Gov. Tim Walz has signed Minnesota’s bipartisan “Grandparents’ Happy Hour” law, effective Aug. 1, allowing nursing homes to serve alcohol to residents and their guests at organized social events.
The measure authorizes facilities, including boarding care homes and assisted-living facilities, to serve alcohol without needing a liquor license or permit, provided they complete a registration form and allow inspections by law enforcement.
Individual facilities, particularly memory-care units, retain the authority to restrict or prohibit alcohol regardless of the new state law.
It all began when staff at the Amira Choice facility in Champlin learned they could host happy hours but couldn’t legally serve alcohol because no existing liquor license fit their situation.
An Amira Choice resident, Anita LeBrun, 88, testified before a House committee in support of the bill, and her testimony went viral.
Mr. Walz signed the law during a ceremony at Amira Choice as part of a broader liquor bill.
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