1.1                          A bill for an act 
  1.2             relating to human services; changing provisions for 
  1.3             health insurance, health programs, and health 
  1.4             professions; providing for recording and providing of 
  1.5             abortion data; prohibiting partial-birth abortions; 
  1.6             changing provisions in long-term care, MA, GAMC, 
  1.7             MinnesotaCare, welfare provisions, Work First 
  1.8             assistance programs, child support licensing, and 
  1.9             tribal child care assistance; providing for the 
  1.10            conveyance of state land; providing for criminal 
  1.11            penalties; appropriating money; amending Minnesota 
  1.12            Statutes 1996, sections 62A.65, subdivision 5; 
  1.13            62D.042, subdivision 2; 62E.16; 144.701, subdivisions 
  1.14            1, 2, and 4; 144.702, subdivisions 1, 2, and 8; 
  1.15            144.9501, subdivisions 1, 17, 18, 20, 23, 30, 32, and 
  1.16            by adding subdivisions; 144.9502, subdivisions 3, 4, 
  1.17            and 9; 144.9503, subdivisions 4, 6, and 7; 144.9504, 
  1.18            subdivisions 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10; 144.9505, 
  1.19            subdivisions 1, 4, and 5; 144.9506, subdivision 2; 
  1.20            144.9507, subdivisions 2, 3, and 4; 144.9508, 
  1.21            subdivisions 1, 3, 4, and by adding a subdivision; 
  1.22            144.9509, subdivision 2; 144.99, subdivision 1; 
  1.23            144A.04, subdivision 5; 144A.09, subdivision 1; 
  1.24            144A.44, subdivision 2; 145.411, by adding a 
  1.25            subdivision; 145A.15, subdivision 2; 148.66; 148.67; 
  1.26            148.70; 148.705; 148.71; 148.72, subdivisions 1, 2, 
  1.27            and 4; 148.73; 148.74; 148.75; 148.76; 148.78; 214.01, 
  1.28            subdivision 2; 214.03; 245.462, subdivisions 4 and 8; 
  1.29            245.4871, subdivision 4; 245A.03, by adding 
  1.30            subdivisions; 245A.14, subdivision 4; 254A.17, 
  1.31            subdivision 1, and by adding a subdivision; 256.014, 
  1.32            subdivision 1; 256.969, subdivisions 16, 17, and by 
  1.33            adding a subdivision; 256B.03, subdivision 3; 
  1.34            256B.055, by adding a subdivision; 256B.057, 
  1.35            subdivision 3a, and by adding subdivisions; 256B.0625, 
  1.36            subdivisions 20, 34, 38, and by adding a subdivision; 
  1.37            256B.0911, subdivision 4; 256B.41, subdivision 1; 
  1.38            256B.431, subdivisions 2b, 2i, 11, and by adding 
  1.39            subdivisions; 256B.501, subdivision 2; 256B.69, by 
  1.40            adding a subdivision; 256D.03, subdivision 4, and by 
  1.41            adding a subdivision; 256D.051, by adding a 
  1.42            subdivision; 256D.46, subdivision 2; 268.88; and 
  1.43            268.92, subdivision 4; Minnesota Statutes 1997 
  1.44            Supplement, sections 60A.15, subdivision 1; 62D.11, 
  1.45            subdivision 1; 62J.69, subdivisions 1, 2, and by 
  1.46            adding a subdivision; 62J.70, subdivision 3; 62J.71, 
  2.1             subdivisions 1, 3, and 4; 62J.72, subdivision 1; 
  2.2             62Q.105, subdivision 1; 62Q.30; 103I.208, subdivision 
  2.3             2; 119B.01, subdivision 16; 119B.02; 144.1494, 
  2.4             subdivision 1; 144.9504, subdivision 2; 144.9506, 
  2.5             subdivision 1; 144A.071, subdivision 4a; 144A.46, 
  2.6             subdivision 2; 144A.4605, subdivision 4; 171.29, 
  2.7             subdivision 2; 214.32, subdivision 1; 256.01, 
  2.8             subdivision 2; 256.031, subdivision 6; 256.741, by 
  2.9             adding a subdivision; 256.9657, subdivision 3; 
  2.10            256.9685, subdivision 1; 256.9864; 256B.04, 
  2.11            subdivision 18; 256B.06, subdivision 4; 256B.062; 
  2.12            256B.0625, subdivision 31a; 256B.0627, subdivisions 5 
  2.13            and 8; 256B.0635, by adding a subdivision; 256B.0645; 
  2.14            256B.0911, subdivisions 2 and 7; 256B.0915, 
  2.15            subdivision 1d; 256B.0951, by adding a subdivision; 
  2.16            256B.431, subdivisions 3f and 26; 256B.69, 
  2.17            subdivisions 2 and 3a; 256B.692, subdivisions 2 and 5; 
  2.18            256B.77, subdivisions 3, 7a, 10, and 12; 256D.03, 
  2.19            subdivision 3; 256D.05, subdivision 8; 256F.05, 
  2.20            subdivision 8; 256J.02, subdivision 4; 256J.03; 
  2.21            256J.08, subdivisions 11, 26, 28, 40, 60, 68, 73, 83, 
  2.22            and by adding subdivisions; 256J.09, subdivisions 6 
  2.23            and 9; 256J.11, subdivision 2, as amended; 256J.12; 
  2.24            256J.14; 256J.15, subdivision 2; 256J.20, subdivisions 
  2.25            2 and 3; 256J.21; 256J.24, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 4, 
  2.26            and by adding subdivisions; 256J.26, subdivisions 1, 
  2.27            2, 3, and 4; 256J.28, subdivisions 1, 2, and by adding 
  2.28            a subdivision; 256J.30, subdivisions 10 and 11; 
  2.29            256J.31, subdivisions 5, 10, and by adding a 
  2.30            subdivision; 256J.32, subdivisions 4, 6, and by adding 
  2.31            a subdivision; 256J.33, subdivisions 1 and 4; 256J.35; 
  2.32            256J.36; 256J.37, subdivisions 1, 2, 9, and by adding 
  2.33            subdivisions; 256J.38, subdivision 1; 256J.39, 
  2.34            subdivision 2; 256J.395; 256J.42; 256J.43; 256J.44, by 
  2.35            adding a subdivision; 256J.45, subdivisions 1, 2, and 
  2.36            by adding a subdivision; 256J.46, subdivisions 1 and 
  2.37            2; 256J.47, subdivision 4; 256J.48, subdivisions 2 and 
  2.38            3; 256J.50, subdivision 5, and by adding a 
  2.39            subdivision; 256J.515; 256J.52, subdivisions 2, 3, 4, 
  2.40            and by adding subdivisions; 256J.54, subdivisions 2, 
  2.41            3, 4, and 5; 256J.55, subdivision 5; 256J.56; 256J.57, 
  2.42            subdivision 1; 256J.74, subdivision 2, and by adding a 
  2.43            subdivision; 256K.03, subdivision 5; 256L.01; 256L.02, 
  2.44            subdivision 3, and by adding a subdivision; 256L.03, 
  2.45            subdivisions 1, 3, 4, 5, and by adding subdivisions; 
  2.46            256L.04, subdivisions 1, 2, 7, 8, 9, 10, and by adding 
  2.47            subdivisions; 256L.05, subdivisions 2, 3, 4, and by 
  2.48            adding subdivisions; 256L.06, subdivision 3; 256L.07, 
  2.49            subdivisions 2 and 3; 256L.09, subdivisions 2, 4, and 
  2.50            6; 256L.11, subdivision 6; 256L.12, subdivision 5; 
  2.51            256L.15; and 256L.17, by adding a subdivision; Laws 
  2.52            1997, chapter 195, section 5; chapter 203, article 1, 
  2.53            section 2, subdivisions 5 and 12; article 4, section 
  2.54            64; chapter 207, section 7; chapter 225, article 2, 
  2.55            section 64; chapter 248, section 46, as amended; 
  2.56            proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, 
  2.57            chapters 62J; 62Q; 144; 145; 148; 256; 256B; 256D; 
  2.58            256J; and 256L; proposing coding for new law as 
  2.59            Minnesota Statutes, chapter 256M; repealing Minnesota 
  2.60            Statutes 1996, sections 144.0721, subdivision 3a; 
  2.61            144.491; 144.9501, subdivisions 12, 14, and 16; 
  2.62            144.9503, subdivisions 5, 8, and 9; 256.031, as 
  2.63            amended; 256.032; 256.033, as amended; 256.034; 
  2.64            256.035; 256.036; 256.0361; 256.047; 256.0475; 
  2.65            256.048; and 256.049; Minnesota Statutes 1997 
  2.66            Supplement, sections 62D.042, subdivision 3; 144.0721, 
  2.67            subdivision 3; 256B.057, subdivision 1a; 256B.062; 
  2.68            256B.0913, subdivision 15; 256J.25; 256J.28, 
  2.69            subdivision 4; 256J.32, subdivision 5; 256J.34, 
  2.70            subdivision 5; 256L.04, subdivisions 3, 4, 5, and 6; 
  2.71            256L.06, subdivisions 1 and 2; 256L.08; 256L.09, 
  3.1             subdivision 3; 256L.13; 256L.14; and 256L.15, 
  3.2             subdivision 3; Laws 1997, chapter 85, article 1, 
  3.3             sections 61 and 71; article 3, section 55; Minnesota 
  3.4             Rules (exempt), parts 2740.1600, subpart 1; and 
  3.5             9500.9100 to 9500.9220. 
  3.6   BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 
  3.7                              ARTICLE 1 
  3.8                            APPROPRIATIONS
  3.9   Section 1.  [HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES APPROPRIATIONS.] 
  3.10     The sums in the columns headed "APPROPRIATIONS" are 
  3.11  appropriated or reductions from appropriations from the general 
  3.12  fund, or another named fund, to the agencies and for the 
  3.13  purposes specified to be available for the fiscal years 
  3.14  indicated for each purpose. 
  3.15                          SUMMARY BY FUND
  3.16                                            1998         1999
  3.17  General                           $ (118,953,000)$ (122,813,000)
  3.18  State Government Special
  3.19  Revenue Fund                             113,000         90,000 
  3.20  Special Revenue Fund                     -0-            400,000 
  3.21  Health Care Access                     6,616,000     (1,161,000)
  3.22                                             APPROPRIATIONS 
  3.23                                         Available for the Year 
  3.24                                             Ending June 30 
  3.25                                            1998         1999 
  3.26  Sec. 2.  COMMISSIONER OF HUMAN SERVICES
  3.27  Subdivision 1.  Total
  3.28  Appropriation                       (112,337,000)  (142,747,000)
  3.29                          Summary by Fund
  3.30                        1998           1999        
  3.31  General            (118,953,000) (141,721,000)
  3.32  Special Revenue 
  3.33  Fund                    -0-           400,000
  3.34  Health Care Access    6,616,000    (1,420,000)
  3.35  Subd. 2. Children's Grants            
  3.36  General                                  -0-          1,665,000 
  3.37  [TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FOR CRISIS 
  3.38  NURSERIES.] Of this appropriation, 
  3.39  $200,000 in fiscal year 1999 is from 
  3.40  the general fund for the commissioner 
  3.41  to contract for technical assistance 
  3.42  with counties that are interested in 
  3.43  developing a crisis nursery program.  
  3.44  The technical assistance must be 
  3.45  designed to assist interested counties 
  4.1   in building capacity to develop and 
  4.2   maintain a crisis nursery program in 
  4.3   the county.  The grant amount to a 
  4.4   county must range from $10,000 to 
  4.5   $20,000.  To be eligible to receive a 
  4.6   grant under this program, the county 
  4.7   must not have an existing crisis 
  4.8   nursery program and must not be a 
  4.9   metropolitan county, as that term is 
  4.10  defined in Minnesota Statutes 1996, 
  4.11  section 473.121.  This appropriation 
  4.12  shall not become part of the base for 
  4.13  the 2000-2001 biennial budget. 
  4.14  [PRIMARY SUPPORT TO IMPLEMENT THE 
  4.15  INDIAN FAMILY PRESERVATION ACT.] For 
  4.16  fiscal year 1998, $100,000 of federal 
  4.17  funds are transferred from the state's 
  4.18  federal TANF block grant and added to 
  4.19  the state's allocation of federal Title 
  4.20  XX block grant funds.  Notwithstanding 
  4.21  the provisions of Minnesota Statutes 
  4.22  1997 Supplement, section 256E.07, the 
  4.23  commissioner shall use $100,000 of the 
  4.24  state's Title XX block grant funds for 
  4.25  a grant under Minnesota Statutes, 
  4.26  section 257.3571, subdivision 1, to an 
  4.27  Indian organization licensed as an 
  4.28  adoption agency.  The grant must be 
  4.29  used to provide primary support for 
  4.30  implementation of the Minnesota Indian 
  4.31  Family Preservation Act and compliance 
  4.32  with the Indian Child Welfare Act.  
  4.33  This appropriation must be used 
  4.34  according to the requirements of the 
  4.35  amendments to section 404(d)(3)(B) of 
  4.36  Part A of Title IV of the Social 
  4.37  Security Act in Public Law Number 
  4.38  104-193.  This appropriation is 
  4.39  available until June 30, 1999. 
  4.40  [ADOPTION ASSISTANCE CARRYFORWARD.] Of 
  4.41  the appropriation in Laws 1997, chapter 
  4.42  203, section 2, subdivision 3, for 
  4.43  children's grants for fiscal year 1998, 
  4.44  $600,000 of the amount appropriated for 
  4.45  the adoption assistance program is 
  4.46  available for the same purpose in 
  4.47  fiscal year 1999.  The amount carried 
  4.48  forward shall become part of the base 
  4.49  for the adoption assistance program in 
  4.50  the 2000-2001 biennial budget. 
  4.51  [FAMILY PRESERVATION PROGRAM FUNDING.] 
  4.52  $10,000,000 is transferred in fiscal 
  4.53  year 1999 from the state's federal TANF 
  4.54  block grant to the state's federal 
  4.55  Title XX block grant.  Notwithstanding 
  4.56  the provisions of Minnesota Statutes 
  4.57  1997 Supplement, section 256E.07, in 
  4.58  fiscal year 1999 the commissioner shall 
  4.59  transfer $10,000,000 of the state's 
  4.60  Title XX block grant funds to the 
  4.61  family preservation program under 
  4.62  Minnesota Statutes, chapter 256F.  Of 
  4.63  the total amount transferred, the 
  4.64  commissioner shall allocate $8,800,000 
  4.65  to counties for the purposes of the 
  4.66  child protection assessments or 
  4.67  investigations community collaboration 
  4.68  pilot program under Minnesota Statutes, 
  5.1   section 626.5560.  The commissioner 
  5.2   shall allocate $750,000 to counties for 
  5.3   the concurrent permanency planning 
  5.4   pilot program under Minnesota Statutes, 
  5.5   section 257.0711.  The commissioner 
  5.6   shall transfer $200,000 to the 
  5.7   commissioner of health for the program 
  5.8   under Minnesota Statutes, section 
  5.9   145A.15, that funds home visiting 
  5.10  projects.  The commissioner may retain 
  5.11  up to $250,000 of the total amount 
  5.12  transferred to conduct evaluations of 
  5.13  these pilot programs.  The 
  5.14  commissioners shall ensure that money 
  5.15  allocated to counties under this 
  5.16  provision must be used in accordance 
  5.17  with the requirements of the amendments 
  5.18  to section 404(d)(3)(B) of Part A of 
  5.19  Title IV of the Social Security Act in 
  5.20  Public Law Number 104-193.  This is a 
  5.21  one-time appropriation that shall not 
  5.22  be added to the base for the family 
  5.23  preservation program for the 2000-2001 
  5.24  biennial budget. 
  5.25  Subd. 3.  Children's Services
  5.26  Management                                                      
  5.27  General                                  -0-            -0-     
  5.28  Special Revenue Fund                     -0-            400,000 
  5.29  Subd. 4.  Basic Health Care
  5.30  Grants                                                          
  5.31  General                              (74,679,000)   (90,243,000)
  5.32  Health Care Access                     6,808,000     (4,278,000)
  5.33  The amounts that may be spent from this 
  5.34  appropriation for each purpose are as 
  5.35  follows: 
  5.36  (a) MinnesotaCare Grants                                        
  5.37  Health Care Access                     6,808,000     (4,278,000)
  5.38  (b) MA Basic Health Care Grants; 
  5.39  Families and Children                                           
  5.40  General                              (23,231,000)   (38,644,000)
  5.41  Of this appropriation, $100,000 in 
  5.42  fiscal year 1999 is from the general 
  5.43  fund to the commissioner for the 
  5.44  post-kidney transplant drug program.  
  5.45  This appropriation shall not cancel, 
  5.46  but is available until expended. 
  5.47  [JANUARY 1, 1999 PROVIDER RATE INCREASE 
  5.48  FOR CERTAIN SERVICES.] (a) Effective 
  5.49  for services rendered on or after 
  5.50  January 1, 1999, the commissioner shall 
  5.51  increase reimbursement or allocation 
  5.52  rates by five percent, and county 
  5.53  boards shall adjust provider contracts 
  5.54  as needed, for mental health services 
  5.55  provided by community mental health 
  5.56  centers under Minnesota Statutes, 
  5.57  sections 245.62 and 256B.0625, 
  5.58  subdivision 5, and for community 
  6.1   support services for deaf and 
  6.2   hard-of-hearing adults with mental 
  6.3   illness who use or wish to use sign 
  6.4   language as their primary means of 
  6.5   communication.  The commissioner shall 
  6.6   also increase prepaid medical 
  6.7   assistance program capitation rates as 
  6.8   appropriate to reflect the rate 
  6.9   increases in this provision.  Section 
  6.10  10, sunset of uncodified language, does 
  6.11  not apply to this provision. 
  6.12  (b) It is the intention of the 
  6.13  legislature that the compensation 
  6.14  packages of staff within each service 
  6.15  be increased by five percent. 
  6.16  (c) MA Basic Health Care Grants; 
  6.17  Elderly and Disabled                                            
  6.18  General                              (23,819,000)   (41,964,000)
  6.19  [REGION 10 COMMISSION CARRYOVER 
  6.20  AUTHORITY.] Any unspent portion of the 
  6.21  appropriation to the commissioner of 
  6.22  human services in Laws 1997, chapter 
  6.23  203, article 1, section 2, subdivision 
  6.24  9, for the region 10 quality assurance 
  6.25  commission for fiscal year 1998 shall 
  6.26  not cancel but shall be available for 
  6.27  the commission for fiscal year 1999. 
  6.28  [DD CRISIS INTERVENTION PROJECT.] Of 
  6.29  this appropriation, $150,000 in fiscal 
  6.30  year 1999 is from the general fund to 
  6.31  the commissioner for start-up operating 
  6.32  and training costs for the action, 
  6.33  support, and prevention project of 
  6.34  southeastern Minnesota.  This 
  6.35  appropriation is to provide crisis 
  6.36  intervention through community-based 
  6.37  services in the private sector to 
  6.38  persons with developmental disabilities 
  6.39  under Laws 1995, chapter 207, article 
  6.40  3, section 22. 
  6.41  [PRESCRIPTION DRUG BENEFIT.] (a) If, by 
  6.42  September 15, 1998, federal approval is 
  6.43  obtained to provide a prescription drug 
  6.44  benefit for qualified Medicare 
  6.45  beneficiaries at no less than 100 
  6.46  percent of the federal poverty 
  6.47  guidelines and service-limited Medicare 
  6.48  beneficiaries under Minnesota Statutes, 
  6.49  section 256B.057, subdivision 3a, at no 
  6.50  less than 120 percent of federal 
  6.51  poverty guidelines, the commissioner of 
  6.52  human services shall not implement the 
  6.53  senior citizen drug program under 
  6.54  Minnesota Statutes, section 256.955, 
  6.55  but shall implement a drug benefit in 
  6.56  accordance with the approved waiver.  
  6.57  Upon approval of this waiver, the total 
  6.58  appropriation for the senior citizen 
  6.59  drug program under Laws 1997, chapter 
  6.60  225, article 7, section 2, shall be 
  6.61  transferred to the medical assistance 
  6.62  account to fund the federally approved 
  6.63  coverage for eligible persons for 
  6.64  fiscal year 1999. 
  7.1   (b) The commissioner may seek approval 
  7.2   for a higher copayment for eligible 
  7.3   persons above 100 percent of the 
  7.4   federal poverty guidelines. 
  7.5   (c) The commissioner shall report by 
  7.6   October 15, 1998, to the chairs of the 
  7.7   health and human services policy and 
  7.8   fiscal committees of the house and 
  7.9   senate whether the waiver referred to 
  7.10  in paragraph (a) has been approved and 
  7.11  will be implemented or whether the 
  7.12  state senior citizen drug program will 
  7.13  be implemented. 
  7.14  (d) If the commissioner does not 
  7.15  receive federal waiver approval at or 
  7.16  above the level of eligibility defined 
  7.17  in paragraph (a), the commissioner 
  7.18  shall implement the program under 
  7.19  Minnesota Statutes, section 256.955. 
  7.20  (d) General Assistance 
  7.21  Medical Care                                            
  7.22  General                              (27,629,000)    (9,635,000)
  7.23  Subd. 5.  Basic Health Care
  7.24  Management                                                      
  7.25  General                                  -0-            261,000 
  7.26  Health Care Access                      (192,000)     1,774,000 
  7.27  The amounts that may be spent from this 
  7.28  appropriation for each purpose are as 
  7.29  follows: 
  7.30  (a) Health Care Policy
  7.31  Administration                                                  
  7.32  General                                  -0-            173,000 
  7.33  Health Care Access                      (192,000)        37,000 
  7.34  [DELAY IN TRANSFERRING GAMC CLIENTS.] 
  7.35  Due to delaying the transfer of GAMC 
  7.36  clients to MinnesotaCare until January 
  7.37  1, 2000, $192,000 in fiscal year 1998 
  7.38  health care access fund administrative 
  7.39  funds, appropriated in Laws 1997, 
  7.40  chapter 225, article 7, section 2, 
  7.41  subdivision 1, are canceled. 
  7.42  [MINNESOTACARE OUTREACH.] Unexpended 
  7.43  money in fiscal year 1998 for 
  7.44  MinnesotaCare outreach activities 
  7.45  appropriated in Laws 1997, chapter 225, 
  7.46  article 7, section 2, subdivision 1, 
  7.47  does not cancel, but is available for 
  7.48  those purposes in fiscal year 1999. 
  7.49  [HEALTH CARE MANUAL PRODUCTION COSTS.] 
  7.50  For the biennium ending June 30, 1999, 
  7.51  the money difference between the cost 
  7.52  of producing and distributing the 
  7.53  department of human services health 
  7.54  care manual, and the fees paid by 
  7.55  individuals and private entities on 
  7.56  January 1, 1998, is appropriated to the 
  7.57  commissioner to defray manual 
  8.1   production and distribution costs.  The 
  8.2   commissioner must provide the health 
  8.3   care manual to government agencies and 
  8.4   nonprofit agencies serving the legal 
  8.5   and social service needs of clients at 
  8.6   no cost to those agencies. 
  8.7   (b) Health Care Operations                                      
  8.8   General                                  -0-             88,000 
  8.9   Health Care Access                       -0-          1,737,000
  8.10  Subd. 6.  State-Operated
  8.11  Services                                                        
  8.12  General                                  -0-            700,000 
  8.13  The amounts that may be spent from this 
  8.14  appropriation for each purpose are as 
  8.15  follows: 
  8.16  RTC Facilities
  8.17  General                                  -0-            700,000 
  8.18  [LEAVE LIABILITIES.] The accrued leave 
  8.19  liabilities of state employees 
  8.20  transferred to state-operated community 
  8.21  services programs may be paid from the 
  8.22  appropriation for state-operated 
  8.23  services in Laws 1997, chapter 203, 
  8.24  article 1, section 2, subdivision 7, 
  8.25  paragraph (a).  Funds set aside for 
  8.26  this purpose shall not exceed the 
  8.27  amount of the actual leave liability 
  8.28  calculated as of June 30, 1999, and 
  8.29  shall be available until expended.  
  8.30  This provision is effective the day 
  8.31  following final enactment. 
  8.32  Subd. 7.  Continuing Care and
  8.33  Community Support Grants                                        
  8.34  General                              (35,100,000)   (24,527,000)
  8.35  The amounts that may be spent from this 
  8.36  appropriation for each purpose are as 
  8.37  follows: 
  8.38  (a) Community Services Block
  8.39  Grant
  8.40  General                                  130,000        -0-     
  8.41  [WILKIN COUNTY.] Of this appropriation, 
  8.42  $130,000 for fiscal year 1998 is to 
  8.43  reimburse Wilkin county for 
  8.44  flood-related human services and public 
  8.45  health costs which cannot be reimbursed 
  8.46  through any other source. 
  8.47  (b) Mental Health Grants
  8.48  General                                  300,000      2,144,000 
  8.49  [CHILDREN'S MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES.] 
  8.50  (a) Of this appropriation, $200,000 in 
  8.51  fiscal year 1999 is from the general 
  8.52  fund for the commissioner to award 
  8.53  grants to counties that have a 
  9.1   relatively low net tax capacity to 
  9.2   provide children's mental health 
  9.3   services to children and families 
  9.4   residing outside of a metropolitan 
  9.5   statistical area, as that term is 
  9.6   defined by the United States Census 
  9.7   Bureau.  Funds shall be used to provide 
  9.8   services according to an individual 
  9.9   family community support plan as 
  9.10  described in Minnesota Statutes, 
  9.11  section 245.4881, subdivision 4.  The 
  9.12  plan must be developed using a process 
  9.13  that enhances consumer empowerment.  
  9.14  Counties with an approved children's 
  9.15  mental health collaborative may 
  9.16  integrate funds appropriated for fiscal 
  9.17  years 1998 and 1999 with existing funds 
  9.18  to meet the needs identified in the 
  9.19  child's individual family community 
  9.20  support plan. 
  9.21  (b) In awarding grants to counties 
  9.22  under this provision, the commissioner 
  9.23  shall follow the process established in 
  9.24  Minnesota Statutes, section 245.4886, 
  9.25  subdivision 2.  The commissioner shall 
  9.26  give priority for funding to counties 
  9.27  that continued to spend for mental 
  9.28  health services specified in Minnesota 
  9.29  Statutes, sections 245.461 to 245.486 
  9.30  and 245.487 to 245.4888, according to 
  9.31  generally accepted accounting 
  9.32  principles, in an amount equal to the 
  9.33  total expenditures shown in the 
  9.34  county's approved 1987 CSSA plan for 
  9.35  services to persons with mental illness 
  9.36  plus the comparable figure for 
  9.37  facilities licensed under Minnesota 
  9.38  Rules, chapter 9545, for target 
  9.39  populations other than mental illness 
  9.40  in the county's approved 1989 CSSA 
  9.41  plan.  The commissioner shall ensure 
  9.42  that grant funds are not used to 
  9.43  replace existing funds. 
  9.44  [PLANNING GRANT FOR PROSTITUTION 
  9.45  RECOVERY CENTER.] Of this 
  9.46  appropriation, $50,000 in fiscal year 
  9.47  1999 is from the general fund to the 
  9.48  commissioner for a planning grant to 
  9.49  enable an organization to develop a 
  9.50  long-term treatment program for women 
  9.51  escaping systems of prostitution. 
  9.52  [COMPULSIVE GAMBLING CARRYFORWARD.] 
  9.53  Unexpended funds appropriated to the 
  9.54  commissioner for compulsive gambling 
  9.55  programs for fiscal year 1998 do not 
  9.56  cancel but are available for these 
  9.57  purposes for fiscal year 1999. 
  9.58  [FLOOD COSTS.] Of this appropriation, 
  9.59  $300,000 in fiscal year 1998 and 
  9.60  $1,000,000 in fiscal year 1999 is from 
  9.61  the general fund to the commissioner 
  9.62  for the purpose of continuing 
  9.63  initiatives funded by Federal Emergency 
  9.64  Management Agency (FEMA) mental health 
  9.65  care grants beyond April 15, 1998.  
  9.66  This appropriation is available until 
  9.67  June 30, 1999.  This provision is 
 10.1   effective April 15, 1998, if FEMA does 
 10.2   not extend these mental health care 
 10.3   grants beyond April 15, 1998. 
 10.4   (c) Deaf and Hard-of-hearing
 10.5   Grants  
 10.6   General                                  -0-             81,000 
 10.7   [SERVICES TO DEAF PERSONS WITH MENTAL 
 10.8   ILLNESS.] Of this appropriation, 
 10.9   $65,000 in fiscal year 1999 is from the 
 10.10  general fund to the commissioner for a 
 10.11  grant to a nonprofit agency that 
 10.12  currently serves deaf and 
 10.13  hard-of-hearing adults with mental 
 10.14  illness through residential programs 
 10.15  and supported housing outreach 
 10.16  activities.  The grant must be used to 
 10.17  continue or maintain community support 
 10.18  services for deaf and hard-of-hearing 
 10.19  adults with mental illness who use or 
 10.20  wish to use sign language as their 
 10.21  primary means of communication.  This 
 10.22  appropriation is in addition to the 
 10.23  appropriation in Laws 1997, chapter 
 10.24  203, article 1, section 2, subdivision 
 10.25  8, paragraph (d), for a grant to this 
 10.26  nonprofit agency. 
 10.27  (d) DD Community Support Grants                            
 10.28  General                                  -0-             41,000 
 10.29  (e) Aging and Adult 
 10.30  Services                 
 10.31  General                                  -0-            100,000 
 10.32  (f) Medical Assistance Long-term
 10.33  Care Waivers and Home Care
 10.34  General                               (8,463,000)   (13,096,000)
 10.35  [JANUARY 1, 1999, PROVIDER RATE 
 10.36  INCREASE.] (a) Effective for services 
 10.37  rendered on or after January 1, 1999, 
 10.38  the commissioner shall increase 
 10.39  reimbursement or allocation rates by 
 10.40  1.25 percent, and county boards shall 
 10.41  adjust provider contracts as needed, 
 10.42  for home and community-based waiver 
 10.43  services for persons with mental 
 10.44  retardation or related conditions under 
 10.45  Minnesota Statutes, section 256B.501; 
 10.46  home and community-based waiver 
 10.47  services for the elderly under 
 10.48  Minnesota Statutes, section 256B.0915; 
 10.49  nursing services and home health 
 10.50  services under Minnesota Statutes, 
 10.51  section 256B.0625, subdivision 6a; 
 10.52  personal care services and nursing 
 10.53  supervision of personal care services 
 10.54  under Minnesota Statutes, section 
 10.55  256B.0625, subdivision 19a; private 
 10.56  duty nursing services under Minnesota 
 10.57  Statutes, section 256B.0625, 
 10.58  subdivision 7; day training and 
 10.59  habilitation services for adults with 
 10.60  mental retardation or related 
 10.61  conditions under Minnesota Statutes, 
 11.1   sections 252.40 to 252.47; physical 
 11.2   therapy services under Minnesota 
 11.3   Statutes, sections 256B.0625, 
 11.4   subdivision 8, and 256D.03, subdivision 
 11.5   4; occupational therapy services under 
 11.6   Minnesota Statutes, sections 256B.0625, 
 11.7   subdivision 8a, and 256D.03, 
 11.8   subdivision 4; speech-language therapy 
 11.9   services under Minnesota Statutes, 
 11.10  section 256D.03, subdivision 4, and 
 11.11  Minnesota Rules, part 9505.0390; 
 11.12  respiratory therapy services under 
 11.13  Minnesota Statutes, section 256D.03, 
 11.14  subdivision 4, and Minnesota Rules, 
 11.15  part 9505.0295; family community 
 11.16  support grants under Minnesota Rules, 
 11.17  parts 9535.1700 to 9535.1760; and 
 11.18  semi-independent living services under 
 11.19  Minnesota Statutes, section 252.275, 
 11.20  including SILS funding under county 
 11.21  social services grants formerly funded 
 11.22  under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 
 11.23  256I.  The commissioner shall also 
 11.24  increase prepaid medical assistance 
 11.25  program capitation rates as appropriate 
 11.26  to reflect the rate increases in this 
 11.27  provision.  Section 10, sunset of 
 11.28  uncodified language, does not apply to 
 11.29  this provision. 
 11.30  (b) It is the intention of the 
 11.31  legislature that the compensation 
 11.32  packages of staff within each service 
 11.33  be increased by 1.25 percent. 
 11.34  (g) Medical Assistance Long-term
 11.35  Care Facilities
 11.36  General                              (18,272,000)   (19,117,000)
 11.37  [ICF/MR DISALLOWANCES.] Of this 
 11.38  appropriation, $65,000 in fiscal year 
 11.39  1999 is from the general fund to the 
 11.40  commissioner for the purpose of 
 11.41  reimbursing a 12-bed ICF/MR in Stearns 
 11.42  county and a 12-bed ICF/MR in Sherburne 
 11.43  county for disallowances resulting from 
 11.44  field audit findings.  The commissioner 
 11.45  shall exempt these facilities from the 
 11.46  provisions of Minnesota Statutes, 
 11.47  section 256B.501, subdivision 5b, 
 11.48  paragraph (d), clause (6), for the rate 
 11.49  years beginning October 1, 1997, and 
 11.50  October 1, 1998.  Section 10, sunset of 
 11.51  uncodified language, does not apply to 
 11.52  this provision. 
 11.53  [NURSING HOME MORATORIUM EXCEPTIONS.] 
 11.54  Base level funding for medical 
 11.55  assistance long-term care facilities is 
 11.56  increased by $255,000 in fiscal year 
 11.57  2000 and by $278,000 in fiscal year 
 11.58  2001 for the additional medical 
 11.59  assistance costs of the nursing home 
 11.60  moratorium exceptions under Minnesota 
 11.61  Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
 11.62  144A.071, subdivision 4a, paragraphs 
 11.63  (w) and (x).  Notwithstanding the 
 11.64  provisions of section 10, sunset of 
 11.65  uncodified language, this provision 
 11.66  shall not expire. 
 12.1   [ICFs/MR AND NURSING FACILITY 
 12.2   FLOOD-RELATED REPORTING.] For the 
 12.3   reporting year ending December 31, 
 12.4   1997, for ICFs/MR that temporarily 
 12.5   admitted victims of the flood of 1997, 
 12.6   the resident days related to those 
 12.7   temporary placements (persons not 
 12.8   formally admitted which continued to be 
 12.9   billed under the evacuated facility's 
 12.10  provider number) shall not be counted 
 12.11  in the cost report submitted to 
 12.12  calculate October 1, 1998, rates, and 
 12.13  the additional expenditures shall be 
 12.14  considered nonallowable. 
 12.15  For the reporting year ending September 
 12.16  30, 1997, for nursing facilities that 
 12.17  temporarily admitted victims of the 
 12.18  flood of 1997, the resident days 
 12.19  related to those temporary placements 
 12.20  (persons not formally admitted which 
 12.21  continued to be billed under the 
 12.22  evacuated facility's provider number) 
 12.23  shall not be counted in the cost report 
 12.24  submitted to calculate July 1, 1998, 
 12.25  rates, and the additional expenditures 
 12.26  shall be considered nonallowable. 
 12.27  (h) Alternative Care Grants
 12.28  General                                  -0-         21,666,000 
 12.29  (i) Group Residential Housing
 12.30  General                               (8,795,000)    (9,447,000)
 12.31  (j) Chemical Dependency
 12.32  Entitlement Grants 
 12.33  General                                  -0-         (7,498,000)
 12.34  (k) Chemical Dependency                                        
 12.35  Nonentitlement Grants 
 12.36  General                                  -0-            400,000 
 12.37  [MATCHING GRANT FOR YOUTH ALCOHOL 
 12.38  TREATMENT.] Of this appropriation, 
 12.39  $400,000 in fiscal year 1999 is from 
 12.40  the general fund for the commissioner 
 12.41  to provide a grant to the board of 
 12.42  directors of the Minnesota Indian 
 12.43  Primary Residential Treatment Center, 
 12.44  Inc., to build a youth alcohol 
 12.45  treatment wing at the Mash-Ka-Wisen 
 12.46  Treatment Center.  This appropriation 
 12.47  is available only if matched by a 
 12.48  $1,500,000 federal grant and a $100,000 
 12.49  grant from state Indian bands. 
 12.50  [MATCHING GRANT FOR PROJECT TURNABOUT.] 
 12.51  If money is appropriated in fiscal year 
 12.52  1999 to the commissioner from the 
 12.53  lottery prize fund, the money shall be 
 12.54  used to provide a grant for capital 
 12.55  improvements to Project Turnabout in 
 12.56  Granite Falls.  A local match is 
 12.57  required before the commissioner may 
 12.58  release this appropriation to the 
 12.59  facility.  The facility shall receive 
 12.60  state funds equal to the amount of 
 13.1   local matching funds provided, up to 
 13.2   the limit of this appropriation. 
 13.3   Subd. 8.  Economic Support Grants                               
 13.4   General                               (9,174,000)   (29,413,000)
 13.5   The amounts that may be spent from this 
 13.6   appropriation for each purpose are as 
 13.7   follows: 
 13.8   (a) Assistance to Families
 13.9   Grants                                                          
 13.10  General                                  -0-        (20,343,000)
 13.11  [TRANSFER OF STATE MONEY FROM TANF 
 13.12  RESERVE.] For fiscal year 1999, 
 13.13  $10,220,000 is appropriated from the 
 13.14  state money in the TANF reserve to the 
 13.15  commissioner for the purposes of 
 13.16  funding the families-first distribution 
 13.17  of child support arrearages under 
 13.18  Minnesota Statutes, section 256.741, 
 13.19  subdivision 2a; the Minnesota food 
 13.20  assistance program under Minnesota 
 13.21  Statutes, section 256D.053; and the 
 13.22  MFIP-S noncitizen food portion under 
 13.23  Minnesota Statutes, section 256J.11, 
 13.24  subdivision 2. 
 13.25  [TRANSFER OF FEDERAL TANF FUNDS TO 
 13.26  CHILD CARE DEVELOPMENT FUND.] $406,000 
 13.27  is transferred in fiscal year 1999 from 
 13.28  the state's federal TANF block grant to 
 13.29  the state's child care development 
 13.30  fund, and is appropriated to the 
 13.31  commissioner of children, families, and 
 13.32  learning for the purposes of Minnesota 
 13.33  Statutes, section 119B.05. 
 13.34  (b) General Assistance 
 13.35  General                               (6,933,000)    (6,321,000)
 13.36  (c) Minnesota Supplemental
 13.37  Aid
 13.38  General                               (2,241,000)    (2,749,000)
 13.39  Subd. 9.  Economic Support
 13.40  Management
 13.41  General                                  -0-             35,000 
 13.42  Health Care Access                       -0-          1,084,000 
 13.43  [ASSESSMENT OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING 
 13.44  SUPPLY.] The commissioner of human 
 13.45  services shall assess the statewide 
 13.46  supply of affordable housing for all 
 13.47  MFIP-S and GA recipients, and report to 
 13.48  the legislature by January 15, 1999, on 
 13.49  the results of this assessment. 
 13.50  The amounts that may be spent from this 
 13.51  appropriation for each purpose are as 
 13.52  follows: 
 13.53  Economic Support
 13.54  Operations
 14.1   General                                  -0-             35,000 
 14.2   Health Care Access                       -0-          1,084,000 
 14.3   Sec. 3.  COMMISSIONER OF HEALTH
 14.4   Subdivision 1.  Total
 14.5   Appropriation                            -0-         18,896,000
 14.6                 Summary by Fund
 14.7   General                 -0-        18,896,000
 14.8   State Government Special
 14.9   Revenue                 -0-             7,000 
 14.10  Health Care
 14.11  Access                  -0-           259,000
 14.12  Subd. 2.  Health Systems and
 14.13  Special Populations                      -0-         13,759,000 
 14.14                Summary by Fund
 14.15  General                 -0-        13,500,000
 14.16  Health Care
 14.17  Access                  -0-           259,000
 14.18  [FETAL ALCOHOL SYNDROME.] (a) Of this 
 14.19  appropriation, $3,500,000 in fiscal 
 14.20  year 1999 is from the general fund to 
 14.21  the commissioner for the fetal alcohol 
 14.22  syndrome/fetal alcohol effect (FAS/FAE) 
 14.23  initiatives specified in paragraphs (b) 
 14.24  to (k). 
 14.25  (b) Of the amount in paragraph (a), 
 14.26  $100,000 is transferred to the 
 14.27  commissioner of children, families, and 
 14.28  learning for school-based pilot 
 14.29  programs to identify and implement 
 14.30  effective educational strategies for 
 14.31  individuals with FAS/FAE. 
 14.32  (c) Of the amount in paragraph (a), 
 14.33  $600,000 is for the public awareness 
 14.34  campaign under Minnesota Statutes, 
 14.35  section 145.9266, subdivision 1. 
 14.36  (d) Of the amount in paragraph (a), 
 14.37  $300,000 is to develop a statewide 
 14.38  network of regional FAS diagnostic 
 14.39  clinics under Minnesota Statutes, 
 14.40  section 145.9266, subdivision 2. 
 14.41  (e) Of the amount in paragraph (a), 
 14.42  $150,000 is for professional training 
 14.43  about FAS under Minnesota Statutes, 
 14.44  section 145.9266, subdivision 3. 
 14.45  (f) Of the amount in paragraph (a), 
 14.46  $200,000 is for the fetal alcohol 
 14.47  coordinating board under Minnesota 
 14.48  Statutes, section 145.9266, subdivision 
 14.49  6. 
 14.50  (g) Of the amount in paragraph (a), 
 14.51  $500,000 is transferred to the 
 14.52  commissioner of human services to 
 15.1   expand the maternal and child health 
 15.2   social service programs under Minnesota 
 15.3   Statutes, section 254A.17, subdivision 
 15.4   1. 
 15.5   (h) Of the amount in paragraph (a), 
 15.6   $200,000 is for the commissioner to 
 15.7   study the extent of fetal alcohol 
 15.8   syndrome in the state. 
 15.9   (i) Of the amount in paragraph (a), 
 15.10  $300,000 is transferred to the 
 15.11  commissioner of human services for the 
 15.12  intervention and advocacy program under 
 15.13  Minnesota Statutes, section 254A.17, 
 15.14  subdivision 1b. 
 15.15  (j) Of the amount in paragraph (a), 
 15.16  $700,000 is for the FAS community grant 
 15.17  program under Minnesota Statutes, 
 15.18  section 145.9266, subdivision 4. 
 15.19  (k) Of the amount in paragraph (a), 
 15.20  $450,000 is transferred to the 
 15.21  commissioner of human services to 
 15.22  expand treatment services and halfway 
 15.23  houses for pregnant women and women 
 15.24  with children who abuse alcohol during 
 15.25  pregnancy. 
 15.26  [RURAL PHYSICIAN LOAN FORGIVENESS 
 15.27  BUDGET REQUEST.] The budget request for 
 15.28  the rural physician loan forgiveness 
 15.29  program in the 2000-2001 biennial 
 15.30  budget shall detail the amount of funds 
 15.31  carried forward and obligations 
 15.32  canceled. 
 15.33  [GRANTS FROM HEALTH CARE ACCESS FUND.] 
 15.34  Of any grants made from the health care 
 15.35  access fund to the commissioner of 
 15.36  health for purposes of Minnesota 
 15.37  Statutes, section 145.925, priority 
 15.38  shall be given for grants to entities 
 15.39  providing natural family planning 
 15.40  services that did not receive funding 
 15.41  under Minnesota Statutes, section 
 15.42  145.925, in fiscal year 1998. 
 15.43  Subd. 3.  Health Protection              -0-          5,130,000 
 15.44                Summary by Fund
 15.45  General                 -0-         5,130,000
 15.46  State Government
 15.47  Special Revenue         -0-             7,000
 15.48  [OCCUPATIONAL RESPIRATORY DISEASE 
 15.49  INFORMATION SYSTEM.] Of the general 
 15.50  fund appropriation, $300,000 in fiscal 
 15.51  year 1999 is to design an occupational 
 15.52  respiratory disease information 
 15.53  system.  This appropriation is 
 15.54  available until expended.  This 
 15.55  appropriation is added to the base for 
 15.56  the 2000-2001 biennial budget. 
 15.57  [INFECTION CONTROL.] Of the general 
 15.58  fund appropriation, $300,000 in fiscal 
 15.59  year 1999 is for infection control 
 16.1   activities, including training and 
 16.2   technical assistance of health care 
 16.3   personnel to prevent and control 
 16.4   disease outbreaks, and for hospital and 
 16.5   public health laboratory testing and 
 16.6   other activities to monitor trends in 
 16.7   drug-resistant infections.  Start-up 
 16.8   costs shall not become part of the base 
 16.9   for the 2000-2001 biennial budget. 
 16.10  [CANCER SCREENING.] Of the general fund 
 16.11  appropriation, $989,000 in fiscal year 
 16.12  1999 is for increased cancer screening 
 16.13  and diagnostic services for women, 
 16.14  particularly underserved women, and to 
 16.15  improve cancer screening rates for the 
 16.16  general population.  Of this amount, at 
 16.17  least $665,000 is for grants to support 
 16.18  local boards of health in providing 
 16.19  outreach and coordination and to 
 16.20  reimburse health care providers for 
 16.21  screening and diagnostic tests, and up 
 16.22  to $324,000 is for technical 
 16.23  assistance, consultation, and outreach. 
 16.24  [SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASE 
 16.25  PREVENTION INITIATIVES.] (a) Of this 
 16.26  appropriation, $300,000 in fiscal year 
 16.27  1999 is from the general fund to the 
 16.28  commissioner for the sexually 
 16.29  transmitted disease prevention 
 16.30  initiatives specified in paragraphs (b) 
 16.31  to (d). 
 16.32  (b) $100,000 is for the commissioner, 
 16.33  in consultation with the HIV/STD 
 16.34  prevention task force and the 
 16.35  commissioner of children, families, and 
 16.36  learning, to conduct a statewide 
 16.37  assessment of need and capacity to 
 16.38  prevent and treat sexually transmitted 
 16.39  diseases and to prepare a comprehensive 
 16.40  plan for how to prevent and treat 
 16.41  sexually transmitted diseases, 
 16.42  including strategies for reducing 
 16.43  infection and for increasing access to 
 16.44  treatment.  This appropriation shall 
 16.45  not become part of the base level 
 16.46  funding for this activity for the 
 16.47  2000-2001 biennial budget. 
 16.48  (c) $100,000 is for the commissioner to 
 16.49  conduct research on the prevalence of 
 16.50  sexually transmitted diseases among 
 16.51  populations at highest risk for 
 16.52  infection.  The research may be done in 
 16.53  collaboration with the University of 
 16.54  Minnesota and nonprofit community 
 16.55  health clinics.  This appropriation 
 16.56  shall not become part of the base level 
 16.57  funding for this activity for the 
 16.58  2000-2001 biennial budget. 
 16.59  (d) $100,000 is for the commissioner to 
 16.60  conduct laboratory screenings for 
 16.61  sexually transmitted diseases and to 
 16.62  overcome barriers to diagnostic 
 16.63  screening and treatment services, 
 16.64  particularly in populations at highest 
 16.65  risk for acquiring a sexually 
 16.66  transmitted disease. 
 17.1   Sec. 4.  HEALTH-RELATED BOARDS 
 17.2   Subdivision 1.  Total       
 17.3   Appropriation                            113,000         83,000 
 17.4   The appropriations in this section are 
 17.5   from the state government special 
 17.6   revenue fund. 
 17.7   Subd. 2.  Board of Medical  
 17.8   Practice                                  80,000       (110,000)
 17.9   This appropriation is added to the 
 17.10  appropriation in Laws 1997, chapter 
 17.11  203, article 1, section 5, subdivision 
 17.12  6, and is for the health professional 
 17.13  services activity. 
 17.14  Subd. 3.  Board of Physical 
 17.15  Therapy                                  -0-            160,000 
 17.16  Subd. 4.  Board of 
 17.17  Veterinary Medicine                       33,000         33,000 
 17.18  This appropriation is added to the 
 17.19  appropriation in Laws 1997, chapter 
 17.20  203, article 1, section 5, subdivision 
 17.21  14, and is for national examination 
 17.22  costs. 
 17.23  Sec. 5.  EMERGENCY MEDICAL 
 17.24  SERVICES BOARD       
 17.25  General                                  -0-             78,000 
 17.26  [EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES 
 17.27  COMMUNICATIONS NEEDS ASSESSMENT.] (a) 
 17.28  Of this appropriation, $78,000 in 
 17.29  fiscal year 1999 is from the general 
 17.30  fund to the board to conduct an 
 17.31  emergency medical services needs 
 17.32  assessment for areas outside the 
 17.33  seven-county metropolitan area.  The 
 17.34  assessment shall determine the current 
 17.35  status of and need for emergency 
 17.36  medical services communications 
 17.37  equipment.  All regional emergency 
 17.38  medical services programs designated by 
 17.39  the board under Minnesota Statutes 1997 
 17.40  Supplement, section 144E.50, shall 
 17.41  cooperate in the preparation of the 
 17.42  assessment. 
 17.43  (b) The appropriation for this project 
 17.44  shall be distributed through the 
 17.45  emergency medical services system fund 
 17.46  under Minnesota Statutes, section 
 17.47  144E.50, through a request-for-proposal 
 17.48  process.  The board must select a 
 17.49  regional EMS program that receives at 
 17.50  least 20 percent of its funding from 
 17.51  nonstate sources to conduct the 
 17.52  assessment.  The request for proposals 
 17.53  must be issued by August 1, 1998. 
 17.54  (c) A final report with recommendations 
 17.55  shall be presented to the board and the 
 17.56  legislature by July 1, 1999. 
 17.57  (d) This appropriation shall not become 
 17.58  part of base level funding for the 
 18.1   2000-2001 biennium. 
 18.2   Sec. 6.  OMBUDSMAN FOR MENTAL
 18.3   HEALTH AND MENTAL RETARDATION 
 18.4   General                                  -0-            200,000 
 18.5      Sec. 7.  Laws 1997, chapter 203, article 1, section 2, 
 18.6   subdivision 5, is amended to read: 
 18.7   Subd. 5.  Basic Health Care Grants
 18.8                 Summary by Fund
 18.9   General             834,098,000   938,504,000
 18.10  The amounts that may be spent from this 
 18.11  appropriation for each purpose are as 
 18.12  follows: 
 18.13  (a) MA Basic Health Care Grants-
 18.14  Families and Children
 18.15  General             322,970,000   367,726,000
 18.16  [NOTICE ON CHANGES IN ASSET TEST.] The 
 18.17  commissioner shall provide a notice by 
 18.18  July 15, 1997, to all recipients 
 18.19  affected by the changes in this act in 
 18.20  asset standards for families with 
 18.21  children notifying them: 
 18.22  (1) what asset limits will apply to 
 18.23  them; 
 18.24  (2) when the new limits will apply; 
 18.25  (3) what options they have to spenddown 
 18.26  assets; and 
 18.27  (4) what options they have to enroll in 
 18.28  MinnesotaCare, including an explanation 
 18.29  of the MinnesotaCare premium structure. 
 18.30  (b) MA Basic Health Care Grants- 
 18.31  Elderly & Disabled
 18.32  General             337,659,000   400,408,000
 18.33  [PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE ASSESSMENT.] The 
 18.34  reimbursement for public health nurse 
 18.35  visits relating to the provision of 
 18.36  personal care services under Minnesota 
 18.37  Statutes, sections 256B.0625, 
 18.38  subdivision 19a, and 256B.0627, is 
 18.39  $204.36 for the initial assessment 
 18.40  visit and $102.18 for each reassessment 
 18.41  visit. 
 18.42  [SURCHARGE COMPLIANCE.] In the event 
 18.43  that federal financial participation in 
 18.44  the Minnesota medical assistance 
 18.45  program is reduced as a result of a 
 18.46  determination that Minnesota is out of 
 18.47  compliance with Public Law Number 
 18.48  102-234 or its implementing regulations 
 18.49  or with any other federal law designed 
 18.50  to restrict provider tax programs or 
 18.51  intergovernmental transfers, the 
 18.52  commissioner shall appeal the 
 19.1   determination to the fullest extent 
 19.2   permitted by law and may ratably reduce 
 19.3   all medical assistance and general 
 19.4   assistance medical care payments to 
 19.5   providers other than the state of 
 19.6   Minnesota in order to eliminate any 
 19.7   shortfall resulting from the reduced 
 19.8   federal funding.  Any amount later 
 19.9   recovered through the appeals process 
 19.10  shall be used to reimburse providers 
 19.11  for any ratable reductions taken. 
 19.12  [BLOOD PRODUCTS LITIGATION.] To the 
 19.13  extent permitted by federal law, 
 19.14  Minnesota Statutes, sections 256.015, 
 19.15  256B.042, 256B.056, and 256B.15 are 
 19.16  waived as necessary for the limited 
 19.17  purpose of resolving the state's claims 
 19.18  in connection with In re Factor VIII or 
 19.19  IX Concentrate Blood Products 
 19.20  Litigation, MDL-986, No. 93-C7452 
 19.21  (N.D.III.). 
 19.22  [DISTRIBUTION TO MEDICAL ASSISTANCE 
 19.23  PROVIDERS.] (a) Of the amount 
 19.24  appropriated to the medical assistance 
 19.25  account in fiscal year 1998, $5,000,000 
 19.26  plus the federal financial 
 19.27  participation amount shall be 
 19.28  distributed to medical assistance 
 19.29  providers according to the distribution 
 19.30  methodology of the medical education 
 19.31  research trust fund established under 
 19.32  Minnesota Statutes, section 62J.69. 
 19.33  (b) In fiscal year 1999, the prepaid 
 19.34  medical assistance and prepaid general 
 19.35  assistance medical care capitation rate 
 19.36  reduction amounts under Minnesota 
 19.37  Statutes, section 256B.69, subdivision 
 19.38  5c, and the federal financial 
 19.39  participation amount associated with 
 19.40  the medical assistance reduction, shall 
 19.41  be distributed to medical assistance 
 19.42  providers according to the distribution 
 19.43  methodology of the trust fund. 
 19.44  [AUGMENTATIVE AND ALTERNATIVE 
 19.45  COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS.] Augmentative 
 19.46  and alternative communication systems 
 19.47  and related components that are prior 
 19.48  authorized by the department through 
 19.49  pass through vendors during the period 
 19.50  from January 1, 1997, until the 
 19.51  augmentative and alternative 
 19.52  communication system purchasing program 
 19.53  or other alternatives are operational 
 19.54  shall be paid under the medical 
 19.55  assistance program at the actual price 
 19.56  charged the pass through vendor plus 20 
 19.57  percent to cover administrative costs 
 19.58  of prior authorization and billing and 
 19.59  shipping charges.  
 19.60  (c) General Assistance Medical Care
 19.61  General             173,469,000   170,370,000
 19.62  [HEALTH CARE ACCESS TRANSFERS TO 
 19.63  GENERAL FUND.] Funds shall be 
 19.64  transferred from the health care access 
 20.1   fund to the general fund in an amount 
 20.2   equal to the projected savings to 
 20.3   general assistance medical care (GAMC) 
 20.4   that would result from the transition 
 20.5   of GAMC parents and adults without 
 20.6   children to MinnesotaCare.  Based on 
 20.7   this projection, for state fiscal year 
 20.8   1998, the amount transferred from the 
 20.9   health care access fund to the general 
 20.10  fund shall be $13,700,000.  The amount 
 20.11  of transfer, if any, necessary for 
 20.12  state fiscal year 1999 shall be 
 20.13  determined on a pro rata 
 20.14  basis $2,659,000. 
 20.15  [TUBERCULOSIS COST OF CARE.] Of the 
 20.16  general fund appropriation, $89,000 for 
 20.17  the biennium is for the cost of care 
 20.18  that is required to be paid by the 
 20.19  commissioner under Minnesota Statutes, 
 20.20  section 144.4872, to diagnose or treat 
 20.21  tuberculosis carriers.  
 20.22     Sec. 8.  Laws 1997, chapter 203, article 1, section 2, 
 20.23  subdivision 12, is amended to read: 
 20.24  Subd. 12.  Federal TANF Funds       
 20.25  [FEDERAL TANF FUNDS.] (a) Federal 
 20.26  Temporary Assistance for Needy Families 
 20.27  block grant funds authorized under 
 20.28  title I of Public Law Number 104-193, 
 20.29  the Personal Responsibility and Work 
 20.30  Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, 
 20.31  are appropriated to the commissioner in 
 20.32  amounts up to $276,741,000 $240,936,000 
 20.33  in fiscal year 1998 
 20.34  and $265,795,000 $272,083,000 in fiscal 
 20.35  year 1999.  Additional TANF funds may 
 20.36  be expended, but only to the extent 
 20.37  that an equal amount of state funds 
 20.38  have been transferred to the TANF 
 20.39  reserve under Minnesota Statutes 1997 
 20.40  Supplement, section 256J.03. 
 20.41  (b) The commissioner may use TANF 
 20.42  reserve funds to offset any future 
 20.43  reductions in the amount of the state's 
 20.44  allocation of federal TANF block grant 
 20.45  funds.  
 20.46     Sec. 9.  [CARRYOVER LIMITATION.] 
 20.47     The appropriations in this article which are allowed to be 
 20.48  carried forward from fiscal year 1998 to fiscal year 1999 shall 
 20.49  not become part of the base level funding for the 2000-2001 
 20.50  biennial budget, unless specifically directed by the legislature.
 20.51     Sec. 10.  [SUNSET OF UNCODIFIED LANGUAGE.] 
 20.52     All uncodified language contained in this article expires 
 20.53  on June 30, 1999, unless a different expiration date is 
 20.54  specified. 
 20.55     Sec. 11.  [EFFECTIVE DATE.] 
 21.1      The amendments to Laws 1997, chapter 203, article 1, 
 21.2   section 2, subdivision 12, in section 8 are effective the day 
 21.3   following final enactment. 
 21.4                              ARTICLE 2
 21.5              HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND HEALTH PROFESSIONALS
 21.6      Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
 21.7   62D.11, subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
 21.8      Subdivision 1.  [ENROLLEE COMPLAINT SYSTEM.] Every health 
 21.9   maintenance organization shall establish and maintain a 
 21.10  complaint system, as required under section 62Q.105 to provide 
 21.11  reasonable procedures for the resolution of written complaints 
 21.12  initiated by or on behalf of enrollees concerning the provision 
 21.13  of health care services.  "Provision of health services" 
 21.14  includes, but is not limited to, questions of the scope of 
 21.15  coverage, quality of care, and administrative operations.  The 
 21.16  health maintenance organization must inform enrollees that they 
 21.17  may choose to use alternative dispute resolution arbitration to 
 21.18  appeal a health maintenance organization's internal appeal 
 21.19  decision.  The health maintenance organization must also inform 
 21.20  enrollees that they have the right to use arbitration to appeal 
 21.21  a health maintenance organization's internal appeal decision not 
 21.22  to certify an admission, procedure, service, or extension of 
 21.23  stay under section 62M.06.  If an enrollee chooses to use an 
 21.24  alternative dispute resolution process arbitration, the health 
 21.25  maintenance organization must participate. 
 21.26     Sec. 2.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
 21.27  62J.70, subdivision 3, is amended to read: 
 21.28     Subd. 3.  [HEALTH PLAN COMPANY.] "Health plan company" 
 21.29  means a health plan company as defined in section 62Q.01, 
 21.30  subdivision 4, the medical assistance program, the MinnesotaCare 
 21.31  program, the general assistance medical care program, the state 
 21.32  employee group insurance program, the public employees insurance 
 21.33  program under section 43A.316, and coverage provided by 
 21.34  political subdivisions under section 471.617. 
 21.35     Sec. 3.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
 21.36  62J.71, subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
 22.1      Subdivision 1.  [PROHIBITED AGREEMENTS AND DIRECTIVES.] The 
 22.2   following types of agreements and directives are contrary to 
 22.3   state public policy, are prohibited under this section, and are 
 22.4   null and void: 
 22.5      (1) any agreement or directive that prohibits a health care 
 22.6   provider from communicating with an enrollee with respect to the 
 22.7   enrollee's health status, health care, or treatment options, if 
 22.8   the health care provider is acting in good faith and within the 
 22.9   provider's scope of practice as defined by law; 
 22.10     (2) any agreement or directive that prohibits a health care 
 22.11  provider from making a recommendation regarding the suitability 
 22.12  or desirability of a health plan company, health insurer, or 
 22.13  health coverage plan for an enrollee, unless the provider has a 
 22.14  financial conflict of interest in the enrollee's choice of 
 22.15  health plan company, health insurer, or health coverage plan; 
 22.16     (3) any agreement or directive that prohibits a provider 
 22.17  from providing testimony, supporting or opposing legislation, or 
 22.18  making any other contact with state or federal legislators or 
 22.19  legislative staff or with state and federal executive branch 
 22.20  officers or staff; 
 22.21     (4) any agreement or directive that prohibits a health care 
 22.22  provider from disclosing accurate information about whether 
 22.23  services or treatment will be paid for by a patient's health 
 22.24  plan company or health insurer or health coverage plan; and 
 22.25     (5) any agreement or directive that prohibits a health care 
 22.26  provider from informing an enrollee about the nature of the 
 22.27  reimbursement methodology used by an enrollee's health plan 
 22.28  company, health insurer, or health coverage plan to pay the 
 22.29  provider. 
 22.30     Sec. 4.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
 22.31  62J.71, subdivision 3, is amended to read: 
 22.32     Subd. 3.  [RETALIATION PROHIBITED.] No person, health plan 
 22.33  company, or other organization may take retaliatory action 
 22.34  against a health care provider solely on the grounds that the 
 22.35  provider: 
 22.36     (1) refused to enter into an agreement or provide services 
 23.1   or information in a manner that is prohibited under this section 
 23.2   or took any of the actions listed in subdivision 1; 
 23.3      (2) disclosed accurate information about whether a health 
 23.4   care service or treatment is covered by an enrollee's health 
 23.5   plan company, health insurer, or health coverage plan; or 
 23.6      (3) discussed diagnostic, treatment, or referral options 
 23.7   that are not covered or are limited by the enrollee's health 
 23.8   plan company, health insurer, or health coverage plan; 
 23.9      (4) criticized coverage of the enrollee's health plan 
 23.10  company, health insurer, or health coverage plan; or 
 23.11     (5) expressed personal disagreement with a decision made by 
 23.12  a person, organization, or health care provider regarding 
 23.13  treatment or coverage provided to a patient of the provider, or 
 23.14  assisted or advocated for the patient in seeking reconsideration 
 23.15  of such a decision, provided the health care provider makes it 
 23.16  clear that the provider is acting in a personal capacity and not 
 23.17  as a representative of or on behalf of the entity that made the 
 23.18  decision. 
 23.19     Sec. 5.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
 23.20  62J.71, subdivision 4, is amended to read: 
 23.21     Subd. 4.  [EXCLUSION.] (a) Nothing in this section 
 23.22  prohibits a health plan an entity that is subject to this 
 23.23  section from taking action against a provider if the health plan 
 23.24  entity has evidence that the provider's actions are illegal, 
 23.25  constitute medical malpractice, or are contrary to accepted 
 23.26  medical practices. 
 23.27     (b) Nothing in this section prohibits a contract provision 
 23.28  or directive that requires any contracting party to keep 
 23.29  confidential or to not use or disclose the specific amounts paid 
 23.30  to a provider, provider fee schedules, provider salaries, and 
 23.31  other similar provider-specific proprietary information of a 
 23.32  specific health plan or health plan company entity that is 
 23.33  subject to this section.  
 23.34     Sec. 6.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
 23.35  62J.72, subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
 23.36     Subdivision 1.  [WRITTEN DISCLOSURE.] (a) A health plan 
 24.1   company, as defined under section 62J.70, subdivision 3, a 
 24.2   health care network cooperative as defined under section 62R.04, 
 24.3   subdivision 3, and a health care provider as defined under 
 24.4   section 62J.70, subdivision 2, shall, during open enrollment, 
 24.5   upon enrollment, and annually thereafter, provide enrollees with 
 24.6   a description of the general nature of the reimbursement 
 24.7   methodologies used by the health plan company, health insurer, 
 24.8   or health coverage plan to pay providers.  The description must 
 24.9   explain clearly any aspect of the reimbursement methodology that 
 24.10  in any way may tend to make it advantageous for the health care 
 24.11  provider to minimize or restrict the health care provided to 
 24.12  enrollees.  This description may be incorporated into the member 
 24.13  handbook, subscriber contract, certificate of coverage, or other 
 24.14  written enrollee communication.  The general reimbursement 
 24.15  methodology shall be made available to employers at the time of 
 24.16  open enrollment.  
 24.17     (b) Health plan companies, health care network 
 24.18  cooperatives, and providers must, upon request, provide an 
 24.19  enrollee with specific information regarding the reimbursement 
 24.20  methodology, including, but not limited to, the following 
 24.21  information:  
 24.22     (1) a concise written description of the provider payment 
 24.23  plan, including any incentive plan applicable to the enrollee; 
 24.24     (2) a written description of any incentive to the provider 
 24.25  relating to the provision of health care services to enrollees, 
 24.26  including any compensation arrangement that is dependent on the 
 24.27  amount of health coverage or health care services provided to 
 24.28  the enrollee, or the number of referrals to or utilization of 
 24.29  specialists; and 
 24.30     (3) a written description of any incentive plan that 
 24.31  involves the transfer of financial risk to the health care 
 24.32  provider. 
 24.33     (c) The disclosure statement describing the general nature 
 24.34  of the reimbursement methodologies must comply with the 
 24.35  Readability of Insurance Policies Act in chapter 72C.  
 24.36  Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, the disclosure 
 25.1   statement may voluntarily be filed with the commissioner for 
 25.2   approval and must be filed with and approved by the commissioner 
 25.3   prior to its use. 
 25.4      (d) A disclosure statement that has voluntarily been filed 
 25.5   with the commissioner for approval under chapter 72C or 
 25.6   voluntarily filed with the commissioner for approval for 
 25.7   purposes other than pursuant to chapter 72C paragraph (c) is 
 25.8   deemed approved 30 days after the date of filing, unless 
 25.9   approved or disapproved by the commissioner on or before the end 
 25.10  of that 30-day period. 
 25.11     (e) The disclosure statement describing the general nature 
 25.12  of the reimbursement methodologies must be provided upon request 
 25.13  in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, and Hmong.  In addition, 
 25.14  reasonable efforts must be made to provide information contained 
 25.15  in the disclosure statement to other non-English-speaking 
 25.16  enrollees. 
 25.17     (f) Health plan companies and providers may enter into 
 25.18  agreements to determine how to respond to enrollee requests 
 25.19  received by either the provider or the health plan 
 25.20  company.  Health plan companies may also enter into agreements 
 25.21  to determine how to respond to enrollee requests. This 
 25.22  subdivision does not require disclosure of specific amounts paid 
 25.23  to a provider, provider fee schedules, provider salaries, or 
 25.24  other proprietary information of a specific health plan company 
 25.25  or health insurer or health coverage plan or provider. 
 25.26     Sec. 7.  [62J.77] [DEFINITIONS.] 
 25.27     Subdivision 1.  [APPLICABILITY.] For purposes of sections 
 25.28  62J.77 to 62J.80, the terms defined in this section have the 
 25.29  meanings given them. 
 25.30     Subd. 2.  [ENROLLEE.] "Enrollee" means a natural person 
 25.31  covered by a health plan company, health insurance, or health 
 25.32  coverage plan and includes an insured, policyholder, subscriber, 
 25.33  contract holder, member, covered person, or certificate holder. 
 25.34     Subd. 3.  [PATIENT.] "Patient" means a former, current, or 
 25.35  prospective patient of a health care provider. 
 25.36     Sec. 8.  [62J.78] [ESTABLISHMENT; ORGANIZATION.] 
 26.1      Subdivision 1.  [GENERAL.] The office of health care 
 26.2   consumer assistance, advocacy, and information is established to 
 26.3   provide assistance, advocacy, and information to all health care 
 26.4   consumers within the state.  The office shall have no regulatory 
 26.5   power or authority and shall not provide legal representation in 
 26.6   a court of law. 
 26.7      Subd. 2.  [EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.] An executive director shall 
 26.8   be appointed by the governor, in consultation with the consumer 
 26.9   advisory board, for a three-year term and may be removed only 
 26.10  for just cause.  The executive director must be selected without 
 26.11  regard to political affiliation and must be a person who has 
 26.12  knowledge and experience concerning the needs and rights of 
 26.13  health care consumers and must be qualified to analyze questions 
 26.14  of law, administrative functions, and public policy.  No person 
 26.15  may serve as executive director while holding another public 
 26.16  office.  The director shall serve in the unclassified service.  
 26.17     Subd. 3.  [STAFF.] The executive director shall appoint at 
 26.18  least nine consumer advocates to discharge the responsibilities 
 26.19  and duties of the office.  The executive director and full-time 
 26.20  staff shall be included in the Minnesota state retirement 
 26.21  association. 
 26.22     Subd. 4.  [DELEGATION.] The executive director may delegate 
 26.23  to staff any of the authority or duties of the director, except 
 26.24  the duty of formally making recommendations to the legislature.  
 26.25     Subd. 5.  [TRAINING.] The executive director shall ensure 
 26.26  that the consumer advocates are adequately trained. 
 26.27     Subd. 6.  [STATEWIDE ADVOCACY.] The executive director 
 26.28  shall assign a consumer advocate to represent each regional 
 26.29  coordinating board's geographic area. 
 26.30     Subd. 7.  [FINANCIAL INTEREST.] The executive director and 
 26.31  staff must not have any direct personal financial interest in 
 26.32  the health care system, except as an individual consumer of 
 26.33  health care services. 
 26.34     Subd. 8.  [ADMINISTRATION.] The office of the ombudsman for 
 26.35  mental health and mental retardation shall coordinate and share 
 26.36  administrative services with the office of health care consumer 
 27.1   assistance, advocacy, and information.  To the extent practical, 
 27.2   all ombudsman offices with health care responsibilities shall 
 27.3   have their telephone systems linked in order to facilitate 
 27.4   immediate referrals. 
 27.5      Sec. 9.  [62J.79] [DUTIES AND POWERS OF THE OFFICE OF 
 27.6   HEALTH CARE CONSUMER ASSISTANCE, ADVOCACY, AND INFORMATION.] 
 27.7      Subdivision 1.  [DUTIES.] (a) The executive director shall 
 27.8   provide information and assistance to all health care consumers 
 27.9   by: 
 27.10     (1) assisting patients and enrollees in understanding and 
 27.11  asserting their contractual and legal rights, including the 
 27.12  rights under an alternative dispute resolution process.  This 
 27.13  assistance may include advocacy for enrollees in administrative 
 27.14  proceedings or other formal or informal dispute resolution 
 27.15  processes; 
 27.16     (2) assisting enrollees in obtaining health care referrals 
 27.17  under their health plan company, health insurance, or health 
 27.18  coverage plan; 
 27.19     (3) assisting patients and enrollees in accessing the 
 27.20  services of governmental agencies, regulatory boards, and other 
 27.21  state consumer assistance programs, ombudsman, or advocacy 
 27.22  services whenever appropriate so that the patient or enrollee 
 27.23  can take full advantage of existing mechanisms for resolving 
 27.24  complaints; 
 27.25     (4) referring patients and enrollees to governmental 
 27.26  agencies and regulatory boards for the investigation of health 
 27.27  care complaints and for enforcement action; 
 27.28     (5) educating and training enrollees about their health 
 27.29  plan company, health insurance, or health coverage plan in order 
 27.30  to enable them to assert their rights and to understand their 
 27.31  responsibilities; 
 27.32     (6) assisting enrollees in receiving a timely resolution of 
 27.33  their complaints; 
 27.34     (7) monitoring health care complaints addressed by the 
 27.35  office to identify specific complaint patterns or areas of 
 27.36  potential improvement; 
 28.1      (8) recommending to health plan companies ways to identify 
 28.2   and remove any barriers that might delay or impede the health 
 28.3   plan company's effort to resolve consumer complaints; and 
 28.4      (9) in performing the duties specified in clauses (1) to 
 28.5   (8), taking into consideration the special situations of 
 28.6   patients and enrollees who have unique culturally defined needs. 
 28.7      (b) The executive director shall prioritize the duties 
 28.8   listed in this subdivision within the appropriations allocated.  
 28.9      Subd. 2.  [COMMUNICATION.] The executive director shall 
 28.10  meet at least six times per year with the consumer advisory 
 28.11  board.  The executive director shall share all public 
 28.12  information obtained by the office of health care consumer 
 28.13  assistance, advocacy, and information with the consumer advisory 
 28.14  board in order to assist the consumer advisory board in its role 
 28.15  of advising the commissioners of health and commerce and the 
 28.16  legislature in accordance with section 62J.75. 
 28.17     Subd. 3.  [REPORTS.] Beginning January 15, 1999, the 
 28.18  executive director, on at least a quarterly basis, shall provide 
 28.19  data from the health care complaints addressed by the office to 
 28.20  the commissioners of health and commerce, the consumer advisory 
 28.21  board, the Minnesota council of health plans, the Insurance 
 28.22  Federation of Minnesota, and the information clearinghouse.  
 28.23  Beginning January 15, 1999, the executive director must make an 
 28.24  annual written report to the legislature regarding activities of 
 28.25  the office, including recommendations on improving health care 
 28.26  consumer assistance and complaint resolution processes.  
 28.27     Sec. 10.  [62J.80] [RETALIATION.] 
 28.28     A health plan company or health care provider shall not 
 28.29  retaliate or take adverse action against an enrollee or patient 
 28.30  who, in good faith, makes a complaint against a health plan 
 28.31  company or health care provider.  If retaliation is suspected, 
 28.32  the executive director may report it to the appropriate 
 28.33  regulatory authority.  
 28.34     Sec. 11.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
 28.35  62Q.105, subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
 28.36     Subdivision 1.  [ESTABLISHMENT.] Each health plan company 
 29.1   shall establish and make available to enrollees, by July 1, 1998 
 29.2   1999, an informal complaint resolution process that meets the 
 29.3   requirements of this section.  A health plan company must make 
 29.4   reasonable efforts to resolve enrollee complaints, and must 
 29.5   inform complainants in writing of the company's decision within 
 29.6   30 days of receiving the complaint.  The complaint resolution 
 29.7   process must treat the complaint and information related to it 
 29.8   as required under sections 72A.49 to 72A.505.  
 29.9      Sec. 12.  [62Q.107] [PROHIBITED PROVISION; EFFECT OF DENIAL 
 29.10  OF CLAIM.] 
 29.11     No health plan, including the coverages described in 
 29.12  section 62A.011, subdivision 3, clauses (7) and (10), may 
 29.13  specify a standard of review upon which a court may review 
 29.14  denial of a claim or of any other decision made by a health plan 
 29.15  company with respect to an enrollee.  This section prohibits 
 29.16  limiting court review to a determination of whether the health 
 29.17  plan company's decision is arbitrary and capricious, an abuse of 
 29.18  discretion, or any other standard less favorable to the enrollee 
 29.19  than a preponderance of the evidence.  
 29.20     Sec. 13.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
 29.21  62Q.30, is amended to read: 
 29.22     62Q.30 [EXPEDITED FACT FINDING AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION 
 29.23  PROCESS.] 
 29.24     The commissioner shall establish an expedited fact finding 
 29.25  and dispute resolution process to assist enrollees of health 
 29.26  plan companies with contested treatment, coverage, and service 
 29.27  issues to be in effect July 1, 1998 1999.  If the disputed issue 
 29.28  relates to whether a service is appropriate and necessary, the 
 29.29  commissioner shall issue an order only after consulting with 
 29.30  appropriate experts knowledgeable, trained, and practicing in 
 29.31  the area in dispute, reviewing pertinent literature, and 
 29.32  considering the availability of satisfactory alternatives.  The 
 29.33  commissioner shall take steps including but not limited to 
 29.34  fining, suspending, or revoking the license of a health plan 
 29.35  company that is the subject of repeated orders by the 
 29.36  commissioner that suggests a pattern of inappropriate 
 30.1   underutilization.  
 30.2      Sec. 14.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
 30.3   103I.208, subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
 30.4      Subd. 2.  [PERMIT FEE.] The permit fee to be paid by a 
 30.5   property owner is:  
 30.6      (1) for a well that is not in use under a maintenance 
 30.7   permit, $100 annually; 
 30.8      (2) for construction of a monitoring well, $120, which 
 30.9   includes the state core function fee; 
 30.10     (3) for a monitoring well that is unsealed under a 
 30.11  maintenance permit, $100 annually; 
 30.12     (4) for monitoring wells used as a leak detection device at 
 30.13  a single motor fuel retail outlet or, a single petroleum bulk 
 30.14  storage site excluding tank farms, or a single agricultural 
 30.15  chemical facility site, the construction permit fee is $120, 
 30.16  which includes the state core function fee, per site regardless 
 30.17  of the number of wells constructed on the site, and the annual 
 30.18  fee for a maintenance permit for unsealed monitoring wells is 
 30.19  $100 per site regardless of the number of monitoring wells 
 30.20  located on site; 
 30.21     (5) for a groundwater thermal exchange device, in addition 
 30.22  to the notification fee for wells, $120, which includes the 
 30.23  state core function fee; 
 30.24     (6) for a vertical heat exchanger, $120; 
 30.25     (7) for a dewatering well that is unsealed under a 
 30.26  maintenance permit, $100 annually for each well, except a 
 30.27  dewatering project comprising more than five wells shall be 
 30.28  issued a single permit for $500 annually for wells recorded on 
 30.29  the permit; and 
 30.30     (8) for excavating holes for the purpose of installing 
 30.31  elevator shafts, $120 for each hole. 
 30.32     Sec. 15.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
 30.33  144.1494, subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
 30.34     Subdivision 1.  [CREATION OF ACCOUNT.] A rural physician 
 30.35  education account is established in the health care access 
 30.36  fund.  The commissioner shall use money from the account to 
 31.1   establish a loan forgiveness program for medical residents 
 31.2   agreeing to practice in designated rural areas, as defined by 
 31.3   the commissioner.  Appropriations made to this account do not 
 31.4   cancel and are available until expended, except that at the end 
 31.5   of each biennium the commissioner shall cancel to the health 
 31.6   care access fund any remaining unobligated balance in this 
 31.7   account. 
 31.8      Sec. 16.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 144.701, 
 31.9   subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
 31.10     Subdivision 1.  [CONSUMER INFORMATION.] The commissioner of 
 31.11  health shall ensure that the total costs, total 
 31.12  revenues, overall utilization, and total services of each 
 31.13  hospital and each outpatient surgical center are reported to the 
 31.14  public in a form understandable to consumers.  
 31.15     Sec. 17.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 144.701, 
 31.16  subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
 31.17     Subd. 2.  [DATA FOR POLICY MAKING.] The commissioner of 
 31.18  health shall compile relevant financial and accounting, 
 31.19  utilization, and services data concerning hospitals and 
 31.20  outpatient surgical centers in order to have statistical 
 31.21  information available for legislative policy making. 
 31.22     Sec. 18.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 144.701, 
 31.23  subdivision 4, is amended to read: 
 31.24     Subd. 4.  [FILING FEES.] Each report which is required to 
 31.25  be submitted to the commissioner of health under sections 
 31.26  144.695 to 144.703 and which is not submitted to a voluntary, 
 31.27  nonprofit reporting organization in accordance with section 
 31.28  144.702 shall be accompanied by a filing fee in an amount 
 31.29  prescribed by rule of the commissioner of health.  Fees received 
 31.30  pursuant to this subdivision shall be deposited in the general 
 31.31  fund of the state treasury.  Upon the withdrawal of approval of 
 31.32  a reporting organization, or the decision of the commissioner to 
 31.33  not renew a reporting organization, fees collected under section 
 31.34  144.702 shall be submitted to the commissioner and deposited in 
 31.35  the general fund.  Fees received under this subdivision shall be 
 31.36  deposited in a revolving fund and are appropriated to the 
 32.1   commissioner of health for the purposes of sections 144.695 to 
 32.2   144.703.  The commissioner shall report the termination or 
 32.3   nonrenewal of the voluntary reporting organization to the chair 
 32.4   of the health and human services subdivision of the 
 32.5   appropriations committee of the house of representatives, to the 
 32.6   chair of the health and human services division of the finance 
 32.7   committee of the senate, and the commissioner of finance. 
 32.8      Sec. 19.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 144.702, 
 32.9   subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
 32.10     Subdivision 1.  [REPORTING THROUGH A REPORTING 
 32.11  ORGANIZATION.] A hospital or outpatient surgical center may 
 32.12  agree to submit its financial, utilization, and services reports 
 32.13  to a voluntary, nonprofit reporting organization whose reporting 
 32.14  procedures have been approved by the commissioner of health in 
 32.15  accordance with this section.  Each report submitted to the 
 32.16  voluntary, nonprofit reporting organization under this section 
 32.17  shall be accompanied by a filing fee. 
 32.18     Sec. 20.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 144.702, 
 32.19  subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
 32.20     Subd. 2.  [APPROVAL OF ORGANIZATION'S REPORTING 
 32.21  PROCEDURES.] The commissioner of health may approve voluntary 
 32.22  reporting procedures consistent with written operating 
 32.23  requirements for the voluntary, nonprofit reporting organization 
 32.24  which shall be established annually by the commissioner.  These 
 32.25  written operating requirements shall specify reports, analyses, 
 32.26  and other deliverables to be produced by the voluntary, 
 32.27  nonprofit reporting organization, and the dates on which those 
 32.28  deliverables must be submitted to the commissioner.  These 
 32.29  written operating requirements shall specify deliverable dates 
 32.30  sufficient to enable the commissioner of health to process and 
 32.31  report health care cost information system data to the 
 32.32  commissioner of human services by August 15 of each year.  The 
 32.33  commissioner of health shall, by rule, prescribe standards for 
 32.34  submission of data by hospitals and outpatient surgical centers 
 32.35  to the voluntary, nonprofit reporting organization or to the 
 32.36  commissioner.  These standards shall provide for: 
 33.1      (a) The filing of appropriate financial, utilization, and 
 33.2   services information with the reporting organization; 
 33.3      (b) Adequate analysis and verification of that financial, 
 33.4   utilization, and services information; and 
 33.5      (c) Timely publication of the costs, revenues, and rates of 
 33.6   individual hospitals and outpatient surgical centers prior to 
 33.7   the effective date of any proposed rate increase.  The 
 33.8   commissioner of health shall annually review the procedures 
 33.9   approved pursuant to this subdivision. 
 33.10     Sec. 21.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 144.702, 
 33.11  subdivision 8, is amended to read: 
 33.12     Subd. 8.  [TERMINATION OR NONRENEWAL OF REPORTING 
 33.13  ORGANIZATION.] The commissioner may withdraw approval of any 
 33.14  voluntary, nonprofit reporting organization for failure on the 
 33.15  part of the voluntary, nonprofit reporting organization to 
 33.16  comply with the written operating requirements under subdivision 
 33.17  2.  Upon the effective date of the withdrawal, all funds 
 33.18  collected by the voluntary, nonprofit reporting organization 
 33.19  under section 144.701, subdivision 4 1, but not expended shall 
 33.20  be deposited in the general fund a revolving fund and are 
 33.21  appropriated to the commissioner of health for the purposes of 
 33.22  sections 144.695 to 144.703. 
 33.23     The commissioner may choose not to renew approval of a 
 33.24  voluntary, nonprofit reporting organization if the organization 
 33.25  has failed to perform its obligations satisfactorily under the 
 33.26  written operating requirements under subdivision 2. 
 33.27     Sec. 22.  [144.7022] [ADMINISTRATIVE PENALTY ORDERS FOR 
 33.28  REPORTING ORGANIZATIONS.] 
 33.29     Subdivision 1.  [AUTHORIZATION.] The commissioner may issue 
 33.30  an order to the voluntary, nonprofit reporting organization 
 33.31  requiring violations to be corrected and administratively 
 33.32  assessing monetary penalties for violations of sections 144.695 
 33.33  to 144.703 or rules, written operating requirements, orders, 
 33.34  stipulation agreements, settlements, or compliance agreements 
 33.35  adopted, enforced, or issued by the commissioner. 
 33.36     Subd. 2.  [CONTENTS OF ORDER.] An order assessing an 
 34.1   administrative penalty under this section must include: 
 34.2      (1) a concise statement of the facts alleged to constitute 
 34.3   a violation; 
 34.4      (2) a reference to the section of law, rule, written 
 34.5   operating requirement, order, stipulation agreement, settlement, 
 34.6   or compliance agreement that has been violated; 
 34.7      (3) a statement of the amount of the administrative penalty 
 34.8   to be imposed and the factors upon which the penalty is based; 
 34.9      (4) a statement of the corrective actions necessary to 
 34.10  correct the violation; and 
 34.11     (5) a statement of the right to request a hearing pursuant 
 34.12  to sections 14.57 to 14.62. 
 34.13     Subd. 3.  [CONCURRENT CORRECTIVE ORDER.] The commissioner 
 34.14  may issue an order assessing an administrative penalty and 
 34.15  requiring the violations cited in the order to be corrected 
 34.16  within 30 calendar days from the date the order is received.  
 34.17  Before the 31st day after the order was received, the voluntary, 
 34.18  nonprofit reporting organization that is subject to the order 
 34.19  shall provide the commissioner with information demonstrating 
 34.20  that the violation has been corrected or that a corrective plan, 
 34.21  acceptable to the commissioner, has been developed.  The 
 34.22  commissioner shall determine whether the violation has been 
 34.23  corrected and notify the voluntary, nonprofit reporting 
 34.24  organization of the commissioner's determination. 
 34.25     Subd. 4.  [PENALTY.] If the commissioner determines that 
 34.26  the violation has been corrected or an acceptable corrective 
 34.27  plan has been developed, the penalty may be forgiven, except 
 34.28  where there are repeated or serious violations, the commissioner 
 34.29  may issue an order with a penalty that will not be forgiven 
 34.30  after corrective action is taken.  Unless there is a request for 
 34.31  review of the order under subdivision 6 before the penalty is 
 34.32  due, the penalty is due and payable: 
 34.33     (1) on the 31st calendar day after the order was received, 
 34.34  if the voluntary, nonprofit reporting organization fails to 
 34.35  provide information to the commissioner showing that the 
 34.36  violation has been corrected or that appropriate steps have been 
 35.1   taken toward correcting the violation; 
 35.2      (2) on the 20th day after the voluntary, nonprofit 
 35.3   reporting organization receives the commissioner's determination 
 35.4   that the information provided is not sufficient to show that 
 35.5   either the violation has been corrected or that appropriate 
 35.6   steps have been taken toward correcting the violation; or 
 35.7      (3) on the 31st day after the order was received where the 
 35.8   penalty is for repeated or serious violations and according to 
 35.9   the order issued, the penalty will not be forgiven after 
 35.10  corrective action is taken. 
 35.11     All penalties due under this section are payable to the 
 35.12  treasurer, state of Minnesota, and shall be deposited in the 
 35.13  general fund. 
 35.14     Subd. 5.  [AMOUNT OF PENALTY; CONSIDERATIONS.] (a) The 
 35.15  maximum amount for an administrative penalty is $5,000 for each 
 35.16  specific violation identified in an inspection, investigation, 
 35.17  or compliance review, up to an annual maximum total for all 
 35.18  violations of ten percent of the fees collected by the 
 35.19  voluntary, nonprofit reporting organization under section 
 35.20  144.702, subdivision 1.  The annual total is based upon the 
 35.21  reporting year. 
 35.22     (b) In determining the amount of the administrative 
 35.23  penalty, the commissioner shall consider the following: 
 35.24     (1) the willfulness of the violation; 
 35.25     (2) the gravity of the violation; 
 35.26     (3) the history of past violations; 
 35.27     (4) the number of violations; 
 35.28     (5) the economic benefit gained by the person allowing or 
 35.29  committing the violation; and 
 35.30     (6) other factors as justice may require, if the 
 35.31  commissioner specifically identifies the additional factors in 
 35.32  the commissioner's order. 
 35.33     (c) In determining the amount of a penalty for a violation 
 35.34  committed after an initial violation, the commissioner shall 
 35.35  also consider: 
 35.36     (1) the similarity of the most recent previous violation 
 36.1   and the current violation; 
 36.2      (2) the time elapsed since the last violation; and 
 36.3      (3) the response of the voluntary, nonprofit reporting 
 36.4   organization to the most recent previous violation. 
 36.5      Subd. 6.  [REQUEST FOR HEARING; HEARING; AND FINAL 
 36.6   ORDER.] A request for hearing must be in writing, delivered to 
 36.7   the commissioner by certified mail within 20 calendar days after 
 36.8   the receipt of the order, and specifically state the reasons for 
 36.9   seeking review of the order.  The commissioner must initiate a 
 36.10  hearing within 30 calendar days from the date of receipt of the 
 36.11  written request for hearing.  The hearing shall be conducted 
 36.12  pursuant to the contested case procedures in sections 14.57 to 
 36.13  14.62.  No earlier than ten calendar days after and within 30 
 36.14  calendar days of receipt of the presiding administrative law 
 36.15  judge's report, the commissioner shall, based on all relevant 
 36.16  facts, issue a final order modifying, vacating, or making the 
 36.17  original order permanent.  If, within 20 calendar days of 
 36.18  receipt of the original order, the voluntary, nonprofit 
 36.19  reporting organization fails to request a hearing in writing, 
 36.20  the order becomes the final order of the commissioner. 
 36.21     Subd. 7.  [REVIEW OF FINAL ORDER AND PAYMENT OF 
 36.22  PENALTY.] Once the commissioner issues a final order, any 
 36.23  penalty due under that order shall be paid within 30 calendar 
 36.24  days after the date of the final order, unless review of the 
 36.25  final order is requested.  The final order of the commissioner 
 36.26  may be appealed in the manner prescribed in sections 14.63 to 
 36.27  14.69.  If the final order is reviewed and upheld, the penalty 
 36.28  shall be paid 30 calendar days after the date of the decision of 
 36.29  the reviewing court.  Failure to request an administrative 
 36.30  hearing pursuant to subdivision 6 shall constitute a waiver of 
 36.31  the right to further agency or judicial review of the final 
 36.32  order. 
 36.33     Subd. 8.  [REINSPECTIONS AND EFFECT OF NONCOMPLIANCE.] If 
 36.34  upon reinspection, or in the determination of the commissioner, 
 36.35  it is found that any deficiency specified in the order has not 
 36.36  been corrected or an acceptable corrective plan has not been 
 37.1   developed, the voluntary, nonprofit reporting organization is in 
 37.2   noncompliance.  The commissioner shall issue a notice of 
 37.3   noncompliance and may impose any additional remedy available 
 37.4   under sections 144.695 to 144.703. 
 37.5      Subd. 9.  [ENFORCEMENT.] The attorney general may proceed 
 37.6   on behalf of the commissioner to enforce penalties that are due 
 37.7   and payable under this section in any manner provided by law for 
 37.8   the collection of debts. 
 37.9      Subd. 10.  [TERMINATION OR NONRENEWAL OF REPORTING 
 37.10  ORGANIZATION.] The commissioner may withdraw or not renew 
 37.11  approval of any voluntary, nonprofit reporting organization for 
 37.12  failure on the part of the voluntary, nonprofit reporting 
 37.13  organization to pay penalties owed under this section. 
 37.14     Subd. 11.  [CUMULATIVE REMEDY.] The authority of the 
 37.15  commissioner to issue an administrative penalty order is in 
 37.16  addition to other lawfully available remedies. 
 37.17     Subd. 12.  [MEDIATION.] In addition to review under 
 37.18  subdivision 6, the commissioner is authorized to enter into 
 37.19  mediation concerning an order issued under this section if the 
 37.20  commissioner and the voluntary, nonprofit reporting organization 
 37.21  agree to mediation. 
 37.22     Sec. 23.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 144.9501, 
 37.23  subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
 37.24     Subdivision 1.  [CITATION.] Sections 144.9501 to 144.9509 
 37.25  may be cited as the "childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Act." 
 37.26     Sec. 24.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 144.9501, is 
 37.27  amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
 37.28     Subd. 4a.  [ASSESSING AGENCY.] "Assessing agency" means the 
 37.29  commissioner or a board of health with authority and 
 37.30  responsibility to conduct lead risk assessments in response to 
 37.31  reports of children or pregnant women with elevated blood lead 
 37.32  levels. 
 37.33     Sec. 25.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 144.9501, is 
 37.34  amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
 37.35     Subd. 6b.  [CLEARANCE INSPECTION.] "Clearance inspection" 
 37.36  means a visual identification of deteriorated paint and bare 
 38.1   soil and a resampling and analysis of interior dust lead 
 38.2   concentrations in a residence to ensure that the lead standards 
 38.3   established in rules adopted under section 144.9508 are not 
 38.4   exceeded. 
 38.5      Sec. 26.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 144.9501, 
 38.6   subdivision 17, is amended to read: 
 38.7      Subd. 17.  [LEAD HAZARD REDUCTION.] "Lead hazard reduction" 
 38.8   means action undertaken in response to a lead order to make a 
 38.9   residence, child care facility, school, or playground lead-safe 
 38.10  by complying with the lead standards and methods adopted under 
 38.11  section 144.9508, by: 
 38.12     (1) a property owner or lead contractor complying persons 
 38.13  hired by the property owner to comply with a lead order issued 
 38.14  under section 144.9504; or 
 38.15     (2) a swab team service provided in response to a lead 
 38.16  order issued under section 144.9504; or 
 38.17     (3) a renter residing at a rental property or one or more 
 38.18  volunteers to comply with a lead order issued under section 
 38.19  144.9504.  
 38.20     Sec. 27.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 144.9501, is 
 38.21  amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
 38.22     Subd. 17a.  [LEAD HAZARD SCREEN.] "Lead hazard screen" 
 38.23  means visual identification of the existence and location of any 
 38.24  deteriorated paint, collection and analysis of dust samples, and 
 38.25  visual identification of the existence and location of bare soil.
 38.26     Sec. 28.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 144.9501, 
 38.27  subdivision 18, is amended to read: 
 38.28     Subd. 18.  [LEAD INSPECTION.] "Lead inspection" means a 
 38.29  qualitative or quantitative analytical inspection of a residence 
 38.30  for deteriorated paint or bare soil and the collection of 
 38.31  samples of deteriorated paint, bare soil, dust, or drinking 
 38.32  water for analysis to determine if the lead concentrations in 
 38.33  the samples exceed standards adopted under section 144.9508. 
 38.34  Lead inspection includes the clearance inspection after the 
 38.35  completion of a lead order measurement of the lead content of 
 38.36  paint and a visual identification of the existence and location 
 39.1   of bare soil.  
 39.2      Sec. 29.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 144.9501, 
 39.3   subdivision 20, is amended to read: 
 39.4      Subd. 20.  [LEAD ORDER.] "Lead order" means a legal 
 39.5   instrument to compel a property owner to engage in lead hazard 
 39.6   reduction according to the specifications given by the 
 39.7   inspecting assessing agency.  
 39.8      Sec. 30.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 144.9501, is 
 39.9   amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
 39.10     Subd. 20a.  [LEAD PROJECT DESIGNER.] "Lead project designer"
 39.11  means an individual who is responsible for planning the 
 39.12  site-specific performance of lead abatement or lead hazard 
 39.13  reduction and who has been licensed by the commissioner under 
 39.14  section 144.9505. 
 39.15     Sec. 31.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 144.9501, is 
 39.16  amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
 39.17     Subd. 20b.  [LEAD RISK ASSESSMENT.] "Lead risk assessment" 
 39.18  means a quantitative measurement of the lead content of paint, 
 39.19  interior dust, and bare soil to determine compliance with the 
 39.20  standards established under section 144.9508. 
 39.21     Sec. 32.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 144.9501, is 
 39.22  amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
 39.23     Subd. 20c.  [LEAD RISK ASSESSOR.] "Lead risk assessor" 
 39.24  means an individual who performs lead risk assessments or lead 
 39.25  inspections and who has been licensed by the commissioner under 
 39.26  section 144.9506. 
 39.27     Sec. 33.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 144.9501, is 
 39.28  amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
 39.29     Subd. 22a.  [LEAD SUPERVISOR.] "Lead supervisor" means an 
 39.30  individual who is responsible for the on-site performance of 
 39.31  lead abatement or lead hazard reduction and who has been 
 39.32  licensed by the commissioner under section 144.9505. 
 39.33     Sec. 34.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 144.9501, 
 39.34  subdivision 23, is amended to read: 
 39.35     Subd. 23.  [LEAD WORKER.] "Lead worker" means any person 
 39.36  who is certified an individual who performs lead abatement or 
 40.1   lead hazard reduction and who has been licensed by the 
 40.2   commissioner under section 144.9505.  
 40.3      Sec. 35.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 144.9501, is 
 40.4   amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
 40.5      Subd. 25a.  [PLAY AREA.] "Play area" means any established 
 40.6   area where children play, or on residential property, any 
 40.7   established area where children play or bare soil is accessible 
 40.8   to children. 
 40.9      Sec. 36.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 144.9501, is 
 40.10  amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
 40.11     Subd. 28a.  [STANDARD.] "Standard" means a quantitative 
 40.12  assessment of lead in any environmental media or consumer 
 40.13  product or a work practice or method that reduces the likelihood 
 40.14  of lead exposure. 
 40.15     Sec. 37.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 144.9501, 
 40.16  subdivision 30, is amended to read: 
 40.17     Subd. 30.  [SWAB TEAM WORKER.] "Swab team worker" means a 
 40.18  person who is certified an individual who performs swab team 
 40.19  services and who has been licensed by the commissioner as a lead 
 40.20  worker under section 144.9505.  
 40.21     Sec. 38.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 144.9501, 
 40.22  subdivision 32, is amended to read: 
 40.23     Subd. 32.  [VOLUNTARY LEAD HAZARD REDUCTION.] "Voluntary 
 40.24  lead hazard reduction" means action undertaken by a property 
 40.25  owner with the intention to engage in lead hazard reduction or 
 40.26  abatement lead hazard reduction activities defined in 
 40.27  subdivision 17, but not undertaken in response to the issuance 
 40.28  of a lead order.  
 40.29     Sec. 39.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 144.9502, 
 40.30  subdivision 3, is amended to read: 
 40.31     Subd. 3.  [REPORTS OF BLOOD LEAD ANALYSIS REQUIRED.] (a) 
 40.32  Every hospital, medical clinic, medical laboratory, or other 
 40.33  facility, or individual performing blood lead analysis shall 
 40.34  report the results after the analysis of each specimen analyzed, 
 40.35  for both capillary and venous specimens, and epidemiologic 
 40.36  information required in this section to the commissioner of 
 41.1   health, within the time frames set forth in clauses (1) and (2): 
 41.2      (1) within two working days by telephone, fax, or 
 41.3   electronic transmission, with written or electronic confirmation 
 41.4   within one month, for a venous blood lead level equal to or 
 41.5   greater than 15 micrograms of lead per deciliter of whole blood; 
 41.6   or 
 41.7      (2) within one month in writing or by electronic 
 41.8   transmission, for a any capillary result or for a venous blood 
 41.9   lead level less than 15 micrograms of lead per deciliter of 
 41.10  whole blood.  
 41.11     (b) If a blood lead analysis is performed outside of 
 41.12  Minnesota and the facility performing the analysis does not 
 41.13  report the blood lead analysis results and epidemiological 
 41.14  information required in this section to the commissioner, the 
 41.15  provider who collected the blood specimen must satisfy the 
 41.16  reporting requirements of this section.  For purposes of this 
 41.17  section, "provider" has the meaning given in section 62D.02, 
 41.18  subdivision 9. 
 41.19     (c) The commissioner shall coordinate with hospitals, 
 41.20  medical clinics, medical laboratories, and other facilities 
 41.21  performing blood lead analysis to develop a universal reporting 
 41.22  form and mechanism. 
 41.23     The reporting requirements of this subdivision shall expire 
 41.24  on December 31, 1997.  Beginning January 1, 1998, every 
 41.25  hospital, medical clinic, medical laboratory, or other facility 
 41.26  performing blood lead analysis shall report the results within 
 41.27  two working days by telephone, fax, or electronic transmission, 
 41.28  with written or electronic confirmation within one month, for 
 41.29  capillary or venous blood lead level equal to the level for 
 41.30  which reporting is recommended by the Center for Disease Control.
 41.31     Sec. 40.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 144.9502, 
 41.32  subdivision 4, is amended to read: 
 41.33     Subd. 4.  [BLOOD LEAD ANALYSES AND EPIDEMIOLOGIC 
 41.34  INFORMATION.] The blood lead analysis reports required in this 
 41.35  section must specify:  
 41.36     (1) whether the specimen was collected as a capillary or 
 42.1   venous sample; 
 42.2      (2) the date the sample was collected; 
 42.3      (3) the results of the blood lead analysis; 
 42.4      (4) the date the sample was analyzed; 
 42.5      (5) the method of analysis used; 
 42.6      (6) the full name, address, and phone number of the 
 42.7   laboratory performing the analysis; 
 42.8      (7) the full name, address, and phone number of the 
 42.9   physician or facility requesting the analysis; 
 42.10     (8) the full name, address, and phone number of the person 
 42.11  with the elevated blood lead level, and the person's birthdate, 
 42.12  gender, and race.  
 42.13     Sec. 41.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 144.9502, 
 42.14  subdivision 9, is amended to read: 
 42.15     Subd. 9.  [CLASSIFICATION OF DATA.] Notwithstanding any law 
 42.16  to the contrary, including section 13.05, subdivision 9, data 
 42.17  collected by the commissioner of health about persons with 
 42.18  elevated blood lead levels, including analytic results from 
 42.19  samples of paint, soil, dust, and drinking water taken from the 
 42.20  individual's home and immediate property, shall be private and 
 42.21  may only be used by the commissioner of health, the commissioner 
 42.22  of labor and industry, authorized agents of Indian tribes, and 
 42.23  authorized employees of local boards of health for the purposes 
 42.24  set forth in this section.  
 42.25     Sec. 42.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 144.9503, 
 42.26  subdivision 4, is amended to read: 
 42.27     Subd. 4.  [SWAB TEAM SERVICES.] Primary prevention must 
 42.28  include the use of swab team services in census tracts 
 42.29  identified at high risk for toxic lead exposure as identified by 
 42.30  the commissioner under this section.  The swab team services may 
 42.31  be provided based on visual inspections lead hazard screens 
 42.32  whenever possible and must at least include lead 
 42.33  hazard management reduction for deteriorated interior lead-based 
 42.34  paint, bare soil, and dust.  
 42.35     Sec. 43.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 144.9503, 
 42.36  subdivision 6, is amended to read: 
 43.1      Subd. 6.  [VOLUNTARY LEAD ABATEMENT OR LEAD HAZARD 
 43.2   REDUCTION.] The commissioner shall monitor the lead abatement or 
 43.3   lead hazard reduction methods adopted under section 144.9508 in 
 43.4   cases of voluntary lead abatement or lead hazard reduction.  All 
 43.5   contractors persons hired to do voluntary lead abatement or lead 
 43.6   hazard reduction must be licensed lead contractors by the 
 43.7   commissioner under section 144.9505 or 144.9506.  Renters and 
 43.8   volunteers performing lead abatement or lead hazard reduction 
 43.9   must be trained and licensed as lead supervisors or lead 
 43.10  workers.  If a property owner does not use a lead contractor 
 43.11  hire a person for voluntary lead abatement or lead hazard 
 43.12  reduction, the property owner shall provide the commissioner 
 43.13  with a work plan for lead abatement or lead hazard reduction at 
 43.14  least ten working days before beginning the lead abatement or 
 43.15  lead hazard reduction.  The work plan must include the details 
 43.16  required in section 144.9505, and notice as to when 
 43.17  lead abatement or lead hazard reduction activities will begin.  
 43.18  Within the limits of appropriations, the commissioner shall 
 43.19  review work plans and shall approve or disapprove them as to 
 43.20  compliance with the requirements in section 144.9505.  No 
 43.21  penalty shall be assessed against a property owner for 
 43.22  discontinuing voluntary lead hazard reduction before completion 
 43.23  of the work plan, provided that the property owner discontinues 
 43.24  the plan lead hazard reduction in a manner that leaves the 
 43.25  property in a condition no more hazardous than its condition 
 43.26  before the work plan implementation. 
 43.27     Sec. 44.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 144.9503, 
 43.28  subdivision 7, is amended to read: 
 43.29     Subd. 7.  [LEAD-SAFE INFORMATIONAL DIRECTIVES.] (a) By July 
 43.30  1, 1995, and amended and updated as necessary, the commissioner 
 43.31  shall develop in cooperation with the commissioner of 
 43.32  administration provisions and procedures to define 
 43.33  lead-safe informational directives for residential remodeling, 
 43.34  renovation, installation, and rehabilitation activities that are 
 43.35  not lead hazard reduction, but may disrupt lead-based paint 
 43.36  surfaces.  
 44.1      (b) The provisions and procedures shall define lead-safe 
 44.2   directives for nonlead hazard reduction activities including 
 44.3   preparation, cleanup, and disposal procedures.  The directives 
 44.4   shall be based on the different levels and types of work 
 44.5   involved and the potential for lead hazards.  The directives 
 44.6   shall address activities including painting; remodeling; 
 44.7   weatherization; installation of cable, wire, plumbing, and gas; 
 44.8   and replacement of doors and windows.  The commissioners of 
 44.9   health and administration shall consult with representatives of 
 44.10  builders, weatherization providers, nonprofit rehabilitation 
 44.11  organizations, each of the affected trades, and housing and 
 44.12  redevelopment authorities in developing the directives and 
 44.13  procedures.  This group shall also make recommendations for 
 44.14  consumer and contractor education and training.  The 
 44.15  commissioner of health shall report to the legislature by 
 44.16  February 15, 1996, regarding development of the provisions 
 44.17  required under this subdivision paragraph.  
 44.18     (c) By January 1, 1999, the commissioner, in cooperation 
 44.19  with interested and informed persons and using the meeting 
 44.20  structure and format developed in paragraph (b), shall develop 
 44.21  lead-safe informational directives on the following topics: 
 44.22     (1) maintaining floors, walls, and ceilings; 
 44.23     (2) maintaining and repairing porches; 
 44.24     (3) conducting a risk evaluation for lead; and 
 44.25     (4) prohibited practices when working with lead. 
 44.26  The commissioner shall report to the legislature by January 1, 
 44.27  1999, regarding development of the provisions required under 
 44.28  this paragraph. 
 44.29     Sec. 45.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 144.9504, 
 44.30  subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
 44.31     Subdivision 1.  [JURISDICTION.] (a) A board of health 
 44.32  serving cities of the first class must conduct lead inspections 
 44.33  risk assessments for purposes of secondary prevention, according 
 44.34  to the provisions of this section.  A board of health not 
 44.35  serving cities of the first class must conduct lead inspections 
 44.36  risk assessments for the purposes of secondary prevention, 
 45.1   unless they certify certified in writing to the commissioner by 
 45.2   January 1, 1996, that they desire desired to relinquish these 
 45.3   duties back to the commissioner.  At the discretion of the 
 45.4   commissioner, a board of health may relinquish the authority and 
 45.5   duty to perform lead risk assessments for secondary prevention 
 45.6   by so certifying in writing to the commissioner by December 31, 
 45.7   1999.  At the discretion of the commissioner, a board of health 
 45.8   may, upon written request to the commissioner, resume these 
 45.9   duties. 
 45.10     (b) Inspections Lead risk assessments must be conducted by 
 45.11  a board of health serving a city of the first class.  The 
 45.12  commissioner must conduct lead inspections risk assessments in 
 45.13  any area not including cities of the first class where a board 
 45.14  of health has relinquished to the commissioner the 
 45.15  responsibility for lead inspections risk assessments.  The 
 45.16  commissioner shall coordinate with the board of health to ensure 
 45.17  that the requirements of this section are met.  
 45.18     (c) The commissioner may assist boards of health by 
 45.19  providing technical expertise, equipment, and personnel to 
 45.20  boards of health.  The commissioner may provide laboratory or 
 45.21  field lead-testing equipment to a board of health or may 
 45.22  reimburse a board of health for direct costs associated with 
 45.23  lead inspections risk assessments. 
 45.24     (d) The commissioner shall enforce the rules under section 
 45.25  144.9508 in cases of voluntary lead hazard reduction. 
 45.26     Sec. 46.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
 45.27  144.9504, subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
 45.28     Subd. 2.  [LEAD INSPECTION RISK ASSESSMENT.] (a) 
 45.29  An inspecting assessing agency shall conduct a lead inspection 
 45.30  risk assessment of a residence according to the venous blood 
 45.31  lead level and time frame set forth in clauses (1) to (5) for 
 45.32  purposes of secondary prevention:  
 45.33     (1) within 48 hours of a child or pregnant female in the 
 45.34  residence being identified to the agency as having a venous 
 45.35  blood lead level equal to or greater than 70 micrograms of lead 
 45.36  per deciliter of whole blood; 
 46.1      (2) within five working days of a child or pregnant female 
 46.2   in the residence being identified to the agency as having a 
 46.3   venous blood lead level equal to or greater than 45 micrograms 
 46.4   of lead per deciliter of whole blood; 
 46.5      (3) within ten working days of a child in the residence 
 46.6   being identified to the agency as having a venous blood lead 
 46.7   level equal to or greater than 20 micrograms of lead per 
 46.8   deciliter of whole blood; 
 46.9      (4) within ten working days of a child in the residence 
 46.10  being identified to the agency as having a venous blood lead 
 46.11  level that persists in the range of 15 to 19 micrograms of lead 
 46.12  per deciliter of whole blood for 90 days after initial 
 46.13  identification; or 
 46.14     (5) within ten working days of a pregnant female in the 
 46.15  residence being identified to the agency as having a venous 
 46.16  blood lead level equal to or greater than ten micrograms of lead 
 46.17  per deciliter of whole blood.  
 46.18     (b) Within the limits of available state and federal 
 46.19  appropriations, an inspecting assessing agency may also conduct 
 46.20  a lead inspection risk assessment for children with any elevated 
 46.21  blood lead level.  
 46.22     (c) In a building with two or more dwelling units, an 
 46.23  inspecting assessing agency shall inspect the individual unit in 
 46.24  which the conditions of this section are met and shall also 
 46.25  inspect all common areas.  If a child visits one or more other 
 46.26  sites such as another residence, or a residential or commercial 
 46.27  child care facility, playground, or school, the inspecting 
 46.28  assessing agency shall also inspect the other sites.  
 46.29  The inspecting assessing agency shall have one additional day 
 46.30  added to the time frame set forth in this subdivision to 
 46.31  complete the lead inspection risk assessment for each additional 
 46.32  site.  
 46.33     (d) Within the limits of appropriations, the inspecting 
 46.34  assessing agency shall identify the known addresses for the 
 46.35  previous 12 months of the child or pregnant female with venous 
 46.36  blood lead levels of at least 20 micrograms per deciliter for 
 47.1   the child or at least ten micrograms per deciliter for the 
 47.2   pregnant female; notify the property owners, landlords, and 
 47.3   tenants at those addresses that an elevated blood lead level was 
 47.4   found in a person who resided at the property; and give them a 
 47.5   copy of the lead inspection risk assessment guide.  The 
 47.6   inspecting assessing agency shall provide the notice required by 
 47.7   this subdivision without identifying the child or pregnant 
 47.8   female with the elevated blood lead level.  The inspecting 
 47.9   assessing agency is not required to obtain the consent of the 
 47.10  child's parent or guardian or the consent of the pregnant female 
 47.11  for purposes of this subdivision.  This information shall be 
 47.12  classified as private data on individuals as defined under 
 47.13  section 13.02, subdivision 12.  
 47.14     (e) The inspecting assessing agency shall conduct the lead 
 47.15  inspection risk assessment according to rules adopted by the 
 47.16  commissioner under section 144.9508.  An inspecting assessing 
 47.17  agency shall have lead inspections risk assessments performed by 
 47.18  lead inspectors risk assessors licensed by the commissioner 
 47.19  according to rules adopted under section 144.9508.  If a 
 47.20  property owner refuses to allow an inspection a lead risk 
 47.21  assessment, the inspecting assessing agency shall begin legal 
 47.22  proceedings to gain entry to the property and the time frame for 
 47.23  conducting a lead inspection risk assessment set forth in this 
 47.24  subdivision no longer applies.  An inspector A lead risk 
 47.25  assessor or inspecting assessing agency may observe the 
 47.26  performance of lead hazard reduction in progress and shall 
 47.27  enforce the provisions of this section under section 144.9509.  
 47.28  Deteriorated painted surfaces, bare soil, and dust, and drinking 
 47.29  water must be tested with appropriate analytical equipment to 
 47.30  determine the lead content, except that deteriorated painted 
 47.31  surfaces or bare soil need not be tested if the property owner 
 47.32  agrees to engage in lead hazard reduction on those 
 47.33  surfaces.  The lead content of drinking water must be measured 
 47.34  if a probable source of lead exposure is not identified by 
 47.35  measurement of lead in paint, bare soil, or dust.  Within a 
 47.36  standard metropolitan statistical area, an assessing agency may 
 48.1   order lead hazard reduction of bare soil without measuring the 
 48.2   lead content of the bare soil if the property is in a census 
 48.3   tract in which soil sampling has been performed according to 
 48.4   rules established by the commissioner and at least 25 percent of 
 48.5   the soil samples contain lead concentrations above the standard 
 48.6   in section 144.9508. 
 48.7      (f) A lead inspector risk assessor shall notify the 
 48.8   commissioner and the board of health of all violations of lead 
 48.9   standards under section 144.9508, that are identified in a 
 48.10  lead inspection risk assessment conducted under this section.  
 48.11     (g) Each inspecting assessing agency shall establish an 
 48.12  administrative appeal procedure which allows a property owner to 
 48.13  contest the nature and conditions of any lead order issued by 
 48.14  the inspecting assessing agency.  Inspecting Assessing agencies 
 48.15  must consider appeals that propose lower cost methods that make 
 48.16  the residence lead safe. 
 48.17     (h) Sections 144.9501 to 144.9509 neither authorize nor 
 48.18  prohibit an inspecting assessing agency from charging a property 
 48.19  owner for the cost of a lead inspection risk assessment. 
 48.20     Sec. 47.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 144.9504, 
 48.21  subdivision 3, is amended to read: 
 48.22     Subd. 3.  [LEAD EDUCATION STRATEGY.] At the time of a 
 48.23  lead inspection risk assessment or following a lead order, the 
 48.24  inspecting assessing agency shall ensure that a family will 
 48.25  receive a visit at their residence by a swab team worker or 
 48.26  public health professional, such as a nurse, sanitarian, public 
 48.27  health educator, or other public health professional.  The swab 
 48.28  team worker or public health professional shall inform the 
 48.29  property owner, landlord, and the tenant of the health-related 
 48.30  aspects of lead exposure; nutrition; safety measures to minimize 
 48.31  exposure; methods to be followed before, during, and after the 
 48.32  lead hazard reduction process; and community, legal, and housing 
 48.33  resources.  If a family moves to a temporary residence during 
 48.34  the lead hazard reduction process, lead education services 
 48.35  should be provided at the temporary residence whenever feasible. 
 48.36     Sec. 48.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 144.9504, 
 49.1   subdivision 4, is amended to read: 
 49.2      Subd. 4.  [LEAD INSPECTION RISK ASSESSMENT GUIDES.] (a) The 
 49.3   commissioner of health shall develop or purchase lead inspection 
 49.4   risk assessment guides that enable parents and other caregivers 
 49.5   to assess the possible lead sources present and that suggest 
 49.6   lead hazard reduction actions.  The guide must provide 
 49.7   information on lead hazard reduction and disposal methods, 
 49.8   sources of equipment, and telephone numbers for additional 
 49.9   information to enable the persons to either select a lead 
 49.10  contractor persons licensed by the commissioner under section 
 49.11  144.9505 or 144.9506 to perform lead hazard reduction or perform 
 49.12  the lead hazard reduction themselves.  The guides must explain:  
 49.13     (1) the requirements of this section and rules adopted 
 49.14  under section 144.9508; 
 49.15     (2) information on the administrative appeal procedures 
 49.16  required under this section; 
 49.17     (3) summary information on lead-safe directives; 
 49.18     (4) be understandable at an eighth grade reading level; and 
 49.19     (5) be translated for use by non-English-speaking persons.  
 49.20     (b) An inspecting assessing agency shall provide the lead 
 49.21  inspection risk assessment guides at no cost to:  
 49.22     (1) parents and other caregivers of children who are 
 49.23  identified as having blood lead levels of at least ten 
 49.24  micrograms of lead per deciliter of whole blood; 
 49.25     (2) all property owners who are issued housing code or lead 
 49.26  orders requiring lead hazard reduction of lead sources and all 
 49.27  occupants of those properties; and 
 49.28     (3) occupants of residences adjacent to the inspected 
 49.29  property.  
 49.30     (c) An inspecting assessing agency shall provide the lead 
 49.31  inspection risk assessment guides on request to owners or 
 49.32  occupants of residential property, builders, contractors, 
 49.33  inspectors, and the public within the jurisdiction of 
 49.34  the inspecting assessing agency.  
 49.35     Sec. 49.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 144.9504, 
 49.36  subdivision 5, is amended to read: 
 50.1      Subd. 5.  [LEAD ORDERS.] An inspecting assessing agency, 
 50.2   after conducting a lead inspection risk assessment, shall order 
 50.3   a property owner to perform lead hazard reduction on all lead 
 50.4   sources that exceed a standard adopted according to section 
 50.5   144.9508.  If lead inspections risk assessments and lead orders 
 50.6   are conducted at times when weather or soil conditions do not 
 50.7   permit the lead inspection risk assessment or lead hazard 
 50.8   reduction, external surfaces and soil lead shall be inspected, 
 50.9   and lead orders complied with, if necessary, at the first 
 50.10  opportunity that weather and soil conditions allow.  If the 
 50.11  paint standard under section 144.9508 is violated, but the paint 
 50.12  is intact, the inspecting assessing agency shall not order the 
 50.13  paint to be removed unless the intact paint is a known source of 
 50.14  actual lead exposure to a specific person.  Before the 
 50.15  inspecting assessing agency may order the intact paint to be 
 50.16  removed, a reasonable effort must be made to protect the child 
 50.17  and preserve the intact paint by the use of guards or other 
 50.18  protective devices and methods.  Whenever windows and doors or 
 50.19  other components covered with deteriorated lead-based paint have 
 50.20  sound substrate or are not rotting, those components should be 
 50.21  repaired, sent out for stripping or be planed down to remove 
 50.22  deteriorated lead-based paint or covered with protective guards 
 50.23  instead of being replaced, provided that such an activity is the 
 50.24  least cost method.  However, a property owner who has been 
 50.25  ordered to perform lead hazard reduction may choose any method 
 50.26  to address deteriorated lead-based paint on windows, doors, or 
 50.27  other components, provided that the method is approved in rules 
 50.28  adopted under section 144.9508 and that it is appropriate to the 
 50.29  specific property.  Lead orders must require that any source of 
 50.30  damage, such as leaking roofs, plumbing, and windows, be 
 50.31  repaired or replaced, as needed, to prevent damage to 
 50.32  lead-containing interior surfaces.  The inspecting assessing 
 50.33  agency is not required to pay for lead hazard reduction.  Lead 
 50.34  orders must be issued within 30 days of receiving the blood lead 
 50.35  level analysis.  The inspecting assessing agency shall enforce 
 50.36  the lead orders issued to a property owner under this section.  
 51.1   A copy of the lead order must be forwarded to the commissioner.  
 51.2      Sec. 50.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 144.9504, 
 51.3   subdivision 6, is amended to read: 
 51.4      Subd. 6.  [SWAB TEAM SERVICES.] After a lead inspection 
 51.5   risk assessment or after issuing lead orders, the inspecting 
 51.6   assessing agency, within the limits of appropriations and 
 51.7   availability, shall offer the property owner the services of a 
 51.8   swab team free of charge and, if accepted, shall send a swab 
 51.9   team within ten working days to the residence to perform swab 
 51.10  team services as defined in section 144.9501.  If the inspecting 
 51.11  assessing agency provides swab team services after a 
 51.12  lead inspection risk assessment, but before the issuance of a 
 51.13  lead order, swab team services do not need to be repeated after 
 51.14  the issuance of the lead order if the swab team services 
 51.15  fulfilled the lead order.  Swab team services are not considered 
 51.16  completed until the clearance inspection required under this 
 51.17  section shows that the property is lead safe. 
 51.18     Sec. 51.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 144.9504, 
 51.19  subdivision 7, is amended to read: 
 51.20     Subd. 7.  [RELOCATION OF RESIDENTS.] (a) Within the limits 
 51.21  of appropriations, the inspecting assessing agency shall ensure 
 51.22  that residents are relocated from rooms or dwellings during a 
 51.23  lead hazard reduction process that generates leaded dust, such 
 51.24  as removal or disruption of lead-based paint or plaster that 
 51.25  contains lead.  Residents shall not remain in rooms or dwellings 
 51.26  where the lead hazard reduction process is occurring.  An 
 51.27  inspecting assessing agency is not required to pay for 
 51.28  relocation unless state or federal funding is available for this 
 51.29  purpose.  The inspecting assessing agency shall make an effort 
 51.30  to assist the resident in locating resources that will provide 
 51.31  assistance with relocation costs.  Residents shall be allowed to 
 51.32  return to the residence or dwelling after completion of the lead 
 51.33  hazard reduction process.  An inspecting assessing agency shall 
 51.34  use grant funds under section 144.9507 if available, in 
 51.35  cooperation with local housing agencies, to pay for moving costs 
 51.36  and rent for a temporary residence for any low-income resident 
 52.1   temporarily relocated during lead hazard reduction.  For 
 52.2   purposes of this section, "low-income resident" means any 
 52.3   resident whose gross household income is at or below 185 percent 
 52.4   of federal poverty level.  
 52.5      (b) A resident of rental property who is notified by an 
 52.6   inspecting assessing agency to vacate the premises during lead 
 52.7   hazard reduction, notwithstanding any rental agreement or lease 
 52.8   provisions:  
 52.9      (1) shall not be required to pay rent due the landlord for 
 52.10  the period of time the tenant vacates the premises due to lead 
 52.11  hazard reduction; 
 52.12     (2) may elect to immediately terminate the tenancy 
 52.13  effective on the date the tenant vacates the premises due to 
 52.14  lead hazard reduction; and 
 52.15     (3) shall not, if the tenancy is terminated, be liable for 
 52.16  any further rent or other charges due under the terms of the 
 52.17  tenancy. 
 52.18     (c) A landlord of rental property whose tenants vacate the 
 52.19  premises during lead hazard reduction shall:  
 52.20     (1) allow a tenant to return to the dwelling unit after 
 52.21  lead hazard reduction and clearance inspection, required under 
 52.22  this section, is completed, unless the tenant has elected to 
 52.23  terminate the tenancy as provided for in paragraph (b); and 
 52.24     (2) return any security deposit due under section 504.20 
 52.25  within five days of the date the tenant vacates the unit, to any 
 52.26  tenant who terminates tenancy as provided for in paragraph (b).  
 52.27     Sec. 52.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 144.9504, 
 52.28  subdivision 8, is amended to read: 
 52.29     Subd. 8.  [PROPERTY OWNER RESPONSIBILITY.] Property owners 
 52.30  shall comply with lead orders issued under this section within 
 52.31  60 days or be subject to enforcement actions as provided under 
 52.32  section 144.9509.  For orders or portions of orders concerning 
 52.33  external lead hazards, property owners shall comply within 60 
 52.34  days, or as soon thereafter as weather permits.  If the property 
 52.35  owner does not use a lead contractor hire a person licensed by 
 52.36  the commissioner under section 144.9505 for compliance with the 
 53.1   lead orders, the property owner shall submit a work plan to 
 53.2   the inspecting assessing agency within 30 days after receiving 
 53.3   the orders.  The work plan must include the details required in 
 53.4   section 144.9505 as to how the property owner intends to comply 
 53.5   with the lead orders and notice as to when lead hazard reduction 
 53.6   activities will begin.  Within the limits of appropriations, the 
 53.7   commissioner shall review plans and shall approve or disapprove 
 53.8   them as to compliance with the requirements in section 144.9505, 
 53.9   subdivision 5.  Renters and volunteers performing lead abatement 
 53.10  or lead hazard reduction must be trained and licensed as lead 
 53.11  supervisors or lead workers under section 144.9505. 
 53.12     Sec. 53.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 144.9504, 
 53.13  subdivision 9, is amended to read: 
 53.14     Subd. 9.  [CLEARANCE INSPECTION.] After completion of swab 
 53.15  team services and compliance with the lead orders by the 
 53.16  property owner, including any repairs ordered by a local housing 
 53.17  or building inspector, the inspecting assessing agency shall 
 53.18  conduct a clearance inspection by visually inspecting the 
 53.19  residence for visual identification of deteriorated paint and 
 53.20  bare soil and retest the dust lead concentration in the 
 53.21  residence to assure that violations of the lead standards under 
 53.22  section 144.9508 no longer exist.  The inspecting assessing 
 53.23  agency is not required to test a dwelling unit after lead hazard 
 53.24  reduction that was not ordered by the inspecting assessing 
 53.25  agency.  
 53.26     Sec. 54.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 144.9504, 
 53.27  subdivision 10, is amended to read: 
 53.28     Subd. 10.  [CASE CLOSURE.] A lead inspection risk 
 53.29  assessment is completed and the responsibility of the inspecting 
 53.30  assessing agency ends when all of the following conditions are 
 53.31  met:  
 53.32     (1) lead orders are written on all known sources of 
 53.33  violations of lead standards under section 144.9508; 
 53.34     (2) compliance with all lead orders has been completed; and 
 53.35     (3) clearance inspections demonstrate that no deteriorated 
 53.36  lead paint, bare soil, or lead dust levels exist that exceed the 
 54.1   standards adopted under section 144.9508.  
 54.2      Sec. 55.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 144.9505, 
 54.3   subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
 54.4      Subdivision 1.  [LICENSING AND CERTIFICATION.] (a) Lead 
 54.5   contractors A person shall, before performing abatement or lead 
 54.6   hazard reduction or providing planning services for lead 
 54.7   abatement or lead hazard reduction, obtain a license from the 
 54.8   commissioner as a lead supervisor, lead worker, or lead project 
 54.9   designer.  Workers for lead contractors shall obtain 
 54.10  certification from the commissioner.  The commissioner shall 
 54.11  specify training and testing requirements for licensure and 
 54.12  certification as required in section 144.9508 and shall charge a 
 54.13  fee for the cost of issuing a license or certificate and for 
 54.14  training provided by the commissioner.  Fees collected under 
 54.15  this section shall be set in amounts to be determined by the 
 54.16  commissioner to cover but not exceed the costs of adopting rules 
 54.17  under section 144.9508, the costs of licensure, certification, 
 54.18  and training, and the costs of enforcing licenses and 
 54.19  certificates under this section.  License fees shall be 
 54.20  nonrefundable and must be submitted with each application in the 
 54.21  amount of $50 for each lead supervisor, lead worker, or lead 
 54.22  inspector and $100 for each lead project designer, lead risk 
 54.23  assessor, or certified firm.  All fees received shall be paid 
 54.24  into the state treasury and credited to the lead abatement 
 54.25  licensing and certification account and are appropriated to the 
 54.26  commissioner to cover costs incurred under this section and 
 54.27  section 144.9508. 
 54.28     (b) Contractors Persons shall not advertise or otherwise 
 54.29  present themselves as lead contractors supervisors, lead 
 54.30  workers, or lead project designers unless they have lead 
 54.31  contractor licenses issued by the department of health 
 54.32  commissioner under section 144.9505. 
 54.33     Sec. 56.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 144.9505, 
 54.34  subdivision 4, is amended to read: 
 54.35     Subd. 4.  [NOTICE OF LEAD ABATEMENT OR LEAD HAZARD 
 54.36  REDUCTION WORK.] (a) At least five working days before starting 
 55.1   work at each lead abatement or lead hazard reduction worksite, 
 55.2   the person performing the lead abatement or lead hazard 
 55.3   reduction work shall give written notice and an approved work 
 55.4   plan as required in this section to the commissioner and the 
 55.5   appropriate board of health.  Within the limits of 
 55.6   appropriations, the commissioner shall review plans and shall 
 55.7   approve or disapprove them as to compliance with the 
 55.8   requirements in subdivision 5. 
 55.9      (b) This provision does not apply to swab team workers 
 55.10  performing work under an order of an inspecting assessing agency.
 55.11     Sec. 57.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 144.9505, 
 55.12  subdivision 5, is amended to read: 
 55.13     Subd. 5.  [ABATEMENT OR LEAD HAZARD REDUCTION WORK PLANS.] 
 55.14  (a) A lead contractor person who performs lead abatement or lead 
 55.15  hazard reduction shall present a lead abatement or lead hazard 
 55.16  reduction work plan to the property owner with each bid or 
 55.17  estimate for lead abatement or lead hazard reduction work.  
 55.18  The work plan does not replace or supersede more stringent 
 55.19  contractual agreements.  A written lead abatement or lead hazard 
 55.20  reduction work plan must be prepared which describes the 
 55.21  equipment and procedures to be used throughout the lead 
 55.22  abatement or lead hazard reduction work project.  At a minimum, 
 55.23  the work plan must describe: 
 55.24     (1) the building area and building components to be worked 
 55.25  on; 
 55.26     (2) the amount of lead-containing material to be removed, 
 55.27  encapsulated, or enclosed; 
 55.28     (3) the schedule to be followed for each work stage; 
 55.29     (4) the workers' personal protection equipment and 
 55.30  clothing; 
 55.31     (5) the dust suppression and debris containment methods; 
 55.32     (6) the lead abatement or lead hazard reduction methods to 
 55.33  be used on each building component; 
 55.34     (7) cleaning methods; 
 55.35     (8) temporary, on-site waste storage, if any; and 
 55.36     (9) the methods for transporting waste material and its 
 56.1   destination. 
 56.2      (b) A lead contractor The work plan shall itemize the costs 
 56.3   for each item listed in paragraph (a) and for any other expenses 
 56.4   associated with the lead abatement or lead hazard reduction work 
 56.5   and shall present these costs be presented to the property owner 
 56.6   with any bid or estimate for lead abatement or lead hazard 
 56.7   reduction work. 
 56.8      (c) A lead contractor The person performing the lead 
 56.9   abatement or lead hazard reduction shall keep a copy of the work 
 56.10  plan readily available at the worksite for the duration of the 
 56.11  project and present it to the inspecting assessing agency on 
 56.12  demand. 
 56.13     (d) A lead contractor The person performing the lead 
 56.14  abatement or lead hazard reduction shall keep a copy of the work 
 56.15  plan on record for one year after completion of the project and 
 56.16  shall present it to the inspecting assessing agency on demand. 
 56.17     (e) This provision does not apply to swab team workers 
 56.18  performing work under an order of an inspecting assessing agency 
 56.19  or providing services at no cost to a property owner with 
 56.20  funding under a state or federal grant. 
 56.21     Sec. 58.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
 56.22  144.9506, subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
 56.23     Subdivision 1.  [LICENSE REQUIRED.] (a) A lead 
 56.24  inspector person shall obtain a license as a lead inspector or a 
 56.25  lead risk assessor before performing lead inspections, lead 
 56.26  hazard screens, or lead risk assessments and shall renew 
 56.27  it annually as required in rules adopted under section 144.9508. 
 56.28  The commissioner shall charge a fee and require annual refresher 
 56.29  training, as specified in this section.  A lead inspector or 
 56.30  lead risk assessor shall have the lead inspector's license or 
 56.31  lead risk assessor's license readily available at all times 
 56.32  at an a lead inspection site or lead risk assessment site and 
 56.33  make it available, on request, for inspection examination by the 
 56.34  inspecting assessing agency with jurisdiction over the site.  A 
 56.35  license shall not be transferred.  License fees shall be 
 56.36  nonrefundable and must be submitted with each application in the 
 57.1   amount of $50 for each lead inspector and $100 for each lead 
 57.2   risk assessor. 
 57.3      (b) Individuals shall not advertise or otherwise present 
 57.4   themselves as lead inspectors or lead risk assessors unless 
 57.5   licensed by the commissioner. 
 57.6      (c) An individual may use sodium rhodizonate to test paint 
 57.7   for the presence of lead without obtaining a lead inspector or 
 57.8   lead risk assessor license, but must not represent the test as a 
 57.9   lead inspection or lead risk assessment. 
 57.10     Sec. 59.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 144.9506, 
 57.11  subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
 57.12     Subd. 2.  [LICENSE APPLICATION.] An application for a 
 57.13  license or license renewal shall be on a form provided by the 
 57.14  commissioner and shall include: 
 57.15     (1) a $50 nonrefundable fee, in a form approved by the 
 57.16  commissioner; and 
 57.17     (2) evidence that the applicant has successfully completed 
 57.18  a lead inspector training course approved under this section or 
 57.19  from another state with which the commissioner has established 
 57.20  reciprocity.  The fee required in this section is waived for 
 57.21  federal, state, or local government employees within Minnesota. 
 57.22     Sec. 60.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 144.9507, 
 57.23  subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
 57.24     Subd. 2.  [LEAD INSPECTION RISK ASSESSMENT CONTRACTS.] The 
 57.25  commissioner shall, within available federal or state 
 57.26  appropriations, contract with boards of health to conduct 
 57.27  lead inspections risk assessments to determine sources of lead 
 57.28  contamination and to issue and enforce lead orders according to 
 57.29  section 144.9504.  
 57.30     Sec. 61.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 144.9507, 
 57.31  subdivision 3, is amended to read: 
 57.32     Subd. 3.  [TEMPORARY LEAD-SAFE HOUSING CONTRACTS.] The 
 57.33  commissioner shall, within the limits of available 
 57.34  appropriations, contract with boards of health for temporary 
 57.35  housing, to be used in meeting relocation requirements in 
 57.36  section 144.9504, and award grants to boards of health for the 
 58.1   purposes of paying housing and relocation costs under section 
 58.2   144.9504.  The commissioner may use up to 15 percent of the 
 58.3   available appropriations to provide temporary lead-safe housing 
 58.4   in areas of the state in which the commissioner has the duty 
 58.5   under section 144.9504 to perform secondary prevention. 
 58.6      Sec. 62.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 144.9507, 
 58.7   subdivision 4, is amended to read: 
 58.8      Subd. 4.  [LEAD CLEANUP EQUIPMENT AND MATERIAL GRANTS TO 
 58.9   NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS.] (a) The commissioner shall, within the 
 58.10  limits of available state or federal appropriations, provide 
 58.11  funds for lead cleanup equipment and materials under a grant 
 58.12  program to nonprofit community-based organizations in areas at 
 58.13  high risk for toxic lead exposure, as provided for in section 
 58.14  144.9503.  
 58.15     (b) Nonprofit community-based organizations in areas at 
 58.16  high risk for toxic lead exposure may apply for grants from the 
 58.17  commissioner to purchase lead cleanup equipment and materials 
 58.18  and to pay for training for staff and volunteers for lead 
 58.19  licensure under sections 144.9505 and 144.9506. 
 58.20     (c) For purposes of this section, lead cleanup equipment 
 58.21  and materials means high efficiency particle accumulator (HEPA) 
 58.22  and wet vacuum cleaners, wash water filters, mops, buckets, 
 58.23  hoses, sponges, protective clothing, drop cloths, wet scraping 
 58.24  equipment, secure containers, dust and particle containment 
 58.25  material, and other cleanup and containment materials to remove 
 58.26  loose paint and plaster, patch plaster, control household dust, 
 58.27  wax floors, clean carpets and sidewalks, and cover bare soil. 
 58.28     (d) The grantee's staff and volunteers may make lead 
 58.29  cleanup equipment and materials available to residents and 
 58.30  property owners and instruct them on the proper use of the 
 58.31  equipment.  Lead cleanup equipment and materials must be made 
 58.32  available to low-income households, as defined by federal 
 58.33  guidelines, on a priority basis at no fee.  Other households may 
 58.34  be charged on a sliding fee scale. 
 58.35     (e) The grantee shall not charge a fee for services 
 58.36  performed using the equipment or materials. 
 59.1      (f) Any funds appropriated for purposes of this subdivision 
 59.2   that are not awarded, due to a lack of acceptable proposals for 
 59.3   the full amount appropriated, may be used for any purpose 
 59.4   authorized in this section.  
 59.5      Sec. 63.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 144.9508, 
 59.6   subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
 59.7      Subdivision 1.  [SAMPLING AND ANALYSIS.] The commissioner 
 59.8   shall adopt, by rule, visual inspection and sampling and 
 59.9   analysis methods for:  
 59.10     (1) lead inspections under section 144.9504, lead hazard 
 59.11  screens, lead risk assessments, and clearance inspections; 
 59.12     (2) environmental surveys of lead in paint, soil, dust, and 
 59.13  drinking water to determine census tracts that are areas at high 
 59.14  risk for toxic lead exposure; 
 59.15     (3) soil sampling for soil used as replacement soil; and 
 59.16     (4) drinking water sampling, which shall be done in 
 59.17  accordance with lab certification requirements and analytical 
 59.18  techniques specified by Code of Federal Regulations, title 40, 
 59.19  section 141.89; and 
 59.20     (5) sampling to determine whether at least 25 percent of 
 59.21  the soil samples collected from a census tract within a standard 
 59.22  metropolitan statistical area contain lead in concentrations 
 59.23  that exceed 100 parts per million.  
 59.24     Sec. 64.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 144.9508, is 
 59.25  amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
 59.26     Subd. 2a.  [LEAD STANDARDS FOR EXTERIOR SURFACES AND STREET 
 59.27  DUST.] The commissioner may, by rule, establish lead standards 
 59.28  for exterior horizontal surfaces, concrete or other impervious 
 59.29  surfaces, and street dust on residential property to protect the 
 59.30  public health and the environment. 
 59.31     Sec. 65.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 144.9508, 
 59.32  subdivision 3, is amended to read: 
 59.33     Subd. 3.  [LEAD CONTRACTORS AND WORKERS LICENSURE AND 
 59.34  CERTIFICATION.] The commissioner shall adopt rules to license 
 59.35  lead contractors and to certify supervisors, lead workers of 
 59.36  lead contractors who perform lead abatement or lead hazard 
 60.1   reduction, lead project designers, lead inspectors, and lead 
 60.2   risk assessors.  The commissioner shall also adopt rules 
 60.3   requiring certification of firms that perform lead abatement, 
 60.4   lead hazard reduction, lead hazard screens, or lead risk 
 60.5   assessments.  The commissioner shall require periodic renewal of 
 60.6   licenses and certificates and shall establish the renewal 
 60.7   periods. 
 60.8      Sec. 66.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 144.9508, 
 60.9   subdivision 4, is amended to read: 
 60.10     Subd. 4.  [LEAD TRAINING COURSE.] The commissioner shall 
 60.11  establish by rule a permit fee to be paid by a training course 
 60.12  provider on application for a training course permit or renewal 
 60.13  period for each lead-related training course required for 
 60.14  certification or licensure.  The commissioner shall establish 
 60.15  criteria in rules for the content and presentation of training 
 60.16  courses intended to qualify trainees for licensure under 
 60.17  subdivision 3.  Training course permit fees shall be 
 60.18  nonrefundable and must be submitted with each application in the 
 60.19  amount of $500 for an initial training course, $250 for renewal 
 60.20  of a permit for an initial training course, $250 for a refresher 
 60.21  training course, and $125 for renewal of a permit of a refresher 
 60.22  training course. 
 60.23     Sec. 67.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 144.9509, 
 60.24  subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
 60.25     Subd. 2.  [DISCRIMINATION.] A person who discriminates 
 60.26  against or otherwise sanctions an employee who complains to or 
 60.27  cooperates with the inspecting assessing agency in administering 
 60.28  sections 144.9501 to 144.9509 is guilty of a petty misdemeanor.  
 60.29     Sec. 68.  [144.9511] [LEAD-SAFE PROPERTY CERTIFICATION.] 
 60.30     Subdivision 1.  [LEAD-SAFE PROPERTY CERTIFICATION PROGRAM 
 60.31  ESTABLISHED.] (a) The commissioner shall establish, within the 
 60.32  limits of available appropriations, a voluntary lead-safe 
 60.33  property certification program for residential properties.  This 
 60.34  program shall involve an initial property certification process, 
 60.35  a property condition report, and a lead-safe property 
 60.36  certification booklet. 
 61.1      (b) The commissioner shall establish an initial property 
 61.2   certification process composed of the following: 
 61.3      (1) a lead hazard screen, which shall include a visual 
 61.4   evaluation of a residential property for both deteriorated paint 
 61.5   and bare soil; and 
 61.6      (2) a quantitative measure of lead in dust within the 
 61.7   structure and in common areas as determined by rule adopted 
 61.8   under authority of section 144.9508. 
 61.9      (c) The commissioner shall establish forms and checklists 
 61.10  for conducting a property condition report.  A property 
 61.11  condition report is an evaluation of property components, 
 61.12  without regard to aesthetic considerations, to determine whether 
 61.13  any of the following conditions are likely to occur within one 
 61.14  year of the report: 
 61.15     (1) paint will become chipped, flaked, or cracked; 
 61.16     (2) structural defects in the roof, windows, or plumbing 
 61.17  will fail and cause paint to deteriorate; 
 61.18     (3) window wells or window troughs will not be cleanable 
 61.19  and washable; 
 61.20     (4) windows will generate dust due to friction; 
 61.21     (5) cabinet, room, and threshold doors will rub against 
 61.22  casings or have repeated contact with painted surfaces; 
 61.23     (6) floors will not be smooth and cleanable and carpeted 
 61.24  floors will not be cleanable; 
 61.25     (7) soil will not remain covered; 
 61.26     (8) bare soil in vegetable and flower gardens will not (i) 
 61.27  be inaccessible to children or (ii) be tested to determine if it 
 61.28  is below the soil standard under section 144.9508; 
 61.29     (9) parking areas will not remain covered by an impervious 
 61.30  surface or gravel; 
 61.31     (10) covered soil will erode, particularly in play areas; 
 61.32  and 
 61.33     (11) gutters and down spouts will not function correctly. 
 61.34     (d) The commissioner shall develop a lead-safe property 
 61.35  certification booklet that contains the following: 
 61.36     (1) information on how property owners and their 
 62.1   maintenance personnel can perform essential maintenance 
 62.2   practices to correct any of the property component conditions 
 62.3   listed in paragraph (c) that may occur; 
 62.4      (2) the lead-safe work practices fact sheets created under 
 62.5   section 144.9503, subdivision 7; 
 62.6      (3) forms, checklists, and copies of recommended lead-safe 
 62.7   property certification certificates; and 
 62.8      (4) an educational sheet for landlords to give to tenants 
 62.9   on the importance of having tenants inform property owners or 
 62.10  designated maintenance staff of one or more of the conditions 
 62.11  listed in paragraph (c). 
 62.12     Subd. 2.  [CONDITIONS FOR CERTIFICATION.] A property shall 
 62.13  be certified as lead-safe only if the following conditions are 
 62.14  met: 
 62.15     (1) the property passes the initial certification process 
 62.16  in subdivision 1; 
 62.17     (2) the property owner agrees in writing to perform 
 62.18  essential maintenance practices; 
 62.19     (3) the property owner agrees in writing to use lead-safe 
 62.20  work practices, as provided for under section 144.9503, 
 62.21  subdivision 7; 
 62.22     (4) the property owner performs essential maintenance as 
 62.23  the need arises or uses maintenance personnel who have completed 
 62.24  a United States Environmental Protection Agency- or Minnesota 
 62.25  department of health-approved maintenance training program or 
 62.26  course to perform essential maintenance; 
 62.27     (5) the lead-safe property certification booklet is 
 62.28  distributed to the property owner, maintenance personnel, and 
 62.29  tenants at the completion of the initial certification process; 
 62.30  and 
 62.31     (6) a copy of the lead-safe property certificate is filed 
 62.32  with the commissioner along with a $5 filing fee. 
 62.33     Subd. 3.  [LEAD STANDARDS.] Lead standards used in this 
 62.34  section shall be those approved by the commissioner under 
 62.35  section 144.9508. 
 62.36     Subd. 4.  [LEAD RISK ASSESSORS.] Lead-safe property 
 63.1   certifications shall only be performed by lead risk assessors 
 63.2   licensed by the commissioner under section 144.9506. 
 63.3      Subd. 5.  [EXPIRATION.] Lead-safe property certificates are 
 63.4   valid for one year. 
 63.5      Subd. 6.  [LIST OF CERTIFIED PROPERTIES.] Within the limits 
 63.6   of available appropriations, the commissioner shall maintain a 
 63.7   list of all properties certified as lead-safe under this section 
 63.8   and make it freely available to the public. 
 63.9      Subd. 7.  [REAPPLICATION.] Properties failing the initial 
 63.10  property certification may reapply for a lead-safe property 
 63.11  certification by having a new initial certification process 
 63.12  performed and by correcting any condition listed by the licensed 
 63.13  lead risk assessor in the property condition report.  Properties 
 63.14  that fail the initial property certification process must have 
 63.15  the condition corrected by the property owner, by trained 
 63.16  maintenance staff, or by a contractor with personnel licensed 
 63.17  for lead hazard reduction or lead abatement work by the 
 63.18  commissioner under section 144.9505, in order to have the 
 63.19  property certified. 
 63.20     Sec. 69.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 144.99, 
 63.21  subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
 63.22     Subdivision 1.  [REMEDIES AVAILABLE.] The provisions of 
 63.23  chapters 103I and 157 and sections 115.71 to 115.77; 144.12, 
 63.24  subdivision 1, paragraphs (1), (2), (5), (6), (10), (12), (13), 
 63.25  (14), and (15); 144.121; 144.1222; 144.35; 144.381 to 144.385; 
 63.26  144.411 to 144.417; 144.491; 144.495; 144.71 to 144.74; 144.9501 
 63.27  to 144.9509; 144.992; 326.37 to 326.45; 326.57 to 326.785; 
 63.28  327.10 to 327.131; and 327.14 to 327.28 and all rules, orders, 
 63.29  stipulation agreements, settlements, compliance agreements, 
 63.30  licenses, registrations, certificates, and permits adopted or 
 63.31  issued by the department or under any other law now in force or 
 63.32  later enacted for the preservation of public health may, in 
 63.33  addition to provisions in other statutes, be enforced under this 
 63.34  section. 
 63.35     Sec. 70.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 144A.44, 
 63.36  subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
 64.1      Subd. 2.  [INTERPRETATION AND ENFORCEMENT OF RIGHTS.] These 
 64.2   rights are established for the benefit of persons who receive 
 64.3   home care services.  "Home care services" means home care 
 64.4   services as defined in section 144A.43, subdivision 3.  A home 
 64.5   care provider may not require a person to surrender these rights 
 64.6   as a condition of receiving services.  A guardian or conservator 
 64.7   or, when there is no guardian or conservator, a designated 
 64.8   person, may seek to enforce these rights.  This statement of 
 64.9   rights does not replace or diminish other rights and liberties 
 64.10  that may exist relative to persons receiving home care services, 
 64.11  persons providing home care services, or providers licensed 
 64.12  under Laws 1987, chapter 378.  A copy of these rights must be 
 64.13  provided to an individual at the time home care services are 
 64.14  initiated.  The copy shall also contain the address and phone 
 64.15  number of the office of health facility complaints and the 
 64.16  office of the ombudsman for older Minnesotans and a brief 
 64.17  statement describing how to file a complaint with that office 
 64.18  these offices.  Information about how to contact the office of 
 64.19  the ombudsman for older Minnesotans shall be included in notices 
 64.20  of change in client fees and in notices where home care 
 64.21  providers initiate transfer or discontinuation of services. 
 64.22     Sec. 71.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
 64.23  144A.46, subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
 64.24     Subd. 2.  [EXEMPTIONS.] The following individuals or 
 64.25  organizations are exempt from the requirement to obtain a home 
 64.26  care provider license: 
 64.27     (1) a person who is licensed as a registered nurse under 
 64.28  sections 148.171 to 148.285 and who independently provides 
 64.29  nursing services in the home without any contractual or 
 64.30  employment relationship to a home care provider or other 
 64.31  organization; 
 64.32     (2) a personal care assistant who provides services to only 
 64.33  one individual under the medical assistance program as 
 64.34  authorized under sections 256B.0625, subdivision 19, and 
 64.35  256B.04, subdivision 16; 
 64.36     (3) a person or organization that exclusively offers, 
 65.1   provides, or arranges for personal care assistant services to 
 65.2   only one individual under the medical assistance program as 
 65.3   authorized under sections 256B.0625, subdivision 19, and 
 65.4   256B.04, subdivision 16; 
 65.5      (4) a person who is registered licensed under sections 
 65.6   148.65 to 148.78 and who independently provides physical therapy 
 65.7   services in the home without any contractual or employment 
 65.8   relationship to a home care provider or other organization; 
 65.9      (5) a provider that is licensed by the commissioner of 
 65.10  human services to provide semi-independent living services under 
 65.11  Minnesota Rules, parts 9525.0500 to 9525.0660 when providing 
 65.12  home care services to a person with a developmental disability; 
 65.13     (6) a provider that is licensed by the commissioner of 
 65.14  human services to provide home and community-based services 
 65.15  under Minnesota Rules, parts 9525.2000 to 9525.2140 when 
 65.16  providing home care services to a person with a developmental 
 65.17  disability; 
 65.18     (7) a person or organization that provides only home 
 65.19  management services, if the person or organization is registered 
 65.20  under section 144A.461; or 
 65.21     (8) a person who is licensed as a social worker under 
 65.22  sections 148B.18 to 148B.289 and who provides social work 
 65.23  services in the home independently and not through any 
 65.24  contractual or employment relationship with a home care provider 
 65.25  or other organization. 
 65.26     An exemption under this subdivision does not excuse the 
 65.27  individual from complying with applicable provisions of the home 
 65.28  care bill of rights. 
 65.29     Sec. 72.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
 65.30  144A.4605, subdivision 4, is amended to read: 
 65.31     Subd. 4.  [LICENSE REQUIRED.] (a) A housing with services 
 65.32  establishment registered under chapter 144D that is required to 
 65.33  obtain a home care license must obtain an assisted living home 
 65.34  care license according to this section or a class A or class E 
 65.35  license according to rule.  A housing with services 
 65.36  establishment that obtains a class E license under this 
 66.1   subdivision remains subject to the payment limitations in 
 66.2   sections 256B.0913, subdivision 5, paragraph (h), and 256B.0915, 
 66.3   subdivision 3, paragraph (g). 
 66.4      (b) A board and lodging establishment registered for 
 66.5   special services as of December 31, 1996, and also registered as 
 66.6   a housing with services establishment under chapter 144D, must 
 66.7   deliver home care services according to sections 144A.43 to 
 66.8   144A.49, and may apply for a waiver from requirements under 
 66.9   Minnesota Rules, parts 4668.0002 to 4668.0240, to operate a 
 66.10  licensed agency under the standards of section 157.17.  Such 
 66.11  waivers as may be granted by the department will expire upon 
 66.12  promulgation of home care rules implementing section 144A.4605. 
 66.13     (c) An adult foster care provider licensed by the 
 66.14  department of human services and registered under chapter 144D 
 66.15  may continue to provide health-related services under its foster 
 66.16  care license until the promulgation of home care rules 
 66.17  implementing this section. 
 66.18     Sec. 73.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 145.411, is 
 66.19  amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
 66.20     Subd. 6.  [COMMISSIONER.] "Commissioner" means the 
 66.21  commissioner of health. 
 66.22     Sec. 74.  [145.4131] [RECORDING AND REPORTING ABORTION 
 66.23  DATA.] 
 66.24     Subdivision 1.  [FORMS.] (a) Within 90 days of the 
 66.25  effective date of this section, the commissioner shall prepare a 
 66.26  reporting form for physicians performing abortions.  A copy of 
 66.27  this section shall be attached to the form.  A physician 
 66.28  performing an abortion shall obtain a form from the commissioner.
 66.29     (b) The form shall require the following information: 
 66.30     (1) the number of abortions performed by the physician in 
 66.31  the previous calendar year, reported by month; 
 66.32     (2) the method used for each abortion; 
 66.33     (3) the approximate gestational age of each child subject 
 66.34  to abortion, expressed in one of the following increments:  
 66.35     (i) less than nine weeks; 
 66.36     (ii) nine to ten weeks; 
 67.1      (iii) 11 to 12 weeks; 
 67.2      (iv) 13 to 15 weeks; 
 67.3      (v) 16 to 20 weeks; 
 67.4      (vi) 21 to 24 weeks; 
 67.5      (vii) 25 to 30 weeks; 
 67.6      (viii) 31 to 36 weeks; or 
 67.7      (ix) 37 weeks to term; 
 67.8      (4) the age of the mother on whom the abortion was 
 67.9   performed at the time the abortion was performed; 
 67.10     (5) the specific reason for the abortion, including, but 
 67.11  not limited to, the following: 
 67.12     (i) the pregnancy was a result of rape; 
 67.13     (ii) the pregnancy was a result of incest; 
 67.14     (iii) the mother cannot afford the child; 
 67.15     (iv) the mother does not want the child; 
 67.16     (v) the mother's emotional health is at stake; 
 67.17     (vi) the mother will suffer substantial and irreversible 
 67.18  impairment of a major bodily function if the pregnancy 
 67.19  continues; or 
 67.20     (vii) other; 
 67.21     (6) the number of prior induced abortions; 
 67.22     (7) the number of prior spontaneous abortions; 
 67.23     (8) whether the abortion was paid for by: 
 67.24     (i) private insurance; 
 67.25     (ii) a public health plan; or 
 67.26     (iii) another form of payment; 
 67.27     (9) whether coverage was under: 
 67.28     (i) a fee-for-service insurance company; 
 67.29     (ii) a managed care company; or 
 67.30     (iii) another type of health carrier; 
 67.31     (10) complications, if any, for each abortion and for the 
 67.32  aftermath of each abortion.  Space for a description of any 
 67.33  complications shall be available on the form; 
 67.34     (11) the fee collected for each abortion; 
 67.35     (12) the type of anesthetic used, if any, for each 
 67.36  abortion; 
 68.1      (13) the method used to dispose of fetal tissue and 
 68.2   remains; 
 68.3      (14) the medical specialty of the physician performing the 
 68.4   abortion; and 
 68.5      (15) whether the physician performing the abortion has had 
 68.6   a physician's license suspended or revoked or has had other 
 68.7   professional sanctions in this or another state. 
 68.8      Subd. 2.  [SUBMISSION.] A physician performing an abortion 
 68.9   shall complete and submit the form to the commissioner no later 
 68.10  than April 1 for abortions performed in the previous calendar 
 68.11  year. 
 68.12     Subd. 3.  [ADDITIONAL REPORTING.] Nothing in this section 
 68.13  shall be construed to preclude the voluntary or required 
 68.14  submission of other reports or forms regarding abortions.  
 68.15     Sec. 75.  [145.4132] [RECORDING AND REPORTING ABORTION 
 68.16  COMPLICATION DATA.] 
 68.17     Subdivision 1.  [FORMS.] (a) Within 90 days of the 
 68.18  effective date of this section, the commissioner shall prepare 
 68.19  an abortion complication reporting form for all physicians 
 68.20  licensed and practicing in the state.  A copy of this section 
 68.21  shall be attached to the form. 
 68.22     (b) The board of medical practice shall ensure that the 
 68.23  abortion complication reporting form is distributed: 
 68.24     (1) to all physicians licensed to practice in the state, 
 68.25  within 120 days after the effective date of this section and by 
 68.26  December 1 of each subsequent year; and 
 68.27     (2) to a physician who is newly licensed to practice in the 
 68.28  state, at the same time as official notification to the 
 68.29  physician that the physician is so licensed. 
 68.30     Subd. 2.  [REQUIRED REPORTING.] A physician licensed and 
 68.31  practicing in the state who encounters an illness or injury that 
 68.32  is related to an induced abortion shall complete and submit an 
 68.33  abortion complication reporting form to the commissioner. 
 68.34     Subd. 3.  [SUBMISSION.] A physician required to submit an 
 68.35  abortion complication reporting form to the commissioner shall 
 68.36  do so as soon as practicable after the encounter with the 
 69.1   abortion related illness or injury, but in no case more than 60 
 69.2   days after the encounter. 
 69.3      Subd. 4.  [ADDITIONAL REPORTING.] Nothing in this section 
 69.4   shall be construed to preclude the voluntary or required 
 69.5   submission of other reports or forms regarding abortion 
 69.6   complications. 
 69.7      Sec. 76.  [145.4133] [REPORTING OUT-OF-STATE ABORTIONS.] 
 69.8      The commissioner of human services shall report to the 
 69.9   commissioner by April 1 each year the following information 
 69.10  regarding abortions paid for with state funds and performed out 
 69.11  of state in the previous calendar year:  
 69.12     (1) the total number of abortions performed out of state 
 69.13  and partially or fully paid for with state funds through the 
 69.14  medical assistance, general assistance medical care, or 
 69.15  MinnesotaCare program, or any other program; 
 69.16     (2) the total amount of state funds used to pay for the 
 69.17  abortions and expenses incidental to the abortions; and 
 69.18     (3) the gestational age of each unborn child at the time of 
 69.19  abortion. 
 69.20     Sec. 77.  [145.4134] [COMMISSIONER'S PUBLIC REPORT.] 
 69.21     (a) By July 1 of each year, the commissioner shall issue a 
 69.22  public report providing statistics for the previous calendar 
 69.23  year compiled from the data submitted under sections 145.4131 to 
 69.24  145.4133.  Each report shall provide the statistics for all 
 69.25  previous calendar years, adjusted to reflect any additional 
 69.26  information from late or corrected reports.  The commissioner 
 69.27  shall ensure that none of the information included in the public 
 69.28  reports can reasonably lead to identification of an individual 
 69.29  having performed or having had an abortion.  All data included 
 69.30  on the forms under sections 145.4131 to 145.4133 must be 
 69.31  included in the public report.  The commissioner shall submit 
 69.32  the report to the senate health care committee and the house 
 69.33  health and human services committee.  
 69.34     (b) The commissioner may, by rules adopted under chapter 
 69.35  14, alter the submission dates established under sections 
 69.36  145.4131 to 145.4133 for administrative convenience, fiscal 
 70.1   savings, or other valid reason, provided that physicians and the 
 70.2   commissioner of health submit the required information once each 
 70.3   year and the commissioner issues a report once each year.  
 70.4      Sec. 78.  [145.4135] [ENFORCEMENT; PENALTIES.] 
 70.5      (a) A physician who fails to submit the required forms 
 70.6   under sections 145.4131 and 145.4132 within 30 days following 
 70.7   the due date is subject to a late fee of $500 for each 30-day 
 70.8   period, or portion thereof, that the forms are overdue.  A 
 70.9   physician required to report under this section who does not 
 70.10  submit a report, or submits only an incomplete report, more than 
 70.11  one year following the due date, may be fined and, in an action 
 70.12  brought by the commissioner, be directed by a court of competent 
 70.13  jurisdiction to submit a complete report within a period stated 
 70.14  by court order or be subject to sanctions for civil contempt.  
 70.15     (b) If the commissioner fails to issue the public report 
 70.16  required under this section, or fails in any way to enforce this 
 70.17  section, a group of ten or more citizens of the state may seek 
 70.18  an injunction in a court of competent jurisdiction against the 
 70.19  commissioner requiring that a complete report be issued within a 
 70.20  period stated by court order or requiring that enforcement 
 70.21  action be taken.  Failure to abide by an injunction shall 
 70.22  subject the commissioner to sanctions for civil contempt.  
 70.23     (c) A physician who knowingly or recklessly submits a false 
 70.24  report under this section is guilty of a misdemeanor.  
 70.25     (d) The commissioner may take reasonable steps to ensure 
 70.26  compliance with sections 145.4131 to 145.4133 and to verify data 
 70.27  provided, including but not limited to, inspection of places 
 70.28  where abortions are performed in accordance with chapter 14.  
 70.29     Sec. 79.  [145.4136] [SEVERABILITY.] 
 70.30     If any one or more provision, section, subdivision, 
 70.31  sentence, clause, phrase, or word in sections 145.4131 to 
 70.32  145.4135, or the application thereof to any person or 
 70.33  circumstance is found to be unconstitutional, the same is hereby 
 70.34  declared to be severable and the balance of sections 145.4131 to 
 70.35  145.4135 shall remain effective notwithstanding such 
 70.36  unconstitutionality.  The legislature hereby declares that it 
 71.1   would have passed sections 145.4131 to 145.4135, and each 
 71.2   provision, section, subdivision, sentence, clause, phrase, or 
 71.3   word thereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or more 
 71.4   provision, section, subdivision, sentence, clause, phrase, or 
 71.5   word be declared unconstitutional. 
 71.6      Sec. 80.  [145.4201] [PARTIAL-BIRTH ABORTION; DEFINITIONS.] 
 71.7      Subdivision 1.  [TERMS.] As used in sections 145.4201 to 
 71.8   145.4206, the terms defined in this section have the meanings 
 71.9   given them. 
 71.10     Subd. 2.  [ABORTION.] "Abortion" means the use of any means 
 71.11  to intentionally terminate the pregnancy of a female known to be 
 71.12  pregnant with knowledge that the termination with those means 
 71.13  will, with reasonable likelihood, cause the death of the fetus. 
 71.14     Subd. 3.  [FETUS AND INFANT.] "Fetus" and "infant" are used 
 71.15  interchangeably to refer to the biological offspring of human 
 71.16  parents. 
 71.17     Subd. 4.  [PARTIAL-BIRTH ABORTION.] "Partial-birth abortion"
 71.18  means an abortion in which the person performing the abortion 
 71.19  partially vaginally delivers a living fetus before killing the 
 71.20  fetus and completing the delivery. 
 71.21     Sec. 81.  [145.4202] [PARTIAL-BIRTH ABORTIONS PROHIBITED.] 
 71.22     No person shall knowingly perform a partial-birth abortion. 
 71.23     Sec. 82.  [145.4203] [LIFE OF THE MOTHER EXCEPTION.] 
 71.24     The prohibition under section 145.4202 shall not apply to a 
 71.25  partial-birth abortion that is necessary to save the life of the 
 71.26  mother because her life is endangered by a physical disorder, 
 71.27  physical illness, or physical injury, including a 
 71.28  life-endangering condition caused by or arising from the 
 71.29  pregnancy itself, provided that no other medical procedure would 
 71.30  suffice for that purpose. 
 71.31     Sec. 83.  [145.4204] [CIVIL REMEDIES.] 
 71.32     Subdivision 1.  [STANDING.] The woman upon whom a 
 71.33  partial-birth abortion has been performed in violation of 
 71.34  section 145.4202, the father of the fetus or infant, and the 
 71.35  maternal grandparents of the fetus or infant if the mother has 
 71.36  not attained the age of 18 years at the time of the abortion, 
 72.1   may obtain appropriate relief in a civil action, unless the 
 72.2   pregnancy resulted from the plaintiff's criminal conduct or the 
 72.3   plaintiff consented to the abortion. 
 72.4      Subd. 2.  [TYPE OF RELIEF.] Relief shall include: 
 72.5      (1) money damages for all injuries, psychological and 
 72.6   physical, occasioned by the violation of sections 145.4201 to 
 72.7   145.4206; and 
 72.8      (2) statutory damages equal to three times the cost of the 
 72.9   partial-birth abortion. 
 72.10     Subd. 3.  [ATTORNEY'S FEE.] If judgment is rendered in 
 72.11  favor of the plaintiff in an action described in this section, 
 72.12  the court shall also render judgment for a reasonable attorney's 
 72.13  fee in favor of the plaintiff against the defendant.  If the 
 72.14  judgment is rendered in favor of the defendant and the court 
 72.15  finds that the plaintiff's suit was frivolous and brought in bad 
 72.16  faith, the court shall also render judgment for a reasonable 
 72.17  attorney's fee in favor of the defendant against the plaintiff. 
 72.18     Sec. 84.  [145.4205] [CRIMINAL PENALTY.] 
 72.19     Subdivision 1.  [FELONY.] A person who performs a 
 72.20  partial-birth abortion in knowing or reckless violation of 
 72.21  sections 145.4201 to 145.4206 is guilty of a felony and may be 
 72.22  sentenced to imprisonment for not more than 15 years or to 
 72.23  payment of a fine of not more than $50,000. 
 72.24     Subd. 2.  [PROSECUTION OF MOTHER PROHIBITED.] A woman upon 
 72.25  whom a partial-birth abortion is performed may not be prosecuted 
 72.26  under this section for violating sections 145.4201 to 145.4206, 
 72.27  or any provision thereof, or for conspiracy to violate sections 
 72.28  145.4201 to 145.4206, or any provision thereof. 
 72.29     Sec. 85.  [145.4206] [SEVERABILITY.] 
 72.30     (a) If any provision, word, phrase, or clause of section 
 72.31  145.4203, or the application thereof to any person or 
 72.32  circumstance is found to be unconstitutional, the same is hereby 
 72.33  declared to be inseverable. 
 72.34     (b) If any provision, section, subdivision, sentence, 
 72.35  clause, phrase, or word in section 145.4201, 145.4202, 145.4204, 
 72.36  145.4205, or 145.4206 or the application thereof to any person 
 73.1   or circumstance is found to be unconstitutional, the same is 
 73.2   hereby declared to be severable and the balance of sections 
 73.3   145.4201 to 145.4206 shall remain effective notwithstanding such 
 73.4   unconstitutionality.  The legislature hereby declares that it 
 73.5   would have passed sections 145.4201 to 145.4206, and each 
 73.6   provision, section, subdivision, sentence, clause, phrase, or 
 73.7   word thereto, with the exception of section 145.4203, 
 73.8   irrespective of the fact that a provision, section, subdivision, 
 73.9   sentence, clause, phrase, or word be declared unconstitutional. 
 73.10     Sec. 86.  [145.9266] [FETAL ALCOHOL SYNDROME.] 
 73.11     Subdivision 1.  [PUBLIC AWARENESS.] The commissioner of 
 73.12  health shall design and implement an ongoing statewide campaign 
 73.13  to raise public awareness about fetal alcohol syndrome and other 
 73.14  effects of prenatal alcohol exposure.  The campaign shall 
 73.15  include messages directed to the general population as well as 
 73.16  culturally specific and community-based messages.  A toll-free 
 73.17  resource and referral telephone line shall be included in the 
 73.18  messages.  The commissioner of health shall conduct an 
 73.19  evaluation to determine the effectiveness of the campaign. 
 73.20     Subd. 2.  [STATEWIDE NETWORK OF FAS DIAGNOSTIC CLINICS.] A 
 73.21  statewide network of regional fetal alcohol syndrome diagnostic 
 73.22  clinics shall be developed between the department of health and 
 73.23  the University of Minnesota.  This collaboration shall be based 
 73.24  on a statewide needs assessment and shall include involvement 
 73.25  from consumers, providers, and payors.  By the end of calendar 
 73.26  year 1998, a plan shall be developed for the clinic network, and 
 73.27  shall include a comprehensive evaluation component.  Sites shall 
 73.28  be established in calendar year 1999.  The commissioner shall 
 73.29  not access or collect individually identifiable data for the 
 73.30  statewide network of regional fetal alcohol syndrome diagnostic 
 73.31  clinics.  Data collected at the clinics shall be maintained 
 73.32  according to applicable data privacy laws, including section 
 73.33  144.335. 
 73.34     Subd. 3.  [PROFESSIONAL TRAINING ABOUT FAS.] (a) The 
 73.35  commissioner of health, in collaboration with the board of 
 73.36  medical practice, the board of nursing, and other professional 
 74.1   boards and state agencies, shall develop curricula and materials 
 74.2   about fetal alcohol syndrome for professional training of health 
 74.3   care providers, social service providers, educators, and 
 74.4   judicial and corrections systems professionals.  The training 
 74.5   and curricula shall increase knowledge and develop practical 
 74.6   skills of professionals to help them address the needs of 
 74.7   at-risk pregnant women and the needs of individuals affected by 
 74.8   fetal alcohol syndrome or fetal alcohol effects and their 
 74.9   families. 
 74.10     (b) Training for health care providers shall focus on skill 
 74.11  building for screening, counseling, referral, and follow-up for 
 74.12  women using or at risk of using alcohol while pregnant.  
 74.13  Training for health care professionals shall include methods for 
 74.14  diagnosis and evaluation of fetal alcohol syndrome and fetal 
 74.15  alcohol effects.  Training for education, judicial, and 
 74.16  corrections professionals shall involve effective education 
 74.17  strategies, methods to identify the behaviors and learning 
 74.18  styles of children with alcohol-related birth defects, and 
 74.19  methods to identify available referral and community resources. 
 74.20     (c) Training for social service providers shall focus on 
 74.21  resources for assessing, referring, and treating at-risk 
 74.22  pregnant women, changes in the mandatory reporting and 
 74.23  commitment laws, and resources for affected children and their 
 74.24  families.  
 74.25     Subd. 4.  [FAS COMMUNITY GRANT PROGRAM.] The commissioner 
 74.26  of health shall administer a grant program to provide money to 
 74.27  community organizations and coalitions to collaborate on fetal 
 74.28  alcohol syndrome prevention and intervention strategies and 
 74.29  activities.  The commissioner shall disburse grant money through 
 74.30  a request for proposal process or sole-source distribution where 
 74.31  appropriate, and shall include at least one grant award for 
 74.32  transitional skills and services for individuals with fetal 
 74.33  alcohol syndrome or fetal alcohol effects. 
 74.34     Subd. 5.  [SCHOOL PILOT PROGRAMS.] (a) The commissioner of 
 74.35  children, families, and learning shall award up to four grants 
 74.36  to schools for pilot programs to identify and implement 
 75.1   effective educational strategies for individuals with fetal 
 75.2   alcohol syndrome and other alcohol-related birth defects.  
 75.3      (b) One grant shall be awarded in each of the following age 
 75.4   categories:  
 75.5      (1) birth to three years; 
 75.6      (2) three to five years; 
 75.7      (3) six to 12 years; and 
 75.8      (4) 13 to 18 years.  
 75.9      (c) Grant proposals must include an evaluation plan, 
 75.10  demonstrate evidence of a collaborative or multisystem approach, 
 75.11  provide parent education and support, and show evidence of a 
 75.12  child- and family-focused approach consistent with 
 75.13  research-based educational practices and other guidelines 
 75.14  developed by the department of children, families, and learning. 
 75.15     (d) Children participating in the pilot program sites may 
 75.16  be identified through child find activities or a diagnostic 
 75.17  clinic.  No identification activity may be undertaken without 
 75.18  the consent of a child's parent or guardian. 
 75.19     Subd. 6.  [FETAL ALCOHOL COORDINATING BOARD; DUTIES.] (a) 
 75.20  The fetal alcohol coordinating board consists of: 
 75.21     (1) the commissioners of health, human services, 
 75.22  corrections, public safety, economic security, and children, 
 75.23  families, and learning; 
 75.24     (2) the director of the office of strategic and long-range 
 75.25  planning; 
 75.26     (3) the chair of the maternal and child health advisory 
 75.27  task force established by section 145.881, or the chair's 
 75.28  designee; 
 75.29     (4) a representative of the University of Minnesota 
 75.30  academic health center, appointed by the provost; 
 75.31     (5) five members from the general public appointed by the 
 75.32  governor, one of whom must be a family member of an individual 
 75.33  with fetal alcohol syndrome or fetal alcohol effect; and 
 75.34     (6) one member from the judiciary appointed by the chief 
 75.35  justice of the supreme court. 
 75.36  Terms, compensation, removal, and filling of vacancies of 
 76.1   appointed members are governed by section 15.0575.  The board 
 76.2   shall elect a chair from its membership to serve a one-year 
 76.3   term.  The commissioner of health shall provide staff and 
 76.4   consultant support for the board.  Support must be provided 
 76.5   based on an annual budget and work plan developed by the board.  
 76.6   The board shall contract with the department of health for 
 76.7   necessary administrative services.  Administrative services 
 76.8   include personnel, budget, payroll, and contract 
 76.9   administration.  The board shall adopt an annual budget and work 
 76.10  program. 
 76.11     (b) Board duties include:  
 76.12     (1) reviewing programs of state agencies that involve fetal 
 76.13  alcohol syndrome and coordinating those that are 
 76.14  interdepartmental in nature; 
 76.15     (2) providing an integrated and comprehensive approach to 
 76.16  fetal alcohol syndrome prevention and intervention strategies 
 76.17  both at a local and statewide level; 
 76.18     (3) approving on an annual basis the statewide public 
 76.19  awareness campaign as designed and implemented by the 
 76.20  commissioner of health under subdivision 1; 
 76.21     (4) reviewing fetal alcohol syndrome community grants 
 76.22  administered by the commissioner of health under subdivision 4; 
 76.23  and 
 76.24     (5) submitting a report to the governor on January 15 of 
 76.25  each odd-numbered year summarizing board operations, activities, 
 76.26  findings, and recommendations, and fetal alcohol syndrome 
 76.27  activities throughout the state. 
 76.28     (c) The board expires on January 1, 2001. 
 76.29     Subd. 7.  [FEDERAL FUNDS; CONTRACTS; DONATIONS.] The fetal 
 76.30  alcohol coordinating board may apply for, receive, and disburse 
 76.31  federal funds made available to the state by federal law or 
 76.32  rules adopted for any purpose related to the powers and duties 
 76.33  of the board.  The board shall comply with any requirements of 
 76.34  federal law, rules, and regulations in order to apply for, 
 76.35  receive, and disburse funds.  The board may contract with or 
 76.36  provide grants to public and private nonprofit entities.  The 
 77.1   board may accept donations or grants from any public or private 
 77.2   entity.  Money received by the board must be deposited in a 
 77.3   separate account in the state treasury and invested by the state 
 77.4   board of investment.  The amount deposited, including investment 
 77.5   earnings, is appropriated to the board to carry out its duties.  
 77.6   Money deposited in the state treasury shall not cancel.  
 77.7      Sec. 87.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 145A.15, 
 77.8   subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
 77.9      Subd. 2.  [GRANT RECIPIENTS.] (a) The commissioner is 
 77.10  authorized to award grants to programs that meet the 
 77.11  requirements of subdivision 3 and include a strong child abuse 
 77.12  and neglect prevention focus for families in need of services.  
 77.13  Priority will be given to families considered to be in need of 
 77.14  additional services.  These families include, but are not 
 77.15  limited to, families with: 
 77.16     (1) adolescent parents; 
 77.17     (2) a history of alcohol and other drug abuse; 
 77.18     (3) a history of child abuse, domestic abuse, or other 
 77.19  types of violence in the family of origin; 
 77.20     (4) a history of domestic abuse, rape, or other forms of 
 77.21  victimization; 
 77.22     (5) reduced cognitive functioning; 
 77.23     (6) a lack of knowledge of child growth and development 
 77.24  stages; 
 77.25     (7) low resiliency to adversities and environmental 
 77.26  stresses; or 
 77.27     (8) lack of sufficient financial resources to meet their 
 77.28  needs. 
 77.29     (b) Grants made under this section shall be used to fund 
 77.30  existing home visiting programs and to establish new programs.  
 77.31  The commissioner shall award grants to home visiting programs 
 77.32  that meet the program requirements in subdivision 3, regardless 
 77.33  of the number of years an existing program has received grant 
 77.34  funds in the past. 
 77.35     Sec. 88.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 148.66, is 
 77.36  amended to read: 
 78.1      148.66 [STATE BOARD OF MEDICAL PRACTICE PHYSICAL THERAPY, 
 78.2   DUTIES.] 
 78.3      The state board of medical practice, as now or hereafter 
 78.4   constituted, hereinafter termed "the board," in the manner 
 78.5   hereinafter provided, physical therapy established under section 
 78.6   148.67 shall administer the provisions of this law sections 
 78.7   148.65 to 148.78.  As used in sections 148.65 to 148.78, "board" 
 78.8   means the state board of physical therapy.  
 78.9      The board shall: 
 78.10     (1) adopt rules necessary to administer and enforce 
 78.11  sections 148.65 to 148.78; 
 78.12     (2) administer, coordinate, and enforce sections 148.65 to 
 78.13  148.78; 
 78.14     (3) evaluate the qualifications of applicants; 
 78.15     (4) issue subpoenas, examine witnesses, and administer 
 78.16  oaths; 
 78.17     (5) conduct hearings and keep records and minutes necessary 
 78.18  to the orderly administration of sections 148.65 to 148.78; 
 78.19     (6) investigate persons engaging in practices that violate 
 78.20  sections 148.65 to 148.78; and 
 78.21     (7) adopt rules under chapter 14 prescribing a code of 
 78.22  ethics for licensees. 
 78.23     Sec. 89.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 148.67, is 
 78.24  amended to read: 
 78.25     148.67 [STATE BOARD OF PHYSICAL THERAPY COUNCIL; MEMBERSHIP 
 78.26  APPOINTMENTS, VACANCIES, REMOVALS.] 
 78.27     Subdivision 1.  [BOARD OF PHYSICAL THERAPY APPOINTED.] The 
 78.28  board of medical practice governor shall appoint a state board 
 78.29  of physical therapy council in carrying out the provisions of 
 78.30  this law to administer sections 148.65 to 148.78, regarding the 
 78.31  qualifications and examination of physical therapists.  
 78.32  The council board shall consist of seven nine members, citizens 
 78.33  and residents of the state of Minnesota, composed of three five 
 78.34  physical therapists, two one licensed and registered doctors 
 78.35  doctor of medicine and surgery, one being a professor or 
 78.36  associate or assistant professor from a program in physical 
 79.1   therapy approved by the board of medical practice, one aide or 
 79.2   assistant to a physical therapist and one public member.  The 
 79.3   council shall expire, and the terms, compensation and removal of 
 79.4   members shall be as provided in section 15.059., one physical 
 79.5   therapy assistant and two public members.  The five physical 
 79.6   therapist members must be licensed physical therapists in this 
 79.7   state.  Each of the five physical therapist members must have at 
 79.8   least five years experience in physical therapy practice, 
 79.9   physical therapy administration, or physical therapy education.  
 79.10  The five years experience must immediately precede appointment.  
 79.11  Membership terms, compensation of members, removal of members, 
 79.12  filling of membership vacancies, and fiscal year and reporting 
 79.13  requirements shall be as provided in sections 214.07 to 214.09.  
 79.14  The provision of staff, administrative services, and office 
 79.15  space; the review and processing of complaints; the setting of 
 79.16  board fees; and other provisions relating to board operations 
 79.17  shall be as provided in chapter 214.  Each member of the board 
 79.18  shall file with the secretary of state the constitutional oath 
 79.19  of office before beginning the term of office.  
 79.20     Subd. 2.  [REPLACEMENT OF PHYSICAL THERAPISTS AND PHYSICIAN 
 79.21  MEMBERS.] When a member's term expires and the member is a 
 79.22  licensed physical therapist, the governor may appoint a licensed 
 79.23  physical therapist from a list submitted by the Minnesota 
 79.24  chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association.  When a 
 79.25  member who is a licensed physical therapist leaves the board 
 79.26  before the member's term expires, the governor may appoint a 
 79.27  member for the remainder of the term from a list submitted by 
 79.28  the Minnesota chapter of the American Physical Therapy 
 79.29  Association.  When a member who is a physician leaves the board 
 79.30  before the member's term expires, the governor may appoint a 
 79.31  member for the remainder of the term from lists submitted by the 
 79.32  state board of medical practice or the Minnesota Medical 
 79.33  Association.  
 79.34     Sec. 90.  [148.691] [OFFICERS; EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.] 
 79.35     Subdivision 1.  [OFFICERS OF THE BOARD.] The board shall 
 79.36  elect from its members a president, a vice-president, and a 
 80.1   secretary-treasurer.  Each shall serve for one year or until a 
 80.2   successor is elected and qualifies.  The board shall appoint and 
 80.3   employ an executive secretary.  A majority of the board, 
 80.4   including one officer, constitutes a quorum at a meeting.  
 80.5      Subd. 2.  [BOARD AUTHORITY TO HIRE.] The board may employ 
 80.6   persons needed to carry out its work.  
 80.7      Sec. 91.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 148.70, is 
 80.8   amended to read: 
 80.9      148.70 [APPLICANTS, QUALIFICATIONS.] 
 80.10     It shall be the duty of The board of medical practice with 
 80.11  the advice and assistance of the physical therapy council to 
 80.12  pass upon physical therapy must: 
 80.13     (1) establish the qualifications of applicants for 
 80.14  registration, licensing and continuing education requirements 
 80.15  for reregistration, relicensing; 
 80.16     (2) provide for and conduct all examinations following 
 80.17  satisfactory completion of all didactic requirements,; 
 80.18     (3) determine the applicants who successfully pass the 
 80.19  examination,; and 
 80.20     (4) duly register such applicants license an applicant 
 80.21  after the applicant has presented evidence satisfactory to the 
 80.22  board that the applicant has completed a an accredited physical 
 80.23  therapy educational program of education or continuing education 
 80.24  approved by the board. 
 80.25     The passing score for examinations taken after July 1, 
 80.26  1995, shall be based on objective, numerical standards, as 
 80.27  established by a nationally recognized board approved testing 
 80.28  service. 
 80.29     Sec. 92.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 148.705, is 
 80.30  amended to read: 
 80.31     148.705 [APPLICATION.] 
 80.32     An applicant for registration licensing as a physical 
 80.33  therapist shall file a written application on forms provided by 
 80.34  the board together with a fee in the amount set by the board, no 
 80.35  portion of which shall be returned.  No portion of the fee is 
 80.36  refundable.  
 81.1      An approved program for physical therapists shall include 
 81.2   the following:  
 81.3      (a) (1) a minimum of 60 academic semester credits or its 
 81.4   equivalent from an accredited college, including courses in the 
 81.5   biological and physical sciences; and 
 81.6      (b) (2) an accredited course in physical therapy education 
 81.7   which has provided adequate instruction in the basic sciences, 
 81.8   clinical sciences, and physical therapy theory and procedures, 
 81.9   as determined by the board.  In determining whether or not a 
 81.10  course in physical therapy is approved, the board may take into 
 81.11  consideration the accreditation of such schools by the 
 81.12  appropriate council of the American Medical Association, the 
 81.13  American Physical Therapy Association, or the Canadian Medical 
 81.14  Association.  
 81.15     Sec. 93.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 148.71, is 
 81.16  amended to read: 
 81.17     148.71 [REGISTRATION LICENSING.] 
 81.18     Subdivision 1.  [QUALIFIED APPLICANT.] The state board 
 81.19  of medical practice physical therapy shall register license as a 
 81.20  physical therapist and shall furnish a certificate of 
 81.21  registration license to each an applicant who successfully 
 81.22  passes an examination provided for in sections 148.65 to 148.78 
 81.23  for registration licensing as a physical therapist and who is 
 81.24  otherwise qualified as required herein in sections 148.65 to 
 81.25  148.78. 
 81.26     Subd. 2.  [TEMPORARY PERMIT.] (a) The board may, upon 
 81.27  payment of a fee set by the board, issue a temporary permit to 
 81.28  practice physical therapy under supervision to a physical 
 81.29  therapist who is a graduate of an approved school of physical 
 81.30  therapy and qualified for admission to examination for 
 81.31  registration licensing as a physical therapist.  A temporary 
 81.32  permit to practice physical therapy under supervision may be 
 81.33  issued only once and cannot be renewed.  It expires 90 days 
 81.34  after the next examination for registration licensing given by 
 81.35  the board or on the date on which the board, after examination 
 81.36  of the applicant, grants or denies the applicant a registration 
 82.1   license to practice, whichever occurs first.  A temporary permit 
 82.2   expires on the first day the board begins its next examination 
 82.3   for registration license after the permit is issued if the 
 82.4   holder does not submit to examination on that date.  The holder 
 82.5   of a temporary permit to practice physical therapy under 
 82.6   supervision may practice physical therapy as defined in section 
 82.7   148.65 if the entire practice is under the supervision of a 
 82.8   person holding a valid registration license to practice physical 
 82.9   therapy in this state.  The supervision shall be direct, 
 82.10  immediate, and on premises. 
 82.11     (b) A physical therapist from another state who is licensed 
 82.12  or otherwise registered in good standing as a physical therapist 
 82.13  by that state and meets the requirements for registration 
 82.14  licensing under section 148.72 does not require supervision to 
 82.15  practice physical therapy while holding a temporary permit in 
 82.16  this state.  The temporary permit remains valid only until the 
 82.17  meeting of the board at which the application for registration 
 82.18  licensing is considered. 
 82.19     Subd. 3.  [FOREIGN-TRAINED PHYSICAL THERAPISTS; TEMPORARY 
 82.20  PERMITS.] (a) The board of medical practice may issue a 
 82.21  temporary permit to a foreign-trained physical therapist who: 
 82.22     (1) is enrolled in a supervised physical therapy 
 82.23  traineeship that meets the requirements under paragraph (b); 
 82.24     (2) has completed a physical therapy education program 
 82.25  equivalent to that under section 148.705 and Minnesota Rules, 
 82.26  part 5601.0800, subpart 2; 
 82.27     (3) has achieved a score of at least 550 on the test of 
 82.28  English as a foreign language or a score of at least 85 on the 
 82.29  Minnesota battery test; and 
 82.30     (4) has paid a nonrefundable fee set by the board. 
 82.31     A foreign-trained physical therapist must have the 
 82.32  temporary permit before beginning a traineeship. 
 82.33     (b) A supervised physical therapy traineeship must: 
 82.34     (1) be at least six months; 
 82.35     (2) be at a board-approved facility; 
 82.36     (3) provide a broad base of clinical experience to the 
 83.1   foreign-trained physical therapist including a variety of 
 83.2   physical agents, therapeutic exercises, evaluation procedures, 
 83.3   and patient diagnoses; 
 83.4      (4) be supervised by a physical therapist who has at least 
 83.5   three years of clinical experience and is registered licensed 
 83.6   under subdivision 1; and 
 83.7      (5) be approved by the board before the foreign-trained 
 83.8   physical therapist begins the traineeship. 
 83.9      (c) A temporary permit is effective on the first day of a 
 83.10  traineeship and expires 90 days after the next examination for 
 83.11  registration licensing given by the board following successful 
 83.12  completion of the traineeship or on the date on which the board, 
 83.13  after examination of the applicant, grants or denies the 
 83.14  applicant a registration license to practice, whichever occurs 
 83.15  first. 
 83.16     (d) A foreign-trained physical therapist must successfully 
 83.17  complete a traineeship to be registered licensed as a physical 
 83.18  therapist under subdivision 1.  The traineeship may be waived 
 83.19  for a foreign-trained physical therapist who is licensed or 
 83.20  otherwise registered in good standing in another state and has 
 83.21  successfully practiced physical therapy in that state under the 
 83.22  supervision of a licensed or registered physical therapist for 
 83.23  at least six months at a facility that meets the requirements 
 83.24  under paragraph (b), clauses (2) and (3). 
 83.25     (e) A temporary permit will not be issued to a 
 83.26  foreign-trained applicant who has been issued a temporary permit 
 83.27  for longer than six months in any other state. 
 83.28     Sec. 94.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 148.72, 
 83.29  subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
 83.30     Subdivision 1.  [ISSUANCE OF REGISTRATION LICENSE WITHOUT 
 83.31  EXAMINATION.] On payment to the board of a fee in the amount set 
 83.32  by the board and on submission of a written application on forms 
 83.33  provided by the board, the board shall issue registration a 
 83.34  license without examination to a person who is licensed or 
 83.35  otherwise registered as a physical therapist by another state of 
 83.36  the United States of America, its possessions, or the District 
 84.1   of Columbia, if the board determines that the requirements for 
 84.2   licensure licensing or registration in the state, possession, or 
 84.3   District are equal to, or greater than, the requirements set 
 84.4   forth in sections 148.65 to 148.78. 
 84.5      Sec. 95.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 148.72, 
 84.6   subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
 84.7      Subd. 2.  [CERTIFICATE OF REGISTRATION LICENSE.] The board 
 84.8   may issue a certificate of registration to a physical therapist 
 84.9   license without examination to an applicant who presents 
 84.10  evidence satisfactory to the board of having passed an 
 84.11  examination recognized by the board, if the board determines the 
 84.12  standards of the other state or foreign country are determined 
 84.13  by the board to be as high as equal to those of this state.  At 
 84.14  the time of making an Upon application, the applicant shall pay 
 84.15  to the board a fee in the amount set by the board,.  No portion 
 84.16  of which shall be returned the fee is refundable.  
 84.17     Sec. 96.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 148.72, 
 84.18  subdivision 4, is amended to read: 
 84.19     Subd. 4.  [ISSUANCE OF REGISTRATION LICENSE AFTER 
 84.20  EXAMINATION.] The board shall issue a certificate of 
 84.21  registration license to each an applicant who passes the 
 84.22  examination in accordance with according to standards 
 84.23  established by the board and who is not disqualified to 
 84.24  receive registration a license under the provisions of section 
 84.25  148.75.  
 84.26     Sec. 97.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 148.73, is 
 84.27  amended to read: 
 84.28     148.73 [RENEWALS.] 
 84.29     Every registered licensed physical therapist shall, during 
 84.30  each January, apply to the board for an extension 
 84.31  of registration a license and pay a fee in the amount set by the 
 84.32  board.  The extension of registration the license is contingent 
 84.33  upon demonstration that the continuing education requirements 
 84.34  set by the board under section 148.70 have been satisfied. 
 84.35     Sec. 98.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 148.74, is 
 84.36  amended to read: 
 85.1      148.74 [RULES.] 
 85.2      The board is authorized to may adopt rules as may be 
 85.3   necessary needed to carry out the purposes of sections 148.65 to 
 85.4   148.78.  The secretary secretary-treasurer of the board shall 
 85.5   keep a record of proceedings under these sections and a register 
 85.6   of all persons registered licensed under it.  The register shall 
 85.7   show the name, address, date and number of registration the 
 85.8   license, and the renewal thereof of the license.  Any other 
 85.9   interested person in the state may obtain a copy of such the 
 85.10  list on request to the board upon payment of paying an amount as 
 85.11  may be fixed by the board, which.  The amount shall not exceed 
 85.12  the cost of the list so furnished.  The board shall provide 
 85.13  blanks, books, certificates, and stationery and assistance as is 
 85.14  necessary for the transaction of the to transact business of the 
 85.15  board and the physical therapy council hereunder, and.  All 
 85.16  money received by the board under sections 148.65 to 148.78 
 85.17  shall be paid into the state treasury as provided for by law.  
 85.18  The board shall set by rule the amounts of the application fee 
 85.19  and the annual registration licensing fee.  The fees collected 
 85.20  by the board must be sufficient to cover the costs of 
 85.21  administering sections 148.65 to 148.78. 
 85.22     Sec. 99.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 148.75, is 
 85.23  amended to read: 
 85.24     148.75 [CERTIFICATES LICENSES; DENIAL, SUSPENSION, 
 85.25  REVOCATION.] 
 85.26     (a) The state board of medical practice physical therapy 
 85.27  may refuse to grant registration a license to any physical 
 85.28  therapist, or may suspend or revoke the registration license of 
 85.29  any physical therapist for any of the following grounds:  
 85.30     (a) (1) using drugs or intoxicating liquors to an extent 
 85.31  which affects professional competence; 
 85.32     (b) been convicted (2) conviction of a felony; 
 85.33     (c) (3) conviction for violating any state or federal 
 85.34  narcotic law; 
 85.35     (d) procuring, aiding or abetting a criminal abortion; 
 85.36     (e) registration (4) obtaining a license or attempted 
 86.1   registration attempting to obtain a license by fraud or 
 86.2   deception; 
 86.3      (f) (5) conduct unbecoming a person registered licensed as 
 86.4   a physical therapist or conduct detrimental to the best 
 86.5   interests of the public; 
 86.6      (g) (6) gross negligence in the practice of physical 
 86.7   therapy as a physical therapist; 
 86.8      (h) (7) treating human ailments by physical therapy after 
 86.9   an initial 30-day period of patient admittance to treatment has 
 86.10  lapsed, except by the order or referral of a person licensed in 
 86.11  this state to in the practice of medicine as defined in section 
 86.12  147.081, the practice of chiropractic as defined in section 
 86.13  148.01, the practice of podiatry as defined in section 153.01, 
 86.14  or the practice of dentistry as defined in section 150A.05 and 
 86.15  whose license is in good standing; or when a previous diagnosis 
 86.16  exists indicating an ongoing condition warranting physical 
 86.17  therapy treatment, subject to periodic review defined by board 
 86.18  of medical practice physical therapy rule; 
 86.19     (i) (8) treating human ailments, without referral, by 
 86.20  physical therapy treatment without first having practiced one 
 86.21  year under a physician's orders as verified by the board's 
 86.22  records; 
 86.23     (j) failure (9) failing to consult with the patient's 
 86.24  health care provider who prescribed the physical therapy 
 86.25  treatment if the treatment is altered by the physical therapist 
 86.26  from the original written order.  The provision does not include 
 86.27  written orders specifying orders to "evaluate and treat"; 
 86.28     (k) (10) treating human ailments other than by physical 
 86.29  therapy unless duly licensed or registered to do so under the 
 86.30  laws of this state; 
 86.31     (l) (11) inappropriate delegation to a physical therapist 
 86.32  assistant or inappropriate task assignment to an aide or 
 86.33  inadequate supervision of either level of supportive personnel; 
 86.34     (m) treating human ailments other than by performing 
 86.35  physical therapy procedures unless duly licensed or registered 
 86.36  to do so under the laws of this state; 
 87.1      (n) (12) practicing as a physical therapist performing 
 87.2   medical diagnosis, the practice of medicine as defined in 
 87.3   section 147.081, or the practice of chiropractic as defined in 
 87.4   section 148.01; 
 87.5      (o) failure (13) failing to comply with a reasonable 
 87.6   request to obtain appropriate clearance for mental or physical 
 87.7   conditions which that would interfere with the ability to 
 87.8   practice physical therapy, and which that may be potentially 
 87.9   harmful to patients; 
 87.10     (p) (14) dividing fees with, or paying or promising to pay 
 87.11  a commission or part of the fee to, any person who contacts the 
 87.12  physical therapist for consultation or sends patients to the 
 87.13  physical therapist for treatment; 
 87.14     (q) (15) engaging in an incentive payment arrangement, 
 87.15  other than that prohibited by clause (p) (14), that tends to 
 87.16  promote physical therapy overutilization overuse, whereby that 
 87.17  allows the referring person or person who controls the 
 87.18  availability of physical therapy services to a client profits to 
 87.19  profit unreasonably as a result of patient treatment; 
 87.20     (r) (16) practicing physical therapy and failing to refer 
 87.21  to a licensed health care professional any a patient whose 
 87.22  medical condition at the time of evaluation has been determined 
 87.23  by the physical therapist to be beyond the scope of practice of 
 87.24  a physical therapist; and 
 87.25     (s) failure (17) failing to report to the board other 
 87.26  registered licensed physical therapists who violate this section.
 87.27     (b) A certificate of registration license to practice as a 
 87.28  physical therapist is suspended if (1) a guardian of the person 
 87.29  of the physical therapist is appointed by order of a court 
 87.30  pursuant to sections 525.54 to 525.61, for reasons other than 
 87.31  the minority of the physical therapist; or (2) the physical 
 87.32  therapist is committed by order of a court pursuant to chapter 
 87.33  253B.  The certificate of registration license remains suspended 
 87.34  until the physical therapist is restored to capacity by a court 
 87.35  and, upon petition by the physical therapist, the suspension is 
 87.36  terminated by the board of medical practice physical therapy 
 88.1   after a hearing.  
 88.2      Sec. 100.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 148.76, is 
 88.3   amended to read: 
 88.4      148.76 [PROHIBITED CONDUCT.] 
 88.5      Subdivision 1.  No person shall:  
 88.6      (a) (1) use the title of physical therapist without a 
 88.7   certificate of registration license as a physical therapist 
 88.8   issued pursuant to the provisions of under sections 148.65 to 
 88.9   148.78; 
 88.10     (b) (2) in any manner hold out as a physical therapist, or 
 88.11  use in connection with the person's name the words or letters 
 88.12  Physical Therapist, Physiotherapist, Physical Therapy 
 88.13  Technician, Registered Physical Therapist, Licensed Physical 
 88.14  Therapist, P.T., P.T.T., R.P.T., L.P.T., or any letters, words, 
 88.15  abbreviations or insignia indicating or implying that the person 
 88.16  is a physical therapist, without a certificate of 
 88.17  registration license as a physical therapist issued pursuant to 
 88.18  the provisions of under sections 148.65 to 148.78.  To do so is 
 88.19  a gross misdemeanor; 
 88.20     (c) (3) employ fraud or deception in applying for or 
 88.21  securing a certificate of registration license as a physical 
 88.22  therapist.  
 88.23     Nothing contained in sections 148.65 to 148.78 shall 
 88.24  prohibit any prohibits a person licensed or registered in this 
 88.25  state under another law from carrying out the therapy or 
 88.26  practice for which the person is duly licensed or registered. 
 88.27     Subd. 2.  No physical therapist shall: 
 88.28     (a) (1) treat human ailments by physical therapy after an 
 88.29  initial 30-day period of patient admittance to treatment has 
 88.30  lapsed, except by the order or referral of a person licensed in 
 88.31  this state to practice medicine as defined in section 147.081, 
 88.32  the practice of chiropractic as defined in section 148.01, the 
 88.33  practice of podiatry as defined in section 153.01, or the 
 88.34  practice of dentistry as defined in section 150A.05 and whose 
 88.35  license is in good standing; or when a previous diagnosis exists 
 88.36  indicating an ongoing condition warranting physical therapy 
 89.1   treatment, subject to periodic review defined by board of 
 89.2   medical practice physical therapy rule; 
 89.3      (b) (2) treat human ailments by physical therapy treatment 
 89.4   without first having practiced one year under a physician's 
 89.5   orders as verified by the board's records; 
 89.6      (c) utilize (3) use any chiropractic manipulative technique 
 89.7   whose end is the chiropractic adjustment of an abnormal 
 89.8   articulation of the body; and 
 89.9      (d) (4) treat human ailments other than by physical therapy 
 89.10  unless duly licensed or registered to do so under the laws of 
 89.11  this state. 
 89.12     Sec. 101.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 148.78, is 
 89.13  amended to read: 
 89.14     148.78 [PROSECUTION, ALLEGATIONS.] 
 89.15     In the prosecution of any person for violation of sections 
 89.16  148.65 to 148.78 as specified in section 148.76, it shall not be 
 89.17  necessary to allege or prove want of a valid certificate of 
 89.18  registration license as a physical therapist, but shall be a 
 89.19  matter of defense to be established by the accused. 
 89.20     Sec. 102.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 214.01, 
 89.21  subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
 89.22     Subd. 2.  [HEALTH-RELATED LICENSING BOARD.] "Health-related 
 89.23  licensing board" means the board of examiners of nursing home 
 89.24  administrators established pursuant to section 144A.19, the 
 89.25  board of medical practice created pursuant to section 147.01, 
 89.26  the board of nursing created pursuant to section 148.181, the 
 89.27  board of chiropractic examiners established pursuant to section 
 89.28  148.02, the board of optometry established pursuant to section 
 89.29  148.52, the board of physical therapy established pursuant to 
 89.30  section 148.67, the board of psychology established pursuant to 
 89.31  section 148.90, the board of social work pursuant to section 
 89.32  148B.19, the board of marriage and family therapy pursuant to 
 89.33  section 148B.30, the office of mental health practice 
 89.34  established pursuant to section 148B.61, the alcohol and drug 
 89.35  counselors licensing advisory council established pursuant to 
 89.36  section 148C.02, the board of dietetics and nutrition practice 
 90.1   established under section 148.622, the board of dentistry 
 90.2   established pursuant to section 150A.02, the board of pharmacy 
 90.3   established pursuant to section 151.02, the board of podiatric 
 90.4   medicine established pursuant to section 153.02, and the board 
 90.5   of veterinary medicine, established pursuant to section 156.01. 
 90.6      Sec. 103.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 214.03, is 
 90.7   amended to read: 
 90.8      214.03 [STANDARDIZED TESTS.] 
 90.9      Subdivision 1.  [STANDARDIZED TESTS USED.] All state 
 90.10  examining and licensing boards, other than the state board of 
 90.11  law examiners, the state board of professional responsibility or 
 90.12  any other board established by the supreme court to regulate the 
 90.13  practice of law and judicial functions, shall use national 
 90.14  standardized tests for the objective, nonpractical portion of 
 90.15  any examination given to prospective licensees to the extent 
 90.16  that such national standardized tests are appropriate, except 
 90.17  when the subject matter of the examination relates to the 
 90.18  application of Minnesota law to the profession or calling being 
 90.19  licensed.  
 90.20     Subd. 2.  [HEALTH-RELATED BOARDS; SPECIAL ACCOUNT.] There 
 90.21  is established an account in the special revenue fund where a 
 90.22  health-related licensing board may deposit applicants' payments 
 90.23  for national or regional standardized tests.  Money in the 
 90.24  account is appropriated to each board that has deposited monies 
 90.25  into the account, in an amount equal to the amount deposited by 
 90.26  the board, to pay for the use of national or regional 
 90.27  standardized tests. 
 90.28     Sec. 104.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
 90.29  214.32, subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
 90.30     Subdivision 1.  [MANAGEMENT.] (a) A health professionals 
 90.31  services program committee is established, consisting of one 
 90.32  person appointed by each participating board, with each 
 90.33  participating board having one vote.  The committee shall 
 90.34  designate one board to provide administrative management of the 
 90.35  program, set the program budget and the pro rata share of 
 90.36  program expenses to be borne by each participating board, 
 91.1   provide guidance on the general operation of the program, 
 91.2   including hiring of program personnel, and ensure that the 
 91.3   program's direction is in accord with its authority.  No more 
 91.4   than half plus one of the members of the committee may be of one 
 91.5   gender.  If the participating boards change which board is 
 91.6   designated to provide administrative management of the program, 
 91.7   any appropriation remaining for the program shall transfer to 
 91.8   the newly designated board on the effective date of the change.  
 91.9   The participating boards must inform the appropriate legislative 
 91.10  committees and the commissioner of finance of any change in the 
 91.11  administrative management of the program, and the amount of any 
 91.12  appropriation transferred under this provision. 
 91.13     (b) The designated board, upon recommendation of the health 
 91.14  professional services program committee, shall hire the program 
 91.15  manager and employees and pay expenses of the program from funds 
 91.16  appropriated for that purpose.  The designated board may apply 
 91.17  for grants to pay program expenses and may enter into contracts 
 91.18  on behalf of the program to carry out the purposes of the 
 91.19  program.  The participating boards shall enter into written 
 91.20  agreements with the designated board. 
 91.21     (c) An advisory committee is established to advise the 
 91.22  program committee consisting of: 
 91.23     (1) one member appointed by each of the following:  the 
 91.24  Minnesota Academy of Physician Assistants, the Minnesota Dental 
 91.25  Association, the Minnesota Chiropractic Association, the 
 91.26  Minnesota Licensed Practical Nurse Association, the Minnesota 
 91.27  Medical Association, the Minnesota Nurses Association, and the 
 91.28  Minnesota Podiatric Medicine Association; 
 91.29     (2) one member appointed by each of the professional 
 91.30  associations of the other professions regulated by a 
 91.31  participating board not specified in clause (1); and 
 91.32     (3) two public members, as defined by section 214.02.  
 91.33  Members of the advisory committee shall be appointed for two 
 91.34  years and members may be reappointed.  
 91.35     No more than half plus one of the members of the committee 
 91.36  may be of one gender. 
 92.1      The advisory committee expires June 30, 2001. 
 92.2      Sec. 105.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 254A.17, 
 92.3   subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
 92.4      Subdivision 1.  [MATERNAL AND CHILD SERVICE PROGRAMS.] (a) 
 92.5   The commissioner shall fund maternal and child health and social 
 92.6   service programs designed to improve the health and functioning 
 92.7   of children born to mothers using alcohol and controlled 
 92.8   substances.  Comprehensive programs shall include immediate and 
 92.9   ongoing intervention, treatment, and coordination of medical, 
 92.10  educational, and social services through a child's preschool 
 92.11  years.  Programs shall also include research and evaluation to 
 92.12  identify methods most effective in improving outcomes among this 
 92.13  high-risk population.  The commissioner shall ensure that the 
 92.14  programs are available on a statewide basis to the extent 
 92.15  possible with available funds.  
 92.16     (b) The commissioner of human services shall develop models 
 92.17  for the treatment of children ages 6 to 12 who are in need of 
 92.18  chemical dependency treatment.  The commissioner shall fund at 
 92.19  least two pilot projects with qualified providers to provide 
 92.20  nonresidential treatment for children in this age group.  Model 
 92.21  programs must include a component to monitor and evaluate 
 92.22  treatment outcomes. 
 92.23     Sec. 106.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 254A.17, is 
 92.24  amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
 92.25     Subd. 1b.  [INTERVENTION AND ADVOCACY PROGRAM.] Within the 
 92.26  limits of money available, the commissioner of human services 
 92.27  shall fund voluntary hospital-based outreach programs targeted 
 92.28  at women who deliver children affected by prenatal alcohol or 
 92.29  drug use.  The program shall help women obtain treatment, stay 
 92.30  in recovery, and plan any future pregnancies.  An advocate shall 
 92.31  be assigned to each woman in the program to provide guidance and 
 92.32  advice with respect to treatment programs, child safety and 
 92.33  parenting, housing, family planning, and any other personal 
 92.34  issues that are barriers to remaining free of chemical 
 92.35  dependence.  The commissioner shall develop an evaluation 
 92.36  component and provide centralized coordination of the evaluation 
 93.1   process. 
 93.2      Sec. 107.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
 93.3   256B.692, subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
 93.4      Subd. 2.  [DUTIES OF THE COMMISSIONER OF HEALTH.] 
 93.5   Notwithstanding chapters 62D and 62N, a county that elects to 
 93.6   purchase medical assistance and general assistance medical care 
 93.7   in return for a fixed sum without regard to the frequency or 
 93.8   extent of services furnished to any particular enrollee is not 
 93.9   required to obtain a certificate of authority under chapter 62D 
 93.10  or 62N.  A county that elects to purchase medical assistance and 
 93.11  general assistance medical care services under this section must 
 93.12  satisfy the commissioner of health that the requirements of 
 93.13  chapter 62D, applicable to health maintenance organizations, or 
 93.14  chapter 62N, applicable to community integrated service 
 93.15  networks, will be met.  A county must also assure the 
 93.16  commissioner of health that the requirements of section sections 
 93.17  62J.041; 62J.48; 62J.71 to 62J.73; all applicable provisions of 
 93.18  chapter 62Q, including sections 62Q.07; 62Q.075; 62Q.105; 
 93.19  62Q.1055; 62Q.106; 62Q.11; 62Q.12; 62Q.135; 62Q.14; 62Q.145; 
 93.20  62Q.19; 62Q.23, paragraph (c); 62Q.30; 62Q.43; 62Q.47; 62Q.50; 
 93.21  62Q.52 to 62Q.56; 62Q.58; 62Q.64; and 72A.201 will be met.  All 
 93.22  enforcement and rulemaking powers available under chapters 62D, 
 93.23  62J, and 62N are hereby granted to the commissioner of health 
 93.24  with respect to counties that purchase medical assistance and 
 93.25  general assistance medical care services under this section. 
 93.26     Sec. 108.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 268.92, 
 93.27  subdivision 4, is amended to read: 
 93.28     Subd. 4.  [LEAD CONTRACTORS SUPERVISOR OR CERTIFIED FIRM.] 
 93.29  (a) Eligible organizations and lead contractors supervisors or 
 93.30  certified firms may participate in the swab team program.  An 
 93.31  eligible organization receiving a grant under this section must 
 93.32  assure that all participating lead contractors supervisors or 
 93.33  certified firms are licensed and that all swab team workers are 
 93.34  certified by the department of health under section 144.9505.  
 93.35  Eligible organizations and lead contractors supervisors or 
 93.36  certified firms may distinguish between interior and exterior 
 94.1   services in assigning duties and may participate in the program 
 94.2   by: 
 94.3      (1) providing on-the-job training for swab team workers; 
 94.4      (2) providing swab team services to meet the requirements 
 94.5   of sections 144.9503, subdivision 4, and 144.9504, subdivision 
 94.6   6; 
 94.7      (3) providing a removal and replacement component using 
 94.8   skilled craft workers under subdivision 7; 
 94.9      (4) providing lead testing according to subdivision 7a; 
 94.10     (5) providing lead dust cleaning supplies, as described in 
 94.11  section 144.9503 144.9507, subdivision 5 4, 
 94.12  paragraph (b) (c), to residents; or 
 94.13     (6) having a swab team worker instruct residents and 
 94.14  property owners on appropriate lead control techniques, 
 94.15  including the lead-safe directives developed by the commissioner 
 94.16  of health.  
 94.17     (b) Participating lead contractors supervisors or certified 
 94.18  firms must: 
 94.19     (1) demonstrate proof of workers' compensation and general 
 94.20  liability insurance coverage; 
 94.21     (2) be knowledgeable about lead abatement requirements 
 94.22  established by the Department of Housing and Urban Development 
 94.23  and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and lead 
 94.24  hazard reduction requirements and lead-safe directives of the 
 94.25  commissioner of health; 
 94.26     (3) demonstrate experience with on-the-job training 
 94.27  programs; 
 94.28     (4) demonstrate an ability to recruit employees from areas 
 94.29  at high risk for toxic lead exposure; and 
 94.30     (5) demonstrate experience in working with low-income 
 94.31  clients. 
 94.32     Sec. 109.  [COMPLAINT PROCESS STUDY.] 
 94.33     The complaint process work group established by the 
 94.34  commissioners of health and commerce as required under Laws 
 94.35  1997, chapter 237, section 20, shall continue to meet to develop 
 94.36  a complaint resolution process for health plan companies to make 
 95.1   available to enrollees as required under Minnesota Statutes, 
 95.2   sections 62Q.105, 62Q.11, and 62Q.30.  The commissioners of 
 95.3   health and commerce shall submit a progress report to the 
 95.4   legislative commission on health care access by September 15, 
 95.5   1998, and shall submit final recommendations to the legislature, 
 95.6   including draft legislation on developing such a process by 
 95.7   November 15, 1998.  The recommendations must also include, in 
 95.8   consultation with the work group, a permanent method of 
 95.9   financing the office of health care consumer assistance, 
 95.10  advocacy, and information. 
 95.11     Sec. 110.  [RESIDENTIAL HOSPICE ADVISORY TASK FORCE.] 
 95.12     The commissioner of health shall convene an advisory task 
 95.13  force to study issues related to the building codes and safety 
 95.14  standards that residential hospice facilities must meet for 
 95.15  licensure and to make recommendations on changes to these 
 95.16  standards.  Task force membership shall include representatives 
 95.17  of residential hospices, pediatric residential hospices, the 
 95.18  Minnesota hospice organization, the Minnesota department of 
 95.19  health, and other interested parties.  The task force is 
 95.20  governed by Minnesota Statutes, section 15.059, subdivision 6.  
 95.21  The task force shall submit recommendations and any draft 
 95.22  legislation to the legislature by January 15, 1999.  
 95.23     Sec. 111.  [TEMPORARY LICENSURE WAIVER FOR DIETITIANS.] 
 95.24     Until October 31, 1998, the board of dietetics and 
 95.25  nutrition practice may waive the requirements for licensure as a 
 95.26  dietitian established in Minnesota Statutes, section 148.624, 
 95.27  subdivision 1, clause (1), and may issue a license to an 
 95.28  applicant who meets the qualifications for licensure specified 
 95.29  in Minnesota Statutes, section 148.627, subdivision 1.  A waiver 
 95.30  may be granted in cases in which unusual or extraordinary 
 95.31  job-related circumstances prevented an applicant from applying 
 95.32  for licensure during the transition period specified in 
 95.33  Minnesota Statutes, section 148.627, subdivision 1.  An 
 95.34  applicant must request a waiver in writing and must explain the 
 95.35  circumstances that prevented the applicant from applying for 
 95.36  licensure during the transition period. 
 96.1      Sec. 112.  [ADVICE AND RECOMMENDATIONS.] 
 96.2      The commissioners of health and commerce shall convene an 
 96.3   ad hoc advisory panel of selected representatives of health plan 
 96.4   companies, purchasers, and provider groups engaged in the 
 96.5   practice of health care in Minnesota, and interested 
 96.6   legislators.  This advisory panel shall meet and assist the 
 96.7   commissioners in developing measures to prevent discrimination 
 96.8   against providers and provider groups in managed care in 
 96.9   Minnesota and clarify the requirements of Minnesota Statutes, 
 96.10  section 62Q.23, paragraph (c).  Any such measures shall be 
 96.11  reported to the legislature prior to November 15, 1998. 
 96.12     Sec. 113.  [AGREEMENT AUTHORIZED.] 
 96.13     In order to have a comprehensive program to protect the 
 96.14  public from radiation hazards, the governor may enter into an 
 96.15  agreement with the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission, 
 96.16  under the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, United States Code, title 
 96.17  42, section 2021, paragraph (b).  The agreement may allow the 
 96.18  state to assume regulation over nonpower plant radiation hazards 
 96.19  including certain by-product, source, and special nuclear 
 96.20  materials not sufficient to form a critical mass. 
 96.21     Sec. 114.  [HEALTH DEPARTMENT DESIGNATED LEAD.] 
 96.22     The department of health is designated as the lead agency 
 96.23  to pursue an agreement on behalf of the governor, and for any 
 96.24  assumption of specified licensing and regulatory authority from 
 96.25  the Nuclear Regulatory Commission under an agreement.  The 
 96.26  department may enter into negotiations with the Nuclear 
 96.27  Regulatory Commission for that purpose.  The commissioner of 
 96.28  health shall establish an advisory group to assist the 
 96.29  department in preparing the state to meet the requirements for 
 96.30  achieving an agreement. 
 96.31     Sec. 115.  [RULES.] 
 96.32     The department of health may adopt rules for the state 
 96.33  assumption of regulation under an agreement under this act, 
 96.34  including the licensing and regulation of by-product, source, 
 96.35  and special nuclear material not sufficient to form a critical 
 96.36  mass. 
 97.1      Sec. 116.  [TRANSITION.] 
 97.2      A person who, on the effective date of an agreement under 
 97.3   this act, possesses a Nuclear Regulatory Commission license that 
 97.4   is subject to the agreement shall be deemed to possess a similar 
 97.5   license issued by the department of health.  Licenses shall 
 97.6   expire on the expiration date specified in the federal license. 
 97.7      Sec. 117.  [STUDY OF EXTENT OF FETAL ALCOHOL SYNDROME.] 
 97.8      The commissioner of health shall conduct a study of the 
 97.9   incidence and prevalence of fetal alcohol syndrome in Minnesota. 
 97.10  The commissioner shall not collect individually identifiable 
 97.11  data for this study. 
 97.12     Sec. 118.  [INITIAL APPOINTMENTS TO BOARD.] 
 97.13     Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 148.67, the 
 97.14  first physical therapist members appointed to the board may be 
 97.15  registered physical therapists. 
 97.16     Sec. 119.  [SUNSET.] 
 97.17     An agreement entered into before August 2, 2002, shall 
 97.18  remain in effect until terminated or suspended under the Atomic 
 97.19  Energy Act of 1954, United States Code, title 42, section 2021, 
 97.20  paragraph (j).  The governor may not enter into an initial 
 97.21  agreement with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission after August 1, 
 97.22  2002.  If an agreement is not entered into, any rules adopted 
 97.23  under this act are repealed on that date. 
 97.24     Sec. 120.  [REPEALER.] 
 97.25     Minnesota Statutes 1996, sections 144.491; 144.9501, 
 97.26  subdivisions 12, 14, and 16; and 144.9503, subdivisions 5, 8, 
 97.27  and 9, are repealed. 
 97.28     Sec. 121.  [EFFECTIVE DATES.] 
 97.29     Sections 23 to 37, 39 to 58, 60 to 69, 103 (214.03), 104 
 97.30  (214.32, subdivision 1), 111 (temporary licensure), 112 (advice 
 97.31  and recommendations), and 120 (Repealer) are effective the day 
 97.32  following final enactment. 
 97.33     Sections 1 and 7 to 10 are effective January 1, 1999, and 
 97.34  apply to coverage issued, renewed, or continued as defined in 
 97.35  section 60A.02, subdivision 2a, on or after that date. 
 97.36                             ARTICLE 3 
 98.1                            LONG-TERM CARE 
 98.2      Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 144A.04, 
 98.3   subdivision 5, is amended to read: 
 98.4      Subd. 5.  [ADMINISTRATORS.] Except as otherwise provided by 
 98.5   this subdivision, a nursing home must have a full time licensed 
 98.6   nursing home administrator serving the facility.  In any nursing 
 98.7   home of less than 25 31 beds, the director of nursing services 
 98.8   may also serve as the licensed nursing home administrator.  Two 
 98.9   nursing homes under common ownership having a total of 150 beds 
 98.10  or less and located within 75 miles of each other may share the 
 98.11  services of a licensed administrator if the administrator 
 98.12  divides full-time work week between the two facilities in 
 98.13  proportion to the number of beds in each facility.  Every 
 98.14  nursing home shall have a person-in-charge on the premises at 
 98.15  all times in the absence of the licensed administrator.  The 
 98.16  name of the person in charge must be posted in a conspicuous 
 98.17  place in the facility.  The commissioner of health shall by rule 
 98.18  promulgate minimum education and experience requirements for 
 98.19  persons-in-charge, and may promulgate rules specifying the times 
 98.20  of day during which a licensed administrator must be on the 
 98.21  nursing home's premises.  In the absence of rules adopted by the 
 98.22  commissioner governing the division of an administrator's time 
 98.23  between two nursing homes, the administrator shall designate and 
 98.24  post the times the administrator will be on site in each home on 
 98.25  a regular basis.  A nursing home may employ as its administrator 
 98.26  the administrator of a hospital licensed pursuant to sections 
 98.27  144.50 to 144.56 if the individual is licensed as a nursing home 
 98.28  administrator pursuant to section 144A.20 and the nursing home 
 98.29  and hospital have a combined total of 150 beds or less and are 
 98.30  located within one mile of each other.  A nonproprietary 
 98.31  retirement home having fewer than 15 licensed nursing home beds 
 98.32  may share the services of a licensed administrator with a 
 98.33  nonproprietary nursing home, having fewer than 150 licensed 
 98.34  nursing home beds, that is located within 25 miles of the 
 98.35  retirement home.  A nursing home which is located in a facility 
 98.36  licensed as a hospital pursuant to sections 144.50 to 144.56, 
 99.1   may employ as its administrator the administrator of the 
 99.2   hospital if the individual meets minimum education and long term 
 99.3   care experience criteria set by rule of the commissioner of 
 99.4   health. 
 99.5      Sec. 2.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
 99.6   144A.071, subdivision 4a, is amended to read: 
 99.7      Subd. 4a.  [EXCEPTIONS FOR REPLACEMENT BEDS.] It is in the 
 99.8   best interest of the state to ensure that nursing homes and 
 99.9   boarding care homes continue to meet the physical plant 
 99.10  licensing and certification requirements by permitting certain 
 99.11  construction projects.  Facilities should be maintained in 
 99.12  condition to satisfy the physical and emotional needs of 
 99.13  residents while allowing the state to maintain control over 
 99.14  nursing home expenditure growth. 
 99.15     The commissioner of health in coordination with the 
 99.16  commissioner of human services, may approve the renovation, 
 99.17  replacement, upgrading, or relocation of a nursing home or 
 99.18  boarding care home, under the following conditions: 
 99.19     (a) to license or certify beds in a new facility 
 99.20  constructed to replace a facility or to make repairs in an 
 99.21  existing facility that was destroyed or damaged after June 30, 
 99.22  1987, by fire, lightning, or other hazard provided:  
 99.23     (i) destruction was not caused by the intentional act of or 
 99.24  at the direction of a controlling person of the facility; 
 99.25     (ii) at the time the facility was destroyed or damaged the 
 99.26  controlling persons of the facility maintained insurance 
 99.27  coverage for the type of hazard that occurred in an amount that 
 99.28  a reasonable person would conclude was adequate; 
 99.29     (iii) the net proceeds from an insurance settlement for the 
 99.30  damages caused by the hazard are applied to the cost of the new 
 99.31  facility or repairs; 
 99.32     (iv) the new facility is constructed on the same site as 
 99.33  the destroyed facility or on another site subject to the 
 99.34  restrictions in section 144A.073, subdivision 5; 
 99.35     (v) the number of licensed and certified beds in the new 
 99.36  facility does not exceed the number of licensed and certified 
100.1   beds in the destroyed facility; and 
100.2      (vi) the commissioner determines that the replacement beds 
100.3   are needed to prevent an inadequate supply of beds. 
100.4   Project construction costs incurred for repairs authorized under 
100.5   this clause shall not be considered in the dollar threshold 
100.6   amount defined in subdivision 2; 
100.7      (b) to license or certify beds that are moved from one 
100.8   location to another within a nursing home facility, provided the 
100.9   total costs of remodeling performed in conjunction with the 
100.10  relocation of beds does not exceed $750,000; 
100.11     (c) to license or certify beds in a project recommended for 
100.12  approval under section 144A.073; 
100.13     (d) to license or certify beds that are moved from an 
100.14  existing state nursing home to a different state facility, 
100.15  provided there is no net increase in the number of state nursing 
100.16  home beds; 
100.17     (e) to certify and license as nursing home beds boarding 
100.18  care beds in a certified boarding care facility if the beds meet 
100.19  the standards for nursing home licensure, or in a facility that 
100.20  was granted an exception to the moratorium under section 
100.21  144A.073, and if the cost of any remodeling of the facility does 
100.22  not exceed $750,000.  If boarding care beds are licensed as 
100.23  nursing home beds, the number of boarding care beds in the 
100.24  facility must not increase beyond the number remaining at the 
100.25  time of the upgrade in licensure.  The provisions contained in 
100.26  section 144A.073 regarding the upgrading of the facilities do 
100.27  not apply to facilities that satisfy these requirements; 
100.28     (f) to license and certify up to 40 beds transferred from 
100.29  an existing facility owned and operated by the Amherst H. Wilder 
100.30  Foundation in the city of St. Paul to a new unit at the same 
100.31  location as the existing facility that will serve persons with 
100.32  Alzheimer's disease and other related disorders.  The transfer 
100.33  of beds may occur gradually or in stages, provided the total 
100.34  number of beds transferred does not exceed 40.  At the time of 
100.35  licensure and certification of a bed or beds in the new unit, 
100.36  the commissioner of health shall delicense and decertify the 
101.1   same number of beds in the existing facility.  As a condition of 
101.2   receiving a license or certification under this clause, the 
101.3   facility must make a written commitment to the commissioner of 
101.4   human services that it will not seek to receive an increase in 
101.5   its property-related payment rate as a result of the transfers 
101.6   allowed under this paragraph; 
101.7      (g) to license and certify nursing home beds to replace 
101.8   currently licensed and certified boarding care beds which may be 
101.9   located either in a remodeled or renovated boarding care or 
101.10  nursing home facility or in a remodeled, renovated, newly 
101.11  constructed, or replacement nursing home facility within the 
101.12  identifiable complex of health care facilities in which the 
101.13  currently licensed boarding care beds are presently located, 
101.14  provided that the number of boarding care beds in the facility 
101.15  or complex are decreased by the number to be licensed as nursing 
101.16  home beds and further provided that, if the total costs of new 
101.17  construction, replacement, remodeling, or renovation exceed ten 
101.18  percent of the appraised value of the facility or $200,000, 
101.19  whichever is less, the facility makes a written commitment to 
101.20  the commissioner of human services that it will not seek to 
101.21  receive an increase in its property-related payment rate by 
101.22  reason of the new construction, replacement, remodeling, or 
101.23  renovation.  The provisions contained in section 144A.073 
101.24  regarding the upgrading of facilities do not apply to facilities 
101.25  that satisfy these requirements; 
101.26     (h) to license as a nursing home and certify as a nursing 
101.27  facility a facility that is licensed as a boarding care facility 
101.28  but not certified under the medical assistance program, but only 
101.29  if the commissioner of human services certifies to the 
101.30  commissioner of health that licensing the facility as a nursing 
101.31  home and certifying the facility as a nursing facility will 
101.32  result in a net annual savings to the state general fund of 
101.33  $200,000 or more; 
101.34     (i) to certify, after September 30, 1992, and prior to July 
101.35  1, 1993, existing nursing home beds in a facility that was 
101.36  licensed and in operation prior to January 1, 1992; 
102.1      (j) to license and certify new nursing home beds to replace 
102.2   beds in a facility condemned acquired by the Minneapolis 
102.3   community development agency as part of an economic 
102.4   redevelopment plan activities in a city of the first class, 
102.5   provided the new facility is located within one mile three miles 
102.6   of the site of the old facility.  Operating and property costs 
102.7   for the new facility must be determined and allowed 
102.8   under existing reimbursement rules section 256B.431 or 256B.434; 
102.9      (k) to license and certify up to 20 new nursing home beds 
102.10  in a community-operated hospital and attached convalescent and 
102.11  nursing care facility with 40 beds on April 21, 1991, that 
102.12  suspended operation of the hospital in April 1986.  The 
102.13  commissioner of human services shall provide the facility with 
102.14  the same per diem property-related payment rate for each 
102.15  additional licensed and certified bed as it will receive for its 
102.16  existing 40 beds; 
102.17     (l) to license or certify beds in renovation, replacement, 
102.18  or upgrading projects as defined in section 144A.073, 
102.19  subdivision 1, so long as the cumulative total costs of the 
102.20  facility's remodeling projects do not exceed $750,000; 
102.21     (m) to license and certify beds that are moved from one 
102.22  location to another for the purposes of converting up to five 
102.23  four-bed wards to single or double occupancy rooms in a nursing 
102.24  home that, as of January 1, 1993, was county-owned and had a 
102.25  licensed capacity of 115 beds; 
102.26     (n) to allow a facility that on April 16, 1993, was a 
102.27  106-bed licensed and certified nursing facility located in 
102.28  Minneapolis to layaway all of its licensed and certified nursing 
102.29  home beds.  These beds may be relicensed and recertified in a 
102.30  newly-constructed teaching nursing home facility affiliated with 
102.31  a teaching hospital upon approval by the legislature.  The 
102.32  proposal must be developed in consultation with the interagency 
102.33  committee on long-term care planning.  The beds on layaway 
102.34  status shall have the same status as voluntarily delicensed and 
102.35  decertified beds, except that beds on layaway status remain 
102.36  subject to the surcharge in section 256.9657.  This layaway 
103.1   provision expires July 1, 1998; 
103.2      (o) to allow a project which will be completed in 
103.3   conjunction with an approved moratorium exception project for a 
103.4   nursing home in southern Cass county and which is directly 
103.5   related to that portion of the facility that must be repaired, 
103.6   renovated, or replaced, to correct an emergency plumbing problem 
103.7   for which a state correction order has been issued and which 
103.8   must be corrected by August 31, 1993; 
103.9      (p) to allow a facility that on April 16, 1993, was a 
103.10  368-bed licensed and certified nursing facility located in 
103.11  Minneapolis to layaway, upon 30 days prior written notice to the 
103.12  commissioner, up to 30 of the facility's licensed and certified 
103.13  beds by converting three-bed wards to single or double 
103.14  occupancy.  Beds on layaway status shall have the same status as 
103.15  voluntarily delicensed and decertified beds except that beds on 
103.16  layaway status remain subject to the surcharge in section 
103.17  256.9657, remain subject to the license application and renewal 
103.18  fees under section 144A.07 and shall be subject to a $100 per 
103.19  bed reactivation fee.  In addition, at any time within three 
103.20  years of the effective date of the layaway, the beds on layaway 
103.21  status may be: 
103.22     (1) relicensed and recertified upon relocation and 
103.23  reactivation of some or all of the beds to an existing licensed 
103.24  and certified facility or facilities located in Pine River, 
103.25  Brainerd, or International Falls; provided that the total 
103.26  project construction costs related to the relocation of beds 
103.27  from layaway status for any facility receiving relocated beds 
103.28  may not exceed the dollar threshold provided in subdivision 2 
103.29  unless the construction project has been approved through the 
103.30  moratorium exception process under section 144A.073; 
103.31     (2) relicensed and recertified, upon reactivation of some 
103.32  or all of the beds within the facility which placed the beds in 
103.33  layaway status, if the commissioner has determined a need for 
103.34  the reactivation of the beds on layaway status. 
103.35     The property-related payment rate of a facility placing 
103.36  beds on layaway status must be adjusted by the incremental 
104.1   change in its rental per diem after recalculating the rental per 
104.2   diem as provided in section 256B.431, subdivision 3a, paragraph 
104.3   (d).  The property-related payment rate for a facility 
104.4   relicensing and recertifying beds from layaway status must be 
104.5   adjusted by the incremental change in its rental per diem after 
104.6   recalculating its rental per diem using the number of beds after 
104.7   the relicensing to establish the facility's capacity day 
104.8   divisor, which shall be effective the first day of the month 
104.9   following the month in which the relicensing and recertification 
104.10  became effective.  Any beds remaining on layaway status more 
104.11  than three years after the date the layaway status became 
104.12  effective must be removed from layaway status and immediately 
104.13  delicensed and decertified; 
104.14     (q) to license and certify beds in a renovation and 
104.15  remodeling project to convert 12 four-bed wards into 24 two-bed 
104.16  rooms, expand space, and add improvements in a nursing home 
104.17  that, as of January 1, 1994, met the following conditions:  the 
104.18  nursing home was located in Ramsey county; had a licensed 
104.19  capacity of 154 beds; and had been ranked among the top 15 
104.20  applicants by the 1993 moratorium exceptions advisory review 
104.21  panel.  The total project construction cost estimate for this 
104.22  project must not exceed the cost estimate submitted in 
104.23  connection with the 1993 moratorium exception process; 
104.24     (r) to license and certify up to 117 beds that are 
104.25  relocated from a licensed and certified 138-bed nursing facility 
104.26  located in St. Paul to a hospital with 130 licensed hospital 
104.27  beds located in South St. Paul, provided that the nursing 
104.28  facility and hospital are owned by the same or a related 
104.29  organization and that prior to the date the relocation is 
104.30  completed the hospital ceases operation of its inpatient 
104.31  hospital services at that hospital.  After relocation, the 
104.32  nursing facility's status under section 256B.431, subdivision 
104.33  2j, shall be the same as it was prior to relocation.  The 
104.34  nursing facility's property-related payment rate resulting from 
104.35  the project authorized in this paragraph shall become effective 
104.36  no earlier than April 1, 1996.  For purposes of calculating the 
105.1   incremental change in the facility's rental per diem resulting 
105.2   from this project, the allowable appraised value of the nursing 
105.3   facility portion of the existing health care facility physical 
105.4   plant prior to the renovation and relocation may not exceed 
105.5   $2,490,000; 
105.6      (s) to license and certify two beds in a facility to 
105.7   replace beds that were voluntarily delicensed and decertified on 
105.8   June 28, 1991; 
105.9      (t) to allow 16 licensed and certified beds located on July 
105.10  1, 1994, in a 142-bed nursing home and 21-bed boarding care home 
105.11  facility in Minneapolis, notwithstanding the licensure and 
105.12  certification after July 1, 1995, of the Minneapolis facility as 
105.13  a 147-bed nursing home facility after completion of a 
105.14  construction project approved in 1993 under section 144A.073, to 
105.15  be laid away upon 30 days' prior written notice to the 
105.16  commissioner.  Beds on layaway status shall have the same status 
105.17  as voluntarily delicensed or decertified beds except that they 
105.18  shall remain subject to the surcharge in section 256.9657.  The 
105.19  16 beds on layaway status may be relicensed as nursing home beds 
105.20  and recertified at any time within five years of the effective 
105.21  date of the layaway upon relocation of some or all of the beds 
105.22  to a licensed and certified facility located in Watertown, 
105.23  provided that the total project construction costs related to 
105.24  the relocation of beds from layaway status for the Watertown 
105.25  facility may not exceed the dollar threshold provided in 
105.26  subdivision 2 unless the construction project has been approved 
105.27  through the moratorium exception process under section 144A.073. 
105.28     The property-related payment rate of the facility placing 
105.29  beds on layaway status must be adjusted by the incremental 
105.30  change in its rental per diem after recalculating the rental per 
105.31  diem as provided in section 256B.431, subdivision 3a, paragraph 
105.32  (d).  The property-related payment rate for the facility 
105.33  relicensing and recertifying beds from layaway status must be 
105.34  adjusted by the incremental change in its rental per diem after 
105.35  recalculating its rental per diem using the number of beds after 
105.36  the relicensing to establish the facility's capacity day 
106.1   divisor, which shall be effective the first day of the month 
106.2   following the month in which the relicensing and recertification 
106.3   became effective.  Any beds remaining on layaway status more 
106.4   than five years after the date the layaway status became 
106.5   effective must be removed from layaway status and immediately 
106.6   delicensed and decertified; 
106.7      (u) to license and certify beds that are moved within an 
106.8   existing area of a facility or to a newly constructed addition 
106.9   which is built for the purpose of eliminating three- and 
106.10  four-bed rooms and adding space for dining, lounge areas, 
106.11  bathing rooms, and ancillary service areas in a nursing home 
106.12  that, as of January 1, 1995, was located in Fridley and had a 
106.13  licensed capacity of 129 beds; 
106.14     (v) to relocate 36 beds in Crow Wing county and four beds 
106.15  from Hennepin county to a 160-bed facility in Crow Wing county, 
106.16  provided all the affected beds are under common ownership; 
106.17     (w) to license and certify a total replacement project of 
106.18  up to 49 beds located in Norman county that are relocated from a 
106.19  nursing home destroyed by flood and whose residents were 
106.20  relocated to other nursing homes.  The operating cost payment 
106.21  rates for the new nursing facility shall be determined based on 
106.22  the interim and settle-up payment provisions of Minnesota Rules, 
106.23  part 9549.0057, and the reimbursement provisions of section 
106.24  256B.431, except that subdivision 26, paragraphs (a) and (b), 
106.25  shall not apply until the second rate year after the settle-up 
106.26  cost report is filed.  Property-related reimbursement rates 
106.27  shall be determined under section 256B.431, taking into account 
106.28  any federal or state flood-related loans or grants provided to 
106.29  the facility; 
106.30     (x) to license and certify a total replacement project of 
106.31  up to 129 beds located in Polk county that are relocated from a 
106.32  nursing home destroyed by flood and whose residents were 
106.33  relocated to other nursing homes.  The operating cost payment 
106.34  rates for the new nursing facility shall be determined based on 
106.35  the interim and settle-up payment provisions of Minnesota Rules, 
106.36  part 9549.0057, and the reimbursement provisions of section 
107.1   256B.431, except that subdivision 26, paragraphs (a) and (b), 
107.2   shall not apply until the second rate year after the settle-up 
107.3   cost report is filed.  Property-related reimbursement rates 
107.4   shall be determined under section 256B.431, taking into account 
107.5   any federal or state flood-related loans or grants provided to 
107.6   the facility; or 
107.7      (y) to license and certify beds in a renovation and 
107.8   remodeling project to convert 13 three-bed wards into 13 two-bed 
107.9   rooms and 13 single-bed rooms, expand space, and add 
107.10  improvements in a nursing home that, as of January 1, 1994, met 
107.11  the following conditions:  the nursing home was located in 
107.12  Ramsey county, was not owned by a hospital corporation, had a 
107.13  licensed capacity of 64 beds, and had been ranked among the top 
107.14  15 applicants by the 1993 moratorium exceptions advisory review 
107.15  panel.  The total project construction cost estimate for this 
107.16  project must not exceed the cost estimate submitted in 
107.17  connection with the 1993 moratorium exception process.; 
107.18     (z) to allow a 285-bed nursing facility in St. Paul that 
107.19  provides for the special dietary needs of its residents under 
107.20  the requirements in section 31.651 to undertake a construction 
107.21  project that will improve some of the existing structures, 
107.22  create new buildings, and reduce the licensed and certified beds 
107.23  to 150; or 
107.24     (aa) to allow the commissioner of human services to license 
107.25  an additional 36 beds to provide residential services for the 
107.26  physically handicapped under Minnesota Rules, parts 9570.2000 to 
107.27  9570.3400, in a 198-bed nursing home located in Red Wing, 
107.28  provided that the total number of licensed and certified beds at 
107.29  the facility does not increase.  
107.30     Sec. 3.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 144A.09, 
107.31  subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
107.32     Subdivision 1.  [SPIRITUAL MEANS FOR HEALING.] No rule 
107.33  established Sections 144A.04, subdivision 5, and 144A.18 to 
107.34  144A.27, and rules adopted under sections 144A.01 to 144A.16 
107.35  other than a rule relating to sanitation and safety of premises, 
107.36  to cleanliness of operation, or to physical equipment shall do 
108.1   not apply to a nursing home conducted by and for the adherents 
108.2   of any recognized church or religious denomination for the 
108.3   purpose of providing care and treatment for those who select and 
108.4   depend upon spiritual means through prayer alone, in lieu of 
108.5   medical care, for healing.  
108.6      Sec. 4.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
108.7   256B.0951, is amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
108.8      Subd. 7.  [WAIVER OF RULES.] The commissioner of health may 
108.9   exempt residents of intermediate care facilities for persons 
108.10  with mental retardation (ICFs/MR) who participate in the 
108.11  three-year quality assurance pilot project established in 
108.12  section 256B.095 from the requirements of Minnesota Rules, 
108.13  chapter 4665, upon approval by the federal government of a 
108.14  waiver of federal certification requirements for ICFs/MR.  The 
108.15  commissioners of health and human services shall apply for any 
108.16  necessary waivers as soon as practicable and shall submit the 
108.17  concept paper to the federal government by June 1, 1998.  
108.18     Sec. 5.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 256B.431, 
108.19  subdivision 2i, is amended to read: 
108.20     Subd. 2i.  [OPERATING COSTS AFTER JULY 1, 1988.] (a)  
108.21  [OTHER OPERATING COST LIMITS.] For the rate year beginning July 
108.22  1, 1988, the commissioner shall increase the other operating 
108.23  cost limits established in Minnesota Rules, part 9549.0055, 
108.24  subpart 2, item E, to 110 percent of the median of the array of 
108.25  allowable historical other operating cost per diems and index 
108.26  these limits as in Minnesota Rules, part 9549.0056, subparts 3 
108.27  and 4.  The limits must be established in accordance with 
108.28  subdivision 2b, paragraph (d).  For rate years beginning on or 
108.29  after July 1, 1989, the adjusted other operating cost limits 
108.30  must be indexed as in Minnesota Rules, part 9549.0056, subparts 
108.31  3 and 4.  For the rate period beginning October 1, 1992, and for 
108.32  rate years beginning after June 30, 1993, the amount of the 
108.33  surcharge under section 256.9657, subdivision 1, shall be 
108.34  included in the plant operations and maintenance operating cost 
108.35  category.  The surcharge shall be an allowable cost for the 
108.36  purpose of establishing the payment rate. 
109.1      (b)  [CARE-RELATED OPERATING COST LIMITS.] For the rate 
109.2   year beginning July 1, 1988, the commissioner shall increase the 
109.3   care-related operating cost limits established in Minnesota 
109.4   Rules, part 9549.0055, subpart 2, items A and B, to 125 percent 
109.5   of the median of the array of the allowable historical case mix 
109.6   operating cost standardized per diems and the allowable 
109.7   historical other care-related operating cost per diems and index 
109.8   those limits as in Minnesota Rules, part 9549.0056, subparts 1 
109.9   and 2.  The limits must be established in accordance with 
109.10  subdivision 2b, paragraph (d).  For rate years beginning on or 
109.11  after July 1, 1989, the adjusted care-related limits must be 
109.12  indexed as in Minnesota Rules, part 9549.0056, subparts 1 and 2. 
109.13     (c)  [SALARY ADJUSTMENT PER DIEM.] For the rate period 
109.14  Effective October 1, 1988 1998, to June 30, 1990 2000, the 
109.15  commissioner, within the limits of available appropriations, 
109.16  shall add the appropriate make available the salary adjustment 
109.17  per diem calculated in clause (1) or (2) to the total operating 
109.18  cost payment rate of each nursing facility reimbursed under this 
109.19  section or section 256B.434.  The salary adjustment per diem for 
109.20  each nursing facility must be determined as follows:  
109.21     (1) for each nursing facility that reports salaries for 
109.22  registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and aides, 
109.23  orderlies and attendants separately, the commissioner shall 
109.24  determine the salary adjustment per diem by multiplying the 
109.25  total salaries, payroll taxes, and fringe benefits allowed in 
109.26  each operating cost category, except management fees and 
109.27  administrator and central office salaries and the related 
109.28  payroll taxes and fringe benefits, by 3.5 5 percent and then 
109.29  dividing the resulting amount by the nursing facility's actual 
109.30  resident days; and 
109.31     (2) for each nursing facility that does not report salaries 
109.32  for registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, aides, 
109.33  orderlies, and attendants separately, the salary adjustment per 
109.34  diem is the weighted average salary adjustment per diem increase 
109.35  determined under clause (1).  
109.36     Each nursing facility that receives a salary adjustment per 
110.1   diem pursuant to this subdivision shall adjust nursing facility 
110.2   employee salaries by a minimum of the amount determined in 
110.3   clause (1) or (2).  The commissioner shall review allowable 
110.4   salary costs, including payroll taxes and fringe benefits, for 
110.5   the reporting year ending September 30, 1989, to determine 
110.6   whether or not each nursing facility complied with this 
110.7   requirement.  The commissioner shall report the extent to which 
110.8   each nursing facility complied with the legislative commission 
110.9   on long-term care by August 1, 1990.  
110.10     (3) A nursing facility may apply for the salary adjustment 
110.11  per diem calculated under clauses (1) and (2).  The application 
110.12  must be made to the commissioner and contain a plan by which the 
110.13  nursing facility will distribute the salary adjustment to 
110.14  employees of the nursing facility.  For nursing facilities in 
110.15  which the employees are represented by an exclusive bargaining 
110.16  representative, an agreement negotiated and agreed to by the 
110.17  employer and the exclusive bargaining representative, after July 
110.18  1, 1998, may constitute the plan for the salary distribution.  
110.19  The commissioner shall review the plan to ensure that the salary 
110.20  adjustment per diem is used solely to increase the compensation 
110.21  of nursing home facility employees. 
110.22     (d)  [NEW BASE YEAR.] The commissioner shall establish new 
110.23  base years for both the reporting year ending September 30, 
110.24  1989, and the reporting year ending September 30, 1990.  In 
110.25  establishing new base years, the commissioner must take into 
110.26  account:  
110.27     (1) statutory changes made in geographic groups; 
110.28     (2) redefinitions of cost categories; and 
110.29     (3) reclassification, pass-through, or exemption of certain 
110.30  costs such as public employee retirement act contributions. 
110.31     (e)  [NEW BASE YEAR.] The commissioner shall establish a 
110.32  new base year for the reporting years ending September 30, 1991, 
110.33  and September 30, 1992.  In establishing a new base year, the 
110.34  commissioner must take into account:  
110.35     (1) statutory changes made in geographic groups; 
110.36     (2) redefinitions of cost categories; and 
111.1      (3) reclassification, pass-through, or exemption of certain 
111.2   costs. 
111.3      Sec. 6.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 256B.431, is 
111.4   amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
111.5      Subd. 2s.  [NONALLOWABLE COST.] Costs incurred for any 
111.6   activities which are directed at or are intended to influence or 
111.7   dissuade employees in the exercise of their legal rights to 
111.8   freely engage in the process of selecting an exclusive 
111.9   representative for the purpose of collective bargaining with 
111.10  their employer shall not be allowable for purposes of setting 
111.11  payment rates. 
111.12     Sec. 7.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
111.13  256B.431, subdivision 3f, is amended to read: 
111.14     Subd. 3f.  [PROPERTY COSTS AFTER JULY 1, 1988.] (a)  [ 
111.15  INVESTMENT PER BED LIMIT.] For the rate year beginning July 1, 
111.16  1988, the replacement-cost-new per bed limit must be $32,571 per 
111.17  licensed bed in multiple bedrooms and $48,857 per licensed bed 
111.18  in a single bedroom.  For the rate year beginning July 1, 1989, 
111.19  the replacement-cost-new per bed limit for a single bedroom must 
111.20  be $49,907 adjusted according to Minnesota Rules, part 
111.21  9549.0060, subpart 4, item A, subitem (1).  Beginning January 1, 
111.22  1990, the replacement-cost-new per bed limits must be adjusted 
111.23  annually as specified in Minnesota Rules, part 9549.0060, 
111.24  subpart 4, item A, subitem (1).  Beginning January 1, 1991, the 
111.25  replacement-cost-new per bed limits will be adjusted annually as 
111.26  specified in Minnesota Rules, part 9549.0060, subpart 4, item A, 
111.27  subitem (1), except that the index utilized will be the Bureau 
111.28  of the Census:  Composite fixed-weighted price index as 
111.29  published in the C30 Report, Value of New Construction Put in 
111.30  Place. 
111.31     (b)  [RENTAL FACTOR.] For the rate year beginning July 1, 
111.32  1988, the commissioner shall increase the rental factor as 
111.33  established in Minnesota Rules, part 9549.0060, subpart 8, item 
111.34  A, by 6.2 percent rounded to the nearest 100th percent for the 
111.35  purpose of reimbursing nursing facilities for soft costs and 
111.36  entrepreneurial profits not included in the cost valuation 
112.1   services used by the state's contracted appraisers.  For rate 
112.2   years beginning on or after July 1, 1989, the rental factor is 
112.3   the amount determined under this paragraph for the rate year 
112.4   beginning July 1, 1988. 
112.5      (c)  [OCCUPANCY FACTOR.] For rate years beginning on or 
112.6   after July 1, 1988, in order to determine property-related 
112.7   payment rates under Minnesota Rules, part 9549.0060, for all 
112.8   nursing facilities except those whose average length of stay in 
112.9   a skilled level of care within a nursing facility is 180 days or 
112.10  less, the commissioner shall use 95 percent of capacity days.  
112.11  For a nursing facility whose average length of stay in a skilled 
112.12  level of care within a nursing facility is 180 days or less, the 
112.13  commissioner shall use the greater of resident days or 80 
112.14  percent of capacity days but in no event shall the divisor 
112.15  exceed 95 percent of capacity days. 
112.16     (d)  [EQUIPMENT ALLOWANCE.] For rate years beginning on 
112.17  July 1, 1988, and July 1, 1989, the commissioner shall add ten 
112.18  cents per resident per day to each nursing facility's 
112.19  property-related payment rate.  The ten-cent property-related 
112.20  payment rate increase is not cumulative from rate year to rate 
112.21  year.  For the rate year beginning July 1, 1990, the 
112.22  commissioner shall increase each nursing facility's equipment 
112.23  allowance as established in Minnesota Rules, part 9549.0060, 
112.24  subpart 10, by ten cents per resident per day.  For rate years 
112.25  beginning on or after July 1, 1991, the adjusted equipment 
112.26  allowance must be adjusted annually for inflation as in 
112.27  Minnesota Rules, part 9549.0060, subpart 10, item E.  For the 
112.28  rate period beginning October 1, 1992, the equipment allowance 
112.29  for each nursing facility shall be increased by 28 percent.  For 
112.30  rate years beginning after June 30, 1993, the allowance must be 
112.31  adjusted annually for inflation. 
112.32     (e)  [POST CHAPTER 199 RELATED-ORGANIZATION DEBTS AND 
112.33  INTEREST EXPENSE.] For rate years beginning on or after July 1, 
112.34  1990, Minnesota Rules, part 9549.0060, subpart 5, item E, shall 
112.35  not apply to outstanding related organization debt incurred 
112.36  prior to May 23, 1983, provided that the debt was an allowable 
113.1   debt under Minnesota Rules, parts 9510.0010 to 9510.0480, the 
113.2   debt is subject to repayment through annual principal payments, 
113.3   and the nursing facility demonstrates to the commissioner's 
113.4   satisfaction that the interest rate on the debt was less than 
113.5   market interest rates for similar arms-length transactions at 
113.6   the time the debt was incurred.  If the debt was incurred due to 
113.7   a sale between family members, the nursing facility must also 
113.8   demonstrate that the seller no longer participates in the 
113.9   management or operation of the nursing facility.  Debts meeting 
113.10  the conditions of this paragraph are subject to all other 
113.11  provisions of Minnesota Rules, parts 9549.0010 to 9549.0080. 
113.12     (f)  [BUILDING CAPITAL ALLOWANCE FOR NURSING FACILITIES 
113.13  WITH OPERATING LEASES.] For rate years beginning on or after 
113.14  July 1, 1990, a nursing facility with operating lease costs 
113.15  incurred for the nursing facility's buildings shall receive its 
113.16  building capital allowance computed in accordance with Minnesota 
113.17  Rules, part 9549.0060, subpart 8.  If an operating lease 
113.18  provides that the lessee's rent is adjusted to recognize 
113.19  improvements made by the lessor and related debt, the costs for 
113.20  capital improvements and related debt shall be allowed in the 
113.21  computation of the lessee's building capital allowance, provided 
113.22  that reimbursement for these costs under an operating lease 
113.23  shall not exceed the rate otherwise paid.  
113.24     Sec. 8.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 256B.431, 
113.25  subdivision 11, is amended to read: 
113.26     Subd. 11.  [SPECIAL PROPERTY RATE SETTING PROCEDURES FOR 
113.27  CERTAIN NURSING FACILITIES.] (a) Notwithstanding Minnesota 
113.28  Rules, part 9549.0060, subpart 13, item H, to the contrary, for 
113.29  the rate year beginning July 1, 1990, a nursing facility leased 
113.30  prior to January 1, 1986, and currently subject to adverse 
113.31  licensure action under section 144A.04, subdivision 4, paragraph 
113.32  (a), or section 144A.11, subdivision 2, and whose ownership 
113.33  changes prior to July 1, 1990, shall be allowed a 
113.34  property-related payment equal to the lesser of its current 
113.35  lease obligation divided by its capacity days as determined in 
113.36  Minnesota Rules, part 9549.0060, subpart 11, as modified by 
114.1   subdivision 3f, paragraph (c), or the frozen property-related 
114.2   payment rate in effect for the rate year beginning July 1, 
114.3   1989.  For rate years beginning on or after July 1, 1991, the 
114.4   property-related payment rate shall be its rental rate computed 
114.5   using the previous owner's allowable principal and interest 
114.6   expense as allowed by the department prior to that prior owner's 
114.7   sale and lease-back transaction of December 1985. 
114.8      (b) Notwithstanding other provisions of applicable law, a 
114.9   nursing facility licensed for 122 beds on January 1, 1998, and 
114.10  located in Columbia Heights shall have its property-related 
114.11  payment rate set under this subdivision.  The commissioner shall 
114.12  make a rate adjustment by adding $2.41 to the facility's July 1, 
114.13  1997, property-related payment rate.  The adjusted 
114.14  property-related payment rate shall be effective for rate years 
114.15  beginning on or after July 1, 1998.  The adjustment in this 
114.16  paragraph shall remain in effect so long as the facility's rates 
114.17  are set under this section.  If the facility participates in the 
114.18  alternative payment system under section 256B.434, the 
114.19  adjustment in this paragraph shall be included in the facility's 
114.20  contract payment rate.  If historical rates or property costs 
114.21  recognized under this section become the basis for future 
114.22  medical assistance payments to the facility under a managed 
114.23  care, capitation, or other alternative payment system, the 
114.24  adjustment in this paragraph shall be included in the 
114.25  computation of the facility's payments. 
114.26     Sec. 9.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
114.27  256B.431, subdivision 26, is amended to read: 
114.28     Subd. 26.  [CHANGES TO NURSING FACILITY REIMBURSEMENT 
114.29  BEGINNING JULY 1, 1997.] The nursing facility reimbursement 
114.30  changes in paragraphs (a) to (f) shall apply in the sequence 
114.31  specified in Minnesota Rules, parts 9549.0010 to 9549.0080, and 
114.32  this section, beginning July 1, 1997. 
114.33     (a) For rate years beginning on or after July 1, 1997, the 
114.34  commissioner shall limit a nursing facility's allowable 
114.35  operating per diem for each case mix category for each rate year.
114.36  The commissioner shall group nursing facilities into two groups, 
115.1   freestanding and nonfreestanding, within each geographic group, 
115.2   using their operating cost per diem for the case mix A 
115.3   classification.  A nonfreestanding nursing facility is a nursing 
115.4   facility whose other operating cost per diem is subject to the 
115.5   hospital attached, short length of stay, or the rule 80 limits.  
115.6   All other nursing facilities shall be considered freestanding 
115.7   nursing facilities.  The commissioner shall then array all 
115.8   nursing facilities in each grouping by their allowable case mix 
115.9   A operating cost per diem.  In calculating a nursing facility's 
115.10  operating cost per diem for this purpose, the commissioner shall 
115.11  exclude the raw food cost per diem related to providing special 
115.12  diets that are based on religious beliefs, as determined in 
115.13  subdivision 2b, paragraph (h).  For those nursing facilities in 
115.14  each grouping whose case mix A operating cost per diem: 
115.15     (1) is at or below the median of the array, the 
115.16  commissioner shall limit the nursing facility's allowable 
115.17  operating cost per diem for each case mix category to the lesser 
115.18  of the prior reporting year's allowable operating cost per diem 
115.19  as specified in Laws 1996, chapter 451, article 3, section 11, 
115.20  paragraph (h), plus the inflation factor as established in 
115.21  paragraph (d), clause (2), increased by two percentage points, 
115.22  or the current reporting year's corresponding allowable 
115.23  operating cost per diem; or 
115.24     (2) is above the median of the array, the commissioner 
115.25  shall limit the nursing facility's allowable operating cost per 
115.26  diem for each case mix category to the lesser of the prior 
115.27  reporting year's allowable operating cost per diem as specified 
115.28  in Laws 1996, chapter 451, article 3, section 11, paragraph (h), 
115.29  plus the inflation factor as established in paragraph (d), 
115.30  clause (2), increased by one percentage point, or the current 
115.31  reporting year's corresponding allowable operating cost per diem.
115.32     For purposes of paragraph (a), for rate years beginning on 
115.33  or after July 1, 1998, if a nursing facility reports on its cost 
115.34  report a reduction in cost due to a refund or credit, the 
115.35  commissioner shall increase that facility's spend-up limit for 
115.36  the rate year following the current rate year by the amount of 
116.1   the cost reduction divided by its resident days for the 
116.2   reporting year preceding the rate year in which the adjustment 
116.3   is to be made. 
116.4      (b) For rate years beginning on or after July 1, 1997, the 
116.5   commissioner shall limit the allowable operating cost per diem 
116.6   for high cost nursing facilities.  After application of the 
116.7   limits in paragraph (a) to each nursing facility's operating 
116.8   cost per diem, the commissioner shall group nursing facilities 
116.9   into two groups, freestanding or nonfreestanding, within each 
116.10  geographic group.  A nonfreestanding nursing facility is a 
116.11  nursing facility whose other operating cost per diem are subject 
116.12  to hospital attached, short length of stay, or rule 80 limits.  
116.13  All other nursing facilities shall be considered freestanding 
116.14  nursing facilities.  The commissioner shall then array all 
116.15  nursing facilities within each grouping by their allowable case 
116.16  mix A operating cost per diem.  In calculating a nursing 
116.17  facility's operating cost per diem for this purpose, the 
116.18  commissioner shall exclude the raw food cost per diem related to 
116.19  providing special diets that are based on religious beliefs, as 
116.20  determined in subdivision 2b, paragraph (h).  For those nursing 
116.21  facilities in each grouping whose case mix A operating cost per 
116.22  diem exceeds 1.0 standard deviation above the median, the 
116.23  commissioner shall reduce their allowable operating cost per 
116.24  diem by three percent.  For those nursing facilities in each 
116.25  grouping whose case mix A operating cost per diem exceeds 0.5 
116.26  standard deviation above the median but is less than or equal to 
116.27  1.0 standard deviation above the median, the commissioner shall 
116.28  reduce their allowable operating cost per diem by two percent.  
116.29  However, in no case shall a nursing facility's operating cost 
116.30  per diem be reduced below its grouping's limit established at 
116.31  0.5 standard deviations above the median. 
116.32     (c) For rate years beginning on or after July 1, 1997, the 
116.33  commissioner shall determine a nursing facility's efficiency 
116.34  incentive by first computing the allowable difference, which is 
116.35  the lesser of $4.50 or the amount by which the facility's other 
116.36  operating cost limit exceeds its nonadjusted other operating 
117.1   cost per diem for that rate year.  The commissioner shall 
117.2   compute the efficiency incentive by: 
117.3      (1) subtracting the allowable difference from $4.50 and 
117.4   dividing the result by $4.50; 
117.5      (2) multiplying 0.20 by the ratio resulting from clause 
117.6   (1), and then; 
117.7      (3) adding 0.50 to the result from clause (2); and 
117.8      (4) multiplying the result from clause (3) times the 
117.9   allowable difference. 
117.10     The nursing facility's efficiency incentive payment shall 
117.11  be the lesser of $2.25 or the product obtained in clause (4). 
117.12     (d) For rate years beginning on or after July 1, 1997, the 
117.13  forecasted price index for a nursing facility's allowable 
117.14  operating cost per diem shall be determined under clauses (1) 
117.15  and (2) using the change in the Consumer Price Index-All Items 
117.16  (United States city average) (CPI-U) as forecasted by Data 
117.17  Resources, Inc.  The commissioner shall use the indices as 
117.18  forecasted in the fourth quarter of the calendar year preceding 
117.19  the rate year, subject to subdivision 2l, paragraph (c).  
117.20     (1) The CPI-U forecasted index for allowable operating cost 
117.21  per diem shall be based on the 21-month period from the midpoint 
117.22  of the nursing facility's reporting year to the midpoint of the 
117.23  rate year following the reporting year. 
117.24     (2) For rate years beginning on or after July 1, 1997, the 
117.25  forecasted index for operating cost limits referred to in 
117.26  subdivision 21, paragraph (b), shall be based on the CPI-U for 
117.27  the 12-month period between the midpoints of the two reporting 
117.28  years preceding the rate year. 
117.29     (e) After applying these provisions for the respective rate 
117.30  years, the commissioner shall index these allowable operating 
117.31  cost per diem by the inflation factor provided for in paragraph 
117.32  (d), clause (1), and add the nursing facility's efficiency 
117.33  incentive as computed in paragraph (c). 
117.34     (f) For rate years beginning on or after July 1, 1997, the 
117.35  total operating cost payment rates for a nursing facility shall 
117.36  be the greater of the total operating cost payment rates 
118.1   determined under this section or the total operating cost 
118.2   payment rates in effect on June 30, 1997, subject to rate 
118.3   adjustments due to field audit or rate appeal resolution.  This 
118.4   provision shall not apply to subsequent field audit adjustments 
118.5   of the nursing facility's operating cost rates for rate years 
118.6   beginning on or after July 1, 1997. 
118.7      (g) For the rate years beginning on July 1, 1997, and July 
118.8   1, 1998, and July 1, 1999, a nursing facility licensed for 40 
118.9   beds effective May 1, 1992, with a subsequent increase of 20 
118.10  Medicare/Medicaid certified beds, effective January 26, 1993, in 
118.11  accordance with an increase in licensure is exempt from 
118.12  paragraphs (a) and (b). 
118.13     (h) For a nursing facility whose construction project was 
118.14  authorized according to section 144A.073, subdivision 5, 
118.15  paragraph (g), the operating cost payment rates for the third 
118.16  location shall be determined based on Minnesota Rules, part 
118.17  9549.0057.  Paragraphs (a) and (b) shall not apply until the 
118.18  second rate year after the settle-up cost report is filed.  
118.19  Notwithstanding subdivision 2b, paragraph (g), real estate taxes 
118.20  and special assessments payable by the third location, a 
118.21  501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, shall be included in the 
118.22  payment rates determined under this subdivision for all 
118.23  subsequent rate years. 
118.24     (i) For the rate year beginning July 1, 1997, the 
118.25  commissioner shall compute the payment rate for a nursing 
118.26  facility licensed for 94 beds on September 30, 1996, that 
118.27  applied in October 1993 for approval of a total replacement 
118.28  under the moratorium exception process in section 144A.073, and 
118.29  completed the approved replacement in June 1995, with other 
118.30  operating cost spend-up limit under paragraph (a), increased by 
118.31  $3.98, and after computing the facility's payment rate according 
118.32  to this section, the commissioner shall make a one-year positive 
118.33  rate adjustment of $3.19 for operating costs related to the 
118.34  newly constructed total replacement, without application of 
118.35  paragraphs (a) and (b).  The facility's per diem, before the 
118.36  $3.19 adjustment, shall be used as the prior reporting year's 
119.1   allowable operating cost per diem for payment rate calculation 
119.2   for the rate year beginning July 1, 1998.  A facility described 
119.3   in this paragraph is exempt from paragraph (b) for the rate 
119.4   years beginning July 1, 1997, and July 1, 1998. 
119.5      (j) For the purpose of applying the limit stated in 
119.6   paragraph (a), a nursing facility in Kandiyohi county licensed 
119.7   for 86 beds that was granted hospital-attached status on 
119.8   December 1, 1994, shall have the prior year's allowable 
119.9   care-related per diem increased by $3.207 and the prior year's 
119.10  other operating cost per diem increased by $4.777 before adding 
119.11  the inflation in paragraph (d), clause (2), for the rate year 
119.12  beginning on July 1, 1997. 
119.13     (k) For the purpose of applying the limit stated in 
119.14  paragraph (a), a 117 bed nursing facility located in Pine county 
119.15  shall have the prior year's allowable other operating cost per 
119.16  diem increased by $1.50 before adding the inflation in paragraph 
119.17  (d), clause (2), for the rate year beginning on July 1, 1997. 
119.18     (l) For the purpose of applying the limit under paragraph 
119.19  (a), a nursing facility in Hibbing licensed for 192 beds shall 
119.20  have the prior year's allowable other operating cost per diem 
119.21  increased by $2.67 before adding the inflation in paragraph (d), 
119.22  clause (2), for the rate year beginning July 1, 1997. 
119.23     (m) For the purpose of applying the limit stated in 
119.24  paragraph (a), a nursing facility in Hennepin county licensed 
119.25  for 181 beds on September 30, 1996, shall have the prior year's 
119.26  allowable care-related per diem increased by $1.455 and the 
119.27  prior year's other operating cost per diem increased by $0.439 
119.28  before adding the inflation in paragraph (d), clause (2), for 
119.29  the rate year beginning on July 1, 1998. 
119.30     (n) For the purpose of applying the limit stated in 
119.31  paragraph (a), a nursing facility in Hennepin county licensed 
119.32  for 161 beds on September 30, 1996, shall have the prior year's 
119.33  allowable care-related per diem increased by $1.154 and the 
119.34  prior year's other operating cost per diem increased by $0.256 
119.35  before adding the inflation in paragraph (d), clause (2), for 
119.36  the rate year beginning on July 1, 1998. 
120.1      (o) For the purpose of applying the limit stated in 
120.2   paragraph (a), a nursing facility in Ramsey county licensed for 
120.3   176 beds on September 30, 1996, shall have the prior year's 
120.4   allowable care-related per diem increased by $0.803 and the 
120.5   prior year's other operating cost per diem increased by $0.272 
120.6   before adding the inflation in paragraph (d), clause (2), for 
120.7   the rate year beginning on July 1, 1998. 
120.8      (p) For the purpose of applying the limit stated in 
120.9   paragraph (a), a nursing facility in Brown county licensed for 
120.10  86 beds on September 30, 1996, shall have the prior year's 
120.11  allowable care-related per diem increased by $0.850 and the 
120.12  prior year's other operating cost per diem increased by $0.275 
120.13  before adding the inflation in paragraph (d), clause (2), for 
120.14  the rate year beginning on July 1, 1998. 
120.15     (q) For the rate year beginning July 1, 1998, the 
120.16  commissioner shall compute the payment rate for a nursing 
120.17  facility, which was licensed for 110 beds on May 1, 1997, was 
120.18  granted approval in January 1994 for a replacement and 
120.19  remodeling project under the moratorium exception process in 
120.20  section 144A.073, and completed the approved replacement and 
120.21  remodeling project on March 14, 1997, by increasing the other 
120.22  operating cost spend-up limit under paragraph (a) by $1.64.  
120.23  After computing the facility's payment rate for the rate year 
120.24  beginning July 1, 1998, according to this section, the 
120.25  commissioner shall make a one-year positive rate adjustment of 
120.26  48 cents for increased real estate taxes resulting from 
120.27  completion of the moratorium exception project, without 
120.28  application of paragraphs (a) and (b). 
120.29     Sec. 10.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 256B.431, is 
120.30  amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
120.31     Subd. 27.  [RULE 80 LIMITED EXEMPTION.] For the rate year 
120.32  beginning July 1, 1998, the commissioner shall compute the 
120.33  payment rate for a nursing facility exempted from care-related 
120.34  limits under subdivision 2b, paragraph (d), clause (2), with a 
120.35  minimum of three-quarters of its beds licensed to provide 
120.36  residential services for the physically handicapped under 
121.1   Minnesota Rules, parts 9570.2000 to 9570.3400, with the care 
121.2   related spend-up limit under subdivision 26, paragraph (a), 
121.3   increased by $13.21 for the rate year beginning July 1, 1998, 
121.4   without application of subdivision 26, paragraph (b).  For rate 
121.5   years beginning on or after July 1, 1999, the commissioner shall 
121.6   exclude that amount in calculating the facility's operating cost 
121.7   per diem for purposes of applying subdivision 26, paragraph (b). 
121.8      Sec. 11. [256B.435] [NURSING FACILITY REIMBURSEMENT SYSTEM 
121.9   EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2000.] 
121.10     Subdivision 1.  [IN GENERAL.] Effective July 1, 2000, the 
121.11  commissioner shall implement a performance-based contracting 
121.12  system to replace the current method of setting operating cost 
121.13  payment rates under sections 256B.431 and 256B.434 and Minnesota 
121.14  Rules, parts 9549.0010 to 9549.0080.  A nursing facility in 
121.15  operation on May 1, 1998, with payment rates not established 
121.16  under section 256B.431 or 256B.434 on that date, is ineligible 
121.17  for this performance-based contracting system.  In determining 
121.18  prospective payment rates of nursing facility services, the 
121.19  commissioner shall distinguish between operating costs and 
121.20  property-related costs.  The operating cost portion of the 
121.21  payment rates shall be indexed annually by an inflation factor 
121.22  as specified in subdivision 3, and in accordance with section 
121.23  256B.431, subdivision 21, paragraph (c).  Property related 
121.24  payment rates, including real estate taxes and special 
121.25  assessments, shall be determined under section 256B.431 or 
121.26  256B.434. 
121.27     Subd. 2.  [CONTRACT PROVISIONS.] (a) The performance-based 
121.28  contract with each nursing facility must include provisions that:
121.29     (1) apply the resident case mix assessment provisions of 
121.30  Minnesota Rules, parts 9549.0051, 9549.0058, and 9549.0059, or 
121.31  another assessment system, with the goal of moving to a single 
121.32  assessment system; 
121.33     (2) monitor resident outcomes through various methods, such 
121.34  as quality indicators based on the minimum data set and other 
121.35  utilization and performance measures; 
121.36     (3) require the establishment and use of a continuous 
122.1   quality improvement process that integrates information from 
122.2   quality indicators and regular resident and family satisfaction 
122.3   interviews; 
122.4      (4) require annual reporting of facility statistical 
122.5   information, including resident days by case mix category, 
122.6   productive nursing hours, wages and benefits, and raw food costs 
122.7   for use by the commissioner in the development of facility 
122.8   profiles that include trends in payment and service utilization; 
122.9      (5) require from each nursing facility an annual certified 
122.10  audited financial statement consisting of a balance sheet, 
122.11  income and expense statements, and an opinion from either a 
122.12  licensed or certified public accountant, if a certified audit 
122.13  was prepared, or unaudited financial statements if no certified 
122.14  audit was prepared; and 
122.15     (6) establish additional requirements and penalties for 
122.16  nursing facilities not meeting the standards set forth in the 
122.17  performance-based contract. 
122.18     (b) The commissioner may develop additional incentive-based 
122.19  payments for achieving outcomes specified in each contract.  The 
122.20  specified facility-specific outcomes must be measurable and 
122.21  approved by the commissioner. 
122.22     (c) The commissioner may also contract with nursing 
122.23  facilities in other ways through requests for proposals, 
122.24  including contracts on a risk or nonrisk basis, with nursing 
122.25  facilities or consortia of nursing facilities, to provide 
122.26  comprehensive long-term care coverage on a premium or capitated 
122.27  basis. 
122.28     Subd. 3.  [PAYMENT RATE PROVISIONS.] (a) For rate years 
122.29  beginning on or after July 1, 2000, the commissioner shall 
122.30  determine operating cost payment rates for each licensed and 
122.31  certified nursing facility by indexing its operating cost 
122.32  payment rates in effect on June 30, 2000, for inflation.  The 
122.33  inflation factor to be used must be based on the change in the 
122.34  Consumer Price Index-All Items, United States city average 
122.35  (CPI-U) as forecasted by Data Resources, Inc. in the fourth 
122.36  quarter preceding the rate year.  The CPI-U forecasted index for 
123.1   operating cost payment rates shall be based on the 12-month 
123.2   period from the midpoint of the nursing facility's prior rate 
123.3   year to the midpoint of the rate year for which the operating 
123.4   payment rate is being determined. 
123.5      (b) Beginning July 1, 2000, each nursing facility subject 
123.6   to a performance-based contract under this section shall choose 
123.7   one of two methods of payment for property related costs: 
123.8      (1) the method established in section 256B.434; or 
123.9      (2) the method established in section 256B.431.  
123.10  Once the nursing facility has made the election in paragraph 
123.11  (b), that election shall remain in effect for at least four 
123.12  years or until an alternative property payment system is 
123.13  developed.  
123.14     Sec. 12.  [256B.5011] [ICF/MR REIMBURSEMENT SYSTEM 
123.15  EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 1, 2000.] 
123.16     Subdivision 1.  [PERFORMANCE-BASED CONTRACTING SYSTEM.] (a) 
123.17  Effective October 1, 2000, the commissioner shall implement a 
123.18  performance-based contracting system to replace the current 
123.19  method of setting total cost payment rates under section 
123.20  256B.501 and Minnesota Rules, parts 9553.0010 to 9553.0080.  In 
123.21  determining prospective payment rates of intermediate care 
123.22  facilities for persons with mental retardation or related 
123.23  conditions, the commissioner shall index each facility's total 
123.24  payment rate by an inflation factor as described in subdivision 
123.25  3.  The commissioner of finance shall include annual inflation 
123.26  adjustments in operating costs for intermediate care facilities 
123.27  for persons with mental retardation and related conditions as a 
123.28  budget change request in each biennial detailed expenditure 
123.29  budget submitted to the legislature under section 16A.11. 
123.30     Subd. 2.  [CONTRACT PROVISIONS.] The performance-based 
123.31  contract with each intermediate care facility must include 
123.32  provisions for: 
123.33     (1) modifying payments when significant changes occur in 
123.34  the needs of the consumers; 
123.35     (2) monitoring service quality using performance indicators 
123.36  that measure consumer outcomes; 
124.1      (3) the establishment and use of continuous quality 
124.2   improvement processes using the results attained through service 
124.3   quality monitoring; 
124.4      (4) the annual reporting of facility statistical 
124.5   information on all supervisory personnel, direct care personnel, 
124.6   specialized support personnel, hours, wages and benefits, 
124.7   staff-to-consumer ratios, and staffing patterns; 
124.8      (5) annual aggregate facility financial information or an 
124.9   annual certified audited financial statement, including a 
124.10  balance sheet and income and expense statements for each 
124.11  facility, if a certified audit was prepared; and 
124.12     (6) additional requirements and penalties for intermediate 
124.13  care facilities not meeting the standards set forth in the 
124.14  performance-based contract. 
124.15     Subd. 3.  [PAYMENT RATE PROVISIONS.] For rate years 
124.16  beginning on or after October 1, 2000, the commissioner shall 
124.17  determine the total payment rate for each licensed and certified 
124.18  intermediate care facility by indexing the total payment rate in 
124.19  effect on September 30, 2000, for inflation.  The inflation 
124.20  factor to be used must be based on the change in the Consumer 
124.21  Price Index-All Items, United States city average (CPI-U) as 
124.22  forecasted by Data Resources, Inc. in the first quarter of the 
124.23  calendar year during which the rate year begins.  The CPI-U 
124.24  forecasted index for total payment rates shall be based on the 
124.25  12-month period from the midpoint of the ICFs/MR prior rate year 
124.26  to the midpoint of the rate year for which the operating payment 
124.27  rate is being determined.  
124.28     Sec. 13.  [RECOMMENDATIONS TO IMPLEMENT NEW REIMBURSEMENT 
124.29  SYSTEM.] 
124.30     (a) By January 15, 1999, the commissioner shall make 
124.31  recommendations to the chairs of the health and human services 
124.32  policy and fiscal committees on the repeal of specific statutes 
124.33  and rules as well as any other additional recommendations 
124.34  related to implementation of sections 11 and 12. 
124.35     (b) In developing recommendations for nursing facility 
124.36  reimbursement, the commissioner shall consider making each 
125.1   nursing facility's total payment rates, both operating and 
125.2   property rate components, prospective.  The commissioner shall 
125.3   involve nursing facility industry and consumer representatives 
125.4   in the development of these recommendations. 
125.5      (c) In making recommendations for ICF/MR reimbursement, the 
125.6   commissioner may consider methods of establishing payment rates 
125.7   that take into account individual client costs and needs, 
125.8   include provisions to establish links between performance 
125.9   indicators and reimbursement and other performance incentives, 
125.10  and allow local control over resources necessary for local 
125.11  agencies to set rates and contract with ICF/MR facilities.  In 
125.12  addition, the commissioner may establish methods that provide 
125.13  information to consumers regarding service quality as measured 
125.14  by performance indicators.  The commissioner shall involve 
125.15  ICF/MR industry and consumer representatives in the development 
125.16  of these recommendations.  
125.17     Sec. 14.  [APPROVAL EXTENDED.] 
125.18     Minnesota Statutes, section 144A.073, subdivision 3, 
125.19  notwithstanding, the commissioner of health shall grant an 
125.20  additional 18 months of approval for a proposed exception to the 
125.21  nursing home licensure and certification moratorium, if the 
125.22  proposal is to replace a 96-bed nursing home facility in Carlton 
125.23  county and if initial approval for the proposal was granted in 
125.24  November 1996. 
125.25     Sec. 15.  [EFFECTIVE DATE.] 
125.26     Sections 4 (256B.0951, subd. 7), 9 (256B.431, subd. 26), 
125.27  and 14 (approval extended) are effective the day following final 
125.28  enactment. 
125.29                             ARTICLE 4 
125.30            HEALTH CARE PROGRAMS, INCLUDING MA AND GAMC 
125.31     Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
125.32  62J.69, subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
125.33     Subdivision 1.  [DEFINITIONS.] For purposes of this 
125.34  section, the following definitions apply: 
125.35     (a) "Medical education" means the accredited clinical 
125.36  training of physicians (medical students and residents), doctor 
126.1   of pharmacy practitioners, dentists, advanced practice nurses 
126.2   (clinical nurse specialist, certified registered nurse 
126.3   anesthetists, nurse practitioners, and certified nurse 
126.4   midwives), and physician assistants. 
126.5      (b) "Clinical training" means accredited training for the 
126.6   health care practitioners listed in paragraph (a) that is funded 
126.7   and was historically funded in part by inpatient patient care 
126.8   revenues and that occurs in both either an inpatient and or 
126.9   ambulatory patient care settings training site. 
126.10     (c) "Trainee" means students involved in an accredited 
126.11  clinical training program for medical education as defined in 
126.12  paragraph (a). 
126.13     (d) "Eligible trainee" means a student involved in an 
126.14  accredited training program for medical education as defined in 
126.15  paragraph (a), which meets the definition of clinical training 
126.16  in paragraph (b), who is in a training site that is located in 
126.17  Minnesota and which has a medical assistance provider number. 
126.18     (e) "Health care research" means approved clinical, 
126.19  outcomes, and health services investigations that are funded by 
126.20  patient out-of-pocket expenses or a third-party payer. 
126.21     (e) (f) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of health. 
126.22     (f) (g) "Teaching institutions" means any hospital, medical 
126.23  center, clinic, or other organization that currently sponsors or 
126.24  conducts accredited medical education programs or clinical 
126.25  research in Minnesota. 
126.26     (h) "Accredited training" means training provided by a 
126.27  program that is accredited through an organization recognized by 
126.28  the department of education or the health care financing 
126.29  administration as the official accrediting body for that program.
126.30     (i) "Sponsoring institution" means a hospital, school, or 
126.31  consortium located in Minnesota that sponsors and maintains 
126.32  primary organizational and financial responsibility for an 
126.33  accredited medical education program in Minnesota and which is 
126.34  accountable to the accrediting body. 
126.35     Sec. 2.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
126.36  62J.69, subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
127.1      Subd. 2.  [ALLOCATION AND FUNDING FOR MEDICAL EDUCATION AND 
127.2   RESEARCH.] (a) The commissioner may establish a trust fund for 
127.3   the purposes of funding medical education and research 
127.4   activities in the state of Minnesota. 
127.5      (b) By January 1, 1997, the commissioner may appoint an 
127.6   advisory committee to provide advice and oversight on the 
127.7   distribution of funds from the medical education and research 
127.8   trust fund.  If a committee is appointed, the commissioner 
127.9   shall:  (1) consider the interest of all stakeholders when 
127.10  selecting committee members; (2) select members that represent 
127.11  both urban and rural interest; and (3) select members that 
127.12  include ambulatory care as well as inpatient perspectives.  The 
127.13  commissioner shall appoint to the advisory committee 
127.14  representatives of the following groups:  medical researchers, 
127.15  public and private academic medical centers, managed care 
127.16  organizations, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, 
127.17  commercial carriers, Minnesota Medical Association, Minnesota 
127.18  Nurses Association, medical product manufacturers, employers, 
127.19  and other relevant stakeholders, including consumers.  The 
127.20  advisory committee is governed by section 15.059, for membership 
127.21  terms and removal of members and will sunset on June 30, 1999. 
127.22     (c) Eligible applicants for funds are accredited medical 
127.23  education teaching institutions, consortia, and programs 
127.24  operating in Minnesota.  Applications must be submitted by the 
127.25  sponsoring institution on behalf of the teaching program, and 
127.26  must be received by September 30 of each year for distribution 
127.27  in January of the following year.  An application for funds must 
127.28  include the following: 
127.29     (1) the official name and address of the sponsoring 
127.30  institution and the official name and address of the facility or 
127.31  program programs on whose behalf the institution is applying for 
127.32  funding; 
127.33     (2) the name, title, and business address of those persons 
127.34  responsible for administering the funds; 
127.35     (3) the total number, type, and specialty orientation of 
127.36  eligible Minnesota-based trainees in for each accredited medical 
128.1   education program for which funds are being sought the type and 
128.2   specialty orientation of trainees in the program, the name, 
128.3   address, and medical assistance provider number of each training 
128.4   site used in the program, the total number of trainees at each 
128.5   site, and the total number of eligible trainees at each training 
128.6   site; 
128.7      (4) audited clinical training costs per trainee for each 
128.8   medical education program where available or estimates of 
128.9   clinical training costs based on audited financial data; 
128.10     (5) a description of current sources of funding for medical 
128.11  education costs including a description and dollar amount of all 
128.12  state and federal financial support, including Medicare direct 
128.13  and indirect payments; 
128.14     (6) other revenue received for the purposes of clinical 
128.15  training; and 
128.16     (7) a statement identifying unfunded costs; and 
128.17     (8) other supporting information the commissioner, with 
128.18  advice from the advisory committee, determines is necessary for 
128.19  the equitable distribution of funds. 
128.20     (d) The commissioner shall distribute medical education 
128.21  funds to all qualifying applicants based on the following basic 
128.22  criteria:  (1) total medical education funds available; (2) 
128.23  total eligible trainees in each eligible education program; and 
128.24  (3) the statewide average cost per trainee, by type of trainee, 
128.25  in each medical education program.  Funds distributed shall not 
128.26  be used to displace current funding appropriations from federal 
128.27  or state sources.  Funds shall be distributed to the sponsoring 
128.28  institutions indicating the amount to be paid to each of the 
128.29  sponsor's medical education programs based on the criteria in 
128.30  this paragraph.  Sponsoring institutions which receive funds 
128.31  from the trust fund must distribute approved funds to the 
128.32  medical education program according to the commissioner's 
128.33  approval letter.  Further, programs must distribute funds among 
128.34  the sites of training based on the percentage of total program 
128.35  training performed at each site. as specified in the 
128.36  commissioner's approval letter.  Any funds not distributed as 
129.1   directed by the commissioner's approval letter shall be returned 
129.2   to the medical education and research trust fund within 30 days 
129.3   of a notice from the commissioner.  The commissioner shall 
129.4   distribute returned funds to the appropriate entities in 
129.5   accordance with the commissioner's approval letter. 
129.6      (e) Medical education programs receiving funds from the 
129.7   trust fund must submit annual cost and program reports a medical 
129.8   education and research grant verification report (GVR) through 
129.9   the sponsoring institution based on criteria established by the 
129.10  commissioner.  If the sponsoring institution fails to submit the 
129.11  GVR by the stated deadline, or to request and meet the deadline 
129.12  for an extension, the sponsoring institution is required to 
129.13  return the full amount of the medical education and research 
129.14  trust fund grant to the medical education and research trust 
129.15  fund within 30 days of a notice from the commissioner.  The 
129.16  commissioner shall distribute returned funds to the appropriate 
129.17  entities in accordance with the commissioner's approval letter.  
129.18  The reports must include:  
129.19     (1) the total number of eligible trainees in the program; 
129.20     (2) the programs and residencies funded, the amounts of 
129.21  trust fund payments to each program, and within each program, 
129.22  the percentage dollar amount distributed to each training site; 
129.23  and 
129.24     (3) the average cost per trainee and a detailed breakdown 
129.25  of the components of those costs; 
129.26     (4) other state or federal appropriations received for the 
129.27  purposes of clinical training; 
129.28     (5) other revenue received for the purposes of clinical 
129.29  training; and 
129.30     (6) other information the commissioner, with advice from 
129.31  the advisory committee, deems appropriate to evaluate the 
129.32  effectiveness of the use of funds for clinical training.  
129.33     The commissioner, with advice from the advisory committee, 
129.34  will provide an annual summary report to the legislature on 
129.35  program implementation due February 15 of each year. 
129.36     (f) The commissioner is authorized to distribute funds made 
130.1   available through: 
130.2      (1) voluntary contributions by employers or other entities; 
130.3      (2) allocations for the department of human services to 
130.4   support medical education and research; and 
130.5      (3) other sources as identified and deemed appropriate by 
130.6   the legislature for inclusion in the trust fund. 
130.7      (g) The advisory committee shall continue to study and make 
130.8   recommendations on:  
130.9      (1) the funding of medical research consistent with work 
130.10  currently mandated by the legislature and under way at the 
130.11  department of health; and 
130.12     (2) the costs and benefits associated with medical 
130.13  education and research. 
130.14     Sec. 3.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
130.15  62J.69, is amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
130.16     Subd. 4.  [TRANSFERS FROM THE COMMISSIONER OF HUMAN 
130.17  SERVICES.] (a) The amount transferred according to section 
130.18  256B.69, subdivision 5c, shall be distributed to qualifying 
130.19  applicants based on a distribution formula that reflects a 
130.20  summation of two factors: 
130.21     (1) an education factor, which is determined by the total 
130.22  number of eligible trainees and the total statewide average 
130.23  costs per trainee, by type of trainee, in each program; and 
130.24     (2) a public program volume factor, which is determined by 
130.25  the total volume of public program revenue received by each 
130.26  training site as a percentage of all public program revenue 
130.27  received by all training sites in the trust fund pool.  
130.28     In this formula, the education factor shall be weighted at 
130.29  50 percent and the public program volume factor shall be 
130.30  weighted at 50 percent. 
130.31     (b) Public program revenue for the formula in paragraph (a) 
130.32  shall include revenue from medical assistance, prepaid medical 
130.33  assistance, general assistance medical care, and prepaid general 
130.34  assistance medical care. 
130.35     (c) Training sites that receive no public program revenue 
130.36  shall be ineligible for payments from the prepaid medical 
131.1   assistance program transfer pool. 
131.2      Sec. 4.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 245.462, 
131.3   subdivision 4, is amended to read: 
131.4      Subd. 4.  [CASE MANAGER.] "Case manager" means an 
131.5   individual employed by the county or other entity authorized by 
131.6   the county board to provide case management services specified 
131.7   in section 245.4711.  A case manager must have a bachelor's 
131.8   degree in one of the behavioral sciences or related fields from 
131.9   an accredited college or university and have at least 2,000 
131.10  hours of supervised experience in the delivery of services to 
131.11  adults with mental illness, must be skilled in the process of 
131.12  identifying and assessing a wide range of client needs, and must 
131.13  be knowledgeable about local community resources and how to use 
131.14  those resources for the benefit of the client, and must meet the 
131.15  qualifications for mental health practitioners in subdivision 
131.16  17.  The case manager shall meet in person with a mental health 
131.17  professional at least once each month to obtain clinical 
131.18  supervision of the case manager's activities.  Case managers 
131.19  with a bachelor's degree but without 2,000 hours of supervised 
131.20  experience in the delivery of services to adults with mental 
131.21  illness must complete 40 hours of training approved by the 
131.22  commissioner of human services in case management skills and in 
131.23  the characteristics and needs of adults with serious and 
131.24  persistent mental illness and must receive clinical supervision 
131.25  regarding individual service delivery from a mental health 
131.26  professional at least once each week until the requirement of 
131.27  2,000 hours of supervised experience is met.  Case managers 
131.28  without a bachelor's degree but with 6,000 hours of supervised 
131.29  experience in the delivery of services to adults with mental 
131.30  illness must complete 40 hours of training approved by the 
131.31  commissioner of human services in case management skills and in 
131.32  the characteristics and needs of adults with serious and 
131.33  persistent mental illness.  Clinical supervision must be 
131.34  documented in the client record. 
131.35     Until June 30, 1999, a refugee an immigrant who does not 
131.36  have the qualifications specified in this subdivision may 
132.1   provide case management services to adult refugees immigrants 
132.2   with serious and persistent mental illness who are members of 
132.3   the same ethnic group as the case manager if the person:  (1) is 
132.4   actively pursuing credits toward the completion of a bachelor's 
132.5   degree in one of the behavioral sciences or a related field from 
132.6   an accredited college or university; (2) completes 40 hours of 
132.7   training as specified in this subdivision; and (3) receives 
132.8   clinical supervision at least once a week until the requirements 
132.9   of obtaining a bachelor's degree and 2,000 hours of supervised 
132.10  experience this subdivision are met. 
132.11     Sec. 5.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 245.462, 
132.12  subdivision 8, is amended to read: 
132.13     Subd. 8.  [DAY TREATMENT SERVICES.] "Day treatment," "day 
132.14  treatment services," or "day treatment program" means a 
132.15  structured program of treatment and care provided to an adult in 
132.16  or by:  (1) a hospital accredited by the joint commission on 
132.17  accreditation of health organizations and licensed under 
132.18  sections 144.50 to 144.55; (2) a community mental health center 
132.19  under section 245.62; or (3) an entity that is under contract 
132.20  with the county board to operate a program that meets the 
132.21  requirements of section 245.4712, subdivision 2, and Minnesota 
132.22  Rules, parts 9505.0170 to 9505.0475.  Day treatment consists of 
132.23  group psychotherapy and other intensive therapeutic services 
132.24  that are provided at least one day a week for a minimum 
132.25  three-hour time block by a multidisciplinary staff under the 
132.26  clinical supervision of a mental health professional.  The 
132.27  services are aimed at stabilizing the adult's mental health 
132.28  status, providing mental health services, and developing and 
132.29  improving the adult's independent living and socialization 
132.30  skills.  The goal of day treatment is to reduce or relieve 
132.31  mental illness and to enable the adult to live in the 
132.32  community.  Day treatment services are not a part of inpatient 
132.33  or residential treatment services.  Day treatment services are 
132.34  distinguished from day care by their structured therapeutic 
132.35  program of psychotherapy services.  The commissioner may limit 
132.36  medical assistance reimbursement for day treatment to 15 hours 
133.1   per week per person instead of the three hours per day per 
133.2   person specified in Minnesota Rules, part 9505.0323, subpart 15. 
133.3      Sec. 6.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 245.4871, 
133.4   subdivision 4, is amended to read: 
133.5      Subd. 4.  [CASE MANAGER.] (a) "Case manager" means an 
133.6   individual employed by the county or other entity authorized by 
133.7   the county board to provide case management services specified 
133.8   in subdivision 3 for the child with severe emotional disturbance 
133.9   and the child's family.  A case manager must have experience and 
133.10  training in working with children. 
133.11     (b) A case manager must meet the qualifications for a 
133.12  mental health practitioner in subdivision 26: 
133.13     (1) have at least a bachelor's degree in one of the 
133.14  behavioral sciences or a related field from an accredited 
133.15  college or university; 
133.16     (2) have at least 2,000 hours of supervised experience in 
133.17  the delivery of mental health services to children; 
133.18     (3) have experience and training in identifying and 
133.19  assessing a wide range of children's needs; and 
133.20     (4) (2) be knowledgeable about local community resources 
133.21  and how to use those resources for the benefit of children and 
133.22  their families.  
133.23     (c) The case manager may be a member of any professional 
133.24  discipline that is part of the local system of care for children 
133.25  established by the county board. 
133.26     (d) The case manager must meet in person with a mental 
133.27  health professional at least once each month to obtain clinical 
133.28  supervision. 
133.29     (e) Case managers with a bachelor's degree but without 
133.30  2,000 hours of supervised experience in the delivery of mental 
133.31  health services to children with emotional disturbance must: 
133.32     (1) begin 40 hours of training approved by the commissioner 
133.33  of human services in case management skills and in the 
133.34  characteristics and needs of children with severe emotional 
133.35  disturbance before beginning to provide case management 
133.36  services; and 
134.1      (2) receive clinical supervision regarding individual 
134.2   service delivery from a mental health professional at least once 
134.3   each week until the requirement of 2,000 hours of experience is 
134.4   met. 
134.5      (f) Clinical supervision must be documented in the child's 
134.6   record.  When the case manager is not a mental health 
134.7   professional, the county board must provide or contract for 
134.8   needed clinical supervision. 
134.9      (g) The county board must ensure that the case manager has 
134.10  the freedom to access and coordinate the services within the 
134.11  local system of care that are needed by the child. 
134.12     (h) Until June 30, 1999, a refugee an immigrant who does 
134.13  not have the qualifications specified in this subdivision may 
134.14  provide case management services to child refugees immigrants 
134.15  with severe emotional disturbance of the same ethnic group as 
134.16  the refugee immigrant if the person:  
134.17     (1) is actively pursuing credits toward the completion of a 
134.18  bachelor's degree in one of the behavioral sciences or related 
134.19  fields at an accredited college or university; 
134.20     (2) completes 40 hours of training as specified in this 
134.21  subdivision; and 
134.22     (3) receives clinical supervision at least once a week 
134.23  until the requirements of obtaining a bachelor's degree and 
134.24  2,000 hours of supervised experience this subdivision are met. 
134.25     (i) Case managers without a bachelor's degree but with 
134.26  6,000 hours of supervised experience in the delivery of mental 
134.27  health services to children with emotional disturbance must 
134.28  begin 40 hours of training approved by the commissioner of human 
134.29  services in case management skills and in the characteristics 
134.30  and needs of children with severe emotional disturbance before 
134.31  beginning to provide case management services. 
134.32     Sec. 7.  [256.9364] [POST-KIDNEY TRANSPLANT DRUG PROGRAM.] 
134.33     Subdivision 1.  [ESTABLISHMENT.] The commissioner of human 
134.34  services shall establish and administer a program to pay for 
134.35  costs of drugs prescribed exclusively for post-kidney transplant 
134.36  maintenance when those costs are not otherwise reimbursed by a 
135.1   third-party payer.  The commissioner may contract with a 
135.2   nonprofit entity to administer this program.  
135.3      Subd. 2.  [ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS.] To be eligible for 
135.4   the program, an applicant must satisfy the following 
135.5   requirements:  
135.6      (1) the applicant's family gross income must not exceed 275 
135.7   percent of the federal poverty level; and 
135.8      (2) the applicant must be a Minnesota resident who has 
135.9   resided in Minnesota for at least 12 months.  
135.10  An applicant shall not be excluded because the applicant 
135.11  received the transplant outside the state of Minnesota, so long 
135.12  as the other requirements are met. 
135.13     Subd. 3.  [PAYMENT AMOUNTS.] (a) The amount of the payments 
135.14  made for each eligible recipient shall be based on the following:
135.15     (1) available funds; and 
135.16     (2) the cost of the post-kidney transplant maintenance 
135.17  drugs.  
135.18     (b) The payment rate under this program must be no greater 
135.19  than the medical assistance reimbursement rate for the 
135.20  prescribed drug. 
135.21     (c) Payments shall be made to or on behalf of an eligible 
135.22  recipient for the cost of the post-kidney transplant maintenance 
135.23  drugs that is not covered, reimbursed, or eligible for 
135.24  reimbursement by any other third party or government entity, 
135.25  including, but not limited to, private or group health 
135.26  insurance, medical assistance, Medicare, the Veterans 
135.27  Administration, the senior citizen drug program established 
135.28  under section 256.955, or under any waiver arrangement received 
135.29  by the state to provide a prescription drug benefit for 
135.30  qualified Medicare beneficiaries or service-limited Medicare 
135.31  beneficiaries.  
135.32     (d) The commissioner may restrict or categorize payments to 
135.33  meet the appropriation allocated for this program. 
135.34     (e) Any cost of the post-kidney transplant maintenance 
135.35  drugs that is not reimbursed under this program is the 
135.36  responsibility of the program recipient. 
136.1      Subd. 4.  [DRUG FORMULARY.] The commissioner shall maintain 
136.2   a drug formulary that includes all drugs eligible for 
136.3   reimbursement by the program.  The commissioner may use the drug 
136.4   formulary established under section 256B.0625, subdivision 13.  
136.5   The commissioner shall establish an internal review procedure 
136.6   for updating the formulary that allows for the addition and 
136.7   deletion of drugs to the formulary.  The drug formulary must be 
136.8   reviewed at least quarterly per fiscal year. 
136.9      Subd. 5.  [PRIVATE DONATIONS.] The commissioner may accept 
136.10  funding from other public or private sources. 
136.11     Subd. 6.  [SUNSET.] This program expires on July 1, 2000. 
136.12     Sec. 8.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
136.13  256.9657, subdivision 3, is amended to read: 
136.14     Subd. 3.  [HEALTH MAINTENANCE ORGANIZATION; COMMUNITY 
136.15  INTEGRATED SERVICE NETWORK SURCHARGE.] (a) Effective October 1, 
136.16  1992, each health maintenance organization with a certificate of 
136.17  authority issued by the commissioner of health under chapter 62D 
136.18  and each community integrated service network licensed by the 
136.19  commissioner under chapter 62N shall pay to the commissioner of 
136.20  human services a surcharge equal to six-tenths of one percent of 
136.21  the total premium revenues of the health maintenance 
136.22  organization or community integrated service network as reported 
136.23  to the commissioner of health according to the schedule in 
136.24  subdivision 4.  
136.25     (b) For purposes of this subdivision, total premium revenue 
136.26  means: 
136.27     (1) premium revenue recognized on a prepaid basis from 
136.28  individuals and groups for provision of a specified range of 
136.29  health services over a defined period of time which is normally 
136.30  one month, excluding premiums paid to a health maintenance 
136.31  organization or community integrated service network from the 
136.32  Federal Employees Health Benefit Program; 
136.33     (2) premiums from Medicare wrap-around subscribers for 
136.34  health benefits which supplement Medicare coverage; 
136.35     (3) Medicare revenue, as a result of an arrangement between 
136.36  a health maintenance organization or a community integrated 
137.1   service network and the health care financing administration of 
137.2   the federal Department of Health and Human Services, for 
137.3   services to a Medicare beneficiary, excluding Medicare revenue 
137.4   that states are prohibited from taxing under sections 4001 and 
137.5   4002 of Public Law Number 105-33 received by a health 
137.6   maintenance organization or community integrated service network 
137.7   through risk sharing or Medicare Choice + contracts; and 
137.8      (4) medical assistance revenue, as a result of an 
137.9   arrangement between a health maintenance organization or 
137.10  community integrated service network and a Medicaid state 
137.11  agency, for services to a medical assistance beneficiary. 
137.12     If advance payments are made under clause (1) or (2) to the 
137.13  health maintenance organization or community integrated service 
137.14  network for more than one reporting period, the portion of the 
137.15  payment that has not yet been earned must be treated as a 
137.16  liability. 
137.17     (c) When a health maintenance organization or community 
137.18  integrated service network merges or consolidates with or is 
137.19  acquired by another health maintenance organization or community 
137.20  integrated service network, the surviving corporation or the new 
137.21  corporation shall be responsible for the annual surcharge 
137.22  originally imposed on each of the entities or corporations 
137.23  subject to the merger, consolidation, or acquisition, regardless 
137.24  of whether one of the entities or corporations does not retain a 
137.25  certificate of authority under chapter 62D or a license under 
137.26  chapter 62N. 
137.27     (d) Effective July 1 of each year, the surviving 
137.28  corporation's or the new corporation's surcharge shall be based 
137.29  on the revenues earned in the second previous calendar year by 
137.30  all of the entities or corporations subject to the merger, 
137.31  consolidation, or acquisition regardless of whether one of the 
137.32  entities or corporations does not retain a certificate of 
137.33  authority under chapter 62D or a license under chapter 62N until 
137.34  the total premium revenues of the surviving corporation include 
137.35  the total premium revenues of all the merged entities as 
137.36  reported to the commissioner of health. 
138.1      (e) When a health maintenance organization or community 
138.2   integrated service network, which is subject to liability for 
138.3   the surcharge under this chapter, transfers, assigns, sells, 
138.4   leases, or disposes of all or substantially all of its property 
138.5   or assets, liability for the surcharge imposed by this chapter 
138.6   is imposed on the transferee, assignee, or buyer of the health 
138.7   maintenance organization or community integrated service network.
138.8      (f) In the event a health maintenance organization or 
138.9   community integrated service network converts its licensure to a 
138.10  different type of entity subject to liability for the surcharge 
138.11  under this chapter, but survives in the same or substantially 
138.12  similar form, the surviving entity remains liable for the 
138.13  surcharge regardless of whether one of the entities or 
138.14  corporations does not retain a certificate of authority under 
138.15  chapter 62D or a license under chapter 62N. 
138.16     (g) The surcharge assessed to a health maintenance 
138.17  organization or community integrated service network ends when 
138.18  the entity ceases providing services for premiums and the 
138.19  cessation is not connected with a merger, consolidation, 
138.20  acquisition, or conversion. 
138.21     Sec. 9.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
138.22  256.9685, subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
138.23     Subdivision 1.  [AUTHORITY.] The commissioner shall 
138.24  establish procedures for determining medical assistance and 
138.25  general assistance medical care payment rates under a 
138.26  prospective payment system for inpatient hospital services in 
138.27  hospitals that qualify as vendors of medical assistance.  The 
138.28  commissioner shall establish, by rule, procedures for 
138.29  implementing this section and sections 256.9686, 256.969, and 
138.30  256.9695.  The medical assistance payment rates must be based on 
138.31  methods and standards that the commissioner finds are adequate 
138.32  to provide for the costs that must be incurred for the care of 
138.33  recipients in efficiently and economically operated hospitals.  
138.34  Services must meet the requirements of section 256B.04, 
138.35  subdivision 15, or 256D.03, subdivision 7, paragraph (b), to be 
138.36  eligible for payment. 
139.1      Sec. 10.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 256.969, is 
139.2   amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
139.3      Subd. 9c.  [COUNTY BILLING.] Hospitals that have a 
139.4   disproportionate population adjustment greater than eight 
139.5   percent shall be eligible for a special payment for 
139.6   uncompensated care.  These hospitals may bill a county of 
139.7   residence for services provided to a resident of that county 
139.8   provided: 
139.9      (1) the patient is from a county other than that in which 
139.10  the hospital resides; and 
139.11     (2) the hospital has made a preliminary determination at 
139.12  the delivery of service that the patient was indigent based on 
139.13  current medical assistance guidelines. 
139.14     Counties that are billed under this program must pay 
139.15  eligible hospitals at the rates established under the medical 
139.16  assistance program.  If the county can establish eligibility for 
139.17  medical assistance after the service has been delivered, the 
139.18  state shall reimburse the county for any funds paid to the 
139.19  eligible hospital.  
139.20     Sec. 11.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 256.969, 
139.21  subdivision 16, is amended to read: 
139.22     Subd. 16.  [INDIAN HEALTH SERVICE FACILITIES.] Indian 
139.23  health service Facilities of the Indian health service and 
139.24  facilities operated by a tribe or tribal organization under 
139.25  funding authorized by title III of the Indian Self-Determination 
139.26  and Education Assistance Act, Public Law Number 93-638, or by 
139.27  United States Code, title 25, chapter 14, subchapter II, 
139.28  sections 450f to 450n, are exempt from the rate establishment 
139.29  methods required by this section and shall be reimbursed at 
139.30  charges as limited to the amount allowed under federal law paid 
139.31  according to the rate published by the United States assistant 
139.32  secretary for health under authority of United States Code, 
139.33  title 42, sections 248A and 248B.  
139.34     Sec. 12.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 256.969, 
139.35  subdivision 17, is amended to read: 
139.36     Subd. 17.  [OUT-OF-STATE HOSPITALS IN LOCAL TRADE AREAS.] 
140.1   Out-of-state hospitals that are located within a Minnesota local 
140.2   trade area and that have more than 20 admissions in the base 
140.3   year shall have rates established using the same procedures and 
140.4   methods that apply to Minnesota hospitals.  For this subdivision 
140.5   and subdivision 18, local trade area means a county contiguous 
140.6   to Minnesota and located in a metropolitan statistical area as 
140.7   determined by Medicare for October 1 prior to the most current 
140.8   rebased rate year.  Hospitals that are not required by law to 
140.9   file information in a format necessary to establish rates shall 
140.10  have rates established based on the commissioner's estimates of 
140.11  the information.  Relative values of the diagnostic categories 
140.12  shall not be redetermined under this subdivision until required 
140.13  by rule.  Hospitals affected by this subdivision shall then be 
140.14  included in determining relative values.  However, hospitals 
140.15  that have rates established based upon the commissioner's 
140.16  estimates of information shall not be included in determining 
140.17  relative values.  This subdivision is effective for hospital 
140.18  fiscal years beginning on or after July 1, 1988.  A hospital 
140.19  shall provide the information necessary to establish rates under 
140.20  this subdivision at least 90 days before the start of the 
140.21  hospital's fiscal year. 
140.22     Sec. 13.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 256B.03, 
140.23  subdivision 3, is amended to read: 
140.24     Subd. 3.  [AMERICAN INDIAN HEALTH FUNDING.] (a) 
140.25  Notwithstanding subdivision 1 and sections 256B.0625 and 
140.26  256D.03, subdivision 4, paragraph (f) (i), the commissioner may 
140.27  make payments to federally recognized Indian tribes with a 
140.28  reservation in the state to provide medical assistance and 
140.29  general assistance medical care to Indians, as defined under 
140.30  federal law, who reside on or near the reservation.  The 
140.31  payments may be made in the form of a block grant or other 
140.32  payment mechanism determined in consultation with the tribe.  
140.33  Any alternative payment mechanism agreed upon by the tribes and 
140.34  the commissioner under this subdivision is not dependent upon 
140.35  county agreement but is intended to create a direct payment 
140.36  mechanism between the state and the tribe for the administration 
141.1   of the medical assistance program and general assistance medical 
141.2   care programs, and for covered services.  
141.3      (b) A tribe that implements a purchasing model under this 
141.4   subdivision shall report to the commissioner at least annually 
141.5   on the operation of the model.  The commissioner and the tribe 
141.6   shall cooperatively determine the data elements, format, and 
141.7   timetable for the report. 
141.8      (c) For purposes of this subdivision, "Indian tribe" means 
141.9   a tribe, band, or nation, or other organized group or community 
141.10  of Indians that is recognized as eligible for the special 
141.11  programs and services provided by the United States to Indians 
141.12  because of their status as Indians and for which a reservation 
141.13  exists as is consistent with Public Law Number 100-485, as 
141.14  amended. 
141.15     (d) Payments under this subdivision may not result in an 
141.16  increase in expenditures that would not otherwise occur in the 
141.17  medical assistance program under this chapter or the general 
141.18  assistance medical care program under chapter 256D. 
141.19     Sec. 14.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 256B.055, is 
141.20  amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
141.21     Subd. 7a.  [SPECIAL CATEGORY FOR DISABLED 
141.22  CHILDREN.] Medical assistance may be paid for a person who is 
141.23  under age 18 and who meets income and asset eligibility 
141.24  requirements of the Supplemental Security Income program if the 
141.25  person was receiving Supplemental Security Income payments on 
141.26  the date of enactment of section 211(a) of Public Law Number 
141.27  104-193, the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act of 
141.28  1996, and the person would have continued to receive the 
141.29  payments except for the change in the childhood disability 
141.30  criteria in section 211(a) of Public Law Number 104-193. 
141.31     Sec. 15.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 256B.057, 
141.32  subdivision 3a, is amended to read: 
141.33     Subd. 3a.  [ELIGIBILITY FOR PAYMENT OF MEDICARE PART B 
141.34  PREMIUMS.] A person who would otherwise be eligible as a 
141.35  qualified Medicare beneficiary under subdivision 3, except the 
141.36  person's income is in excess of the limit, is eligible for 
142.1   medical assistance reimbursement of Medicare Part B premiums if 
142.2   the person's income is less than 110 120 percent of the official 
142.3   federal poverty guidelines for the applicable family size.  The 
142.4   income limit shall increase to 120 percent of the official 
142.5   federal poverty guidelines for the applicable family size on 
142.6   January 1, 1995. 
142.7      Sec. 16.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 256B.057, is 
142.8   amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
142.9      Subd. 3b.  [QUALIFIED INDIVIDUALS.] Beginning July 1, 1998, 
142.10  to the extent of the federal allocation to Minnesota, a person, 
142.11  who would otherwise be eligible as a qualified Medicare 
142.12  beneficiary under subdivision 3, except that the person's income 
142.13  is in excess of the limit, is eligible as a qualified individual 
142.14  according to the following criteria: 
142.15     (1) if the person's income is greater than 120 percent, but 
142.16  less than 135 percent of the official federal poverty guidelines 
142.17  for the applicable family size, the person is eligible for 
142.18  medical assistance reimbursement of Medicare Part B premiums; or 
142.19     (2) if the person's income is greater than 135 percent but 
142.20  less than 175 percent of the official federal poverty guidelines 
142.21  for the applicable family size, the person is eligible for 
142.22  medical assistance reimbursement of that portion of the Medicare 
142.23  Part B premium attributable to an increase in Part B 
142.24  expenditures which resulted from the shift of home care services 
142.25  from Medicare Part A to Medicare Part B under section 4732 of 
142.26  Public Law Number 105-33, the Balanced Budget Act of 1997. 
142.27     The commissioner shall limit enrollment of qualifying 
142.28  individuals under this subdivision according to the requirements 
142.29  of section 4732 of Public Law Number 105-33. 
142.30     Sec. 17.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
142.31  256B.06, subdivision 4, is amended to read: 
142.32     Subd. 4.  [CITIZENSHIP REQUIREMENTS.] (a) Eligibility for 
142.33  medical assistance is limited to citizens of the United States, 
142.34  qualified noncitizens as defined in this subdivision, and other 
142.35  persons residing lawfully in the United States. 
142.36     (b) "Qualified noncitizen" means a person who meets one of 
143.1   the following immigration criteria: 
143.2      (1) admitted for lawful permanent residence according to 
143.3   United States Code, title 8; 
143.4      (2) admitted to the United States as a refugee according to 
143.5   United States Code, title 8, section 1157; 
143.6      (3) granted asylum according to United States Code, title 
143.7   8, section 1158; 
143.8      (4) granted withholding of deportation according to United 
143.9   States Code, title 8, section 1253(h); 
143.10     (5) paroled for a period of at least one year according to 
143.11  United States Code, title 8, section 1182(d)(5); 
143.12     (6) granted conditional entrant status according to United 
143.13  States Code, title 8, section 1153(a)(7); or 
143.14     (7) determined to be a battered noncitizen by the United 
143.15  States Attorney General according to the Illegal Immigration 
143.16  Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996, title V of the 
143.17  Omnibus Consolidated Appropriations Bill, Public Law Number 
143.18  104-200; 
143.19     (8) is a child of a noncitizen determined to be a battered 
143.20  noncitizen by the United States Attorney General according to 
143.21  the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act 
143.22  of 1996, title V of the Omnibus Consolidated Appropriations 
143.23  Bill, Public Law Number 104-200; or 
143.24     (9) determined to be a Cuban or Haitian entrant as defined 
143.25  in section 501(e) of Public Law Number 96-422, the Refugee 
143.26  Education Assistance Act of 1980. 
143.27     (c) All qualified noncitizens who were residing in the 
143.28  United States before August 22, 1996, who otherwise meet the 
143.29  eligibility requirements of chapter 256B, are eligible for 
143.30  medical assistance with federal financial participation. 
143.31     (d) All qualified noncitizens who entered the United States 
143.32  on or after August 22, 1996, and who otherwise meet the 
143.33  eligibility requirements of chapter 256B, are eligible for 
143.34  medical assistance with federal financial participation through 
143.35  November 30, 1996. 
143.36     Beginning December 1, 1996, qualified noncitizens who 
144.1   entered the United States on or after August 22, 1996, and who 
144.2   otherwise meet the eligibility requirements of chapter 256B are 
144.3   eligible for medical assistance with federal participation for 
144.4   five years if they meet one of the following criteria: 
144.5      (i) refugees admitted to the United States according to 
144.6   United States Code, title 8, section 1157; 
144.7      (ii) persons granted asylum according to United States 
144.8   Code, title 8, section 1158; 
144.9      (iii) persons granted withholding of deportation according 
144.10  to United States Code, title 8, section 1253(h); 
144.11     (iv) veterans of the United States Armed Forces with an 
144.12  honorable discharge for a reason other than noncitizen status, 
144.13  their spouses and unmarried minor dependent children; or 
144.14     (v) persons on active duty in the United States Armed 
144.15  Forces, other than for training, their spouses and unmarried 
144.16  minor dependent children. 
144.17     Beginning December 1, 1996, qualified noncitizens who do 
144.18  not meet one of the criteria in items (i) to (v) are eligible 
144.19  for medical assistance without federal financial participation 
144.20  as described in paragraph (j). 
144.21     (e) Noncitizens who are not qualified noncitizens as 
144.22  defined in paragraph (b), who are lawfully residing in the 
144.23  United States and who otherwise meet the eligibility 
144.24  requirements of chapter 256B, are eligible for medical 
144.25  assistance under clauses (1) to (3).  These individuals must 
144.26  cooperate with the Immigration and Naturalization Service to 
144.27  pursue any applicable immigration status, including citizenship, 
144.28  that would qualify them for medical assistance with federal 
144.29  financial participation. 
144.30     (1) Persons who were medical assistance recipients on 
144.31  August 22, 1996, are eligible for medical assistance with 
144.32  federal financial participation through December 31, 1996. 
144.33     (2) Beginning January 1, 1997, persons described in clause 
144.34  (1) are eligible for medical assistance without federal 
144.35  financial participation as described in paragraph (j). 
144.36     (3) Beginning December 1, 1996, persons residing in the 
145.1   United States prior to August 22, 1996, who were not receiving 
145.2   medical assistance and persons who arrived on or after August 
145.3   22, 1996, are eligible for medical assistance without federal 
145.4   financial participation as described in paragraph (j). 
145.5      (f) Nonimmigrants who otherwise meet the eligibility 
145.6   requirements of chapter 256B are eligible for the benefits as 
145.7   provided in paragraphs (g) to (i).  For purposes of this 
145.8   subdivision, a "nonimmigrant" is a person in one of the classes 
145.9   listed in United States Code, title 8, section 1101(a)(15). 
145.10     (g) Payment shall also be made for care and services that 
145.11  are furnished to noncitizens, regardless of immigration status, 
145.12  who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements of chapter 256B, 
145.13  if such care and services are necessary for the treatment of an 
145.14  emergency medical condition, except for organ transplants and 
145.15  related care and services and routine prenatal care.  
145.16     (h) For purposes of this subdivision, the term "emergency 
145.17  medical condition" means a medical condition that meets the 
145.18  requirements of United States Code, title 42, section 1396b(v). 
145.19     (i) Pregnant noncitizens who are undocumented or 
145.20  nonimmigrants, who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements 
145.21  of chapter 256B, are eligible for medical assistance payment 
145.22  without federal financial participation for care and services 
145.23  through the period of pregnancy, and 60 days postpartum, except 
145.24  for labor and delivery.  
145.25     (j) Qualified noncitizens as described in paragraph (d), 
145.26  and all other noncitizens lawfully residing in the United States 
145.27  as described in paragraph (e), who are ineligible for medical 
145.28  assistance with federal financial participation and who 
145.29  otherwise meet the eligibility requirements of chapter 256B and 
145.30  of this paragraph, are eligible for medical assistance without 
145.31  federal financial participation.  Qualified noncitizens as 
145.32  described in paragraph (d) are only eligible for medical 
145.33  assistance without federal financial participation for five 
145.34  years from their date of entry into the United States.  
145.35     (k) The commissioner shall submit to the legislature by 
145.36  December 31, 1998, a report on the number of recipients and cost 
146.1   of coverage of care and services made according to paragraphs 
146.2   (i) and (j). 
146.3      Sec. 18.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 256B.0625, is 
146.4   amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
146.5      Subd. 17a.  [PAYMENT FOR AMBULANCE SERVICES.] Effective for 
146.6   services rendered on or after July 1, 1999, medical assistance 
146.7   payments for ambulance services shall be increased by ten 
146.8   percent.  
146.9      Sec. 19.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 256B.0625, 
146.10  subdivision 20, is amended to read: 
146.11     Subd. 20.  [MENTAL ILLNESS HEALTH CASE MANAGEMENT.] (a) To 
146.12  the extent authorized by rule of the state agency, medical 
146.13  assistance covers case management services to persons with 
146.14  serious and persistent mental illness or subject to federal 
146.15  approval, and children with severe emotional disturbance.  
146.16  Services provided under this section must meet the relevant 
146.17  standards in sections 245.461 to 245.4888, the Comprehensive 
146.18  Adult and Children's Mental Health Acts, Minnesota Rules, parts 
146.19  9520.0900 to 9520.0926, and 9505.0322, excluding subpart 10. 
146.20     (b) Entities meeting program standards set out in rules 
146.21  governing family community support services as defined in 
146.22  section 245.4871, subdivision 17, are eligible for medical 
146.23  assistance reimbursement for case management services for 
146.24  children with severe emotional disturbance when these services 
146.25  meet the program standards in Minnesota Rules, parts 9520.0900 
146.26  to 9520.0926 and 9505.0322, excluding subpart 6 subparts 6 and 
146.27  10. 
146.28     (b) In counties where fewer than 50 percent of children 
146.29  estimated to be eligible under medical assistance to receive 
146.30  case management services for children with severe emotional 
146.31  disturbance actually receive these services in state fiscal year 
146.32  1995, community mental health centers serving those counties, 
146.33  entities meeting program standards in Minnesota Rules, parts 
146.34  9520.0570 to 9520.0870, and other entities authorized by the 
146.35  commissioner are eligible for medical assistance reimbursement 
146.36  for case management services for children with severe emotional 
147.1   disturbance when these services meet the program standards in 
147.2   Minnesota Rules, parts 9520.0900 to 9520.0926 and 9505.0322, 
147.3   excluding subpart 6. 
147.4      (c) Medical assistance and MinnesotaCare payment for mental 
147.5   health case management shall be made on a monthly basis.  In 
147.6   order to receive payment for an eligible child, the provider 
147.7   must document at least a face-to-face contact with the child, 
147.8   the child's parents, or the child's legal representative.  To 
147.9   receive payment for an eligible adult, the provider must 
147.10  document at least a face-to-face contact with the adult or the 
147.11  adult's legal representative. 
147.12     (d) Payment for mental health case management provided by 
147.13  county or state staff shall be based on the monthly rate 
147.14  methodology under section 256B.094, subdivision 6, paragraph 
147.15  (b), with separate rates calculated for child welfare and mental 
147.16  health, and within mental health, separate rates for children 
147.17  and adults. 
147.18     (e) Payment for mental health case management provided by 
147.19  county-contracted vendors shall be based on a monthly rate 
147.20  negotiated by the host county.  The negotiated rate must not 
147.21  exceed the rate charged by the vendor for the same service to 
147.22  other payers. If the service is provided by a team of contracted 
147.23  vendors, the county may negotiate a team rate with a vendor who 
147.24  is a member of the team.  The team shall determine how to 
147.25  distribute the rate among its members.  No reimbursement 
147.26  received by contracted vendors shall be returned to the county, 
147.27  except to reimburse the county for advance funding provided by 
147.28  the county to the vendor. 
147.29     (f) If the service is provided by a team which includes 
147.30  contracted vendors and county or state staff, the costs for 
147.31  county or state staff participation in the team shall be 
147.32  included in the rate for county-provided services.  In this 
147.33  case, the contracted vendor and the county may each receive 
147.34  separate payment for services provided by each entity in the 
147.35  same month.  In order to prevent duplication of services, the 
147.36  county must document, in the recipient's file, the need for team 
148.1   case management and a description of the roles of the team 
148.2   members. 
148.3      (g) The commissioner shall calculate the nonfederal share 
148.4   of actual medical assistance and general assistance medical care 
148.5   payments for each county, based on the higher of calendar year 
148.6   1995 or 1996 by service date, trend that amount forward to 1999, 
148.7   and transfer the result from medical assistance and general 
148.8   assistance medical care to each county's mental health grants 
148.9   under sections 245.4886 and 256E.12 for calendar year 1999.  The 
148.10  minimum amount added to each county's mental health grant shall 
148.11  be $3,000 per year for children and $5,000 per year for adults.  
148.12  The commissioner may reduce the statewide growth factor in order 
148.13  to fund these minimums. The total amount transferred shall 
148.14  become part of the base for future mental health grants for each 
148.15  county. 
148.16     (h) Any net increase in revenue to the county as a result 
148.17  of the change in this section must be used to provide expanded 
148.18  mental health services as defined in sections 245.461 to 
148.19  245.4888, the Comprehensive Adult and Children's Mental Health 
148.20  Acts, excluding inpatient and residential treatment.  For 
148.21  adults, increased revenue may also be used for services and 
148.22  consumer supports which are part of adult mental health projects 
148.23  approved under Laws 1997, chapter 203, article 7, section 25.  
148.24  For children, increased revenue may also be used for respite 
148.25  care and nonresidential individualized rehabilitation services 
148.26  as defined in section 245.492, subdivisions 17 and 23.  
148.27  "Increased revenue" has the meaning given in Minnesota Rules, 
148.28  part 9520.0903, subpart 3.  
148.29     (i) Notwithstanding section 256B.19, subdivision 1, the 
148.30  nonfederal share of costs for mental health case management 
148.31  shall be provided by the recipient's county of responsibility, 
148.32  as defined in sections 256G.01 to 256G.12, from sources other 
148.33  than federal funds or funds used to match other federal funds.  
148.34     (j) The commissioner may suspend, reduce, or terminate the 
148.35  reimbursement to a provider that does not meet the reporting or 
148.36  other requirements of this section.  The county of 
149.1   responsibility, as defined in sections 256G.01 to 256G.12, is 
149.2   responsible for any federal disallowances.  The county may share 
149.3   this responsibility with its contracted vendors.  
149.4      (k) The commissioner shall set aside a portion of the 
149.5   federal funds earned under this section to repay the special 
149.6   revenue maximization account under section 256.01, subdivision 
149.7   2, clause (15).  The repayment is limited to: 
149.8      (1) the costs of developing and implementing this section; 
149.9   and 
149.10     (2) programming the information systems. 
149.11     (l) Notwithstanding section 256.025, subdivision 2, 
149.12  payments to counties for case management expenditures under this 
149.13  section shall only be made from federal earnings from services 
149.14  provided under this section.  Payments to contracted vendors 
149.15  shall include both the federal earnings and the county share. 
149.16     (m) Notwithstanding section 256B.041, county payments for 
149.17  the cost of mental health case management services provided by 
149.18  county or state staff shall not be made to the state treasurer.  
149.19  For the purposes of mental health case management services 
149.20  provided by county or state staff under this section, the 
149.21  centralized disbursement of payments to counties under section 
149.22  256B.041 consists only of federal earnings from services 
149.23  provided under this section. 
149.24     (n) Case management services under this subdivision do not 
149.25  include therapy, treatment, legal, or outreach services. 
149.26     (o) If the recipient is a resident of a nursing facility, 
149.27  intermediate care facility, or hospital, and the recipient's 
149.28  institutional care is paid by medical assistance, payment for 
149.29  case management services under this subdivision is limited to 
149.30  the last 30 days of the recipient's residency in that facility 
149.31  and may not exceed more than two months in a calendar year. 
149.32     (p) Payment for case management services under this 
149.33  subdivision shall not duplicate payments made under other 
149.34  program authorities for the same purpose. 
149.35     (q) By July 1, 2000, the commissioner shall evaluate the 
149.36  effectiveness of the changes required by this section, including 
150.1   changes in number of persons receiving mental health case 
150.2   management, changes in hours of service per person, and changes 
150.3   in caseload size. 
150.4      Sec. 20.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
150.5   256B.0625, subdivision 31a, is amended to read: 
150.6      Subd. 31a.  [AUGMENTATIVE AND ALTERNATIVE COMMUNICATION 
150.7   SYSTEMS.] (a) Medical assistance covers augmentative and 
150.8   alternative communication systems consisting of electronic or 
150.9   nonelectronic devices and the related components necessary to 
150.10  enable a person with severe expressive communication limitations 
150.11  to produce or transmit messages or symbols in a manner that 
150.12  compensates for that disability. 
150.13     (b) By January 1, 1998, the commissioner, in cooperation 
150.14  with the commissioner of administration, shall establish an 
150.15  augmentative and alternative communication system purchasing 
150.16  program within a state agency or by contract with a qualified 
150.17  private entity.  The purpose of this service is to facilitate 
150.18  ready availability of the augmentative and alternative 
150.19  communication systems needed to meet the needs of persons with 
150.20  severe expressive communication limitations in an efficient and 
150.21  cost-effective manner.  This program shall: 
150.22     (1) coordinate purchase and rental of augmentative and 
150.23  alternative communication systems; 
150.24     (2) negotiate agreements with manufacturers and vendors for 
150.25  purchase of components of these systems, for warranty coverage, 
150.26  and for repair service; 
150.27     (3) when efficient and cost-effective, maintain and 
150.28  refurbish if needed, an inventory of components of augmentative 
150.29  and alternative communication systems for short- or long-term 
150.30  loan to recipients; 
150.31     (4) facilitate training sessions for service providers, 
150.32  consumers, and families on augmentative and alternative 
150.33  communication systems; and 
150.34     (5) develop a recycling program for used augmentative and 
150.35  alternative communications systems to be reissued and used for 
150.36  trials and short-term use, when appropriate. 
151.1      The availability of components of augmentative and 
151.2   alternative communication systems through this program is 
151.3   subject to prior authorization requirements established under 
151.4   subdivision 25 The commissioner shall reimburse augmentative and 
151.5   alternative communication manufacturers and vendors at the 
151.6   manufacturer's suggested retail price for augmentative and 
151.7   alternative communication systems and related components.  The 
151.8   commissioner shall separately reimburse providers for purchasing 
151.9   and integrating individual communication systems which are 
151.10  unavailable as a package from an augmentative and alternative 
151.11  communication vendor. 
151.12     (c) Reimbursement rates established by this purchasing 
151.13  program are not subject to Minnesota Rules, part 9505.0445, item 
151.14  S or T. 
151.15     Sec. 21.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 256B.0625, 
151.16  subdivision 34, is amended to read: 
151.17     Subd. 34.  [AMERICAN INDIAN HEALTH SERVICES FACILITIES.] 
151.18  Medical assistance payments to American Indian health services 
151.19  facilities for outpatient medical services billed after June 30, 
151.20  1990, must be facilities of the Indian health service and 
151.21  facilities operated by a tribe or tribal organization under 
151.22  funding authorized by United States Code, title 25, sections 
151.23  450f to 450n, or title III of the Indian Self-Determination and 
151.24  Education Assistance Act, Public Law Number 93-638, shall be at 
151.25  the option of the facility in accordance with the rate published 
151.26  by the United States Assistant Secretary for Health under the 
151.27  authority of United States Code, title 42, sections 248(a) and 
151.28  249(b).  General assistance medical care payments to facilities 
151.29  of the American Indian health services and facilities operated 
151.30  by a tribe or tribal organization for the provision of 
151.31  outpatient medical care services billed after June 30, 1990, 
151.32  must be in accordance with the general assistance medical care 
151.33  rates paid for the same services when provided in a facility 
151.34  other than an American a facility of the Indian health 
151.35  service or a facility operated by a tribe or tribal organization.
151.36     Sec. 22.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 256B.0625, 
152.1   subdivision 38, is amended to read: 
152.2      Subd. 38.  [PAYMENTS FOR MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES.] Payments 
152.3   for mental health services covered under the medical assistance 
152.4   program that are provided by masters-prepared mental health 
152.5   professionals shall be 80 percent of the rate paid to 
152.6   doctoral-prepared professionals.  Payments for mental health 
152.7   services covered under the medical assistance program that are 
152.8   provided by masters-prepared mental health professionals 
152.9   employed by community mental health centers shall be 100 percent 
152.10  of the rate paid to doctoral-prepared professionals.  For 
152.11  purposes of reimbursement of mental health professionals under 
152.12  the medical assistance program, all social workers who: 
152.13     (1) have received a master's degree in social work from a 
152.14  program accredited by the council on social work education; 
152.15     (2) are licensed at the level of graduate social worker or 
152.16  independent social worker; and 
152.17     (3) are practicing clinical social work under appropriate 
152.18  supervision, as defined by section 148B.18; meet all 
152.19  requirements under Minnesota Rules, part 9505.0323, subpart 24, 
152.20  and shall be paid accordingly.  
152.21     Sec. 23.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
152.22  256B.0627, subdivision 5, is amended to read: 
152.23     Subd. 5.  [LIMITATION ON PAYMENTS.] Medical assistance 
152.24  payments for home care services shall be limited according to 
152.25  this subdivision.  
152.26     (a)  [LIMITS ON SERVICES WITHOUT PRIOR AUTHORIZATION.] A 
152.27  recipient may receive the following home care services during a 
152.28  calendar year: 
152.29     (1) any initial assessment; 
152.30     (2) up to two reassessments per year done to determine a 
152.31  recipient's need for personal care services; and 
152.32     (3) up to five skilled nurse visits.  
152.33     (b)  [PRIOR AUTHORIZATION; EXCEPTIONS.] All home care 
152.34  services above the limits in paragraph (a) must receive the 
152.35  commissioner's prior authorization, except when: 
152.36     (1) the home care services were required to treat an 
153.1   emergency medical condition that if not immediately treated 
153.2   could cause a recipient serious physical or mental disability, 
153.3   continuation of severe pain, or death.  The provider must 
153.4   request retroactive authorization no later than five working 
153.5   days after giving the initial service.  The provider must be 
153.6   able to substantiate the emergency by documentation such as 
153.7   reports, notes, and admission or discharge histories; 
153.8      (2) the home care services were provided on or after the 
153.9   date on which the recipient's eligibility began, but before the 
153.10  date on which the recipient was notified that the case was 
153.11  opened.  Authorization will be considered if the request is 
153.12  submitted by the provider within 20 working days of the date the 
153.13  recipient was notified that the case was opened; 
153.14     (3) a third-party payor for home care services has denied 
153.15  or adjusted a payment.  Authorization requests must be submitted 
153.16  by the provider within 20 working days of the notice of denial 
153.17  or adjustment.  A copy of the notice must be included with the 
153.18  request; 
153.19     (4) the commissioner has determined that a county or state 
153.20  human services agency has made an error; or 
153.21     (5) the professional nurse determines an immediate need for 
153.22  up to 40 skilled nursing or home health aide visits per calendar 
153.23  year and submits a request for authorization within 20 working 
153.24  days of the initial service date, and medical assistance is 
153.25  determined to be the appropriate payer. 
153.26     (c)  [RETROACTIVE AUTHORIZATION.] A request for retroactive 
153.27  authorization will be evaluated according to the same criteria 
153.28  applied to prior authorization requests.  
153.29     (d)  [ASSESSMENT AND SERVICE PLAN.] Assessments under 
153.30  section 256B.0627, subdivision 1, paragraph (a), shall be 
153.31  conducted initially, and at least annually thereafter, in person 
153.32  with the recipient and result in a completed service plan using 
153.33  forms specified by the commissioner.  Within 30 days of 
153.34  recipient or responsible party request for home care services, 
153.35  the assessment, the service plan, and other information 
153.36  necessary to determine medical necessity such as diagnostic or 
154.1   testing information, social or medical histories, and hospital 
154.2   or facility discharge summaries shall be submitted to the 
154.3   commissioner.  For personal care services: 
154.4      (1) The amount and type of service authorized based upon 
154.5   the assessment and service plan will follow the recipient if the 
154.6   recipient chooses to change providers.  
154.7      (2) If the recipient's medical need changes, the 
154.8   recipient's provider may assess the need for a change in service 
154.9   authorization and request the change from the county public 
154.10  health nurse.  Within 30 days of the request, the public health 
154.11  nurse will determine whether to request the change in services 
154.12  based upon the provider assessment, or conduct a home visit to 
154.13  assess the need and determine whether the change is appropriate. 
154.14     (3) To continue to receive personal care services when the 
154.15  recipient displays no significant change, the county public 
154.16  health nurse has the option to review with the commissioner, or 
154.17  the commissioner's designee, the service plan on record and 
154.18  receive authorization for up to an additional 12 months at a 
154.19  time for up to three years. after the first year, the recipient 
154.20  or the responsible party, in conjunction with the public health 
154.21  nurse, may complete a service update on forms developed by the 
154.22  commissioner.  The service update may substitute for the annual 
154.23  reassessment described in subdivision 1. 
154.24     (e)  [PRIOR AUTHORIZATION.] The commissioner, or the 
154.25  commissioner's designee, shall review the assessment, the 
154.26  service plan, and any additional information that is submitted.  
154.27  The commissioner shall, within 30 days after receiving a 
154.28  complete request, assessment, and service plan, authorize home 
154.29  care services as follows:  
154.30     (1)  [HOME HEALTH SERVICES.] All home health services 
154.31  provided by a licensed nurse or a home health aide must be prior 
154.32  authorized by the commissioner or the commissioner's designee.  
154.33  Prior authorization must be based on medical necessity and 
154.34  cost-effectiveness when compared with other care options.  When 
154.35  home health services are used in combination with personal care 
154.36  and private duty nursing, the cost of all home care services 
155.1   shall be considered for cost-effectiveness.  The commissioner 
155.2   shall limit nurse and home health aide visits to no more than 
155.3   one visit each per day. 
155.4      (2)  [PERSONAL CARE SERVICES.] (i) All personal care 
155.5   services and registered nurse supervision must be prior 
155.6   authorized by the commissioner or the commissioner's designee 
155.7   except for the assessments established in paragraph (a).  The 
155.8   amount of personal care services authorized must be based on the 
155.9   recipient's home care rating.  A child may not be found to be 
155.10  dependent in an activity of daily living if because of the 
155.11  child's age an adult would either perform the activity for the 
155.12  child or assist the child with the activity and the amount of 
155.13  assistance needed is similar to the assistance appropriate for a 
155.14  typical child of the same age.  Based on medical necessity, the 
155.15  commissioner may authorize: 
155.16     (A) up to two times the average number of direct care hours 
155.17  provided in nursing facilities for the recipient's comparable 
155.18  case mix level; or 
155.19     (B) up to three times the average number of direct care 
155.20  hours provided in nursing facilities for recipients who have 
155.21  complex medical needs or are dependent in at least seven 
155.22  activities of daily living and need physical assistance with 
155.23  eating or have a neurological diagnosis; or 
155.24     (C) up to 60 percent of the average reimbursement rate, as 
155.25  of July 1, 1991, for care provided in a regional treatment 
155.26  center for recipients who have Level I behavior, plus any 
155.27  inflation adjustment as provided by the legislature for personal 
155.28  care service; or 
155.29     (D) up to the amount the commissioner would pay, as of July 
155.30  1, 1991, plus any inflation adjustment provided for home care 
155.31  services, for care provided in a regional treatment center for 
155.32  recipients referred to the commissioner by a regional treatment 
155.33  center preadmission evaluation team.  For purposes of this 
155.34  clause, home care services means all services provided in the 
155.35  home or community that would be included in the payment to a 
155.36  regional treatment center; or 
156.1      (E) up to the amount medical assistance would reimburse for 
156.2   facility care for recipients referred to the commissioner by a 
156.3   preadmission screening team established under section 256B.0911 
156.4   or 256B.092; and 
156.5      (F) a reasonable amount of time for the provision of 
156.6   nursing supervision of personal care services.  
156.7      (ii) The number of direct care hours shall be determined 
156.8   according to the annual cost report submitted to the department 
156.9   by nursing facilities.  The average number of direct care hours, 
156.10  as established by May 1, 1992, shall be calculated and 
156.11  incorporated into the home care limits on July 1, 1992.  These 
156.12  limits shall be calculated to the nearest quarter hour. 
156.13     (iii) The home care rating shall be determined by the 
156.14  commissioner or the commissioner's designee based on information 
156.15  submitted to the commissioner by the county public health nurse 
156.16  on forms specified by the commissioner.  The home care rating 
156.17  shall be a combination of current assessment tools developed 
156.18  under sections 256B.0911 and 256B.501 with an addition for 
156.19  seizure activity that will assess the frequency and severity of 
156.20  seizure activity and with adjustments, additions, and 
156.21  clarifications that are necessary to reflect the needs and 
156.22  conditions of recipients who need home care including children 
156.23  and adults under 65 years of age.  The commissioner shall 
156.24  establish these forms and protocols under this section and shall 
156.25  use an advisory group, including representatives of recipients, 
156.26  providers, and counties, for consultation in establishing and 
156.27  revising the forms and protocols. 
156.28     (iv) A recipient shall qualify as having complex medical 
156.29  needs if the care required is difficult to perform and because 
156.30  of recipient's medical condition requires more time than 
156.31  community-based standards allow or requires more skill than 
156.32  would ordinarily be required and the recipient needs or has one 
156.33  or more of the following: 
156.34     (A) daily tube feedings; 
156.35     (B) daily parenteral therapy; 
156.36     (C) wound or decubiti care; 
157.1      (D) postural drainage, percussion, nebulizer treatments, 
157.2   suctioning, tracheotomy care, oxygen, mechanical ventilation; 
157.3      (E) catheterization; 
157.4      (F) ostomy care; 
157.5      (G) quadriplegia; or 
157.6      (H) other comparable medical conditions or treatments the 
157.7   commissioner determines would otherwise require institutional 
157.8   care.  
157.9      (v) A recipient shall qualify as having Level I behavior if 
157.10  there is reasonable supporting evidence that the recipient 
157.11  exhibits, or that without supervision, observation, or 
157.12  redirection would exhibit, one or more of the following 
157.13  behaviors that cause, or have the potential to cause: 
157.14     (A) injury to the recipient's own body; 
157.15     (B) physical injury to other people; or 
157.16     (C) destruction of property. 
157.17     (vi) Time authorized for personal care relating to Level I 
157.18  behavior in subclause (v), items (A) to (C), shall be based on 
157.19  the predictability, frequency, and amount of intervention 
157.20  required. 
157.21     (vii) A recipient shall qualify as having Level II behavior 
157.22  if the recipient exhibits on a daily basis one or more of the 
157.23  following behaviors that interfere with the completion of 
157.24  personal care services under subdivision 4, paragraph (a): 
157.25     (A) unusual or repetitive habits; 
157.26     (B) withdrawn behavior; or 
157.27     (C) offensive behavior. 
157.28     (viii) A recipient with a home care rating of Level II 
157.29  behavior in subclause (vii), items (A) to (C), shall be rated as 
157.30  comparable to a recipient with complex medical needs under 
157.31  subclause (iv).  If a recipient has both complex medical needs 
157.32  and Level II behavior, the home care rating shall be the next 
157.33  complex category up to the maximum rating under subclause (i), 
157.34  item (B). 
157.35     (3)  [PRIVATE DUTY NURSING SERVICES.] All private duty 
157.36  nursing services shall be prior authorized by the commissioner 
158.1   or the commissioner's designee.  Prior authorization for private 
158.2   duty nursing services shall be based on medical necessity and 
158.3   cost-effectiveness when compared with alternative care options.  
158.4   The commissioner may authorize medically necessary private duty 
158.5   nursing services in quarter-hour units when: 
158.6      (i) the recipient requires more individual and continuous 
158.7   care than can be provided during a nurse visit; or 
158.8      (ii) the cares are outside of the scope of services that 
158.9   can be provided by a home health aide or personal care assistant.
158.10     The commissioner may authorize: 
158.11     (A) up to two times the average amount of direct care hours 
158.12  provided in nursing facilities statewide for case mix 
158.13  classification "K" as established by the annual cost report 
158.14  submitted to the department by nursing facilities in May 1992; 
158.15     (B) private duty nursing in combination with other home 
158.16  care services up to the total cost allowed under clause (2); 
158.17     (C) up to 16 hours per day if the recipient requires more 
158.18  nursing than the maximum number of direct care hours as 
158.19  established in item (A) and the recipient meets the hospital 
158.20  admission criteria established under Minnesota Rules, parts 
158.21  9505.0500 to 9505.0540.  
158.22     The commissioner may authorize up to 16 hours per day of 
158.23  medically necessary private duty nursing services or up to 24 
158.24  hours per day of medically necessary private duty nursing 
158.25  services until such time as the commissioner is able to make a 
158.26  determination of eligibility for recipients who are 
158.27  cooperatively applying for home care services under the 
158.28  community alternative care program developed under section 
158.29  256B.49, or until it is determined by the appropriate regulatory 
158.30  agency that a health benefit plan is or is not required to pay 
158.31  for appropriate medically necessary health care services.  
158.32  Recipients or their representatives must cooperatively assist 
158.33  the commissioner in obtaining this determination.  Recipients 
158.34  who are eligible for the community alternative care program may 
158.35  not receive more hours of nursing under this section than would 
158.36  otherwise be authorized under section 256B.49. 
159.1      (4)  [VENTILATOR-DEPENDENT RECIPIENTS.] If the recipient is 
159.2   ventilator-dependent, the monthly medical assistance 
159.3   authorization for home care services shall not exceed what the 
159.4   commissioner would pay for care at the highest cost hospital 
159.5   designated as a long-term hospital under the Medicare program.  
159.6   For purposes of this clause, home care services means all 
159.7   services provided in the home that would be included in the 
159.8   payment for care at the long-term hospital.  
159.9   "Ventilator-dependent" means an individual who receives 
159.10  mechanical ventilation for life support at least six hours per 
159.11  day and is expected to be or has been dependent for at least 30 
159.12  consecutive days.  
159.13     (f)  [PRIOR AUTHORIZATION; TIME LIMITS.] The commissioner 
159.14  or the commissioner's designee shall determine the time period 
159.15  for which a prior authorization shall be effective.  If the 
159.16  recipient continues to require home care services beyond the 
159.17  duration of the prior authorization, the home care provider must 
159.18  request a new prior authorization.  Under no circumstances, 
159.19  other than the exceptions in paragraph (b), shall a prior 
159.20  authorization be valid prior to the date the commissioner 
159.21  receives the request or for more than 12 months.  A recipient 
159.22  who appeals a reduction in previously authorized home care 
159.23  services may continue previously authorized services, other than 
159.24  temporary services under paragraph (h), pending an appeal under 
159.25  section 256.045.  The commissioner must provide a detailed 
159.26  explanation of why the authorized services are reduced in amount 
159.27  from those requested by the home care provider.  
159.28     (g)  [APPROVAL OF HOME CARE SERVICES.] The commissioner or 
159.29  the commissioner's designee shall determine the medical 
159.30  necessity of home care services, the level of caregiver 
159.31  according to subdivision 2, and the institutional comparison 
159.32  according to this subdivision, the cost-effectiveness of 
159.33  services, and the amount, scope, and duration of home care 
159.34  services reimbursable by medical assistance, based on the 
159.35  assessment, primary payer coverage determination information as 
159.36  required, the service plan, the recipient's age, the cost of 
160.1   services, the recipient's medical condition, and diagnosis or 
160.2   disability.  The commissioner may publish additional criteria 
160.3   for determining medical necessity according to section 256B.04. 
160.4      (h)  [PRIOR AUTHORIZATION REQUESTS; TEMPORARY SERVICES.] 
160.5   The agency nurse, the independently enrolled private duty nurse, 
160.6   or county public health nurse may request a temporary 
160.7   authorization for home care services by telephone.  The 
160.8   commissioner may approve a temporary level of home care services 
160.9   based on the assessment, and service or care plan information, 
160.10  and primary payer coverage determination information as required.
160.11  Authorization for a temporary level of home care services 
160.12  including nurse supervision is limited to the time specified by 
160.13  the commissioner, but shall not exceed 45 days, unless extended 
160.14  because the county public health nurse has not completed the 
160.15  required assessment and service plan, or the commissioner's 
160.16  determination has not been made.  The level of services 
160.17  authorized under this provision shall have no bearing on a 
160.18  future prior authorization. 
160.19     (i)  [PRIOR AUTHORIZATION REQUIRED IN FOSTER CARE SETTING.] 
160.20  Home care services provided in an adult or child foster care 
160.21  setting must receive prior authorization by the department 
160.22  according to the limits established in paragraph (a). 
160.23     The commissioner may not authorize: 
160.24     (1) home care services that are the responsibility of the 
160.25  foster care provider under the terms of the foster care 
160.26  placement agreement and administrative rules.  Requests for home 
160.27  care services for recipients residing in a foster care setting 
160.28  must include the foster care placement agreement and 
160.29  determination of difficulty of care; 
160.30     (2) personal care services when the foster care license 
160.31  holder is also the personal care provider or personal care 
160.32  assistant unless the recipient can direct the recipient's own 
160.33  care, or case management is provided as required in section 
160.34  256B.0625, subdivision 19a; 
160.35     (3) personal care services when the responsible party is an 
160.36  employee of, or under contract with, or has any direct or 
161.1   indirect financial relationship with the personal care provider 
161.2   or personal care assistant, unless case management is provided 
161.3   as required in section 256B.0625, subdivision 19a; 
161.4      (4) home care services when the number of foster care 
161.5   residents is greater than four unless the county responsible for 
161.6   the recipient's foster placement made the placement prior to 
161.7   April 1, 1992, requests that home care services be provided, and 
161.8   case management is provided as required in section 256B.0625, 
161.9   subdivision 19a; or 
161.10     (5) home care services when combined with foster care 
161.11  payments, other than room and board payments that exceed the 
161.12  total amount that public funds would pay for the recipient's 
161.13  care in a medical institution. 
161.14     Sec. 24.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
161.15  256B.0627, subdivision 8, is amended to read: 
161.16     Subd. 8.  [PERSONAL CARE ASSISTANT SERVICES; SHARED CARE.] 
161.17  (a) Medical assistance payments for personal care assistance 
161.18  shared care shall be limited according to this subdivision. 
161.19     (b) Recipients of personal care assistant services may 
161.20  share staff and the commissioner shall provide a rate system for 
161.21  shared personal care assistant services.  For two persons 
161.22  sharing care, the rate system shall not exceed 1-1/2 times the 
161.23  amount paid for providing services to one person, and shall 
161.24  increase incrementally by one-half the cost of serving a single 
161.25  person, for each person served.  A personal care assistant may 
161.26  not serve more than three children in a single setting. for 
161.27  three persons, the rate shall not exceed twice the rate for 
161.28  serving a single individual.  No more than three persons may 
161.29  receive shared care from a personal care assistant in a single 
161.30  setting. 
161.31     (c) Shared care is the provision of personal care services 
161.32  by a personal care assistant to two or three recipients at the 
161.33  same time and in the same setting.  For the purposes of this 
161.34  subdivision, "setting" means: 
161.35     (1) the home or foster care home of one of the individual 
161.36  recipients; or 
162.1      (2) a child care program in which all recipients served by 
162.2   one personal care assistant are participating, which is licensed 
162.3   under chapter 245A or operated by a local school district or 
162.4   private school.  
162.5      The provisions of this subdivision do not apply when a 
162.6   personal care assistant is caring for multiple recipients in 
162.7   more than one setting. 
162.8      (d) The recipient or the recipient's responsible party, in 
162.9   conjunction with the county public health nurse, shall determine:
162.10     (1) whether shared care is an appropriate option based on 
162.11  the individual needs and preferences of the recipient; and 
162.12     (2) the amount of shared care allocated as part of the 
162.13  overall authorization of personal care services. 
162.14     The recipient or the responsible party, in conjunction with 
162.15  the supervising registered nurse, shall approve the setting, 
162.16  grouping, and arrangement of shared care based on the individual 
162.17  needs and preferences of the recipients.  Decisions on the 
162.18  selection of recipients to share care must be based on the ages 
162.19  of the recipients, compatibility, and coordination of their care 
162.20  needs. 
162.21     (e) The following items must be considered by the recipient 
162.22  or the responsible party and the supervising nurse, and 
162.23  documented in the recipient's care plan: 
162.24     (1) the additional qualifications needed by the personal 
162.25  care assistant to provide care to several recipients in the same 
162.26  setting; 
162.27     (2) the additional training and supervision needed by the 
162.28  personal care assistant to ensure that the needs of the 
162.29  recipient are met appropriately and safely.  The provider must 
162.30  provide on-site supervision by a registered nurse within the 
162.31  first 14 days of shared care, and monthly thereafter; 
162.32     (3) the setting in which the shared care will be provided; 
162.33     (4) the ongoing monitoring and evaluation of the 
162.34  effectiveness and appropriateness of the service and process 
162.35  used to make changes in service or setting; and 
162.36     (5) a contingency plan which accounts for absence of the 
163.1   recipient in a shared care setting due to illness or other 
163.2   circumstances and staffing contingencies. 
163.3      (f) The provider must offer the recipient or the 
163.4   responsible party the option of shared or individual personal 
163.5   care assistant care.  The recipient or the responsible party can 
163.6   withdraw from participating in a shared care arrangement at any 
163.7   time. 
163.8      (g) Notwithstanding provisions to the contrary, all other 
163.9   statutory and regulatory provisions relating to personal care 
163.10  services continue to be in effect. 
163.11     Nothing in this subdivision shall be construed to reduce 
163.12  the total number of hours authorized for an individual recipient.
163.13     Sec. 25.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
163.14  256B.0645, is amended to read: 
163.15     256B.0645 [PROVIDER PAYMENTS; RETROACTIVE CHANGES IN 
163.16  ELIGIBILITY.] 
163.17     Payment to a provider for a health care service provided to 
163.18  a general assistance medical care recipient who is later 
163.19  determined eligible for medical assistance or MinnesotaCare 
163.20  according to section 256L.14 for the period in which the health 
163.21  care service was provided, shall be considered payment in full, 
163.22  and shall not may be adjusted due to the change in eligibility.  
163.23  This section applies does not apply to both fee-for-service 
163.24  payments and payments made to health plans on a prepaid 
163.25  capitated basis. 
163.26     Sec. 26.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
163.27  256B.0911, subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
163.28     Subd. 2.  [PERSONS REQUIRED TO BE SCREENED; EXEMPTIONS.] 
163.29  All applicants to Medicaid certified nursing facilities must be 
163.30  screened prior to admission, regardless of income, assets, or 
163.31  funding sources, except the following: 
163.32     (1) patients who, having entered acute care facilities from 
163.33  certified nursing facilities, are returning to a certified 
163.34  nursing facility; 
163.35     (2) residents transferred from other certified nursing 
163.36  facilities located within the state of Minnesota; 
164.1      (3) individuals who have a contractual right to have their 
164.2   nursing facility care paid for indefinitely by the veteran's 
164.3   administration; 
164.4      (4) individuals who are enrolled in the Ebenezer/Group 
164.5   Health social health maintenance organization project, or 
164.6   enrolled in a demonstration project under section 256B.69, 
164.7   subdivision 18 8, at the time of application to a nursing home; 
164.8      (5) individuals previously screened and currently being 
164.9   served under the alternative care program or under a home and 
164.10  community-based services waiver authorized under section 1915(c) 
164.11  of the Social Security Act; or 
164.12     (6) individuals who are admitted to a certified nursing 
164.13  facility for a short-term stay, which, based upon a physician's 
164.14  certification, is expected to be 14 days or less in duration, 
164.15  and who have been screened and approved for nursing facility 
164.16  admission within the previous six months.  This exemption 
164.17  applies only if the screener determines at the time of the 
164.18  initial screening of the six-month period that it is appropriate 
164.19  to use the nursing facility for short-term stays and that there 
164.20  is an adequate plan of care for return to the home or 
164.21  community-based setting.  If a stay exceeds 14 days, the 
164.22  individual must be referred no later than the first county 
164.23  working day following the 14th resident day for a screening, 
164.24  which must be completed within five working days of the 
164.25  referral.  Payment limitations in subdivision 7 will apply to an 
164.26  individual found at screening to not meet the level of care 
164.27  criteria for admission to a certified nursing facility. 
164.28     Regardless of the exemptions in clauses (2) to (6), persons 
164.29  who have a diagnosis or possible diagnosis of mental illness, 
164.30  mental retardation, or a related condition must receive a 
164.31  preadmission screening before admission unless the admission 
164.32  prior to screening is authorized by the local mental health 
164.33  authority or the local developmental disabilities case manager, 
164.34  or unless authorized by the county agency according to Public 
164.35  Law Number 101-508. 
164.36     Before admission to a Medicaid certified nursing home or 
165.1   boarding care home, all persons must be screened and approved 
165.2   for admission through an assessment process.  The nursing 
165.3   facility is authorized to conduct case mix assessments which are 
165.4   not conducted by the county public health nurse under Minnesota 
165.5   Rules, part 9549.0059.  The designated county agency is 
165.6   responsible for distributing the quality assurance and review 
165.7   form for all new applicants to nursing homes. 
165.8      Other persons who are not applicants to nursing facilities 
165.9   must be screened if a request is made for a screening. 
165.10     Sec. 27.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 256B.0911, 
165.11  subdivision 4, is amended to read: 
165.12     Subd. 4.  [RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE COUNTY AND THE SCREENING 
165.13  TEAM.] (a) The county shall: 
165.14     (1) provide information and education to the general public 
165.15  regarding availability of the preadmission screening program; 
165.16     (2) accept referrals from individuals, families, human 
165.17  service and health professionals, and hospital and nursing 
165.18  facility personnel; 
165.19     (3) assess the health, psychological, and social needs of 
165.20  referred individuals and identify services needed to maintain 
165.21  these persons in the least restrictive environments; 
165.22     (4) determine if the individual screened needs nursing 
165.23  facility level of care; 
165.24     (5) assess specialized service needs based upon an 
165.25  evaluation by: 
165.26     (i) a qualified independent mental health professional for 
165.27  persons with a primary or secondary diagnosis of a serious 
165.28  mental illness; and 
165.29     (ii) a qualified mental retardation professional for 
165.30  persons with a primary or secondary diagnosis of mental 
165.31  retardation or related conditions.  For purposes of this clause, 
165.32  a qualified mental retardation professional must meet the 
165.33  standards for a qualified mental retardation professional in 
165.34  Code of Federal Regulations, title 42, section 483.430; 
165.35     (6) make recommendations for individuals screened regarding 
165.36  cost-effective community services which are available to the 
166.1   individual; 
166.2      (7) make recommendations for individuals screened regarding 
166.3   nursing home placement when there are no cost-effective 
166.4   community services available; 
166.5      (8) develop an individual's community care plan and provide 
166.6   follow-up services as needed; and 
166.7      (9) prepare and submit reports that may be required by the 
166.8   commissioner of human services. 
166.9      (b) The screener shall document that the most 
166.10  cost-effective alternatives available were offered to the 
166.11  individual or the individual's legal representative.  For 
166.12  purposes of this section, "cost-effective alternatives" means 
166.13  community services and living arrangements that cost the same or 
166.14  less than nursing facility care. 
166.15     (c) Screeners shall adhere to the level of care criteria 
166.16  for admission to a certified nursing facility established under 
166.17  section 144.0721.  
166.18     (d) For persons who are eligible for medical assistance or 
166.19  who would be eligible within 180 days of admission to a nursing 
166.20  facility and who are admitted to a nursing facility, the nursing 
166.21  facility must include a screener or the case manager in the 
166.22  discharge planning process for those individuals who the team 
166.23  has determined have discharge potential.  The screener or the 
166.24  case manager must ensure a smooth transition and follow-up for 
166.25  the individual's return to the community. 
166.26     Screeners shall cooperate with other public and private 
166.27  agencies in the community, in order to offer a variety of 
166.28  cost-effective services to the disabled and elderly.  The 
166.29  screeners shall encourage the use of volunteers from families, 
166.30  religious organizations, social clubs, and similar civic and 
166.31  service organizations to provide services. 
166.32     Sec. 28.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
166.33  256B.0911, subdivision 7, is amended to read: 
166.34     Subd. 7.  [REIMBURSEMENT FOR CERTIFIED NURSING FACILITIES.] 
166.35  (a) Medical assistance reimbursement for nursing facilities 
166.36  shall be authorized for a medical assistance recipient only if a 
167.1   preadmission screening has been conducted prior to admission or 
167.2   the local county agency has authorized an exemption.  Medical 
167.3   assistance reimbursement for nursing facilities shall not be 
167.4   provided for any recipient who the local screener has determined 
167.5   does not meet the level of care criteria for nursing facility 
167.6   placement or, if indicated, has not had a level II PASARR 
167.7   evaluation completed unless an admission for a recipient with 
167.8   mental illness is approved by the local mental health authority 
167.9   or an admission for a recipient with mental retardation or 
167.10  related condition is approved by the state mental retardation 
167.11  authority.  The county preadmission screening team may deny 
167.12  certified nursing facility admission using the level of care 
167.13  criteria established under section 144.0721 and deny medical 
167.14  assistance reimbursement for certified nursing facility care.  
167.15  Persons receiving care in a certified nursing facility or 
167.16  certified boarding care home who are reassessed by the 
167.17  commissioner of health according to section 144.0722 and 
167.18  determined to no longer meet the level of care criteria for a 
167.19  certified nursing facility or certified boarding care home may 
167.20  no longer remain a resident in the certified nursing facility or 
167.21  certified boarding care home and must be relocated to the 
167.22  community if the persons were admitted on or after July 1, 1998. 
167.23     (b) Persons receiving services under section 256B.0913, 
167.24  subdivisions 1 to 14, or 256B.0915 who are reassessed and found 
167.25  to not meet the level of care criteria for admission to a 
167.26  certified nursing facility or certified boarding care home may 
167.27  no longer receive these services if persons were admitted to the 
167.28  program on or after July 1, 1998.  The commissioner shall make a 
167.29  request to the health care financing administration for a waiver 
167.30  allowing screening team approval of Medicaid payments for 
167.31  certified nursing facility care.  An individual has a choice and 
167.32  makes the final decision between nursing facility placement and 
167.33  community placement after the screening team's recommendation, 
167.34  except as provided in paragraphs (b) and (c).  
167.35     (c) The local county mental health authority or the state 
167.36  mental retardation authority under Public Law Numbers 100-203 
168.1   and 101-508 may prohibit admission to a nursing facility, if the 
168.2   individual does not meet the nursing facility level of care 
168.3   criteria or needs specialized services as defined in Public Law 
168.4   Numbers 100-203 and 101-508.  For purposes of this section, 
168.5   "specialized services" for a person with mental retardation or a 
168.6   related condition means "active treatment" as that term is 
168.7   defined in Code of Federal Regulations, title 42, section 
168.8   483.440(a)(1). 
168.9      (d) Upon the receipt by the commissioner of approval by the 
168.10  Secretary of Health and Human Services of the waiver requested 
168.11  under paragraph (a), the local screener shall deny medical 
168.12  assistance reimbursement for nursing facility care for an 
168.13  individual whose long-term care needs can be met in a 
168.14  community-based setting and whose cost of community-based home 
168.15  care services is less than 75 percent of the average payment for 
168.16  nursing facility care for that individual's case mix 
168.17  classification, and who is either: 
168.18     (i) a current medical assistance recipient being screened 
168.19  for admission to a nursing facility; or 
168.20     (ii) an individual who would be eligible for medical 
168.21  assistance within 180 days of entering a nursing facility and 
168.22  who meets a nursing facility level of care. 
168.23     (e) Appeals from the screening team's recommendation or the 
168.24  county agency's final decision shall be made according to 
168.25  section 256.045, subdivision 3. 
168.26     Sec. 29.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
168.27  256B.0915, subdivision 1d, is amended to read: 
168.28     Subd. 1d.  [POSTELIGIBILITY TREATMENT OF INCOME AND 
168.29  RESOURCES FOR ELDERLY WAIVER.] (a) Notwithstanding the 
168.30  provisions of section 256B.056, the commissioner shall make the 
168.31  following amendment to the medical assistance elderly waiver 
168.32  program effective July 1, 1997 1999, or upon federal approval, 
168.33  whichever is later. 
168.34     A recipient's maintenance needs will be an amount equal to 
168.35  the Minnesota supplemental aid equivalent rate as defined in 
168.36  section 256I.03, subdivision 5, plus the medical assistance 
169.1   personal needs allowance as defined in section 256B.35, 
169.2   subdivision 1, paragraph (a), when applying posteligibility 
169.3   treatment of income rules to the gross income of elderly waiver 
169.4   recipients, except for individuals whose income is in excess of 
169.5   the special income standard according to Code of Federal 
169.6   Regulations, title 42, section 435.236.  Recipient maintenance 
169.7   needs shall be adjusted under this provision each July 1. 
169.8      (b) The commissioner of human services shall secure 
169.9   approval of additional elderly waiver slots sufficient to serve 
169.10  persons who will qualify under the revised income standard 
169.11  described in paragraph (a) before implementing section 
169.12  256B.0913, subdivision 16. 
169.13     Sec. 30.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 256B.41, 
169.14  subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
169.15     Subdivision 1.  [AUTHORITY.] The commissioner shall 
169.16  establish, by rule, procedures for determining rates for care of 
169.17  residents of nursing facilities which qualify as vendors of 
169.18  medical assistance, and for implementing the provisions of this 
169.19  section and sections 256B.421, 256B.431, 256B.432, 256B.433, 
169.20  256B.47, 256B.48, 256B.50, and 256B.502.  The procedures shall 
169.21  be based on methods and standards that the commissioner finds 
169.22  are adequate to provide for the costs that must be incurred for 
169.23  the care of residents in efficiently and economically operated 
169.24  nursing facilities and shall specify the costs that are 
169.25  allowable for establishing payment rates through medical 
169.26  assistance. 
169.27     Sec. 31.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 256B.431, 
169.28  subdivision 2b, is amended to read: 
169.29     Subd. 2b.  [OPERATING COSTS, AFTER JULY 1, 1985.] (a) For 
169.30  rate years beginning on or after July 1, 1985, the commissioner 
169.31  shall establish procedures for determining per diem 
169.32  reimbursement for operating costs.  
169.33     (b) The commissioner shall contract with an econometric 
169.34  firm with recognized expertise in and access to national 
169.35  economic change indices that can be applied to the appropriate 
169.36  cost categories when determining the operating cost payment rate.
170.1      (c) The commissioner shall analyze and evaluate each 
170.2   nursing facility's cost report of allowable operating costs 
170.3   incurred by the nursing facility during the reporting year 
170.4   immediately preceding the rate year for which the payment rate 
170.5   becomes effective.  
170.6      (d) The commissioner shall establish limits on actual 
170.7   allowable historical operating cost per diems based on cost 
170.8   reports of allowable operating costs for the reporting year that 
170.9   begins October 1, 1983, taking into consideration relevant 
170.10  factors including resident needs, geographic location, and size 
170.11  of the nursing facility, and the costs that must be incurred for 
170.12  the care of residents in an efficiently and economically 
170.13  operated nursing facility.  In developing the geographic groups 
170.14  for purposes of reimbursement under this section, the 
170.15  commissioner shall ensure that nursing facilities in any county 
170.16  contiguous to the Minneapolis-St. Paul seven-county metropolitan 
170.17  area are included in the same geographic group.  The limits 
170.18  established by the commissioner shall not be less, in the 
170.19  aggregate, than the 60th percentile of total actual allowable 
170.20  historical operating cost per diems for each group of nursing 
170.21  facilities established under subdivision 1 based on cost reports 
170.22  of allowable operating costs in the previous reporting year.  
170.23  For rate years beginning on or after July 1, 1989, facilities 
170.24  located in geographic group I as described in Minnesota Rules, 
170.25  part 9549.0052, on January 1, 1989, may choose to have the 
170.26  commissioner apply either the care related limits or the other 
170.27  operating cost limits calculated for facilities located in 
170.28  geographic group II, or both, if either of the limits calculated 
170.29  for the group II facilities is higher.  The efficiency incentive 
170.30  for geographic group I nursing facilities must be calculated 
170.31  based on geographic group I limits.  The phase-in must be 
170.32  established utilizing the chosen limits.  For purposes of these 
170.33  exceptions to the geographic grouping requirements, the 
170.34  definitions in Minnesota Rules, parts 9549.0050 to 9549.0059 
170.35  (Emergency), and 9549.0010 to 9549.0080, apply.  The limits 
170.36  established under this paragraph remain in effect until the 
171.1   commissioner establishes a new base period.  Until the new base 
171.2   period is established, the commissioner shall adjust the limits 
171.3   annually using the appropriate economic change indices 
171.4   established in paragraph (e).  In determining allowable 
171.5   historical operating cost per diems for purposes of setting 
171.6   limits and nursing facility payment rates, the commissioner 
171.7   shall divide the allowable historical operating costs by the 
171.8   actual number of resident days, except that where a nursing 
171.9   facility is occupied at less than 90 percent of licensed 
171.10  capacity days, the commissioner may establish procedures to 
171.11  adjust the computation of the per diem to an imputed occupancy 
171.12  level at or below 90 percent.  The commissioner shall establish 
171.13  efficiency incentives as appropriate.  The commissioner may 
171.14  establish efficiency incentives for different operating cost 
171.15  categories.  The commissioner shall consider establishing 
171.16  efficiency incentives in care related cost categories.  The 
171.17  commissioner may combine one or more operating cost categories 
171.18  and may use different methods for calculating payment rates for 
171.19  each operating cost category or combination of operating cost 
171.20  categories.  For the rate year beginning on July 1, 1985, the 
171.21  commissioner shall: 
171.22     (1) allow nursing facilities that have an average length of 
171.23  stay of 180 days or less in their skilled nursing level of care, 
171.24  125 percent of the care related limit and 105 percent of the 
171.25  other operating cost limit established by rule; and 
171.26     (2) exempt nursing facilities licensed on July 1, 1983, by 
171.27  the commissioner to provide residential services for the 
171.28  physically handicapped under Minnesota Rules, parts 9570.2000 to 
171.29  9570.3600, from the care related limits and allow 105 percent of 
171.30  the other operating cost limit established by rule. 
171.31     For the purpose of calculating the other operating cost 
171.32  efficiency incentive for nursing facilities referred to in 
171.33  clause (1)  or (2), the commissioner shall use the other 
171.34  operating cost limit established by rule before application of 
171.35  the 105 percent. 
171.36     (e) The commissioner shall establish a composite index or 
172.1   indices by determining the appropriate economic change 
172.2   indicators to be applied to specific operating cost categories 
172.3   or combination of operating cost categories.  
172.4      (f) Each nursing facility shall receive an operating cost 
172.5   payment rate equal to the sum of the nursing facility's 
172.6   operating cost payment rates for each operating cost category.  
172.7   The operating cost payment rate for an operating cost category 
172.8   shall be the lesser of the nursing facility's historical 
172.9   operating cost in the category increased by the appropriate 
172.10  index established in paragraph (e) for the operating cost 
172.11  category plus an efficiency incentive established pursuant to 
172.12  paragraph (d) or the limit for the operating cost category 
172.13  increased by the same index.  If a nursing facility's actual 
172.14  historic operating costs are greater than the prospective 
172.15  payment rate for that rate year, there shall be no retroactive 
172.16  cost settle-up.  In establishing payment rates for one or more 
172.17  operating cost categories, the commissioner may establish 
172.18  separate rates for different classes of residents based on their 
172.19  relative care needs.  
172.20     (g) The commissioner shall include the reported actual real 
172.21  estate tax liability or payments in lieu of real estate tax of 
172.22  each nursing facility as an operating cost of that nursing 
172.23  facility.  Allowable costs under this subdivision for payments 
172.24  made by a nonprofit nursing facility that are in lieu of real 
172.25  estate taxes shall not exceed the amount which the nursing 
172.26  facility would have paid to a city or township and county for 
172.27  fire, police, sanitation services, and road maintenance costs 
172.28  had real estate taxes been levied on that property for those 
172.29  purposes.  For rate years beginning on or after July 1, 1987, 
172.30  the reported actual real estate tax liability or payments in 
172.31  lieu of real estate tax of nursing facilities shall be adjusted 
172.32  to include an amount equal to one-half of the dollar change in 
172.33  real estate taxes from the prior year.  The commissioner shall 
172.34  include a reported actual special assessment, and reported 
172.35  actual license fees required by the Minnesota department of 
172.36  health, for each nursing facility as an operating cost of that 
173.1   nursing facility.  For rate years beginning on or after July 1, 
173.2   1989, the commissioner shall include a nursing facility's 
173.3   reported public employee retirement act contribution for the 
173.4   reporting year as apportioned to the care-related operating cost 
173.5   categories and other operating cost categories multiplied by the 
173.6   appropriate composite index or indices established pursuant to 
173.7   paragraph (e) as costs under this paragraph.  Total adjusted 
173.8   real estate tax liability, payments in lieu of real estate tax, 
173.9   actual special assessments paid, the indexed public employee 
173.10  retirement act contribution, and license fees paid as required 
173.11  by the Minnesota department of health, for each nursing facility 
173.12  (1) shall be divided by actual resident days in order to compute 
173.13  the operating cost payment rate for this operating cost 
173.14  category, (2) shall not be used to compute the care-related 
173.15  operating cost limits or other operating cost limits established 
173.16  by the commissioner, and (3) shall not be increased by the 
173.17  composite index or indices established pursuant to paragraph 
173.18  (e), unless otherwise indicated in this paragraph. 
173.19     (h) For rate years beginning on or after July 1, 1987, the 
173.20  commissioner shall adjust the rates of a nursing facility that 
173.21  meets the criteria for the special dietary needs of its 
173.22  residents and the requirements in section 31.651.  The 
173.23  adjustment for raw food cost shall be the difference between the 
173.24  nursing facility's allowable historical raw food cost per diem 
173.25  and 115 percent of the median historical allowable raw food cost 
173.26  per diem of the corresponding geographic group. 
173.27     The rate adjustment shall be reduced by the applicable 
173.28  phase-in percentage as provided under subdivision 2h. 
173.29     (i) For the cost report year ending September 30, 1996, and 
173.30  for all subsequent reporting years, certified nursing facilities 
173.31  must identify, differentiate, and record resident day statistics 
173.32  for residents in case mix classification A who, on or after July 
173.33  1, 1996, meet the modified level of care criteria in section 
173.34  144.0721.  The resident day statistics shall be separated into 
173.35  case mix classification A-1 for any resident day meeting the 
173.36  high-function class A level of care criteria and case mix 
174.1   classification A-2 for other case mix class A resident days. 
174.2      Sec. 32.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 256B.431, is 
174.3   amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
174.4      Subd. 27.  [SPEND-UP AND HIGH COST LIMITS INDEXED; NOT 
174.5   REBASED.] (a) For rate years beginning on or after July 1, 1998, 
174.6   the commissioner shall modify the determination of the spend-up 
174.7   limits referred to in subdivision 26, paragraph (a), by indexing 
174.8   each group's previous year's median value by the factor in 
174.9   subdivision 26, paragraph (d), clause (2), plus one percentage 
174.10  point.  
174.11     (b) For rate years beginning on or after July 1, 1998, the 
174.12  commissioner shall modify the determination of the high cost 
174.13  limits referred to in subdivision 26, paragraph (b), by indexing 
174.14  each group's previous year's high cost per diem limits at .5 and 
174.15  one standard deviations above the median by the factor in 
174.16  subdivision 26, paragraph (d), clause (2), plus one percentage 
174.17  point. 
174.18     Sec. 33.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 256B.501, 
174.19  subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
174.20     Subd. 2.  [AUTHORITY.] The commissioner shall establish 
174.21  procedures and rules for determining rates for care of residents 
174.22  of intermediate care facilities for persons with mental 
174.23  retardation or related conditions which qualify as providers of 
174.24  medical assistance and waivered services.  Approved rates shall 
174.25  be established on the basis of methods and standards that the 
174.26  commissioner finds adequate to provide for the costs that must 
174.27  be incurred for the quality care of residents in efficiently and 
174.28  economically operated facilities and services.  The procedures 
174.29  shall specify the costs that are allowable for payment through 
174.30  medical assistance.  The commissioner may use experts from 
174.31  outside the department in the establishment of the procedures. 
174.32     Sec. 34.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
174.33  256B.69, subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
174.34     Subd. 2.  [DEFINITIONS.] For the purposes of this section, 
174.35  the following terms have the meanings given.  
174.36     (a) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of human services.
175.1   For the remainder of this section, the commissioner's 
175.2   responsibilities for methods and policies for implementing the 
175.3   project will be proposed by the project advisory committees and 
175.4   approved by the commissioner.  
175.5      (b) "Demonstration provider" means a health maintenance 
175.6   organization or, community integrated service network, or 
175.7   accountable provider network authorized and operating under 
175.8   chapter 62D or, 62N, or 62T that participates in the 
175.9   demonstration project according to criteria, standards, methods, 
175.10  and other requirements established for the project and approved 
175.11  by the commissioner.  Notwithstanding the above, Itasca county 
175.12  may continue to participate as a demonstration provider until 
175.13  July 1, 2000. 
175.14     (c) "Eligible individuals" means those persons eligible for 
175.15  medical assistance benefits as defined in sections 256B.055, 
175.16  256B.056, and 256B.06. 
175.17     (d) "Limitation of choice" means suspending freedom of 
175.18  choice while allowing eligible individuals to choose among the 
175.19  demonstration providers.  
175.20     (e) This paragraph supersedes paragraph (c) as long as the 
175.21  Minnesota health care reform waiver remains in effect.  When the 
175.22  waiver expires, this paragraph expires and the commissioner of 
175.23  human services shall publish a notice in the State Register and 
175.24  notify the revisor of statutes.  "Eligible individuals" means 
175.25  those persons eligible for medical assistance benefits as 
175.26  defined in sections 256B.055, 256B.056, and 256B.06.  
175.27  Notwithstanding sections 256B.055, 256B.056, and 256B.06, an 
175.28  individual who becomes ineligible for the program because of 
175.29  failure to submit income reports or recertification forms in a 
175.30  timely manner, shall remain enrolled in the prepaid health plan 
175.31  and shall remain eligible to receive medical assistance coverage 
175.32  through the last day of the month following the month in which 
175.33  the enrollee became ineligible for the medical assistance 
175.34  program.  
175.35     Sec. 35.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
175.36  256B.69, subdivision 3a, is amended to read: 
176.1      Subd. 3a.  [COUNTY AUTHORITY.] (a) The commissioner, when 
176.2   implementing the general assistance medical care, or medical 
176.3   assistance prepayment program within a county, must include the 
176.4   county board in the process of development, approval, and 
176.5   issuance of the request for proposals to provide services to 
176.6   eligible individuals within the proposed county.  County boards 
176.7   must be given reasonable opportunity to make recommendations 
176.8   regarding the development, issuance, review of responses, and 
176.9   changes needed in the request for proposals.  The commissioner 
176.10  must provide county boards the opportunity to review each 
176.11  proposal based on the identification of community needs under 
176.12  chapters 145A and 256E and county advocacy activities.  If a 
176.13  county board finds that a proposal does not address certain 
176.14  community needs, the county board and commissioner shall 
176.15  continue efforts for improving the proposal and network prior to 
176.16  the approval of the contract.  The county board shall make 
176.17  recommendations regarding the approval of local networks and 
176.18  their operations to ensure adequate availability and access to 
176.19  covered services.  The provider or health plan must respond 
176.20  directly to county advocates and the state prepaid medical 
176.21  assistance ombudsperson regarding service delivery and must be 
176.22  accountable to the state regarding contracts with medical 
176.23  assistance and general assistance medical care funds.  The 
176.24  county board may recommend a maximum number of participating 
176.25  health plans after considering the size of the enrolling 
176.26  population; ensuring adequate access and capacity; considering 
176.27  the client and county administrative complexity; and considering 
176.28  the need to promote the viability of locally developed health 
176.29  plans.  The county board or a single entity representing a group 
176.30  of county boards and the commissioner shall mutually select 
176.31  health plans for participation at the time of initial 
176.32  implementation of the prepaid medical assistance program in that 
176.33  county or group of counties and at the time of contract renewal. 
176.34  The commissioner shall also seek input for contract requirements 
176.35  from the county or single entity representing a group of county 
176.36  boards at each contract renewal and incorporate those 
177.1   recommendations into the contract negotiation process.  The 
177.2   commissioner, in conjunction with the county board, shall 
177.3   actively seek to develop a mutually agreeable timetable prior to 
177.4   the development of the request for proposal, but counties must 
177.5   agree to initial enrollment beginning on or before January 1, 
177.6   1999, in either the prepaid medical assistance and general 
177.7   assistance medical care programs or county-based purchasing 
177.8   under section 256B.692.  At least 90 days before enrollment in 
177.9   the medical assistance and general assistance medical care 
177.10  prepaid programs begins in a county in which the prepaid 
177.11  programs have not been established, the commissioner shall 
177.12  provide a report to the chairs of senate and house committees 
177.13  having jurisdiction over state health care programs which 
177.14  verifies that the commissioner complied with the requirements 
177.15  for county involvement that are specified in this subdivision. 
177.16     (b) The commissioner shall seek a federal waiver to allow a 
177.17  fee-for-service plan option to MinnesotaCare enrollees.  The 
177.18  commissioner shall develop an increase of the premium fees 
177.19  required under section 256L.06 up to 20 percent of the premium 
177.20  fees for the enrollees who elect the fee-for-service option.  
177.21  Prior to implementation, the commissioner shall submit this fee 
177.22  schedule to the chair and ranking minority member of the senate 
177.23  health care committee, the senate health care and family 
177.24  services funding division, the house of representatives health 
177.25  and human services committee, and the house of representatives 
177.26  health and human services finance division. 
177.27     (c) At the option of the county board, the board may 
177.28  develop contract requirements related to the achievement of 
177.29  local public health goals to meet the health needs of medical 
177.30  assistance and general assistance medical care enrollees.  These 
177.31  requirements must be reasonably related to the performance of 
177.32  health plan functions and within the scope of the medical 
177.33  assistance and general assistance medical care benefit sets.  If 
177.34  the county board and the commissioner mutually agree to such 
177.35  requirements, the department shall include such requirements in 
177.36  all health plan contracts governing the prepaid medical 
178.1   assistance and general assistance medical care programs in that 
178.2   county at initial implementation of the program in that county 
178.3   and at the time of contract renewal.  The county board may 
178.4   participate in the enforcement of the contract provisions 
178.5   related to local public health goals. 
178.6      (d) For counties in which prepaid medical assistance and 
178.7   general assistance medical care programs have not been 
178.8   established, the commissioner shall not implement those programs 
178.9   if a county board submits acceptable and timely preliminary and 
178.10  final proposals under section 256B.692, until county-based 
178.11  purchasing is no longer operational in that county.  For 
178.12  counties in which prepaid medical assistance and general 
178.13  assistance medical care programs are in existence on or after 
178.14  September 1, 1997, the commissioner must terminate contracts 
178.15  with health plans according to section 256B.692, subdivision 5, 
178.16  if the county board submits and the commissioner accepts 
178.17  preliminary and final proposals according to that subdivision.  
178.18  The commissioner is not required to terminate contracts that 
178.19  begin on or after September 1, 1997, according to section 
178.20  256B.692 until two years have elapsed from the date of initial 
178.21  enrollment. 
178.22     (e) In the event that a county board or a single entity 
178.23  representing a group of county boards and the commissioner 
178.24  cannot reach agreement regarding:  (i) the selection of 
178.25  participating health plans in that county; (ii) contract 
178.26  requirements; or (iii) implementation and enforcement of county 
178.27  requirements including provisions regarding local public health 
178.28  goals, the commissioner shall resolve all disputes after taking 
178.29  into account the recommendations of a three-person mediation 
178.30  panel.  The panel shall be composed of one designee of the 
178.31  president of the association of Minnesota counties, one designee 
178.32  of the commissioner of human services, and one designee of the 
178.33  commissioner of health. 
178.34     (f) If a county which elects to implement county-based 
178.35  purchasing ceases to implement county-based purchasing, it is 
178.36  prohibited from assuming the responsibility of county-based 
179.1   purchasing for a period of five years from the date it 
179.2   discontinues purchasing. 
179.3      (g) Notwithstanding the requirement in paragraph (a) that a 
179.4   county must agree to initial enrollment on or before January 1, 
179.5   1999, the commissioner shall grant a delay of up to 12 months in 
179.6   the implementation of the county-based purchasing authorized in 
179.7   section 256B.692 if the county or group of counties has 
179.8   submitted a preliminary proposal for county-based purchasing by 
179.9   September 1, 1997, has not already implemented the prepaid 
179.10  medical assistance program before January 1, 1998, and has 
179.11  submitted a written request for the delay to the commissioner by 
179.12  July 1, 1998.  In order for the delay to be continued, the 
179.13  county or group of counties must also submit to the commissioner 
179.14  the following information by December 1, 1998: 
179.15     (1) identify the proposed date of implementation, not later 
179.16  than January 1, 2000; 
179.17     (2) include copies of the county board resolutions which 
179.18  demonstrate the continued commitment to the implementation of 
179.19  county-based purchasing by the proposed date of implementation.  
179.20  County board authorization may remain contingent on the 
179.21  submission of a final proposal which meets the requirements of 
179.22  section 256B.692, subdivision 5, paragraph (b); 
179.23     (3) if more than one county is involved in the proposal, 
179.24  demonstrate actions taken for the establishment of a governance 
179.25  structure between the participating counties and describe how 
179.26  the fiduciary responsibilities of county-based purchasing will 
179.27  be allocated between the counties; 
179.28     (4) describe actions taken to identify how the risk of a 
179.29  deficit will be managed in the event expenditures are greater 
179.30  than total capitation payments.  This description must identify 
179.31  how any of the following strategies will be assessed: 
179.32     (i) risk contracts with licensed health plans; 
179.33     (ii) risk arrangements with providers who are not licensed 
179.34  health plans; 
179.35     (iii) risk arrangements with other licensed insurance 
179.36  entities; and 
180.1      (iv) funding from other county resources; 
180.2      (5) include, if county-based purchasing will not contract 
180.3   with licensed health plans or provider networks, letters of 
180.4   interest from local providers in at least the categories of 
180.5   hospital, physician, mental health, and pharmacy which express 
180.6   interest in contracting for services; and 
180.7      (6) describe the options being considered to obtain the 
180.8   administrative services required in section 256B.692, 
180.9   subdivision 3, clauses (3) and (5). 
180.10     For counties which receive a delay under this subdivision, 
180.11  the final proposals required under section 256B.692, subdivision 
180.12  5, paragraph (b), must be submitted at least six months prior to 
180.13  the requested implementation date.  Authority to implement 
180.14  county-based purchasing remains contingent on approval of the 
180.15  final proposal as required under section 256B.692.  
180.16     Sec. 36.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 256B.69, is 
180.17  amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
180.18     Subd. 25.  [AMERICAN INDIAN RECIPIENTS.] (a) Beginning on 
180.19  or after January 1, 1999, for American Indian recipients of 
180.20  medical assistance who are required to enroll with a 
180.21  demonstration provider under subdivision 4 or in a county-based 
180.22  purchasing entity, if applicable, under section 256B.692, 
180.23  medical assistance shall cover health care services provided at 
180.24  Indian health services facilities and facilities operated by a 
180.25  tribe or tribal organization under funding authorized by United 
180.26  States Code, title 25, sections 450f to 450n, or title III of 
180.27  the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act, 
180.28  Public Law Number 93-638, if those services would otherwise be 
180.29  covered under section 256B.0625.  Payments for services provided 
180.30  under this subdivision shall be made on a fee-for-service basis, 
180.31  and may, at the option of the tribe or tribal organization, be 
180.32  made in accordance with rates authorized under sections 256.969, 
180.33  subdivision 16, and 256B.0625, subdivision 34.  Implementation 
180.34  of this subdivision is contingent on federal approval. 
180.35     (b) The commissioner of human services, in consultation 
180.36  with the tribal governments, shall develop a plan for tribes to 
181.1   assist in the enrollment process for American Indian recipients 
181.2   enrolled in the prepaid medical assistance program under this 
181.3   section or the prepaid general assistance medical care program 
181.4   under section 256D.03, subdivision 4, paragraph (d).  This plan 
181.5   also shall address how tribes will be included in ensuring the 
181.6   coordination of care for American Indian recipients between 
181.7   Indian health service or tribal providers and other providers. 
181.8      (c) For purposes of this subdivision, "American Indian" has 
181.9   the meaning given to persons to whom services will be provided 
181.10  for in Code of Federal Regulations, title 42, section 36.12. 
181.11     (d) This subdivision also applies to American Indian 
181.12  recipients of general assistance medical care and to the prepaid 
181.13  general assistance medical care program under section 256D.03, 
181.14  subdivision 4, paragraph (d). 
181.15     Sec. 37.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
181.16  256B.692, subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
181.17     Subd. 2.  [DUTIES OF THE COMMISSIONER OF HEALTH.] 
181.18  Notwithstanding chapters 62D and 62N, a county that elects to 
181.19  purchase medical assistance and general assistance medical care 
181.20  in return for a fixed sum without regard to the frequency or 
181.21  extent of services furnished to any particular enrollee is not 
181.22  required to obtain a certificate of authority under chapter 62D 
181.23  or 62N.  A county that elects to purchase medical assistance and 
181.24  general assistance medical care services under this section must 
181.25  satisfy the commissioner of health that the requirements of 
181.26  chapter 62D, applicable to health maintenance organizations, or 
181.27  chapter 62N, applicable to community integrated service 
181.28  networks, will be met.  A county must also assure the 
181.29  commissioner of health that the requirements of section sections 
181.30  62J.041; 62J.48; 62J.71 to 62J.73; 62M.01 to 62M.16; all 
181.31  applicable provisions of chapter 62Q, including sections 62Q.07; 
181.32  62Q.075; 62Q.105; 62Q.1055; 62Q.106; 62Q.11; 62Q.12; 62Q.135; 
181.33  62Q.14; 62Q.145; 62Q.19; 62Q.23, paragraph (c); 62Q.30; 62Q.43; 
181.34  62Q.47; 62Q.50; 62Q.52 to 62Q.56; 62Q.58; 62Q.64; and 72A.201 
181.35  will be met.  All enforcement and rulemaking powers available 
181.36  under chapters 62D and, 62J, 62M, 62N, and 62Q are hereby 
182.1   granted to the commissioner of health with respect to counties 
182.2   that purchase medical assistance and general assistance medical 
182.3   care services under this section. 
182.4      Sec. 38.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
182.5   256B.692, subdivision 5, is amended to read: 
182.6      Subd. 5.  [COUNTY PROPOSALS.] (a) On or before September 1, 
182.7   1997, a county board that wishes to purchase or provide health 
182.8   care under this section must submit a preliminary proposal that 
182.9   substantially demonstrates the county's ability to meet all the 
182.10  requirements of this section in response to criteria for 
182.11  proposals issued by the department on or before July 1, 1997.  
182.12  Counties submitting preliminary proposals must establish a local 
182.13  planning process that involves input from medical assistance and 
182.14  general assistance medical care recipients, recipient advocates, 
182.15  providers and representatives of local school districts, labor, 
182.16  and tribal government to advise on the development of a final 
182.17  proposal and its implementation.  
182.18     (b) The county board must submit a final proposal on or 
182.19  before July 1, 1998, that demonstrates the ability to meet all 
182.20  the requirements of this section, including beginning enrollment 
182.21  on January 1, 1999, unless a delay has been granted under 
182.22  section 256B.69, subdivision 3a, paragraph (g).  
182.23     (c) After January 1, 1999, for a county in which the 
182.24  prepaid medical assistance program is in existence, the county 
182.25  board must submit a preliminary proposal at least 15 months 
182.26  prior to termination of health plan contracts in that county and 
182.27  a final proposal six months prior to the health plan contract 
182.28  termination date in order to begin enrollment after the 
182.29  termination.  Nothing in this section shall impede or delay 
182.30  implementation or continuation of the prepaid medical assistance 
182.31  and general assistance medical care programs in counties for 
182.32  which the board does not submit a proposal, or submits a 
182.33  proposal that is not in compliance with this section. 
182.34     (d) The commissioner is not required to terminate contracts 
182.35  for the prepaid medical assistance and prepaid general 
182.36  assistance medical care programs that begin on or after 
183.1   September 1, 1997, in a county for which a county board has 
183.2   submitted a proposal under this paragraph, until two years have 
183.3   elapsed from the date of initial enrollment in the prepaid 
183.4   medical assistance and prepaid general assistance medical care 
183.5   programs.  
183.6      Sec. 39.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
183.7   256B.77, subdivision 3, is amended to read: 
183.8      Subd. 3.  [ASSURANCES TO THE COMMISSIONER OF HEALTH.] A 
183.9   county authority that elects to participate in a demonstration 
183.10  project for people with disabilities under this section is not 
183.11  required to obtain a certificate of authority under chapter 62D 
183.12  or 62N.  A county authority that elects to participate in a 
183.13  demonstration project for people with disabilities under this 
183.14  section must assure the commissioner of health that the 
183.15  requirements of chapters 62D and, 62N, and section 256B.692, 
183.16  subdivision 2, are met.  All enforcement and rulemaking powers 
183.17  available under chapters 62D and, 62J, 62M, 62N, and 62Q are 
183.18  granted to the commissioner of health with respect to the county 
183.19  authorities that contract with the commissioner to purchase 
183.20  services in a demonstration project for people with disabilities 
183.21  under this section. 
183.22     Sec. 40.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
183.23  256B.77, subdivision 7a, is amended to read: 
183.24     Subd. 7a.  [ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUALS.] (a) Persons are eligible 
183.25  for the demonstration project as provided in this subdivision. 
183.26     (b) "Eligible individuals" means those persons living in 
183.27  the demonstration site who are eligible for medical assistance 
183.28  and are disabled based on a disability determination under 
183.29  section 256B.055, subdivisions 7 and 12, or who are eligible for 
183.30  medical assistance and have been diagnosed as having: 
183.31     (1) serious and persistent mental illness as defined in 
183.32  section 245.462, subdivision 20; 
183.33     (2) severe emotional disturbance as defined in section 
183.34  245.487, subdivision 6; or 
183.35     (3) mental retardation, or being a mentally retarded person 
183.36  as defined in section 252A.02, or a related condition as defined 
184.1   in section 252.27, subdivision 1a. 
184.2   Other individuals may be included at the option of the county 
184.3   authority based on agreement with the commissioner. 
184.4      (c) Eligible individuals residing on a federally recognized 
184.5   Indian reservation may be excluded from participation in the 
184.6   demonstration project at the discretion of the tribal government 
184.7   based on agreement with the commissioner, in consultation with 
184.8   the county authority. 
184.9      (d) Eligible individuals include individuals in excluded 
184.10  time status, as defined in chapter 256G.  Enrollees in excluded 
184.11  time at the time of enrollment shall remain in excluded time 
184.12  status as long as they live in the demonstration site and shall 
184.13  be eligible for 90 days after placement outside the 
184.14  demonstration site if they move to excluded time status in a 
184.15  county within Minnesota other than their county of financial 
184.16  responsibility. 
184.17     (e) A person who is a sexual psychopathic personality as 
184.18  defined in section 253B.02, subdivision 18a, or a sexually 
184.19  dangerous person as defined in section 253B.02, subdivision 18b, 
184.20  is excluded from enrollment in the demonstration project. 
184.21     Sec. 41.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
184.22  256B.77, subdivision 10, is amended to read: 
184.23     Subd. 10.  [CAPITATION PAYMENT.] (a) The commissioner shall 
184.24  pay a capitation payment to the county authority and, when 
184.25  applicable under subdivision 6, paragraph (a), to the service 
184.26  delivery organization for each medical assistance eligible 
184.27  enrollee.  The commissioner shall develop capitation payment 
184.28  rates for the initial contract period for each demonstration 
184.29  site in consultation with an independent actuary, to ensure that 
184.30  the cost of services under the demonstration project does not 
184.31  exceed the estimated cost for medical assistance services for 
184.32  the covered population under the fee-for-service system for the 
184.33  demonstration period.  For each year of the demonstration 
184.34  project, the capitation payment rate shall be based on 96 
184.35  percent of the projected per person costs that would otherwise 
184.36  have been paid under medical assistance fee-for-service during 
185.1   each of those years.  Rates shall be adjusted within the limits 
185.2   of the available risk adjustment technology, as mandated by 
185.3   section 62Q.03.  In addition, the commissioner shall implement 
185.4   appropriate risk and savings sharing provisions with county 
185.5   administrative entities and, when applicable under subdivision 
185.6   6, paragraph (a), service delivery organizations within the 
185.7   projected budget limits.  Capitation rates shall be adjusted at 
185.8   least annually to include any rate increases and payments for 
185.9   expanded or newly covered services for eligible individuals.  
185.10  The initial demonstration project rate shall include an amount 
185.11  in addition to the fee for service payments to adjust for 
185.12  underutilization of dental services.  Any savings beyond those 
185.13  allowed for the county authority, county administrative entity, 
185.14  or service delivery organization shall be first used to meet the 
185.15  unmet needs of eligible individuals.  Payments to providers 
185.16  participating in the project are exempt from the requirements of 
185.17  sections 256.966 and 256B.03, subdivision 2. 
185.18     (b) The commissioner shall monitor and evaluate annually 
185.19  the effect of the discount on consumers, the county authority, 
185.20  and providers of disability services.  Findings shall be 
185.21  reported and recommendations made, as appropriate, to ensure 
185.22  that the discount effect does not adversely affect the ability 
185.23  of the county administrative entity or providers of services to 
185.24  provide appropriate services to eligible individuals, and does 
185.25  not result in cost shifting of eligible individuals to the 
185.26  county authority. 
185.27     Sec. 42.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
185.28  256B.77, subdivision 12, is amended to read: 
185.29     Subd. 12.  [SERVICE COORDINATION.] (a) For purposes of this 
185.30  section, "service coordinator" means an individual selected by 
185.31  the enrollee or the enrollee's legal representative and 
185.32  authorized by the county administrative entity or service 
185.33  delivery organization to work in partnership with the enrollee 
185.34  to develop, coordinate, and in some instances, provide supports 
185.35  and services identified in the personal support plan.  Service 
185.36  coordinators may only provide services and supports if the 
186.1   enrollee is informed of potential conflicts of interest, is 
186.2   given alternatives, and gives informed consent.  Eligible 
186.3   service coordinators are individuals age 18 or older who meet 
186.4   the qualifications as described in paragraph (b).  Enrollees, 
186.5   their legal representatives, or their advocates are eligible to 
186.6   be service coordinators if they have the capabilities to perform 
186.7   the activities and functions outlined in paragraph (b).  
186.8   Providers licensed under chapter 245A to provide residential 
186.9   services, or providers who are providing residential services 
186.10  covered under the group residential housing program may not act 
186.11  as service coordinator for enrollees for whom they provide 
186.12  residential services.  This does not apply to providers of 
186.13  short-term detoxification services.  Each county administrative 
186.14  entity or service delivery organization may develop further 
186.15  criteria for eligible vendors of service coordination during the 
186.16  demonstration period and shall determine whom it contracts with 
186.17  or employs to provide service coordination.  County 
186.18  administrative entities and service delivery organizations may 
186.19  pay enrollees or their advocates or legal representatives for 
186.20  service coordination activities. 
186.21     (b) The service coordinator shall act as a facilitator, 
186.22  working in partnership with the enrollee to ensure that their 
186.23  needs are identified and addressed.  The level of involvement of 
186.24  the service coordinator shall depend on the needs and desires of 
186.25  the enrollee.  The service coordinator shall have the knowledge, 
186.26  skills, and abilities to, and is responsible for: 
186.27     (1) arranging for an initial assessment, and periodic 
186.28  reassessment as necessary, of supports and services based on the 
186.29  enrollee's strengths, needs, choices, and preferences in life 
186.30  domain areas; 
186.31     (2) developing and updating the personal support plan based 
186.32  on relevant ongoing assessment; 
186.33     (3) arranging for and coordinating the provisions of 
186.34  supports and services, including knowledgeable and skilled 
186.35  specialty services and prevention and early intervention 
186.36  services, within the limitations negotiated with the county 
187.1   administrative entity or service delivery organization; 
187.2      (4) assisting the enrollee and the enrollee's legal 
187.3   representative, if any, to maximize informed choice of and 
187.4   control over services and supports and to exercise the 
187.5   enrollee's rights and advocate on behalf of the enrollee; 
187.6      (5) monitoring the progress toward achieving the enrollee's 
187.7   outcomes in order to evaluate and adjust the timeliness and 
187.8   adequacy of the implementation of the personal support plan; 
187.9      (6) facilitating meetings and effectively collaborating 
187.10  with a variety of agencies and persons, including attending 
187.11  individual family service plan and individual education plan 
187.12  meetings when requested by the enrollee or the enrollee's legal 
187.13  representative; 
187.14     (7) soliciting and analyzing relevant information; 
187.15     (8) communicating effectively with the enrollee and with 
187.16  other individuals participating in the enrollee's plan; 
187.17     (9) educating and communicating effectively with the 
187.18  enrollee about good health care practices and risk to the 
187.19  enrollee's health with certain behaviors; 
187.20     (10) having knowledge of basic enrollee protection 
187.21  requirements, including data privacy; 
187.22     (11) informing, educating, and assisting the enrollee in 
187.23  identifying available service providers and accessing needed 
187.24  resources and services beyond the limitations of the medical 
187.25  assistance benefit set covered services; and 
187.26     (12) providing other services as identified in the personal 
187.27  support plan.  
187.28     (c) For the demonstration project, the qualifications and 
187.29  standards for service coordination in this section shall replace 
187.30  comparable existing provisions of existing statutes and rules 
187.31  governing case management for eligible individuals. 
187.32     (d) The provisions of this subdivision apply only to the 
187.33  demonstration sites that begin implementation on July 1, 1998 
187.34  designated by the commissioner under subdivision 5.  
187.35     All other demonstration sites must comply with laws and 
187.36  rules governing case management services for eligible 
188.1   individuals in effect when the site begins the demonstration 
188.2   project. 
188.3      Sec. 43.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
188.4   256D.03, subdivision 3, is amended to read: 
188.5      Subd. 3.  [GENERAL ASSISTANCE MEDICAL CARE; ELIGIBILITY.] 
188.6   (a) General assistance medical care may be paid for any person 
188.7   who is not eligible for medical assistance under chapter 256B, 
188.8   including eligibility for medical assistance based on a 
188.9   spenddown of excess income according to section 256B.056, 
188.10  subdivision 5, or MinnesotaCare as defined in clause (4) (5), 
188.11  except as provided in paragraph (b); and: 
188.12     (1) who is receiving assistance under section 256D.05, 
188.13  except for families with children who are eligible under 
188.14  Minnesota family investment program-statewide (MFIP-S), who is 
188.15  having a payment made on the person's behalf under sections 
188.16  256I.01 to 256I.06, or who resides in group residential housing 
188.17  as defined in chapter 256I and can meet a spenddown using the 
188.18  cost of remedial services received through group residential 
188.19  housing; or 
188.20     (2)(i) who is a resident of Minnesota; and whose equity in 
188.21  assets is not in excess of $1,000 per assistance unit.  Exempt 
188.22  assets, the reduction of excess assets, and the waiver of excess 
188.23  assets must conform to the medical assistance program in chapter 
188.24  256B, with the following exception:  the maximum amount of 
188.25  undistributed funds in a trust that could be distributed to or 
188.26  on behalf of the beneficiary by the trustee, assuming the full 
188.27  exercise of the trustee's discretion under the terms of the 
188.28  trust, must be applied toward the asset maximum; and 
188.29     (ii) who has countable income not in excess of the 
188.30  assistance standards established in section 256B.056, 
188.31  subdivision 4, or whose excess income is spent down according to 
188.32  section 256B.056, subdivision 5, using a six-month budget 
188.33  period.  The method for calculating earned income disregards and 
188.34  deductions for a person who resides with a dependent child under 
188.35  age 21 shall follow section 256B.056, subdivision 1a.  However, 
188.36  if a disregard of $30 and one-third of the remainder has been 
189.1   applied to the wage earner's income, the disregard shall not be 
189.2   applied again until the wage earner's income has not been 
189.3   considered in an eligibility determination for general 
189.4   assistance, general assistance medical care, medical assistance, 
189.5   or MFIP-S for 12 consecutive months.  The earned income and work 
189.6   expense deductions for a person who does not reside with a 
189.7   dependent child under age 21 shall be the same as the method 
189.8   used to determine eligibility for a person under section 
189.9   256D.06, subdivision 1, except the disregard of the first $50 of 
189.10  earned income is not allowed; or 
189.11     (3) who would be eligible for medical assistance except 
189.12  that the person resides in a facility that is determined by the 
189.13  commissioner or the federal Health Care Financing Administration 
189.14  to be an institution for mental diseases; or 
189.15     (4) who is receiving care and rehabilitation services from 
189.16  a nonprofit center established to serve victims of torture.  
189.17  These individuals are eligible for general assistance medical 
189.18  care only for the period during which they are receiving 
189.19  services from the center.  During this period of eligibility, 
189.20  individuals eligible under this clause shall not be required to 
189.21  participate in prepaid general assistance medical care. 
189.22     (4) (5) Beginning July 1, 1998, applicants or recipients 
189.23  who meet all eligibility requirements of MinnesotaCare as 
189.24  defined in sections 256L.01 to 256L.16, and are: 
189.25     (i) adults with dependent children under 21 whose gross 
189.26  family income is equal to or less than 275 percent of the 
189.27  federal poverty guidelines; or 
189.28     (ii) adults without children with earned income and whose 
189.29  family gross income is between 75 percent of the federal poverty 
189.30  guidelines and the amount set by section 256L.04, subdivision 7, 
189.31  shall be terminated from general assistance medical care upon 
189.32  enrollment in MinnesotaCare. 
189.33     (b) For services rendered on or after July 1, 1997, 
189.34  eligibility is limited to one month prior to application if the 
189.35  person is determined eligible in the prior month.  A 
189.36  redetermination of eligibility must occur every 12 months.  
190.1   Beginning July 1, 1998, Minnesota health care program 
190.2   applications completed by recipients and applicants who are 
190.3   persons described in paragraph (a), clause (4) (5), may be 
190.4   returned to the county agency to be forwarded to the department 
190.5   of human services or sent directly to the department of human 
190.6   services for enrollment in MinnesotaCare.  If all other 
190.7   eligibility requirements of this subdivision are met, 
190.8   eligibility for general assistance medical care shall be 
190.9   available in any month during which a MinnesotaCare eligibility 
190.10  determination and enrollment are pending.  Upon notification of 
190.11  eligibility for MinnesotaCare, notice of termination for 
190.12  eligibility for general assistance medical care shall be sent to 
190.13  an applicant or recipient.  If all other eligibility 
190.14  requirements of this subdivision are met, eligibility for 
190.15  general assistance medical care shall be available until 
190.16  enrollment in MinnesotaCare subject to the provisions of 
190.17  paragraph (d). 
190.18     (c) The date of an initial Minnesota health care program 
190.19  application necessary to begin a determination of eligibility 
190.20  shall be the date the applicant has provided a name, address, 
190.21  and social security number, signed and dated, to the county 
190.22  agency or the department of human services.  If the applicant is 
190.23  unable to provide an initial application when health care is 
190.24  delivered due to a medical condition or disability, a health 
190.25  care provider may act on the person's behalf to complete the 
190.26  initial application.  The applicant must complete the remainder 
190.27  of the application and provide necessary verification before 
190.28  eligibility can be determined.  The county agency must assist 
190.29  the applicant in obtaining verification if necessary. 
190.30     (d) County agencies are authorized to use all automated 
190.31  databases containing information regarding recipients' or 
190.32  applicants' income in order to determine eligibility for general 
190.33  assistance medical care or MinnesotaCare.  Such use shall be 
190.34  considered sufficient in order to determine eligibility and 
190.35  premium payments by the county agency. 
190.36     (e) General assistance medical care is not available for a 
191.1   person in a correctional facility unless the person is detained 
191.2   by law for less than one year in a county correctional or 
191.3   detention facility as a person accused or convicted of a crime, 
191.4   or admitted as an inpatient to a hospital on a criminal hold 
191.5   order, and the person is a recipient of general assistance 
191.6   medical care at the time the person is detained by law or 
191.7   admitted on a criminal hold order and as long as the person 
191.8   continues to meet other eligibility requirements of this 
191.9   subdivision.  
191.10     (f) General assistance medical care is not available for 
191.11  applicants or recipients who do not cooperate with the county 
191.12  agency to meet the requirements of medical assistance.  General 
191.13  assistance medical care is limited to payment of emergency 
191.14  services only for applicants or recipients as described in 
191.15  paragraph (a), clause (4) (5), whose MinnesotaCare coverage is 
191.16  denied or terminated for nonpayment of premiums as required by 
191.17  sections 256L.06 to 256L.08.  
191.18     (g) In determining the amount of assets of an individual, 
191.19  there shall be included any asset or interest in an asset, 
191.20  including an asset excluded under paragraph (a), that was given 
191.21  away, sold, or disposed of for less than fair market value 
191.22  within the 60 months preceding application for general 
191.23  assistance medical care or during the period of eligibility.  
191.24  Any transfer described in this paragraph shall be presumed to 
191.25  have been for the purpose of establishing eligibility for 
191.26  general assistance medical care, unless the individual furnishes 
191.27  convincing evidence to establish that the transaction was 
191.28  exclusively for another purpose.  For purposes of this 
191.29  paragraph, the value of the asset or interest shall be the fair 
191.30  market value at the time it was given away, sold, or disposed 
191.31  of, less the amount of compensation received.  For any 
191.32  uncompensated transfer, the number of months of ineligibility, 
191.33  including partial months, shall be calculated by dividing the 
191.34  uncompensated transfer amount by the average monthly per person 
191.35  payment made by the medical assistance program to skilled 
191.36  nursing facilities for the previous calendar year.  The 
192.1   individual shall remain ineligible until this fixed period has 
192.2   expired.  The period of ineligibility may exceed 30 months, and 
192.3   a reapplication for benefits after 30 months from the date of 
192.4   the transfer shall not result in eligibility unless and until 
192.5   the period of ineligibility has expired.  The period of 
192.6   ineligibility begins in the month the transfer was reported to 
192.7   the county agency, or if the transfer was not reported, the 
192.8   month in which the county agency discovered the transfer, 
192.9   whichever comes first.  For applicants, the period of 
192.10  ineligibility begins on the date of the first approved 
192.11  application. 
192.12     (h) When determining eligibility for any state benefits 
192.13  under this subdivision, the income and resources of all 
192.14  noncitizens shall be deemed to include their sponsor's income 
192.15  and resources as defined in the Personal Responsibility and Work 
192.16  Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, title IV, Public Law 
192.17  Number 104-193, sections 421 and 422, and subsequently set out 
192.18  in federal rules. 
192.19     (i)(1) An undocumented noncitizen or a nonimmigrant is 
192.20  ineligible for general assistance medical care other than 
192.21  emergency services.  For purposes of this subdivision, a 
192.22  nonimmigrant is an individual in one or more of the classes 
192.23  listed in United States Code, title 8, section 1101(a)(15), and 
192.24  an undocumented noncitizen is an individual who resides in the 
192.25  United States without the approval or acquiescence of the 
192.26  Immigration and Naturalization Service. 
192.27     (j) (2) This paragraph does not apply to a child under age 
192.28  18, to a Cuban or Haitian entrant as defined in Public Law 
192.29  Number 96-422, section 501(e)(1) or (2)(a), or to a noncitizen 
192.30  who is aged, blind, or disabled as defined in Code of Federal 
192.31  Regulations, title 42, sections 435.520, 435.530, 435.531, 
192.32  435.540, and 435.541, or to an individual eligible for general 
192.33  assistance medical care under paragraph (a), clause (4), who 
192.34  cooperates with the Immigration and Naturalization Service to 
192.35  pursue any applicable immigration status, including citizenship, 
192.36  that would qualify the individual for medical assistance with 
193.1   federal financial participation. 
193.2      (k) (3) For purposes of paragraphs (f) and (i) this 
193.3   paragraph, "emergency services" has the meaning given in Code of 
193.4   Federal Regulations, title 42, section 440.255(b)(1), except 
193.5   that it also means services rendered because of suspected or 
193.6   actual pesticide poisoning. 
193.7      (l) (j) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a 
193.8   noncitizen who is ineligible for medical assistance due to the 
193.9   deeming of a sponsor's income and resources, is ineligible for 
193.10  general assistance medical care. 
193.11     Sec. 44.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 256D.03, 
193.12  subdivision 4, is amended to read: 
193.13     Subd. 4.  [GENERAL ASSISTANCE MEDICAL CARE; SERVICES.] (a) 
193.14  For a person who is eligible under subdivision 3, paragraph (a), 
193.15  clause (3), general assistance medical care covers, except as 
193.16  provided in paragraph (c): 
193.17     (1) inpatient hospital services; 
193.18     (2) outpatient hospital services; 
193.19     (3) services provided by Medicare certified rehabilitation 
193.20  agencies; 
193.21     (4) prescription drugs and other products recommended 
193.22  through the process established in section 256B.0625, 
193.23  subdivision 13; 
193.24     (5) equipment necessary to administer insulin and 
193.25  diagnostic supplies and equipment for diabetics to monitor blood 
193.26  sugar level; 
193.27     (6) eyeglasses and eye examinations provided by a physician 
193.28  or optometrist; 
193.29     (7) hearing aids; 
193.30     (8) prosthetic devices; 
193.31     (9) laboratory and X-ray services; 
193.32     (10) physician's services; 
193.33     (11) medical transportation; 
193.34     (12) chiropractic services as covered under the medical 
193.35  assistance program; 
193.36     (13) podiatric services; 
194.1      (14) dental services; 
194.2      (15) outpatient services provided by a mental health center 
194.3   or clinic that is under contract with the county board and is 
194.4   established under section 245.62; 
194.5      (16) day treatment services for mental illness provided 
194.6   under contract with the county board; 
194.7      (17) prescribed medications for persons who have been 
194.8   diagnosed as mentally ill as necessary to prevent more 
194.9   restrictive institutionalization; 
194.10     (18) case management services for a person with serious and 
194.11  persistent mental illness who would be eligible for medical 
194.12  assistance except that the person resides in an institution for 
194.13  mental diseases; 
194.14     (19) psychological services, medical supplies and 
194.15  equipment, and Medicare premiums, coinsurance and deductible 
194.16  payments; 
194.17     (20) (19) medical equipment not specifically listed in this 
194.18  paragraph when the use of the equipment will prevent the need 
194.19  for costlier services that are reimbursable under this 
194.20  subdivision; 
194.21     (21) (20) services performed by a certified pediatric nurse 
194.22  practitioner, a certified family nurse practitioner, a certified 
194.23  adult nurse practitioner, a certified obstetric/gynecological 
194.24  nurse practitioner, or a certified geriatric nurse practitioner 
194.25  in independent practice, if the services are otherwise covered 
194.26  under this chapter as a physician service, and if the service is 
194.27  within the scope of practice of the nurse practitioner's license 
194.28  as a registered nurse, as defined in section 148.171; and 
194.29     (22) (21) services of a certified public health nurse or a 
194.30  registered nurse practicing in a public health nursing clinic 
194.31  that is a department of, or that operates under the direct 
194.32  authority of, a unit of government, if the service is within the 
194.33  scope of practice of the public health nurse's license as a 
194.34  registered nurse, as defined in section 148.171.  
194.35     (b) Except as provided in paragraph (c), for a recipient 
194.36  who is eligible under subdivision 3, paragraph (a), clause (1) 
195.1   or (2), general assistance medical care covers the services 
195.2   listed in paragraph (a) with the exception of special 
195.3   transportation services. 
195.4      (c) Gender reassignment surgery and related services are 
195.5   not covered services under this subdivision unless the 
195.6   individual began receiving gender reassignment services prior to 
195.7   July 1, 1995.  
195.8      (d) In order to contain costs, the commissioner of human 
195.9   services shall select vendors of medical care who can provide 
195.10  the most economical care consistent with high medical standards 
195.11  and shall where possible contract with organizations on a 
195.12  prepaid capitation basis to provide these services.  The 
195.13  commissioner shall consider proposals by counties and vendors 
195.14  for prepaid health plans, competitive bidding programs, block 
195.15  grants, or other vendor payment mechanisms designed to provide 
195.16  services in an economical manner or to control utilization, with 
195.17  safeguards to ensure that necessary services are provided.  
195.18  Before implementing prepaid programs in counties with a county 
195.19  operated or affiliated public teaching hospital or a hospital or 
195.20  clinic operated by the University of Minnesota, the commissioner 
195.21  shall consider the risks the prepaid program creates for the 
195.22  hospital and allow the county or hospital the opportunity to 
195.23  participate in the program in a manner that reflects the risk of 
195.24  adverse selection and the nature of the patients served by the 
195.25  hospital, provided the terms of participation in the program are 
195.26  competitive with the terms of other participants considering the 
195.27  nature of the population served.  Payment for services provided 
195.28  pursuant to this subdivision shall be as provided to medical 
195.29  assistance vendors of these services under sections 256B.02, 
195.30  subdivision 8, and 256B.0625.  For payments made during fiscal 
195.31  year 1990 and later years, the commissioner shall consult with 
195.32  an independent actuary in establishing prepayment rates, but 
195.33  shall retain final control over the rate methodology.  
195.34  Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivision 3, an individual 
195.35  who becomes ineligible for general assistance medical care 
195.36  because of failure to submit income reports or recertification 
196.1   forms in a timely manner, shall remain enrolled in the prepaid 
196.2   health plan and shall remain eligible for general assistance 
196.3   medical care coverage through the last day of the month in which 
196.4   the enrollee became ineligible for general assistance medical 
196.5   care. 
196.6      (e) The commissioner of human services may reduce payments 
196.7   provided under sections 256D.01 to 256D.21 and 261.23 in order 
196.8   to remain within the amount appropriated for general assistance 
196.9   medical care, within the following restrictions.: 
196.10     (i) For the period July 1, 1985 to December 31, 1985, 
196.11  reductions below the cost per service unit allowable under 
196.12  section 256.966, are permitted only as follows:  payments for 
196.13  inpatient and outpatient hospital care provided in response to a 
196.14  primary diagnosis of chemical dependency or mental illness may 
196.15  be reduced no more than 30 percent; payments for all other 
196.16  inpatient hospital care may be reduced no more than 20 percent.  
196.17  Reductions below the payments allowable under general assistance 
196.18  medical care for the remaining general assistance medical care 
196.19  services allowable under this subdivision may be reduced no more 
196.20  than ten percent. 
196.21     (ii) For the period January 1, 1986 to December 31, 1986, 
196.22  reductions below the cost per service unit allowable under 
196.23  section 256.966 are permitted only as follows:  payments for 
196.24  inpatient and outpatient hospital care provided in response to a 
196.25  primary diagnosis of chemical dependency or mental illness may 
196.26  be reduced no more than 20 percent; payments for all other 
196.27  inpatient hospital care may be reduced no more than 15 percent.  
196.28  Reductions below the payments allowable under general assistance 
196.29  medical care for the remaining general assistance medical care 
196.30  services allowable under this subdivision may be reduced no more 
196.31  than five percent. 
196.32     (iii) For the period January 1, 1987 to June 30, 1987, 
196.33  reductions below the cost per service unit allowable under 
196.34  section 256.966 are permitted only as follows:  payments for 
196.35  inpatient and outpatient hospital care provided in response to a 
196.36  primary diagnosis of chemical dependency or mental illness may 
197.1   be reduced no more than 15 percent; payments for all other 
197.2   inpatient hospital care may be reduced no more than ten 
197.3   percent.  Reductions below the payments allowable under medical 
197.4   assistance for the remaining general assistance medical care 
197.5   services allowable under this subdivision may be reduced no more 
197.6   than five percent.  
197.7      (iv) For the period July 1, 1987 to June 30, 1988, 
197.8   reductions below the cost per service unit allowable under 
197.9   section 256.966 are permitted only as follows:  payments for 
197.10  inpatient and outpatient hospital care provided in response to a 
197.11  primary diagnosis of chemical dependency or mental illness may 
197.12  be reduced no more than 15 percent; payments for all other 
197.13  inpatient hospital care may be reduced no more than five percent.
197.14  Reductions below the payments allowable under medical assistance 
197.15  for the remaining general assistance medical care services 
197.16  allowable under this subdivision may be reduced no more than 
197.17  five percent. 
197.18     (v) For the period July 1, 1988 to June 30, 1989, 
197.19  reductions below the cost per service unit allowable under 
197.20  section 256.966 are permitted only as follows:  payments for 
197.21  inpatient and outpatient hospital care provided in response to a 
197.22  primary diagnosis of chemical dependency or mental illness may 
197.23  be reduced no more than 15 percent; payments for all other 
197.24  inpatient hospital care may not be reduced.  Reductions below 
197.25  the payments allowable under medical assistance for the 
197.26  remaining general assistance medical care services allowable 
197.27  under this subdivision may be reduced no more than five percent. 
197.28     (f) There shall be no copayment required of any recipient 
197.29  of benefits for any services provided under this subdivision.  A 
197.30  hospital receiving a reduced payment as a result of this section 
197.31  may apply the unpaid balance toward satisfaction of the 
197.32  hospital's bad debts. 
197.33     (f) (g) Any county may, from its own resources, provide 
197.34  medical payments for which state payments are not made. 
197.35     (g) (h) Chemical dependency services that are reimbursed 
197.36  under chapter 254B must not be reimbursed under general 
198.1   assistance medical care. 
198.2      (h) (i) The maximum payment for new vendors enrolled in the 
198.3   general assistance medical care program after the base year 
198.4   shall be determined from the average usual and customary charge 
198.5   of the same vendor type enrolled in the base year. 
198.6      (i) (j) The conditions of payment for services under this 
198.7   subdivision are the same as the conditions specified in rules 
198.8   adopted under chapter 256B governing the medical assistance 
198.9   program, unless otherwise provided by statute or rule. 
198.10     Sec. 45.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 256D.03, is 
198.11  amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
198.12     Subd. 9.  [PAYMENT FOR AMBULANCE SERVICES.] Effective July 
198.13  1, 1999, general assistance medical care payments for ambulance 
198.14  services shall be increased by ten percent.  
198.15     Sec. 46.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
198.16  256L.07, subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
198.17     Subd. 2.  [MUST NOT HAVE ACCESS TO EMPLOYER-SUBSIDIZED 
198.18  COVERAGE.] (a) To be eligible for subsidized premium payments 
198.19  based on a sliding scale, a family or individual must not have 
198.20  access to subsidized health coverage through an employer, and 
198.21  must not have had access to subsidized health coverage through 
198.22  an employer for the 18 months prior to application for 
198.23  subsidized coverage under the MinnesotaCare program.  The 
198.24  requirement that the family or individual must not have had 
198.25  access to employer-subsidized coverage during the previous 18 
198.26  months does not apply if:  (1) employer-subsidized coverage was 
198.27  lost due to the death of an employee or divorce; (2) 
198.28  employer-subsidized coverage was lost because an individual 
198.29  became ineligible for coverage as a child or dependent; or (3) 
198.30  employer-subsidized coverage was lost for reasons that would not 
198.31  disqualify the individual for unemployment benefits under 
198.32  section 268.09 and the family or individual has not had access 
198.33  to employer-subsidized coverage since the loss of coverage.  If 
198.34  employer-subsidized coverage was lost for reasons that 
198.35  disqualify an individual for unemployment benefits under section 
198.36  268.09, children of that individual are exempt from the 
199.1   requirement of no access to employer subsidized coverage for the 
199.2   18 months prior to application, as long as the children have not 
199.3   had access to employer subsidized coverage since the 
199.4   disqualifying event.  The requirement that the family or 
199.5   individual must not have had access to employer-subsidized 
199.6   coverage during the previous 18 months does apply if 
199.7   employer-subsidized coverage is lost due to an employer 
199.8   terminating health care coverage as an employee benefit, unless 
199.9   that coverage was provided under section 256M.03.  
199.10     (b) For purposes of this requirement, subsidized health 
199.11  coverage means health coverage for which the employer pays at 
199.12  least 50 percent of the cost of coverage for the employee, 
199.13  excluding dependent coverage, or a higher percentage as 
199.14  specified by the commissioner.  Children are eligible for 
199.15  employer-subsidized coverage through either parent, including 
199.16  the noncustodial parent.  The commissioner must treat employer 
199.17  contributions to Internal Revenue Code Section 125 plans as 
199.18  qualified employer subsidies toward the cost of health coverage 
199.19  for employees for purposes of this subdivision. 
199.20     Sec. 47.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
199.21  256L.07, subdivision 3, is amended to read: 
199.22     Subd. 3.  [PERIOD UNINSURED.] To be eligible for subsidized 
199.23  premium payments based on a sliding scale, families and 
199.24  individuals initially enrolled in the MinnesotaCare program 
199.25  under section 256L.04, subdivisions 5 and 7, must have had no 
199.26  health coverage for at least four months prior to application.  
199.27  The commissioner may change this eligibility criterion for 
199.28  sliding scale premiums in order to remain within the limits of 
199.29  available appropriations.  The requirement of at least four 
199.30  months of no health coverage prior to application for the 
199.31  MinnesotaCare program does not apply to: 
199.32     (1) families, children, and individuals who apply for the 
199.33  MinnesotaCare program upon termination from or as required by 
199.34  the medical assistance program, general assistance medical care 
199.35  program, or coverage under a regional demonstration project for 
199.36  the uninsured funded under section 256B.73, the Hennepin county 
200.1   assured care program, or the Group Health, Inc., community 
200.2   health plan; 
200.3      (2) families and individuals initially enrolled under 
200.4   section 256L.04, subdivisions 1, paragraph (a), and 3; 
200.5      (3) children enrolled pursuant to Laws 1992, chapter 549, 
200.6   article 4, section 17; or 
200.7      (4) individuals currently serving or who have served in the 
200.8   military reserves, and dependents of these individuals, if these 
200.9   individuals:  (i) reapply for MinnesotaCare coverage after a 
200.10  period of active military service during which they had been 
200.11  covered by the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the 
200.12  Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS); (ii) were covered under 
200.13  MinnesotaCare immediately prior to obtaining coverage under 
200.14  CHAMPUS; and (iii) have maintained continuous coverage; or 
200.15     (5) children who lose coverage under section 256M.03 due to 
200.16  an employer terminating health coverage as an employee benefit 
200.17  or due to an employee layoff. 
200.18     Sec. 48.  [256M.01] [DEFINITIONS.] 
200.19     Subdivision 1.  [APPLICABILITY.] For purposes of this 
200.20  chapter, the terms defined in this section have the meanings 
200.21  given. 
200.22     Subd. 2.  [COMMISSIONER.] "Commissioner" means the 
200.23  commissioner of human services. 
200.24     Subd. 3.  [EMPLOYER-SUBSIDIZED 
200.25  INSURANCE.] "Employer-subsidized insurance" has the meaning 
200.26  provided in section 256L.07, subdivision 2. 
200.27     Sec. 49.  [256M.03] [COVERAGE OF CHILDREN INELIGIBLE FOR 
200.28  MINNESOTACARE.] 
200.29     Subdivision 1.  [PAYMENTS FOR EMPLOYER-SUBSIDIZED 
200.30  COVERAGE.] A child who would otherwise be eligible for coverage 
200.31  under MinnesotaCare, except for the availability of 
200.32  employer-subsidized coverage, is eligible for payment of the 
200.33  employee share of employer-subsidized coverage for the child 
200.34  under the state children's health insurance program established 
200.35  in title 21 of the Social Security Act, according to the sliding 
200.36  scale in subdivision 2.  In order to be eligible under this 
201.1   subdivision, a child must not have employer-subsidized coverage 
201.2   at the time of application for payment, and the 
201.3   employer-subsidized coverage must qualify as benchmark coverage 
201.4   or benchmark equivalent coverage under title 21 of the Social 
201.5   Security Act, section 2103.  Payments shall be made directly to 
201.6   the employer providing employer-subsidized insurance. 
201.7      Subd. 2.  [SLIDING SCALE PAYMENTS.] Upon federal approval 
201.8   of the plan, the commissioner shall pay the difference of the 
201.9   MinnesotaCare sliding premium scale as specified in Minnesota 
201.10  Statutes, section 256L.08, up to a maximum of five percent of 
201.11  the qualifying family's income and the employee share of the 
201.12  coverage. 
201.13     Subd. 3.  [LIMITATION.] The availability of payments under 
201.14  this section is subject to the limits of available 
201.15  appropriations.  The commissioner may set limits on the number 
201.16  of children receiving payments under this section, or modify 
201.17  payment levels, in order to remain within the limits of 
201.18  appropriations. 
201.19     Subd. 4.  [ADVISORY TASK FORCE.] The commissioner shall 
201.20  convene an advisory task force comprised of representatives of 
201.21  small businesses, health plan companies, and insurance agents in 
201.22  order to develop a plan to implement this section. 
201.23     Sec. 50.  [256M.05] [MAINTENANCE OF EMPLOYER SUBSIDY.] 
201.24     Employers providing employer-subsidized coverage to 
201.25  employees who receive payments on behalf of an employee eligible 
201.26  under section 256M.03, subdivision 1, shall maintain at least 
201.27  the same percentage level of subsidy for employee and family 
201.28  coverage that was in place on July 1, 1998, for a period of one 
201.29  year following receipt of the initial payment for an eligible 
201.30  employee.  After the initial year, an employer may not decrease 
201.31  the percentage level of subsidy to employee and family coverage 
201.32  by more than five percentage points. 
201.33     Sec. 51.  Laws 1997, chapter 195, section 5, is amended to 
201.34  read: 
201.35     Sec. 5.  [PERSONAL CARE ASSISTANT PROVIDERS.] 
201.36     The commissioner of health shall create a unique category 
202.1   of licensure as appropriate for providers offering, providing, 
202.2   or arranging personal care assistant services to more than one 
202.3   individual.  The commissioner shall work with the department of 
202.4   human services, providers, consumers, and advocates in 
202.5   developing the licensure standards.  The licensure standards 
202.6   must include requirements for providers to provide consumers 
202.7   advance written notice of service termination, a service 
202.8   transition plan, and an appeal process.  If the commissioner 
202.9   determines there are costs related to rulemaking under this 
202.10  section, the commissioner shall include a budget request for 
202.11  this item in the 2000-2001 biennial budget.  Prior to 
202.12  promulgating the rule, the commissioner shall submit the 
202.13  proposed rule to the legislature by January 15, 1999.  
202.14     Sec. 52.  Laws 1997, chapter 203, article 4, section 64, is 
202.15  amended to read:  
202.16     Sec. 64.  [STUDY OF ELDERLY WAIVER EXPANSION.] 
202.17     The commissioner of human services shall appoint a task 
202.18  force that includes representatives of counties, health plans, 
202.19  consumers, and legislators to study the impact of the expansion 
202.20  of the elderly waiver program under section 4 and to make 
202.21  recommendations for any changes in law necessary to facilitate 
202.22  an efficient and equitable relationship between the elderly 
202.23  waiver program and the Minnesota senior health options project.  
202.24  Based on the results of the task force study, the commissioner 
202.25  may seek any federal waivers needed to improve the relationship 
202.26  between the elderly waiver and the Minnesota senior health 
202.27  options project.  The commissioner shall report the results of 
202.28  the task force study to the legislature by January 15, 1998 July 
202.29  1, 2000. 
202.30     Sec. 53.  Laws 1997, chapter 225, article 2, section 64, is 
202.31  amended to read: 
202.32     Sec. 64.  [EFFECTIVE DATE.] 
202.33     Section 8 is effective for payments made for MinnesotaCare 
202.34  services on or after July 1, 1996.  Section 23 is effective the 
202.35  day following final enactment.  Section 46 is effective January 
202.36  1, 1998, and applies to high deductible health plans issued or 
203.1   renewed on or after that date. 
203.2      Sec. 54.  [SUBMITTAL OF PLAN TO ACCESS STATE CHILDREN'S 
203.3   HEALTH INSURANCE FUNDING.] 
203.4      The commissioner of human services shall submit a plan to 
203.5   implement Minnesota Statutes, sections 256M.01 to 256M.05, to 
203.6   the secretary of health and human services, in order to obtain 
203.7   funding through the state children's health insurance program 
203.8   established in title 21 of the Social Security Act.  The 
203.9   commissioner shall also request a waiver to purchase family 
203.10  coverage as specified in title 21 of the Social Security Act, 
203.11  section 2105(c)(3).  Upon approval of the waiver, the 
203.12  commissioner shall expand the definition of those eligible for 
203.13  coverage under Minnesota Statutes, section 256M.03, to include 
203.14  all adults eligible for coverage under the employee's policy. 
203.15     Sec. 55.  [OFFSET OF HMO SURCHARGE.] 
203.16     Beginning October 1, 1998, and ending December 31, 1998, 
203.17  the commissioner of human services shall offset monthly charges 
203.18  for the health maintenance organization surcharge by the monthly 
203.19  amount the health maintenance organization overpaid from August 
203.20  1, 1997, to September 30, 1998, due to taxation of Medicare 
203.21  revenues prohibited by section 256.9657, subdivision 3. 
203.22     Sec. 56.  [MR/RC WAIVER PROPOSAL.] 
203.23     By November 15, 1998, the commissioner of human services 
203.24  shall provide to the chairs of the house health and human 
203.25  services finance division and the senate health and family 
203.26  security finance division a detailed budget proposal for 
203.27  providing services under the home and community-based waiver for 
203.28  persons with mental retardation or related conditions to those 
203.29  individuals who are screened and waiting for services. 
203.30     Sec. 57.  [COVERAGE OF REHABILITATIVE AND THERAPEUTIC 
203.31  SERVICES.] 
203.32     (a) The threshold limits for fee-for-service medical 
203.33  assistance rehabilitative and therapeutic services for January 
203.34  1, 1998 through June 30, 1999, shall be the limits prescribed in 
203.35  the department of human services health care programs provider 
203.36  manual for calendar year 1997.  Rehabilitative and therapeutic 
204.1   services are:  occupational therapy services provided to medical 
204.2   assistance recipients pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, section 
204.3   256B.0625, subdivision 8; physical therapy services provided to 
204.4   medical assistance recipients pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, 
204.5   section 256B.0625, subdivision 8a; and speech language pathology 
204.6   services provided to medical assistance recipients pursuant to 
204.7   Minnesota Rules, part 9505.0390. 
204.8      (b) The commissioner of human services, in consultation 
204.9   with the department of human services rehabilitative work group, 
204.10  shall report to the chair of the senate health and family 
204.11  security committee and the chair of the house health and human 
204.12  services committee by January 15, 1999, recommendations and 
204.13  proposed legislation for the appropriate level of rehabilitative 
204.14  services delivered to medical assistance recipients before prior 
204.15  authorization.  The recommendations shall also include proposed 
204.16  legislation to clarify the rehabilitative and therapeutic 
204.17  benefit set for medical assistance, as well as the appropriate 
204.18  response time for requests for prior authorization.  
204.19     Sec. 58.  [DISPROPORTIONATE SHARE ADJUSTMENT FOR DENTAL 
204.20  SERVICES.] 
204.21     The commissioner of human services shall develop a 
204.22  disproportionate share adjustment for dental services provided 
204.23  under the medical assistance, general assistance medical care, 
204.24  and MinnesotaCare programs.  The adjustment must provide 
204.25  progressive increases above current fee-for-service rates for 
204.26  dental providers whose medical assistance, general assistance 
204.27  medical care, and MinnesotaCare caseloads in total comprise more 
204.28  than specified percentages of their total caseloads.  The 
204.29  disproportionate share adjustment must also apply to managed 
204.30  care capitation rates. 
204.31     The commissioner shall present recommendations and proposed 
204.32  legislation for a disproportionate share adjustment to the 
204.33  legislature by December 15, 1998.  
204.34     Sec. 59.  [REPORT ON COUNTY ALLOCATIONS.] 
204.35     Beginning August 1, 1998, the commissioner of human 
204.36  services shall issue an annual report on the home and 
205.1   community-based waiver for persons with mental retardation or a 
205.2   related condition, which includes a list of the counties in 
205.3   which less than 95 percent of the allocation provided, excluding 
205.4   the county waivered services reserve, has been committed for two 
205.5   or more quarters during the previous state fiscal year.  For 
205.6   each listed county, the report shall include the amount of funds 
205.7   allocated but not used, the number and ages of individuals 
205.8   screened and waiting for services, the services needed, a 
205.9   description of the technical assistance provided by the 
205.10  commissioner to assist the county in jointly planning with other 
205.11  counties in order to serve more persons, and additional actions 
205.12  which will be taken to serve those screened and waiting for 
205.13  services. 
205.14     Sec. 60.  [DENTAL ACCESS.] 
205.15     The commissioner of human services shall make 
205.16  recommendations to the legislature by February 1, 1999, on how 
205.17  access to dental services for medical assistance, general 
205.18  assistance medical care, and MinnesotaCare enrollees could be 
205.19  expanded.  In preparing the recommendations, the commissioner 
205.20  shall consult with consumers, the board of dentistry, dental 
205.21  providers, the dental hygiene association, consumer advocates, 
205.22  legislators, and other affected parties.  
205.23     Sec. 61.  [REPORT BY UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA ACADEMIC 
205.24  HEALTH CENTER.] 
205.25     The University of Minnesota academic health center, after 
205.26  consultation with the health care community and the medical 
205.27  education and research cost (MERC) advisory committee, is 
205.28  requested to report to the commissioner of health and the 
205.29  legislative commission on health care access by January 15, 
205.30  1999, on plans for the strategic direction and vision of the 
205.31  academic health center.  The report shall address plans for the 
205.32  ongoing assessment of health provider workforce needs; plans for 
205.33  the ongoing assessment of the educational needs of health 
205.34  professionals and the implications for their education and 
205.35  training programs; and plans for ongoing, meaningful input from 
205.36  the health care community on health-related research and 
206.1   education programs administered by the academic health center. 
206.2      Sec. 62.  [COUNTY BILLING BY CLINICS.] 
206.3      Clinics that (1) serve the primary health care needs of 
206.4   low-income population groups; (2) use a sliding fee scale based 
206.5   on ability to pay and do not limit access to care because of 
206.6   financial limitations of the client; and (3) are nonprofit under 
206.7   Minnesota Statutes, chapter 317, or are federally qualified 
206.8   health centers, shall be eligible for a special payment for 
206.9   uncompensated care.  The clinics may bill a county of residence 
206.10  for services provided to a resident of that county provided: 
206.11     (1) the patient is from a county other than that in which 
206.12  the clinic resides; and 
206.13     (2) the clinic has made a preliminary determination at the 
206.14  delivery of service that the patient was indigent based on 
206.15  current medical assistance guidelines. 
206.16     Counties that are billed under this program shall pay 
206.17  eligible clinics at the rates established under the medical 
206.18  assistance program.  If the county can establish eligibility for 
206.19  medical assistance after the service has been delivered, the 
206.20  state shall reimburse the county for any funds paid to the 
206.21  eligible clinic. 
206.22     Sec. 63.  [RECOMMENDATIONS FOR RECYCLING PROGRAM.] 
206.23     The commissioner of human services shall develop 
206.24  recommendations for a recycling program for used augmentative 
206.25  and alternative communications systems that would allow these 
206.26  systems to be reissued and used for trials and short-term use, 
206.27  when appropriate.  The commissioner shall present 
206.28  recommendations to the legislature by December 15, 1998. 
206.29     Sec. 64.  [REPEALER.] 
206.30     Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 144.0721, subdivision 3a; 
206.31  and Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, sections 144.0721, 
206.32  subdivision 3; and 256B.0913, subdivision 15, are repealed. 
206.33     Sec. 65.  [EFFECTIVE DATES.] 
206.34     (a) Section 8 (256.9657, subdivision 3) is effective 
206.35  retroactive to August 1, 1997.  
206.36     (b) Sections 14 (256B.055, subdivision 7a) and 17 (256B.06, 
207.1   subdivision 4) are effective retroactive to July 1, 1997. 
207.2      (c) Sections 12 (256.969, subdivision 17), 19 (256B.0625, 
207.3   subdivision 20), and 44 (256D.03, subdivision 4) are effective 
207.4   January 1, 1999. 
207.5      (d) Section 25 (256B.0645) is effective for changes in 
207.6   eligibility that occur on or after July 1, 1998. 
207.7      (e) Sections 5 (245.462, subdivision 8) and 36 (256B.69, 
207.8   subdivision 25) are effective 30 days after final enactment.  
207.9      (f) Section 24 (256B.0627, subdivision 8), related to 
207.10  shared care, and section 57 (coverage of rehab.) are effective 
207.11  the day following final enactment. 
207.12     (g) Sections 18 and 45 (256B.0625, subdivision 17a, and 
207.13  256D.03, subdivision 9) are effective July 1, 1999. 
207.14     (h) Sections 46 to 50 (256L.07, subdivision 2; 256L.07, 
207.15  subdivision 3; 256M.01; 256M.03; 256M.05) are effective only if 
207.16  federal funding under the state children's health insurance 
207.17  program is made available to the state and legislative approval 
207.18  has been obtained.  If the funding is made available and 
207.19  legislative approval has been obtained, sections 46 to 50 are 
207.20  effective on the date specified in the state plan.  The 
207.21  commissioner of human services shall publish a notice in the 
207.22  State Register if federal funding is made available to implement 
207.23  sections 46 to 50 and shall notify the revisor of statutes.  
207.24  Section 54 (Submittal of plan) is effective the day following 
207.25  final enactment. 
207.26                             ARTICLE 5 
207.27                           MINNESOTACARE 
207.28     Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
207.29  60A.15, subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
207.30     Subdivision 1.  [DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN COMPANIES.] (a) On or 
207.31  before April 1, June 1, and December 1 of each year, every 
207.32  domestic and foreign company, including town and farmers' mutual 
207.33  insurance companies, domestic mutual insurance companies, marine 
207.34  insurance companies, health maintenance organizations, community 
207.35  integrated service networks, and nonprofit health service plan 
207.36  corporations, shall pay to the commissioner of revenue 
208.1   installments equal to one-third of the insurer's total estimated 
208.2   tax for the current year.  Except as provided in paragraphs (d), 
208.3   (e), (h), and (i), installments must be based on a sum equal to 
208.4   two percent of the premiums described in paragraph (b). 
208.5      (b) Installments under paragraph (a), (d), or (e) are 
208.6   percentages of gross premiums less return premiums on all direct 
208.7   business received by the insurer in this state, or by its agents 
208.8   for it, in cash or otherwise, during such year. 
208.9      (c) Failure of a company to make payments of at least 
208.10  one-third of either (1) the total tax paid during the previous 
208.11  calendar year or (2) 80 percent of the actual tax for the 
208.12  current calendar year shall subject the company to the penalty 
208.13  and interest provided in this section, unless the total tax for 
208.14  the current tax year is $500 or less. 
208.15     (d) For health maintenance organizations, nonprofit health 
208.16  service plan corporations, and community integrated service 
208.17  networks, the installments must be based on an amount determined 
208.18  under paragraph (h) or (i). 
208.19     (e) For purposes of computing installments for town and 
208.20  farmers' mutual insurance companies and for mutual property 
208.21  casualty companies with total assets on December 31, 1989, of 
208.22  $1,600,000,000 or less, the following rates apply: 
208.23     (1) for all life insurance, two percent; 
208.24     (2) for town and farmers' mutual insurance companies and 
208.25  for mutual property and casualty companies with total assets of 
208.26  $5,000,000 or less, on all other coverages, one percent; and 
208.27     (3) for mutual property and casualty companies with total 
208.28  assets on December 31, 1989, of $1,600,000,000 or less, on all 
208.29  other coverages, 1.26 percent. 
208.30     (f) If the aggregate amount of premium tax payments under 
208.31  this section and the fire marshal tax payments under section 
208.32  299F.21 made during a calendar year is equal to or exceeds 
208.33  $120,000, all tax payments in the subsequent calendar year must 
208.34  be paid by means of a funds transfer as defined in section 
208.35  336.4A-104, paragraph (a).  The funds transfer payment date, as 
208.36  defined in section 336.4A-401, must be on or before the date the 
209.1   payment is due.  If the date the payment is due is not a funds 
209.2   transfer business day, as defined in section 336.4A-105, 
209.3   paragraph (a), clause (4), the payment date must be on or before 
209.4   the funds transfer business day next following the date the 
209.5   payment is due.  
209.6      (g) Premiums under medical assistance, general assistance 
209.7   medical care, the MinnesotaCare program, and the Minnesota 
209.8   comprehensive health insurance plan and all payments, revenues, 
209.9   and reimbursements received from the federal government for 
209.10  Medicare-related coverage as defined in section 62A.31, 
209.11  subdivision 3, paragraph (e), are not subject to tax under this 
209.12  section. 
209.13     (h) For calendar years 1997, 1998, and 1999, the 
209.14  installments for health maintenance organizations, community 
209.15  integrated service networks, and nonprofit health service plan 
209.16  corporations must be based on an amount equal to one percent of 
209.17  premiums described under paragraph (b).  Health maintenance 
209.18  organizations, community integrated service networks, and 
209.19  nonprofit health service plan corporations that have met the 
209.20  cost containment goals established under section 62J.04 in the 
209.21  individual and small employer market for calendar year 1996 are 
209.22  exempt from payment of the tax imposed under this section for 
209.23  premiums paid after March 30, 1997, and before April 1, 1998.  
209.24  Health maintenance organizations, community integrated service 
209.25  networks, and nonprofit health service plan corporations that 
209.26  have met the cost containment goals established under section 
209.27  62J.04 in the individual and small employer market for calendar 
209.28  year 1997 are exempt from payment of the tax imposed under this 
209.29  section for premiums paid after March 30, 1998, and before April 
209.30  1, 1999.  Health maintenance organizations, community integrated 
209.31  service networks, and nonprofit health service plan corporations 
209.32  that have met the cost containment goals established under 
209.33  section 62J.04 in the individual and small employer market for 
209.34  calendar year 1998 are exempt from payment of the tax imposed 
209.35  under this section for premiums paid after March 30, 1999, and 
209.36  before January 1, 2000.  
210.1      (i) For calendar years after 1999, the commissioner of 
210.2   finance shall determine the balance of the health care access 
210.3   fund on September 1 of each year beginning September 1, 1999.  
210.4   If the commissioner determines that there is no structural 
210.5   deficit for the next fiscal year, no tax shall be imposed under 
210.6   paragraph (d) for the following calendar year.  If the 
210.7   commissioner determines that there will be a structural deficit 
210.8   in the fund for the following fiscal year, then the 
210.9   commissioner, in consultation with the commissioner of revenue, 
210.10  shall determine the amount needed to eliminate the structural 
210.11  deficit and a tax shall be imposed under paragraph (d) for the 
210.12  following calendar year.  The commissioner shall determine the 
210.13  rate of the tax as either one-quarter of one percent, one-half 
210.14  of one percent, three-quarters of one percent, or one percent of 
210.15  premiums described in paragraph (b), whichever is the lowest of 
210.16  those rates that the commissioner determines will produce 
210.17  sufficient revenue to eliminate the projected structural 
210.18  deficit.  The commissioner of finance shall publish in the State 
210.19  Register by October 1 of each year the amount of tax to be 
210.20  imposed for the following calendar year. 
210.21     (j) In approving the premium rates as required in sections 
210.22  62L.08, subdivision 8, and 62A.65, subdivision 3, the 
210.23  commissioners of health and commerce shall ensure that any 
210.24  exemption from the tax as described in paragraphs (h) and (i) is 
210.25  reflected in the premium rate. 
210.26     Sec. 2.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
210.27  256B.04, subdivision 18, is amended to read: 
210.28     Subd. 18.  [APPLICATIONS FOR MEDICAL ASSISTANCE.] The state 
210.29  agency may take applications for medical assistance and conduct 
210.30  eligibility determinations for MinnesotaCare enrollees who are 
210.31  required to apply for medical assistance according to section 
210.32  256L.03, subdivision 3, paragraph (b). 
210.33     Sec. 3.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 256B.057, is 
210.34  amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
210.35     Subd. 7.  [WAIVER OF MAINTENANCE OF EFFORT REQUIREMENT.] 
210.36  Unless a federal waiver of the maintenance of effort requirement 
211.1   of section 2105(d) of title XXI of the Balanced Budget Act of 
211.2   1997, Public Law Number 105-33, Statutes at Large, volume 111, 
211.3   page 251, is granted by the federal Department of Health and 
211.4   Human Services by September 30, 1998, eligibility for children 
211.5   under age 21 must be determined without regard to asset 
211.6   standards established in section 256B.056, subdivision 3.  The 
211.7   commissioner of human services shall publish a notice in the 
211.8   State Register upon receipt of a federal waiver. 
211.9      Sec. 4.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 256B.057, is 
211.10  amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
211.11     Subd. 8.  [CHILDREN UNDER AGE TWO.] Medical assistance may 
211.12  be paid for a child under two years of age whose countable 
211.13  family income is above 275 percent of the federal poverty 
211.14  guidelines for the same size family but less than or equal to 
211.15  280 percent of the federal poverty guidelines for the same size 
211.16  family. 
211.17     Sec. 5.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
211.18  256D.03, subdivision 3, is amended to read: 
211.19     Subd. 3.  [GENERAL ASSISTANCE MEDICAL CARE; ELIGIBILITY.] 
211.20  (a) General assistance medical care may be paid for any person 
211.21  who is not eligible for medical assistance under chapter 256B, 
211.22  including eligibility for medical assistance based on a 
211.23  spenddown of excess income according to section 256B.056, 
211.24  subdivision 5, or MinnesotaCare as defined in clause (4), except 
211.25  as provided in paragraph (b); and: 
211.26     (1) who is receiving assistance under section 256D.05, 
211.27  except for families with children who are eligible under 
211.28  Minnesota family investment program-statewide (MFIP-S), who is 
211.29  having a payment made on the person's behalf under sections 
211.30  256I.01 to 256I.06, or who resides in group residential housing 
211.31  as defined in chapter 256I and can meet a spenddown using the 
211.32  cost of remedial services received through group residential 
211.33  housing; or 
211.34     (2)(i) who is a resident of Minnesota; and whose equity in 
211.35  assets is not in excess of $1,000 per assistance unit.  Exempt 
211.36  assets, the reduction of excess assets, and the waiver of excess 
212.1   assets must conform to the medical assistance program in chapter 
212.2   256B, with the following exception:  the maximum amount of 
212.3   undistributed funds in a trust that could be distributed to or 
212.4   on behalf of the beneficiary by the trustee, assuming the full 
212.5   exercise of the trustee's discretion under the terms of the 
212.6   trust, must be applied toward the asset maximum; and 
212.7      (ii) who has countable income not in excess of the 
212.8   assistance standards established in section 256B.056, 
212.9   subdivision 4, or whose excess income is spent down according to 
212.10  section 256B.056, subdivision 5, using a six-month budget 
212.11  period.  The method for calculating earned income disregards and 
212.12  deductions for a person who resides with a dependent child under 
212.13  age 21 shall follow section 256B.056, subdivision 1a.  However, 
212.14  if a disregard of $30 and one-third of the remainder has been 
212.15  applied to the wage earner's income, the disregard shall not be 
212.16  applied again until the wage earner's income has not been 
212.17  considered in an eligibility determination for general 
212.18  assistance, general assistance medical care, medical assistance, 
212.19  or MFIP-S for 12 consecutive months.  The earned income and work 
212.20  expense deductions for a person who does not reside with a 
212.21  dependent child under age 21 shall be the same as the method 
212.22  used to determine eligibility for a person under section 
212.23  256D.06, subdivision 1, except the disregard of the first $50 of 
212.24  earned income is not allowed; or 
212.25     (3) who would be eligible for medical assistance except 
212.26  that the person resides in a facility that is determined by the 
212.27  commissioner or the federal Health Care Financing Administration 
212.28  to be an institution for mental diseases. 
212.29     (4) Beginning July 1, 1998 January 1, 2000, applicants or 
212.30  recipients who meet all eligibility requirements of 
212.31  MinnesotaCare as defined in sections 256L.01 to 256L.16, and are:
212.32     (i) adults with dependent children under 21 whose gross 
212.33  family income is equal to or less than 275 percent of the 
212.34  federal poverty guidelines; or 
212.35     (ii) adults without children with earned income and whose 
212.36  family gross income is between 75 percent of the federal poverty 
213.1   guidelines and the amount set by section 256L.04, subdivision 7, 
213.2   shall be terminated from general assistance medical care upon 
213.3   enrollment in MinnesotaCare. 
213.4      (b) For services rendered on or after July 1, 1997, 
213.5   eligibility is limited to one month prior to application if the 
213.6   person is determined eligible in the prior month.  A 
213.7   redetermination of eligibility must occur every 12 months.  
213.8   Beginning July 1, 1998 January 1, 2000, Minnesota health care 
213.9   program applications completed by recipients and applicants who 
213.10  are persons described in paragraph (a), clause (4), may be 
213.11  returned to the county agency to be forwarded to the department 
213.12  of human services or sent directly to the department of human 
213.13  services for enrollment in MinnesotaCare.  If all other 
213.14  eligibility requirements of this subdivision are met, 
213.15  eligibility for general assistance medical care shall be 
213.16  available in any month during which a MinnesotaCare eligibility 
213.17  determination and enrollment are pending.  Upon notification of 
213.18  eligibility for MinnesotaCare, notice of termination for 
213.19  eligibility for general assistance medical care shall be sent to 
213.20  an applicant or recipient.  If all other eligibility 
213.21  requirements of this subdivision are met, eligibility for 
213.22  general assistance medical care shall be available until 
213.23  enrollment in MinnesotaCare subject to the provisions of 
213.24  paragraph (d). 
213.25     (c) The date of an initial Minnesota health care program 
213.26  application necessary to begin a determination of eligibility 
213.27  shall be the date the applicant has provided a name, address, 
213.28  and social security number, signed and dated, to the county 
213.29  agency or the department of human services.  If the applicant is 
213.30  unable to provide an initial application when health care is 
213.31  delivered due to a medical condition or disability, a health 
213.32  care provider may act on the person's behalf to complete the 
213.33  initial application.  The applicant must complete the remainder 
213.34  of the application and provide necessary verification before 
213.35  eligibility can be determined.  The county agency must assist 
213.36  the applicant in obtaining verification if necessary. 
214.1      (d) County agencies are authorized to use all automated 
214.2   databases containing information regarding recipients' or 
214.3   applicants' income in order to determine eligibility for general 
214.4   assistance medical care or MinnesotaCare.  Such use shall be 
214.5   considered sufficient in order to determine eligibility and 
214.6   premium payments by the county agency. 
214.7      (e) General assistance medical care is not available for a 
214.8   person in a correctional facility unless the person is detained 
214.9   by law for less than one year in a county correctional or 
214.10  detention facility as a person accused or convicted of a crime, 
214.11  or admitted as an inpatient to a hospital on a criminal hold 
214.12  order, and the person is a recipient of general assistance 
214.13  medical care at the time the person is detained by law or 
214.14  admitted on a criminal hold order and as long as the person 
214.15  continues to meet other eligibility requirements of this 
214.16  subdivision.  
214.17     (f) General assistance medical care is not available for 
214.18  applicants or recipients who do not cooperate with the county 
214.19  agency to meet the requirements of medical assistance.  General 
214.20  assistance medical care is limited to payment of emergency 
214.21  services only for applicants or recipients as described in 
214.22  paragraph (a), clause (4), whose MinnesotaCare coverage is 
214.23  denied or terminated for nonpayment of premiums as required by 
214.24  sections 256L.06 to 256L.08 and 256L.07.  
214.25     (g) In determining the amount of assets of an individual, 
214.26  there shall be included any asset or interest in an asset, 
214.27  including an asset excluded under paragraph (a), that was given 
214.28  away, sold, or disposed of for less than fair market value 
214.29  within the 60 months preceding application for general 
214.30  assistance medical care or during the period of eligibility.  
214.31  Any transfer described in this paragraph shall be presumed to 
214.32  have been for the purpose of establishing eligibility for 
214.33  general assistance medical care, unless the individual furnishes 
214.34  convincing evidence to establish that the transaction was 
214.35  exclusively for another purpose.  For purposes of this 
214.36  paragraph, the value of the asset or interest shall be the fair 
215.1   market value at the time it was given away, sold, or disposed 
215.2   of, less the amount of compensation received.  For any 
215.3   uncompensated transfer, the number of months of ineligibility, 
215.4   including partial months, shall be calculated by dividing the 
215.5   uncompensated transfer amount by the average monthly per person 
215.6   payment made by the medical assistance program to skilled 
215.7   nursing facilities for the previous calendar year.  The 
215.8   individual shall remain ineligible until this fixed period has 
215.9   expired.  The period of ineligibility may exceed 30 months, and 
215.10  a reapplication for benefits after 30 months from the date of 
215.11  the transfer shall not result in eligibility unless and until 
215.12  the period of ineligibility has expired.  The period of 
215.13  ineligibility begins in the month the transfer was reported to 
215.14  the county agency, or if the transfer was not reported, the 
215.15  month in which the county agency discovered the transfer, 
215.16  whichever comes first.  For applicants, the period of 
215.17  ineligibility begins on the date of the first approved 
215.18  application. 
215.19     (h) When determining eligibility for any state benefits 
215.20  under this subdivision, the income and resources of all 
215.21  noncitizens shall be deemed to include their sponsor's income 
215.22  and resources as defined in the Personal Responsibility and Work 
215.23  Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, title IV, Public Law 
215.24  Number 104-193, sections 421 and 422, and subsequently set out 
215.25  in federal rules. 
215.26     (i) An undocumented noncitizen or a nonimmigrant is 
215.27  ineligible for general assistance medical care other than 
215.28  emergency services.  For purposes of this subdivision, a 
215.29  nonimmigrant is an individual in one or more of the classes 
215.30  listed in United States Code, title 8, section 1101(a)(15), and 
215.31  an undocumented noncitizen is an individual who resides in the 
215.32  United States without the approval or acquiescence of the 
215.33  Immigration and Naturalization Service. 
215.34     (j) This paragraph does not apply to a child under age 18, 
215.35  to a Cuban or Haitian entrant as defined in Public Law Number 
215.36  96-422, section 501(e)(1) or (2)(a), or to a noncitizen who is 
216.1   aged, blind, or disabled as defined in Code of Federal 
216.2   Regulations, title 42, sections 435.520, 435.530, 435.531, 
216.3   435.540, and 435.541, who cooperates with the Immigration and 
216.4   Naturalization Service to pursue any applicable immigration 
216.5   status, including citizenship, that would qualify the individual 
216.6   for medical assistance with federal financial participation. 
216.7      (k) For purposes of paragraphs (f) and (i), "emergency 
216.8   services" has the meaning given in Code of Federal Regulations, 
216.9   title 42, section 440.255(b)(1), except that it also means 
216.10  services rendered because of suspected or actual pesticide 
216.11  poisoning. 
216.12     (l) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a 
216.13  noncitizen who is ineligible for medical assistance due to the 
216.14  deeming of a sponsor's income and resources, is ineligible for 
216.15  general assistance medical care. 
216.16     Sec. 6.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
216.17  256L.01, is amended to read: 
216.18     256L.01 [DEFINITIONS.] 
216.19     Subdivision 1.  [SCOPE.] For purposes of sections 256L.01 
216.20  to 256L.10 256L.18, the following terms shall have the meanings 
216.21  given them. 
216.22     Subd. 1a.  [CHILD.] "Child" means an individual under 21 
216.23  years of age, including the unborn child of a pregnant woman, an 
216.24  emancipated minor, and an emancipated minor's spouse. 
216.25     Subd. 2.  [COMMISSIONER.] "Commissioner" means the 
216.26  commissioner of human services. 
216.27     Subd. 3.  [ELIGIBLE PROVIDERS.] "Eligible providers" means 
216.28  those health care providers who provide covered health services 
216.29  to medical assistance recipients under rules established by the 
216.30  commissioner for that program.  
216.31     Subd. 3a.  [FAMILY WITH CHILDREN.] (a) "Family with 
216.32  children" means: 
216.33     (1) parents, their children, and dependent siblings 
216.34  residing in the same household; or 
216.35     (2) grandparents, foster parents, relative caretakers as 
216.36  defined in the medical assistance program, or legal guardians; 
217.1   their wards who are children; and dependent siblings residing in 
217.2   the same household.  
217.3      (b) The term includes children and dependent siblings who 
217.4   are temporarily absent from the household in settings such as 
217.5   schools, camps, or visitation with noncustodial parents.  
217.6      (c) For purposes of this subdivision, a dependent sibling 
217.7   means an unmarried child who is a full-time student under the 
217.8   age of 25 years who is financially dependent upon a parent, 
217.9   grandparent, foster parent, relative caretaker, or legal 
217.10  guardian.  Proof of school enrollment is required. 
217.11     Subd. 4.  [GROSS INDIVIDUAL OR GROSS FAMILY INCOME.] "Gross 
217.12  individual or gross family income" for farm and nonfarm 
217.13  self-employed means income calculated using as the baseline the 
217.14  adjusted gross income reported on the applicant's federal income 
217.15  tax form for the previous year and adding back in reported 
217.16  depreciation, carryover loss, and net operating loss amounts 
217.17  that apply to the business in which the family is currently 
217.18  engaged.  Applicants shall report the most recent financial 
217.19  situation of the family if it has changed from the period of 
217.20  time covered by the federal income tax form.  The report may be 
217.21  in the form of percentage increase or decrease. 
217.22     Subd. 5.  [INCOME.] "Income" has the meaning given for 
217.23  earned and unearned income for families and children in the 
217.24  medical assistance program, according to the state's aid to 
217.25  families with dependent children plan in effect as of July 16, 
217.26  1996.  The definition does not include medical assistance income 
217.27  methodologies and deeming requirements.  The earned income of 
217.28  full-time and part-time students under age 19 is not counted as 
217.29  income.  Public assistance payments and supplemental security 
217.30  income are not excluded income. 
217.31     Sec. 7.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
217.32  256L.02, subdivision 3, is amended to read: 
217.33     Subd. 3.  [FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT.] (a) The commissioner 
217.34  shall manage spending for the MinnesotaCare program in a manner 
217.35  that maintains a minimum reserve in accordance with section 
217.36  16A.76.  As part of each state revenue and expenditure forecast, 
218.1   the commissioner must make a quarterly an assessment of the 
218.2   expected expenditures for the covered services for the remainder 
218.3   of the current biennium and for the following biennium.  The 
218.4   estimated expenditure, including the reserve requirements 
218.5   described in section 16A.76, shall be compared to an estimate of 
218.6   the revenues that will be deposited available in the health care 
218.7   access fund.  Based on this comparison, and after consulting 
218.8   with the chairs of the house ways and means committee and the 
218.9   senate finance committee, and the legislative commission on 
218.10  health care access, the commissioner shall, as necessary, make 
218.11  the adjustments specified in paragraph (b) to ensure that 
218.12  expenditures remain within the limits of available revenues for 
218.13  the remainder of the current biennium and for the following 
218.14  biennium.  The commissioner shall not hire additional staff 
218.15  using appropriations from the health care access fund until the 
218.16  commissioner of finance makes a determination that the 
218.17  adjustments implemented under paragraph (b) are sufficient to 
218.18  allow MinnesotaCare expenditures to remain within the limits of 
218.19  available revenues for the remainder of the current biennium and 
218.20  for the following biennium. 
218.21     (b) The adjustments the commissioner shall use must be 
218.22  implemented in this order:  first, stop enrollment of single 
218.23  adults and households without children; second, upon 45 days' 
218.24  notice, stop coverage of single adults and households without 
218.25  children already enrolled in the MinnesotaCare program; third, 
218.26  upon 90 days' notice, decrease the premium subsidy amounts by 
218.27  ten percent for families with gross annual income above 200 
218.28  percent of the federal poverty guidelines; fourth, upon 90 days' 
218.29  notice, decrease the premium subsidy amounts by ten percent for 
218.30  families with gross annual income at or below 200 percent; and 
218.31  fifth, require applicants to be uninsured for at least six 
218.32  months prior to eligibility in the MinnesotaCare program.  If 
218.33  these measures are insufficient to limit the expenditures to the 
218.34  estimated amount of revenue, the commissioner shall further 
218.35  limit enrollment or decrease premium subsidies. 
218.36     Sec. 8.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
219.1   256L.02, is amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
219.2      Subd. 4.  [FUNDING FOR PREGNANT WOMEN AND CHILDREN UNDER 
219.3   AGE TWO.] For fiscal years beginning on or after July 1, 1999, 
219.4   the state cost of health care services provided to MinnesotaCare 
219.5   enrollees who are pregnant women or children under age two shall 
219.6   be paid out of the general fund rather than the health care 
219.7   access fund.  If the commissioner of finance decides to pay for 
219.8   these costs using a source other than the general fund, the 
219.9   commissioner shall include the change as a budget initiative in 
219.10  the biennial or supplemental budget, and shall not change the 
219.11  funding source through a forecast modification. 
219.12     Sec. 9.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
219.13  256L.03, subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
219.14     Subdivision 1.  [COVERED HEALTH SERVICES.] "Covered health 
219.15  services" means the health services reimbursed under chapter 
219.16  256B, with the exception of inpatient hospital services, special 
219.17  education services, private duty nursing services, adult dental 
219.18  care services other than preventive services, orthodontic 
219.19  services, nonemergency medical transportation services, personal 
219.20  care assistant and case management services, nursing home or 
219.21  intermediate care facilities services, inpatient mental health 
219.22  services, and chemical dependency services.  Effective July 1, 
219.23  1998, adult dental care for nonpreventive services with the 
219.24  exception of orthodontic services is available to persons who 
219.25  qualify under section 256L.04, subdivisions 1 to 7, or 256L.13, 
219.26  with family gross income equal to or less than 175 percent of 
219.27  the federal poverty guidelines.  Outpatient mental health 
219.28  services covered under the MinnesotaCare program are limited to 
219.29  diagnostic assessments, psychological testing, explanation of 
219.30  findings, medication management by a physician, day treatment, 
219.31  partial hospitalization, and individual, family, and group 
219.32  psychotherapy. 
219.33     No public funds shall be used for coverage of abortion 
219.34  under MinnesotaCare except where the life of the female would be 
219.35  endangered or substantial and irreversible impairment of a major 
219.36  bodily function would result if the fetus were carried to term; 
220.1   or where the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest. 
220.2      Covered health services shall be expanded as provided in 
220.3   this section. 
220.4      Sec. 10.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
220.5   256L.03, is amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
220.6      Subd. 1a.  [COVERED SERVICES FOR PREGNANT WOMEN AND 
220.7   CHILDREN UNDER MINNESOTACARE HEALTH CARE REFORM WAIVER.] 
220.8   Children and pregnant women are eligible for coverage of all 
220.9   services that are eligible for reimbursement under the medical 
220.10  assistance program according to chapter 256B, except that 
220.11  abortion services under MinnesotaCare shall be limited as 
220.12  provided under section 256L.03, subdivision 1.  Pregnant women 
220.13  and children are exempt from the provisions of subdivision 5, 
220.14  regarding copayments.  Pregnant women and children who are 
220.15  lawfully residing in the United States but who are not 
220.16  "qualified noncitizens" under title IV of the Personal 
220.17  Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, 
220.18  Public Law Number 104-193, Statutes at Large, volume 110, page 
220.19  2105, are eligible for coverage of all services provided under 
220.20  the medical assistance program according to chapter 256B. 
220.21     Sec. 11.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
220.22  256L.03, is amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
220.23     Subd. 1b.  [PREGNANT WOMEN; ELIGIBILITY FOR FULL MEDICAL 
220.24  ASSISTANCE SERVICES.] A woman who is enrolled in MinnesotaCare 
220.25  when her pregnancy is diagnosed is eligible for coverage of all 
220.26  services provided under the medical assistance program according 
220.27  to chapter 256B retroactive to the date the pregnancy is 
220.28  medically diagnosed.  Copayments totaling $30 or more, paid 
220.29  after the date the pregnancy is diagnosed, shall be refunded. 
220.30     Sec. 12.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
220.31  256L.03, subdivision 3, is amended to read: 
220.32     Subd. 3.  [INPATIENT HOSPITAL SERVICES.] (a) Beginning July 
220.33  1, 1993, Covered health services shall include inpatient 
220.34  hospital services, including inpatient hospital mental health 
220.35  services and inpatient hospital and residential chemical 
220.36  dependency treatment, subject to those limitations necessary to 
221.1   coordinate the provision of these services with eligibility 
221.2   under the medical assistance spenddown.  Prior to July 1, 1997, 
221.3   the inpatient hospital benefit for adult enrollees is subject to 
221.4   an annual benefit limit of $10,000.  Effective July 1, 1997, The 
221.5   inpatient hospital benefit for adult enrollees who qualify under 
221.6   section 256L.04, subdivision 7, or who qualify under section 
221.7   256L.04, subdivisions 1 to 6 and 2, or 256L.13 with family gross 
221.8   income that exceeds 175 percent of the federal poverty 
221.9   guidelines and who are not pregnant, is subject to an annual 
221.10  limit of $10,000.  
221.11     (b) Enrollees who qualify under section 256L.04, 
221.12  subdivision 7, or who qualify under section 256L.04, 
221.13  subdivisions 1 to 6, or 256L.13 with family gross income that 
221.14  exceeds 175 percent of the federal poverty guidelines and who 
221.15  are not pregnant, and are determined by the commissioner to have 
221.16  a basis of eligibility for medical assistance shall apply for 
221.17  and cooperate with the requirements of medical assistance by the 
221.18  last day of the third month following admission to an inpatient 
221.19  hospital.  If an enrollee fails to apply for medical assistance 
221.20  within this time period, the enrollee and the enrollee's family 
221.21  shall be disenrolled from the plan and they may not reenroll 
221.22  until 12 calendar months have elapsed.  Enrollees and enrollees' 
221.23  families disenrolled for not applying for or not cooperating 
221.24  with medical assistance may not reenroll. 
221.25     (c) Admissions for inpatient hospital services paid for 
221.26  under section 256L.11, subdivision 3, must be certified as 
221.27  medically necessary in accordance with Minnesota Rules, parts 
221.28  9505.0500 to 9505.0540, except as provided in clauses (1) and 
221.29  (2): 
221.30     (1) all admissions must be certified, except those 
221.31  authorized under rules established under section 254A.03, 
221.32  subdivision 3, or approved under Medicare; and 
221.33     (2) payment under section 256L.11, subdivision 3, shall be 
221.34  reduced by five percent for admissions for which certification 
221.35  is requested more than 30 days after the day of admission.  The 
221.36  hospital may not seek payment from the enrollee for the amount 
222.1   of the payment reduction under this clause. 
222.2      (d) Any enrollee or family member of an enrollee who has 
222.3   previously been permanently disenrolled from MinnesotaCare for 
222.4   not applying for and cooperating with medical assistance shall 
222.5   be eligible to reenroll if 12 calendar months have elapsed since 
222.6   the date of disenrollment. 
222.7      Sec. 13.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
222.8   256L.03, subdivision 4, is amended to read: 
222.9      Subd. 4.  [COORDINATION WITH MEDICAL ASSISTANCE.] The 
222.10  commissioner shall coordinate the provision of hospital 
222.11  inpatient services under the MinnesotaCare program with enrollee 
222.12  eligibility under the medical assistance spenddown, and shall 
222.13  apply to the secretary of health and human services for any 
222.14  necessary federal waivers or approvals. 
222.15     Sec. 14.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
222.16  256L.03, subdivision 5, is amended to read: 
222.17     Subd. 5.  [COPAYMENTS AND COINSURANCE.] The MinnesotaCare 
222.18  benefit plan shall include the following copayments and 
222.19  coinsurance requirements:  
222.20     (1) ten percent of the paid charges for inpatient hospital 
222.21  services for adult enrollees not eligible for medical 
222.22  assistance, subject to an annual inpatient out-of-pocket maximum 
222.23  of $1,000 per individual and $3,000 per family; 
222.24     (2) $3 per prescription for adult enrollees; 
222.25     (3) $25 for eyeglasses for adult enrollees; and 
222.26     (4) effective July 1, 1998, 50 percent of the 
222.27  fee-for-service rate for adult dental care services other than 
222.28  preventive care services for persons eligible under section 
222.29  256L.04, subdivisions 1 to 7, or 256L.13, with income equal to 
222.30  or less than 175 percent of the federal poverty guidelines. 
222.31     Prior to July 1, 1997, enrollees who are not eligible for 
222.32  medical assistance with or without a spenddown shall be 
222.33  financially responsible for the coinsurance amount and amounts 
222.34  which exceed the $10,000 benefit limit.  Effective July 1, 1997, 
222.35  adult enrollees who qualify under section 256L.04, subdivision 
222.36  7, or who qualify under section 256L.04, subdivisions 1 to 6, or 
223.1   256L.13 with family gross income that exceeds 175 percent of the 
223.2   federal poverty guidelines and who are not pregnant, and who are 
223.3   not eligible for medical assistance with or without a spenddown, 
223.4   shall be financially responsible for the coinsurance amount and 
223.5   amounts which exceed the $10,000 inpatient hospital benefit 
223.6   limit. 
223.7      When a MinnesotaCare enrollee becomes a member of a prepaid 
223.8   health plan, or changes from one prepaid health plan to another 
223.9   during a calendar year, any charges submitted towards the 
223.10  $10,000 annual inpatient benefit limit, and any out-of-pocket 
223.11  expenses incurred by the enrollee for inpatient services, that 
223.12  were submitted or incurred prior to enrollment, or prior to the 
223.13  change in health plans, shall be disregarded. 
223.14     Sec. 15.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
223.15  256L.04, subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
223.16     Subdivision 1.  [CHILDREN; EXPANSION AND CONTINUATION OF 
223.17  ELIGIBILITY FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN.] (a) [CHILDREN.] Prior to 
223.18  October 1, 1992, "eligible persons" means children who are one 
223.19  year of age or older but less than 18 years of age who have 
223.20  gross family incomes that are equal to or less than 185 percent 
223.21  of the federal poverty guidelines and who are not eligible for 
223.22  medical assistance without a spenddown under chapter 256B and 
223.23  who are not otherwise insured for the covered services.  The 
223.24  period of eligibility extends from the first day of the month in 
223.25  which the child's first birthday occurs to the last day of the 
223.26  month in which the child becomes 18 years old.  Families with 
223.27  children with family income equal to or less than 275 percent of 
223.28  the federal poverty guidelines for the applicable family size 
223.29  shall be eligible for MinnesotaCare according to this section.  
223.30  All other provisions of sections 256L.01 to 256L.18, including 
223.31  the insurance-related barriers to enrollment under section 
223.32  256L.07, shall apply unless otherwise specified. 
223.33     (b) [EXPANSION OF ELIGIBILITY.] Eligibility for 
223.34  MinnesotaCare shall be expanded as provided in subdivisions 3 to 
223.35  7, except children who meet the criteria in this subdivision 
223.36  shall continue to be enrolled pursuant to this subdivision.  The 
224.1   enrollment requirements in this paragraph apply to enrollment 
224.2   under subdivisions 1 to 7.  Parents who enroll in the 
224.3   MinnesotaCare program must also enroll their children and 
224.4   dependent siblings, if the children and their dependent siblings 
224.5   are eligible.  Children and dependent siblings may be enrolled 
224.6   separately without enrollment by parents.  However, if one 
224.7   parent in the household enrolls, both parents must enroll, 
224.8   unless other insurance is available.  If one child from a family 
224.9   is enrolled, all children must be enrolled, unless other 
224.10  insurance is available.  If one spouse in a household enrolls, 
224.11  the other spouse in the household must also enroll, unless other 
224.12  insurance is available.  Families cannot choose to enroll only 
224.13  certain uninsured members.  For purposes of this section, a 
224.14  "dependent sibling" means an unmarried child who is a full-time 
224.15  student under the age of 25 years who is financially dependent 
224.16  upon a parent.  Proof of school enrollment will be required.  
224.17     (c)  [CONTINUATION OF ELIGIBILITY.] Individuals who 
224.18  initially enroll in the MinnesotaCare program under the 
224.19  eligibility criteria in subdivisions 3 to 7 remain eligible for 
224.20  the MinnesotaCare program, regardless of age, place of 
224.21  residence, or the presence or absence of children in the same 
224.22  household, as long as all other eligibility criteria are met and 
224.23  residence in Minnesota and continuous enrollment in the 
224.24  MinnesotaCare program or medical assistance are maintained.  In 
224.25  order for either parent or either spouse in a household to 
224.26  remain enrolled, both must remain enrolled, unless other 
224.27  insurance is available. 
224.28     Sec. 16.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
224.29  256L.04, subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
224.30     Subd. 2.  [COOPERATION IN ESTABLISHING THIRD PARTY 
224.31  LIABILITY, PATERNITY, AND OTHER MEDICAL SUPPORT.] (a) To be 
224.32  eligible for MinnesotaCare, individuals and families must 
224.33  cooperate with the state agency to identify potentially liable 
224.34  third party payers and assist the state in obtaining third party 
224.35  payments.  "Cooperation" includes, but is not limited to, 
224.36  identifying any third party who may be liable for care and 
225.1   services provided under MinnesotaCare to the enrollee, providing 
225.2   relevant information to assist the state in pursuing a 
225.3   potentially liable third party, and completing forms necessary 
225.4   to recover third party payments. 
225.5      (b) A parent, guardian, or child enrolled in the 
225.6   MinnesotaCare program must cooperate with the department of 
225.7   human services and the local agency in establishing the 
225.8   paternity of an enrolled child and in obtaining medical care 
225.9   support and payments for the child and any other person for whom 
225.10  the person can legally assign rights, in accordance with 
225.11  applicable laws and rules governing the medical assistance 
225.12  program.  A child shall not be ineligible for or disenrolled 
225.13  from the MinnesotaCare program solely because the child's parent 
225.14  or guardian fails to cooperate in establishing paternity or 
225.15  obtaining medical support. 
225.16     Sec. 17.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
225.17  256L.04, subdivision 7, is amended to read: 
225.18     Subd. 7.  [ADDITION OF SINGLE ADULTS AND HOUSEHOLDS WITH NO 
225.19  CHILDREN.] (a) Beginning October 1, 1994, the definition of 
225.20  "eligible persons" is expanded to include all individuals and 
225.21  households with no children who have gross family incomes that 
225.22  are equal to or less than 125 percent of the federal poverty 
225.23  guidelines and who are not eligible for medical assistance 
225.24  without a spenddown under chapter 256B.  
225.25     (b) Beginning July 1, 1997, The definition of eligible 
225.26  persons is expanded to include includes all individuals and 
225.27  households with no children who have gross family incomes that 
225.28  are equal to or less than 175 percent of the federal poverty 
225.29  guidelines and who are not eligible for medical assistance 
225.30  without a spenddown under chapter 256B. 
225.31     (c) All eligible persons under paragraphs (a) and (b) are 
225.32  eligible for coverage through the MinnesotaCare program but must 
225.33  pay a premium as determined under sections 256L.07 and 256L.08.  
225.34  Individuals and families whose income is greater than the limits 
225.35  established under section 256L.08 may not enroll in the 
225.36  MinnesotaCare program. 
226.1      Sec. 18.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
226.2   256L.04, is amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
226.3      Subd. 7a.  [INELIGIBILITY.] Applicants whose income is 
226.4   greater than the limits established under this section may not 
226.5   enroll in the MinnesotaCare program. 
226.6      Sec. 19.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
226.7   256L.04, subdivision 8, is amended to read: 
226.8      Subd. 8.  [APPLICANTS POTENTIALLY ELIGIBLE FOR MEDICAL 
226.9   ASSISTANCE.] (a) Individuals who apply for MinnesotaCare receive 
226.10  supplemental security income or retirement, survivors, or 
226.11  disability benefits due to a disability, or other 
226.12  disability-based pension, who qualify under section 256L.04, 
226.13  subdivision 7, but who are potentially eligible for medical 
226.14  assistance without a spenddown shall be allowed to enroll in 
226.15  MinnesotaCare for a period of 60 days, so long as the applicant 
226.16  meets all other conditions of eligibility.  The commissioner 
226.17  shall identify and refer the applications of such individuals to 
226.18  their county social service agency.  The county and the 
226.19  commissioner shall cooperate to ensure that the individuals 
226.20  obtain medical assistance coverage for any months for which they 
226.21  are eligible. 
226.22     (b)  The enrollee must cooperate with the county social 
226.23  service agency in determining medical assistance eligibility 
226.24  within the 60-day enrollment period.  Enrollees who do not apply 
226.25  for and cooperate with medical assistance within the 60-day 
226.26  enrollment period, and their other family members, shall be 
226.27  disenrolled from the plan within one calendar month.  Persons 
226.28  disenrolled for nonapplication for medical assistance may not 
226.29  reenroll until they have obtained a medical assistance 
226.30  eligibility determination for the family member or members who 
226.31  were referred to the county agency.  Persons disenrolled for 
226.32  noncooperation with medical assistance may not reenroll until 
226.33  they have cooperated with the county agency and have obtained a 
226.34  medical assistance eligibility determination. 
226.35     (c) Beginning January 1, 2000, counties that choose to 
226.36  become MinnesotaCare enrollment sites shall consider 
227.1   MinnesotaCare applications of individuals described in paragraph 
227.2   (a) to also be applications for medical assistance and shall 
227.3   first determine whether medical assistance eligibility exists.  
227.4   Adults with children with family income under 175 percent of the 
227.5   federal poverty guidelines for the applicable family size, 
227.6   pregnant women, and children who qualify under subdivision 1 who 
227.7   are potentially eligible for medical assistance without a 
227.8   spenddown may choose to enroll in either MinnesotaCare or 
227.9   medical assistance. 
227.10     (d) The commissioner shall redetermine provider payments 
227.11  made under MinnesotaCare to the appropriate medical assistance 
227.12  payments for those enrollees who subsequently become eligible 
227.13  for medical assistance. 
227.14     Sec. 20.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
227.15  256L.04, subdivision 9, is amended to read: 
227.16     Subd. 9.  [GENERAL ASSISTANCE MEDICAL CARE.] A person 
227.17  cannot have coverage under both MinnesotaCare and general 
227.18  assistance medical care in the same month.  Eligibility for 
227.19  MinnesotaCare cannot be replaced by eligibility for general 
227.20  assistance medical care, and eligibility for general assistance 
227.21  medical care cannot be replaced by eligibility for MinnesotaCare.
227.22     Sec. 21.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
227.23  256L.04, subdivision 10, is amended to read: 
227.24     Subd. 10.  [SPONSOR'S INCOME AND RESOURCES DEEMED 
227.25  AVAILABLE; DOCUMENTATION.] When determining eligibility for any 
227.26  federal or state benefits under sections 256L.01 to 256L.16 
227.27  256L.18, the income and resources of all noncitizens whose 
227.28  sponsor signed an affidavit of support as defined under United 
227.29  States Code, title 8, section 1183a, shall be deemed to include 
227.30  their sponsors' income and resources as defined in the Personal 
227.31  Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, 
227.32  title IV, Public Law Number 104-193, sections 421 and 422, and 
227.33  subsequently set out in federal rules.  To be eligible for the 
227.34  program, noncitizens must provide documentation of their 
227.35  immigration status. 
227.36     Sec. 22.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
228.1   256L.04, is amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
228.2      Subd. 12.  [PERSONS IN DETENTION.] An applicant residing in 
228.3   a correctional or detention facility is not eligible for 
228.4   MinnesotaCare.  An enrollee residing in a correctional or 
228.5   detention facility is not eligible at renewal of eligibility 
228.6   under section 256L.05, subdivision 3b. 
228.7      Sec. 23.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
228.8   256L.04, is amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
228.9      Subd. 13.  [FAMILIES WITH GRANDPARENTS, RELATIVE 
228.10  CARETAKERS, FOSTER PARENTS, OR LEGAL GUARDIANS.] In families 
228.11  that include a grandparent, relative caretaker as defined in the 
228.12  medical assistance program, foster parent, or legal guardian, 
228.13  the grandparent, relative caretaker, foster parent, or legal 
228.14  guardian may apply as a family or may apply separately for the 
228.15  child.  If the grandparent, relative caretaker, foster parent, 
228.16  or legal guardian applies with the family, their income is 
228.17  included in the gross family income for determining eligibility 
228.18  and premium amount. 
228.19     Sec. 24.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
228.20  256L.05, is amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
228.21     Subd. 1a.  [PERSON AUTHORIZED TO APPLY ON APPLICANT'S 
228.22  BEHALF.] A family member who is age 18 or over or who is an 
228.23  authorized representative, as defined in the medical assistance 
228.24  program, may apply on an applicant's behalf. 
228.25     Sec. 25.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
228.26  256L.05, subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
228.27     Subd. 2.  [COMMISSIONER'S DUTIES.] The commissioner shall 
228.28  use individuals' social security numbers as identifiers for 
228.29  purposes of administering the plan and conduct data matches to 
228.30  verify income.  Applicants shall submit evidence of individual 
228.31  and family income, earned and unearned, including such as the 
228.32  most recent income tax return, wage slips, or other 
228.33  documentation that is determined by the commissioner as 
228.34  necessary to verify income eligibility.  The commissioner shall 
228.35  perform random audits to verify reported income and 
228.36  eligibility.  The commissioner may execute data sharing 
229.1   arrangements with the department of revenue and any other 
229.2   governmental agency in order to perform income verification 
229.3   related to eligibility and premium payment under the 
229.4   MinnesotaCare program. 
229.5      Sec. 26.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
229.6   256L.05, subdivision 3, is amended to read: 
229.7      Subd. 3.  [EFFECTIVE DATE OF COVERAGE.] The effective date 
229.8   of coverage is the first day of the month following the month in 
229.9   which eligibility is approved and the first premium payment has 
229.10  been received.  As provided in section 256B.057, coverage for 
229.11  newborns is automatic from the date of birth and must be 
229.12  coordinated with other health coverage.  The effective date of 
229.13  coverage for eligible newborns or eligible newly adoptive 
229.14  children added to a family receiving covered health services is 
229.15  the date of entry into the family.  The effective date of 
229.16  coverage for other new recipients added to the family receiving 
229.17  covered health services is the first day of the month following 
229.18  the month in which eligibility is approved and the first premium 
229.19  payment has been received or at renewal, whichever the family 
229.20  receiving covered health services prefers.  All eligibility 
229.21  criteria must be met by the family at the time the new family 
229.22  member is added.  The income of the new family member is 
229.23  included with the family's gross income and the adjusted premium 
229.24  begins in the month the new family member is added.  The premium 
229.25  must be received eight working days prior to the end of the 
229.26  month for coverage to begin the following month.  Benefits are 
229.27  not available until the day following discharge if an enrollee 
229.28  is hospitalized on the first day of coverage.  Notwithstanding 
229.29  any other law to the contrary, benefits under sections 256L.01 
229.30  to 256L.10 256L.18 are secondary to a plan of insurance or 
229.31  benefit program under which an eligible person may have coverage 
229.32  and the commissioner shall use cost avoidance techniques to 
229.33  ensure coordination of any other health coverage for eligible 
229.34  persons.  The commissioner shall identify eligible persons who 
229.35  may have coverage or benefits under other plans of insurance or 
229.36  who become eligible for medical assistance. 
230.1      Sec. 27.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
230.2   256L.05, is amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
230.3      Subd. 3a.  [RENEWAL OF ELIGIBILITY.] An enrollee's 
230.4   eligibility must be renewed every 12 months.  The 12-month 
230.5   period begins in the month after the month the application is 
230.6   approved.  An enrollee must meet all applicable eligibility 
230.7   criteria at the time of renewal.  An enrollee whose income 
230.8   exceeds the income limits specified in section 256L.04, 
230.9   subdivision 1 or 7 is subject to section 256L.07, subdivision 1. 
230.10     Sec. 28.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
230.11  256L.05, is amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
230.12     Subd. 3b.  [REAPPLICATION.] Families and individuals must 
230.13  reapply after a lapse in coverage of one calendar month or more 
230.14  and must meet all eligibility criteria. 
230.15     Sec. 29.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
230.16  256L.05, subdivision 4, is amended to read: 
230.17     Subd. 4.  [APPLICATION PROCESSING.] The commissioner of 
230.18  human services shall determine an applicant's eligibility for 
230.19  MinnesotaCare no more than 30 days from the date that the 
230.20  application is received by the department of human services.  
230.21  Beginning January 1, 2000, this requirement also applies to 
230.22  local county human services agencies that determine eligibility 
230.23  for MinnesotaCare.  To prevent processing delays, applicants who 
230.24  appear to meet eligibility requirements shall be enrolled.  The 
230.25  enrollee must provide all required verifications within 30 days 
230.26  of enrollment or coverage from the program shall be terminated.  
230.27  Enrollees who are determined to be ineligible when verifications 
230.28  are provided shall be terminated. 
230.29     Sec. 30.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
230.30  256L.06, subdivision 3, is amended to read: 
230.31     Subd. 3.  [ADMINISTRATION AND COMMISSIONER'S DUTIES.] (a) 
230.32  Premiums are dedicated to the commissioner for MinnesotaCare.  
230.33  The commissioner shall make an annual redetermination of 
230.34  continued eligibility and identify people who may become 
230.35  eligible for medical assistance.  
230.36     (b) The commissioner shall develop and implement procedures 
231.1   to:  (1) require enrollees to report changes in income; (2) 
231.2   adjust sliding scale premium payments, based upon changes in 
231.3   enrollee income; and (3) disenroll enrollees from MinnesotaCare 
231.4   for failure to pay required premiums.  Failure to pay includes 
231.5   payment with a dishonored check.  The commissioner may demand a 
231.6   guaranteed form of payment as the only means to replace a 
231.7   dishonored check. 
231.8      (c) Premiums are calculated on a calendar month basis and 
231.9   may be paid on a monthly, quarterly, or annual basis, with the 
231.10  first payment due upon notice from the commissioner of the 
231.11  premium amount required.  The commissioner shall inform 
231.12  applicants and enrollees of these premium payment options. 
231.13  Premium payment is required before enrollment is complete and to 
231.14  maintain eligibility in MinnesotaCare.  
231.15     (d) Nonpayment of the premium will result in disenrollment 
231.16  from the plan within one calendar month after the due date.  
231.17  Persons disenrolled for nonpayment or who voluntarily terminate 
231.18  coverage from the program may not reenroll until four calendar 
231.19  months have elapsed.  Persons disenrolled for nonpayment or who 
231.20  voluntarily terminate coverage from the program may not reenroll 
231.21  for four calendar months unless the person demonstrates good 
231.22  cause for nonpayment.  Good cause does not exist if a person 
231.23  chooses to pay other family expenses instead of the premium.  
231.24  The commissioner shall define good cause in rule. 
231.25     Sec. 31.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
231.26  256L.07, is amended to read: 
231.27     256L.07 [ELIGIBILITY FOR SUBSIDIZED PREMIUMS BASED ON 
231.28  SLIDING SCALE.] 
231.29     Subdivision 1.  [GENERAL REQUIREMENTS.] Families and 
231.30  individuals who enroll on or after October 1, 1992, are eligible 
231.31  for subsidized premium payments based on a sliding scale under 
231.32  section 256L.08 only if the family or individual meets the 
231.33  requirements in subdivisions 2 and 3.  Children already enrolled 
231.34  in the children's health plan as of September 30, 1992, eligible 
231.35  under section 256L.04, subdivision 1, paragraph (a), children 
231.36  who enroll in the MinnesotaCare program after September 30, 
232.1   1992, pursuant to Laws 1992, chapter 549, article 4, section 17, 
232.2   and children who enroll under section 256L.04, subdivision 6, 
232.3   are eligible for subsidized premium payments without meeting 
232.4   these requirements, as long as they maintain continuous coverage 
232.5   in the MinnesotaCare plan or medical assistance.  
232.6      Families and individuals who initially enrolled in 
232.7   MinnesotaCare under section 256L.04, and subdivision 1, whose 
232.8   income increases above the limits established in section 256L.08 
232.9   275 percent of the federal poverty guidelines, may continue 
232.10  enrollment and pay the full cost of coverage.  Individuals 
232.11  enrolled in MinnesotaCare under section 256L.04, subdivision 7, 
232.12  whose income increases above 175 percent of the federal poverty 
232.13  guidelines may continue enrollment and pay premiums according to 
232.14  the sliding fee scale.  These individuals must pay the full cost 
232.15  of coverage when their income increases above 275 percent of the 
232.16  federal poverty guidelines. 
232.17     Subd. 2.  [MUST NOT HAVE ACCESS TO EMPLOYER-SUBSIDIZED 
232.18  COVERAGE.] (a) To be eligible for subsidized premium payments 
232.19  based on a sliding scale, a family or individual must not have 
232.20  access to subsidized health coverage through an employer, and 
232.21  must not have had access to subsidized health coverage through 
232.22  an employer for the 18 months prior to application for 
232.23  subsidized coverage under the MinnesotaCare program.  The 
232.24  requirement that the family or individual must not have had 
232.25  access to employer-subsidized coverage during the previous 18 
232.26  months does not apply if:  (1) employer-subsidized coverage was 
232.27  lost due to the death of an employee or divorce; (2) 
232.28  employer-subsidized coverage was lost because an individual 
232.29  became ineligible for coverage as a child or dependent; or (3) 
232.30  employer-subsidized coverage was lost for reasons that would not 
232.31  disqualify the individual for unemployment benefits under 
232.32  section 268.09 and the family or individual has not had access 
232.33  to employer-subsidized coverage since the loss of coverage.  If 
232.34  employer-subsidized coverage was lost for reasons that 
232.35  disqualify an individual for unemployment benefits under section 
232.36  268.09, children of that individual are exempt from the 
233.1   requirement of no access to employer subsidized coverage for the 
233.2   18 months prior to application, as long as the children have not 
233.3   had access to employer subsidized coverage since the 
233.4   disqualifying event.  The requirement that the.  A family or 
233.5   individual must not have had access to employer-subsidized 
233.6   coverage during the previous 18 months does apply if whose 
233.7   employer-subsidized coverage is lost due to an employer 
233.8   terminating health care coverage as an employee benefit during 
233.9   the previous 18 months is not eligible.  
233.10     (b) For purposes of this requirement, subsidized health 
233.11  coverage means health coverage for which the employer pays at 
233.12  least 50 percent of the cost of coverage for the employee, 
233.13  excluding dependent coverage or dependent, or a higher 
233.14  percentage as specified by the commissioner.  Children are 
233.15  eligible for employer-subsidized coverage through either parent, 
233.16  including the noncustodial parent.  The commissioner must treat 
233.17  employer contributions to Internal Revenue Code Section 125 
233.18  plans and any other employer benefits intended to pay health 
233.19  care costs as qualified employer subsidies toward the cost of 
233.20  health coverage for employees for purposes of this subdivision. 
233.21     Subd. 3.  [PERIOD UNINSURED OTHER HEALTH COVERAGE.] To be 
233.22  eligible for subsidized premium payments based on a sliding 
233.23  scale, (a) Families and individuals initially enrolled in the 
233.24  MinnesotaCare program under section 256L.04, subdivisions 5 and 
233.25  7, must have had no health coverage while enrolled or for at 
233.26  least four months prior to application and renewal.  A child in 
233.27  a family with income equal to or less than 150 percent of the 
233.28  federal poverty guidelines, who has other health coverage, is 
233.29  eligible if the other health coverage meets the requirements of 
233.30  Minnesota Rules, part 9506.0020, subpart 3, item B.  The 
233.31  commissioner may change this eligibility criterion for sliding 
233.32  scale premiums in order to remain within the limits of available 
233.33  appropriations.  The requirement of at least four months of no 
233.34  health coverage prior to application for the MinnesotaCare 
233.35  program does not apply to: newborns. 
233.36     (1) families, children, and individuals who apply for the 
234.1   MinnesotaCare program upon termination from or as required by 
234.2   the medical assistance program, general assistance medical care 
234.3   program, or coverage under a regional demonstration project for 
234.4   the uninsured funded under section 256B.73, the Hennepin county 
234.5   assured care program, or the Group Health, Inc., community 
234.6   health plan; 
234.7      (2) families and individuals initially enrolled under 
234.8   section 256L.04, subdivisions 1, paragraph (a), and 3; 
234.9      (3) children enrolled pursuant to Laws 1992, chapter 549, 
234.10  article 4, section 17; or 
234.11     (4) individuals currently serving or who have served in the 
234.12  military reserves, and dependents of these individuals, if these 
234.13  individuals:  (i) reapply for MinnesotaCare coverage after a 
234.14  period of active military service during which they had been 
234.15  covered by the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the 
234.16  Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS); (ii) were covered under 
234.17  MinnesotaCare immediately prior to obtaining coverage under 
234.18  CHAMPUS; and (iii) have maintained continuous coverage. 
234.19     (b) For purposes of this section, medical assistance, 
234.20  general assistance medical care, and civilian health and medical 
234.21  program of the uniformed service (CHAMPUS) are not considered 
234.22  insurance or health coverage. 
234.23     (c) For purposes of this section, Medicare part A or B 
234.24  coverage under title XVIII of the Social Security Act, United 
234.25  States Code, title 42, sections 1395c to 1395w-4, is considered 
234.26  health coverage.  An applicant or enrollee may not refuse 
234.27  Medicare coverage to establish eligibility for MinnesotaCare. 
234.28     Subd. 4.  [EXEMPTION FOR PERSONS WITH CONTINUATION 
234.29  COVERAGE.] (a) Families, children, and individuals who want to 
234.30  apply for the MinnesotaCare program upon termination from 
234.31  continuation coverage required under federal or state law are 
234.32  exempt from the requirements of subdivisions 2 and 3. 
234.33     (b) For purposes of paragraph (a), "termination from 
234.34  continuation coverage" means involuntary termination for any 
234.35  reason, other than nonpayment of premium by the family, child, 
234.36  or individual.  Involuntary termination includes termination of 
235.1   coverage due to reaching the end of the maximum period for 
235.2   continuation coverage required under federal or state law. 
235.3      Sec. 32.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
235.4   256L.09, subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
235.5      Subd. 2.  [RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT.] (a) Prior to July 1, 
235.6   1997, to be eligible for health coverage under the MinnesotaCare 
235.7   program, families and individuals must be permanent residents of 
235.8   Minnesota.  
235.9      (b) Effective July 1, 1997, To be eligible for health 
235.10  coverage under the MinnesotaCare program, adults without 
235.11  children must be permanent residents of Minnesota. 
235.12     (c) Effective July 1, 1997, (b) To be eligible for health 
235.13  coverage under the MinnesotaCare program, pregnant women, 
235.14  families, and children must meet the residency requirements as 
235.15  provided by Code of Federal Regulations, title 42, section 
235.16  435.403, except that the provisions of section 256B.056, 
235.17  subdivision 1, shall apply upon receipt of federal approval. 
235.18     Sec. 33.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
235.19  256L.09, subdivision 4, is amended to read: 
235.20     Subd. 4.  [ELIGIBILITY AS MINNESOTA RESIDENT.] (a) For 
235.21  purposes of this section, a permanent Minnesota resident is a 
235.22  person who has demonstrated, through persuasive and objective 
235.23  evidence, that the person is domiciled in the state and intends 
235.24  to live in the state permanently. 
235.25     (b) To be eligible as a permanent resident, all applicants 
235.26  an applicant must demonstrate the requisite intent to live in 
235.27  the state permanently by: 
235.28     (1) showing that the applicant maintains a residence at a 
235.29  verified address other than a place of public accommodation, 
235.30  through the use of evidence of residence described in section 
235.31  256D.02, subdivision 12a, clause (1); 
235.32     (2) demonstrating that the applicant has been continuously 
235.33  domiciled in the state for no less than 180 days immediately 
235.34  before the application; and 
235.35     (3) signing an affidavit declaring that (A) the applicant 
235.36  currently resides in the state and intends to reside in the 
236.1   state permanently; and (B) the applicant did not come to the 
236.2   state for the primary purpose of obtaining medical coverage or 
236.3   treatment. 
236.4      (c) A person who is temporarily absent from the state does 
236.5   not lose eligibility for MinnesotaCare.  "Temporarily absent 
236.6   from the state" means the person is out of the state for a 
236.7   temporary purpose and intends to return when the purpose of the 
236.8   absence has been accomplished.  A person is not temporarily 
236.9   absent from the state if another state has determined that the 
236.10  person is a resident for any purpose.  If temporarily absent 
236.11  from the state, the person must follow the requirements of the 
236.12  health plan in which he or she is enrolled to receive services. 
236.13     Sec. 34.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
236.14  256L.09, subdivision 6, is amended to read: 
236.15     Subd. 6.  [12-MONTH PREEXISTING EXCLUSION.] If the 180-day 
236.16  requirement in subdivision 4, paragraph (b), clause (2), is 
236.17  determined by a court to be unconstitutional, the commissioner 
236.18  of human services shall impose a 12-month preexisting condition 
236.19  exclusion on coverage for persons who have been domiciled in the 
236.20  state for less than 180 days.  
236.21     Sec. 35.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
236.22  256L.11, subdivision 6, is amended to read: 
236.23     Subd. 6.  [ENROLLEES 18 OR OLDER.] Payment by the 
236.24  MinnesotaCare program for inpatient hospital services provided 
236.25  to MinnesotaCare enrollees eligible under section 256L.04, 
236.26  subdivision 7, or who qualify under section 256L.04, 
236.27  subdivisions 1 to 6 and 2, or 256L.13 with family gross income 
236.28  that exceeds 175 percent of the federal poverty guidelines and 
236.29  who are not pregnant, who are 18 years old or older on the date 
236.30  of admission to the inpatient hospital must be in accordance 
236.31  with paragraphs (a) and (b).  Payment for adults who are not 
236.32  pregnant and are eligible under section 256L.04, subdivisions 
236.33  1 to 6 and 2, or 256L.13, and whose incomes are equal to or less 
236.34  than 175 percent of the federal poverty guidelines, shall be as 
236.35  provided for under paragraph (c).  
236.36     (a) If the medical assistance rate minus any copayment 
237.1   required under section 256L.03, subdivision 4, is less than or 
237.2   equal to the amount remaining in the enrollee's benefit limit 
237.3   under section 256L.03, subdivision 3, payment must be the 
237.4   medical assistance rate minus any copayment required under 
237.5   section 256L.03, subdivision 4.  The hospital must not seek 
237.6   payment from the enrollee in addition to the copayment.  The 
237.7   MinnesotaCare payment plus the copayment must be treated as 
237.8   payment in full. 
237.9      (b) If the medical assistance rate minus any copayment 
237.10  required under section 256L.03, subdivision 4, is greater than 
237.11  the amount remaining in the enrollee's benefit limit under 
237.12  section 256L.03, subdivision 3, payment must be the lesser of: 
237.13     (1) the amount remaining in the enrollee's benefit limit; 
237.14  or 
237.15     (2) charges submitted for the inpatient hospital services 
237.16  less any copayment established under section 256L.03, 
237.17  subdivision 4. 
237.18     The hospital may seek payment from the enrollee for the 
237.19  amount by which usual and customary charges exceed the payment 
237.20  under this paragraph.  If payment is reduced under section 
237.21  256L.03, subdivision 3, paragraph (c) (b), the hospital may not 
237.22  seek payment from the enrollee for the amount of the reduction. 
237.23     (c) For admissions occurring during the period of July 1, 
237.24  1997, through June 30, 1998, for adults who are not pregnant and 
237.25  are eligible under section 256L.04, subdivisions 1 to 6 and 
237.26  2, or 256L.13, and whose incomes are equal to or less than 175 
237.27  percent of the federal poverty guidelines, the commissioner 
237.28  shall pay hospitals directly, up to the medical assistance 
237.29  payment rate, for inpatient hospital benefits in excess of the 
237.30  $10,000 annual inpatient benefit limit. 
237.31     Sec. 36.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
237.32  256L.12, subdivision 5, is amended to read: 
237.33     Subd. 5.  [ELIGIBILITY FOR OTHER STATE PROGRAMS.] 
237.34  MinnesotaCare enrollees who become eligible for medical 
237.35  assistance or general assistance medical care will remain in the 
237.36  same managed care plan if the managed care plan has a contract 
238.1   for that population.  Effective January 1, 1998, MinnesotaCare 
238.2   enrollees who were formerly eligible for general assistance 
238.3   medical care pursuant to section 256D.03, subdivision 3, within 
238.4   six months of MinnesotaCare enrollment and were enrolled in a 
238.5   prepaid health plan pursuant to section 256D.03, subdivision 4, 
238.6   paragraph (d), must remain in the same managed care plan if the 
238.7   managed care plan has a contract for that population.  Contracts 
238.8   between the department of human services and managed care plans 
238.9   must include MinnesotaCare, and medical assistance and may, at 
238.10  the option of the commissioner of human services, also include 
238.11  general assistance medical care.  Managed care plans must 
238.12  participate in the MinnesotaCare and general assistance medical 
238.13  care programs under a contract with the department of human 
238.14  services in service areas where they participate in the medical 
238.15  assistance program. 
238.16     Sec. 37.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
238.17  256L.15, is amended to read: 
238.18     256L.15 [PREMIUMS.] 
238.19     Subdivision 1.  [PREMIUM DETERMINATION.] Families and with 
238.20  children enrolled according to sections 256L.13 to 256L.16 and 
238.21  individuals shall pay an enrollment fee or a premium determined 
238.22  according to a sliding fee based on the cost of coverage as a 
238.23  percentage of the family's gross family income.  Pregnant women 
238.24  and children under age two are exempt from the provisions of 
238.25  section 256L.06, subdivision 3, paragraph (b), clause (3), 
238.26  requiring disenrollment for failure to pay premiums.  For 
238.27  pregnant women, this exemption continues until the first day of 
238.28  the month following the 60th day postpartum.  Women who remain 
238.29  enrolled during pregnancy or the postpartum period, despite 
238.30  nonpayment of premiums, shall be disenrolled on the first of the 
238.31  month following the 60th day postpartum for the penalty period 
238.32  that otherwise applies under section 256L.06, unless they begin 
238.33  paying premiums. 
238.34     Subd. 1a.  [PAYMENT OPTIONS.] The commissioner may offer 
238.35  the following payment options to an enrollee: 
238.36     (1) payment by check; 
239.1      (2) payment by credit card; 
239.2      (3) payment by recurring automatic checking withdrawal; 
239.3      (4) payment by one-time electronic transfer of funds; or 
239.4      (5) payment by wage withholding with the consent of the 
239.5   employer and the employee. 
239.6      Subd. 1b.  [PAYMENTS NONREFUNDABLE.] MinnesotaCare premiums 
239.7   and enrollment fees are not refundable. 
239.8      Subd. 2.  [SLIDING SCALE TO DETERMINE PERCENTAGE OF GROSS 
239.9   INDIVIDUAL OR FAMILY INCOME.] The commissioner shall establish a 
239.10  sliding fee scale to determine the percentage of 
239.11  gross individual or family income that households at different 
239.12  income levels must pay to obtain coverage through the 
239.13  MinnesotaCare program.  The sliding fee scale must be based on 
239.14  the enrollee's gross individual or family income during the 
239.15  previous four months.  The sliding fee scale begins with a 
239.16  premium of 1.5 percent of gross individual or family income for 
239.17  individuals or families with incomes below the limits for the 
239.18  medical assistance program for families and children and 
239.19  proceeds through the following evenly spaced steps:  1.8, 2.3, 
239.20  3.1, 3.8, 4.8, 5.9, 7.4, and 8.8 percent.  These percentages are 
239.21  matched to evenly spaced income steps ranging from the medical 
239.22  assistance income limit for families and children to 275 percent 
239.23  of the federal poverty guidelines for the applicable family 
239.24  size.  An adult without children whose income is equal to or 
239.25  less than 175 percent of the federal poverty guidelines shall 
239.26  pay premiums according to the sliding fee scale.  When an 
239.27  enrollee's income exceeds the eligibility limit established for 
239.28  families with children under section 256L.04, subdivision 1, the 
239.29  enrollee must pay the full cost of coverage as required under 
239.30  section 256L.07, subdivision 1.  The sliding fee scale and 
239.31  percentages are not subject to the provisions of chapter 14.  If 
239.32  a family or individual reports increased income after 
239.33  enrollment, premiums shall not be adjusted until eligibility 
239.34  renewal.  
239.35     Subd. 3.  [EXCEPTIONS TO SLIDING SCALE.] An annual premium 
239.36  of $48 is required for all children who are eligible according 
240.1   to section 256L.13, subdivision 4.  
240.2      Subd. 4.  [CHILDREN IN FAMILIES WITH INCOME AT OR LESS THAN 
240.3   150 PERCENT OF FEDERAL POVERTY GUIDELINES.] Children in families 
240.4   with income at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty 
240.5   guidelines, when only the children are enrolled, may pay an 
240.6   annual enrollment fee of $48 per child.  Payment of the $48 
240.7   annual enrollment fee in families with only the children 
240.8   enrolled guarantees eligibility for 12 months regardless of 
240.9   changes in circumstances.  If the entire family is enrolled, the 
240.10  children are required to pay a monthly premium of $4. 
240.11     Sec. 38.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
240.12  256L.17, is amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
240.13     Subd. 6.  [WAIVER OF MAINTENANCE OF EFFORT 
240.14  REQUIREMENT.] Unless a federal waiver of the maintenance of 
240.15  effort requirements of section 2105(d) of title XXI of the 
240.16  Balanced Budget Act of 1997, Public Law Number 105-33, Statutes 
240.17  at Large, volume 111, page 251, is granted by the federal 
240.18  Department of Health and Human Services by September 30, 1998, 
240.19  this section does not apply to children.  The commissioner shall 
240.20  publish a notice in the State Register upon receipt of a federal 
240.21  waiver. 
240.22     Sec. 39.  [256L.19] [STATE CHILDREN'S HEALTH INSURANCE 
240.23  PROGRAM.] 
240.24     Subdivision 1.  [AUTHORITY.] The commissioner is authorized 
240.25  to claim enhanced federal matching funds under sections 
240.26  2105(a)(2) and 2110 of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, Public 
240.27  Law Number 105-33, for any and all state or local expenditures 
240.28  eligible as child health assistance for targeted low income 
240.29  children and health service initiatives for low income 
240.30  children.  If required by federal law or regulations, the 
240.31  commissioner is authorized to establish accounts, make 
240.32  appropriate payments, and receive reimbursement from state and 
240.33  local entities providing child health assistance or health 
240.34  services for low income children, in order to obtain enhanced 
240.35  federal matching funds.  Enhanced federal matching funds 
240.36  received as a result of authority exercised under this section 
241.1   shall be deposited in the general fund. 
241.2      Subd. 2.  [ENHANCED MATCHING FUNDS FOR CHILDREN'S HEALTH 
241.3   CARE INITIATIVES.] The commissioner shall submit to the health 
241.4   care financing administration all plans and waiver requests 
241.5   necessary to obtain enhanced matching funds under the state 
241.6   children's health insurance program established as Title 21 of 
241.7   the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, Public Law Number 105-33, for:  
241.8   (1) expenditures made under section 256B.057, subdivision 9; and 
241.9   (2) expenditures made under the MinnesotaCare program.  The 
241.10  commissioner shall submit to the legislature, by January 15, 
241.11  1999, all statutory changes to the MinnesotaCare program 
241.12  necessary to receive enhanced federal matching funds. 
241.13     Sec. 40.  [UNCOMPENSATED CARE STUDY.] 
241.14     The commissioner of health, in consultation with the 
241.15  commissioner of human services, shall present to the legislative 
241.16  commission on health care access, by January 15, 1999, a report 
241.17  and recommendations on the provision and financing of 
241.18  uncompensated care in Minnesota.  The report must: 
241.19     (1) document the extent of uncompensated care provided in 
241.20  Minnesota; 
241.21     (2) discuss options for financing uncompensated care; 
241.22     (3) describe other state approaches to monitoring and 
241.23  financing uncompensated care; and 
241.24     (4) describe alternative approaches to encourage health 
241.25  care coverage. 
241.26     Sec. 41.  [SPECIAL PREMIUM TAX PAYMENT.] 
241.27     Health maintenance organizations, community integrated 
241.28  service networks, and nonprofit health service plan corporations 
241.29  that have met the cost containment goals established in 
241.30  Minnesota Statutes, section 62J.04, in the individual and small 
241.31  employer market for calendar year 1996 shall pay a special, 
241.32  one-time 1999 premium tax payment.  The tax payment must be 
241.33  based on an amount equal to one percent of gross premiums less 
241.34  return premiums on all direct business received by the insurer 
241.35  in this state, or by its agents for it, in cash or otherwise 
241.36  after March 30, 1997, and before January 1, 1998.  Payment of 
242.1   the tax under this section is due January 2, 1999.  Provisions 
242.2   relating to the payment, assessment, and collection of the tax 
242.3   assessed under Minnesota Statutes, section 60A.15, shall apply 
242.4   to the special tax payment assessed under this section. 
242.5      Sec. 42.  [REVISOR'S INSTRUCTION.] 
242.6      In each section of Minnesota Statutes referred to in column 
242.7   A, the revisor of statutes shall delete the reference in column 
242.8   B and insert the reference in column C. 
242.9      Column A            Column B            Column C
242.10     256B.057, subd. 1a  256L.08             256L.15
242.11     256B.0645           256L.14             256L.03, subd. 1a
242.12     256L.16             256L.14             256L.03, subd. 1a
242.13     Sec. 43.  [REPEALER.] 
242.14     Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, sections 256B.057, 
242.15  subdivision 1a; 256L.04, subdivisions 3, 4, 5, and 6; 256L.06, 
242.16  subdivisions 1 and 2; 256L.08; 256L.09, subdivision 3; 256L.13; 
242.17  256L.14; and 256L.15, subdivision 3, are repealed. 
242.18     Sec. 44.  [EFFECTIVE DATE.] 
242.19     (a) Sections 2 (256B.04, subdivision 18), 5 to 7, 9 to 37, 
242.20  42 (Revisor Instruction), and 43 (Repealer) are effective 
242.21  January 1, 1999. 
242.22     (b) Sections 3 (256B.057, subdivision 7), 4 (256B.057, 
242.23  subdivision 8), 38 (256L.17, subdivision 6), and 39 (256L.19) 
242.24  are effective September 30, 1998. 
242.25                             ARTICLE 6
242.26           WELFARE REFORM; WORK FIRST; ASSISTANCE PROGRAM 
242.27              AND CHILD SUPPORT CHANGES; AND LICENSING 
242.28     Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
242.29  119B.01, subdivision 16, is amended to read: 
242.30     Subd. 16.  [TRANSITION YEAR FAMILIES.] "Transition year 
242.31  families" means families who have received AFDC, or who were 
242.32  eligible to receive AFDC after choosing to discontinue receipt 
242.33  of the cash portion of MFIP-S assistance under section 256J.31, 
242.34  subdivision 12, for at least three of the last six months before 
242.35  losing eligibility for AFDC due to increased hours of 
242.36  employment, increased income from employment or child or spousal 
243.1   support, or the loss of income disregards due to time 
243.2   limitations. 
243.3      Sec. 2.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 245A.03, is 
243.4   amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
243.5      Subd. 2b.  [EXCEPTION.] The provision in subdivision 2, 
243.6   clause (2), does not apply to: 
243.7      (1) a child care provider who as an applicant for licensure 
243.8   or as a licenseholder has received a license denial under 
243.9   section 245A.05, a fine under section 245A.06, or a sanction 
243.10  under 245A.07 from the commissioner that has not been reversed 
243.11  on appeal; or 
243.12     (2) a child care provider, or a child care provider who has 
243.13  a household member who, as a result of a licensing process, has 
243.14  a disqualification under chapter 245A that has not been set 
243.15  aside by the commissioner. 
243.16     Sec. 3.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 245A.03, is 
243.17  amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
243.18     Subd. 4.  [EXCLUDED CHILD CARE PROGRAMS; RIGHT TO SEEK 
243.19  LICENSURE.] Nothing in this section shall prohibit a child care 
243.20  program that is excluded from licensure under subdivision 2, 
243.21  clause (2), or under Laws 1997, chapter 248, section 46, as 
243.22  amended by Laws 1997, First Special Session chapter 5, section 
243.23  10, from seeking a license under this chapter.  The commissioner 
243.24  shall ensure that any application received from such an excluded 
243.25  provider is processed in the same manner as all other 
243.26  applications for licensed family day care. 
243.27     Sec. 4.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 245A.14, 
243.28  subdivision 4, is amended to read: 
243.29     Subd. 4.  [SPECIAL FAMILY DAY CARE HOMES.] Nonresidential 
243.30  child care programs serving 14 or fewer children that are 
243.31  conducted at a location other than the license holder's own 
243.32  residence shall be licensed under this section and the rules 
243.33  governing family day care or group family day care if:  
243.34     (a) the license holder is the primary provider of care; 
243.35     (b) and the nonresidential child care program is conducted 
243.36  in a dwelling that is located on a residential lot; and or 
244.1      (c) the license holder complies with all other requirements 
244.2   of sections 245A.01 to 245A.15 and the rules governing family 
244.3   day care or group family day care. 
244.4      (b) the license holder is an employer who may or may not be 
244.5   the primary provider of care, and the purpose for the child care 
244.6   program is to provide child care services to children of the 
244.7   license holder's employees.  
244.8      Sec. 5.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
244.9   256.01, subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
244.10     Subd. 2.  [SPECIFIC POWERS.] Subject to the provisions of 
244.11  section 241.021, subdivision 2, the commissioner of human 
244.12  services shall: 
244.13     (1) Administer and supervise all forms of public assistance 
244.14  provided for by state law and other welfare activities or 
244.15  services as are vested in the commissioner.  Administration and 
244.16  supervision of human services activities or services includes, 
244.17  but is not limited to, assuring timely and accurate distribution 
244.18  of benefits, completeness of service, and quality program 
244.19  management.  In addition to administering and supervising human 
244.20  services activities vested by law in the department, the 
244.21  commissioner shall have the authority to: 
244.22     (a) require county agency participation in training and 
244.23  technical assistance programs to promote compliance with 
244.24  statutes, rules, federal laws, regulations, and policies 
244.25  governing human services; 
244.26     (b) monitor, on an ongoing basis, the performance of county 
244.27  agencies in the operation and administration of human services, 
244.28  enforce compliance with statutes, rules, federal laws, 
244.29  regulations, and policies governing welfare services and promote 
244.30  excellence of administration and program operation; 
244.31     (c) develop a quality control program or other monitoring 
244.32  program to review county performance and accuracy of benefit 
244.33  determinations; 
244.34     (d) require county agencies to make an adjustment to the 
244.35  public assistance benefits issued to any individual consistent 
244.36  with federal law and regulation and state law and rule and to 
245.1   issue or recover benefits as appropriate; 
245.2      (e) delay or deny payment of all or part of the state and 
245.3   federal share of benefits and administrative reimbursement 
245.4   according to the procedures set forth in section 256.017; and 
245.5      (f) make contracts with and grants to public and private 
245.6   agencies and organizations, both profit and nonprofit, and 
245.7   individuals, using appropriated funds; and 
245.8      (g) enter into contractual agreements with federally 
245.9   recognized Indian tribes with a reservation in Minnesota to the 
245.10  extent necessary for the tribe to operate a federally approved 
245.11  family assistance program or any other program under the 
245.12  supervision of the commissioner.  The commissioner may establish 
245.13  necessary accounts for the purposes of receiving and disbursing 
245.14  funds as necessary for the operation of the programs. 
245.15     (2) Inform county agencies, on a timely basis, of changes 
245.16  in statute, rule, federal law, regulation, and policy necessary 
245.17  to county agency administration of the programs. 
245.18     (3) Administer and supervise all child welfare activities; 
245.19  promote the enforcement of laws protecting handicapped, 
245.20  dependent, neglected and delinquent children, and children born 
245.21  to mothers who were not married to the children's fathers at the 
245.22  times of the conception nor at the births of the children; 
245.23  license and supervise child-caring and child-placing agencies 
245.24  and institutions; supervise the care of children in boarding and 
245.25  foster homes or in private institutions; and generally perform 
245.26  all functions relating to the field of child welfare now vested 
245.27  in the state board of control. 
245.28     (4) Administer and supervise all noninstitutional service 
245.29  to handicapped persons, including those who are visually 
245.30  impaired, hearing impaired, or physically impaired or otherwise 
245.31  handicapped.  The commissioner may provide and contract for the 
245.32  care and treatment of qualified indigent children in facilities 
245.33  other than those located and available at state hospitals when 
245.34  it is not feasible to provide the service in state hospitals. 
245.35     (5) Assist and actively cooperate with other departments, 
245.36  agencies and institutions, local, state, and federal, by 
246.1   performing services in conformity with the purposes of Laws 
246.2   1939, chapter 431. 
246.3      (6) Act as the agent of and cooperate with the federal 
246.4   government in matters of mutual concern relative to and in 
246.5   conformity with the provisions of Laws 1939, chapter 431, 
246.6   including the administration of any federal funds granted to the 
246.7   state to aid in the performance of any functions of the 
246.8   commissioner as specified in Laws 1939, chapter 431, and 
246.9   including the promulgation of rules making uniformly available 
246.10  medical care benefits to all recipients of public assistance, at 
246.11  such times as the federal government increases its participation 
246.12  in assistance expenditures for medical care to recipients of 
246.13  public assistance, the cost thereof to be borne in the same 
246.14  proportion as are grants of aid to said recipients. 
246.15     (7) Establish and maintain any administrative units 
246.16  reasonably necessary for the performance of administrative 
246.17  functions common to all divisions of the department. 
246.18     (8) Act as designated guardian of both the estate and the 
246.19  person of all the wards of the state of Minnesota, whether by 
246.20  operation of law or by an order of court, without any further 
246.21  act or proceeding whatever, except as to persons committed as 
246.22  mentally retarded.  For children under the guardianship of the 
246.23  commissioner whose interests would be best served by adoptive 
246.24  placement, the commissioner may contract with a licensed 
246.25  child-placing agency to provide adoption services.  A contract 
246.26  with a licensed child-placing agency must be designed to 
246.27  supplement existing county efforts and may not replace existing 
246.28  county programs, unless the replacement is agreed to by the 
246.29  county board and the appropriate exclusive bargaining 
246.30  representative or the commissioner has evidence that child 
246.31  placements of the county continue to be substantially below that 
246.32  of other counties. 
246.33     (9) Act as coordinating referral and informational center 
246.34  on requests for service for newly arrived immigrants coming to 
246.35  Minnesota. 
246.36     (10) The specific enumeration of powers and duties as 
247.1   hereinabove set forth shall in no way be construed to be a 
247.2   limitation upon the general transfer of powers herein contained. 
247.3      (11) Establish county, regional, or statewide schedules of 
247.4   maximum fees and charges which may be paid by county agencies 
247.5   for medical, dental, surgical, hospital, nursing and nursing 
247.6   home care and medicine and medical supplies under all programs 
247.7   of medical care provided by the state and for congregate living 
247.8   care under the income maintenance programs. 
247.9      (12) Have the authority to conduct and administer 
247.10  experimental projects to test methods and procedures of 
247.11  administering assistance and services to recipients or potential 
247.12  recipients of public welfare.  To carry out such experimental 
247.13  projects, it is further provided that the commissioner of human 
247.14  services is authorized to waive the enforcement of existing 
247.15  specific statutory program requirements, rules, and standards in 
247.16  one or more counties.  The order establishing the waiver shall 
247.17  provide alternative methods and procedures of administration, 
247.18  shall not be in conflict with the basic purposes, coverage, or 
247.19  benefits provided by law, and in no event shall the duration of 
247.20  a project exceed four years.  It is further provided that no 
247.21  order establishing an experimental project as authorized by the 
247.22  provisions of this section shall become effective until the 
247.23  following conditions have been met: 
247.24     (a) The secretary of health, education, and welfare of the 
247.25  United States has agreed, for the same project, to waive state 
247.26  plan requirements relative to statewide uniformity. 
247.27     (b) A comprehensive plan, including estimated project 
247.28  costs, shall be approved by the legislative advisory commission 
247.29  and filed with the commissioner of administration.  
247.30     (13) According to federal requirements, establish 
247.31  procedures to be followed by local welfare boards in creating 
247.32  citizen advisory committees, including procedures for selection 
247.33  of committee members. 
247.34     (14) Allocate federal fiscal disallowances or sanctions 
247.35  which are based on quality control error rates for the aid to 
247.36  families with dependent children, Minnesota family investment 
248.1   program-statewide, medical assistance, or food stamp program in 
248.2   the following manner:  
248.3      (a) One-half of the total amount of the disallowance shall 
248.4   be borne by the county boards responsible for administering the 
248.5   programs.  For the medical assistance, MFIP-S, and AFDC 
248.6   programs, disallowances shall be shared by each county board in 
248.7   the same proportion as that county's expenditures for the 
248.8   sanctioned program are to the total of all counties' 
248.9   expenditures for the AFDC, MFIP-S, and medical assistance 
248.10  programs.  For the food stamp program, sanctions shall be shared 
248.11  by each county board, with 50 percent of the sanction being 
248.12  distributed to each county in the same proportion as that 
248.13  county's administrative costs for food stamps are to the total 
248.14  of all food stamp administrative costs for all counties, and 50 
248.15  percent of the sanctions being distributed to each county in the 
248.16  same proportion as that county's value of food stamp benefits 
248.17  issued are to the total of all benefits issued for all 
248.18  counties.  Each county shall pay its share of the disallowance 
248.19  to the state of Minnesota.  When a county fails to pay the 
248.20  amount due hereunder, the commissioner may deduct the amount 
248.21  from reimbursement otherwise due the county, or the attorney 
248.22  general, upon the request of the commissioner, may institute 
248.23  civil action to recover the amount due. 
248.24     (b) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (a), if the 
248.25  disallowance results from knowing noncompliance by one or more 
248.26  counties with a specific program instruction, and that knowing 
248.27  noncompliance is a matter of official county board record, the 
248.28  commissioner may require payment or recover from the county or 
248.29  counties, in the manner prescribed in paragraph (a), an amount 
248.30  equal to the portion of the total disallowance which resulted 
248.31  from the noncompliance, and may distribute the balance of the 
248.32  disallowance according to paragraph (a).  
248.33     (15) Develop and implement special projects that maximize 
248.34  reimbursements and result in the recovery of money to the 
248.35  state.  For the purpose of recovering state money, the 
248.36  commissioner may enter into contracts with third parties.  Any 
249.1   recoveries that result from projects or contracts entered into 
249.2   under this paragraph shall be deposited in the state treasury 
249.3   and credited to a special account until the balance in the 
249.4   account reaches $1,000,000.  When the balance in the account 
249.5   exceeds $1,000,000, the excess shall be transferred and credited 
249.6   to the general fund.  All money in the account is appropriated 
249.7   to the commissioner for the purposes of this paragraph. 
249.8      (16) Have the authority to make direct payments to 
249.9   facilities providing shelter to women and their children 
249.10  according to section 256D.05, subdivision 3.  Upon the written 
249.11  request of a shelter facility that has been denied payments 
249.12  under section 256D.05, subdivision 3, the commissioner shall 
249.13  review all relevant evidence and make a determination within 30 
249.14  days of the request for review regarding issuance of direct 
249.15  payments to the shelter facility.  Failure to act within 30 days 
249.16  shall be considered a determination not to issue direct payments.
249.17     (17) Have the authority to establish and enforce the 
249.18  following county reporting requirements:  
249.19     (a) The commissioner shall establish fiscal and statistical 
249.20  reporting requirements necessary to account for the expenditure 
249.21  of funds allocated to counties for human services programs.  
249.22  When establishing financial and statistical reporting 
249.23  requirements, the commissioner shall evaluate all reports, in 
249.24  consultation with the counties, to determine if the reports can 
249.25  be simplified or the number of reports can be reduced. 
249.26     (b) The county board shall submit monthly or quarterly 
249.27  reports to the department as required by the commissioner.  
249.28  Monthly reports are due no later than 15 working days after the 
249.29  end of the month.  Quarterly reports are due no later than 30 
249.30  calendar days after the end of the quarter, unless the 
249.31  commissioner determines that the deadline must be shortened to 
249.32  20 calendar days to avoid jeopardizing compliance with federal 
249.33  deadlines or risking a loss of federal funding.  Only reports 
249.34  that are complete, legible, and in the required format shall be 
249.35  accepted by the commissioner.  
249.36     (c) If the required reports are not received by the 
250.1   deadlines established in clause (b), the commissioner may delay 
250.2   payments and withhold funds from the county board until the next 
250.3   reporting period.  When the report is needed to account for the 
250.4   use of federal funds and the late report results in a reduction 
250.5   in federal funding, the commissioner shall withhold from the 
250.6   county boards with late reports an amount equal to the reduction 
250.7   in federal funding until full federal funding is received.  
250.8      (d) A county board that submits reports that are late, 
250.9   illegible, incomplete, or not in the required format for two out 
250.10  of three consecutive reporting periods is considered 
250.11  noncompliant.  When a county board is found to be noncompliant, 
250.12  the commissioner shall notify the county board of the reason the 
250.13  county board is considered noncompliant and request that the 
250.14  county board develop a corrective action plan stating how the 
250.15  county board plans to correct the problem.  The corrective 
250.16  action plan must be submitted to the commissioner within 45 days 
250.17  after the date the county board received notice of noncompliance.
250.18     (e) The final deadline for fiscal reports or amendments to 
250.19  fiscal reports is one year after the date the report was 
250.20  originally due.  If the commissioner does not receive a report 
250.21  by the final deadline, the county board forfeits the funding 
250.22  associated with the report for that reporting period and the 
250.23  county board must repay any funds associated with the report 
250.24  received for that reporting period. 
250.25     (f) The commissioner may not delay payments, withhold 
250.26  funds, or require repayment under paragraph (c) or (e) if the 
250.27  county demonstrates that the commissioner failed to provide 
250.28  appropriate forms, guidelines, and technical assistance to 
250.29  enable the county to comply with the requirements.  If the 
250.30  county board disagrees with an action taken by the commissioner 
250.31  under paragraph (c) or (e), the county board may appeal the 
250.32  action according to sections 14.57 to 14.69. 
250.33     (g) Counties subject to withholding of funds under 
250.34  paragraph (c) or forfeiture or repayment of funds under 
250.35  paragraph (e) shall not reduce or withhold benefits or services 
250.36  to clients to cover costs incurred due to actions taken by the 
251.1   commissioner under paragraph (c) or (e). 
251.2      (18) Allocate federal fiscal disallowances or sanctions for 
251.3   audit exceptions when federal fiscal disallowances or sanctions 
251.4   are based on a statewide random sample for the foster care 
251.5   program under title IV-E of the Social Security Act, United 
251.6   States Code, title 42, in direct proportion to each county's 
251.7   title IV-E foster care maintenance claim for that period. 
251.8      (19) Be responsible for ensuring the detection, prevention, 
251.9   investigation, and resolution of fraudulent activities or 
251.10  behavior by applicants, recipients, and other participants in 
251.11  the human services programs administered by the department. 
251.12     (20) Require county agencies to identify overpayments, 
251.13  establish claims, and utilize all available and cost-beneficial 
251.14  methodologies to collect and recover these overpayments in the 
251.15  human services programs administered by the department. 
251.16     (21) Have the authority to administer a drug rebate program 
251.17  for drugs purchased pursuant to the senior citizen drug program 
251.18  established under section 256.955 after the beneficiary's 
251.19  satisfaction of any deductible established in the program.  The 
251.20  commissioner shall require a rebate agreement from all 
251.21  manufacturers of covered drugs as defined in section 256B.0625, 
251.22  subdivision 13.  For each drug, the amount of the rebate shall 
251.23  be equal to the basic rebate as defined for purposes of the 
251.24  federal rebate program in United States Code, title 42, section 
251.25  1396r-8(c)(1).  This basic rebate shall be applied to 
251.26  single-source and multiple-source drugs.  The manufacturers must 
251.27  provide full payment within 30 days of receipt of the state 
251.28  invoice for the rebate within the terms and conditions used for 
251.29  the federal rebate program established pursuant to section 1927 
251.30  of title XIX of the Social Security Act.  The manufacturers must 
251.31  provide the commissioner with any information necessary to 
251.32  verify the rebate determined per drug.  The rebate program shall 
251.33  utilize the terms and conditions used for the federal rebate 
251.34  program established pursuant to section 1927 of title XIX of the 
251.35  Social Security Act. 
251.36     Sec. 6.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 256.014, 
252.1   subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
252.2      Subdivision 1.  [ESTABLISHMENT OF SYSTEMS.] The 
252.3   commissioner of human services shall establish and enhance 
252.4   computer systems necessary for the efficient operation of the 
252.5   programs the commissioner supervises, including: 
252.6      (1) management and administration of the food stamp and 
252.7   income maintenance programs, including the electronic 
252.8   distribution of benefits; 
252.9      (2) management and administration of the child support 
252.10  enforcement program; and 
252.11     (3) administration of medical assistance and general 
252.12  assistance medical care. 
252.13     The commissioner shall distribute the nonfederal share of 
252.14  the costs of operating and maintaining the systems to the 
252.15  commissioner and to the counties participating in the system in 
252.16  a manner that reflects actual system usage, except that the 
252.17  nonfederal share of the costs of the MAXIS computer system and 
252.18  child support enforcement systems shall be borne entirely by the 
252.19  commissioner.  Development costs must not be assessed against 
252.20  county agencies. 
252.21     The commissioner may enter into contractual agreements with 
252.22  federally recognized Indian tribes with a reservation in 
252.23  Minnesota to participate in state-operated computer systems 
252.24  related to the management and administration of the food stamp, 
252.25  income maintenance, child support enforcement, medical 
252.26  assistance, and general assistance medical care programs to the 
252.27  extent necessary for the tribe to operate a federally approved 
252.28  family assistance program or any other program under the 
252.29  supervision of the commissioner. 
252.30     Sec. 7.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
252.31  256.031, subdivision 6, is amended to read: 
252.32     Subd. 6.  [END OF FIELD TRIALS.] (a) Upon agreement with 
252.33  the federal government, the field trials of the Minnesota family 
252.34  investment plan will end June 30, 1998.  
252.35     (b) Families in the comparison group under subdivision 3, 
252.36  paragraph (d), clause (i), receiving aid to families with 
253.1   dependent children under sections 256.72 to 256.87, and STRIDE 
253.2   services under section 256.736 will continue in those programs 
253.3   until June 30, 1998.  After June 30, 1998, families who cease 
253.4   receiving assistance under the Minnesota family investment plan 
253.5   and comparison group families who cease receiving assistance 
253.6   under AFDC and STRIDE who are eligible for the Minnesota family 
253.7   investment program-statewide (MFIP-S), medical assistance, 
253.8   general assistance medical care, or the food stamp program shall 
253.9   be placed with their consent on the programs for which they are 
253.10  eligible. 
253.11     (c) Families who cease receiving assistance under the MFIP 
253.12  and comparison families who cease receiving assistance under 
253.13  AFDC and STRIDE who are ineligible for MFIP-S due to increased 
253.14  income from employment, or increased child or spousal support or 
253.15  a combination of employment income and child or spousal support, 
253.16  shall be eligible for extended medical assistance under section 
253.17  256B.0635.  For the purpose of determining receipt of extended 
253.18  medical assistance, receipt of AFDC and MFIP shall be considered 
253.19  to be the same as receipt of MFIP-S. 
253.20     Sec. 8.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
253.21  256.741, is amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
253.22     Subd. 2a.  [FAMILIES-FIRST DISTRIBUTION OF CHILD SUPPORT 
253.23  ARREARAGES.] Child support collected on behalf of a family that 
253.24  formerly received assistance under AFDC, MFIP, MFIP-R, MFIP-S, 
253.25  or Work First must be distributed as follows: 
253.26     (1) to the extent that the amount collected does not exceed 
253.27  the amount required to be paid to the family for the month in 
253.28  which collected, the state shall distribute the amount to the 
253.29  family; and 
253.30     (2) to the extent that the amount collected exceeds the 
253.31  amount required to be paid to the family for the month in which 
253.32  collected, the state shall distribute the amount as follows: 
253.33     (i) the state shall first distribute the amount collected 
253.34  to the family to the extent necessary to satisfy any support 
253.35  arrearages accrued after the family ceased to receive assistance 
253.36  from the state; and 
254.1      (ii) the state shall then distribute the amount collected 
254.2   to the family to the extent necessary to satisfy any support 
254.3   arrearages with respect to the family that accrued before the 
254.4   family received assistance from the state. 
254.5      Sec. 9.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
254.6   256.9864, is amended to read: 
254.7      256.9864 [REPORTS BY RECIPIENT.] 
254.8      (a) An assistance unit with a recent work history or with 
254.9   earned income shall report monthly to the county agency on 
254.10  income received and other circumstances affecting eligibility or 
254.11  assistance amounts.  All other assistance units shall report on 
254.12  income and other circumstances affecting eligibility and 
254.13  assistance amounts, as specified by the state agency. 
254.14     (b) An assistance unit required to submit a report on the 
254.15  form designated by the commissioner and within ten days of the 
254.16  due date or the date of the significant change, whichever is 
254.17  later, or otherwise report significant changes which would 
254.18  affect eligibility or assistance amounts, is considered to have 
254.19  continued its application for assistance effective the date the 
254.20  required report is received by the county agency, if a complete 
254.21  report is received within a calendar month in which assistance 
254.22  was received, except that no assistance shall be paid for the 
254.23  period beginning with the end of the month in which the report 
254.24  was due and ending with the date the report was received by the 
254.25  county agency. 
254.26     Sec. 10.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
254.27  256B.062, is amended to read: 
254.28     256B.062 [CONTINUED ELIGIBILITY.] 
254.29     Medical assistance may be paid for persons who received aid 
254.30  to families with dependent children in at least three of the six 
254.31  months preceding the month in which the person became ineligible 
254.32  for aid to families with dependent children, if the 
254.33  ineligibility was due to an increase in hours of employment or 
254.34  employment income or due to the loss of an earned income 
254.35  disregard.  A person who is eligible for extended medical 
254.36  assistance is entitled to six months of assistance without 
255.1   reapplication, unless the assistance unit ceases to include a 
255.2   dependent child.  For a person under 21 years of age, medical 
255.3   assistance may not be discontinued within the six-month period 
255.4   of extended eligibility until it has been determined that the 
255.5   person is not otherwise eligible for medical assistance.  
255.6   Medical assistance may be continued for an additional six months 
255.7   if the person meets all requirements for the additional six 
255.8   months, according to Title XIX of the Social Security Act, as 
255.9   amended by section 303 of the Family Support Act of 1988, Public 
255.10  Law Number 100-485.  This section is repealed effective March 31 
255.11  July 1, 1998.  
255.12     Sec. 11.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
255.13  256B.0635, is amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
255.14     Subd. 3.  [EXTENDED MEDICAL ASSISTANCE FOR MFIP-S 
255.15  PARTICIPANTS WHO OPT TO DISCONTINUE MONTHLY CASH 
255.16  ASSISTANCE.] Upon federal approval, medical assistance is 
255.17  available to persons who received MFIP-S in at least three of 
255.18  the six months preceding the month in which the person opted to 
255.19  discontinue receiving MFIP-S cash assistance under section 
255.20  256J.31, subdivision 12.  A person who is eligible for medical 
255.21  assistance under this section may receive medical assistance 
255.22  without reapplication as long as the person meets MFIP-S 
255.23  eligibility requirements, unless the assistance unit does not 
255.24  include a dependent child.  Medical assistance may be paid 
255.25  pursuant to subdivisions 1 and 2 for persons who are no longer 
255.26  eligible for MFIP-S due to increased employment or child support.
255.27     Sec. 12.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
255.28  256D.05, subdivision 8, is amended to read: 
255.29     Subd. 8.  [CITIZENSHIP.] (a) Effective July 1, 1997, 
255.30  citizenship requirements for applicants and recipients under 
255.31  sections 256D.01 to 256D.03, subdivision 2, and 256D.04 to 
255.32  256D.21 shall be determined the same as under section 256J.11, 
255.33  except that legal noncitizens who are applicants or recipients 
255.34  must have been residents of Minnesota on March 1, 1997.  Legal 
255.35  noncitizens who arrive in Minnesota after March 1, 1997, and 
255.36  become elderly or disabled after that date, and are otherwise 
256.1   eligible for general assistance can receive benefits under this 
256.2   section.  The income and assets of sponsors of noncitizens shall 
256.3   be deemed available to general assistance applicants and 
256.4   recipients according to the Personal Responsibility and Work 
256.5   Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, Public Law Number 
256.6   104-193, title IV, sections 421 and 422, and subsequently set 
256.7   out in federal rules. 
256.8      (b) As a condition of eligibility, each legal adult 
256.9   noncitizen in the assistance unit who has resided in the country 
256.10  for four years or more and who is under 70 years of age must: 
256.11     (1) be enrolled in a literacy class, English as a second 
256.12  language class, or a citizen class; 
256.13     (2) be applying for admission to a literacy class, English 
256.14  as a second language class, and is on a waiting list; 
256.15     (3) be in the process of applying for a waiver from the 
256.16  Immigration and Naturalization Service of the English language 
256.17  or civics requirements of the citizenship test; 
256.18     (4) have submitted an application for citizenship to the 
256.19  Immigration and Naturalization Service and is waiting for a 
256.20  testing date or a subsequent swearing in ceremony; or 
256.21     (5) have been denied citizenship due to a failure to pass 
256.22  the test after two attempts or because of an inability to 
256.23  understand the rights and responsibilities of becoming a United 
256.24  States citizen, as documented by the Immigration and 
256.25  Naturalization Service or the county. 
256.26     If the county social service agency determines that a legal 
256.27  noncitizen subject to the requirements of this subdivision will 
256.28  require more than one year of English language training, then 
256.29  the requirements of clause (1) or (2) shall be imposed after the 
256.30  legal noncitizen has resided in the country for three years.  
256.31  Individuals who reside in a facility licensed under chapter 
256.32  144A, 144D, 245A, or 256I are exempt from the requirements of 
256.33  this section. 
256.34     Sec. 13.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 256D.051, is 
256.35  amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
256.36     Subd. 18.  [WAIVER OF SERVICE COST REIMBURSEMENT LIMIT FOR 
257.1   PARTICIPANTS WITH SIGNIFICANT BARRIERS TO EMPLOYMENT.] 
257.2      (a) To the extent of available resources, the commissioner 
257.3   may waive the $400 service cost limit specified in subdivision 6 
257.4   for county agencies who propose to provide enhanced services 
257.5   under the food stamp employment and training program to 
257.6   hard-to-employ individuals.  A "hard-to-employ individual" is 
257.7   defined as: 
257.8      (1) a recipient of general assistance under chapter 256D; 
257.9   or 
257.10     (2) an individual with at least one of the following three 
257.11  barriers to employment: 
257.12     (i) the individual has not completed secondary school or 
257.13  obtained a general equivalency development diploma or an adult 
257.14  diploma, and has low skills in reading or mathematics; 
257.15     (ii) the individual requires substance abuse treatment for 
257.16  employment; and 
257.17     (iii) the individual has a poor work history. 
257.18     (b) To obtain a waiver, the county agency must submit a 
257.19  waiver request to the commissioner.  The request must specify:  
257.20     (1) the number of hard-to-employ individuals the agency 
257.21  plans to serve; 
257.22     (2) the nature of the enhanced employment and training 
257.23  services the agency will provide; and 
257.24     (3) the agency's plan for providing referrals for substance 
257.25  abuse assessment and treatment for hard-to-employ individuals 
257.26  who require substance abuse treatment for employment. 
257.27     Sec. 14.  [256D.053] [MINNESOTA FOOD ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.] 
257.28     Subdivision 1.  [PROGRAM ESTABLISHED.] For the period from 
257.29  July 1, 1998, to June 30, 1999, the Minnesota food assistance 
257.30  program is established to provide food assistance to legal 
257.31  noncitizens residing in this state who are ineligible to 
257.32  participate in the federal food stamp program solely due to the 
257.33  provisions of section 402 or 403 of Public Law Number 104-193, 
257.34  as authorized by Title VII of the 1997 Emergency Supplemental 
257.35  Appropriations Act, Public Law Number 105-18. 
257.36     Subd. 2.  [ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS.] To be eligible for 
258.1   the Minnesota food assistance program, all of the following 
258.2   conditions must be met: 
258.3      (1) the applicant must meet the initial and ongoing 
258.4   eligibility requirements for the federal food stamp program, 
258.5   except for the applicant's ineligible immigration status; 
258.6      (2) the applicant must be either a qualified noncitizen as 
258.7   defined in section 256J.08, subdivision 73, or a noncitizen 
258.8   otherwise residing lawfully in the United States; 
258.9      (3) the applicant must be a resident of the state; and 
258.10     (4) the applicant must not be receiving assistance under 
258.11  the Minnesota family investment program-statewide or the work 
258.12  first program. 
258.13     Subd. 3.  [PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION.] (a) The rules for the 
258.14  Minnesota food assistance program shall follow exactly the 
258.15  regulations for the federal food stamp program, except for the 
258.16  provisions pertaining to immigration status under section 402 or 
258.17  403 of Public Law Number 104-193. 
258.18     (b) The county agency shall use the income, budgeting, and 
258.19  benefit allotment regulations of the federal food stamp program 
258.20  to calculate an eligible recipient's monthly Minnesota food 
258.21  assistance program benefit.  Until September 30, 1998, eligible 
258.22  recipients under this subdivision shall receive the average per 
258.23  person food stamp issuance in Minnesota in the fiscal year 
258.24  ending June 30, 1997.  Beginning October 1, 1998, eligible 
258.25  recipients shall receive the same level of benefits as those 
258.26  provided by the federal food stamp program to similarly situated 
258.27  citizen recipients.  The monthly Minnesota food assistance 
258.28  program benefits shall not exceed an amount equal to the amount 
258.29  of federal food stamp benefits the household would receive if 
258.30  all members of the household were eligible for the federal food 
258.31  stamp program. 
258.32     (c) Minnesota food assistance program benefits must be 
258.33  disregarded as income in all programs that do not count food 
258.34  stamps as income. 
258.35     (d) The county agency must redetermine a Minnesota food 
258.36  assistance program recipient's eligibility for the federal food 
259.1   stamp program when the agency receives information that the 
259.2   recipient's legal immigration status has changed in such a way 
259.3   that would make the recipient potentially eligible for the 
259.4   federal food stamp program. 
259.5      (e) Until October 1, 1998, the commissioner may provide 
259.6   benefits under this section in cash. 
259.7      Subd. 4.  [STATE PLAN REQUIRED.] The commissioner shall 
259.8   submit a state plan to the secretary of agriculture to allow the 
259.9   commissioner to purchase federal food stamp benefits for each 
259.10  Minnesota food assistance program recipient who is ineligible to 
259.11  participate in the federal food stamp program solely due to the 
259.12  provisions of section 402 or 403 of Public Law Number 104-193, 
259.13  as authorized by Title VII of the 1997 Emergency Supplemental 
259.14  Appropriations Act, Public Law Number 105-18.  The commissioner 
259.15  shall enter into a contract as necessary with the secretary to 
259.16  use the existing federal food stamp benefit delivery system for 
259.17  the purposes of administering the Minnesota food assistance 
259.18  program under this section. 
259.19     Sec. 15.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 256D.46, 
259.20  subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
259.21     Subd. 2.  [INCOME AND RESOURCE TEST.] All income and 
259.22  resources available to the recipient must be considered in 
259.23  determining the recipient's ability to meet the emergency need.  
259.24  Property that can be liquidated in time to resolve the emergency 
259.25  and income, (excluding Minnesota supplemental aid issued for 
259.26  current month's need) an amount equal to the Minnesota 
259.27  supplemental aid standard of assistance, that is normally 
259.28  disregarded or excluded under the Minnesota supplemental aid 
259.29  program must be considered available to meet the emergency need. 
259.30     Sec. 16.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
259.31  256J.02, subdivision 4, is amended to read: 
259.32     Subd. 4.  [AUTHORITY TO TRANSFER.] Subject to limitations 
259.33  of title I of Public Law Number 104-193, the Personal 
259.34  Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 
259.35  1996, as amended, the legislature may transfer money from the 
259.36  TANF block grant to the child care fund under chapter 119B, or 
260.1   the Title XX block grant under section 256E.07. 
260.2      Sec. 17.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
260.3   256J.03, is amended to read: 
260.4      256J.03 [TANF RESERVE ACCOUNT.] 
260.5      Subdivision 1.  The Minnesota family investment 
260.6   program-statewide/TANF TANF reserve account is created in the 
260.7   state treasury.  Funds retained or deposited in the TANF reserve 
260.8   shall include:  (1) funds designated by the legislature and; (2) 
260.9   unexpended state funds resulting from the acceleration of TANF 
260.10  expenditures under subdivision 2; (3) earnings available from 
260.11  the federal TANF block grant appropriated to the commissioner 
260.12  but not expended in the biennium beginning July 1, 1997, shall 
260.13  be retained; and (4) TANF funds available in fiscal years 1998, 
260.14  1999, 2000, and 2001 that are not spent or not budgeted to be 
260.15  spent in those years. 
260.16     Funds deposited in the reserve account to must be expended 
260.17  for the Minnesota family investment program-statewide in fiscal 
260.18  year 2000 and subsequent fiscal years and directly related state 
260.19  programs for the purposes in subdivision 3. 
260.20     Subd. 2.  [AUTHORIZATION TO ACCELERATE EXPENDITURE OF TANF 
260.21  FUNDS.] The commissioner may expend federal Temporary Assistance 
260.22  to Needy Families block grant funds in excess of appropriated 
260.23  levels for the purpose of accelerating federal funding of the 
260.24  MFIP program.  By the end of the fiscal year in which the 
260.25  additional federal expenditures are made, the commissioner must 
260.26  deposit into the reserve account an amount of unexpended state 
260.27  funds appropriated for assistance to families grants, aid to 
260.28  families with dependent children, and Minnesota family 
260.29  investment plan equal to the additional federal expenditures.  
260.30  Reserve funds may be spent as TANF appropriations if 
260.31  insufficient TANF funds are available because of acceleration. 
260.32     Subd. 3.  [ALLOWED TRANSFER PURPOSE.] Funds from the 
260.33  reserve account may be used for the following purposes: 
260.34     (1) unanticipated Temporary Assistance to Needy Families 
260.35  block grant maintenance of effort shortfalls; 
260.36     (2) MFIP cost increases due to reduced federal revenues and 
261.1   federal law changes; 
261.2      (3) one-half of the MFIP general fund cost increase in 
261.3   fiscal year 2000 and subsequent fiscal years due to caseload 
261.4   increases over fiscal year 1999; and 
261.5      (4) transfers allowed under section 256J.02, subdivision 4. 
261.6      Sec. 18.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
261.7   256J.08, subdivision 11, is amended to read: 
261.8      Subd. 11.  [CAREGIVER.] "Caregiver" means a minor child's 
261.9   natural or adoptive parent or parents and stepparent who live in 
261.10  the home with the minor child.  For purposes of determining 
261.11  eligibility for this program, caregiver also means any of the 
261.12  following individuals, if adults, who live with and provide care 
261.13  and support to a minor child when the minor child's natural or 
261.14  adoptive parent or parents or stepparent do not reside in the 
261.15  same home:  legal custodians custodian or guardian, grandfather, 
261.16  grandmother, brother, sister, stepfather, stepmother, 
261.17  stepbrother, stepsister, uncle, aunt, first cousin, nephew, 
261.18  niece, person of preceding generation as denoted by prefixes of 
261.19  "great," "great-great," or "great-great-great," or a spouse of 
261.20  any person named in the above groups even after the marriage 
261.21  ends by death or divorce. 
261.22     Sec. 19.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
261.23  256J.08, is amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
261.24     Subd. 24a.  [DISQUALIFIED.] "Disqualified" means being 
261.25  ineligible to receive MFIP-S due to noncooperation with program 
261.26  requirements.  Except for persons whose disqualification is 
261.27  based on fraud, a disqualified person can take action to correct 
261.28  the reason for ineligibility.  
261.29     Sec. 20.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
261.30  256J.08, subdivision 26, is amended to read: 
261.31     Subd. 26.  [EARNED INCOME.] "Earned income" means cash or 
261.32  in-kind income earned through the receipt of wages, salary, 
261.33  commissions, profit from employment activities, net profit from 
261.34  self-employment activities, payments made by an employer for 
261.35  regularly accrued vacation or sick leave, and any other profit 
261.36  from activity earned through effort or labor.  The income must 
262.1   be in return for, or as a result of, legal activity.  
262.2      Sec. 21.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
262.3   256J.08, subdivision 28, is amended to read: 
262.4      Subd. 28.  [EMERGENCY.] "Emergency" means a situation or a 
262.5   set of circumstances that causes or threatens to cause 
262.6   destitution to a minor child family with a child under age 21.  
262.7      Sec. 22.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
262.8   256J.08, subdivision 40, is amended to read: 
262.9      Subd. 40.  [GROSS EARNED INCOME.] "Gross earned income" 
262.10  means earned income from employment before mandatory and 
262.11  voluntary payroll deductions.  Gross earned income includes 
262.12  salaries, wages, tips, gratuities, commissions, incentive 
262.13  payments from work or training programs, payments made by an 
262.14  employer for regularly accrued vacation or sick leave, and 
262.15  profits from other activity earned by an individual's effort or 
262.16  labor.  Gross earned income includes uniform and meal allowances 
262.17  if federal income tax is deducted from the allowance.  Gross 
262.18  earned income includes flexible work benefits received from an 
262.19  employer if the employee has the option of receiving the benefit 
262.20  or benefits in cash.  For self-employment, gross earned income 
262.21  is the nonexcluded income minus expenses for the business.  
262.22     Sec. 23.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
262.23  256J.08, is amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
262.24     Subd. 46a.  [SHELTER COSTS.] "Shelter costs" means rent, 
262.25  manufactured home lot rental costs, or monthly principal, 
262.26  interest, insurance premiums, and property taxes due for 
262.27  mortgages or contracts for deed. 
262.28     Sec. 24.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
262.29  256J.08, is amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
262.30     Subd. 50a.  [INTERSTATE TRANSITIONAL STANDARD.] "Interstate 
262.31  transitional standard" means a combination of the cash 
262.32  assistance a family with no other income would have received in 
262.33  the state of previous residence and the Minnesota food portion 
262.34  for the appropriate size family. 
262.35     Sec. 25.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
262.36  256J.08, is amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
263.1      Subd. 51a.  [LEGAL CUSTODIAN.] "Legal custodian" means any 
263.2   person who is under a legal obligation to provide care and 
263.3   support for a minor and who is in fact providing care and 
263.4   support for a minor.  For an Indian child, custodian means any 
263.5   Indian person who has legal custody of an Indian child under 
263.6   tribal law or custom or under state law or to whom temporary 
263.7   physical care, custody, and control has been transferred by the 
263.8   parent of the child, as provided in section 257.351, subdivision 
263.9   8. 
263.10     Sec. 26.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
263.11  256J.08, subdivision 60, is amended to read: 
263.12     Subd. 60.  [MINOR CHILD.] "Minor child" means a child who 
263.13  is living in the same home of a parent or other caregiver, is 
263.14  not the parent of a child in the home, and is either less than 
263.15  18 years of age or is under the age of 19 years and is regularly 
263.16  attending as a full-time student and is expected to complete a 
263.17  high school or in a secondary school or pursuing a full-time 
263.18  secondary level course of vocational or technical training 
263.19  designed to fit students for gainful employment before reaching 
263.20  age 19. 
263.21     Sec. 27.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
263.22  256J.08, is amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
263.23     Subd. 61a.  [NONCUSTODIAL PARENT.] "Noncustodial parent" 
263.24  means a minor child's parent who does not live in the same home 
263.25  as the child.  
263.26     Sec. 28.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
263.27  256J.08, subdivision 68, is amended to read: 
263.28     Subd. 68.  [PERSONAL PROPERTY.] "Personal property" means 
263.29  an item of value that is not real property, including the value 
263.30  of a contract for deed held by a seller, assets held in trust on 
263.31  behalf of members of an assistance unit, cash surrender value of 
263.32  life insurance, value of a prepaid burial, savings account, 
263.33  value of stocks and bonds, and value of retirement accounts. 
263.34     Sec. 29.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
263.35  256J.08, subdivision 73, is amended to read: 
263.36     Subd. 73.  [QUALIFIED NONCITIZEN.] "Qualified noncitizen" 
264.1   means a person: 
264.2      (1) who was lawfully admitted for permanent residence 
264.3   pursuant to United States Code, title 8; 
264.4      (2) who was admitted to the United States as a refugee 
264.5   pursuant to United States Code, title 8; section 1157; 
264.6      (3) whose deportation is being withheld pursuant to United 
264.7   States Code, title 8, section 1253(h); 
264.8      (4) who was paroled for a period of at least one year 
264.9   pursuant to United States Code, title 8, section 1182(d)(5); 
264.10     (5) who was granted conditional entry pursuant to United 
264.11  State Code, title 8, section 1153(a)(7); 
264.12     (6) who was granted asylum pursuant to United States Code, 
264.13  title 8, section 1158; or 
264.14     (7) determined to be a battered noncitizen by the United 
264.15  States Attorney General according to the Illegal Immigration 
264.16  Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996, Title V of the 
264.17  Omnibus Consolidated Appropriations Bill, Public Law Number 
264.18  104-208; or 
264.19     (8) who was admitted as a Cuban or Haitian entrant. 
264.20     Sec. 30.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
264.21  256J.08, subdivision 83, is amended to read: 
264.22     Subd. 83.  [SIGNIFICANT CHANGE.] "Significant change" means 
264.23  a decline in gross income of 35 36 percent or more from the 
264.24  income used to determine the grant for the current month. 
264.25     Sec. 31.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
264.26  256J.09, subdivision 6, is amended to read: 
264.27     Subd. 6.  [INVALID REASON FOR DELAY.] A county agency must 
264.28  not delay a decision on eligibility or delay issuing the 
264.29  assistance payment except to establish state residence as 
264.30  provided in section 256J.12 by: 
264.31     (1) treating the 30-day processing period as a waiting 
264.32  period; 
264.33     (2) delaying approval or issuance of the assistance payment 
264.34  pending the decision of the county board; or 
264.35     (3) awaiting the result of a referral to a county agency in 
264.36  another county when the county receiving the application does 
265.1   not believe it is the county of financial responsibility. 
265.2      Sec. 32.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
265.3   256J.09, subdivision 9, is amended to read: 
265.4      Subd. 9.  [ADDENDUM TO AN EXISTING APPLICATION.] (a) An 
265.5   addendum to an existing application must be used to add persons 
265.6   to an assistance unit regardless of whether the persons being 
265.7   added are required to be in the assistance unit.  When a person 
265.8   is added by addendum to an assistance unit, eligibility for that 
265.9   person begins on the first of the month the addendum was filed 
265.10  except as provided in section 256J.74, subdivision 2, clause (1).
265.11     (b) An overpayment must be determined when a change in 
265.12  household composition is not reported within the deadlines in 
265.13  section 256J.30, subdivision 9.  Any overpayment must be 
265.14  calculated from the month of the change including the needs, 
265.15  income, and assets of any individual who is required to be 
265.16  included in the assistance unit under section 256J.24, 
265.17  subdivision 2.  Individuals not included in the assistance unit 
265.18  who are identified in section 256J.37, subdivisions 1 to 2, must 
265.19  have their income and assets considered when determining the 
265.20  amount of the overpayment. 
265.21     Sec. 33.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
265.22  256J.11, subdivision 2, as amended by Laws 1997, Third Special 
265.23  Session chapter 1, section 1, is amended to read: 
265.24     Subd. 2.  [NONCITIZENS; FOOD PORTION.] (a) For the period 
265.25  September 1, 1997, to October 31, 1997, noncitizens who do not 
265.26  meet one of the exemptions in section 412 of the Personal 
265.27  Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, 
265.28  but were residing in this state as of July 1, 1997, are eligible 
265.29  for the 6/10 of the average value of food stamps for the same 
265.30  family size and composition until MFIP-S is operative in the 
265.31  noncitizen's county of financial responsibility and thereafter, 
265.32  the 6/10 of the food portion of MFIP-S.  However, federal food 
265.33  stamp dollars cannot be used to fund the food portion of MFIP-S 
265.34  benefits for an individual under this subdivision.  
265.35     (b) For the period November 1, 1997, to June 30, 1998 1999, 
265.36  noncitizens who do not meet one of the exemptions in section 412 
266.1   of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity 
266.2   Reconciliation Act of 1996, but were residing in this state as 
266.3   of July 1, 1997, and are receiving cash assistance under the 
266.4   AFDC, family general assistance, MFIP or MFIP-S programs are 
266.5   eligible for the average value of food stamps for the same 
266.6   family size and composition until MFIP-S is operative in the 
266.7   noncitizen's county of financial responsibility and thereafter, 
266.8   the food portion of MFIP-S.  However, federal food stamp dollars 
266.9   cannot be used to fund the food portion of MFIP-S benefits for 
266.10  an individual under this subdivision.  The assistance provided 
266.11  under this subdivision, which is designated as a supplement to 
266.12  replace lost benefits under the federal food stamp program, must 
266.13  be disregarded as income in all programs that do not count food 
266.14  stamps as income where the commissioner has the authority to 
266.15  make the income disregard determination for the program. 
266.16     (c) The commissioner shall submit a state plan to the 
266.17  secretary of agriculture to allow the commissioner to purchase 
266.18  federal food stamp benefits in an amount equal to the MFIP-S 
266.19  food portion for each legal noncitizen receiving MFIP-S 
266.20  assistance who is ineligible to participate in the federal food 
266.21  stamp program solely due to the provisions of section 402 or 403 
266.22  of Public Law Number 104-193, as authorized by Title VII of the 
266.23  1997 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, Public Law 
266.24  Number 105-18.  The commissioner shall enter into a contract as 
266.25  necessary with the secretary to use the existing federal food 
266.26  stamp benefit delivery system for the purposes of administering 
266.27  the food portion of MFIP-S under this subdivision. 
266.28     Sec. 34.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
266.29  256J.12, is amended to read: 
266.30     256J.12 [MINNESOTA RESIDENCE.] 
266.31     Subdivision 1.  [SIMPLE RESIDENCY.] To be eligible for AFDC 
266.32  or MFIP-S, whichever is in effect, a family an assistance unit 
266.33  must have established residency in this state which means 
266.34  the family assistance unit is present in the state and intends 
266.35  to remain here. 
266.36     Subd. 1a.  [30-DAY RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT.] A family An 
267.1   assistance unit is considered to have established residency in 
267.2   this state only when a child or caregiver has resided in this 
267.3   state for at least 30 days with the intention of making the 
267.4   person's home here and not for any temporary purpose.  The birth 
267.5   of a child in Minnesota to a member of the assistance unit does 
267.6   not automatically establish the residency in this state under 
267.7   this subdivision of the other members of the assistance unit.  
267.8   Time spent in a shelter for battered women shall count toward 
267.9   satisfying the 30-day residency requirement. 
267.10     Subd. 2.  [EXCEPTIONS.] (a) A county shall waive the 30-day 
267.11  residency requirement where unusual hardship would result from 
267.12  denial of assistance. 
267.13     (b) For purposes of this section, unusual hardship means a 
267.14  family an assistance unit: 
267.15     (1) is without alternative shelter; or 
267.16     (2) is without available resources for food. 
267.17     (c) For purposes of this subdivision, the following 
267.18  definitions apply (1) "metropolitan statistical area" is as 
267.19  defined by the U.S. Census Bureau; (2) "alternative shelter" 
267.20  includes any shelter that is located within the metropolitan 
267.21  statistical area containing the county and for which the family 
267.22  is eligible, provided the family assistance unit does not have 
267.23  to travel more than 20 miles to reach the shelter and has access 
267.24  to transportation to the shelter.  Clause (2) does not apply to 
267.25  counties in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan statistical 
267.26  area. 
267.27     (d) Applicants are considered to meet the residency 
267.28  requirement under subdivision 1a if they once resided in 
267.29  Minnesota and: 
267.30     (1) joined the United States armed services, returned to 
267.31  Minnesota within 30 days of leaving the armed services, and 
267.32  intend to remain in Minnesota; or 
267.33     (2) left to attend school in another state, paid 
267.34  nonresident tuition or Minnesota tuition rates under a 
267.35  reciprocity agreement, and returned to Minnesota within 30 days 
267.36  of graduation with the intent to remain in Minnesota. 
268.1      (e) The 30-day residence requirement is met when: 
268.2      (1) a minor child or a minor caregiver moves from another 
268.3   state to the residence of a relative caregiver; 
268.4      (2) the minor caregiver applies for and receives family 
268.5   cash assistance; 
268.6      (3) the relative caregiver chooses not to be part of the 
268.7   MFIP-S assistance unit; and 
268.8      (4) the relative caregiver has resided in Minnesota for at 
268.9   least 30 days prior to the date the assistance unit applies for 
268.10  cash assistance.  
268.11     (f) Ineligible mandatory unit members who have resided in 
268.12  Minnesota for 12 months immediately before the unit's date of 
268.13  application establish the other assistance unit members' 
268.14  eligibility for the MFIP-S transitional standard. 
268.15     Subd. 2a.  [MIGRANT WORKERS.] Migrant workers, as defined 
268.16  in section 256J.08, and their immediate families are exempt from 
268.17  the requirements of subdivisions 1 and 1a, provided the migrant 
268.18  worker provides verification that the migrant family worked in 
268.19  this state within the last 12 months and earned at least $1,000 
268.20  in gross wages during the time the migrant worker worked in this 
268.21  state. 
268.22     Subd. 3.  [PAYMENT PLAN FOR NEW RESIDENTS.] Assistance paid 
268.23  to an eligible family assistance unit in which all members have 
268.24  resided in this state for fewer than 12 consecutive calendar 
268.25  months immediately preceding the date of application shall be at 
268.26  the standard and in the form specified in section 256J.43. 
268.27     Subd. 4.  [SEVERABILITY CLAUSE.] If any subdivision in this 
268.28  section is enjoined from implementation or found 
268.29  unconstitutional by any court of competent jurisdiction, the 
268.30  remaining subdivisions shall remain valid and shall be given 
268.31  full effect. 
268.32     Sec. 35.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
268.33  256J.14, is amended to read: 
268.34     256J.14 [ELIGIBILITY FOR PARENTING OR PREGNANT MINORS.] 
268.35     (a) The definitions in this paragraph only apply to this 
268.36  subdivision. 
269.1      (1) "Household of a parent, legal guardian, or other adult 
269.2   relative" means the place of residence of: 
269.3      (i) a natural or adoptive parent; 
269.4      (ii) a legal guardian according to appointment or 
269.5   acceptance under section 260.242, 525.615, or 525.6165, and 
269.6   related laws; or 
269.7      (iii) a caregiver as defined in section 256J.08, 
269.8   subdivision 11; or 
269.9      (iv) an appropriate adult relative designated by a county 
269.10  agency. 
269.11     (2) "Adult-supervised supportive living arrangement" means 
269.12  a private family setting which assumes responsibility for the 
269.13  care and control of the minor parent and minor child, or other 
269.14  living arrangement, not including a public institution, licensed 
269.15  by the commissioner of human services which ensures that the 
269.16  minor parent receives adult supervision and supportive services, 
269.17  such as counseling, guidance, independent living skills 
269.18  training, or supervision. 
269.19     (b) A minor parent and the minor child who is in the care 
269.20  of the minor parent must reside in the household of a parent, 
269.21  legal guardian, other appropriate adult relative, or other 
269.22  caregiver, or in an adult-supervised supportive living 
269.23  arrangement in order to receive MFIP-S unless: 
269.24     (1) the minor parent has no living parent, other 
269.25  appropriate adult relative, or legal guardian whose whereabouts 
269.26  is known; 
269.27     (2) no living parent, other appropriate adult relative, or 
269.28  legal guardian of the minor parent allows the minor parent to 
269.29  live in the parent's, appropriate other adult relative's, or 
269.30  legal guardian's home; 
269.31     (3) the minor parent lived apart from the minor parent's 
269.32  own parent or legal guardian for a period of at least one year 
269.33  before either the birth of the minor child or the minor parent's 
269.34  application for MFIP-S; 
269.35     (4) the physical or emotional health or safety of the minor 
269.36  parent or minor child would be jeopardized if the minor parent 
270.1   and the minor child resided in the same residence with the minor 
270.2   parent's parent, other appropriate adult relative, or legal 
270.3   guardian; or 
270.4      (5) an adult supervised supportive living arrangement is 
270.5   not available for the minor parent and the dependent child in 
270.6   the county in which the minor parent and child currently resides 
270.7   reside.  If an adult supervised supportive living arrangement 
270.8   becomes available within the county, the minor parent and child 
270.9   must reside in that arrangement. 
270.10     (c) Minor applicants must be informed orally and in writing 
270.11  about the eligibility requirements and their rights and 
270.12  obligations under the MFIP-S program.  The county must advise 
270.13  the minor of the possible exemptions and specifically ask 
270.14  whether one or more of these exemptions is applicable.  If the 
270.15  minor alleges one or more of these exemptions, then the county 
270.16  must assist the minor in obtaining the necessary verifications 
270.17  to determine whether or not these exemptions apply. 
270.18     (d) If the county worker has reason to suspect that the 
270.19  physical or emotional health or safety of the minor parent or 
270.20  minor child would be jeopardized if they resided with the minor 
270.21  parent's parent, other adult relative, or legal guardian, then 
270.22  the county worker must make a referral to child protective 
270.23  services to determine if paragraph (b), clause (4), applies.  A 
270.24  new determination by the county worker is not necessary if one 
270.25  has been made within the last six months, unless there has been 
270.26  a significant change in circumstances which justifies a new 
270.27  referral and determination. 
270.28     (e) If a minor parent is not living with a parent or, legal 
270.29  guardian, or other adult relative due to paragraph (b), clause 
270.30  (1), (2), or (4), the minor parent must reside, when possible, 
270.31  in a living arrangement that meets the standards of paragraph 
270.32  (a), clause (2). 
270.33     (f) When a minor parent and minor child live lives with 
270.34  another a parent, other adult relative, legal guardian, or in an 
270.35  adult-supervised supportive living arrangement, MFIP-S must be 
270.36  paid, when possible, in the form of a protective payment on 
271.1   behalf of the minor parent and minor child in accordance with 
271.2   according to section 256J.39, subdivisions 2 to 4. 
271.3      Sec. 36.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
271.4   256J.15, subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
271.5      Subd. 2.  [ELIGIBILITY DURING LABOR DISPUTES.] To receive 
271.6   assistance under MFIP-S, when a member of an assistance unit who 
271.7   is on strike, or when an individual identified under section 
271.8   256J.37, subdivisions 1 to 2, whose income and assets must be 
271.9   considered when determining the unit's eligibility is on strike, 
271.10  the assistance unit must have been an receiving MFIP-S 
271.11  participant on the day before the strike, or have been eligible 
271.12  for MFIP-S on the day before the strike. 
271.13     The county agency must count the striker's prestrike 
271.14  earnings as current earnings.  When A significant change cannot 
271.15  be invoked when a member of an assistance unit, or an individual 
271.16  identified under section 256J.37, subdivisions 1 to 2, is on 
271.17  strike.  A member of an assistance unit who, or an individual 
271.18  identified under section 256J.37, subdivisions 1 to 2, is not 
271.19  considered a striker when that person is not in the bargaining 
271.20  unit that voted for the strike and does not cross the picket 
271.21  line for fear of personal injury, the assistance unit member is 
271.22  not a striker.  Except for a member of an assistance unit who is 
271.23  not in the bargaining unit that voted for the strike and who 
271.24  does not cross the picket line for fear of personal injury, a 
271.25  significant change cannot be invoked as a result of a labor 
271.26  dispute. 
271.27     Sec. 37.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
271.28  256J.20, subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
271.29     Subd. 2.  [REAL PROPERTY LIMITATIONS.] Ownership of real 
271.30  property by an applicant or participant is subject to the 
271.31  limitations in paragraphs (a) and (b). 
271.32     (a) A county agency shall exclude the homestead of an 
271.33  applicant or participant according to clauses (1) to (4) (5): 
271.34     (1) an applicant or participant who is purchasing real 
271.35  property through a contract for deed and using that property as 
271.36  a home is considered the owner of real property; 
272.1      (2) the total amount of land that can be excluded under 
272.2   this subdivision is limited to surrounding property which is not 
272.3   separated from the home by intervening property owned by 
272.4   others.  Additional property must be assessed as to its legal 
272.5   and actual availability according to subdivision 1; 
272.6      (3) when real property that has been used as a home by a 
272.7   participant is sold, the county agency must treat the cash 
272.8   proceeds from the sale as excluded property for six months when 
272.9   the participant intends to reinvest the proceeds in another home 
272.10  and maintains those proceeds, unused for other purposes, in a 
272.11  separate account; and 
272.12     (4) when the homestead is jointly owned, but the client 
272.13  does not reside in it because of legal separation, pending 
272.14  divorce, or battering or abuse by the spouse or partner, the 
272.15  homestead is excluded.; and 
272.16     (5) the homestead shall continue to be excluded if it is 
272.17  temporarily unoccupied due to employment, illness, or as the 
272.18  result of compliance with a county-approved employability plan.  
272.19  The education, training, or job search must be within the state, 
272.20  but can be outside the immediate geographic area.  A homestead 
272.21  temporarily unoccupied because it is not habitable due to a 
272.22  casualty or natural disaster is excluded.  The homestead is 
272.23  excluded during periods only if the client intends to return to 
272.24  it. 
272.25     (b) The equity value of real property that is not excluded 
272.26  under paragraph (a) and which is legally available must be 
272.27  applied against the limits in subdivision 3.  When the equity 
272.28  value of the real property exceeds the limits under subdivision 
272.29  3, the applicant or participant may qualify to receive 
272.30  assistance when the applicant or participant continues to make a 
272.31  good faith effort to sell the property and signs a legally 
272.32  binding agreement to repay the amount of assistance, less child 
272.33  support collected by the agency.  Repayment must be made within 
272.34  five working days after the property is sold.  Repayment to the 
272.35  county agency must be in the amount of assistance received or 
272.36  the proceeds of the sale, whichever is less. 
273.1      Sec. 38.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
273.2   256J.20, subdivision 3, is amended to read: 
273.3      Subd. 3.  [OTHER PROPERTY LIMITATIONS.] To be eligible for 
273.4   MFIP-S, the equity value of all nonexcluded real and personal 
273.5   property of the assistance unit must not exceed $2,000 for 
273.6   applicants and $5,000 for ongoing recipients participants.  The 
273.7   value of assets in clauses (1) to (18) (20) must be excluded 
273.8   when determining the equity value of real and personal property: 
273.9      (1) a licensed vehicles vehicle up to a total market loan 
273.10  value of less than or equal to $7,500.  The county agency shall 
273.11  apply any excess market loan value as if it were equity value to 
273.12  the asset limit described in this section.  If the assistance 
273.13  unit owns more than one licensed vehicle, the county agency 
273.14  shall determine the vehicle with the highest market loan value 
273.15  and count only the market loan value over $7,500.  The county 
273.16  agency shall count the market loan value of all other vehicles 
273.17  and apply this amount as if it were equity value to the asset 
273.18  limit described in this section.  The value of special equipment 
273.19  for a handicapped member of the assistance unit is excluded.  To 
273.20  establish the market loan value of vehicles, a county agency 
273.21  must use the N.A.D.A. Official Used Car Guide, Midwest Edition, 
273.22  for newer model cars.  The N.A.D.A. Official Used Car Guide, 
273.23  Midwest Edition, is incorporated by reference.  When a vehicle 
273.24  is not listed in the guidebook, or when the applicant or 
273.25  participant disputes the loan value listed in the guidebook as 
273.26  unreasonable given the condition of the particular vehicle, the 
273.27  county agency may require the applicant or participant to 
273.28  document the loan value by securing a written statement from a 
273.29  motor vehicle dealer licensed under section 168.27, stating the 
273.30  amount that the dealer would pay to purchase the vehicle.  The 
273.31  county agency shall reimburse the applicant or participant for 
273.32  the cost of a written statement that documents a lower loan 
273.33  value; 
273.34     (2) the value of life insurance policies for members of the 
273.35  assistance unit; 
273.36     (3) one burial plot per member of an assistance unit; 
274.1      (4) the value of personal property needed to produce earned 
274.2   income, including tools, implements, farm animals, inventory, 
274.3   business loans, business checking and savings accounts used at 
274.4   least annually and used exclusively for the operation of a 
274.5   self-employment business, and any motor vehicles if the vehicles 
274.6   are essential for the self-employment business; 
274.7      (5) the value of personal property not otherwise specified 
274.8   which is commonly used by household members in day-to-day living 
274.9   such as clothing, necessary household furniture, equipment, and 
274.10  other basic maintenance items essential for daily living; 
274.11     (6) the value of real and personal property owned by a 
274.12  recipient of Supplemental Security Income or Minnesota 
274.13  supplemental aid; 
274.14     (7) the value of corrective payments, but only for the 
274.15  month in which the payment is received and for the following 
274.16  month; 
274.17     (8) a mobile home used by an applicant or participant as 
274.18  the applicant's or participant's home; 
274.19     (9) money in a separate escrow account that is needed to 
274.20  pay real estate taxes or insurance and that is used for this 
274.21  purpose; 
274.22     (10) money held in escrow to cover employee FICA, employee 
274.23  tax withholding, sales tax withholding, employee worker 
274.24  compensation, business insurance, property rental, property 
274.25  taxes, and other costs that are paid at least annually, but less 
274.26  often than monthly; 
274.27     (11) monthly assistance and, emergency assistance, and 
274.28  diversionary payments for the current month's needs; 
274.29     (12) the value of school loans, grants, or scholarships for 
274.30  the period they are intended to cover; 
274.31     (13) payments listed in section 256J.21, subdivision 2, 
274.32  clause (9), which are held in escrow for a period not to exceed 
274.33  three months to replace or repair personal or real property; 
274.34     (14) income received in a budget month through the end of 
274.35  the budget payment month; 
274.36     (15) savings from earned income of a minor child or a minor 
275.1   parent that are set aside in a separate account designated 
275.2   specifically for future education or employment costs; 
275.3      (16) the federal earned income tax credit and, Minnesota 
275.4   working family credit, state and federal income tax refunds, 
275.5   state homeowners and renters credits under chapter 290A, 
275.6   property tax rebates under Laws 1997, chapter 231, article 1, 
275.7   section 16, and other federal or state tax rebates in the month 
275.8   received and the following month; 
275.9      (17) payments excluded under federal law as long as those 
275.10  payments are held in a separate account from any nonexcluded 
275.11  funds; and 
275.12     (18) money received by a participant of the corps to career 
275.13  program under section 84.0887, subdivision 2, paragraph (b), as 
275.14  a postservice benefit under the federal Americorps Act; 
275.15     (19) the assets of children ineligible to receive MFIP-S 
275.16  benefits because foster care or adoption assistance payments are 
275.17  made on their behalf; and 
275.18     (20) the assets of persons whose income is excluded under 
275.19  section 256J.21, subdivision 2, clause 43. 
275.20     Sec. 39.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
275.21  256J.21, is amended to read: 
275.22     256J.21 [INCOME LIMITATIONS.] 
275.23     Subdivision 1.  [INCOME INCLUSIONS.] To determine MFIP-S 
275.24  eligibility, the county agency must evaluate income received by 
275.25  members of an assistance unit, or by other persons whose income 
275.26  is considered available to the assistance unit, and only count 
275.27  income that is available to the member of the assistance unit.  
275.28  Income is available if the individual has legal access to the 
275.29  income.  The income of an unrelated adult living in the same 
275.30  household as the assistance unit who contributes financially to 
275.31  the household in any way that subsidizes the expenses for which 
275.32  the assistance unit is receiving a grant is considered to be 
275.33  available to the assistance unit.  All payments, unless 
275.34  specifically excluded in subdivision 2, must be counted as 
275.35  income. 
275.36     Subd. 2.  [INCOME EXCLUSIONS.] (a) The following must be 
276.1   excluded in determining a family's available income: 
276.2      (1) payments for basic care, difficulty of care, and 
276.3   clothing allowances received for providing family foster care to 
276.4   children or adults under Minnesota Rules, parts 9545.0010 to 
276.5   9545.0260 and 9555.5050 to 9555.6265, and payments received and 
276.6   used for care and maintenance of a third-party beneficiary who 
276.7   is not a household member; 
276.8      (2) reimbursements for employment training received through 
276.9   the Job Training Partnership Act, United States Code, title 29, 
276.10  chapter 19, sections 1501 to 1792b; 
276.11     (3) reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses incurred while 
276.12  performing volunteer services, jury duty, or employment; 
276.13     (4) all educational assistance, except the county agency 
276.14  must count graduate student teaching assistantships, 
276.15  fellowships, and other similar paid work as earned income and, 
276.16  after allowing deductions for any unmet and necessary 
276.17  educational expenses, shall count scholarships or grants awarded 
276.18  to graduate students that do not require teaching or research as 
276.19  unearned income; 
276.20     (5) loans, regardless of purpose, from public or private 
276.21  lending institutions, governmental lending institutions, or 
276.22  governmental agencies; 
276.23     (6) loans from private individuals, regardless of purpose, 
276.24  provided an applicant or participant documents that the lender 
276.25  expects repayment; 
276.26     (7)(i) state and federal income tax refunds; 
276.27     (ii) federal income tax refunds; 
276.28     (8)(i) state and federal earned income credits; 
276.29     (ii) Minnesota working family credits; 
276.30     (iii) state homeowners and renters credits under chapter 
276.31  290A; 
276.32     (iv) property tax rebates under Laws 1997, chapter 231, 
276.33  article 1, section 16; and 
276.34     (v) other federal or state tax rebates; 
276.35     (9) funds received for reimbursement, replacement, or 
276.36  rebate of personal or real property when these payments are made 
277.1   by public agencies, awarded by a court, solicited through public 
277.2   appeal, or made as a grant by a federal agency, state or local 
277.3   government, or disaster assistance organizations, subsequent to 
277.4   a presidential declaration of disaster; 
277.5      (10) the portion of an insurance settlement that is used to 
277.6   pay medical, funeral, and burial expenses, or to repair or 
277.7   replace insured property; 
277.8      (11) reimbursements for medical expenses that cannot be 
277.9   paid by medical assistance; 
277.10     (12) payments by a vocational rehabilitation program 
277.11  administered by the state under chapter 268A, except those 
277.12  payments that are for current living expenses; 
277.13     (13) in-kind income, including any payments directly made 
277.14  by a third party to a provider of goods and services; 
277.15     (14) assistance payments to correct underpayments, but only 
277.16  for the month in which the payment is received; 
277.17     (15) emergency assistance payments; 
277.18     (16) funeral and cemetery payments as provided by section 
277.19  256.935; 
277.20     (17) nonrecurring cash gifts of $30 or less, not exceeding 
277.21  $30 per participant in a calendar month; 
277.22     (18) any form of energy assistance payment made through 
277.23  Public Law Number 97-35, Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Act 
277.24  of 1981, payments made directly to energy providers by other 
277.25  public and private agencies, and any form of credit or rebate 
277.26  payment issued by energy providers; 
277.27     (19) Supplemental Security Income, including retroactive 
277.28  payments; 
277.29     (20) Minnesota supplemental aid, including retroactive 
277.30  payments; 
277.31     (21) proceeds from the sale of real or personal property; 
277.32     (22) adoption assistance payments under section 259.67; 
277.33     (23) state-funded family subsidy program payments made 
277.34  under section 252.32 to help families care for children with 
277.35  mental retardation or related conditions; 
277.36     (24) interest payments and dividends from property that is 
278.1   not excluded from and that does not exceed the asset limit; 
278.2      (25) rent rebates; 
278.3      (26) income earned by a minor caregiver or minor child who 
278.4   is at least a half-time student in an approved secondary 
278.5   education program; 
278.6      (27) income earned by a caregiver under age 20 who is at 
278.7   least a half-time student in an approved secondary education 
278.8   program; 
278.9      (28) MFIP-S child care payments under section 119B.05; 
278.10     (29) all other payments made through MFIP-S to support a 
278.11  caregiver's pursuit of greater self-support; 
278.12     (30) income a participant receives related to shared living 
278.13  expenses; 
278.14     (31) reverse mortgages; 
278.15     (32) benefits provided by the Child Nutrition Act of 1966, 
278.16  United States Code, title 42, chapter 13A, sections 1771 to 
278.17  1790; 
278.18     (33) benefits provided by the women, infants, and children 
278.19  (WIC) nutrition program, United States Code, title 42, chapter 
278.20  13A, section 1786; 
278.21     (34) benefits from the National School Lunch Act, United 
278.22  States Code, title 42, chapter 13, sections 1751 to 1769e; 
278.23     (35) relocation assistance for displaced persons under the 
278.24  Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition 
278.25  Policies Act of 1970, United States Code, title 42, chapter 61, 
278.26  subchapter II, section 4636, or the National Housing Act, United 
278.27  States Code, title 12, chapter 13, sections 1701 to 1750jj; 
278.28     (36) benefits from the Trade Act of 1974, United States 
278.29  Code, title 19, chapter 12, part 2, sections 2271 to 2322; 
278.30     (37) war reparations payments to Japanese Americans and 
278.31  Aleuts under United States Code, title 50, sections 1989 to 
278.32  1989d; 
278.33     (38) payments to veterans or their dependents as a result 
278.34  of legal settlements regarding Agent Orange or other chemical 
278.35  exposure under Public Law Number 101-239, section 10405, 
278.36  paragraph (a)(2)(E); 
279.1      (39) income that is otherwise specifically excluded from 
279.2   the MFIP-S program consideration in federal law, state law, or 
279.3   federal regulation; 
279.4      (40) security and utility deposit refunds; 
279.5      (41) American Indian tribal land settlements excluded under 
279.6   Public Law Numbers 98-123, 98-124, and 99-377 to the Mississippi 
279.7   Band Chippewa Indians of White Earth, Leech Lake, and Mille Lacs 
279.8   reservations and payments to members of the White Earth Band, 
279.9   under United States Code, title 25, chapter 9, section 331, and 
279.10  chapter 16, section 1407; 
279.11     (42) all income of the minor parent's parent and stepparent 
279.12  when determining the grant for the minor parent in households 
279.13  that include a minor parent living with a parent or stepparent 
279.14  on MFIP-S with other dependent children; and 
279.15     (43) income of the minor parent's parent and stepparent 
279.16  equal to 200 percent of the federal poverty guideline for a 
279.17  family size not including the minor parent and the minor 
279.18  parent's child in households that include a minor parent living 
279.19  with a parent or stepparent not on MFIP-S when determining the 
279.20  grant for the minor parent.  The remainder of income is deemed 
279.21  as specified in section 256J.37, subdivision 1 1b; 
279.22     (44) payments made to children eligible for relative 
279.23  custody assistance under section 257.85; 
279.24     (45) vendor payments for goods and services made on behalf 
279.25  of a client unless the client has the option of receiving the 
279.26  payment in cash; and 
279.27     (46) the principal portion of a contract for deed payment. 
279.28     Subd. 3.  [INITIAL INCOME TEST.] The county agency shall 
279.29  determine initial eligibility by considering all earned and 
279.30  unearned income that is not excluded under subdivision 2.  To be 
279.31  eligible for MFIP-S, the assistance unit's countable income 
279.32  minus the disregards in paragraphs (a) and (b) must be below the 
279.33  transitional standard of assistance according to section 256J.24 
279.34  for that size assistance unit. 
279.35     (a) The initial eligibility determination must disregard 
279.36  the following items: 
280.1      (1) the employment disregard is 18 percent of the gross 
280.2   earned income whether or not the member is working full time or 
280.3   part time; 
280.4      (2) dependent care costs must be deducted from gross earned 
280.5   income for the actual amount paid for dependent care up to the a 
280.6   maximum disregard allowed of $200 per month for each child less 
280.7   than two years of age, and $175 per month for each child two 
280.8   years of age and older under this chapter and chapter 119B; and 
280.9      (3) all payments made according to a court order 
280.10  for spousal support or the support of children not living in the 
280.11  assistance unit's household shall be disregarded from the income 
280.12  of the person with the legal obligation to pay support, provided 
280.13  that, if there has been a change in the financial circumstances 
280.14  of the person with the legal obligation to pay support since the 
280.15  support order was entered, the person with the legal obligation 
280.16  to pay support has petitioned for a modification of the support 
280.17  order; and 
280.18     (4) an allocation for the unmet need of an ineligible 
280.19  spouse or an ineligible child under the age of 21 for whom the 
280.20  caregiver is financially responsible and who lives with the 
280.21  caregiver according to section 256J.36. 
280.22     (b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), when determining initial 
280.23  eligibility for applicants who have applicant units when at 
280.24  least one member has received AFDC, family general assistance, 
280.25  MFIP, MFIP-R, work first, or MFIP-S in this state within four 
280.26  months of the most recent application for MFIP-S, the employment 
280.27  disregard for all unit members is 36 percent of the gross earned 
280.28  income. 
280.29     After initial eligibility is established, the assistance 
280.30  payment calculation is based on the monthly income test. 
280.31     Subd. 4.  [MONTHLY INCOME TEST AND DETERMINATION OF 
280.32  ASSISTANCE PAYMENT.] The county agency shall determine ongoing 
280.33  eligibility and the assistance payment amount according to the 
280.34  monthly income test.  To be eligible for MFIP-S, the result of 
280.35  the computations in paragraphs (a) to (e) must be at least $1. 
280.36     (a) Apply a 36 percent income disregard to gross earnings 
281.1   and subtract this amount from the family wage level.  If the 
281.2   difference is equal to or greater than the transitional 
281.3   standard, the assistance payment is equal to the transitional 
281.4   standard.  If the difference is less than the transitional 
281.5   standard, the assistance payment is equal to the difference.  
281.6   The employment disregard in this paragraph must be deducted 
281.7   every month there is earned income. 
281.8      (b) All payments made according to a court order 
281.9   for spousal support or the support of children not living in the 
281.10  assistance unit's household must be disregarded from the income 
281.11  of the person with the legal obligation to pay support, provided 
281.12  that, if there has been a change in the financial circumstances 
281.13  of the person with the legal obligation to pay support since the 
281.14  support order was entered, the person with the legal obligation 
281.15  to pay support has petitioned for a modification of the court 
281.16  order. 
281.17     (c) An allocation for the unmet need of an ineligible 
281.18  spouse or an ineligible child under the age of 21 for whom the 
281.19  caregiver is financially responsible and who lives with the 
281.20  caregiver must be made according to section 256J.36. 
281.21     (d) Subtract unearned income dollar for dollar from the 
281.22  transitional standard to determine the assistance payment amount.
281.23     (d) (e) When income is both earned and unearned, the amount 
281.24  of the assistance payment must be determined by first treating 
281.25  gross earned income as specified in paragraph (a).  After 
281.26  determining the amount of the assistance payment under paragraph 
281.27  (a), unearned income must be subtracted from that amount dollar 
281.28  for dollar to determine the assistance payment amount. 
281.29     (e) (f) When the monthly income is greater than the 
281.30  transitional or family wage level standard after applicable 
281.31  deductions and the income will only exceed the standard for one 
281.32  month, the county agency must suspend the assistance payment for 
281.33  the payment month. 
281.34     Subd. 5.  [DISTRIBUTION OF INCOME.] The income of all 
281.35  members of the assistance unit must be counted.  Income may also 
281.36  be deemed from ineligible persons to the assistance unit.  
282.1   Income must be attributed to the person who earns it or to the 
282.2   assistance unit according to paragraphs (a) to (c). 
282.3      (a) Funds distributed from a trust, whether from the 
282.4   principal holdings or sale of trust property or from the 
282.5   interest and other earnings of the trust holdings, must be 
282.6   considered income when the income is legally available to an 
282.7   applicant or participant.  Trusts are presumed legally available 
282.8   unless an applicant or participant can document that the trust 
282.9   is not legally available. 
282.10     (b) Income from jointly owned property must be divided 
282.11  equally among property owners unless the terms of ownership 
282.12  provide for a different distribution. 
282.13     (c) Deductions are not allowed from the gross income of a 
282.14  financially responsible household member or by the members of an 
282.15  assistance unit to meet a current or prior debt. 
282.16     Sec. 40.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
282.17  256J.24, subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
282.18     Subdivision 1.  [MFIP-S ASSISTANCE UNIT.] An MFIP-S 
282.19  assistance unit is either a group of individuals with at least 
282.20  one minor child who live together whose needs, assets, and 
282.21  income are considered together and who receive MFIP-S 
282.22  assistance, or a pregnant woman and her spouse who receives 
282.23  receive MFIP-S assistance.  
282.24     Individuals identified in subdivision 2 must be included in 
282.25  the MFIP-S assistance unit.  Individuals identified in 
282.26  subdivision 3 must be excluded from the assistance unit are 
282.27  ineligible to receive MFIP-S.  Individuals identified in 
282.28  subdivision 4 may be included in the assistance unit at their 
282.29  option.  Individuals not included in the assistance unit who are 
282.30  identified in section 256J.37, subdivision subdivisions 1 or to 
282.31  2, must have their income and assets considered when determining 
282.32  eligibility and benefits for an MFIP-S assistance unit.  All 
282.33  assistance unit members, whether mandatory or elective, who live 
282.34  together and for whom one caregiver or two caregivers apply must 
282.35  be included in a single assistance unit. 
282.36     Sec. 41.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
283.1   256J.24, subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
283.2      Subd. 2.  [MANDATORY ASSISTANCE UNIT COMPOSITION.] Except 
283.3   for minor caregivers and their children who are must be in a 
283.4   separate assistance unit from the other persons in the 
283.5   household, when the following individuals live together, they 
283.6   must be included in the assistance unit: 
283.7      (1) a minor child, including a pregnant minor; 
283.8      (2) the minor child's siblings, half-siblings, and 
283.9   step-siblings; and 
283.10     (3) the minor child's natural, adoptive parents, and 
283.11  stepparents; and 
283.12     (4) the spouse of a pregnant woman. 
283.13     Sec. 42.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
283.14  256J.24, subdivision 3, is amended to read: 
283.15     Subd. 3.  [INDIVIDUALS WHO MUST BE EXCLUDED FROM AN 
283.16  ASSISTANCE UNIT.] (a) The following individuals must be excluded 
283.17  from an assistance unit who are part of the assistance unit 
283.18  determined under subdivision 2 are ineligible to receive MFIP-S: 
283.19     (1) individuals receiving Supplemental Security Income or 
283.20  Minnesota supplemental aid; 
283.21     (2) individuals living at home while performing 
283.22  court-imposed, unpaid community service work due to a criminal 
283.23  conviction; 
283.24     (3) individuals disqualified from the food stamp program or 
283.25  MFIP-S, until the disqualification ends; 
283.26     (4) children on whose behalf federal, state or local foster 
283.27  care payments under title IV-E of the Social Security Act are 
283.28  made, except as provided in section sections 256J.13, 
283.29  subdivision 2, and 256J.74, subdivision 2; and 
283.30     (5) children receiving ongoing monthly adoption assistance 
283.31  payments under section 269.67.  
283.32     (b) The exclusion of a person under this subdivision does 
283.33  not alter the mandatory assistance unit composition. 
283.34     Sec. 43.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
283.35  256J.24, subdivision 4, is amended to read: 
283.36     Subd. 4.  [INDIVIDUALS WHO MAY ELECT TO BE INCLUDED IN THE 
284.1   ASSISTANCE UNIT.] (a) The minor child's eligible caregiver may 
284.2   choose to be in the assistance unit, if the caregiver is not 
284.3   required to be in the assistance unit under subdivision 2.  If 
284.4   the relative eligible caregiver chooses to be in the assistance 
284.5   unit, that person's spouse must also be in the unit. 
284.6      (b) Any minor child not related as a sibling, stepsibling, 
284.7   or adopted sibling to the minor child in the unit, but for whom 
284.8   there is an eligible caregiver may elect to be in the unit. 
284.9      (c) A foster care provider of a minor child who is 
284.10  receiving federal, state, or local foster care maintenance 
284.11  payments may elect to receive MFIP-S if the provider meets the 
284.12  definition of caregiver under section 256J.08, subdivision 11.  
284.13  If the provider chooses to receive MFIP-S, the spouse of the 
284.14  provider must also be included in the assistance unit with the 
284.15  provider.  The provider and spouse are eligible for assistance 
284.16  even if the only minor child living in the provider's home is 
284.17  receiving foster care maintenance payments. 
284.18     (d) The adult caregiver or caregivers of a minor parent are 
284.19  eligible to be a separate assistance unit from the minor parent 
284.20  and the minor parent's child when: 
284.21     (1) the adult caregiver or caregivers have no other minor 
284.22  children in the household; 
284.23     (2) the minor parent and the minor parent's child are 
284.24  living together with the adult caregiver or caregivers; and 
284.25     (3) the minor parent and the minor parent's child receive 
284.26  MFIP-S, or would be eligible to receive MFIP-S, if they were not 
284.27  receiving SSI benefits. 
284.28     Sec. 44.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
284.29  256J.24, is amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
284.30     Subd. 5a.  [FOOD PORTION OF MFIP-S TRANSITIONAL 
284.31  STANDARD.] The commissioner shall adjust the food portion of the 
284.32  MFIP-S transitional standard by October 1 each year beginning 
284.33  October 1998 to reflect the cost-of-living adjustments to the 
284.34  Food Stamp Program.  The commissioner shall annually publish in 
284.35  the State Register the transitional standard for an assistance 
284.36  unit of sizes 1 to 10. 
285.1      Sec. 45.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
285.2   256J.24, is amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
285.3      Subd. 8.  [ASSISTANCE PAID TO ELIGIBLE ASSISTANCE 
285.4   UNITS.] For all applicants who are eligible for MFIP-S 
285.5   assistance, payments for shelter and utilities up to the amount 
285.6   of MFIP-S benefits for which the assistance unit is eligible 
285.7   may, upon county option, be vendor paid for as many months as 
285.8   the assistance unit is eligible or six months, whichever comes 
285.9   first.  The residual amount of the grant after vendor payment, 
285.10  if any, must be paid to the MFIP-S caregiver.  A county that 
285.11  chooses this method of payment must use it for all eligible 
285.12  applicants. 
285.13     Sec. 46.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
285.14  256J.26, subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
285.15     Subdivision 1.  [PERSON CONVICTED OF DRUG OFFENSES.] (a) 
285.16  Applicants or recipients participants who have been convicted of 
285.17  a drug offense after July 1, 1997, may, if otherwise eligible, 
285.18  receive AFDC or MFIP-S benefits subject to the following 
285.19  conditions: 
285.20     (1) Benefits for the entire assistance unit must be paid in 
285.21  vendor form for shelter and utilities during any time the 
285.22  applicant is part of the assistance unit;. 
285.23     (2) The convicted applicant or recipient participant shall 
285.24  be subject to random drug testing as a condition of continued 
285.25  eligibility and is subject to sanctions under section 256J.46 
285.26  following any positive test for an illegal controlled substance, 
285.27  except that the grant must continue to be vendor paid under 
285.28  clause (1).  
285.29     For purposes of this subdivision, section 256J.46 is 
285.30  effective July 1, 1997. 
285.31     This subdivision also applies to persons who receive food 
285.32  stamps under section 115 of the Personal Responsibility and Work 
285.33  Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996. is subject to the 
285.34  following sanctions: 
285.35     (i) for failing a drug test the first time, the 
285.36  participant's grant shall be reduced by ten percent of the 
286.1   MFIP-S transitional standard or the interstate transitional 
286.2   standard, whichever is applicable prior to making vendor 
286.3   payments for shelter and utility costs; or 
286.4      (ii) for failing a drug test two or more times, the 
286.5   residual amount of the participant's grant after making vendor 
286.6   payments for shelter and utility costs, if any, must be reduced 
286.7   by an amount equal to 30 percent of the MFIP-S transitional 
286.8   standard or the interstate transitional standard, whichever is 
286.9   applicable. 
286.10     (b) Applicants or participants who have been convicted of a 
286.11  drug offense after July 1, 1997, may, if otherwise eligible, 
286.12  receive food stamps if the convicted applicant or participant is 
286.13  subject to random drug testing as a condition of continued 
286.14  eligibility.  Following a positive test for an illegal 
286.15  controlled substance, the applicant is subject to the following 
286.16  sanctions: 
286.17     (1) for failing a drug test the first time, food stamps 
286.18  shall be reduced by ten percent of the applicable food stamp 
286.19  allotment; and 
286.20     (2) for failing a drug test two or more times, food stamps 
286.21  shall be reduced by an amount equal to 30 percent of the 
286.22  applicable food stamp allotment.  
286.23     (b) (c) For the purposes of this subdivision, "drug offense"
286.24  means a conviction that occurred after July 1, 1997, of sections 
286.25  152.021 to 152.025, 152.0261, or 152.096.  Drug offense also 
286.26  means a conviction in another jurisdiction of the possession, 
286.27  use, or distribution of a controlled substance, or conspiracy to 
286.28  commit any of these offenses, if the offense occurred after July 
286.29  1, 1997, and the conviction is a felony offense in that 
286.30  jurisdiction, or in the case of New Jersey, a high misdemeanor. 
286.31     Sec. 47.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
286.32  256J.26, subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
286.33     Subd. 2.  [PAROLE VIOLATORS.] An individual violating a 
286.34  condition of probation or parole or supervised release imposed 
286.35  under federal law or the law of any state is ineligible to 
286.36  receive disqualified from receiving AFDC or MFIP-S. 
287.1      Sec. 48.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
287.2   256J.26, subdivision 3, is amended to read: 
287.3      Subd. 3.  [FLEEING FELONS.] An individual who is fleeing to 
287.4   avoid prosecution, or custody, or confinement after conviction 
287.5   for a crime that is a felony under the laws of the jurisdiction 
287.6   from which the individual flees, or in the case of New Jersey, 
287.7   is a high misdemeanor, is ineligible to receive disqualified 
287.8   from receiving AFDC or MFIP-S. 
287.9      Sec. 49.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
287.10  256J.26, subdivision 4, is amended to read: 
287.11     Subd. 4.  [DENIAL OF ASSISTANCE FOR TEN YEARS TO A PERSON 
287.12  FOUND TO HAVE FRAUDULENTLY MISREPRESENTED RESIDENCY.] An 
287.13  individual who is convicted in federal or state court of having 
287.14  made a fraudulent statement or representation with respect to 
287.15  the place of residence of the individual in order to receive 
287.16  assistance simultaneously from two or more states is ineligible 
287.17  to receive disqualified from receiving AFDC or MFIP-S for ten 
287.18  years beginning on the date of the conviction. 
287.19     Sec. 50.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
287.20  256J.28, subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
287.21     Subdivision 1.  [EXPEDITED ISSUANCE OF FOOD STAMP 
287.22  ASSISTANCE.] The following households are entitled to expedited 
287.23  issuance of food stamp assistance: 
287.24     (1) households with less than $150 in monthly gross income 
287.25  provided their liquid assets do not exceed $100; 
287.26     (2) migrant or seasonal farm worker households who are 
287.27  destitute as defined in Code of Federal Regulations, title 7, 
287.28  subtitle B, chapter 2, subchapter C, part 273, section 273.10, 
287.29  paragraph (e)(3), provided their liquid assets do not exceed 
287.30  $100; and 
287.31     (3) eligible households whose combined monthly gross income 
287.32  and liquid resources are less than the household's monthly rent 
287.33  or mortgage and utilities. 
287.34     The benefits issued through expedited issuance of food 
287.35  stamp assistance must be deducted from the amount of the full 
287.36  monthly MFIP-S assistance payment and a supplemental payment for 
288.1   the difference must be issued.  For any month an individual 
288.2   receives expedited food stamp benefits, the individual is not 
288.3   eligible for the MFIP-S food portion of assistance. 
288.4      Sec. 51.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
288.5   256J.28, subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
288.6      Subd. 2.  [FOOD STAMPS FOR HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS NOT IN THE 
288.7   ASSISTANCE UNIT.] (a) For household members who purchase and 
288.8   prepare food with the MFIP-S assistance unit but are not part of 
288.9   the assistance unit, the county agency must determine a separate 
288.10  food stamp benefit based on regulations agreed upon with the 
288.11  United States Department of Agriculture. 
288.12     (b) This subdivision does not apply to optional members who 
288.13  have chosen not to be in the assistance unit. 
288.14     (c) (b) Fair hearing requirements for persons who receive 
288.15  food stamps under this subdivision are governed by section 
288.16  256.045, and Code of Federal Regulations, title 7, subtitle B, 
288.17  chapter II, part 273, section 273.15. 
288.18     Sec. 52.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
288.19  256J.28, is amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
288.20     Subd. 5.  [FOOD STAMPS FOR PERSONS RESIDING IN A BATTERED 
288.21  WOMAN'S SHELTER.] Members of an MFIP-S assistance unit residing 
288.22  in a battered woman's shelter may receive food stamps or the 
288.23  food portion twice in a month if the unit that initially 
288.24  received the food stamps or food portion included the alleged 
288.25  abuser. 
288.26     Sec. 53.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
288.27  256J.30, subdivision 10, is amended to read: 
288.28     Subd. 10.  [COOPERATION WITH HEALTH CARE BENEFITS.] (a) The 
288.29  caregiver of a minor child must cooperate with the county agency 
288.30  to identify and provide information to assist the county agency 
288.31  in pursuing third-party liability for medical services. 
288.32     (b) A caregiver must assign to the department any rights to 
288.33  health insurance policy benefits the caregiver has during the 
288.34  period of MFIP-S eligibility. 
288.35     (c) A caregiver must identify any third party who may be 
288.36  liable for care and services available under the medical 
289.1   assistance program on behalf of the applicant or participant and 
289.2   all other assistance unit members. 
289.3      (d) When a participant refuses to identify any third party 
289.4   who may be liable for care and services, the recipient must be 
289.5   sanctioned as provided in section 256J.46, subdivision 1.  The 
289.6   recipient is also ineligible for medical assistance for a 
289.7   minimum of one month and until the recipient cooperates with the 
289.8   requirements of this subdivision. 
289.9      Sec. 54.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
289.10  256J.30, subdivision 11, is amended to read: 
289.11     Subd. 11.  [REQUIREMENT TO ASSIGN SUPPORT AND MAINTENANCE 
289.12  RIGHTS.] To be eligible An assistance unit is ineligible for 
289.13  MFIP-S, unless the caregiver must assign assigns all rights to 
289.14  child support and spousal maintenance benefits according 
289.15  to sections 256.74, subdivision 5, and section 256.741, if 
289.16  enacted. 
289.17     Sec. 55.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
289.18  256J.31, subdivision 5, is amended to read: 
289.19     Subd. 5.  [MAILING OF NOTICE.] The notice of adverse action 
289.20  shall be issued according to paragraphs (a) to (c). 
289.21     (a) A county agency shall mail a notice of adverse action 
289.22  at least ten days before the effective date of the adverse 
289.23  action, except as provided in paragraphs (b) and (c). 
289.24     (b) A county agency must mail a notice of adverse action at 
289.25  least five days before the effective date of the adverse action 
289.26  when the county agency has factual information that requires an 
289.27  action to reduce, suspend, or terminate assistance based on 
289.28  probable fraud. 
289.29     (c) A county agency shall mail a notice of adverse action 
289.30  before or on the effective date of the adverse action when the 
289.31  county agency: 
289.32     (1) receives the caregiver's signed monthly MFIP-S 
289.33  household report form that includes information that requires 
289.34  payment reduction, suspension, or termination; 
289.35     (2) is informed of the death of a participant or the payee; 
289.36     (3) receives a signed statement from the caregiver that 
290.1   assistance is no longer wanted; 
290.2      (4) receives a signed statement from the caregiver that 
290.3   provides information that requires the termination or reduction 
290.4   of assistance; 
290.5      (5) verifies that a member of the assistance unit is absent 
290.6   from the home and does not meet temporary absence provisions in 
290.7   section 256J.13; 
290.8      (6) verifies that a member of the assistance unit has 
290.9   entered a regional treatment center or a licensed residential 
290.10  facility for medical or psychological treatment or 
290.11  rehabilitation; 
290.12     (7) verifies that a member of an assistance unit has been 
290.13  placed in foster care, and the provisions of section 256J.13, 
290.14  subdivision 2, paragraph (b) (c), clause (2), do not apply; 
290.15     (8) verifies that a member of an assistance unit has been 
290.16  approved to receive assistance by another state; or 
290.17     (9) cannot locate a caregiver. 
290.18     Sec. 56.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
290.19  256J.31, subdivision 10, is amended to read: 
290.20     Subd. 10.  [PROTECTION FROM GARNISHMENT.] MFIP-S grants or 
290.21  earnings of a caregiver while participating in full or part-time 
290.22  employment or training shall be protected from garnishment.  
290.23  This protection for earnings shall extend for a period of six 
290.24  months from the date of termination from MFIP-S. 
290.25     Sec. 57.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
290.26  256J.31, is amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
290.27     Subd. 12.  [RIGHT TO DISCONTINUE CASH ASSISTANCE.] A 
290.28  participant may discontinue receipt of the cash assistance 
290.29  portion of MFIP-S assistance and retain eligibility for child 
290.30  care assistance under section 119B.05 and for medical assistance 
290.31  under sections 256B.055, subdivision 3a, and 256B.0635. 
290.32     Sec. 58.  [256J.311] [PROCEDURES TO IDENTIFY DOMESTIC 
290.33  VIOLENCE VICTIMS.] The commissioner shall develop procedures for 
290.34  county agencies and their contractors under this chapter and 
290.35  chapter 256K to identify victims of domestic violence from among 
290.36  applicants and recipients of assistance.  The procedures must 
291.1   provide, at a minimum, universal notification to all applicants 
291.2   and recipients of MFIP-S that: 
291.3      (1) referrals to counseling and supportive services are 
291.4   available for victims of domestic violence; 
291.5      (2) nonpermanent resident battered individuals married to 
291.6   United States citizens or permanent residents may be eligible to 
291.7   petition for permanent residency under the federal Violence 
291.8   Against Women Act, and referrals to appropriate legal services 
291.9   are available; 
291.10     (3) victims of domestic violence are exempt from the 
291.11  60-month limit on assistance while the individual is complying 
291.12  with an approved safety plan, as defined in section 256J.49, 
291.13  subdivision 11; and 
291.14     (4) victims of domestic violence may choose to be exempt or 
291.15  deferred from MFIP-S work requirements for up to 12 months while 
291.16  the individual is complying with an approved safety plan as 
291.17  defined in section 256J.49, subdivision 11. 
291.18     The procedures must require that the notification must be 
291.19  given in writing and orally at the time of application and 
291.20  recertification, when the individual is referred to the title 
291.21  IV-D child support enforcement agency, and at the beginning of 
291.22  any employment and training services program. 
291.23     Sec. 59.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
291.24  256J.32, subdivision 4, is amended to read: 
291.25     Subd. 4.  [FACTORS TO BE VERIFIED.] The county agency shall 
291.26  verify the following at application: 
291.27     (1) identity of adults; 
291.28     (2) presence of the minor child in the home, if 
291.29  questionable; 
291.30     (3) relationship of a minor child to caregivers in the 
291.31  assistance unit; 
291.32     (4) age, if necessary to determine MFIP-S eligibility; 
291.33     (5) immigration status; 
291.34     (6) social security number in accordance with according to 
291.35  the requirements of section 256J.30, subdivision 12; 
291.36     (7) income; 
292.1      (8) self-employment expenses used as a deduction; 
292.2      (9) source and purpose of deposits and withdrawals from 
292.3   business accounts; 
292.4      (10) spousal support and child support payments made to 
292.5   persons outside the household; 
292.6      (11) real property; 
292.7      (12) vehicles; 
292.8      (13) checking and savings accounts; 
292.9      (14) savings certificates, savings bonds, stocks, and 
292.10  individual retirement accounts; 
292.11     (15) pregnancy, if related to eligibility; 
292.12     (16) inconsistent information, if related to eligibility; 
292.13     (17) medical insurance; 
292.14     (18) anticipated graduation date of an 18-year-old; 
292.15     (19) burial accounts; 
292.16     (20) school attendance, if related to eligibility; and 
292.17     (21) residence; 
292.18     (22) a claim of domestic violence if used as a basis for a 
292.19  deferral or exemption from the 60-month time limit in section 
292.20  256J.42 or employment and training services requirements in 
292.21  section 256J.56; and 
292.22     (23) disability if used as an exemption from employment and 
292.23  training services requirements under section 256J.56. 
292.24     Sec. 60.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
292.25  256J.32, subdivision 6, is amended to read: 
292.26     Subd. 6.  [RECERTIFICATION.] (a) The county agency shall 
292.27  recertify eligibility in an annual face-to-face interview with 
292.28  the participant and verify the following: 
292.29     (1) presence of the minor child in the home, if 
292.30  questionable; 
292.31     (2) income, unless excluded, including self-employment 
292.32  expenses used as a deduction or deposits or withdrawals from 
292.33  business accounts; 
292.34     (3) assets when the value is within $200 of the asset 
292.35  limit; and 
292.36     (4) inconsistent information, if related to eligibility.  
293.1      (b) As part of the recertification process, each recipient 
293.2   must be asked if the applicant has symptoms of a drug or alcohol 
293.3   dependency or substance abuse problems. 
293.4      Sec. 61.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
293.5   256J.32, is amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
293.6      Subd. 7.  [NOTICE TO UNDOCUMENTED PERSONS; RELEASE OF 
293.7   PRIVATE DATA.] County agencies in consultation with the 
293.8   commissioner of human services shall provide notification to 
293.9   undocumented persons regarding the release of personal data to 
293.10  the immigration and naturalization service and develop protocol 
293.11  regarding the release or sharing of data about undocumented 
293.12  persons with the Immigration and Naturalization Service as 
293.13  required under sections 404, 434, and 411A of the Personal 
293.14  Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996.  
293.15     Sec. 62.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
293.16  256J.33, subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
293.17     Subdivision 1.  [DETERMINATION OF ELIGIBILITY.] A county 
293.18  agency must determine MFIP-S eligibility prospectively for a 
293.19  payment month based on retrospectively assessing income and the 
293.20  county agency's best estimate of the circumstances that will 
293.21  exist in the payment month. 
293.22     Except as described in section 256J.34, subdivision 1, when 
293.23  prospective eligibility exists, a county agency must calculate 
293.24  the amount of the assistance payment using retrospective 
293.25  budgeting.  To determine MFIP-S eligibility and the assistance 
293.26  payment amount, a county agency must apply countable income, 
293.27  described in section 256J.37, subdivisions 3 to 10, received by 
293.28  members of an assistance unit or by other persons whose income 
293.29  is counted for the assistance unit, described under sections 
293.30  256J.21 and 256J.37, subdivisions 1 and to 2. 
293.31     This income must be applied to the transitional standard or 
293.32  family wage standard subject to this section and sections 
293.33  256J.34 to 256J.36.  Income received in a calendar month and not 
293.34  otherwise excluded under section 256J.21, subdivision 2, must be 
293.35  applied to the needs of an assistance unit. 
293.36     Sec. 63.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
294.1   256J.33, subdivision 4, is amended to read: 
294.2      Subd. 4.  [MONTHLY INCOME TEST.] A county agency must apply 
294.3   the monthly income test retrospectively for each month of MFIP-S 
294.4   eligibility.  An assistance unit is not eligible when the 
294.5   countable income equals or exceeds the transitional standard or 
294.6   the family wage level for the assistance unit.  The income 
294.7   applied against the monthly income test must include: 
294.8      (1) gross earned income from employment, prior to mandatory 
294.9   payroll deductions, voluntary payroll deductions, wage 
294.10  authorizations, and after the disregards in section 256J.21, 
294.11  subdivision 3 4, and the allocations in section 256J.36, unless 
294.12  the employment income is specifically excluded under section 
294.13  256J.21, subdivision 2; 
294.14     (2) gross earned income from self-employment less 
294.15  deductions for self-employment expenses in section 256J.37, 
294.16  subdivision 5, but prior to any reductions for personal or 
294.17  business state and federal income taxes, personal FICA, personal 
294.18  health and life insurance, and after the disregards in section 
294.19  256J.21, subdivision 3 4, and the allocations in section 
294.20  256J.36; 
294.21     (3) unearned income after deductions for allowable expenses 
294.22  in section 256J.37, subdivision 9, and allocations in section 
294.23  256J.36, unless the income has been specifically excluded in 
294.24  section 256J.21, subdivision 2; 
294.25     (4) gross earned income from employment as determined under 
294.26  clause (1) which is received by a member of an assistance unit 
294.27  who is a minor child or minor caregiver and less than a 
294.28  half-time student; 
294.29     (5) child support and spousal support received or 
294.30  anticipated to be received by an assistance unit; 
294.31     (6) the income of a parent when that parent is not included 
294.32  in the assistance unit; 
294.33     (7) the income of an eligible relative and spouse who seek 
294.34  to be included in the assistance unit; and 
294.35     (8) the unearned income of a minor child included in the 
294.36  assistance unit. 
295.1      Sec. 64.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
295.2   256J.35, is amended to read: 
295.3      256J.35 [AMOUNT OF ASSISTANCE PAYMENT.] 
295.4      Except as provided in paragraphs (a) to (c) (d), the amount 
295.5   of an assistance payment is equal to the difference between the 
295.6   transitional standard or the Minnesota family wage level in 
295.7   section 256J.24, whichever is less, and countable income. 
295.8      (a) When MFIP-S eligibility exists for the month of 
295.9   application, the amount of the assistance payment for the month 
295.10  of application must be prorated from the date of application or 
295.11  the date all other eligibility factors are met for that 
295.12  applicant, whichever is later.  This provision applies when an 
295.13  applicant loses at least one day of MFIP-S eligibility. 
295.14     (b) MFIP-S overpayments to an assistance unit must be 
295.15  recouped according to section 256J.38, subdivision 4. 
295.16     (c) An initial assistance payment must not be made to an 
295.17  applicant who is not eligible on the date payment is made. 
295.18     (d) An individual whose needs have been otherwise provided 
295.19  for in another state, in whole or in part by county, state, or 
295.20  federal dollars during a month, is ineligible to receive MFIP-S 
295.21  for the month. 
295.22     Sec. 65.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
295.23  256J.36, is amended to read: 
295.24     256J.36 [ALLOCATION FOR UNMET NEED OF OTHER HOUSEHOLD 
295.25  MEMBERS.] 
295.26     Except as prohibited in paragraphs (a) and (b), an 
295.27  allocation of income is allowed from the caregiver's income to 
295.28  meet the unmet need of an ineligible spouse or an ineligible 
295.29  child under the age of 21 for whom the caregiver is financially 
295.30  responsible who also lives with the caregiver.  An allocation is 
295.31  allowed from the caregiver's income to meet the need of an 
295.32  ineligible or excluded person.  That allocation is allowed in an 
295.33  amount up to the difference between the MFIP-S family allowance 
295.34  transitional standard for the assistance unit when that excluded 
295.35  or ineligible person is included in the assistance unit and the 
295.36  MFIP-S family allowance for the assistance unit when 
296.1   the excluded or ineligible person is not included in the 
296.2   assistance unit.  These allocations must be deducted from the 
296.3   caregiver's counted earnings and from unearned income subject to 
296.4   paragraphs (a) and (b). 
296.5      (a) Income of a minor child in the assistance unit must not 
296.6   be allocated to meet the need of a an ineligible person who is 
296.7   not a member of the assistance unit, including the child's 
296.8   parent, even when that parent is the payee of the child's income.
296.9      (b) Income of an assistance unit a caregiver must not be 
296.10  allocated to meet the needs of a disqualified person ineligible 
296.11  for failure to cooperate with program requirements including 
296.12  child support requirements, a person ineligible due to fraud, or 
296.13  a relative caregiver and the caregiver's spouse who opt out of 
296.14  the assistance unit. 
296.15     Sec. 66.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
296.16  256J.37, subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
296.17     Subdivision 1.  [DEEMED INCOME FROM INELIGIBLE HOUSEHOLD 
296.18  MEMBERS.] Unless otherwise provided under subdivision 1a or 1b, 
296.19  the income of ineligible household members must be deemed after 
296.20  allowing the following disregards: 
296.21     (1) the first 18 percent of the excluded ineligible family 
296.22  member's gross earned income; 
296.23     (2) amounts the ineligible person actually paid to 
296.24  individuals not living in the same household but whom the 
296.25  ineligible person claims or could claim as dependents for 
296.26  determining federal personal income tax liability; 
296.27     (3) child or spousal support paid to a person who lives 
296.28  outside of the household all payments made by the ineligible 
296.29  person according to a court order for spousal support or the 
296.30  support of children not living in the assistance unit's 
296.31  household, provided that, if there has been a change in the 
296.32  financial circumstances of the ineligible person since the 
296.33  support order was entered, the ineligible person has petitioned 
296.34  for a modification of the support order; and 
296.35     (4) an amount for the needs of the ineligible person and 
296.36  other persons who live in the household but are not included in 
297.1   the assistance unit and are or could be claimed by an ineligible 
297.2   person as dependents for determining federal personal income tax 
297.3   liability.  This amount is equal to the difference between the 
297.4   MFIP-S need transitional standard when the excluded ineligible 
297.5   person is included in the assistance unit and the MFIP-S need 
297.6   transitional standard when the excluded ineligible person is not 
297.7   included in the assistance unit. 
297.8      Sec. 67.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
297.9   256J.37, is amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
297.10     Subd. 1a.  [DEEMED INCOME FROM DISQUALIFIED MEMBERS.] The 
297.11  income of disqualified members must be deemed after allowing the 
297.12  following disregards: 
297.13     (1) the first 18 percent of the disqualified member's gross 
297.14  earned income; 
297.15     (2) amounts the disqualified member actually paid to 
297.16  individuals not living in the same household but whom the 
297.17  disqualified member claims or could claim as dependents for 
297.18  determining federal personal income tax liability; 
297.19     (3) all payments made by the disqualified member according 
297.20  to a court order for spousal support or the support of children 
297.21  not living in the assistance unit's household, provided that, if 
297.22  there has been a change in the financial circumstances of the 
297.23  disqualified member's legal obligation to pay support since the 
297.24  support order was entered, the disqualified member has 
297.25  petitioned for a modification of the support order; and 
297.26     (4) an amount for the needs of other persons who live in 
297.27  the household but are not included in the assistance unit and 
297.28  are or could be claimed by the disqualified member as dependents 
297.29  for determining federal personal income tax liability.  This 
297.30  amount is equal to the difference between the MFIP-S 
297.31  transitional standard when the ineligible person is included in 
297.32  the assistance unit and the MFIP-S transitional standard when 
297.33  the ineligible person is not included in the assistance unit.  
297.34  An amount shall not be allowed for the needs of a disqualified 
297.35  member.  
297.36     Sec. 68.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
298.1   256J.37, is amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
298.2      Subd. 1b.  [DEEMED INCOME FROM PARENTS OF MINOR 
298.3   CAREGIVERS.] In households where minor caregivers live with a 
298.4   parent or parents who do not receive MFIP-S, the income of the 
298.5   parents must be deemed after allowing the following disregards: 
298.6      (1) income of the parents equal to 200 percent of the 
298.7   federal poverty guideline for a family size not including the 
298.8   minor parent and the minor parent's child in the household 
298.9   according to section 256J.21, subdivision 2, clause (43); 
298.10     (2) 18 percent of the parents' gross earned income; 
298.11     (3) amounts the parents actually paid to individuals not 
298.12  living in the same household but whom the parents claim or could 
298.13  claim as dependents for determining federal personal income tax 
298.14  liability; and 
298.15     (4) all payments made by parents according to a court order 
298.16  for spousal support or the support of children not living in the 
298.17  parent's household, provided that, if there has been a change in 
298.18  the financial circumstances of the parent's legal obligation to 
298.19  pay support since the support order was entered, the parents 
298.20  have petitioned for a modification of the support order.  
298.21     Sec. 69.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
298.22  256J.37, subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
298.23     Subd. 2.  [DEEMED INCOME AND ASSETS OF SPONSOR OF 
298.24  NONCITIZENS.] All income and assets of a sponsor, or sponsor's 
298.25  spouse, who executed an affidavit of support for a noncitizen 
298.26  must be deemed to be unearned income of the noncitizen as 
298.27  specified in the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity 
298.28  Reconciliation Act of 1996, title IV, Public Law Number 104-193, 
298.29  sections 421 and 422, and subsequently set out in federal 
298.30  rules.  If a noncitizen applies for or receives MFIP-S, the 
298.31  county must deem the income and assets of the noncitizen's 
298.32  sponsor and the sponsor's spouse who have signed an affidavit of 
298.33  support for the noncitizen as specified in sections 421 and 422 
298.34  of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity 
298.35  Reconciliation Act of 1996, title IV, Public Law Number 
298.36  104-193.  The income of a sponsor and the sponsor's spouse is 
299.1   considered unearned income of the noncitizen.  The assets of a 
299.2   sponsor and the sponsor's spouse are considered available assets 
299.3   of the noncitizen.  
299.4      Sec. 70.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
299.5   256J.37, subdivision 9, is amended to read: 
299.6      Subd. 9.  [UNEARNED INCOME.] (a) The county agency must 
299.7   apply unearned income, including housing subsidies as in 
299.8   paragraph (b), to the transitional standard.  When determining 
299.9   the amount of unearned income, the county agency must deduct the 
299.10  costs necessary to secure payments of unearned income.  These 
299.11  costs include legal fees, medical fees, and mandatory deductions 
299.12  such as federal and state income taxes. 
299.13     (b) Effective July 1, 1998 1999, the county agency shall 
299.14  count $100 of the value of public and assisted rental subsidies 
299.15  provided through the Department of Housing and Urban Development 
299.16  (HUD) as unearned income.  The full amount of the subsidy must 
299.17  be counted as unearned income when the subsidy is less than $100.
299.18     (c) For the period from July 1, 1998, to June 30, 1999, the 
299.19  provisions of paragraph (b) shall not apply to MFIP-S 
299.20  participants who are exempt from the employment and training 
299.21  services component because they are: 
299.22     (i) individuals who are age 60 or older; 
299.23     (ii) individuals who are suffering from a professionally 
299.24  certified permanent or temporary illness, injury, or incapacity 
299.25  which is expected to continue for more than 30 days and which 
299.26  prevents the person from obtaining or retaining employment; or 
299.27     (iii) caregivers whose presence in the home is required 
299.28  because of the professionally certified illness or incapacity of 
299.29  another member in the household which is expected to last for 
299.30  more than 30 days and the caregiver's presence replaces other 
299.31  specialized care arrangements. 
299.32     Sec. 71.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
299.33  256J.38, subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
299.34     Subdivision 1.  [SCOPE OF OVERPAYMENT.] When a participant 
299.35  or former participant receives an overpayment due to agency, 
299.36  client, or ATM error, or due to assistance received while an 
300.1   appeal is pending and the participant or former participant is 
300.2   determined ineligible for assistance or for less assistance than 
300.3   was received, the county agency must recoup or recover the 
300.4   overpayment under using the conditions of this 
300.5   section. following methods:  
300.6      (1) reconstruct each affected budget month and 
300.7   corresponding payment month; 
300.8      (2) use the policies and procedures that were in effect for 
300.9   the payment month; and 
300.10     (3) do not allow employment disregards in section 256J.21, 
300.11  subdivision 3 or 4, in the calculation of the overpayment when 
300.12  the unit has not reported within two calendar months following 
300.13  the end of the month in which the income was received. 
300.14     Sec. 72.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
300.15  256J.39, subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
300.16     Subd. 2.  [PROTECTIVE AND VENDOR PAYMENTS.] Alternatives to 
300.17  paying assistance directly to a participant may be used when: 
300.18     (1) a county agency determines that a vendor payment is the 
300.19  most effective way to resolve an emergency situation pertaining 
300.20  to basic needs; 
300.21     (2) a caregiver makes a written request to the county 
300.22  agency asking that part or all of the assistance payment be 
300.23  issued by protective or vendor payments for shelter and utility 
300.24  service only.  The caregiver may withdraw this request in 
300.25  writing at any time; 
300.26     (3) a caregiver has exhibited a continuing pattern of 
300.27  mismanaging funds as determined by the county agency; 
300.28     (4) the vendor payment is part of a sanction under section 
300.29  256J.46, subdivision 2; or 
300.30     (5) (4) the vendor payment is required under section 
300.31  256J.24, subdivision 8, 256J.26, or 256J.43; 
300.32     (5) a protective payment is required for a minor parent 
300.33  under section 256J.14; or 
300.34     (6) a caregiver has exhibited a continuing pattern of 
300.35  mismanaging funds as determined by the county agency. 
300.36     The director of a county agency must approve a proposal for 
301.1   protective or vendor payment for money mismanagement when there 
301.2   is a pattern of mismanagement under clause (6).  During the time 
301.3   a protective or vendor payment is being made, the county agency 
301.4   must provide services designed to alleviate the causes of the 
301.5   mismanagement. 
301.6      The continuing need for and method of payment must be 
301.7   documented and reviewed every 12 months.  The director of a 
301.8   county agency must approve the continuation of protective or 
301.9   vendor payments.  When it appears that the need for protective 
301.10  or vendor payments will continue or is likely to continue beyond 
301.11  two years because the county agency's efforts have not resulted 
301.12  in sufficiently improved use of assistance on behalf of the 
301.13  minor child, judicial appointment of a legal guardian or other 
301.14  legal representative must be sought by the county agency.  
301.15     Sec. 73.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
301.16  256J.395, is amended to read: 
301.17     256J.395 [VENDOR PAYMENT OF RENT SHELTER COSTS AND 
301.18  UTILITIES.] 
301.19     Subdivision 1.  [VENDOR PAYMENT.] (a) Effective July 1, 
301.20  1997, when a county is required to provide assistance to 
301.21  a recipient participant in vendor form for rent shelter costs 
301.22  and utilities under this chapter, or chapter 256, 256D, or 256K, 
301.23  the cost of utilities for a given family may be assumed to be: 
301.24     (1) the average of the actual monthly cost of utilities for 
301.25  that family for the prior 12 months at the family's current 
301.26  residence, if applicable; 
301.27     (2) the monthly plan amount, if any, set by the local 
301.28  utilities for that family at the family's current residence; or 
301.29     (3) the estimated monthly utility costs for the dwelling in 
301.30  which the family currently resides. 
301.31     (b) For purposes of this section, "utility" means any of 
301.32  the following:  municipal water and sewer service; electric, 
301.33  gas, or heating fuel service; or wood, if that is the heating 
301.34  source. 
301.35     (c) In any instance where a vendor payment for rent is 
301.36  directed to a landlord not legally entitled to the payment, the 
302.1   county social services agency shall immediately institute 
302.2   proceedings to collect the amount of the vendored rent payment, 
302.3   which shall be considered a debt under section 270A.03, 
302.4   subdivision 5. 
302.5      Subd. 2.  [VENDOR PAYMENT NOTIFICATION.] (a) When a county 
302.6   agency is required to provide assistance to a participant in 
302.7   vendor payment form for shelter costs or utilities under 
302.8   subdivision 1, and the participant does not give the agency the 
302.9   information needed to pay the vendor, the county agency shall 
302.10  notify the participant of the intent to terminate assistance by 
302.11  mail at least ten days before the effective date of the adverse 
302.12  action. 
302.13     (b) The notice of action shall include a request for 
302.14  information about: 
302.15     (1) the amount of the participant's shelter costs or 
302.16  utilities; 
302.17     (2) the due date of the shelter costs or utilities; and 
302.18     (3) the name and address of the landlord, contract for deed 
302.19  holder, mortgage company, and utility vendor. 
302.20     (c) If the participant fails to provide the requested 
302.21  information by the effective date of the adverse action, the 
302.22  county must terminate the MFIP-S grant.  If the applicant or 
302.23  participant verifies they do not have shelter costs or utility 
302.24  obligations, the county shall not terminate assistance if the 
302.25  assistance unit is otherwise eligible. 
302.26     Sec. 74.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
302.27  256J.42, is amended to read: 
302.28     256J.42 [60-MONTH TIME LIMIT.] 
302.29     Subdivision 1.  [TIME LIMIT.] (a) Except for the exemptions 
302.30  in this section and in section 256J.11, subdivision 2, An 
302.31  assistance unit in which any adult caregiver has received 60 
302.32  months of cash assistance funded in whole or in part by the TANF 
302.33  block grant in this or any other state or United States 
302.34  territory, MFIP-S, AFDC, or family general assistance, funded in 
302.35  whole or in part by state appropriations, is ineligible to 
302.36  receive MFIP-S.  Any cash assistance funded with TANF dollars in 
303.1   this or any other state or United States territory, or MFIP-S 
303.2   assistance funded in whole or in part by state appropriations, 
303.3   that was received by the unit on or after the date TANF was 
303.4   implemented, including any assistance received in states or 
303.5   United States territories of prior residence, counts toward the 
303.6   60-month limitation.  The 60-month limit applies to a minor who 
303.7   is the head of a household or who is married to the head of a 
303.8   household except under subdivision 5.  The 60-month time period 
303.9   does not need to be consecutive months for this provision to 
303.10  apply.  
303.11     (b) Months before July 1998 in which individuals receive 
303.12  assistance as part of an MFIP, MFIP-R, or MFIP or MFIP-R 
303.13  comparison group family under sections 256.031 to 256.0361 or 
303.14  sections 256.047 to 256.048 are not included in the 60-month 
303.15  time limit. 
303.16     Subd. 2.  [ASSISTANCE FROM ANOTHER STATE.] An individual 
303.17  whose needs have been otherwise provided for in another state, 
303.18  in whole or in part by the TANF block grant during a month, is 
303.19  ineligible to receive MFIP-S for the month. 
303.20     Subd. 3.  [ADULTS LIVING ON AN INDIAN RESERVATION.] In 
303.21  determining the number of months for which an adult has received 
303.22  assistance under MFIP-S, the county agency must disregard any 
303.23  month during which the adult lived on an Indian reservation if, 
303.24  during the month:  
303.25     (1) at least 1,000 individuals were living on the 
303.26  reservation; and 
303.27     (2) at least 50 percent of the adults living on the 
303.28  reservation were unemployed not employed. 
303.29     Subd. 4.  [VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.] Any cash 
303.30  assistance received by an assistance unit in a month when a 
303.31  caregiver is complying with a safety plan under the MFIP-S 
303.32  employment and training component does not count toward the 
303.33  60-month limitation on assistance. 
303.34     Subd. 5.  [EXEMPTION FOR CERTAIN FAMILIES.] (a) Any cash 
303.35  assistance received by an assistance unit does not count toward 
303.36  the 60-month limit on assistance during a month in which 
304.1   the parental caregiver is in the category in section 256J.56, 
304.2   clause (1).  The exemption applies for the period of time the 
304.3   caregiver belongs to one of the categories specified in this 
304.4   subdivision. 
304.5      (b) From July 1, 1997, until the date MFIP-S is operative 
304.6   in the caregiver's county of financial responsibility, any cash 
304.7   assistance received by a caregiver who is complying with 
304.8   sections 256.73, subdivision 5a, and 256.736, if applicable, 
304.9   does not count toward the 60-month limit on assistance.  
304.10  Thereafter, any cash assistance received by a minor caregiver 
304.11  who is complying with the requirements of sections 256J.14 and 
304.12  256J.54, if applicable, does not count towards the 60-month 
304.13  limit on assistance. 
304.14     (c) Any diversionary assistance or emergency assistance 
304.15  received does not count toward the 60-month limit. 
304.16     (d) Any cash assistance received by an 18 or 19 year old 
304.17  caregiver during a month when the caregiver is complying with 
304.18  the requirements of section 256J.54 does not count toward the 
304.19  60-month limit. 
304.20     Sec. 75.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
304.21  256J.43, is amended to read: 
304.22     256J.43 [INTERSTATE PAYMENT STANDARDS.] 
304.23     Subdivision 1.  [PAYMENT.] (a) Effective July 1, 1997, the 
304.24  amount of assistance paid to an eligible family unit in which 
304.25  all members have resided in this state for fewer than 12 
304.26  consecutive calendar months immediately preceding the date of 
304.27  application shall be the lesser of either the payment interstate 
304.28  transitional standard that would have been received by 
304.29  the family assistance unit from the state of immediate prior 
304.30  residence, or the amount calculated in accordance with AFDC or 
304.31  MFIP-S standards.  The lesser payment must continue until 
304.32  the family assistance unit meets the 12-month requirement.  An 
304.33  assistance unit that has not resided in Minnesota for 12 months 
304.34  from the date of application is not exempt from the interstate 
304.35  payment provisions solely because a child is born in Minnesota 
304.36  to a member of the assistance unit.  Payment must be calculated 
305.1   by applying this state's budgeting policies, and the unit's net 
305.2   income must be deducted from the payment standard in the other 
305.3   state or in this state, whichever is lower.  Payment shall be 
305.4   made in vendor form for rent and utilities, up to the limit of 
305.5   the grant amount, and residual amounts, if any, shall be paid 
305.6   directly to the assistance unit. 
305.7      (b) During the first 12 months a family an assistance unit 
305.8   resides in this state, the number of months that a family unit 
305.9   is eligible to receive AFDC or MFIP-S benefits is limited to the 
305.10  number of months the family assistance unit would have been 
305.11  eligible to receive similar benefits in the state of immediate 
305.12  prior residence. 
305.13     (c) This policy applies whether or not the family 
305.14  assistance unit received similar benefits while residing in the 
305.15  state of previous residence. 
305.16     (d) When a family an assistance unit moves to this state 
305.17  from another state where the family assistance unit has 
305.18  exhausted that state's time limit for receiving benefits under 
305.19  that state's TANF program, the family unit will not be eligible 
305.20  to receive any AFDC or MFIP-S benefits in this state for 12 
305.21  months from the date the family assistance unit moves here. 
305.22     (e) For the purposes of this section, "state of immediate 
305.23  prior residence" means: 
305.24     (1) the state in which the applicant declares the applicant 
305.25  spent the most time in the 30 days prior to moving to this 
305.26  state; or 
305.27     (2) the state in which an applicant who is a migrant worker 
305.28  maintains a home. 
305.29     (f) The commissioner shall annually verify and update all 
305.30  other states' payment standards as they are to be in effect in 
305.31  July of each year. 
305.32     (g) Applicants must provide verification of their state of 
305.33  immediate prior residence, in the form of tax statements, a 
305.34  driver's license, automobile registration, rent receipts, or 
305.35  other forms of verification approved by the commissioner. 
305.36     (h) Migrant workers, as defined in section 256J.08, and 
306.1   their immediate families are exempt from this section, provided 
306.2   the migrant worker provides verification that the migrant family 
306.3   worked in this state within the last 12 months and earned at 
306.4   least $1,000 in gross wages during the time the migrant worker 
306.5   worked in this state. 
306.6      Subd. 2.  [TEMPORARY ABSENCE FROM MINNESOTA.] (a) For an 
306.7   assistance unit that has met the requirements of section 
306.8   256J.12, the number of months that the assistance unit receives 
306.9   benefits under the interstate payment standards in this section 
306.10  is not affected by an absence from Minnesota for fewer than 30 
306.11  consecutive days. 
306.12     (b) For an assistance unit that has met the requirements of 
306.13  section 256J.12, the number of months that the assistance unit 
306.14  receives benefits under the interstate payment standards in this 
306.15  section is not affected by an absence from Minnesota for more 
306.16  than 30 consecutive days but fewer than 90 consecutive days, 
306.17  provided the assistance unit continues to maintain a residence 
306.18  in Minnesota during the period of absence. 
306.19     Subd. 3.  [EXCEPTIONS TO THE INTERSTATE PAYMENT 
306.20  POLICY.] Applicants who lived in another state in the 12 months 
306.21  prior to applying for assistance are exempt from the interstate 
306.22  payment policy for the months that a member of the unit: 
306.23     (1) served in the United States armed services, provided 
306.24  the person returned to Minnesota within 30 days of leaving the 
306.25  armed forces, and intends to remain in Minnesota; 
306.26     (2) attended school in another state, paid nonresident 
306.27  tuition or Minnesota tuition rates under a reciprocity 
306.28  agreement, provided the person left Minnesota specifically to 
306.29  attend school and returned to Minnesota within 30 days of 
306.30  graduation with the intent to remain in Minnesota; or 
306.31     (3) meets the following criteria: 
306.32     (i) a minor child or a minor caregiver moves from another 
306.33  state to the residence of a relative caregiver; 
306.34     (ii) the minor caregiver applies for and receives family 
306.35  cash assistance; 
306.36     (iii) the relative caregiver chooses not to be part of the 
307.1   MFIP-S assistance unit; and 
307.2      (iv) the relative caregiver has resided in Minnesota for at 
307.3   least 12 months from the date the assistance unit applies for 
307.4   cash assistance. 
307.5      Subd. 4.  [INELIGIBLE MANDATORY UNIT MEMBERS.] Ineligible 
307.6   mandatory unit members who have resided in Minnesota for 12 
307.7   months immediately before the unit's date of application 
307.8   establish the other assistance unit members' eligibility for the 
307.9   MFIP-S transitional standard.  
307.10     Sec. 76.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
307.11  256J.44, is amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
307.12     Subd. 3.  [INTERVIEW TO IDENTIFY APPLICANTS WITH DRUG OR 
307.13  ALCOHOL DEPENDENCIES.] As part of the initial screening under 
307.14  this section, each applicant must also be asked if the applicant 
307.15  has symptoms of a drug or alcohol dependency or substance abuse 
307.16  problems.  If this interview indicates that the applicant may 
307.17  have a drug or alcohol dependency, the applicant must be 
307.18  referred for further assessment.  If the further assessment 
307.19  indicates that the applicant or recipient has a drug or alcohol 
307.20  dependency or substance abuse problem that requires treatment, 
307.21  and that the individual's dependency is amenable to treatment, 
307.22  the county must offer the individual a referral to an 
307.23  appropriate treatment option. 
307.24     Sec. 77.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
307.25  256J.45, subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
307.26     Subdivision 1.  [COUNTY AGENCY TO PROVIDE ORIENTATION.] A 
307.27  county agency must provide each MFIP-S caregiver with a 
307.28  face-to-face orientation.  The caregiver must attend the 
307.29  orientation.  The county agency must inform the caregiver that 
307.30  failure to attend the orientation is considered a first an 
307.31  occurrence of noncompliance with program requirements, and will 
307.32  result in the imposition of a sanction under section 
307.33  256J.46.  If the client complies with the orientation 
307.34  requirement prior to the effective date of the sanction, the 
307.35  orientation sanction shall be lifted.  
307.36     Sec. 78.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
308.1   256J.45, subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
308.2      Subd. 2.  [GENERAL INFORMATION.] The MFIP-S orientation 
308.3   must consist of a presentation that informs caregivers of: 
308.4      (1) the necessity to obtain immediate employment; 
308.5      (2) the work incentives under MFIP-S; 
308.6      (3) the requirement to comply with the employment plan and 
308.7   other requirements of the employment and training services 
308.8   component of MFIP-S; 
308.9      (4) the consequences for failing to comply with the 
308.10  employment plan and other program requirements; 
308.11     (5) the rights, responsibilities, and obligations of 
308.12  participants; 
308.13     (6) the types and locations of child care services 
308.14  available through the county agency; 
308.15     (7) the availability and the benefits of the early 
308.16  childhood health and developmental screening under sections 
308.17  123.701 to 123.74; 
308.18     (8) the caregiver's eligibility for transition year child 
308.19  care assistance under section 119B.05; 
308.20     (9) the caregiver's eligibility for extended medical 
308.21  assistance when the caregiver loses eligibility for MFIP-S due 
308.22  to increased earnings or increased child or spousal support; and 
308.23     (10) the caregiver's option to choose an employment and 
308.24  training provider and information about each provider, including 
308.25  but not limited to, services offered, program components, job 
308.26  placement rates, job placement wages, and job retention rates; 
308.27  and 
308.28     (11) the caregiver's option to request approval of an 
308.29  education and training plan according to section 256J.52. 
308.30     Sec. 79.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
308.31  256J.45, is amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
308.32     Subd. 3.  [GOOD CAUSE FOR NOT ATTENDING ORIENTATION.] (a) 
308.33  The county agency shall not impose the sanction under section 
308.34  256J.46 if it determines that the participant has good cause for 
308.35  failing to attend orientation.  Good cause exists when: 
308.36     (1) appropriate child care is not available; 
309.1      (2) the participant is ill or injured; 
309.2      (3) a family member is ill and needs care by the 
309.3   participant that prevents the participant from attending 
309.4   orientation; 
309.5      (4) the caregiver is unable to secure necessary 
309.6   transportation; 
309.7      (5) the caregiver is in an emergency situation that 
309.8   prevents orientation attendance; 
309.9      (6) the orientation conflicts with the caregiver's work, 
309.10  training, or school schedule; or 
309.11     (7) the caregiver documents other verifiable impediments to 
309.12  orientation attendance beyond the caregiver's control.  
309.13     (b) Counties must work with clients to provide child care 
309.14  and transportation necessary to ensure a caregiver has every 
309.15  opportunity to attend orientation. 
309.16     Sec. 80.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
309.17  256J.46, subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
309.18     Subdivision 1.  [SANCTIONS FOR PARTICIPANTS NOT COMPLYING 
309.19  WITH PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS.] (a) The following participants are 
309.20  subject to a sanction under this subdivision: 
309.21     (1) a participant who fails without good cause to comply 
309.22  with the requirements of this chapter, and who is not subject to 
309.23  a sanction under subdivision 2, shall be subject to a sanction 
309.24  as provided in this subdivision; and 
309.25     (2) a participant who has not complied with the orientation 
309.26  requirement before the effective date of the sanction.  
309.27     A sanction under this subdivision becomes effective ten 
309.28  days after the required notice is given.  For purposes of this 
309.29  subdivision, each month that a participant fails to comply with 
309.30  a requirement of this chapter shall be considered a separate 
309.31  occurrence of noncompliance.  A participant who has had one or 
309.32  more sanctions imposed must remain in compliance with the 
309.33  provisions of this chapter for six months in order for a 
309.34  subsequent occurrence of noncompliance to be considered a first 
309.35  occurrence.  
309.36     (b) Sanctions for noncompliance shall be imposed as follows:
310.1      (1) For the first occurrence of noncompliance by a 
310.2   participant in a single-parent household or by one participant 
310.3   in a two-parent household, the participant's assistance unit's 
310.4   grant shall be reduced by ten percent of the applicable MFIP-S 
310.5   transitional standard or the interstate transitional standard 
310.6   for an assistance unit of the same size, whichever is 
310.7   applicable, with the residual paid to the participant.  The 
310.8   reduction in the grant amount must be in effect for a minimum of 
310.9   one month and shall be removed in the month following the month 
310.10  that the participant returns to compliance or in the month 
310.11  following the minimum one-month sanction, whichever is later. 
310.12     (2) For a second or subsequent occurrence of noncompliance, 
310.13  or when both participants in a two-parent household are out of 
310.14  compliance at the same time, the participant's rent assistance 
310.15  unit's shelter costs shall be vendor paid up to the amount of 
310.16  the cash portion of the MFIP-S grant for which the participant's 
310.17  assistance unit is eligible.  At county option, 
310.18  the participant's assistance unit's utilities may also be vendor 
310.19  paid up to the amount of the cash portion of the MFIP-S grant 
310.20  remaining after vendor payment of the participant's rent 
310.21  assistance unit's shelter costs.  The vendor payment of rent 
310.22  and, if in effect, utilities, must be in effect for six months 
310.23  from the date that a sanction is imposed under this clause.  The 
310.24  residual amount of the grant after vendor payment, if any, must 
310.25  be reduced by an amount equal to 30 percent of the applicable 
310.26  MFIP-S transitional standard, or the interstate transitional 
310.27  standard for an assistance unit of the same size, whichever is 
310.28  applicable, before the residual is paid to the participant 
310.29  assistance unit.  The reduction in the grant amount must be in 
310.30  effect for a minimum of one month and shall be removed in the 
310.31  month following the month that the a participant in a one-parent 
310.32  household returns to compliance or in the month following the 
310.33  minimum one-month sanction, whichever is later.  In a two-parent 
310.34  household, the grant reduction shall be removed in the month 
310.35  following the month both participants return to compliance or in 
310.36  the month following the minimum one-month sanction, whichever is 
311.1   later.  The vendor payment of rent shelter costs and, if 
311.2   applicable, utilities shall be removed six months after the 
311.3   month in which the participant returns or participants return to 
311.4   compliance. 
311.5      (c) No later than during the second month that a sanction 
311.6   under paragraph (b), clause (2), is in effect due to 
311.7   noncompliance with employment services, the participant's case 
311.8   file must be reviewed to determine if: 
311.9      (i) the continued noncompliance can be explained and 
311.10  mitigated by providing a needed preemployment activity, as 
311.11  defined in section 256J.49, subdivision 13, clause (16); 
311.12     (ii) the participant qualifies for a good cause exception 
311.13  under section 256J.57; or 
311.14     (iii) the participant qualifies for an exemption under 
311.15  section 256J.56. 
311.16     If the lack of an identified activity can explain the 
311.17  noncompliance, the county must work with the participant to 
311.18  provide the identified activity, and the county must restore the 
311.19  participant's grant amount to the full amount for which the 
311.20  assistance unit is eligible.  The grant must be restored 
311.21  retroactively to the first day of the month in which the 
311.22  participant was found to lack preemployment activities or to 
311.23  qualify for an exemption or good cause exception. 
311.24     If the participant is found to qualify for a good cause 
311.25  exception or an exemption, the county must restore the 
311.26  participant's grant to the full amount for which the assistance 
311.27  unit is eligible.  If the participant's grant is restored under 
311.28  this paragraph, the vendor payment of rent and if applicable, 
311.29  utilities, shall be removed six months after the month in which 
311.30  the sanction was imposed and the county must consider a 
311.31  subsequent occurrence of noncompliance to be a first occurrence. 
311.32     Sec. 81.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
311.33  256J.46, subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
311.34     Subd. 2.  [SANCTIONS FOR REFUSAL TO COOPERATE WITH SUPPORT 
311.35  REQUIREMENTS.] The grant of an MFIP-S caregiver who refuses to 
311.36  cooperate, as determined by the child support enforcement 
312.1   agency, with support requirements under section 256.741, if 
312.2   enacted, shall be subject to sanction as specified in this 
312.3   subdivision.  The assistance unit's grant must be reduced by 25 
312.4   percent of the applicable transitional standard.  The residual 
312.5   amount of the grant, if any, must be paid to the caregiver.  A 
312.6   sanction under this subdivision becomes effective ten days after 
312.7   the required notice is given.  The sanction must be in effect 
312.8   for a minimum of one month and shall be removed only when the 
312.9   caregiver cooperates with the support requirements or in the 
312.10  month following the minimum one-month sanction, whichever is 
312.11  later.  Each month that an MFIP-S caregiver fails to comply with 
312.12  the requirements of section 256.741 must be considered a 
312.13  separate occurrence of noncompliance.  An MFIP-S caregiver who 
312.14  has had one or more sanctions imposed must remain in compliance 
312.15  with the requirements of section 256.741 for six months in order 
312.16  for a subsequent sanction to be considered a first occurrence. 
312.17     Sec. 82.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
312.18  256J.47, subdivision 4, is amended to read: 
312.19     Subd. 4.  [INELIGIBILITY FOR MFIP-S; EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE; 
312.20  AND EMERGENCY GENERAL ASSISTANCE.] Upon receipt of diversionary 
312.21  assistance, the family is ineligible for MFIP-S, emergency 
312.22  assistance, and emergency general assistance for a period of 
312.23  time.  To determine the period of ineligibility, the county 
312.24  shall use the following formula:  regardless of household 
312.25  changes, the county agency must calculate the number of days of 
312.26  ineligibility by dividing the diversionary assistance issued by 
312.27  the transitional standard a family of the same size and 
312.28  composition would have received under MFIP-S, or if applicable 
312.29  the interstate transitional standard, multiplied by 30, 
312.30  truncating the result.  The ineligibility period begins the date 
312.31  the diversionary assistance is issued. 
312.32     Sec. 83.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
312.33  256J.48, subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
312.34     Subd. 2.  [ELIGIBILITY.] Notwithstanding other eligibility 
312.35  provisions of this chapter, any family without resources 
312.36  immediately available to meet emergency needs identified in 
313.1   subdivision 3 shall be eligible for an emergency grant under the 
313.2   following conditions: 
313.3      (1) a family member has resided in this state for at least 
313.4   30 days; 
313.5      (2) the family is without resources immediately available 
313.6   to meet emergency needs; 
313.7      (3) assistance is necessary to avoid destitution or provide 
313.8   emergency shelter arrangements; and 
313.9      (4) the family's destitution or need for shelter or 
313.10  utilities did not arise because the child or relative caregiver 
313.11  refused without good cause under section 256J.57 to accept 
313.12  employment or training for employment in this state or another 
313.13  state; and 
313.14     (5) at least one child or pregnant woman in the emergency 
313.15  assistance unit meets MFIP-S citizenship requirements in section 
313.16  256J.11. 
313.17     Sec. 84.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
313.18  256J.48, subdivision 3, is amended to read: 
313.19     Subd. 3.  [EMERGENCY NEEDS.] Emergency needs are limited to 
313.20  the following: 
313.21     (a)  [RENT.] A county agency may deny assistance to prevent 
313.22  eviction from rented or leased shelter of an otherwise eligible 
313.23  applicant when the county agency determines that an applicant's 
313.24  anticipated income will not cover continued payment for shelter, 
313.25  subject to conditions in clauses (1) to (3): 
313.26     (1) a county agency must not deny assistance when an 
313.27  applicant can document that the applicant is unable to locate 
313.28  habitable shelter, unless the county agency can document that 
313.29  one or more habitable shelters are available in the community 
313.30  that will result in at least a 20 percent reduction in monthly 
313.31  expense for shelter and that this shelter will be cost-effective 
313.32  for the applicant; 
313.33     (2) when no alternative shelter can be identified by either 
313.34  the applicant or the county agency, the county agency shall not 
313.35  deny assistance because anticipated income will not cover rental 
313.36  obligation; and 
314.1      (3) when cost-effective alternative shelter is identified, 
314.2   the county agency shall issue assistance for moving expenses as 
314.3   provided in paragraph (d) (e). 
314.4      (b)  [DEFINITIONS.] For purposes of paragraph (a), the 
314.5   following definitions apply (1) "metropolitan statistical area" 
314.6   is as defined by the United States Census Bureau; (2) 
314.7   "alternative shelter" includes any shelter that is located 
314.8   within the metropolitan statistical area containing the county 
314.9   and for which the applicant is eligible, provided the applicant 
314.10  does not have to travel more than 20 miles to reach the shelter 
314.11  and has access to transportation to the shelter.  Clause (2) 
314.12  does not apply to counties in the Minneapolis-St. Paul 
314.13  metropolitan statistical area. 
314.14     (c)  [MORTGAGE AND CONTRACT FOR DEED ARREARAGES.] A county 
314.15  agency shall issue assistance for mortgage or contract for deed 
314.16  arrearages on behalf of an otherwise eligible applicant 
314.17  according to clauses (1) to (4): 
314.18     (1) assistance for arrearages must be issued only when a 
314.19  home is owned, occupied, and maintained by the applicant; 
314.20     (2) assistance for arrearages must be issued only when no 
314.21  subsequent foreclosure action is expected within the 12 months 
314.22  following the issuance; 
314.23     (3) assistance for arrearages must be issued only when an 
314.24  applicant has been refused refinancing through a bank or other 
314.25  lending institution and the amount payable, when combined with 
314.26  any payments made by the applicant, will be accepted by the 
314.27  creditor as full payment of the arrearage; 
314.28     (4) costs paid by a family which are counted toward the 
314.29  payment requirements in this clause are:  principle principal 
314.30  and interest payments on mortgages or contracts for deed, 
314.31  balloon payments, homeowner's insurance payments, manufactured 
314.32  home lot rental payments, and tax or special assessment payments 
314.33  related to the homestead.  Costs which are not counted include 
314.34  closing costs related to the sale or purchase of real property. 
314.35     To be eligible for assistance for costs specified in clause 
314.36  (4) which are outstanding at the time of foreclosure, an 
315.1   applicant must have paid at least 40 percent of the family's 
315.2   gross income toward these costs in the month of application and 
315.3   the 11-month period immediately preceding the month of 
315.4   application. 
315.5      When an applicant is eligible under clause (4), a county 
315.6   agency shall issue assistance up to a maximum of four times the 
315.7   MFIP-S transitional standard for a comparable assistance unit. 
315.8      (d)  [DAMAGE OR UTILITY DEPOSITS.] A county agency shall 
315.9   issue assistance for damage or utility deposits when necessary 
315.10  to alleviate the emergency.  The county may require that 
315.11  assistance paid in the form of a damage deposit or a utility 
315.12  deposit, less any amount retained by the landlord to remedy a 
315.13  tenant's default in payment of rent or other funds due to the 
315.14  landlord under a rental agreement, or to restore the premises to 
315.15  the condition at the commencement of the tenancy, ordinary wear 
315.16  and tear excepted, be returned to the county when the individual 
315.17  vacates the premises or be paid to the recipient's new landlord 
315.18  as a vendor payment.  The county may require that assistance 
315.19  paid in the form of a utility deposit less any amount retained 
315.20  to satisfy outstanding utility costs be returned to the county 
315.21  when the person vacates the premises, or be paid for the 
315.22  person's new housing unit as a vendor payment.  The vendor 
315.23  payment of returned funds shall not be considered a new use of 
315.24  emergency assistance. 
315.25     (e)  [MOVING EXPENSES.] A county agency shall issue 
315.26  assistance for expenses incurred when a family must move to a 
315.27  different shelter according to clauses (1) to (4): 
315.28     (1) moving expenses include the cost to transport personal 
315.29  property belonging to a family, the cost for utility connection, 
315.30  and the cost for securing different shelter; 
315.31     (2) moving expenses must be paid only when the county 
315.32  agency determines that a move is cost-effective; 
315.33     (3) moving expenses must be paid at the request of an 
315.34  applicant, but only when destitution or threatened destitution 
315.35  exists; and 
315.36     (4) moving expenses must be paid when a county agency 
316.1   denies assistance to prevent an eviction because the county 
316.2   agency has determined that an applicant's anticipated income 
316.3   will not cover continued shelter obligation in paragraph (a). 
316.4      (f)  [HOME REPAIRS.] A county agency shall pay for repairs 
316.5   to the roof, foundation, wiring, heating system, chimney, and 
316.6   water and sewer system of a home that is owned and lived in by 
316.7   an applicant. 
316.8      The applicant shall document, and the county agency shall 
316.9   verify the need for and method of repair. 
316.10     The payment must be cost-effective in relation to the 
316.11  overall condition of the home and in relation to the cost and 
316.12  availability of alternative housing. 
316.13     (g)  [UTILITY COSTS.] Assistance for utility costs must be 
316.14  made when an otherwise eligible family has had a termination or 
316.15  is threatened with a termination of municipal water and sewer 
316.16  service, electric, gas or heating fuel service, or lacks wood 
316.17  when that is the heating source, subject to the conditions in 
316.18  clauses (1) and (2): 
316.19     (1) a county agency must not issue assistance unless the 
316.20  county agency receives confirmation from the utility provider 
316.21  that assistance combined with payment by the applicant will 
316.22  continue or restore the utility; and 
316.23     (2) a county agency shall not issue assistance for utility 
316.24  costs unless a family paid at least eight percent of the 
316.25  family's gross income toward utility costs due during the 
316.26  preceding 12 months. 
316.27     Clauses (1) and (2) must not be construed to prevent the 
316.28  issuance of assistance when a county agency must take immediate 
316.29  and temporary action necessary to protect the life or health of 
316.30  a child. 
316.31     (h)  [SPECIAL DIETS.] Effective January 1, 1998, a county 
316.32  shall pay for special diets or dietary items for MFIP-S 
316.33  participants.  Persons receiving emergency assistance funds for 
316.34  special diets or dietary items are also eligible to receive 
316.35  emergency assistance for shelter and utility emergencies, if 
316.36  otherwise eligible.  The need for special diets or dietary items 
317.1   must be prescribed by a licensed physician.  Costs for special 
317.2   diets shall be determined as percentages of the allotment for a 
317.3   one-person household under the Thrifty Food Plan as defined by 
317.4   the United States Department of Agriculture.  The types of diets 
317.5   and the percentages of the Thrifty Food Plan that are covered 
317.6   are as follows: 
317.7      (1) high protein diet, at least 80 grams daily, 25 percent 
317.8   of Thrifty Food Plan; 
317.9      (2) controlled protein diet, 40 to 60 grams and requires 
317.10  special products, 100 percent of Thrifty Food Plan; 
317.11     (3) controlled protein diet, less than 40 grams and 
317.12  requires special products, 125 percent of Thrifty Food Plan; 
317.13     (4) low cholesterol diet, 25 percent of Thrifty Food Plan; 
317.14     (5) high residue diet, 20 percent of Thrifty Food Plan; 
317.15     (6) pregnancy and lactation diet, 35 percent of Thrifty 
317.16  Food Plan; 
317.17     (7) gluten-free diet, 25 percent of Thrifty Food Plan; 
317.18     (8) lactose-free diet, 25 percent of Thrifty Food Plan; 
317.19     (9) antidumping diet, 15 percent of Thrifty Food Plan; 
317.20     (10) hypoglycemic diet, 15 percent of Thrifty Food Plan; or 
317.21     (11) ketogenic diet, 25 percent of Thrifty Food Plan. 
317.22     Sec. 85.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
317.23  256J.50, subdivision 5, is amended to read: 
317.24     Subd. 5.  [PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS FOR SINGLE-PARENT AND 
317.25  TWO-PARENT CASES.] (a) A county must establish a uniform 
317.26  schedule for requiring participation by single parents.  
317.27  Mandatory participation must be required within six months of 
317.28  eligibility for cash assistance.  For two-parent cases, 
317.29  participation is required concurrent with the receipt of MFIP-S 
317.30  cash assistance. 
317.31     (b) Beginning January 1, 1998, with the exception of 
317.32  caregivers required to attend high school under the provisions 
317.33  of section 256J.54, subdivision 5, MFIP caregivers, upon 
317.34  completion of the secondary assessment, must develop an 
317.35  employment plan and participate in work activities. 
317.36     (c) Upon completion of the secondary assessment: 
318.1      (1) In single-parent families with no children under six 
318.2   years of age, the job counselor and the caregiver must develop 
318.3   an employment plan that includes 20 to 35 hours per week of work 
318.4   activities for the period January 1, 1998, to September 30, 
318.5   1998; 25 to 35 hours of work activities per week in federal 
318.6   fiscal year 1999; and 30 to 35 hours per week of work activities 
318.7   in federal fiscal year 2000 and thereafter. 
318.8      (2) In single-parent families with a child under six years 
318.9   of age, the job counselor and the caregiver must develop an 
318.10  employment plan that includes 20 to 35 hours per week of work 
318.11  activities. 
318.12     (3) In two-parent families, the job counselor and the 
318.13  caregivers must develop employment plans which result in a 
318.14  combined total of at least 55 hours per week of work activities. 
318.15     Sec. 86.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
318.16  256J.50, is amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
318.17     Subd. 10.  [COORDINATION.] The county agency and the county 
318.18  agency's employment and training providers must consult and 
318.19  coordinate with other providers of employment and training 
318.20  services to identify existing resources, in order to prevent 
318.21  duplication of services, to assure that other programs' services 
318.22  are available to enable participants to achieve 
318.23  self-sufficiency, and to assure that costs for these other 
318.24  services for which participants are eligible are not incurred by 
318.25  MFIP-S.  At a minimum, the county agency and its providers must 
318.26  coordinate with Jobs Training and Partnership Act providers and 
318.27  with any other relevant employment, training, and education 
318.28  programs in the county. 
318.29     Sec. 87.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
318.30  256J.515, is amended to read: 
318.31     256J.515 [OVERVIEW OF EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING SERVICES.] 
318.32     During the first meeting with participants, job counselors 
318.33  must ensure that an overview of employment and training services 
318.34  is provided that: (1) stresses the necessity and opportunity of 
318.35  immediate employment,; (2) outlines the job search resources 
318.36  offered,; (3) outlines education or training opportunities 
319.1   available; (4) describes the range of work activities that are 
319.2   allowable under MFIP-S to meet the individual needs of 
319.3   participants; (5) explains the requirements to comply with an 
319.4   employment plan and; (6) explains the consequences for failing 
319.5   to comply,; and (7) explains the services that are available to 
319.6   support job search and work and education. 
319.7      Sec. 88.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
319.8   256J.52, subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
319.9      Subd. 2.  [INITIAL ASSESSMENT.] (a) The job counselor must, 
319.10  with the cooperation of the participant, assess the 
319.11  participant's ability to obtain and retain employment.  This 
319.12  initial assessment must include a review of the participant's 
319.13  education level, prior employment or work experience, 
319.14  transferable work skills, and existing job markets.  The job 
319.15  counselor must assess each participant's literacy and math 
319.16  skills as part of an initial assessment.  If a participant lacks 
319.17  basic math or literacy skills at or below an eighth grade level, 
319.18  the participant must be allowed to enroll in adult basic 
319.19  education activities as part of the participant's job search 
319.20  support plan or employment plan.  A participant with low-level 
319.21  math and literacy skills should not be categorically assumed to 
319.22  be unemployable.  
319.23     (b) In assessing the participant, the job counselor must 
319.24  determine if the participant needs refresher courses for 
319.25  professional certification or licensure, in which case, the job 
319.26  search plan under subdivision 3 must include the courses 
319.27  necessary to obtain the certification or licensure, in addition 
319.28  to other work activities, provided the combination of the 
319.29  courses and other work activities are at least for 40 hours per 
319.30  week.  
319.31     (c) If a participant can demonstrate to the satisfaction of 
319.32  the county agency that If the job counselor determines that a 
319.33  lack of proficiency in English is a barrier to obtaining 
319.34  suitable employment, the job counselor must include 
319.35  participation in an intensive English as a second language 
319.36  program if available or otherwise a regular English as a second 
320.1   language program in the individual's employment plan under 
320.2   subdivision 5 for as long as the participant is making 
320.3   satisfactory progress and the individual's lack of proficiency 
320.4   in English remains a barrier to obtaining suitable employment.  
320.5   Lack of proficiency in English is not necessarily a barrier to 
320.6   employment.  
320.7      (d) Understanding that education may provide the best 
320.8   opportunity for unsubsidized employment, the job counselor may 
320.9   approve an education or training plan as a first option, and 
320.10  postpone the job search requirement, if the participant has a 
320.11  proposal for an education program, including those that may lead 
320.12  to a certificate, diploma, or degree and which: 
320.13     (1) can be completed within 12 months or within 18 months 
320.14  if remedial education courses are necessary; 
320.15     (2) meets the criteria of section 256J.53, subdivisions 2, 
320.16  3, and 5; and 
320.17     (3) is likely, without additional training, to lead to 
320.18  monthly employment earnings which, after subtraction of the 
320.19  earnings disregard under section 256J.21, equal or exceed the 
320.20  family wage level for the participant's assistance unit. 
320.21     (e) A participant who, at the time of the initial 
320.22  assessment, presents a plan that includes farming as a 
320.23  self-employed work activity must have an employment plan 
320.24  developed under subdivision 5 that includes the farming as an 
320.25  approved work activity. 
320.26     Sec. 89.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
320.27  256J.52, subdivision 3, is amended to read: 
320.28     Subd. 3.  [JOB SEARCH; JOB SEARCH SUPPORT PLAN.] (a) If, 
320.29  after the initial assessment, the job counselor determines that 
320.30  the participant possesses sufficient skills that the participant 
320.31  is likely to succeed in obtaining suitable employment, the 
320.32  participant must conduct job search for a period of up to eight 
320.33  weeks, for at least 30 hours per week.  The participant must 
320.34  accept any offer of suitable employment.  The job counselor and 
320.35  participant must develop a job search support plan which 
320.36  specifies, at a minimum:  whether the job search is to be 
321.1   supervised or unsupervised; the number of hours of job search 
321.2   that will be required; support services that will be provided 
321.3   while the participant conducts job search activities; the 
321.4   courses necessary to obtain certification or licensure, if 
321.5   applicable, and after obtaining the license or certificate, the 
321.6   client must comply with subdivision 5; and how frequently the 
321.7   participant must report to the job counselor on the status of 
321.8   the participant's job search activities.  The job counselor may 
321.9   approve other work activities listed in section 256J.49, 
321.10  subdivision 13, to be included in a job search support plan. 
321.11     (b) During the eight-week job search period, either the job 
321.12  counselor or the participant may request a review of the 
321.13  participant's job search plan and progress towards obtaining 
321.14  suitable employment.  If a review is requested by the 
321.15  participant, the job counselor must concur that the review is 
321.16  appropriate for the participant at that time.  If a review is 
321.17  conducted, the job counselor may make a determination to conduct 
321.18  a secondary assessment prior to the conclusion of the job search.
321.19     (c) Failure to conduct the required job search, to accept 
321.20  any offer of suitable employment, to develop or comply with a 
321.21  job search support plan, or voluntarily quitting suitable 
321.22  employment without good cause results in the imposition of a 
321.23  sanction under section 256J.46.  If at the end of eight weeks 
321.24  the participant has not obtained suitable employment, the job 
321.25  counselor must conduct a secondary assessment of the participant 
321.26  under subdivision 3. 
321.27     Sec. 90.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
321.28  256J.52, subdivision 4, is amended to read: 
321.29     Subd. 4.  [SECONDARY ASSESSMENT.] (a) The job counselor 
321.30  must conduct a secondary assessment for those participants who: 
321.31     (1) in the judgment of the job counselor, have barriers to 
321.32  obtaining employment that will not be overcome with a job search 
321.33  support plan under subdivision 3; 
321.34     (2) have completed eight weeks of job search under 
321.35  subdivision 3 without obtaining suitable employment; or 
321.36     (3) have not received a secondary assessment, are working 
322.1   at least 20 hours per week, and the participant, job counselor, 
322.2   or county agency requests a secondary assessment; or 
322.3      (4) have an existing plan or are already involved in 
322.4   training or education activities under section 256J.55, 
322.5   subdivision 5. 
322.6      (b) In the secondary assessment the job counselor must 
322.7   evaluate the participant's skills and prior work experience, 
322.8   family circumstances, interests and abilities, need for 
322.9   preemployment activities, supportive or educational services, 
322.10  and the extent of any barriers to employment.  The job counselor 
322.11  must use the information gathered through the secondary 
322.12  assessment to develop an employment plan under subdivision 5. 
322.13     (c) The provider shall make available to participants 
322.14  information regarding additional vendors or resources which 
322.15  provide employment and training services that may be available 
322.16  to the participant under a plan developed under this section.  
322.17  The information must include a brief summary of services 
322.18  provided and related performance indicators.  Performance 
322.19  indicators must include, but are not limited to, the average 
322.20  time to complete program offerings, placement rates, entry and 
322.21  average wages, and retention rates.  To be included in the 
322.22  information given to participants, a vendor or resource must 
322.23  provide counties with relevant information in the format 
322.24  required by the county. 
322.25     Sec. 91.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
322.26  256J.52, is amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
322.27     Subd. 8.  [ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT FOR POSTEMPLOYMENT 
322.28  EDUCATION AND TRAINING.] After a caregiver has been employed for 
322.29  six consecutive months, or after the first month in which the 
322.30  caregiver works on average more than 20 hours per week, the 
322.31  caregiver's job counselor shall inform the caregiver that the 
322.32  caregiver may request a secondary assessment and shall provide 
322.33  information about: 
322.34     (1) part-time education and training options available to 
322.35  the caregiver; and 
322.36     (2) child care and transportation resources available to 
323.1   support postemployment education and training. 
323.2      Sec. 92.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
323.3   256J.52, is amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
323.4      Subd. 9.  [TRAINING CONCURRENT WITH EMPLOYMENT.] An MFIP 
323.5   caregiver who is meeting the minimum hourly work participation 
323.6   requirements under the Personal Responsibility and Work 
323.7   Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 through employment must 
323.8   be allowed to meet any additional MFIP-S hourly work 
323.9   participation requirements through training or education that 
323.10  meets the requirements of section 256J.53. 
323.11     Sec. 93.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
323.12  256J.54, subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
323.13     Subd. 2.  [RESPONSIBILITY FOR ASSESSMENT AND EMPLOYMENT 
323.14  PLAN.] For caregivers who are under age 18 without a high school 
323.15  diploma or its equivalent, the assessment under subdivision 1 
323.16  and the employment plan under subdivision 3 must be completed by 
323.17  the social services agency under section 257.33.  For caregivers 
323.18  who are age 18 or 19 without a high school diploma or its 
323.19  equivalent, the assessment under subdivision 1 and the 
323.20  employment plan under subdivision 3 must be completed by the job 
323.21  counselor.  The social services agency or the job counselor 
323.22  shall consult with representatives of educational agencies that 
323.23  are required to assist in developing educational plans under 
323.24  section 126.235. 
323.25     Sec. 94.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
323.26  256J.54, subdivision 3, is amended to read: 
323.27     Subd. 3.  [EDUCATIONAL OPTION DEVELOPED.] If the job 
323.28  counselor or county social services agency identifies an 
323.29  appropriate educational option for a caregiver under the age of 
323.30  20 without a high school diploma or its equivalent, it the 
323.31  counselor or agency must develop an employment plan which 
323.32  reflects the identified option.  The plan must specify that 
323.33  participation in an educational activity is required, what 
323.34  school or educational program is most appropriate, the services 
323.35  that will be provided, the activities the caregiver will take 
323.36  part in, including child care and supportive services, the 
324.1   consequences to the caregiver for failing to participate or 
324.2   comply with the specified requirements, and the right to appeal 
324.3   any adverse action.  The employment plan must, to the extent 
324.4   possible, reflect the preferences of the caregiver. 
324.5      Sec. 95.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
324.6   256J.54, subdivision 4, is amended to read: 
324.7      Subd. 4.  [NO APPROPRIATE EDUCATIONAL OPTION.] If the job 
324.8   counselor determines that there is no appropriate educational 
324.9   option for a caregiver who is age 18 or 19 without a high school 
324.10  diploma or its equivalent, the job counselor must develop an 
324.11  employment plan, as defined in section 256J.49, subdivision 5, 
324.12  for the caregiver.  If the county social services agency 
324.13  determines that school attendance is not appropriate for a 
324.14  caregiver under age 18 without a high school diploma or its 
324.15  equivalent, the county agency shall refer the caregiver to 
324.16  social services for services as provided in section 257.33. 
324.17     Sec. 96.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
324.18  256J.54, subdivision 5, is amended to read: 
324.19     Subd. 5.  [SCHOOL ATTENDANCE REQUIRED.] (a) Notwithstanding 
324.20  the provisions of section 256J.56, minor parents, or 18- or 
324.21  19-year-old parents without a high school diploma or its 
324.22  equivalent must attend school unless: 
324.23     (1) transportation services needed to enable the caregiver 
324.24  to attend school are not available; 
324.25     (2) appropriate child care services needed to enable the 
324.26  caregiver to attend school are not available; 
324.27     (3) the caregiver is ill or incapacitated seriously enough 
324.28  to prevent attendance at school; or 
324.29     (4) the caregiver is needed in the home because of the 
324.30  illness or incapacity of another member of the household.  This 
324.31  includes a caregiver of a child who is younger than six weeks of 
324.32  age. 
324.33     (b) The caregiver must be enrolled in a secondary school 
324.34  and meeting the school's attendance requirements.  The county, 
324.35  social service agency, or job counselor must verify at least 
324.36  once per quarter that the caregiver is meeting the school's 
325.1   attendance requirements.  An enrolled caregiver is considered to 
325.2   be meeting the attendance requirements when the school is not in 
325.3   regular session, including during holiday and summer breaks. 
325.4      Sec. 97.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
325.5   256J.55, subdivision 5, is amended to read: 
325.6      Subd. 5.  [OPTION TO UTILIZE EXISTING PLAN.] With job 
325.7   counselor approval, if a participant is already complying with a 
325.8   job search support or employment plan that was developed for a 
325.9   different program or is already involved in education or 
325.10  training activities, the participant may utilize continue that 
325.11  plan and that program's services, subject to the requirements of 
325.12  subdivision 3, or activity to be in compliance with sections 
325.13  256J.52 to 256J.57 so long as the plan meets, or is modified to 
325.14  meet, the requirements of those sections. 
325.15     Sec. 98.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
325.16  256J.56, is amended to read: 
325.17     256J.56 [EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING SERVICES COMPONENT; 
325.18  EXEMPTIONS.] 
325.19     (a) An MFIP-S caregiver is exempt from the requirements of 
325.20  sections 256J.52 to 256J.55 if the caregiver belongs to any of 
325.21  the following groups: 
325.22     (1) individuals who are age 60 or older; 
325.23     (2) individuals who are suffering from a professionally 
325.24  certified permanent or temporary illness, injury, or incapacity 
325.25  which is expected to continue for more than 30 days and which 
325.26  prevents the person from obtaining or retaining employment.  
325.27  Persons in this category with a temporary illness, injury, or 
325.28  incapacity must be reevaluated at least quarterly; 
325.29     (3) caregivers whose presence in the home is required 
325.30  because of the professionally certified illness or incapacity of 
325.31  another member in the assistance unit, a relative in the 
325.32  household, or a foster child in the household; 
325.33     (4) women who are pregnant, if the pregnancy has resulted 
325.34  in a professionally certified incapacity that prevents the woman 
325.35  from obtaining or retaining employment; 
325.36     (5) caregivers of a child under the age of one year who 
326.1   personally provide full-time care for the child.  This exemption 
326.2   may be used for only 12 months in a lifetime.  In two-parent 
326.3   households, only one parent or other relative may qualify for 
326.4   this exemption; 
326.5      (6) individuals single parents, or one parent in a 
326.6   two-parent family, employed at least 40 hours per week or at 
326.7   least 30 hours per week and engaged in job search for at least 
326.8   an additional ten 35 hours per week; 
326.9      (7) individuals experiencing a personal or family crisis 
326.10  that makes them incapable of participating in the program, as 
326.11  determined by the county agency.  If the participant does not 
326.12  agree with the county agency's determination, the participant 
326.13  may seek professional certification, as defined in section 
326.14  256J.08, that the participant is incapable of participating in 
326.15  the program. 
326.16     Persons in this exemption category must be reevaluated 
326.17  every 60 days; or 
326.18     (8) second parents in two-parent families, provided the 
326.19  second parent is employed for 20 or more hours per week, 
326.20  provided the first parent is employed at least 35 hours per week.
326.21     A caregiver who is exempt under clause (5) must enroll in 
326.22  and attend an early childhood and family education class, a 
326.23  parenting class, or some similar activity, if available, during 
326.24  the period of time the caregiver is exempt under this section.  
326.25  Notwithstanding section 256J.46, failure to attend the required 
326.26  activity shall not result in the imposition of a sanction. 
326.27     (b) The county agency must provide employment and training 
326.28  services to MFIP-S caregivers who are exempt under this section, 
326.29  but who volunteer to participate.  Exempt volunteers may request 
326.30  approval for any work activity under section 256J.49, 
326.31  subdivision 13.  The hourly participation requirements for 
326.32  nonexempt caregivers under section 256J.50, subdivision 5, do 
326.33  not apply to exempt caregivers who volunteer to participate. 
326.34     Sec. 99.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
326.35  256J.57, subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
326.36     Subdivision 1.  [GOOD CAUSE FOR FAILURE TO COMPLY.] The 
327.1   county agency shall not impose the sanction under section 
327.2   256J.46 if it determines that the participant has good cause for 
327.3   failing to comply with the requirements of section 256J.45 or 
327.4   sections 256J.52 to 256J.55.  Good cause exists when: 
327.5      (1) appropriate child care is not available; 
327.6      (2) the job does not meet the definition of suitable 
327.7   employment; 
327.8      (3) the participant is ill or injured; 
327.9      (4) a family member of the assistance unit, a relative in 
327.10  the household, or a foster child in the household is ill and 
327.11  needs care by the participant that prevents the participant from 
327.12  complying with the job search support plan or employment plan; 
327.13     (5) the parental caregiver is unable to secure necessary 
327.14  transportation; 
327.15     (6) the parental caregiver is in an emergency situation 
327.16  that prevents compliance with the job search support plan or 
327.17  employment plan; 
327.18     (7) the schedule of compliance with the job search support 
327.19  plan or employment plan conflicts with judicial proceedings; 
327.20     (8) the parental caregiver is already participating in 
327.21  acceptable work activities; 
327.22     (9) the employment plan requires an educational program for 
327.23  a caregiver under age 20, but the educational program is not 
327.24  available; 
327.25     (10) activities identified in the job search support plan 
327.26  or employment plan are not available; 
327.27     (11) the parental caregiver is willing to accept suitable 
327.28  employment, but suitable employment is not available; or 
327.29     (12) the parental caregiver documents other verifiable 
327.30  impediments to compliance with the job search support plan or 
327.31  employment plan beyond the parental caregiver's control. 
327.32     Sec. 100.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
327.33  256J.74, subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
327.34     Subd. 2.  [CONCURRENT ELIGIBILITY, LIMITATIONS.] A county 
327.35  agency must not count an applicant or participant as a member of 
327.36  more than one assistance unit in a given payment month, except 
328.1   as provided in clauses (1) and (2). 
328.2      (1) A participant who is a member of an assistance unit in 
328.3   this state is eligible to be included in a second assistance 
328.4   unit in the first full month that after the month the 
328.5   participant leaves the first assistance unit and lives with 
328.6   a joins the second assistance unit. 
328.7      (2) An applicant whose needs are met through foster care 
328.8   that is reimbursed under title IV-E of the Social Security Act 
328.9   for the first part of an application month is eligible to 
328.10  receive assistance for the remaining part of the month in which 
328.11  the applicant returns home.  Title IV-E payments and adoption 
328.12  assistance payments must be considered prorated payments rather 
328.13  than a duplication of MFIP-S need. 
328.14     Sec. 101.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
328.15  256J.74, is amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
328.16     Subd. 5.  [FOOD STAMPS.] For any month an individual 
328.17  receives food stamp benefits, the individual is not eligible for 
328.18  the MFIP-S food portion of assistance, except as provided under 
328.19  section 256J.28, subdivision 5. 
328.20     Sec. 102.  [256J.77] [AGING OF CASH BENEFITS.] 
328.21     Cash benefits under chapters 256D, 256J, and 256K by 
328.22  warrants or electronic benefit transfer that have not been 
328.23  accessed within 90 days of issuance, shall be canceled.  Cash 
328.24  benefits may be replaced after they are canceled, for up to one 
328.25  year after the date of issuance, if failure to do so would place 
328.26  the client or family at risk.  For the purposes of this section, 
328.27  "accessed" means cashing a warrant or making at least one 
328.28  withdrawal from benefits deposited in an electronic benefit 
328.29  account. 
328.30     Sec. 103.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
328.31  256K.03, subdivision 5, is amended to read: 
328.32     Subd. 5.  [EXEMPTION CATEGORIES.] (a) The applicant will be 
328.33  exempt from the job search requirements and development of a job 
328.34  search plan and an employability development plan under 
328.35  subdivisions 3, 4, and 8 if the applicant belongs to any of the 
328.36  following groups: 
329.1      (1) caregivers under age 20 who have not completed a high 
329.2   school education and are attending high school on a full-time 
329.3   basis; 
329.4      (2) individuals who are age 60 or older; 
329.5      (3) (2) individuals who are suffering from a professionally 
329.6   certified permanent or temporary illness, injury, or incapacity 
329.7   which is expected to continue for more than 30 days and which 
329.8   prevents the person from obtaining or retaining employment.  
329.9   Persons in this category with a temporary illness, injury, or 
329.10  incapacity must be reevaluated at least quarterly; 
329.11     (4) (3) caregivers whose presence in the home is needed 
329.12  because of the professionally certified illness or incapacity of 
329.13  another member in the assistance unit, a relative in the 
329.14  household, or a foster child in the household; 
329.15     (5) (4) women who are pregnant, if it the pregnancy has 
329.16  been medically verified resulted in a professionally certified 
329.17  incapacity that the child is expected to be born within the next 
329.18  six months prevents the woman from obtaining and retaining 
329.19  employment; 
329.20     (6) (5) caregivers or other caregiver relatives of a child 
329.21  under the age of three one year who personally provide full-time 
329.22  care for the child.  This exemption may be used for only 12 
329.23  months in a lifetime.  In two-parent households, only one parent 
329.24  or other relative may qualify for this exemption; 
329.25     (7) individuals (6) single parents, or one parent in a 
329.26  two-parent family, employed at least 30 35 hours per week; 
329.27     (8) individuals for whom participation would require a 
329.28  round trip commuting time by available transportation of more 
329.29  than two hours, excluding transporting of children for child 
329.30  care; 
329.31     (9) individuals for whom lack of proficiency in English is 
329.32  a barrier to employment, provided such individuals are 
329.33  participating in an intensive program which lasts no longer than 
329.34  six months and is designed to remedy their language deficiency; 
329.35     (10) individuals who, because of advanced age or lack of 
329.36  ability, are incapable of gaining proficiency in English, as 
330.1   determined by the county social worker, shall continue to be 
330.2   exempt under this subdivision and are not subject to the 
330.3   requirement that they be participating in a language program; 
330.4      (11) (7) individuals under such duress that they are 
330.5   incapable of participating in the program, as determined by the 
330.6   county social worker experiencing a personal or family crisis 
330.7   that makes them incapable of participating in the program, as 
330.8   determined by the county agency.  If the participant does not 
330.9   agree with the county agency's determination, the participant 
330.10  may seek professional certification, as defined in section 
330.11  256J.08, that the participant is incapable of participating in 
330.12  the program.  Persons in this exemption category must be 
330.13  reevaluated every 60 days; or 
330.14     (12) individuals in need of refresher courses for purposes 
330.15  of obtaining professional certification or licensure. 
330.16     (b) In a two-parent family, only one caregiver may be 
330.17  exempted under paragraph (a), clauses (4) and (6). 
330.18     (8) second parents in two-parent families employed for 20 
330.19  or more hours per week, provided the first parent is employed at 
330.20  least 35 hours per week. 
330.21     (b) A caregiver who is exempt under clause (5) must enroll 
330.22  in and attend an early childhood and family education class, a 
330.23  parenting class, or some similar activity, if available, during 
330.24  the period of time the caregiver is exempt under this section.  
330.25  Notwithstanding section 256J.46, failure to attend the required 
330.26  activity shall not result in the imposition of a sanction. 
330.27     Sec. 104.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 268.88, is 
330.28  amended to read: 
330.29     268.88 [LOCAL SERVICE UNIT PLANS.] 
330.30     (a) By April 15, 1991 1999, and by April 15 of each second 
330.31  year thereafter, local service units shall prepare and submit to 
330.32  the commissioner a plan that covers the next two state fiscal 
330.33  years.  At least 30 days prior to submission of the plan, the 
330.34  local service unit shall solicit comments from the public on the 
330.35  contents of the proposed plan.  The commissioner shall notify 
330.36  each local service unit within 60 days of receipt of its plan 
331.1   that the plan has been approved or disapproved.  The plan must 
331.2   include: 
331.3      (1) a statement of objectives for the employment and 
331.4   training services the local service unit administers; 
331.5      (2) the establishment of job placement and job retention 
331.6   goals, the establishment of public assistance caseload reduction 
331.7   goals, and the strategies and programs that will be used to 
331.8   achieve these goals; 
331.9      (3) a statement of whether the goals from the preceding 
331.10  year were met and an explanation if the local service unit 
331.11  failed to meet the goals; 
331.12     (4) the amount proposed to be allocated to each employment 
331.13  and training service; 
331.14     (5) the proposed types of employment and training services 
331.15  the local service unit plans to utilize; 
331.16     (6) a description of how the local service unit will use 
331.17  funds provided under section 256.736 to meet the requirements of 
331.18  that section.  The description must include the two work 
331.19  programs required by section 256.736, subdivision 10, paragraph 
331.20  (a), clause (13), what services will be provided, number of 
331.21  clients served, per service expenditures, type of clients 
331.22  served, and projected outcomes chapter 256J to meet the 
331.23  requirements of that chapter.  The description must include what 
331.24  services will be provided, per service expenditures, how many 
331.25  employment and training slots the local service unit will 
331.26  provide, how slots will be allocated between providers, how many 
331.27  dollars the local service unit will provide per slot per 
331.28  provider, how many participants per slot, the ratio of 
331.29  participants per job counselor, and an accounting of proposed 
331.30  uses for any residual funds not included in slot allocations to 
331.31  providers; 
331.32     (7) a report on the use of wage subsidies, grant 
331.33  diversions, community investment programs, and other services 
331.34  administered under this chapter; 
331.35     (8) a performance review of the employment and training 
331.36  service providers delivering employment and training services 
332.1   for the local service unit; 
332.2      (9) a copy of any contract between the local service unit 
332.3   and an employment and training service provider including 
332.4   expected outcomes and service levels for public assistance 
332.5   clients; and 
332.6      (10) a copy of any other agreements between educational 
332.7   institutions, family support services, and child care providers; 
332.8   and 
332.9      (11) a description of how the local service unit ensures 
332.10  compliance with section 256J.06, requiring community involvement 
332.11  in the administration of MFIP-S. 
332.12     (b) In counties with a city of the first class, the county 
332.13  and the city shall develop and submit a joint plan.  The plan 
332.14  may not be submitted until agreed to by both the city and the 
332.15  county.  The plan must provide for the direct allocation of 
332.16  employment and training money to the city and the county unless 
332.17  waived by either.  If the county and the city cannot concur on a 
332.18  plan, the commissioner shall resolve their dispute.  In counties 
332.19  in which a federally recognized Indian tribe is operating an 
332.20  employment and training program under an agreement with the 
332.21  commissioner of human services, the plan must provide that the 
332.22  county will coordinate its employment and training programs, 
332.23  including developing a system for referrals, sanctions, and the 
332.24  provision of supporting services such as access to child care 
332.25  funds and transportation with programs operated by the Indian 
332.26  tribe.  The plan may not be given final approval by the 
332.27  commissioner until the tribal unit and county have submitted 
332.28  written agreement on these provisions in the plan.  If the 
332.29  county and Indian tribe cannot agree on these provisions, the 
332.30  local service unit shall notify the commissioner of economic 
332.31  security and the commissioners of economic security and human 
332.32  services shall resolve the dispute.  
332.33     (c) The commissioner may withhold the distribution of 
332.34  employment and training money from a local service unit that 
332.35  does not submit a plan to the commissioner by the date set by 
332.36  this section, and shall withhold the distribution of employment 
333.1   and training money from a local service unit whose plan has been 
333.2   disapproved by the commissioner until an acceptable amended plan 
333.3   has been submitted.  
333.4      (d) Beginning April 15, 1992, and by April 15 of each 
333.5   second year thereafter, local service units must prepare and 
333.6   submit to the commissioner an interim year plan update that 
333.7   deals with performance in that state fiscal year and changes 
333.8   anticipated for the second year of the biennium.  The update 
333.9   must include information about employment and training programs 
333.10  addressed in the local service unit's two-year plan and shall be 
333.11  completed in accordance with criteria established by the 
333.12  commissioner. 
333.13     Sec. 105.  [REPORT REQUIRED.] 
333.14     Beginning January 1, 1999, the commissioner shall report 
333.15  annually to the legislature on the percent, for each of the four 
333.16  quarters of the immediate preceding year, of the MFIP-S caseload 
333.17  participants who are exempt from work under the provisions of 
333.18  Minnesota Statutes, section 256J.56, clause (2) or (3). 
333.19     Sec. 106.  [DEVELOPMENT OF REQUIRED ROUTINE INTERVIEW 
333.20  TOOLS.] 
333.21     The commissioner of human services shall develop a list of 
333.22  no more than six questions to be used by county agencies and 
333.23  their contractors under Minnesota Statutes, section 256J.44, 
333.24  subdivision 3, to identify MFIP-S applicants and recipients who 
333.25  have drug or alcohol dependencies or substance abuse problems. 
333.26     Sec. 107.  Laws 1997, chapter 248, section 46, as amended 
333.27  by Laws 1997, First Special Session chapter 5, section 10, is 
333.28  amended to read: 
333.29     Sec. 46.  [UNLICENSED CHILD CARE PROVIDERS; INTERIM 
333.30  EXPANSION.] 
333.31     (a) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 245A.03, 
333.32  subdivision 2, clause (2), until June 30, 1999, nonresidential 
333.33  child care programs or services that are provided by an 
333.34  unrelated individual to persons from two or three other 
333.35  unrelated families are excluded from the licensure provisions of 
333.36  Minnesota Statutes, chapter 245A, provided that: 
334.1      (1) the individual provides services at any one time to no 
334.2   more than four children who are unrelated to the individual; 
334.3      (2) no more than two of the children are under two years of 
334.4   age; and 
334.5      (3) the total number of children being cared for at any one 
334.6   time does not exceed five. 
334.7      (b) Paragraph (a), clauses (1) to (3), do not apply to: 
334.8      (1) nonresidential programs that are provided by an 
334.9   unrelated individual to persons from a single related family; 
334.10     (2) a child care provider whose child care services meet 
334.11  the criteria in paragraph (a), clauses (1) to (3), but who 
334.12  chooses to apply for licensure; 
334.13     (3) a child care provider who, as an applicant for 
334.14  licensure or as a licenseholder, has received a license denial 
334.15  under Minnesota Statutes, section 245A.05, a fine under section 
334.16  245A.06, or a sanction under section 245A.07 from the 
334.17  commissioner that has not been reversed on appeal; or 
334.18     (4) a child care provider, or a child care provider who has 
334.19  a household member who, as a result of a licensing process, has 
334.20  a disqualification under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 245A, that 
334.21  has not been set aside by the commissioner. 
334.22     Sec. 108.  [TRANSFER OF STATE MONEY FROM TANF RESERVE.] 
334.23     For fiscal year 1999, the commissioner of human services 
334.24  may transfer to the general fund up to 100 percent of the state 
334.25  money that remains in the TANF reserve account for the purposes 
334.26  of sections 1 to 4 (256D.05, subdivision 8; 256D.053, 
334.27  subdivisions 1, 2, 3, and 4; 256J.11, subdivision 2; and 
334.28  256J.37, subdivision 9). 
334.29     Sec. 109.  [REPEALER.] 
334.30     (a) Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 256J.28, 
334.31  subdivision 4, is repealed effective January 1, 1998.  
334.32     (b) Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 256B.062, 
334.33  is repealed effective July 1, 1998. 
334.34     (c) Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 256J.25, is 
334.35  repealed. 
334.36     (d) Minnesota Statutes 1996, sections 256.031, as amended 
335.1   by Laws 1997, chapter 85, article 3, section 1; article 4, 
335.2   section 11; 256.032; 256.033, as amended by Laws 1997, chapter 
335.3   85, article 3, sections 2 and 3; 256.034; 256.035; 256.036; 
335.4   256.0361; 256.047; 256.0475; 256.048; and 256.049; Minnesota 
335.5   Statutes 1997 Supplement, sections 256J.32, subdivision 5; and 
335.6   256J.34, subdivision 5, are repealed effective July 1, 1998. 
335.7      (e) Minnesota Rules (exempt), parts 9500.9100 to 9500.9220, 
335.8   are repealed effective July 1, 1998. 
335.9      (f) Laws 1997, chapter 85, article 1, sections 61 and 71, 
335.10  and article 3, section 55, are repealed. 
335.11     Sec. 110.  [EFFECTIVE DATE.] 
335.12     (a) Sections 5 (256.01, subdivision 2) and 6 (256.014, 
335.13  subdivision 1) are effective the day following final enactment.  
335.14  Section 45 (256J.24, subdivision 8) is effective October 1, 1998.
335.15     (b) Sections 2, 3, and 92 (245A.03, subdivision 2b; 
335.16  245A.03, subdivision 4; Laws 1997, chapter 248, section 46) are 
335.17  effective the day following final enactment. 
335.18     (c) Sections 5, 6, and 17 (256.01, subdivision 2; 256.014, 
335.19  subdivision 1; 256J.03, subdivision 1) are effective the day 
335.20  following final enactment. 
335.21     Section 12 (256D.05, subdivision 8) is effective the day 
335.22  following final enactment. 
335.23                             ARTICLE 7 
335.24                    TRIBAL CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE 
335.25     Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
335.26  119B.02, is amended to read: 
335.27     119B.02 [DUTIES OF COMMISSIONER.] 
335.28     Subdivision 1.  [CHILD CARE SERVICES.] The commissioner 
335.29  shall develop standards for county and human services boards to 
335.30  provide child care services to enable eligible families to 
335.31  participate in employment, training, or education programs.  
335.32  Within the limits of available appropriations, the commissioner 
335.33  shall distribute money to counties to reduce the costs of child 
335.34  care for eligible families.  The commissioner shall adopt rules 
335.35  to govern the program in accordance with this section.  The 
335.36  rules must establish a sliding schedule of fees for parents 
336.1   receiving child care services.  The rules shall provide that 
336.2   funds received as a lump sum payment of child support arrearages 
336.3   shall not be counted as income to a family in the month received 
336.4   but shall be prorated over the 12 months following receipt and 
336.5   added to the family income during those months.  In the rules 
336.6   adopted under this section, county and human services boards 
336.7   shall be authorized to establish policies for payment of child 
336.8   care spaces for absent children, when the payment is required by 
336.9   the child's regular provider.  The rules shall not set a maximum 
336.10  number of days for which absence payments can be made, but 
336.11  instead shall direct the county agency to set limits and pay for 
336.12  absences according to the prevailing market practice in the 
336.13  county.  County policies for payment of absences shall be 
336.14  subject to the approval of the commissioner.  The commissioner 
336.15  shall maximize the use of federal money in section 256.736 and 
336.16  other programs that provide federal or state reimbursement for 
336.17  child care services for low-income families who are in 
336.18  education, training, job search, or other activities allowed 
336.19  under those programs.  Money appropriated under this section 
336.20  must be coordinated with the programs that provide federal 
336.21  reimbursement for child care services to accomplish this 
336.22  purpose.  Federal reimbursement obtained must be allocated to 
336.23  the county that spent money for child care that is federally 
336.24  reimbursable under programs that provide federal reimbursement 
336.25  for child care services.  The counties shall use the federal 
336.26  money to expand child care services.  The commissioner may adopt 
336.27  rules under chapter 14 to implement and coordinate federal 
336.28  program requirements. 
336.29     Subd. 2.  [CONTRACTUAL AGREEMENTS WITH TRIBES.] The 
336.30  commissioner may enter into contractual agreements with a 
336.31  federally recognized Indian tribe with a reservation in 
336.32  Minnesota to carry out the responsibilities of county human 
336.33  service agencies to the extent necessary for the tribe to 
336.34  operate child care assistance programs under the supervision of 
336.35  the commissioner.  Funding to support services under sections 
336.36  119B.03 and 119B.05 may be transferred to the federally 
337.1   recognized Indian tribe with a reservation in Minnesota from 
337.2   allocations available to counties in which reservation 
337.3   boundaries lie.  When funding is transferred under section 
337.4   119B.03, the amount shall be commensurate to estimates of the 
337.5   proportion of reservation residents with characteristics 
337.6   identified in section 119B.03, subdivision 6, to the total 
337.7   population of county residents with those same characteristics.  
337.8      Sec. 2.  [EFFECTIVE DATE.] 
337.9      Section 1 (119B.02, subdivision 1) is effective the day 
337.10  following final enactment. 
337.11                             ARTICLE 8
337.12                           MISCELLANEOUS
337.13     Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 62A.65, 
337.14  subdivision 5, is amended to read: 
337.15     Subd. 5.  [PORTABILITY OF COVERAGE.] (a) No individual 
337.16  health plan may be offered, sold, issued, or with respect to 
337.17  children age 18 or under renewed, to a Minnesota resident that 
337.18  contains a preexisting condition limitation, preexisting 
337.19  condition exclusion, or exclusionary rider, unless the 
337.20  limitation or exclusion is permitted under this subdivision, 
337.21  provided that, except for children age 18 or under, underwriting 
337.22  restrictions may be retained on individual contracts that are 
337.23  issued without evidence of insurability as a replacement for 
337.24  prior individual coverage that was sold before May 17, 1993.  
337.25  The individual may be subjected to an 18-month preexisting 
337.26  condition limitation, unless the individual has maintained 
337.27  continuous coverage as defined in section 62L.02.  The 
337.28  individual must not be subjected to an exclusionary rider.  An 
337.29  individual who has maintained continuous coverage may be 
337.30  subjected to a one-time preexisting condition limitation of up 
337.31  to 12 months, with credit for time covered under qualifying 
337.32  coverage as defined in section 62L.02, at the time that the 
337.33  individual first is covered under an individual health plan by 
337.34  any health carrier.  Credit must be given for all qualifying 
337.35  coverage with respect to all preexisting conditions, regardless 
337.36  of whether the conditions were preexisting with respect to any 
338.1   previous qualifying coverage.  The individual must not be 
338.2   subjected to an exclusionary rider.  Thereafter, the individual 
338.3   must not be subject to any preexisting condition limitation, 
338.4   preexisting condition exclusion, or exclusionary rider under an 
338.5   individual health plan by any health carrier, except an 
338.6   unexpired portion of a limitation under prior coverage, so long 
338.7   as the individual maintains continuous coverage as defined in 
338.8   section 62L.02. 
338.9      (b) A health carrier must offer an individual health plan 
338.10  to any individual previously covered under a group health plan 
338.11  issued by that health carrier, regardless of the size of the 
338.12  group, so long as the individual maintained continuous coverage 
338.13  as defined in section 62L.02.  If the individual has available 
338.14  any continuation coverage provided under sections 62A.146; 
338.15  62A.148; 62A.17, subdivisions 1 and 2; 62A.20; 62A.21; 62C.142; 
338.16  62D.101; or 62D.105, or continuation coverage provided under 
338.17  federal law, the health carrier need not offer coverage under 
338.18  this paragraph until the individual has exhausted the 
338.19  continuation coverage.  The offer must not be subject to 
338.20  underwriting, except as permitted under this paragraph.  A 
338.21  health plan issued under this paragraph must be a qualified plan 
338.22  as defined in section 62E.02 and must not contain any 
338.23  preexisting condition limitation, preexisting condition 
338.24  exclusion, or exclusionary rider, except for any unexpired 
338.25  limitation or exclusion under the previous coverage.  The 
338.26  individual health plan must cover pregnancy on the same basis as 
338.27  any other covered illness under the individual health plan.  The 
338.28  initial premium rate for the individual health plan must comply 
338.29  with subdivision 3.  The premium rate upon renewal must comply 
338.30  with subdivision 2.  In no event shall the premium rate exceed 
338.31  90 percent of the premium charged for comparable individual 
338.32  coverage by the Minnesota comprehensive health association, and 
338.33  the premium rate must be less than that amount if necessary to 
338.34  otherwise comply with this section.  An individual health plan 
338.35  offered under this paragraph to a person satisfies the health 
338.36  carrier's obligation to offer conversion coverage under section 
339.1   62E.16, with respect to that person.  Coverage issued under this 
339.2   paragraph must provide that it cannot be canceled or nonrenewed 
339.3   as a result of the health carrier's subsequent decision to leave 
339.4   the individual, small employer, or other group market.  Section 
339.5   72A.20, subdivision 28, applies to this paragraph. 
339.6      Sec. 2.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 62D.042, 
339.7   subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
339.8      Subd. 2.  [BEGINNING ORGANIZATIONS NET WORTH REQUIREMENTS.] 
339.9   (a) Beginning organizations shall maintain net worth of at least 
339.10  8-1/3 percent of the sum of all expenses expected to be incurred 
339.11  in the 12 months following the date the certificate of authority 
339.12  is granted, or $1,500,000, whichever is greater. 
339.13     (b) After the first full calendar year of operation, 
339.14  organizations shall maintain net worth of at least 8-1/3 percent 
339.15  and at most 16-2/3 25 percent of the sum of all expenses 
339.16  incurred during the most recent calendar year, but in no case 
339.17  shall net worth fall below $1,000,000. 
339.18     (c) Notwithstanding paragraphs (a) and (b), any health 
339.19  maintenance organization owned by a political subdivision of 
339.20  this state, which has a higher than average percentage of 
339.21  enrollees who are enrolled in medical assistance or general 
339.22  assistance medical care, may exceed the maximum net worth limits 
339.23  provided in paragraphs (a) and (b), with the advance approval of 
339.24  the commissioner. 
339.25     Sec. 3.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 62E.16, is 
339.26  amended to read: 
339.27     62E.16 [POLICY CONVERSION RIGHTS.] 
339.28     Every program of self-insurance, policy of group accident 
339.29  and health insurance or contract of coverage by a health 
339.30  maintenance organization written or renewed in this state, shall 
339.31  include, in addition to the provisions required by section 
339.32  62A.17, the right to convert to an individual coverage qualified 
339.33  plan without the addition of underwriting restrictions if after 
339.34  the individual insured has exhausted any continuation coverage 
339.35  provided under section 62A.146; 62A.148; 62A.17, subdivisions 1 
339.36  and 2; 62A.20; 62A.21; 62C.142; 62D.101; or 62D.105, or 
340.1   continuation coverage provided under federal law, if any 
340.2   continuation coverage is available to the individual, and then 
340.3   leaves the group regardless of the reason for leaving the group 
340.4   or if an employer member of a group ceases to remit payment so 
340.5   as to terminate coverage for its employees, or upon cancellation 
340.6   or termination of the coverage for the group except where 
340.7   uninterrupted and continuous group coverage is otherwise 
340.8   provided to the group.  If the health maintenance organization 
340.9   has canceled coverage for the group because of a loss of 
340.10  providers in a service area, the health maintenance organization 
340.11  shall arrange for other health maintenance or indemnity 
340.12  conversion options that shall be offered to enrollees without 
340.13  the addition of underwriting restrictions.  The required 
340.14  conversion contract must treat pregnancy the same as any other 
340.15  covered illness under the conversion contract.  The person may 
340.16  exercise this right to conversion within 30 days of exhausting 
340.17  any continuation coverage provided under section 62A.146; 
340.18  62A.148; 62A.17, subdivisions 1 and 2; 62A.20; or 62A.21, or 
340.19  continuation coverage provided under federal law, and then 
340.20  leaving the group or within 30 days following receipt of due 
340.21  notice of cancellation or termination of coverage of the group 
340.22  or of the employer member of the group and upon payment of 
340.23  premiums from the date of termination or cancellation.  Due 
340.24  notice of cancellation or termination of coverage for a group or 
340.25  of the employer member of the group shall be provided to each 
340.26  employee having coverage in the group by the insurer, 
340.27  self-insurer or health maintenance organization canceling or 
340.28  terminating the coverage except where reasonable evidence 
340.29  indicates that uninterrupted and continuous group coverage is 
340.30  otherwise provided to the group.  Every employer having a policy 
340.31  of group accident and health insurance, group subscriber or 
340.32  contract of coverage by a health maintenance organization shall, 
340.33  upon request, provide the insurer or health maintenance 
340.34  organization a list of the names and addresses of covered 
340.35  employees.  Plans of health coverage shall also include a 
340.36  provision which, upon the death of the individual in whose name 
341.1   the contract was issued, permits every other individual then 
341.2   covered under the contract to elect, within the period specified 
341.3   in the contract, to continue coverage under the same or a 
341.4   different contract without the addition of underwriting 
341.5   restrictions until the individual would have ceased to have been 
341.6   entitled to coverage had the individual in whose name the 
341.7   contract was issued lived.  An individual conversion contract 
341.8   issued by a health maintenance organization shall not be deemed 
341.9   to be an individual enrollment contract for the purposes of 
341.10  section 62D.10.  An individual health plan offered under section 
341.11  62A.65, subdivision 5, paragraph (b), to a person satisfies the 
341.12  health carrier's obligation to offer conversion coverage under 
341.13  this section with respect to that person. 
341.14     Sec. 4.  [62Q.096] [CREDENTIALING OF PROVIDERS.] 
341.15     If a health plan company has initially credentialed, as 
341.16  providers in its provider network, individual providers employed 
341.17  by or under contract with an entity that:  (1) is authorized to 
341.18  bill under section 256B.0625, subdivision 5; (2) meets the 
341.19  requirements of Minnesota Rules, parts 9520.0750 to 9520.0870; 
341.20  (3) is designated an essential community provider under section 
341.21  62Q.19; and (4) is under contract with the health plan company 
341.22  to provide mental health services, the health plan company must 
341.23  continue to credential at least the same number of providers 
341.24  from that entity, as long as those providers meet the health 
341.25  plan company's credentialing standards.  A health plan company 
341.26  shall not refuse to credential these providers on the grounds 
341.27  that their provider network has a sufficient number of providers 
341.28  of that type. 
341.29     Sec. 5.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
341.30  171.29, subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
341.31     Subd. 2.  [FEES, ALLOCATION.] (a) A person whose driver's 
341.32  license has been revoked as provided in subdivision 1, except 
341.33  under section 169.121 or 169.123, shall pay a $30 fee before the 
341.34  driver's license is reinstated. 
341.35     (b) A person whose driver's license has been revoked as 
341.36  provided in subdivision 1 under section 169.121 or 169.123 shall 
342.1   pay a $250 fee plus a $10 surcharge before the driver's license 
342.2   is reinstated.  The $250 fee is to be credited as follows: 
342.3      (1) Twenty percent shall be credited to the trunk highway 
342.4   fund. 
342.5      (2) Fifty-five percent shall be credited to the general 
342.6   fund. 
342.7      (3) Eight percent shall be credited to a separate account 
342.8   to be known as the bureau of criminal apprehension account.  
342.9   Money in this account may be appropriated to the commissioner of 
342.10  public safety and the appropriated amount shall be apportioned 
342.11  80 percent for laboratory costs and 20 percent for carrying out 
342.12  the provisions of section 299C.065. 
342.13     (4) Twelve percent shall be credited to a separate account 
342.14  to be known as the alcohol-impaired driver education account.  
342.15  Money in the account is appropriated as follows: 
342.16     (i) The first $200,000 in a fiscal year is to the 
342.17  commissioner of children, families, and learning for programs in 
342.18  elementary and secondary schools. 
342.19     (ii) The remainder credited in a fiscal year is 
342.20  appropriated to the commissioner of transportation to be spent 
342.21  as grants to the Minnesota highway safety center at St. Cloud 
342.22  State University for programs relating to alcohol and highway 
342.23  safety education in elementary and secondary schools. 
342.24     (5) Five percent shall be credited to a separate account to 
342.25  be known as the traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury 
342.26  account.  $100,000 is annually appropriated from the account to 
342.27  the commissioner of human services for traumatic brain injury 
342.28  case management services.  The remaining money in the account is 
342.29  annually appropriated to the commissioner of health to be used 
342.30  as follows:  35 percent for a contract with a qualified 
342.31  community-based organization to provide information, resources, 
342.32  and support to assist persons with traumatic brain injury and 
342.33  their families to access services, and 65 percent to establish 
342.34  and maintain the traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury 
342.35  registry created in section 144.662 and to reimburse the 
342.36  commissioner of economic security for the reasonable cost of 
343.1   services provided under section 268A.03, clause (o).  For the 
343.2   purposes of this clause, a "qualified community-based 
343.3   organization" is a private, not-for-profit organization of 
343.4   consumers of traumatic brain injury services and their family 
343.5   members.  The organization must be registered with the United 
343.6   States Internal Revenue Service under the provisions of section 
343.7   501(c)(3) as a tax exempt organization and must have as its 
343.8   purposes:  
343.9      (i) the promotion of public, family, survivor, and 
343.10  professional awareness of the incidence and consequences of 
343.11  traumatic brain injury; 
343.12     (ii) the provision of a network of support for persons with 
343.13  traumatic brain injury, their families, and friends; 
343.14     (iii) the development and support of programs and services 
343.15  to prevent traumatic brain injury; 
343.16     (iv) the establishment of education programs for persons 
343.17  with traumatic brain injury; and 
343.18     (v) the empowerment of persons with traumatic brain injury 
343.19  through participation in its governance. 
343.20     (c) The $10 surcharge shall be credited to a separate 
343.21  account to be known as the remote electronic alcohol monitoring 
343.22  pilot program account.  The commissioner shall transfer the 
343.23  balance of this account to the commissioner of finance on a 
343.24  monthly basis for deposit in the general fund. 
343.25     Sec. 6.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
343.26  256F.05, subdivision 8, is amended to read: 
343.27     Subd. 8.  [USES OF FAMILY PRESERVATION FUND GRANTS.] (a) A 
343.28  county which has not demonstrated that year that its family 
343.29  preservation core services are developed as provided in 
343.30  subdivision 1a, must use its family preservation fund grant 
343.31  exclusively for family preservation services defined in section 
343.32  256F.03, subdivision 5, paragraphs (a), (b), (c), and (e). 
343.33     (b) A county which has demonstrated that year that its 
343.34  family preservation core services are developed becomes eligible 
343.35  either to continue using its family preservation fund grant as 
343.36  provided in paragraph (a), or to exercise the expanded service 
344.1   option under paragraph (c). 
344.2      (c) The expanded service option permits an eligible county 
344.3   to use its family preservation fund grant for child welfare 
344.4   preventive services.  For purposes of this section, child 
344.5   welfare preventive services are those services directed toward a 
344.6   specific child or family that further the goals of section 
344.7   256F.01 and include assessments, family preservation services, 
344.8   service coordination, community-based treatment, crisis nursery 
344.9   services when the parents retain custody and there is no 
344.10  voluntary placement agreement with a child-placing agency, 
344.11  respite care except when it is provided under a medical 
344.12  assistance waiver, home-based services, and other related 
344.13  services.  For purposes of this section, child welfare 
344.14  preventive services shall not include shelter care or other 
344.15  placement services under the authority of the court or public 
344.16  agency to address an emergency.  To exercise this option, an 
344.17  eligible county must notify the commissioner in writing of its 
344.18  intention to do so no later than 30 days into the quarter during 
344.19  which it intends to begin or in its county plan, as provided in 
344.20  section 256F.04, subdivision 2.  Effective with the first day of 
344.21  that quarter, the county must maintain its base level of 
344.22  expenditures for child welfare preventive services and use the 
344.23  family preservation fund to expand them.  The base level of 
344.24  expenditures for a county shall be that established under 
344.25  section 256F.10, subdivision 7.  For counties which have no such 
344.26  base established, a comparable base shall be established with 
344.27  the base year being the calendar year ending at least two 
344.28  calendar quarters before the first calendar quarter in which the 
344.29  county exercises its expanded service option.  The commissioner 
344.30  shall, at the request of the counties, reduce, suspend, or 
344.31  eliminate either or both of a county's obligations to continue 
344.32  the base level of expenditures and to expand child welfare 
344.33  preventive services under extraordinary circumstances.  
344.34     (d) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), a county that is 
344.35  participating in the child protection assessments or 
344.36  investigations community collaboration pilot program under 
345.1   section 626.5560, or in the concurrent permanency planning pilot 
345.2   program under section 257.0711, may use its family preservation 
345.3   fund grant for those programs. 
345.4      Sec. 7.  Laws 1997, chapter 207, section 7, is amended to 
345.5   read: 
345.6      Sec. 7.  [PRIVATE SALE OF TAX-FORFEITED LAND; CARLTON 
345.7   COUNTY.] 
345.8      (a) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, sections 92.45 and 
345.9   282.018, subdivision 1, and the public sale provisions of 
345.10  Minnesota Statutes, chapter 282, Carlton county may sell by 
345.11  private sale the tax-forfeited land described in paragraph (d) 
345.12  under the remaining provisions of Minnesota Statutes, chapter 
345.13  282. 
345.14     (b) The land described in paragraph (d) may be sold by 
345.15  private sale.  The consideration for the conveyance must include 
345.16  the taxes due on the property and any penalties, interest, and 
345.17  costs shall be the appraised value of the land.  If the lands 
345.18  are sold, the conveyance must reserve to the state a 
345.19  conservation easement, in a form prescribed by the commissioner 
345.20  of natural resources, for the land within 100 feet of the 
345.21  ordinary high water level of Slaughterhouse creek for public 
345.22  angler access and stream habitat protection and enhancement. 
345.23     (c) The conveyance must be in a form approved by the 
345.24  attorney general. 
345.25     (d) The land to be conveyed is located in Carlton county 
345.26  and is described as: 
345.27     North 6.66 acres of the West Half of the Northeast Quarter 
345.28  of the Southwest Quarter, subject to pipeline easement, Section 
345.29  6, Township 48 North, Range 16 West, City of Carlton. 
345.30     (e) Carlton county has determined that this sale best 
345.31  serves the land management interests of Carlton county. 
345.32     Sec. 8.  [CONVEYANCE OF STATE LAND; ANOKA COUNTY.] 
345.33     Subdivision 1.  [CONVEYANCE AUTHORIZED.] Notwithstanding 
345.34  Minnesota Statutes, sections 92.45, 94.09, 94.10, and 103F.335, 
345.35  subdivision 3, or any other law to the contrary, the 
345.36  commissioner of administration may convey all, or any part of, 
346.1   the land and associated buildings described in subdivision 3 to 
346.2   Anoka county after the commissioner of human services declares 
346.3   said property surplus to its needs. 
346.4      Subd. 2.  [FORM.] (a) The conveyance shall be in a form 
346.5   approved by the attorney general. 
346.6      (b) The conveyance is subject to a scenic easement, as 
346.7   defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 103F.311, subdivision 6, 
346.8   to be under the custodial control of the commissioner of natural 
346.9   resources, on that portion of the conveyed land that is 
346.10  designated for inclusion in the wild and scenic river system 
346.11  under Minnesota Statutes, section 103F.325.  The scenic easement 
346.12  shall allow for continued use of the structures located within 
346.13  the easement and for development of a walking path within the 
346.14  easement. 
346.15     (c) The conveyance shall restrict use of the land to 
346.16  governmental, including recreational, purposes and shall provide 
346.17  that ownership of any portion of the land that ceases to be used 
346.18  for such purposes shall revert to the state of Minnesota. 
346.19     (d) The commissioner of administration may convey any part 
346.20  of the property described in subdivision 3 any time after the 
346.21  land is declared surplus by the commissioner of human services 
346.22  and the execution and recording of the scenic easement under 
346.23  paragraph (b) has been completed. 
346.24     (e) Notwithstanding any law, regulation, or ordinance to 
346.25  the contrary, the instrument of conveyance to Anoka county may 
346.26  be recorded in the office of the Anoka county recorder without 
346.27  compliance with any subdivision requirement. 
346.28     Subd. 3.  [LAND DESCRIPTION.] Subject to right-of-way for 
346.29  Grant Street, Northview Lane, Garfield Street, 5th Avenue, and 
346.30  State Trunk Highway No. 288, also known as 4th Avenue, the land 
346.31  to be conveyed may include all, or part of, that which is 
346.32  described as follows: 
346.33     (1) all that part of Government Lots 3 and 4 and that part 
346.34  of the Southeast Quarter of the Southwest Quarter, all in 
346.35  Section 31, Township 32 North, Range 24 West, Anoka county, 
346.36  Minnesota, described as follows: 
347.1      Beginning at the southwest corner of said Southeast Quarter 
347.2      of the Southwest Quarter of Section 31; thence North 13 
347.3      degrees 16 minutes 11 seconds East, assumed bearing, 473.34 
347.4      feet; thence North 07 degrees 54 minutes 43 seconds East 
347.5      186.87 feet; thence North 14 degrees 08 minutes 33 seconds 
347.6      West 154.77 feet; thence North 62 degrees 46 minutes 44 
347.7      seconds West 526.92 feet; thence North 25 degrees 45 
347.8      minutes 30 seconds East 74.43 feet; thence northerly 88.30 
347.9      feet along a tangential curve concave to the west having a 
347.10     radius of 186.15 feet and a central angle of 27 degrees 10 
347.11     minutes 50 seconds; thence North 01 degrees 25 minutes 20 
347.12     seconds West, tangent to said curve, 140.53 feet; thence 
347.13     North 71 degrees 56 minutes 34 seconds West to the 
347.14     southeasterly shoreline of the Rum river; thence 
347.15     southwesterly along said shoreline to the south line of 
347.16     said Government Lot 4; thence easterly along said south 
347.17     line to the point of beginning.  For the purpose of this 
347.18     description the south line of said Southeast Quarter of the 
347.19     Southwest Quarter of Section 31 has an assumed bearing of 
347.20     North 89 degrees 08 minutes 19 seconds East; 
347.21     (2) Government Lot 1, Section 6, Township 31 North, Range 
347.22  24 West, Anoka county, Minnesota; EXCEPT that part platted as 
347.23  Grant Properties, Anoka county, Minnesota; ALSO EXCEPT that part 
347.24  lying southerly of the westerly extension of the south line of 
347.25  Block 6, Woodbury's Addition to the city of Anoka, Anoka county, 
347.26  Minnesota, and lying westerly of the west line of said plat of 
347.27  Grant Properties, said line also being the centerline of 4th 
347.28  Avenue; 
347.29     (3) all that part of said Block 6, Woodbury's Addition to 
347.30  the city of Anoka lying westerly of Northview 1st Addition, 
347.31  Anoka county, Minnesota; 
347.32     (4) all that part of said Northview 1st Addition lying 
347.33  westerly of the east line of Lots 11 through 20, Block 1, 
347.34  inclusive, thereof; and 
347.35     (5) all that part of the Northeast Quarter of the Northwest 
347.36  Quarter of said Section 6, Township 31 North, Range 24 West, 
348.1   Anoka county, Minnesota, lying northerly of the centerline of 
348.2   Grant Street as defined by said plat of Grant Properties and 
348.3   lying westerly of said east line of Lots 11 through 20, Block 1, 
348.4   inclusive, Northview 1st Addition and said line's extension 
348.5   north and south. 
348.6      Subd. 4.  [DETERMINATION.] The commissioner of human 
348.7   services has determined that the land described in subdivision 3 
348.8   will no longer be needed for the Anoka metro regional treatment 
348.9   center upon the completion of the state facilities currently 
348.10  under construction, and the completion of renovation work to 
348.11  state buildings that are not located on the land described in 
348.12  subdivision 3.  The state's land and building management 
348.13  interests may best be served by conveying all, or part of, the 
348.14  land and associated buildings located on the land described in 
348.15  subdivision 3. 
348.16     Sec. 9.  [CONVEYANCE OF STATE LAND; CROW WING COUNTY.] 
348.17     Subdivision 1.  [CONVEYANCE AUTHORIZED.] Notwithstanding 
348.18  Minnesota Statutes, sections 92.45, 94.09, 94.10, and 103F.335, 
348.19  subdivision 3, or any other law to the contrary, the 
348.20  commissioner of administration may convey, all or any part of, 
348.21  the land, and the state building located on said land, described 
348.22  in subdivision 3 to Crow Wing county after the commissioner of 
348.23  human services declares said property surplus to its needs. 
348.24     Subd. 2.  [FORM.] (a) The conveyance shall be in a form 
348.25  approved by the attorney general. 
348.26     (b) The conveyance shall restrict use of the land to county 
348.27  governmental purposes, including community corrections programs, 
348.28  and shall provide that ownership of any portion of the land or 
348.29  building that ceases to be used for such purposes shall revert 
348.30  to the state of Minnesota. 
348.31     Subd. 3.  [LAND DESCRIPTION.] The land to be conveyed is 
348.32  that part of the Northeast Quarter of Section 30, Township 45 
348.33  North, Range 30 West, Crow Wing county, Minnesota, described as 
348.34  follows: 
348.35     Commencing at the southeast corner of said Northeast 
348.36     Quarter; thence North 00 degrees 46 minutes 05 seconds 
349.1      West, bearing based on the Crow Wing county coordinate 
349.2      database NAD 83/94, 1520.06 feet along the east line of 
349.3      said Northeast Quarter to the point of beginning; thence 
349.4      continue North 00 degrees 46 minutes 05 seconds West 634.14 
349.5      feet along said east line of the Northeast Quarter; thence 
349.6      South 89 degrees 13 minutes 20 seconds West 550.00 feet; 
349.7      thence South 18 degrees 57 minutes 23 seconds East 115.59 
349.8      feet; thence South 42 degrees 44 minutes 39 seconds East 
349.9      692.37 feet; thence South 62 degrees 46 minutes 19 seconds 
349.10     East 20.24 feet; thence North 89 degrees 13 minutes 55 
349.11     seconds East 33.00 feet to the point of beginning.  
349.12     Containing 4.69 acres, more or less.  Subject to the 
349.13     right-of-way of the township road along the east side 
349.14     thereof, subject to other easements, reservations, and 
349.15     restrictions of record, if any. 
349.16     Subd. 4.  [DETERMINATION.] The commissioner of human 
349.17  services has determined that the land described in subdivision 3 
349.18  and the building on the land will not be needed for future 
349.19  operations of the Brainerd regional human services center.  The 
349.20  state's land management interests would best be served by 
349.21  conveying the land to Crow Wing county for governmental use. 
349.22     Sec. 10.  [TOWN OF WHITE, ST. LOUIS COUNTY.] 
349.23     Subdivision 1.  [TRANSFER.] Notwithstanding any provision 
349.24  of Minnesota Statutes to the contrary, the town of White is 
349.25  hereby authorized to transfer the following property and any 
349.26  buildings, equipment, and other improvements located thereon to 
349.27  the White community hospital corporation, a nonprofit 
349.28  corporation organized and existing under Minnesota Statutes, 
349.29  chapter 317: 
349.30     That part of the southeast quarter of southwest quarter (SE 
349.31  1/4 of SW 1/4), section 10, township 58 north of range 15 west 
349.32  of the fourth principal meridian, according to the United States 
349.33  government survey thereof, St. Louis county, Minnesota, 
349.34  described as follows: 
349.35     Commencing at the southeast corner of said SE 1/4 of SW 
349.36  1/4, section 10, township 58, range 15, thence proceeding north 
350.1   along the east line thereof for a distance of 550 feet; thence 
350.2   west and parallel to the south line thereof for a distance of 
350.3   800 feet; thence south and parallel to the east line thereof, 
350.4   for a distance of 550 feet to the south line; thence east along 
350.5   said south line thereof, for a distance of 800 feet to the point 
350.6   of beginning. 
350.7      Subd. 2.  [NO CONSIDERATION OR ELECTION REQUIRED.] The 
350.8   transfer authorized by subdivision 1 shall be without 
350.9   consideration and no vote of the electors of the town of White 
350.10  or city of Aurora shall be required. 
350.11     Subd. 3.  [USE; PUBLIC PROPERTY.] The property legally 
350.12  described in subdivision 1 shall be used for health care and 
350.13  related purposes and shall be considered public property for 
350.14  purposes of Minnesota Statutes, section 16A.695.  The activities 
350.15  conducted on the property described in subdivision 1 by the 
350.16  White community hospital corporation, its successors and assigns 
350.17  shall be considered a governmental program as authorized by 
350.18  Minnesota Statutes, chapter 447. 
350.19     Subd. 4.  [NAME.] The public name of the buildings and 
350.20  improvements located on the real property legally described in 
350.21  subdivision 1 shall always include the words "White community." 
350.22     Sec. 11.  [LOAN GUARANTEE.] 
350.23     The director of the division of emergency management of the 
350.24  department of public safety shall, as the governor's authorized 
350.25  representative and on behalf of the state, agree to provide 
350.26  security for and guarantee a promissory note or similar document 
350.27  for a loan from the Federal Emergency Management Agency under 
350.28  its community disaster loan program to the city of Ada in the 
350.29  amount of approximately $1,200,000.  The loan is to cover 
350.30  operating losses for a publicly owned health care facility that 
350.31  was damaged in the spring floods of 1997. 
350.32     Sec. 12.  [LICENSING MORATORIUM; JUVENILE FACILITIES.] 
350.33     Subdivision 1.  [MORATORIUM; COMMISSIONER OF 
350.34  CORRECTIONS.] Except as provided in subdivision 4, the 
350.35  commissioner of corrections may not: 
350.36     (1) issue any license under Minnesota Statutes, section 
351.1   241.021, to operate a new correctional facility for the 
351.2   detention or confinement of juvenile offenders that will include 
351.3   more than 25 beds for juveniles; or 
351.4      (2) renew a license under Minnesota Statutes, section 
351.5   241.021, to operate a correctional facility licensed before the 
351.6   effective date of this moratorium, for the detention or 
351.7   confinement of juvenile offenders, if the number of beds in the 
351.8   facility will increase by more than 25 beds since the time the 
351.9   most recent license was issued. 
351.10     Subd. 2.  [MORATORIUM; COMMISSIONER OF HUMAN 
351.11  SERVICES.] Except as provided in subdivision 4, the commissioner 
351.12  of human services may not: 
351.13     (1) issue any license under Minnesota Rules, parts 
351.14  9545.0905 to 9545.1125, for the residential placement of 
351.15  juveniles at a facility that will include more than 25 beds for 
351.16  juveniles; or 
351.17     (2) renew a license under Minnesota Rules, parts 9545.0905 
351.18  to 9545.1125, for the residential placement of juveniles at a 
351.19  facility licensed before the effective date of this moratorium, 
351.20  if the number of beds in the facility will increase by more than 
351.21  25 beds since the time the most recent license was issued. 
351.22     Subd. 3.  [MORATORIUM; OTHER BEDS.] Except as provided in 
351.23  subdivision 4, no state agency may: 
351.24     (1) issue a license for any new facility that will provide 
351.25  an out-of-home placement for more than 25 juveniles at one time; 
351.26  or 
351.27     (2) renew a license for any existing facility licensed 
351.28  before the effective date of this moratorium, if the number of 
351.29  beds in the facility will increase by more than 25 beds since 
351.30  the time the most recent license was issued.  
351.31     For the purposes of this subdivision, "juvenile" means a 
351.32  delinquent child, as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 
351.33  260.015, subdivision 5; a juvenile petty offender, as defined in 
351.34  Minnesota Statutes, section 260.015, subdivision 21; or a child 
351.35  in need of protection or services, as defined in Minnesota 
351.36  Statutes, section 260.015, subdivision 2a. 
352.1      Subd. 4.  [EXEMPTIONS.] The moratorium in this section does 
352.2   not apply to: 
352.3      (1) any secure juvenile detention and treatment facility, 
352.4   which is funded in part through a grant under Laws 1994, chapter 
352.5   643, section 79; 
352.6      (2) the department of corrections' facilities at Red Wing 
352.7   and Sauk Centre; 
352.8      (3) the proposed department of corrections' facility at 
352.9   Camp Ripley; 
352.10     (4) any facility that submitted a formal request for 
352.11  licensure under Minnesota Statutes, section 241.021, before 
352.12  December 31, 1997; and 
352.13     (5) any residential academy receiving state funding for 
352.14  fiscal year 1998 or 1999 for capital improvements. 
352.15     Subd. 5.  [MORATORIUM; LENGTH.] The moratorium in this 
352.16  section stays in effect until June 30, 1999. 
352.17     Sec. 13.  [JUVENILE PLACEMENT STUDY.] 
352.18     The legislative audit commission is requested to direct the 
352.19  legislative auditor to conduct a study of juvenile out-of-home 
352.20  placements.  The study must include: 
352.21     (1) an evaluation of existing placements for juveniles, 
352.22  including, but not limited to, the number of beds at each 
352.23  facility, the average number of beds occupied each day at each 
352.24  facility, and the location of each facility, and an analysis of 
352.25  the projected need for an increased number of beds for juvenile 
352.26  out-of-home placements, including the geographic area where beds 
352.27  will be needed; 
352.28     (2) an evaluation of existing services and programming 
352.29  provided in juvenile out-of-home placements and an assessment of 
352.30  the types of services and programming that are needed in 
352.31  juvenile out-of-home placements, by geographic area; 
352.32     (3) an evaluation of the utilization of continuum of care; 
352.33     (4) an assessment of the reasons why juveniles are placed 
352.34  outside their homes; 
352.35     (5) a summary of the demographics of juveniles placed 
352.36  outside their homes, by county, including information on race, 
353.1   gender, age, and other relevant factors; 
353.2      (6) a summary of the geographic distance between the 
353.3   juvenile's home and the location of the out-of-home placement, 
353.4   including observations for the reasons a juvenile was placed at 
353.5   a particular location; 
353.6      (7) a determination of the average length of time that a 
353.7   juvenile in Minnesota spends in an out-of-home placement and a 
353.8   determination of the average length of time that a juvenile 
353.9   spends in each type of out-of-home placement, including, but not 
353.10  limited to, residential treatment centers, correctional 
353.11  facilities, and group homes; 
353.12     (8) a determination of the completion rates of juveniles 
353.13  participating in programming in out-of-home placements and an 
353.14  analysis of the reasons for noncompletion of programming; 
353.15     (9) a determination of the percentage of juveniles whose 
353.16  out-of-home placement ends due to the juvenile's failure to meet 
353.17  the rules and conditions of the out-of-home placement and an 
353.18  analysis of the reasons the juvenile failed; 
353.19     (10) an analysis of the effectiveness of the juvenile 
353.20  out-of-home placement, including information on recidivism, 
353.21  where applicable, and the child's performance after returning to 
353.22  the child's home; 
353.23     (11) an estimate of the cost each county spends on juvenile 
353.24  out-of-home placements; 
353.25     (12) a description and examination of the per diem 
353.26  components per offender at state, local, and private facilities 
353.27  providing placements for juveniles; and 
353.28     (13) other issues that may affect juvenile out-of-home 
353.29  placements. 
353.30     If the commission directs the auditor to conduct this 
353.31  study, the auditor shall report its findings to the chairs of 
353.32  the house and senate committees and divisions with jurisdiction 
353.33  over criminal justice and health and human services policy and 
353.34  funding by January 15, 1999. 
353.35     Sec. 14.  [CITY OF EVELETH; LOAN FORGIVENESS.] 
353.36     Notwithstanding the provisions of any other law or charter, 
354.1   the city of Eveleth may, by resolution of its city council, 
354.2   forgive all or any portion of the principal and interest due or 
354.3   to become due to the city, pursuant to any loan or loans made by 
354.4   the city, in an amount not exceeding $100,000, prior to January 
354.5   1, 1998, to any hospital, nursing home, other health care 
354.6   facility or corporation, partnership, or limited liability 
354.7   company operating such a facility within the city of Eveleth. 
354.8      Sec. 15.  [REPEALER.] 
354.9      (a) Minnesota Rules, part 2740.1600, subpart 1, is repealed.
354.10     (b) Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 62D.042, 
354.11  subdivision 3, is repealed. 
354.12     Sec. 16.  [EFFECTIVE DATE.] 
354.13     (a) Section 2 (62D.042, subdivision 2) is effective January 
354.14  1, 1999.  
354.15     (b) Section 15, paragraph (b) (repealing section 62D.042, 
354.16  subdivision 3) is effective the day following final enactment. 
354.17     (c) Section 7 (Laws 1997, chapter 207, section 7) is 
354.18  effective the day following final enactment.  
354.19     (d) Section 10 (TOWN OF WHITE, ST. LOUIS COUNTY) is 
354.20  effective upon compliance with Minnesota Statutes, section 
354.21  645.021, subdivision 2.  
354.22     (e) Sections 12 and 13 (licensing and juvenile placement) 
354.23  are effective the day following final enactment. 
354.24     (f) Section 14 (loan forgiveness by the city of Eveleth) is 
354.25  effective the day following final enactment without local 
354.26  approval according to Minnesota Statutes, section 645.023, 
354.27  subdivision 1, clause (a).