Nursing home resident seeks happy hour at her facility and her testimony is going viral

Anita LeBrun testified March 17 before a Minnesota House committee in support of a bill that would allow group homes to serve alcoholic drinks during activities with state approval, and a video of her remarks has drawn wide attention online.

Anita LeBrun, a resident at an assisted living facility near Minneapolis, spoke to a Minnesota House committee on March 17. Lawmakers were weighing the so‑called Grandparents' Happy Hour bill. The proposal would let group homes serve alcoholic drinks to residents and guests during activities if the facility gains state approval. Video clips of her testimony have been widely shared online. Key details: - LeBrun lives at Amira Choice in Champlin, Minnesota, and urged lawmakers to allow residents the same freedoms others have. - She described shared drinks as a way to reminisce about life, including military service and family memories. - The bill would apply to nursing homes, boarding care homes and assisted living facilities, subject to state approval for serving alcohol during events or activities. - A TikTok of her testimony posted by Fox 9 has nearly 1 million views, and a clip on The Washington Post's Instagram reels received more than 103,000 likes. - Public responses on social platforms showed visible support, including a comment that said residents are not imprisoned that received over 16,800 likes. Summary: LeBrun's testimony brought attention to questions about resident autonomy and social life in group homes and prompted widespread online discussion. Whether the Minnesota House will advance the bill is undetermined at this time.