1.1                          A bill for an act 
  1.2             relating to human services; developing a pilot project 
  1.3             to deliver services to deaf-blind adults, children, 
  1.4             and families; combining deaf-blind grants into a 
  1.5             single program; requiring a feasibility assessment of 
  1.6             medical assistance expansion to cover certain 
  1.7             deaf-blind services. 
  1.8   BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 
  1.9      Section 1.  [PILOT PROGRAM FOR DEAF-BLIND SERVICES.] 
  1.10     (a) The commissioners of human services; children, 
  1.11  families, and learning; and state services for the blind shall 
  1.12  meet with deaf-blind citizens, parents of deaf-blind children, 
  1.13  and the Minnesota commission serving deaf and hard-of-hearing 
  1.14  individuals to determine which agency can most efficiently and 
  1.15  effectively develop and administer a pilot program for 
  1.16  consumer-directed services to provide needed services to 
  1.17  deaf-blind adults, children, and families. 
  1.18     (b) The planning for this pilot program must proceed using 
  1.19  current appropriations.  The agency that develops the pilot 
  1.20  program described in paragraph (a) shall provide a report to the 
  1.21  senate and house of representatives policy and fiscal committees 
  1.22  having jurisdiction over human services issues by January 1, 
  1.23  2003, that addresses future funding for the program.  The report 
  1.24  shall include the program proposal, recommendations, and a 
  1.25  fiscal note. 
  1.26     Sec. 2.  [SERVICES FOR DEAF-BLIND PERSONS.] 
  2.1      (a) Effective for fiscal years beginning on or after July 
  2.2   1, 2003, the commissioner of human services shall combine the 
  2.3   existing $1,000,000 biennial base level funding for deaf-blind 
  2.4   services into a single grant program.  Within the limits of the 
  2.5   appropriation for this purpose, each biennium at least $350,000 
  2.6   shall be awarded for services to deaf-blind children and their 
  2.7   families and at least $250,000 shall be awarded for services to 
  2.8   deaf-blind adults. 
  2.9      (b) The commissioner may make grants: 
  2.10     (1) for services provided by organizations; and 
  2.11     (2) to develop and administer consumer-directed services. 
  2.12     (c) Any entity that is able to satisfy the grant criteria 
  2.13  is eligible to receive a grant under paragraph (a). 
  2.14     (d) Deaf-blind service providers are not required to, but 
  2.15  may, provide intervenor services as part of the service package 
  2.16  provided with grant funds under this section. 
  2.17     Sec. 3.  [FEASIBILITY ASSESSMENT OF MEDICAL ASSISTANCE 
  2.18  EXPANSION TO COVER DEAF-BLIND SERVICES.] 
  2.19     The commissioner of human services shall study and report 
  2.20  to the legislature by January 15, 2003, with a feasibility 
  2.21  assessment of the costs and policy implications, including the 
  2.22  necessity of federal waivers, to expand benefits covered under 
  2.23  medical assistance and under medical assistance waiver programs 
  2.24  to include the following services for deaf-blind persons: 
  2.25     (1) sign language interpreters; 
  2.26     (2) intervenors; 
  2.27     (3) support service persons; 
  2.28     (4) orientation and mobility services; and 
  2.29     (5) rehabilitation teaching services.