HF 266

1st Engrossment - 86th Legislature (2009 - 2010) Posted on 02/09/2010 01:35am

A bill for an act
relating to human services; modifying parental fees for services for persons
with developmental disabilities; amending Minnesota Statutes 2008, section
252.27, subdivision 2a.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 252.27, subdivision 2a, is amended to read:

Subd. 2a.

Contribution amount.

(a) The natural or adoptive parents of a minor
child, including a child determined eligible for medical assistance without consideration of
parental income, must contribute to the cost of services used by making monthly payments
on a sliding scale based on income, unless the child is married or has been married,
parental rights have been terminated, or the child's adoption is subsidized according to
section 259.67 or through title IV-E of the Social Security Act. The parental contribution
is a partial or full payment for medical services provided for diagnostic, therapeutic,
curing, treating, mitigating, rehabilitation, maintenance, and personal care services as
defined in United States Code, title 26, section 213, needed by the child with a chronic
illness or disability.

(b) For households with adjusted gross income equal to or greater than 100 percent
of federal poverty guidelines, the parental contribution shall be computed by applying the
following schedule of rates to the adjusted gross income of the natural or adoptive parents:

(1) if the adjusted gross income is equal to or greater than 100 percent of federal
poverty guidelines and less than 175 percent of federal poverty guidelines, the parental
contribution is $4 per month;

(2) if the adjusted gross income is equal to or greater than 175 percent of federal
poverty guidelines and less than or equal to 545 percent of federal poverty guidelines,
the parental contribution shall be determined using a sliding fee scale established by the
commissioner of human services which begins at one percent of adjusted gross income
at 175 percent of federal poverty guidelines and increases to 7.5 percent of adjusted
gross income for those with adjusted gross income up to 545 percent of federal poverty
guidelines;

(3) if the adjusted gross income is greater than 545 percent of federal poverty
guidelines and less than 675 percent of federal poverty guidelines, the parental
contribution shall be 7.5 percent of adjusted gross income;

(4) if the adjusted gross income is equal to or greater than 675 percent of federal
poverty guidelines and less than 975 percent of federal poverty guidelines, the parental
contribution shall be determined using a sliding fee scale established by the commissioner
of human services which begins at 7.5 percent of adjusted gross income at 675 percent of
federal poverty guidelines and increases to ten percent of adjusted gross income for those
with adjusted gross income up to 975 percent of federal poverty guidelines; and

(5) if the adjusted gross income is equal to or greater than 975 percent of federal
poverty guidelines, the parental contribution shall be 12.5 percent of adjusted gross
income.

If the child lives with the parent, the annual adjusted gross income is reduced by
$2,400 prior to calculating the parental contribution. If the child resides in an institution
specified in section 256B.35, the parent is responsible for the personal needs allowance
specified under that section in addition to the parental contribution determined under this
section. The parental contribution is reduced by any amount required to be paid directly to
the child pursuant to a court order, but only if actually paid.

(c) The household size to be used in determining the amount of contribution under
paragraph (b) includes natural and adoptive parents and their dependents, including the
child receiving services. Adjustments in the contribution amount due to annual changes
in the federal poverty guidelines shall be implemented on the first day of July following
publication of the changes.

(d) For purposes of paragraph (b), "income" means the adjusted gross income of the
natural or adoptive parents determined according to the previous year's federal tax form,
except, effective retroactive to July 1, 2003, taxable capital gains to the extent the funds
have been used to purchase a home shall not be counted as income.

(e) The contribution shall be explained in writing to the parents at the time eligibility
for services is being determined. The contribution shall be made on a monthly basis
effective with the first month in which the child receives services. Annually upon
redetermination or at termination of eligibility, if the contribution exceeded the cost of
services provided, the local agency or the state shall reimburse that excess amount to
the parents, either by direct reimbursement if the parent is no longer required to pay
a contribution, or by a reduction in or waiver of parental fees until the excess amount
is exhausted. new text begin All reimbursements must include a notice that the amount reimbursed is
taxable income if the parent paid for the parent's fees through an employer's health care
flexible spending account under the Internal Revenue Code, section 125, and that the
parent is responsible for paying the taxes owed on the amount reimbursed.
new text end

(f) The monthly contribution amount must be reviewed at least every 12 months;
when there is a change in household size; and when there is a loss of or gain in income
from one month to another in excess of ten percent. The local agency shall mail a written
notice 30 days in advance of the effective date of a change in the contribution amount.
A decrease in the contribution amount is effective in the month that the parent verifies a
reduction in income or change in household size.

(g) Parents of a minor child who do not live with each other shall each pay the
contribution required under paragraph (a). An amount equal to the annual court-ordered
child support payment actually paid on behalf of the child receiving services shall be
deducted from the adjusted gross income of the parent making the payment prior to
calculating the parental contribution under paragraph (b).

(h) The contribution under paragraph (b) shall be increased by an additional five
percent if the local agency determines that insurance coverage is available but not
obtained for the child. For purposes of this section, "available" means the insurance is a
benefit of employment for a family member at an annual cost of no more than five percent
of the family's annual income. For purposes of this section, "insurance" means health
and accident insurance coverage, enrollment in a nonprofit health service plan, health
maintenance organization, self-insured plan, or preferred provider organization.

Parents who have more than one child receiving services shall not be required
to pay more than the amount for the child with the highest expenditures. There shall
be no resource contribution from the parents. The parent shall not be required to pay
a contribution in excess of the cost of the services provided to the child, not counting
payments made to school districts for education-related services. Notice of an increase in
fee payment must be given at least 30 days before the increased fee is due.

(i) The contribution under paragraph (b) shall be reduced by $300 per fiscal year if,
in the 12 months prior to July 1:

(1) the parent applied for insurance for the child;

(2) the insurer denied insurance;

(3) the parents submitted a complaint or appeal, in writing to the insurer, submitted
a complaint or appeal, in writing, to the commissioner of health or the commissioner of
commerce, or litigated the complaint or appeal; and

(4) as a result of the dispute, the insurer reversed its decision and granted insurance.

For purposes of this section, "insurance" has the meaning given in paragraph (h).

A parent who has requested a reduction in the contribution amount under this
paragraph shall submit proof in the form and manner prescribed by the commissioner or
county agency, including, but not limited to, the insurer's denial of insurance, the written
letter or complaint of the parents, court documents, and the written response of the insurer
approving insurance. The determinations of the commissioner or county agency under this
paragraph are not rules subject to chapter 14.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective upon notice from the commissioner
of the Minnesota Management and Budget Department to the commissioner of
the Department of Human Services that the parent fee, as amended, qualifies for
reimbursement through an employer's health care flexible spending account under the
Internal Revenue Code, section 125.
new text end