HF 3887

1st Engrossment - 92nd Legislature (2021 - 2022) Posted on 04/04/2022 05:08pm

A bill for an act
relating to health; establishing the Minnesota baby steps home visiting program;
appropriating money; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter
145.

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

Section 1.

new text begin [145.871] MINNESOTA BABY STEPS PROGRAM.
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new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Grant program. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner of health shall award grants to
community health boards, nonprofit organizations, Tribal nations, and health care providers,
including those listed in clauses (1) to (5), to establish voluntary home visiting services to
families expecting or caring for an infant, including families adopting an infant. This section
includes:
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new text begin (1) doulas;
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new text begin (2) community health workers;
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new text begin (3) perinatal health educators;
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new text begin (4) early childhood family education home visiting providers; and
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new text begin (5) local public health nurses.
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new text begin (b) The grant money awarded under this section must be used to:
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new text begin (1) establish home visiting services that provide a range of one to six visits that occur
prenatally or within the first four months of the expected birth or adoption of an infant; and
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new text begin (2) improve outcomes in two or more of the following areas:
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new text begin (i) maternal and newborn health;
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new text begin (ii) school readiness and achievement;
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new text begin (iii) family economic self-sufficiency;
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new text begin (iv) coordination and referral for other community resources and supports;
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new text begin (v) reduction in child injuries, abuse, or neglect; or
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new text begin (vi) reduction in crime or domestic violence.
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new text begin (c) The commissioner shall ensure that the voluntary home visiting services established
under this section are available to all families residing in the state by June 30, 2025. In
awarding grants prior to the home visiting services being available statewide, the
commissioner shall prioritize applicants serving high-risk or high-need populations of
pregnant women and families with infants, including populations with insufficient access
to prenatal care, high incidence of mental illness or substance use disorder, low
socioeconomic status, and other factors as determined by the commissioner.
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new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Home visiting services. new text end

new text begin (a) The home visiting services provided under this
section must, at a minimum:
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new text begin (1) offer information on infant care, child growth and development, positive parenting,
preventing diseases, preventing exposure to environmental hazards, and support services
in the community;
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new text begin (2) provide information on and referrals to health care services, including information
on and assistance in applying for health care coverage for which the child or family may
be eligible, and provide information on the availability of group prenatal care, preventative
services, developmental assessments, and public assistance programs as appropriate;
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new text begin (3) include an assessment of the physical, social, and emotional factors affecting the
family and provide information and referrals to address each family's identified needs;
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new text begin (4) connect families to additional resources available in the community, including early
care and education programs, health or mental health services, family literacy programs,
employment agencies, and social services, as needed;
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new text begin (5) utilize appropriate racial, ethnic, and cultural approaches to providing home visiting
services; and
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new text begin (6) be voluntary and free of charge to families.
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new text begin (b) Home visiting services under this section may be provided through telephone or
video communication when the commissioner determines the methods are necessary to
protect the health and safety of individuals receiving the visits and the home visiting
workforce.
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new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Administrative costs. new text end

new text begin The commissioner may use up to seven percent of the
annual appropriation under this section to provide training and technical assistance, to
administer the program, and to conduct ongoing evaluations of the program. The
commissioner may contract for training, capacity-building support for grantees or potential
grantees, technical assistance, and evaluation support.
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Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATION; MINNESOTA BABY STEPS PROGRAM.
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new text begin $110,000,000 in fiscal year 2023 is appropriated from the general fund to the
commissioner of health for the Minnesota baby steps program under Minnesota Statutes,
section 145.871. The base for the appropriation is $110,000,000 in fiscal year 2024 and
$110,000,000 in fiscal year 2025 only.
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Sec. 3. new text begin REVISOR INSTRUCTION.
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new text begin The revisor of statutes shall renumber Minnesota Statutes, sections 145A.145 and
145A.17, as new sections following Minnesota Statutes, section 145.871. The revisor shall
also make necessary cross-reference changes consistent with the renumbering.
new text end