HF 4182
Introduction - 84th Legislature (2005 - 2006)
Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00 a.m.
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A bill for an act
relating to human services; establishing the Office of the Ombudsman for
Kinship Care; requiring a report; appropriating money; proposing coding for new
law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 256.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
Section 1.
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[256.041] OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN FOR KINSHIP CARE.
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new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end
new text begin Establishment. new text end
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The ombudsman for kinship care serves in the
classified service in an office in the Department of Human Services. The ombudsman is
appointed by the governor and may only be removed for just cause. The ombudsman must
be selected without regard to political affiliation and must be a person who has knowledge
and experience concerning the treatment, needs, and rights of families providing kinship
care. No person may serve as ombudsman while holding another public office.
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new text begin Subd. 2. new text end
new text begin Duties of the Office of the Ombudsman for Kinship Care. new text end
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The
ombudsman may hire staff and appoint volunteers as authorized by the legislature.
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(a) The ombudsman shall have the authority to intervene with state agencies and
service providers with which state agencies contract to ensure that kinship caregivers
receive needed services for which they are eligible.
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(b) The ombudsman shall establish and maintain an information and referral system
accessible by a toll-free telephone number, the Internet, and in person to provide assistance
for kinship caregivers. This information and referral system shall provide:
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(1) the names, telephone numbers, and locations of local kinship care service
providers, support groups, and respite care programs;
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(2) training to provide kinship caregivers with information about available benefits
and services and how to access those benefits and services;
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(3) training to assist kinship caregivers in performing their caregiving activities; and
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(4) assistance in accessing legal services.
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(c) The ombudsman shall provide information about and assistance in applying for
federal, state, and local benefits, including education, family support services, health care,
mental health services, economic assistance, disability insurance benefits, and foster
care and kinship care assistance payments.
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(d) The ombudsman shall track whether kinship care families are able to obtain
needed services.
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(e) The ombudsman shall promote partnerships between public and private agencies
to help agencies effectively meet the needs of kinship care families and to familiarize
agencies about the special needs of kinship care families.
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new text begin Subd. 3. new text end
new text begin Report; recommendation. new text end
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(a) The commissioner of human services shall
submit a report to the governor annually, beginning December 31, 2007, which shall
include the numbers and types of information and referral services provided to kinship
care families; the number of kinship care families for whom services were provided; the
number of kinship care families who accessed public and private services, as well as
the barriers encountered in accessing services; and the number of agency partnerships
developed to better serve the needs of kinship care families.
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(b) No later than December 31, 2007, the commissioner of human services shall
submit recommendations to the governor regarding modifications to the duties, powers,
and scope of the Office of the Ombudsman for Kinship Care.
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new text begin Subd. 4. new text end
new text begin Sunset. new text end
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This section sunsets on June 30, 2010.
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new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end
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This section is effective the day following final enactment.
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Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATION.
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$....... is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner of human services
for the Office of the Ombudsman for Kinship Care.
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