HF 3575

2nd Engrossment - 90th Legislature (2017 - 2018) Posted on 03/26/2018 04:30pm

A bill for an act
relating to human services; establishing a working group to make recommendations
on restructuring the Department of Human Services; requiring a report.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1. new text begin HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT RESTRUCTURING WORKING
GROUP.
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new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Establishment; membership. new text end

new text begin (a) A working group to consider
restructuring the Department of Human Services is established.
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new text begin (b) The working group shall include 17 members as follows:
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new text begin (1) two members of the house of representatives, one appointed by the speaker of the
house and one appointed by the minority leader of the house of representatives;
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new text begin (2) two members of the senate, one appointed by the senate majority leader and one
appointed by the senate minority leader;
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new text begin (3) the legislative auditor or a designee;
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new text begin (4) the commissioner of administration or a designee;
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new text begin (5) two representatives from county social services agencies, appointed by the
commissioner of human services;
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new text begin (6) two representatives from tribal social services agencies, appointed by the
commissioner of human services;
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new text begin (7) two representatives from organizations that represent people served by programs
administered by the Department of Human Services, appointed by the commissioner of
human services;
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new text begin (8) two representatives from organizations that represent service providers that are either
licensed or reimbursed by the Department of Human Services, appointed by the commissioner
of human services;
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new text begin (9) one member representing the Cultural and Ethnic Communities Leadership Council,
appointed by the commissioner of human services; and
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new text begin (10) two representatives of labor organizations, who must be full-time employees of the
Department of Human Services working in facilities located in different geographic regions
of the state, appointed by the governor.
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new text begin (c) The appointing authorities under this subdivision must complete their appointments
no later than July 1, 2018.
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new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Duties. new text end

new text begin The working group shall review the current structure of the Department
of Human Services and programs administered by that agency and propose a restructuring
of the agency to provide for better coordination and control of programs, accountability,
and continuity. In making recommendations, the working group must consider:
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new text begin (1) how human services agencies are structured in other states;
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new text begin (2) transferring duties to other state agencies;
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new text begin (3) the effect of a restructuring on clients and counties;
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new text begin (4) administrative efficiencies;
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new text begin (5) various analytical methods to evaluate efficiencies, including but not limited to
zero-based budgeting;
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new text begin (6) budget and policy priorities;
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new text begin (7) program funding sources;
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new text begin (8) avoiding conflicting agency roles;
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new text begin (9) the extent to which the agency should provide direct services to clients;
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new text begin (10) eliminating any duplication of services; and
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new text begin (11) staffing issues.
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new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Meetings. new text end

new text begin The legislative auditor or a designee shall convene the first meeting
of the working group no later than August 1, 2018. The legislative auditor or a designee
shall serve as the chair of the working group. Meetings of the working group are open to
the public.
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new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Compensation. new text end

new text begin Members of the working group shall serve without compensation
or reimbursement for expenses.
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new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Administrative support. new text end

new text begin The Legislative Coordinating Commission shall
provide administrative support for the working group and arrange for meeting space.
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new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Report. new text end

new text begin By ......., the working group must submit a report with findings,
recommendations, and draft legislation to the chairs and ranking minority members of the
legislative committees with jurisdiction over human services policy and finance. The report
must include a discussion of the costs and benefits associated with any proposed restructuring.
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new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Expiration. new text end

new text begin The working group expires ....... or the day after the working group
submits the report required under subdivision 6, whichever is earlier.
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new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
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