Minnesota Agencies

The Office will aid in protecting the rights and advocating on behalf of persons with mental illness, mental retardation, emotional disturbandes and chemical dependency. Promote high standards of care and treatment.

In 1987, the Legislature created the Office of the Ombudsman for Mental Health and Mental Retardation to promote the highest attainable standards of treatment, competence, efficiency, and justice for persons receiving services or treatment for mental illness, mental retardation or a related condition, chemical dependency, or emotional disturbance.

The Office is an independent state agency. The Governor appoints the Ombudsman. The Ombudsman appoints Regional Ombudsman.

The Governor also appoints a 15 member Ombudsman Committee for Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities to advise the Ombudsman. From this group a Medical Review Subcommittee is selected to work with office staff in the review of deaths and serious injuries. The Ombudsman, after consultation with the Governor, can go public with findings and recommendations.

In 2005 the Office was renamed the Office of the Ombudsman for Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities. 2005 Laws of MN, Chapter 56, H.F.No. 487, An act relating to state government; changing terminology for mentally retarded, mental retardation, physically handicapped, and similar terms.

Ombudsman; term, pleasure of governor

Terminology disclaimer: The terminology used to describe people with disabilities has changed over time. Although outmoded and offensive terms may be found within older agency records, the Legislative Reference Library does not endorse these terms.