MARSHALL — A new Minnesota law is changing how assisted living and nursing home facilities can serve alcohol, allowing them to offer it without obtaining a full liquor license. Supporters say the measure is designed to improve daily life and expand personal choice for residents.
LeadingAge Minnesota Vice President of Advocacy Erin Huppert says the law reflects the idea that care facilities are also residents’ homes.
“This is where residents live. It’s their home. It’s not a dining establishment. It’s not, you know, a restaurant. This is where they are choosing to live. And so they should be allowed to enjoy an alcoholic beverage if they’d like.”
Advocates argue the change restores dignity and autonomy for older adults living in care settings.
Huppert also said the issue found unusual bipartisan agreement at the Capitol during a politically divided session.
“This was something that I think a lot of lawmakers really identified with, regardless of political affiliation, regardless of, you know, perhaps geography in the state. And so it was kind of a fun unifying policy to be talking with lawmakers about.”
Under the new law, assisted living and nursing homes can serve alcohol without navigating the full liquor licensing process, which supporters say had been overly restrictive.
Huppert added that the goal is to support everyday independence for residents.
” It is about making sure that people living in places like an assisted living community or a nursing home, that they still have the dignity and autonomy of choices that they get to make, like every other adult gets to make.”
