SF 4256 Minnesota Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Nursing homes and assisted living facilities consumption and display of alcoholic beverages authorization

This bill allows nursing homes, boarding care homes, and assisted living facilities in Minnesota to serve and display alcoholic beverages without needing a separate liquor license. Facilities must notify the state commissioner of health of their intent to serve alcohol and can only do so during events primarily for residents and their guests, with guests required to be accompanied by a resident throughout the service. The alcohol cannot be sold or provided for any payment, and facilities remain subject to all existing alcohol regulations and enforcement actions.

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Mar 2026

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Mar 9, 2026 Last action Mar 23, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduction → 1st Engrossment · 5 edits · Mar 23, 2026

MODERATE

The bill was updated from its introduction to its first engrossment, adding new sections and amending the scope of facilities covered. The most significant change is the expansion of eligibility to include boarding care homes alongside nursing homes and assisted living facilities. The bill also replaced the original list of conditions with a new set of requirements focused on mandatory notice submission, strict guest supervision rules, and expanded enforcement powers for the commissioner.

Scope change

The bill now applies to boarding care homes in addition to nursing homes and assisted living facilities.

SCOPE

Expanded eligibility to include boarding care homes, which were not mentioned in the original version.

REQUIREMENT

Added a mandatory requirement for facilities to submit notice to the commissioner of their intent to serve alcohol.

Replaced the previous condition about resident-focused activities with a stricter rule requiring guests to be physically accompanied by a resident for the entire duration of service.

Added a new clause stating that facilities operating under this section are subject to all other provisions of the liquor chapter and applicable rules.

ENFORCEMENT

Added new provisions granting the commissioner broad powers to inspect facilities, mandate corrective action plans, require staff training, and refer violations to the commissioner of health.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 23, 2026

Upper · Passed

Comm report: To pass as amended

upper

Mar 12, 2026

Upper · Passed

Comm report: To pass and re-referred to Human Services

upper

Mar 9, 2026

Committee

Referred to Commerce and Consumer Protection

upper

Mar 9, 2026

Introduced

Introduction and first reading

upper

1 primary · 4 co-sponsors