State Senator Julie Rosen and Representative Jeremy Munson attended a town hall on Monday in St James, meeting with constituents living with traumatic brain injury (TBI), stroke, and other disabilities. Both Rosen and Munson are vocal members of Health & Human Services committees in the House and Senate. At the town hall, several residents of Madelia, St James, and Fairmont shared their stories of navigating healthcare, employment, and transportation.

Munson is the chief author of “Cassy’s Law” (HF1864/SF1994) which aims to help TBI patients caught in the criminal justice system. Munson has 23 DFL and GOP co-sponsors in the House and Senate, including the chairs of Public Safety & Judiciary committees who will choose whether to hear the bill next session.

Rosen is the chief author of SF 1/HF 2726 which became part of the Special Session Omnibus Health and Human Services Bill. It added new resources for individuals facing mental health crises. She has championed “The Yellow Line Project,” which allows offenders to avoid jail time or being charged if they promise to get help and access community services as recommended by county social workers. The program has already been a success in Blue Earth County.

The town hall was organized by MN Brain Injury Alliance, the MN Stroke Association, MRCI, ARC Minnesota and the PCA Reform Coalition.