WOMAN SUCCESSFULLY FIGHTS BAN ON SERVING ALCOHOL IN NURSING FACILITIES

PEOPLE

 

Grandma, 82, Fought State Ban on Alcohol in Assisted Living Facilities. She Won and Saw the ‘Happy Hour’ Bill Get Signed

By Toria Sheffield  Published on July 26, 2026 07:30AM EDT

 

A Minnesota grandmother who fought an alcohol ban in assisted living facilities in the state just witnessed the policy change she championed get signed into law.

 

Anita LeBrun resides in the Amira Choice Champlin senior living facility in Champlin. LeBrun, 82, spoke before state legislators in March in support of a proposal that would allow nursing homes and similar facilities to serve alcohol during resident events.

 

The grandmother of five argued that older adults should not lose everyday pleasures just because of where they live.

 

The proposed amendment passed in March, and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz visited Amira Choice for a ceremonial signing of the bill — affectionately nicknamed the “Grandparents’ Happy Hour” provision — that was attended by LeBrun and her fellow residents on July 14.

 

“I’m very proud, because everybody’s so excited about it,” LeBrun said while speaking to the BBC about the amendment.

 

Previously, residents were permitted to drink alcohol in their rooms, but facilities were not legally allowed to serve alcoholic beverages at social gatherings — which LeBrun argued took away a basic freedom: socializing with friends over a glass of wine.

 

“Just because we’re older and live in assisted living doesn’t mean that we should have fewer freedoms than anyone else,” LeBrun told the House Commerce Finance and Policy Committee during the speech she gave in March.

 

She added that gatherings over drinks gave residents a meaningful way to maintain social connections in what she described as “the golden phase of our lives.”

 

The issue first surfaced when staff at Amira Choice attempted to plan a reception for residents following renovations; however, they soon discovered they were not permitted to host a happy hour without obtaining a liquor license.

 

Executive Director Abby Dahl said the requirement felt unnecessary.

 

“Assisted living facilities are already accountable to over 500 regulations governing the health, safety and wellbeing of residents in our care,” Dahl told lawmakers, adding that a liquor license was “simply red tape without value. It is duplicative, not protective.”

 

In a statement shared on Facebook the day of the signing, Walz said that “growing older shouldn’t mean giving up the freedoms you’ve enjoyed your whole life.”

 

“Today we toasted to Minnesota’s new law allowing nursing homes to serve alcoholic beverages to residents — whether it’s birthdays, anniversaries, happy hours, or everyday moments together,” he added.

 

In a statement to PEOPLE, a spokesperson for Amira Choice said they were “thrilled by the outcome of the advocacy efforts” led by LeBrun and Dahl.

 

“We hope the passage of the Happy Hour bill inspires seniors and senior living communities throughout Minnesota, and even across the country, to advocate for issues that matter to them. This legislation demonstrates that older adults’ voices are powerful and deserve to be heard,” the spokesperson continued, adding that the law will officially take effect on August 1.

 

As for how the assisted living community plans to celebrate the victory come August?

 

An “especially memorable” event will take place that will include a food truck for residents, staff and families at lunchtime, followed by an evening cookout featuring “a celebratory happy hour where residents can enjoy wine, beer, or mixed drinks of their choice,” they said.

 

“It’s a fitting way to celebrate not only a new law, but also the perseverance, advocacy, and community spirit that made it possible,” the spokesperson added.