Lunch & Learn: Minnesota Mental Health Law Update: Red Flag Laws and Minor Consent Changes

Friday, January 26, 2024 | Program: 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. CT

This program will be held virtually via Zoom. Details with instruction on how to view the webinar will be sent to all registrants the day before the program (1/25).

This program qualifies for 1.0 continuing education credits. Attendees must attend entire session to gain credit. Registration fee includes access to live webinar, program agenda, program PowerPoint, and continuing education certificate.

About the Program:
To provide effective services to their clients, psychologists and other mental health professionals need to be knowledgeable of legal and ethical decision-making matters affecting client welfare. The purpose of the presentation will be to familiarize attendees with the new red flag and minor consent legislation, review the legislative history and intent of each piece of legislation as a guide to understanding and compliance, raise issues that may arise for psychologists in their practice, and offer recommendations for compliance within legal and ethical guidelines.

Participants will be able to:

1. Describe recent changes to Minnesota state mental health laws such the Extreme Risk Protection Order and minor consent to mental health treatment.
2. Explain the role of mental health professionals in assessing risk of harm as it relates to ERPO and associated mandated reporting.

About the Presenters:
William Amberg, Lobbyist for Minnesota Psychological Association has over three decades of experience in politics and law in St. Paul, Washington, DC, and across the country. Amberg has experience lobbying in the areas of healthcare, environment, agriculture, taxation, and local government, amongst others. In the past, Mr. Amberg worked as a legislative aide in the U.S. House of Representatives, as research director for several political campaigns, as Director of Communications and Research for a state political party, and as an Assistant Attorney General in the Health and Antitrust Division of the Minnesota Attorney General's Office. He has led several seminars on the legislature and health law for the bar association. His education includes a BA in politics and philosophy from Minnesota State, an MA in politics and philosophy from the University of Notre Dame, and a JD from the Washington College of Law at the American University. Bill Amberg is the lobbyist for the Minnesota Psychological Association.

Thomas A. Pearson, Attorney at Law Representing MPA, practices law in Minnesota in the areas of civil litigation and administrative procedure and is a legal consultant for the Minnesota Psychological Association. Mr. Pearson was born and raised in Hibbing, Minnesota. He is a 1975 graduate of the University of Notre Dame, and he earned his law degree from the University of Denver in 1978. He has been practicing law in Minnesota since 1978. Mr. Pearson has extensive experience in civil litigation and administrative law proceedings. That experience includes numerous jury trials, bench trials, disciplinary and licensing proceedings, and appellate advocacy. His practice is focused on representing health professionals in matters involving licensing, disciplinary investigations, and business planning and practice. Mr. Pearson’s experience facilitates the early evaluation of disputes, development, and implementation of cost-effective defense strategies, and effective and successful representation of clients in various types of legal proceedings.

You must attend the full program to get continuing education credit.

The Minnesota Psychological Association is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The Minnesota Psychological Association maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

The speakers have no conflicts of interest to report.

MPA wants all members to have access to quality CE opportunities. If you are an MPA member and due to COVID-19 you are unable to work full time and can’t pay the full registration fee, please contact [email protected] to make other arrangements with staff.

REFUND POLICY: A 100% refund will be made if the event is cancelled. Refunds, less a $5 handling fee, will be given if a written cancellation is received at least two working days before the scheduled program begins. No refund or transfer is given the day of the program.

Registration is now closed.

Click here to view and download a PDF program flyer and registration form.

Refund/Cancellation Policy: A 100% refund will be made if the event is cancelled. Refunds, less a $5 handling fee, will be given if a written cancellation is received at least two working days before the scheduled program begins. No refund or transfer is given the day of the program.