1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to health; implementing health care cost-containment measures; 
1.3 	promoting electronic billing assistance; modifying the qualification standards 
1.4 	of certain licenses; establishing certain fees; requiring certain studies; defining 
1.5 	terms; modifying certain informed consent provisions; allowing entity certain 
1.6 	specific administrative efficiency reports to be published on the state agency Web 
1.7 	sites;  permitting commissioner to consult others and make recommendations 
1.8 	regarding infection control reporting; requiring certain reports; adding provisions 
1.9 	for service cooperatives contracts; appropriating money;amending Minnesota 
1.10 	Statutes 2004, sections 145.4241, by adding subdivisions; 148.06, subdivision 1; 
1.11 	148.515, subdivision 2; 148.5175; 148.518; 148.5193, subdivision 1; 148.5195, 
1.12 	by adding a subdivision; 148.6440, subdivision 7; 148.6443, subdivisions 2, 3, 4; 
1.13 	148.6448, by adding a subdivision; 151.214, subdivision 1; 153A.13, subdivision 
1.14 	4; 153A.15, by adding a subdivision; Minnesota Statutes 2005 Supplement, 
1.15 	sections 145.4242; 148.515, subdivision 6; 153A.14, subdivision 4c; 214.071; 
1.16 	proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapters 62J; 144; 147; 
1.17 	148; 214; 256B.
1.18 	 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.19 	ARTICLE 1

1.20 	Section 1. [62J.62] ELECTRONIC BILLING ASSISTANCE.
1.21 	The commissioner of human services shall, out of existing resources, encourage and 
1.22 	assist providers to adopt and use electronic billing for state programs, including but not 
1.23 	limited to the provision of training.

1.24 	Sec. 2. [144.0506] AGENCY WEB SITES.
1.25 		Subdivision 1.Information to be posted. The commissioner of health may post the 
1.26 	following information on agency Web sites, including minnesotahealthinfo.com: 
2.1 	(1) healthy lifestyle and preventive health care information, organized by sex and 
2.2 	age, with procedures and treatments categorized by level of effectiveness and reliability of 
2.3 	the supporting evidence on effectiveness;  
2.4 	(2) health plan company administrative efficiency report cards;
2.5 	(3) health care provider charges for common procedures, based on information 
2.6 	available under section 62J.052;  
2.7 	(4) evidence-based medicine guidelines and related information for use as resources 
2.8 	by health care professionals, and summaries of the guidelines and related information for 
2.9 	use by patients and consumers;  
2.10 	(5) resources and Web links related to improving efficiency in medical clinics and 
2.11 	health care professional practices; and 
2.12 	(6) lists of nonprofit and charitable entities that accept donations of used medical 
2.13 	equipment and supplies, such as crutches and walkers.
2.14 		Subd. 2.Other Internet resources. The commissioner of health, in implementing 
2.15 	subdivision 1, shall include relevant Web links and materials from private sector and other 
2.16 	government sources in order to avoid duplication and reduce state administrative costs.
2.17 		Subd. 3.Cooperation with commissioner of commerce. The commissioner of 
2.18 	health shall consult and work in cooperation with the commissioner of commerce when 
2.19 	posting on the Web site information collected from health plan companies regulated by 
2.20 	the commissioner of commerce.

2.21 	Sec. 3. [147.37] INFORMATION PROVISION; PHARMACEUTICAL 
2.22 	ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS.
2.23 	The board shall encourage licensees to make available to patients information on 
2.24 	free and discounted prescription drug programs offered by pharmaceutical manufacturers 
2.25 	when the information is provided to the licensees at no cost.

2.26 	Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 148.06, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
2.27 		Subdivision 1.License required; qualifications. No person shall practice 
2.28 	chiropractic in this state without first being licensed by the State Board of Chiropractic 
2.29 	Examiners. The applicant shall have earned at least one-half of all academic credits 
2.30 	required for awarding of a baccalaureate degree from the University of Minnesota, or 
2.31 	other university, college, or community college of equal standing, in subject matter 
2.32 	determined by the board, and taken a four-year resident course of at least eight months 
2.33 	each in a school or college of chiropractic or in a chiropractic program that is accredited 
2.34 	by the Council on Chiropractic Education, holds a recognition agreement with the Council 
3.1 	on Chiropractic Education, or is accredited by an agency approved by the United States 
3.2 	Office of Education or their successors as of January 1, 1988. The board may issue 
3.3 	licenses to practice chiropractic without compliance with prechiropractic or academic 
3.4 	requirements listed above if in the opinion of the board the applicant has the qualifications 
3.5 	equivalent to those required of other applicants, the applicant satisfactorily passes written 
3.6 	and practical examinations as required by the Board of Chiropractic Examiners, and the 
3.7 	applicant is a graduate of a college of chiropractic with a reciprocal recognition agreement 
3.8 	with the Council on Chiropractic Education as of January 1, 1988. The board may 
3.9 	recommend a two-year prechiropractic course of instruction to any university, college, 
3.10 	or community college which in its judgment would satisfy the academic prerequisite 
3.11 	for licensure as established by this section.
3.12 	An examination for a license shall be in writing and shall include testing in:
3.13 	(a) The basic sciences including but not limited to anatomy, physiology, bacteriology, 
3.14 	pathology, hygiene, and chemistry as related to the human body or mind;
3.15 	(b) The clinical sciences including but not limited to the science and art of 
3.16 	chiropractic, chiropractic physiotherapy, diagnosis, roentgenology, and nutrition; and
3.17 	(c) Professional ethics and any other subjects that the board may deem advisable.
3.18 	The board may consider a valid certificate of examination from the National Board 
3.19 	of Chiropractic Examiners as evidence of compliance with the examination requirements 
3.20 	of this subdivision. The applicant shall be required to give practical demonstration in 
3.21 	vertebral palpation, neurology, adjusting and any other subject that the board may deem 
3.22 	advisable. A license, countersigned by the members of the board and authenticated by the 
3.23 	seal thereof, shall be granted to each applicant who correctly answers 75 percent of the 
3.24 	questions propounded in each of the subjects required by this subdivision and meets the 
3.25 	standards of practical demonstration established by the board. Each application shall be 
3.26 	accompanied by a fee set by the board. The fee shall not be returned but the applicant 
3.27 	may, within one year, apply for examination without the payment of an additional fee. The 
3.28 	board may grant a license to an applicant who holds a valid license to practice chiropractic 
3.29 	issued by the appropriate licensing board of another state, provided the applicant meets 
3.30 	the other requirements of this section and satisfactorily passes a practical examination 
3.31 	approved by the board. The burden of proof is on the applicant to demonstrate these 
3.32 	qualifications or satisfaction of these requirements.

3.33 	Sec. 5. [148.108] FEES.
3.34 		Subdivision 1.Fees. In addition to the fees established in Minnesota Rules, chapter 
3.35 	2500, the board is authorized to charge the fees in this section.
4.1 		Subd. 2.Annual renewal of inactive acupuncture registration. The annual 
4.2 	renewal of inactive acupuncture registration fee is $25.
4.3 		Subd. 3.Acupuncture reinstatement. The acupuncture reinstatement fee is $50.

4.4 	Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 151.214, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
4.5 		Subdivision 1.Explanation of pharmacy benefits. A pharmacist licensed under 
4.6 	this chapter must provide to a patient, for each prescription dispensed where part or all 
4.7 	of the cost of the prescription is being paid or reimbursed by an employer-sponsored 
4.8 	plan or health plan company, or its contracted pharmacy benefit manager, the patient's 
4.9 	co-payment amount and the pharmacy's own usual and customary price of the prescription 
4.10 	or the amount the pharmacy will be paid for the prescription drug by the patient's 
4.11 	employer-sponsored plan or health plan company, or its contracted pharmacy benefit 
4.12 	manager.

4.13 	Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2005 Supplement, section 214.071, is amended to read:
4.14 	214.071 HEALTH BOARDS; DIRECTORY OF LICENSEES.
4.15 	By July 1, 2009, each health health-related licensing board under chapters 147, 148, 
4.16 	148B, and 150A, as defined in section 214.01, subdivision 2, shall establish a directory of 
4.17 	licensees that includes biographical data for each licensee.

4.18 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2007.

4.19 	Sec. 8. [214.121] PRICE DISCLOSURE REMINDER.
4.20 	Each health-related licensing board shall at least annually inform and remind its 
4.21 	licensees of the price disclosure requirements of section 62J.052 or 151.214, as applicable, 
4.22 	through the board's regular means of communicating with its licensees.

4.23 	Sec. 9. [256B.043] COST CONTAINMENT EFFORTS.
4.24 		Subdivision 1.Alternative and complementary health care. The commissioner 
4.25 	of human services, through the medical director and in consultation with the health 
4.26 	services policy committee established under section 256B.0625, subdivision 3c, as 
4.27 	part of the commissioner's ongoing duties, shall consider the potential for improving 
4.28 	quality and obtaining cost savings through greater use of alternative and complementary 
4.29 	treatment methods and clinical practice; shall incorporate these methods into the medical 
4.30 	assistance, MinnesotaCare, and general assistance medical care programs; and shall 
4.31 	make related legislative recommendations as appropriate. The commissioner shall post 
5.1 	the recommendations required under this subdivision on agency Web sites according to 
5.2 	chapter 144.0506, subdivision 1.
5.3 		Subd. 2.Access to care. (a) The commissioners of human services and health, 
5.4 	as part of their ongoing duties, shall consider the adequacy of the current system of 
5.5 	community health clinics and centers both statewide and in urban areas with significant 
5.6 	disparities in health status and access to services across racial and ethnic groups, including:
5.7 	(1) methods to provide 24-hour availability of care through the clinics and centers;
5.8 	(2) methods to expand the availability of care through the clinics and centers;
5.9 	(3) the use of grants to expand the number of clinics and centers, the services 
5.10 	provided, and the availability of care; and
5.11 	(4) the extent to which increased use of physician assistants, nurse practitioners, 
5.12 	medical residents and interns, and other allied health professionals in clinics and centers 
5.13 	would increase the availability of services.
5.14 	(b) The commissioners shall make departmental modifications and legislative 
5.15 	recommendations as appropriate on the basis of their considerations under paragraph (a).

5.16 	Sec. 10. REPORTING OF ACQUIRED INFECTIONS.
 5.17 	(a) The commissioner of health may consult with infection control specialists, health 
5.18 	care facility representatives, and consumers for the purpose of obtaining recommendations 
5.19 	regarding a determination of the need for action to implement health care associated 
5.20 	infection control reporting in hospitals and nursing homes. If the outcome of the 
5.21 	determination warrants, the commissioner shall consult with the group regarding: 
5.22 	(1) the selection of reporting measures relating to health care associated infections;  
5.23 	(2) design, implementation, validation, and ongoing evaluation of the reporting 
5.24 	system; and  
5.25 	(3) ensuring that the reporting measures remain flexible and adaptable to changing 
5.26 	national standards.  
5.27 	(b) If the commissioner determines that there is a need for the action described in 
5.28 	paragraph (a), the commissioner shall make written  recommendations to the legislature. 

5.29 	Sec. 11. STUDY OF HOSPITAL UNCOMPENSATED CARE.
 5.30 	(a) The commissioner of health shall study and report to the legislature by January 
5.31 	15, 2007, the following:
5.32 	(1) trends in hospitals' cost of providing uncompensated care, separately identifying 
5.33 	charity care and bad debt as components of uncompensated care;
6.1 	(2) the impact of any changes in hospitals' charity care policies and debt collection 
6.2 	practices in the past three years on the amount of uncompensated care provided and the 
6.3 	number of patients receiving uncompensated care; and
6.4 	(3) the value of hospital uncompensated care and community benefits in comparison 
6.5 	to the value of tax exemptions received as a result of nonprofit status.
6.6 	(b) The commissioner's report to the legislature shall include recommendations on: 
6.7 	(1) the need for more uniform hospital charity care policies and debt collection practices; 
6.8 	and (2) the need for more uniform reporting of community benefits provided by nonprofit 
6.9 	hospitals.

6.10 	Sec. 12. STUDY; REPORT.
 6.11 	The medical director for medical assistance and the assistant commissioner for 
6.12 	chemical and mental health services of the Department of Human Services, in conjunction 
6.13 	with the mental health licensing boards, shall evaluate the requirements for licensed 
6.14 	mental health practitioners to receive medical assistance reimbursement under Minnesota 
6.15 	Statutes, section 256B.0625, subdivision 38. The purpose of this study is to evaluate 
6.16 	qualifications of all licensed mental health practitioners and licensed mental health 
6.17 	professionals and make recommendations regarding requirements for medical assistance 
6.18 	reimbursement. This study is to be completed by January 15, 2007. Written results of 
6.19 	the study are to be submitted to the chairs of the house of representatives and senate 
6.20 	committees with jurisdiction over health related licensing boards.

6.21 	Sec. 13. APPROPRIATIONS.
 6.22 	$5,000 is appropriated from the state government special revenue fund in fiscal year 
6.23 	2006 and $5,000 is appropriated from the state government special revenue fund in fiscal 
6.24 	year 2007 to the Board of Chiropractic Examiners, to correct programming difficulties 
6.25 	incurred during implementation of payment processing changes. This is a onetime 
6.26 	appropriation.

6.27 	ARTICLE 2

6.28 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 145.4241, is amended by adding a 
6.29 	subdivision to read:
6.30 		Subd. 3a.Fetal anomaly incompatible with life. "Fetal anomaly incompatible 
6.31 	with life" means a fetal anomaly diagnosed before birth that will with reasonable certainty 
6.32 	result in death of the unborn child within three months. Fetal anomaly incompatible with 
6.33 	life does not include conditions which can be treated.

7.1 	Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 145.4241, is amended by adding a subdivision 
7.2 	to read:
7.3 		Subd. 4a.Perinatal hospice. (a) "Perinatal hospice" means comprehensive support 
7.4 	to the female and her family that includes support from the time of diagnosis through the 
7.5 	time of birth and death of the infant and through the postpartum period. Supportive care 
7.6 	may include maternal-fetal medical specialists, obstetricians, neonatologists, anesthesia 
7.7 	specialists, clergy, social workers, and specialty nurses.
7.8 	(b) The availability of perinatal hospice provides an alternative to families for whom 
7.9 	elective pregnancy termination is not chosen.

7.10 	Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2005 Supplement, section 145.4242, is amended to read:
7.11 	145.4242 INFORMED CONSENT.
7.12 	(a) No abortion shall be performed in this state except with the voluntary and 
7.13 	informed consent of the female upon whom the abortion is to be performed. Except in 
7.14 	the case of a medical emergency or if the fetus has an anomaly incompatible with life, 
7.15 	and the female has declined perinatal hospice care, consent to an abortion is voluntary 
7.16 	and informed only if:
7.17 	(1) the female is told the following, by telephone or in person, by the physician who 
7.18 	is to perform the abortion or by a referring physician, at least 24 hours before the abortion:
7.19 	(i) the particular medical risks associated with the particular abortion procedure to be 
7.20 	employed including, when medically accurate, the risks of infection, hemorrhage, breast 
7.21 	cancer, danger to subsequent pregnancies, and infertility;
7.22 	(ii) the probable gestational age of the unborn child at the time the abortion is to 
7.23 	be performed;
7.24 	(iii) the medical risks associated with carrying her child to term; and
7.25 	(iv) for abortions after 20 weeks gestational, whether or not an anesthetic or 
7.26 	analgesic would eliminate or alleviate organic pain to the unborn child caused by the 
7.27 	particular method of abortion to be employed and the particular medical benefits and risks 
7.28 	associated with the particular anesthetic or analgesic.
7.29 	The information required by this clause may be provided by telephone without 
7.30 	conducting a physical examination or tests of the patient, in which case the information 
7.31 	required to be provided may be based on facts supplied to the physician by the female and 
7.32 	whatever other relevant information is reasonably available to the physician. It may not be 
7.33 	provided by a tape recording, but must be provided during a consultation in which the 
7.34 	physician is able to ask questions of the female and the female is able to ask questions 
7.35 	of the physician. If a physical examination, tests, or the availability of other information 
8.1 	to the physician subsequently indicate, in the medical judgment of the physician, a 
8.2 	revision of the information previously supplied to the patient, that revised information 
8.3 	may be communicated to the patient at any time prior to the performance of the abortion. 
8.4 	Nothing in this section may be construed to preclude provision of required information in 
8.5 	a language understood by the patient through a translator;
8.6 	(2) the female is informed, by telephone or in person, by the physician who is to 
8.7 	perform the abortion, by a referring physician, or by an agent of either physician at least 
8.8 	24 hours before the abortion:
8.9 	(i) that medical assistance benefits may be available for prenatal care, childbirth, 
8.10 	and neonatal care;
8.11 	(ii) that the father is liable to assist in the support of her child, even in instances 
8.12 	when the father has offered to pay for the abortion; and
8.13 	(iii) that she has the right to review the printed materials described in section 
8.14 	145.4243, that these materials are available on a state-sponsored Web site, and what the 
8.15 	Web site address is. The physician or the physician's agent shall orally inform the female 
8.16 	that the materials have been provided by the state of Minnesota and that they describe the 
8.17 	unborn child, list agencies that offer alternatives to abortion, and contain information on 
8.18 	fetal pain. If the female chooses to view the materials other than on the Web site, they 
8.19 	shall either be given to her at least 24 hours before the abortion or mailed to her at least 72 
8.20 	hours before the abortion by certified mail, restricted delivery to addressee, which means 
8.21 	the postal employee can only deliver the mail to the addressee.
8.22 	The information required by this clause may be provided by a tape recording if 
8.23 	provision is made to record or otherwise register specifically whether the female does or 
8.24 	does not choose to have the printed materials given or mailed to her;
8.25 	(3) the female certifies in writing, prior to the abortion, that the information 
8.26 	described in clauses (1) and (2) has been furnished to her and that she has been informed 
8.27 	of her opportunity to review the information referred to in clause (2), subclause (iii); and
8.28 	(4) prior to the performance of the abortion, the physician who is to perform the 
8.29 	abortion or the physician's agent obtains a copy of the written certification prescribed by 
8.30 	clause (3) and retains it on file with the female's medical record for at least three years 
8.31 	following the date of receipt.
8.32 	(b) Prior to administering the anesthetic or analgesic as described in paragraph (a), 
8.33 	clause (1), item (iv), the physician must disclose to the woman any additional cost of the 
8.34 	procedure for the administration of the anesthetic or analgesic. If the woman consents 
8.35 	to the administration of the anesthetic or analgesic, the physician shall administer the 
8.36 	anesthetic or analgesic or arrange to have the anesthetic or analgesic administered.
9.1 	(c) A female seeking an abortion of her unborn child diagnosed with fetal anomaly 
9.2 	incompatible with life must be informed of available perinatal hospice services and offered 
9.3 	this care as an alternative to abortion. If perinatal hospice services are declined, voluntary 
9.4 	and informed consent by the female seeking an abortion is given if the female receives 
9.5 	the information required in paragraphs (a), clause (1) and (b). The female must comply 
9.6 	with the requirements in paragraph (a), clauses (3) and (4).

9.7 	Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 148.515, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
9.8 		Subd. 2.Master's or doctoral degree required. (a) An applicant must possess a 
9.9 	master's or doctoral degree that meets the requirements of paragraph (b). If completing a 
9.10 	doctoral program in which a master's degree has not been conferred, an applicant must 
9.11 	submit a transcript showing completion of course work equivalent to, or exceeding, a 
9.12 	master's degree that meets the requirement of paragraph (b).
9.13 	(b) All of the applicant's graduate coursework and clinical practicum required in the 
9.14 	professional area for which licensure is sought must have been initiated and completed at 
9.15 	an institution whose program meets the current requirements and was accredited by the 
9.16 	Educational Standards Board of the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology 
9.17 	and Speech-Language Pathology, a body recognized by the United States Department of 
9.18 	Education, or an equivalent as determined by the commissioner, in the area for which 
9.19 	licensure is sought.

9.20 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

9.21 	Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2005 Supplement, section 148.515, subdivision 6, is 
9.22 	amended to read:
9.23 		Subd. 6.Dispensing audiologist examination requirements. (a) Audiologists are 
9.24 	exempt from the written examination requirement in section 153A.14, subdivision 2h, 
9.25 	paragraph (a), clause (1).
9.26 	(b) After July 31, 2005, all applicants for audiologist licensure under sections 
9.27 	148.512 to 148.5198 must achieve a passing score on the practical tests of proficiency 
9.28 	described in section 153A.14, subdivision 2h, paragraph (a), clause (2), within the time 
9.29 	period described in section 153A.14, subdivision 2h, paragraph (c).
9.30 	(c) In order to dispense hearing aids as a sole proprietor, member of a partnership, 
9.31 	or for a limited liability company, corporation, or any other entity organized for profit, a 
9.32 	licensee who obtained audiologist licensure under sections 148.512 to 148.5198, before 
9.33 	August 1, 2005, and who is not certified to dispense hearing aids under chapter 153A, 
9.34 	must achieve a passing score on the practical tests of proficiency described in section 
10.1 	153A.14, subdivision 2h, paragraph (a), clause (2), within the time period described 
10.2 	in section 153A.14, subdivision 2h, paragraph (c). All other audiologist licensees who 
10.3 	obtained licensure before August 1, 2005, are exempt from the practical tests.
10.4 	(d) An applicant for an audiology license who obtains a temporary license under 
10.5 	section 148.5175 may dispense hearing aids only under supervision of a licensed 
10.6 	audiologist who dispenses hearing aids. 

10.7 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

10.8 	Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 148.5175, is amended to read:
10.9 	148.5175 TEMPORARY LICENSURE.
10.10 	(a) The commissioner shall issue temporary licensure as a speech-language 
10.11 	pathologist, an audiologist, or both, to an applicant who has applied for licensure under 
10.12 	section  148.515,  148.516,  148.517, or  148.518 and who: 
10.13 	(1) submits a signed and dated affidavit stating that the applicant is not the subject of 
10.14 	a disciplinary action or past disciplinary action in this or another jurisdiction and is not 
10.15 	disqualified on the basis of section  148.5195, subdivision 3; and 
10.16 	(2) either:
10.17 	(i) provides a copy of a current credential as a speech-language pathologist, an 
10.18 	audiologist, or both, held in the District of Columbia or a state or territory of the United 
10.19 	States; or
10.20 	(ii) provides a copy of a current certificate of clinical competence issued by the 
10.21 	American Speech-Language-Hearing Association or board certification in audiology by 
10.22 	the American Board of Audiology.
10.23 	(b) A temporary license issued to a person under this subdivision expires 90 days 
10.24 	after it is issued or on the date the commissioner grants or denies licensure, whichever 
10.25 	occurs first.
10.26 	(c) Upon application, a temporary license shall be renewed once to a person who is 
10.27 	able to demonstrate good cause for failure to meet the requirements for licensure within 
10.28 	the initial temporary licensure period and who is not the subject of a disciplinary action or 
10.29 	disqualified on the basis of section  148.5195, subdivision 3. 

10.30 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

10.31 	Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 148.518, is amended to read:
10.32 	148.518 LICENSURE FOLLOWING LAPSE OF LICENSURE STATUS.
10.33 	For an applicant whose licensure status has lapsed, the applicant must:
11.1 	(1) apply for licensure renewal according to section  148.5191 and document 
11.2 	compliance with the continuing education requirements of section  148.5193 since the 
11.3 	applicant's license lapsed; 
11.4 	(2) fulfill the requirements of section  148.517; 
11.5 	(3) apply for renewal according to section  148.5191, provide evidence to the 
11.6 	commissioner that the applicant holds a current and unrestricted credential for the practice 
11.7 	of speech-language pathology from the Minnesota Board of Teaching or for the practice 
11.8 	of speech-language pathology or audiology in another jurisdiction that has requirements 
11.9 	equivalent to or higher than those in effect for Minnesota, and provide evidence of 
11.10 	compliance with Minnesota Board of Teaching or that jurisdiction's continuing education 
11.11 	requirements; or
11.12 	(4) apply for renewal according to section  148.5191 and submit verified 
11.13 	documentation of successful completion of 160 hours of supervised practice approved by 
11.14 	the commissioner. To participate in a supervised practice, the applicant shall first apply 
11.15 	and obtain temporary licensing according to section  148.5161.; or
11.16 	(5) apply for renewal according to section 148.5191 and provide documentation of 
11.17 	obtaining a qualifying score on the examination described in section 148.515, subdivision 
11.18 	4, within one year of the application date for license renewal.

11.19 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

11.20 	Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 148.5193, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
11.21 		Subdivision 1.Number of contact hours required. (a) An applicant for licensure 
11.22 	renewal must meet the requirements for continuing education stipulated by the American 
11.23 	Speech-Language-Hearing Association or the American Board of Audiology, or satisfy 
11.24 	the requirements described in paragraphs (b) to (e).
11.25 	(b) Within one month following expiration of a license, an applicant for licensure 
11.26 	renewal as either a speech-language pathologist or an audiologist must provide evidence 
11.27 	to the commissioner of a minimum of 30 contact hours of continuing education obtained 
11.28 	within the two years immediately preceding licensure expiration. A minimum of 20 
11.29 	contact hours of continuing education must be directly related to the licensee's area of 
11.30 	licensure. Ten contact hours of continuing education may be in areas generally related to 
11.31 	the licensee's area of licensure. Licensees who are issued licenses for a period of less than 
11.32 	two years shall prorate the number of contact hours required for licensure renewal based 
11.33 	on the number of months licensed during the biennial licensure period. Licensees shall 
11.34 	receive contact hours for continuing education activities only for the biennial licensure 
11.35 	period in which the continuing education activity was performed.
12.1 	(c) An applicant for licensure renewal as both a speech-language pathologist and an 
12.2 	audiologist must attest to and document completion of a minimum of 36 contact hours 
12.3 	of continuing education offered by a continuing education sponsor within the two years 
12.4 	immediately preceding licensure renewal. A minimum of 15 contact hours must be 
12.5 	received in the area of speech-language pathology and a minimum of 15 contact hours 
12.6 	must be received in the area of audiology. Six contact hours of continuing education 
12.7 	may be in areas generally related to the licensee's areas of licensure. Licensees who are 
12.8 	issued licenses for a period of less than two years shall prorate the number of contact 
12.9 	hours required for licensure renewal based on the number of months licensed during the 
12.10 	biennial licensure period. Licensees shall receive contact hours for continuing education 
12.11 	activities only for the biennial licensure period in which the continuing education activity 
12.12 	was performed.
12.13 	(d) If the licensee is licensed by the Board of Teaching:
12.14 	(1) activities that are approved in the categories of Minnesota Rules, part 8700.1000
12.15 	8710.7200, subpart 3, items A and B, and that relate to speech-language pathology, shall 
12.16 	be considered:
12.17 	(i) offered by a sponsor of continuing education; and
12.18 	(ii) directly related to speech-language pathology;
12.19 	(2) activities that are approved in the categories of Minnesota Rules, part 8700.1000
12.20 	8710.7200, subpart 3, shall be considered:
12.21 	(i) offered by a sponsor of continuing education; and
12.22 	(ii) generally related to speech-language pathology; and
12.23 	(3) one clock hour as defined in Minnesota Rules, part 8700.1000 8710.7200, 
12.24 	subpart 1, is equivalent to 1.0 contact hours of continuing education.
12.25 	(e) Contact hours may not be accumulated in advance and transferred to a future 
12.26 	continuing education period.

12.27 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

12.28 	Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 148.5195, is amended by adding a subdivision 
12.29 	to read:
12.30 		Subd. 7. Authority to contract. The commissioner shall contract with the health 
12.31 	professionals services program as authorized by sections 214.31 to 214.37 to provide 
12.32 	these services to practitioners under this chapter. The health professionals services 
12.33 	program does not affect the commissioner's authority to discipline violations of sections 
12.34 	148.511 to 148.5198.

13.1 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

13.2 	Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 148.6440, subdivision 7, is amended to read:
13.3 		Subd. 7.Approval. (a) The advisory council shall appoint a committee to review 
13.4 	documentation under subdivisions 2 to 6 to determine if established educational and 
13.5 	clinical requirements are met. If, after review of course documentation, the committee 
13.6 	verifies that a specific course meets the theoretical and clinical requirements in 
13.7 	subdivisions 2 to 6, the commissioner may approve practitioner applications that include 
13.8 	the required course documentation evidencing completion of the same course.
13.9 	(b) Occupational therapists shall be advised of the status of their request for approval 
13.10 	within 30 days. Occupational therapists must provide any additional information requested 
13.11 	by the committee that is necessary to make a determination regarding approval or denial.
13.12 	(c) A determination regarding a request for approval of training under this 
13.13 	subdivision shall be made in writing to the occupational therapist. If denied, the reason for 
13.14 	denial shall be provided.
13.15 	(d) A licensee who was approved by the commissioner as a level two provider prior 
13.16 	to July 1, 1999, shall remain on the roster maintained by the commissioner in accordance 
13.17 	with subdivision 1, paragraph (c).
13.18 	(e) To remain on the roster maintained by the commissioner, a licensee who was 
13.19 	approved by the commissioner as a level one provider prior to July 1, 1999, must submit to 
13.20 	the commissioner documentation of training and experience gained using physical agent 
13.21 	modalities since the licensee's approval as a level one provider. The committee appointed 
13.22 	under paragraph (a) shall review the documentation and make a recommendation to the 
13.23 	commissioner regarding approval.
13.24 	(f) An occupational therapist who received training in the use of physical agent 
13.25 	modalities prior to July 1, 1999, but who has not been placed on the roster of approved 
13.26 	providers may submit to the commissioner documentation of training and experience 
13.27 	gained using physical agent modalities. The committee appointed under paragraph (a) 
13.28 	shall review documentation and make a recommendation to the commissioner regarding 
13.29 	approval.

13.30 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

13.31 	Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 148.6443, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
13.32 		Subd. 2.Standards for determining qualified continuing education activities.
 13.33 	Except as provided in subdivision 3, paragraph (f), in order to qualify as a continuing 
13.34 	education activity, the activity must:
14.1 	(1) constitute an organized program of learning;
14.2 	(2) reasonably be expected to advance the knowledge and skills of the occupational 
14.3 	therapy practitioner;
14.4 	(3) pertain to subjects that directly relate to the practice of occupational therapy;
14.5 	(4) be conducted by a sponsor approved by the American Occupational Therapy 
14.6 	Association or by individuals who have education, training, and experience by reason of 
14.7 	which the individuals should be considered experts on the subject matter of the activity; 
14.8 	and
14.9 	(5) be presented by a sponsor who has a mechanism to verify participation and 
14.10 	maintains attendance records for three years.

14.11 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

14.12 	Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 148.6443, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
14.13 		Subd. 3.Activities qualifying for continuing education contact hours. (a) The 
14.14 	activities in this subdivision qualify for continuing education contact hours if they meet all 
14.15 	other requirements of this section.
14.16 	(b) A minimum of one-half of the required contact hours must be directly related 
14.17 	to the occupational therapy practice. The remaining contact hours may be related to 
14.18 	occupational therapy practice, the delivery of occupational therapy services, or to the 
14.19 	practitioner's current professional role. 
14.20 	(c) A licensee may obtain an unlimited number of contact hours in any two-year 
14.21 	continuing education period through participation in the following:
14.22 	(1) attendance at educational programs of annual conferences, lectures, panel 
14.23 	discussions, workshops, in-service training, seminars, and symposiums;
14.24 	(2) successful completion of college or university courses. The licensee must obtain 
14.25 	a grade of at least a "C" or a pass in a pass or fail course in order to receive the following 
14.26 	continuing education credits:
14.27 	(i) one semester credit equals 14 contact hours;
14.28 	(ii) one trimester credit equals 12 contact hours; and
14.29 	(iii) one quarter credit equals ten contact hours; and
14.30 	(3) successful completion of home study courses that require the participant to 
14.31 	demonstrate the participant's knowledge following completion of the course.
14.32 	(c)(d)  A licensee may obtain a maximum of six contact hours in any two-year 
14.33 	continuing education period for:
14.34 	(1) teaching continuing education courses that meet the requirements of this section. 
14.35 	A licensee is entitled to earn a maximum of two contact hours as preparation time for 
15.1 	each contact hour of presentation time. Contact hours may be claimed only once for 
15.2 	teaching the same course in any two-year continuing education period. A course schedule 
15.3 	or brochure must be maintained for audit.;
15.4 	(2) supervising occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant students. A 
15.5 	licensee may earn one contact hour for every eight hours of student supervision. Licensees 
15.6 	must maintain a log indicating the name of each student supervised and the hours each 
15.7 	student was supervised. Contact hours obtained by student supervision must be obtained 
15.8 	by supervising students from an occupational therapy education program accredited by the 
15.9 	Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education;
15.10 	(3) teaching or participating in courses related to leisure activities, recreational 
15.11 	activities, or hobbies if the practitioner uses these interventions within the practitioner's 
15.12 	current practice or employment; and
15.13 	(4) engaging in research activities or outcome studies that are associated with grants, 
15.14 	postgraduate studies, or publications in professional journals or books.
15.15 	(d)(e)  A licensee may obtain a maximum of two contact hours in any two-year 
15.16 	continuing education period for continuing education activities in the following areas:
15.17 	(1) business-related topics: marketing, time management, administration, risk 
15.18 	management, government regulations, techniques for training professionals, computer 
15.19 	skills, payment systems, including covered services, coding, documentation, billing, 
15.20 	and similar topics;
15.21 	(2) personal skill topics: career burnout, communication skills, human relations, and 
15.22 	similar topics; and
15.23 	(3) training that is obtained in conjunction with a licensee's employment, occurs 
15.24 	during a licensee's normal workday, and does not include subject matter specific to the 
15.25 	fundamentals of occupational therapy.
15.26 	(e) An occupational therapy practitioner that utilizes leisure activities, recreational 
15.27 	activities, or hobbies as part of occupational therapy services in the practitioner's current 
15.28 	work setting may obtain a maximum of six contact hours in any two-year continuing 
15.29 	education period for participation in courses teaching these activities.
15.30 	(f) A licensee may obtain a maximum of six contact hours in any two-year continuing 
15.31 	education period for supervision of occupational therapist or occupational therapy 
15.32 	assistant students. A licensee may earn one contact hour for every eight hours of student 
15.33 	supervision. Licensees must maintain a log indicating the name of each student supervised 
15.34 	and the hours each student was supervised. Contact hours obtained by student supervision 
15.35 	must be obtained by supervising students from an occupational therapy education program 
15.36 	accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education.

16.1 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

16.2 	Sec. 13. Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 148.6443, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
16.3 		Subd. 4.Activities not qualifying for continuing education contact hours. No 
16.4 	credit shall be granted for the following activities: hospital rounds, entertainment or 
16.5 	recreational activities, employment orientation sessions, holding an office or serving as an 
16.6 	organizational delegate, meetings for the purpose of making policy, and  noneducational 
16.7 	association meetings, training related to payment systems, including covered services, 
16.8 	coding, and billing.

16.9 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

16.10 	Sec. 14. Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 148.6448, is amended by adding a 
16.11 	subdivision to read:
16.12 		Subd. 6.Authority to contract.  The commissioner shall contract with the health 
16.13 	professionals services program as authorized by sections 214.31 to 214.37 to provide 
16.14 	these services to practitioners under this chapter. The health professionals services 
16.15 	program does not affect the commissioner's authority to discipline violations of sections 
16.16 	148.6401 to 148.6450. 

16.17 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

16.18 	Sec. 15. Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 153A.13, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
16.19 		Subd. 4.Hearing instrument dispensing. "Hearing instrument dispensing" means 
16.20 	making ear mold impressions, prescribing, or recommending a hearing instrument, 
16.21 	assisting the consumer in instrument selection, selling hearing instruments at retail, or 
16.22 	testing human hearing in connection with these activities when regardless of whether
16.23 	the person conducting these activities has a monetary interest in the sale of hearing 
16.24 	instruments to the consumer.

16.25 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

16.26 	Sec. 16. Minnesota Statutes 2005 Supplement, section 153A.14, subdivision 4c, 
16.27 	is amended to read:
16.28 		Subd. 4c.Reciprocity. (a) A person applying for certification as a hearing 
16.29 	instrument dispenser under subdivision 1 who has dispensed hearing instruments 
16.30 	in another jurisdiction may dispense hearing instruments as a trainee under indirect 
16.31 	supervision if the person:
17.1 	(1) satisfies the provisions of subdivision 4a, paragraph (a);
17.2 	(2) submits a signed and dated affidavit stating that the applicant is not the subject of 
17.3 	a disciplinary action or past disciplinary action in this or another jurisdiction and is not 
17.4 	disqualified on the basis of section 153A.15, subdivision 1; and
17.5 	(3) provides a copy of a current credential as a hearing instrument dispenser held in 
17.6 	the District of Columbia or a state or territory of the United States.
17.7 	(b) A person becoming a trainee under this subdivision who fails to take and pass the 
17.8 	practical examination described in subdivision 2h, paragraph (a), clause (2), when next 
17.9 	offered must cease dispensing hearing instruments unless under direct supervision.

17.10 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

17.11 	Sec. 17. Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 153A.15, is amended by adding a 
17.12 	subdivision to read:
17.13 		Subd. 5.Authority to contract. The commissioner shall contract with the health 
17.14 	professionals services program as authorized by sections 214.31 to 214.37 to provide these 
17.15 	services to practitioners under this chapter. The health professionals services program 
17.16 	does not affect the commissioner's authority to discipline violations of chapter 153A. 

17.17 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.