnesota on Friday. According to the Crow Wing County Sheriff's Office, the crash happened at 8:19 a.m. when a dump truck that was northbound on County Road 1 collided with an SUV that was entering County Road 1 from County Road 66 in rural Crosslake. "Life-saving measures were performed on the 18-year-old driver of the SUV involved in the initial collision, but despite efforts, the individual was pronounced deceased at the scene," the sheriff's office said in a release. "The front passenger of the same SUV was airlifted from the scene by North Air Care in critical condition." A second passenger, who was seated in the back of the SUV, was taken to a local hospital with non-critical injuries. It's unclear if the driver of the dump truck was injured. A third vehicle was involved in the crash but the sheriff's office didn't report any injuries to occupants of that vehicle. Identities of those involved have not been released.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Yahoo
18-year-old dies after being hit by dump truck in Crow Wing County
The Brief An 18-year-old died after being hit by a dump truck at the intersection of County Road 1 and County Road 66. The crash involved three vehicles, a dump truck and two SUVs, according to authorities. The driver of the dump truck left the scene with his employer, law enforcement said. CROW WING COUNTY, Minn. (FOX 9) - A three-vehicle crash, involving a dump truck, left an 18-year-old dead Friday morning. What we know According to the Crow Wing County Sheriff's Office, just before 8:30 a.m. authorities responded to a three-vehicle crash at County Road 1 and County Road 66. Authorities say a dump truck was traveling northbound on County Road 1 when an SUV was entering County Road 1 from County Road 66 coming south. The dump truck collided with the SUV and a second SUV was also struck in the crash. The driver of the initial SUV, an 18-year-old, died at the scene, authorities said. A passenger from that SUV was airlifted to the hospital in critical condition. Another passenger was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The driver of the dump truck left the scene with their employer. What we don't know The names of those involved are being withheld until family is notified and further investigation. The circumstances leading up to the crash are currently unknown. The Source A press release from the Crow Wing County Sheriff's Office.
