HF 970

1st Engrossment - 92nd Legislature (2021 - 2022) Posted on 03/15/2021 04:50pm

A bill for an act
relating to behavioral health; clarifying payment and denial of payment for mental
health services; modifying health professional education loan forgiveness program
provisions; modifying requirements for mental health professional licensing boards;
modifying continuing education requirements for mental health providers;
modifying mental health practitioner requirements; adding clinical trainee
supervision and traditional healing practices to children's mental health grant
eligible services; establishing the Culturally Informed and Culturally Responsive
Mental Health Task Force; instructing the commissioners of human services and
health to convene working groups; requiring reports; appropriating money;
amending Minnesota Statutes 2020, sections 62A.15, by adding a subdivision;
144.1501, subdivisions 1, 2, 3; 148.90, subdivision 2; 148.911; 148B.30,
subdivision 1; 148B.31; 148B.51; 148B.54, subdivision 2; 148E.130, subdivision
1; 245.462, subdivision 17; 245.4889, subdivision 1; proposing coding for new
law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 245.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 62A.15, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:

new text begin Subd. 3c. new text end

new text begin Mental health services. new text end

new text begin All benefits provided by a policy or contract referred
to in subdivision 1 relating to expenses incurred for mental health treatment or services
provided by a mental health professional must also include treatment and services provided
by a clinical trainee to the extent that the services and treatment are within the scope of
practice of the clinical trainee according to Minnesota Rules, part 9505.0371, subpart 5,
item C. This subdivision is intended to provide equal payment of benefits for mental health
treatment and services provided by a mental health professional, as defined in Minnesota
Rules, part 9505.0371, subpart 5, item A, or a clinical trainee and is not intended to change
or add to the benefits provided for in those policies or contracts.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective January 1, 2022, and applies to policies
and contracts offered, issued, or renewed on or after that date.
new text end

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 144.1501, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Definitions.

(a) For purposes of this section, the following definitions
apply.

(b) "Advanced dental therapist" means an individual who is licensed as a dental therapist
under section 150A.06, and who is certified as an advanced dental therapist under section
150A.106.

new text begin (c) "Alcohol and drug counselor" means an individual who is licensed as an alcohol and
drug counselor under chapter 148F.
new text end

deleted text begin (c) deleted text end new text begin (d) new text end "Dental therapist" means an individual who is licensed as a dental therapist under
section 150A.06.

deleted text begin (d) deleted text end new text begin (e) new text end "Dentist" means an individual who is licensed to practice dentistry.

deleted text begin (e) deleted text end new text begin (f) new text end "Designated rural area" means a statutory and home rule charter city or township
that is outside the seven-county metropolitan area as defined in section 473.121, subdivision
2, excluding the cities of Duluth, Mankato, Moorhead, Rochester, and St. Cloud.

deleted text begin (f) deleted text end new text begin (g) new text end "Emergency circumstances" means those conditions that make it impossible for
the participant to fulfill the service commitment, including death, total and permanent
disability, or temporary disability lasting more than two years.

deleted text begin (g) deleted text end new text begin (h) new text end "Mental health professional" means an individual providing clinical services in
the treatment of mental illness who is qualified in at least one of the ways specified in section
245.462, subdivision 18.

deleted text begin (h) deleted text end new text begin (i) new text end "Medical resident" means an individual participating in a medical residency in
family practice, internal medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, or psychiatry.

deleted text begin (i) deleted text end new text begin (j) new text end "Midlevel practitioner" means a nurse practitioner, nurse-midwife, nurse anesthetist,
advanced clinical nurse specialist, or physician assistant.

deleted text begin (j) deleted text end new text begin (k) new text end "Nurse" means an individual who has completed training and received all licensing
or certification necessary to perform duties as a licensed practical nurse or registered nurse.

deleted text begin (k) deleted text end new text begin (l) new text end "Nurse-midwife" means a registered nurse who has graduated from a program of
study designed to prepare registered nurses for advanced practice as nurse-midwives.

deleted text begin (l) deleted text end new text begin (m) new text end "Nurse practitioner" means a registered nurse who has graduated from a program
of study designed to prepare registered nurses for advanced practice as nurse practitioners.

deleted text begin (m) deleted text end new text begin (n) new text end "Pharmacist" means an individual with a valid license issued under chapter 151.

deleted text begin (n) deleted text end new text begin (o) new text end "Physician" means an individual who is licensed to practice medicine in the areas
of family practice, internal medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, or psychiatry.

deleted text begin (o) deleted text end new text begin (p) new text end "Physician assistant" means a person licensed under chapter 147A.

deleted text begin (p) deleted text end new text begin (q) new text end "Public health nurse" means a registered nurse licensed in Minnesota who has
obtained a registration certificate as a public health nurse from the Board of Nursing in
accordance with Minnesota Rules, chapter 6316.

deleted text begin (q) deleted text end new text begin (r) new text end "Qualified educational loan" means a government, commercial, or foundation
loan for actual costs paid for tuition, reasonable education expenses, and reasonable living
expenses related to the graduate or undergraduate education of a health care professional.

deleted text begin (r) deleted text end new text begin (s) new text end "Underserved urban community" means a Minnesota urban area or population
included in the list of designated primary medical care health professional shortage areas
(HPSAs), medically underserved areas (MUAs), or medically underserved populations
(MUPs) maintained and updated by the United States Department of Health and Human
Services.

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 144.1501, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Creation of account.

(a) A health professional education loan forgiveness
program account is established. The commissioner of health shall use money from the
account to establish a loan forgiveness program:

(1) for medical residents deleted text begin and deleted text end new text begin , new text end mental health professionals new text begin , and alcohol and drug
counselors new text end agreeing to practice in designated rural areas or underserved urban communities
or specializing in the area of pediatric psychiatry;

(2) for midlevel practitioners agreeing to practice in designated rural areas or to teach
at least 12 credit hours, or 720 hours per year in the nursing field in a postsecondary program
at the undergraduate level or the equivalent at the graduate level;

(3) for nurses who agree to practice in a Minnesota nursing home; an intermediate care
facility for persons with developmental disability; a hospital if the hospital owns and operates
a Minnesota nursing home and a minimum of 50 percent of the hours worked by the nurse
is in the nursing home; a housing with services establishment as defined in section 144D.01,
subdivision 4; or for a home care provider as defined in section 144A.43, subdivision 4; or
agree to teach at least 12 credit hours, or 720 hours per year in the nursing field in a
postsecondary program at the undergraduate level or the equivalent at the graduate level;

(4) for other health care technicians agreeing to teach at least 12 credit hours, or 720
hours per year in their designated field in a postsecondary program at the undergraduate
level or the equivalent at the graduate level. The commissioner, in consultation with the
Healthcare Education-Industry Partnership, shall determine the health care fields where the
need is the greatest, including, but not limited to, respiratory therapy, clinical laboratory
technology, radiologic technology, and surgical technology;

(5) for pharmacists, advanced dental therapists, dental therapists, and public health nurses
who agree to practice in designated rural areas; and

(6) for dentists agreeing to deliver at least 25 percent of the dentist's yearly patient
encounters to state public program enrollees or patients receiving sliding fee schedule
discounts through a formal sliding fee schedule meeting the standards established by the
United States Department of Health and Human Services under Code of Federal Regulations,
title 42, section 51, chapter 303.

(b) Appropriations made to the account do not cancel and are available until expended,
except that at the end of each biennium, any remaining balance in the account that is not
committed by contract and not needed to fulfill existing commitments shall cancel to the
fund.

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 144.1501, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Eligibility.

(a) To be eligible to participate in the loan forgiveness program, an
individual must:

(1) be a medical or dental resident; a licensed pharmacist; or be enrolled in a training or
education program to become a dentist, dental therapist, advanced dental therapist, mental
health professional, new text begin alcohol and drug counselor, new text end pharmacist, public health nurse, midlevel
practitioner, registered nurse, or a licensed practical nurse. The commissioner may also
consider applications submitted by graduates in eligible professions who are licensed and
in practice; and

(2) submit an application to the commissioner of health.

(b) An applicant selected to participate must sign a contract to agree to serve a minimum
three-year full-time service obligation according to subdivision 2, which shall begin no later
than March 31 following completion of required training, with the exception of a nurse,
who must agree to serve a minimum two-year full-time service obligation according to
subdivision 2, which shall begin no later than March 31 following completion of required
training.

Sec. 5.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 148.90, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Members.

(a) The members of the board shall:

(1) be appointed by the governor;

(2) be residents of the state;

(3) serve for not more than two consecutive terms;

(4) designate the officers of the board; and

(5) administer oaths pertaining to the business of the board.

(b) A public member of the board shall represent the public interest and shall not:

(1) be a psychologist or have engaged in the practice of psychology;

(2) be an applicant or former applicant for licensure;

(3) be a member of another health profession and be licensed by a health-related licensing
board as defined under section 214.01, subdivision 2; the commissioner of health; or licensed,
certified, or registered by another jurisdiction;

(4) be a member of a household that includes a psychologist; or

(5) have conflicts of interest or the appearance of conflicts with duties as a board member.

new text begin (c) At the time of their appointments, at least three members of the board must reside
outside of the 11-county metropolitan area.
new text end

new text begin (d) At the time of their appointments, at least three members of the board must be
members of:
new text end

new text begin (1) a community of color; or
new text end

new text begin (2) an underrepresented community, as defined in section 148E.010, subdivision 20.
new text end

Sec. 6.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 148.911, is amended to read:

148.911 CONTINUING EDUCATION.

new text begin (a) new text end Upon application for license renewal, a licensee shall provide the board with
satisfactory evidence that the licensee has completed continuing education requirements
established by the board. Continuing education programs shall be approved under section
148.905, subdivision 1, clause (10). The board shall establish by rule the number of
continuing education training hours required each year and may specify subject or skills
areas that the licensee shall address.

new text begin (b) At least six of the required continuing education hours must be on increasing the
knowledge, understanding, self-awareness, and practice skills that enable a psychologist to
serve clients from diverse socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds. Topics include:
new text end

new text begin (1) understanding culture, its functions, and strengths that exist in varied cultures;
new text end

new text begin (2) understanding clients' cultures and differences among and between cultural groups;
new text end

new text begin (3) understanding the nature of social diversity and oppression; and
new text end

new text begin (4) understanding cultural humility.
new text end

Sec. 7.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 148B.30, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Creation.

new text begin (a) new text end There is created a Board of Marriage and Family Therapy
that consists of seven members appointed by the governor. Four members shall be licensed,
practicing marriage and family therapists, each of whom shall for at least five years
immediately preceding appointment, have been actively engaged as a marriage and family
therapist, rendering professional services in marriage and family therapy. One member shall
be engaged in the professional teaching and research of marriage and family therapy. Two
members shall be representatives of the general public who have no direct affiliation with
the practice of marriage and family therapy. All members shall have been a resident of the
state two years preceding their appointment. Of the first board members appointed, three
shall continue in office for two years, two members for three years, and two members,
including the chair, for terms of four years respectively. Their successors shall be appointed
for terms of four years each, except that a person chosen to fill a vacancy shall be appointed
only for the unexpired term of the board member whom the newly appointed member
succeeds. Upon the expiration of a board member's term of office, the board member shall
continue to serve until a successor is appointed and qualified.

new text begin (b) At the time of their appointments, at least two members must reside outside of the
11-county metropolitan area.
new text end

new text begin (c) At the time of their appointments, at least three members must be members of:
new text end

new text begin (1) a community of color; or
new text end

new text begin (2) an underrepresented community, as defined in section 148E.010, subdivision 20.
new text end

Sec. 8.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 148B.31, is amended to read:

148B.31 DUTIES OF THE BOARD.

new text begin (a) new text end The board shall:

(1) adopt and enforce rules for marriage and family therapy licensing, which shall be
designed to protect the public;

(2) develop by rule appropriate techniques, including examinations and other methods,
for determining whether applicants and licensees are qualified under sections 148B.29 to
148B.392;

(3) issue licenses to individuals who are qualified under sections 148B.29 to 148B.392;

(4) establish and implement procedures designed to assure that licensed marriage and
family therapists will comply with the board's rules;

(5) study and investigate the practice of marriage and family therapy within the state in
order to improve the standards imposed for the licensing of marriage and family therapists
and to improve the procedures and methods used for enforcement of the board's standards;

(6) formulate and implement a code of ethics for all licensed marriage and family
therapists; and

(7) establish continuing education requirements for marriage and family therapists.

new text begin (b) At least six of the 40 continuing education training hours required under Minnesota
Rules, part 5300.0320, subpart 2, must be on increasing the knowledge, understanding,
self-awareness, and practice skills that enable a marriage and family therapist to serve clients
from diverse socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds. Topics include:
new text end

new text begin (1) understanding culture, its functions, and strengths that exist in varied cultures;
new text end

new text begin (2) understanding clients' cultures and differences among and between cultural groups;
new text end

new text begin (3) understanding the nature of social diversity and oppression; and
new text end

new text begin (4) understanding cultural humility.
new text end

Sec. 9.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 148B.51, is amended to read:

148B.51 BOARD OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND THERAPY.

new text begin (a) new text end The Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy consists of 13 members appointed by
the governor. Five of the members shall be professional counselors licensed or eligible for
licensure under sections 148B.50 to 148B.593. Five of the members shall be alcohol and
drug counselors licensed under chapter 148F. Three of the members shall be public members
as defined in section 214.02. The board shall annually elect from its membership a chair
and vice-chair. The board shall appoint and employ an executive director who is not a
member of the board. The employment of the executive director shall be subject to the terms
described in section 214.04, subdivision 2a. Chapter 214 applies to the Board of Behavioral
Health and Therapy unless superseded by sections 148B.50 to 148B.593.

new text begin (b) At the time of their appointments, at least five members must reside outside of the
11-county metropolitan area.
new text end

new text begin (c) At the time of their appointments, at least five members must be members of:
new text end

new text begin (1) a community of color; or
new text end

new text begin (2) an underrepresented community, as defined in section 148E.010, subdivision 20.
new text end

Sec. 10.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 148B.54, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Continuing education.

new text begin (a) new text end At the completion of the first four years of licensure,
a licensee must provide evidence satisfactory to the board of completion of 12 additional
postgraduate semester credit hours or its equivalent in counseling as determined by the
board, except that no licensee shall be required to show evidence of greater than 60 semester
hours or its equivalent. In addition to completing the requisite graduate coursework, each
licensee shall also complete in the first four years of licensure a minimum of 40 hours of
continuing education activities approved by the board under Minnesota Rules, part 2150.2540.
Graduate credit hours successfully completed in the first four years of licensure may be
applied to both the graduate credit requirement and to the requirement for 40 hours of
continuing education activities. A licensee may receive 15 continuing education hours per
semester credit hour or ten continuing education hours per quarter credit hour. Thereafter,
at the time of renewal, each licensee shall provide evidence satisfactory to the board that
the licensee has completed during each two-year period at least the equivalent of 40 clock
hours of professional postdegree continuing education in programs approved by the board
and continues to be qualified to practice under sections 148B.50 to 148B.593.

new text begin (b) At least six of the required 40 continuing education clock hours must be on increasing
the knowledge, understanding, self-awareness, and practice skills that enable a licensed
professional clinical counselor to serve clients from diverse socioeconomic and cultural
backgrounds. Topics include:
new text end

new text begin (1) understanding culture, its functions, and strengths that exist in varied cultures;
new text end

new text begin (2) understanding clients' cultures and differences among and between cultural groups;
new text end

new text begin (3) understanding the nature of social diversity and oppression; and
new text end

new text begin (4) understanding cultural humility.
new text end

Sec. 11.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 148E.130, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Total clock hours required.

(a) A licensee must complete 40 hours of
continuing education for each two-year renewal term. At the time of license renewal, a
licensee must provide evidence satisfactory to the board that the licensee has completed the
required continuing education hours during the previous renewal term. Of the total clock
hours required:

(1) all licensees must complete two hours in social work ethics as defined in section
148E.010;

(2) licensed independent clinical social workers must complete 12 clock hours in one
or more of the clinical content areas specified in section 148E.055, subdivision 5, paragraph
(a), clause (2);

(3) licensees providing licensing supervision according to sections 148E.100 to 148E.125,
must complete six clock hours in supervision as defined in section 148E.010; deleted text begin and
deleted text end

new text begin (4) at least six of the required clock hours must be on increasing the knowledge,
understanding, self-awareness, and practice skills that enable a social worker to serve clients
from diverse socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds. Topics include:
new text end

new text begin (i) understanding culture, its functions, and strengths that exist in varied cultures;
new text end

new text begin (ii) understanding clients' cultures and differences among and between cultural groups;
new text end

new text begin (iii) understanding the nature of social diversity and oppression; and
new text end

new text begin (iv) understanding cultural humility; and
new text end

deleted text begin (4) deleted text end new text begin (5) new text end no more than half of the required clock hours may be completed via continuing
education independent learning as defined in section 148E.010.

(b) If the licensee's renewal term is prorated to be less or more than 24 months, the total
number of required clock hours is prorated proportionately.

Sec. 12.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 245.462, subdivision 17, is amended to read:

Subd. 17.

Mental health practitioner.

(a) "Mental health practitioner" means a person
providing services to adults with mental illness or children with emotional disturbance who
is qualified in at least one of the ways described in paragraphs (b) to (g). A mental health
practitioner for a child client must have training working with children. A mental health
practitioner for an adult client must have training working with adults.

(b) For purposes of this subdivision, a practitioner is qualified through relevant
coursework if the practitioner completes at least 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours in
behavioral sciences or related fields and:

(1) has at least 2,000 hours of supervised experience in the delivery of services to adults
or children with:

(i) mental illness, substance use disorder, or emotional disturbance; or

(ii) traumatic brain injury or developmental disabilities and completes training on mental
illness, recovery from mental illness, mental health de-escalation techniques, co-occurring
mental illness and substance abuse, and psychotropic medications and side effects;

(2) is fluent in the non-English language of the ethnic group to which at least 50 percent
of the practitioner's clients belong, completes 40 hours of training in the delivery of services
to adults with mental illness or children with emotional disturbance, and receives clinical
supervision from a mental health professional at least once a week until the requirement of
2,000 hours of supervised experience is met;

(3) is working in a day treatment program under section 245.4712, subdivision 2; deleted text begin or
deleted text end

(4) has completed a practicum or internship that (i) requires direct interaction with adults
or children served, and (ii) is focused on behavioral sciences or related fields deleted text begin . deleted text end new text begin ; or
new text end

new text begin (5) is in the process of completing a practicum or internship as part of a formal
undergraduate or graduate training program in social work, psychology, or counseling.
new text end

(c) For purposes of this subdivision, a practitioner is qualified through work experience
if the person:

(1) has at least 4,000 hours of supervised experience in the delivery of services to adults
or children with:

(i) mental illness, substance use disorder, or emotional disturbance; or

(ii) traumatic brain injury or developmental disabilities and completes training on mental
illness, recovery from mental illness, mental health de-escalation techniques, co-occurring
mental illness and substance abuse, and psychotropic medications and side effects; or

(2) has at least 2,000 hours of supervised experience in the delivery of services to adults
or children with:

(i) mental illness, emotional disturbance, or substance use disorder, and receives clinical
supervision as required by applicable statutes and rules from a mental health professional
at least once a week until the requirement of 4,000 hours of supervised experience is met;
or

(ii) traumatic brain injury or developmental disabilities; completes training on mental
illness, recovery from mental illness, mental health de-escalation techniques, co-occurring
mental illness and substance abuse, and psychotropic medications and side effects; and
receives clinical supervision as required by applicable statutes and rules at least once a week
from a mental health professional until the requirement of 4,000 hours of supervised
experience is met.

(d) For purposes of this subdivision, a practitioner is qualified through a graduate student
internship if the practitioner is a graduate student in behavioral sciences or related fields
and is formally assigned by an accredited college or university to an agency or facility for
clinical training.

(e) For purposes of this subdivision, a practitioner is qualified by a bachelor's or master's
degree if the practitioner:

(1) holds a master's or other graduate degree in behavioral sciences or related fields; or

(2) holds a bachelor's degree in behavioral sciences or related fields and completes a
practicum or internship that (i) requires direct interaction with adults or children served,
and (ii) is focused on behavioral sciences or related fields.

(f) For purposes of this subdivision, a practitioner is qualified as a vendor of medical
care if the practitioner meets the definition of vendor of medical care in section 256B.02,
subdivision 7, paragraphs (b) and (c), and is serving a federally recognized tribe.

(g) For purposes of medical assistance coverage of diagnostic assessments, explanations
of findings, and psychotherapy under section 256B.0625, subdivision 65, a mental health
practitioner working as a clinical trainee means that the practitioner's clinical supervision
experience is helping the practitioner gain knowledge and skills necessary to practice
effectively and independently. This may include supervision of direct practice, treatment
team collaboration, continued professional learning, and job management. The practitioner
must also:

(1) comply with requirements for licensure or board certification as a mental health
professional, according to the qualifications under Minnesota Rules, part 9505.0371, subpart
5, item A, including supervised practice in the delivery of mental health services for the
treatment of mental illness; or

(2) be a student in a bona fide field placement or internship under a program leading to
completion of the requirements for licensure as a mental health professional according to
the qualifications under Minnesota Rules, part 9505.0371, subpart 5, item A.

(h) For purposes of this subdivision, "behavioral sciences or related fields" has the
meaning given in section 256B.0623, subdivision 5, paragraph (d).

(i) Notwithstanding the licensing requirements established by a health-related licensing
board, as defined in section 214.01, subdivision 2, this subdivision supersedes any other
statute or rule.

Sec. 13.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 245.4889, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Establishment and authority.

(a) The commissioner is authorized to
make grants from available appropriations to assist:

(1) counties;

(2) Indian tribes;

(3) children's collaboratives under section 124D.23 or 245.493; or

(4) mental health service providers.

(b) The following services are eligible for grants under this section:

(1) services to children with emotional disturbances as defined in section 245.4871,
subdivision 15, and their families;

(2) transition services under section 245.4875, subdivision 8, for young adults under
age 21 and their families;

(3) respite care services for children with emotional disturbances or severe emotional
disturbances who are at risk of out-of-home placement. A child is not required to have case
management services to receive respite care services;

(4) children's mental health crisis services;

(5) mental health services for people from cultural and ethnic minorities new text begin , including
supervision of clinical trainees who are Black, indigenous, or people of color, providing
services in clinics that serve clients enrolled in medical assistance new text end ;

(6) children's mental health screening and follow-up diagnostic assessment and treatment;

(7) services to promote and develop the capacity of providers to use evidence-based
practices in providing children's mental health services;

(8) school-linked mental health services under section 245.4901;

(9) building evidence-based mental health intervention capacity for children birth to age
five;

(10) suicide prevention and counseling services that use text messaging statewide;

(11) mental health first aid training;

(12) training for parents, collaborative partners, and mental health providers on the
impact of adverse childhood experiences and trauma and development of an interactive
website to share information and strategies to promote resilience and prevent trauma;

(13) transition age services to develop or expand mental health treatment and supports
for adolescents and young adults 26 years of age or younger;

(14) early childhood mental health consultation;

(15) evidence-based interventions for youth at risk of developing or experiencing a first
episode of psychosis, and a public awareness campaign on the signs and symptoms of
psychosis;

(16) psychiatric consultation for primary care practitioners; deleted text begin and
deleted text end

(17) providers to begin operations and meet program requirements when establishing a
new children's mental health program. These may be start-up grants deleted text begin . deleted text end new text begin ; and
new text end

new text begin (18) mental health services based on traditional healing practices, provided to American
Indians by tribal nations or the urban American Indian communities.
new text end

(c) Services under paragraph (b) must be designed to help each child to function and
remain with the child's family in the community and delivered consistent with the child's
treatment plan. Transition services to eligible young adults under this paragraph must be
designed to foster independent living in the community.

(d) As a condition of receiving grant funds, a grantee shall obtain all available third-party
reimbursement sources, if applicable.

Sec. 14.

new text begin [245.4902] CULTURALLY INFORMED AND CULTURALLY
RESPONSIVE MENTAL HEALTH TASK FORCE.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Establishment; duties. new text end

new text begin The Culturally Informed and Culturally
Responsive Mental Health Task Force is established to evaluate and make recommendations
on improving the provision of culturally informed and culturally responsive mental health
services throughout Minnesota. The task force must make recommendations on:
new text end

new text begin (1) recruiting mental health providers from diverse racial and ethnic communities;
new text end

new text begin (2) training all mental health providers on cultural competency and cultural humility;
new text end

new text begin (3) assessing the extent to which mental health provider organizations embrace diversity
and demonstrate proficiency in culturally competent mental health treatment and services;
and
new text end

new text begin (4) increasing the number of mental health organizations owned, managed, or led by
individuals who are Black, indigenous, or people of color.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Membership. new text end

new text begin (a) The task force must consist of the following 16 members:
new text end

new text begin (1) the commissioner of human services or the commissioner's designee;
new text end

new text begin (2) one representative from the Board of Psychology;
new text end

new text begin (3) one representative from the Board of Marriage and Family Therapy;
new text end

new text begin (4) one representative from the Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy;
new text end

new text begin (5) one representative from the Board of Social Work;
new text end

new text begin (6) three members representing undergraduate and graduate-level mental health
professional education programs, appointed by the governor;
new text end

new text begin (7) three mental health providers who are members of communities of color or
underrepresented communities, as defined in section 148E.010, subdivision 20, appointed
by the governor;
new text end

new text begin (8) two members representing mental health advocacy organizations, appointed by the
governor;
new text end

new text begin (9) two mental health providers, appointed by the governor; and
new text end

new text begin (10) one expert in providing training and education in cultural competency and cultural
responsiveness, appointed by the governor.
new text end

new text begin (b) Appointments to the task force must be made no later than August 1, 2021.
new text end

new text begin (c) Member compensation and reimbursement for expenses are governed by section
15.059, subdivision 3.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Chairs; meetings. new text end

new text begin The members of the task force must elect two cochairs of
the task force. The cochairs must convene the first meeting of the task force no later than
August 15, 2021. The task force must meet upon the call of the cochairs, sufficiently often
to accomplish the duties identified in this section. The task force is subject to the open
meeting law under chapter 13D.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Administrative support. new text end

new text begin The Department of Human Services must provide
administrative support and meeting space for the task force.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Reports. new text end

new text begin No later than January 1, 2023, and by January 1 of each year thereafter,
the task force must submit a written report to the members of the legislative committees
with jurisdiction over health and human services on the recommendations developed under
subdivision 1.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Expiration. new text end

new text begin The task force expires on January 1, 2025.
new text end

Sec. 15. new text begin DIRECTION TO COMMISSIONERS; ALTERNATIVE MENTAL HEALTH
PROFESSIONAL LICENSING PATHWAYS WORK GROUP.
new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioners of human services and health must convene a work group
consisting of representatives from the Board of Psychology, the Board of Marriage and
Family Therapy, the Board of Social Work, and the Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy,
mental health providers from diverse cultural communities, and representatives from mental
health professional graduate programs to:
new text end

new text begin (1) identify barriers to licensure in mental health professions;
new text end

new text begin (2) collect data on the number of individuals graduating from educational programs but
not passing licensing exams; and
new text end

new text begin (3) develop recommendations for creating alternative pathways for licensure in mental
health professions, ensuring provider competency and professionalism, while recognizing
limitations of national licensing exams.
new text end

new text begin (b) Mental health providers participating in the work group may be reimbursed for
expenses in the same manner as authorized by the commissioner's plan adopted under
Minnesota Statutes, section 43A.18, subdivision 2, upon approval by the commissioner.
Members who, as a result of time spent attending work group meetings, incur child care
expenses that would not otherwise have been incurred, may be reimbursed for those expenses
upon approval by the commissioner. Reimbursements may be approved for no more than
five individual providers.
new text end

new text begin (c) No later than February 1, 2023, the commissioners must submit a written report to
the members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over health and human services
on the recommendations developed on alternative licensing pathways.
new text end

Sec. 16. new text begin DIRECTION TO COMMISSIONERS; MENTAL HEALTH
PROFESSIONAL LICENSING SUPERVISION.
new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioners of human services and health must convene the Board of
Psychology, the Board of Marriage and Family Therapy, the Board of Social Work, and the
Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy to develop recommendations for:
new text end

new text begin (1) providing certification of individuals across multiple mental health professions who
may serve as supervisors;
new text end

new text begin (2) adopting a single, common supervision certificate for all mental health professional
education programs;
new text end

new text begin (3) determining ways for internship hours to be counted toward licensure in mental
health professions; and
new text end

new text begin (4) determining ways for practicum hours to count toward supervisory experience.
new text end

new text begin (b) No later than February 1, 2023, the commissioners must submit a written report to
the members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over health and human services
on the recommendations developed under paragraph (a).
new text end

Sec. 17. new text begin APPROPRIATION; CULTURALLY INFORMED AND CULTURALLY
RESPONSIVE MENTAL HEALTH TASK FORCE.
new text end

new text begin $....... in fiscal year 2022 and $....... in fiscal year 2023 are appropriated from the general
fund to the commissioner of human services for the Culturally Informed and Culturally
Responsive Mental Health Task Force established in Minnesota Statutes, section 245.4902.
new text end

Sec. 18. new text begin APPROPRIATION; MENTAL HEALTH CULTURAL COMMUNITY
CONTINUING EDUCATION.
new text end

new text begin $500,000 in fiscal year 2022 and $500,000 in fiscal year 2023 are appropriated from the
general fund to the commissioner of health for a grant program, developed in consultation
with the relevant mental health licensing boards, to provide for the continuing education
necessary for social workers, marriage and family therapists, psychologists, and professional
clinical counselors who are members of communities of color or underrepresented
communities, as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 148E.010, subdivision 20, and who
work for community mental health providers, to become supervisors for individuals pursuing
licensure in mental health professions.
new text end

Sec. 19. new text begin APPROPRIATION; HEALTH PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION LOAN
FORGIVENESS PROGRAM.
new text end

new text begin $3,000,000 in fiscal year 2022 and $3,000,000 in fiscal year 2023 are appropriated from
the general fund to the commissioner of health for the health professional education loan
forgiveness program under Minnesota Statutes, section 144.1501. Notwithstanding the
priorities and distribution requirements for loan forgiveness in Minnesota Statutes, section
144.1501, subdivision 4, $1,000,000 of the appropriation in fiscal year 2022 and $1,000,000
of the appropriation in fiscal year 2023 must be used for loan forgiveness for members of
one of the following professions who are Black, indigenous, or people of color, or members
of an underrepresented community, as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 148E.010,
subdivision 20: eligible alcohol and drug counselors as defined in Minnesota Statutes,
section 144.1501, subdivision 1, paragraph (c); and eligible mental health professionals as
defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 144.1501, subdivision 1, paragraph (h).
new text end