SF 3179

Introduction - 94th Legislature (2025 - 2026)

Posted on 04/10/2025 09:08 a.m.

A bill for an act
relating to health; requiring issuance of grants by the commissioner of health to
support education and outreach for myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue
syndrome; requiring the commissioner of health to establish a ME/CFS program;
requiring issuance of grants by the commissioner of human services to establish
and improve access to social services for myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue
syndrome; requiring a report; appropriating money.

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

Section 1. new text begin MYALGIC ENCEPHALOMYELITIS/CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME
GRANTS.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Grants authorized. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner of health must award grants
to increase awareness and understanding of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue
syndrome (ME/CFS) among health care professionals, individuals diagnosed with ME/CFS,
individuals with symptoms of ME/CFS and who believe they may have ME/CFS, health
plan companies, and the public. The commissioner must issue a request for proposals to
competitively determine grant recipients. The grants may be awarded to community health
boards as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 145A.02, subdivision 5, state agencies,
state councils, or nonprofit corporations.
new text end

new text begin (b) The commissioner must develop the request for proposals, review the resulting
proposals, and determine grant awards in consultation and cooperation with members of
the ME/CFS community.
new text end

new text begin (c) The commissioner may contract with members of the ME/CFS community to perform
all or part of the grant award process required under this subdivision.
new text end

new text begin (d) For purposes of this subdivision, "members of the ME/CFS community" means the
following persons among others:
new text end

new text begin (1) health care providers familiar with the diagnosis, treatment, and awareness of
ME/CFS;
new text end

new text begin (2) individuals diagnosed with or having symptoms of ME/CFS; and
new text end

new text begin (3) other individuals with subject matter expertise on ME/CFS.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Use of grant funds. new text end

new text begin (a) Grant recipients must use grant funds to do one or more
of the following:
new text end

new text begin (1) improve the availability of free, evidence-based, or community best practice
educational materials on ME/CFS to health care professionals, human resource professionals,
and individuals with ME/CFS symptoms;
new text end

new text begin (2) raise awareness among health care professionals about ME/CFS symptoms and the
importance of an appropriate ME/CFS diagnosis, symptom management, identification of
associated comorbidities, and pharmacological treatment options; and
new text end

new text begin (3) increase public awareness of ME/CFS, ME/CFS symptoms, available community
resources, and practices and techniques to effectively access and navigate community
resources for those experiencing the effects of ME/CFS.
new text end

new text begin (b) The commissioner must provide technical assistance and support to grant recipients
to improve outreach and education, especially in greater Minnesota, Tribal Nations, and
marginalized communities, such as Black, Indigenous, Hispanic, Asian, and other people
of color, LGBTQ+ community, and those experiencing economic insecurity, and other
groups where services to address the effects of ME/CFS have not been established.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin MYALGIC ENCEPHALOMYELITIS/CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME
HUMAN SERVICES GRANTS.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Grants authorized. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner of human services must award
grants to establish and improve access to services for individuals experiencing effects of
myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). The commissioner must
issue a request for proposals to competitively determine grant recipients. The grants may
be awarded to community health boards as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 145A.02,
subdivision 5, state agencies, state councils, or nonprofit corporations.
new text end

new text begin (b) The commissioner must develop the request for proposals, review the resulting
proposals, and determine grant awards in consultation and cooperation with members of
the ME/CFS community.
new text end

new text begin (c) The commissioner may contract with members of the ME/CFS community to perform
all or part of the grant award process required under this subdivision.
new text end

new text begin (d) For purposes of this subdivision, "members of the ME/CFS community" means the
following persons among others:
new text end

new text begin (1) health care providers familiar with the diagnosis, treatment, and awareness of
ME/CFS;
new text end

new text begin (2) individuals diagnosed with or having symptoms of ME/CFS; and
new text end

new text begin (3) other individuals with subject matter expertise on ME/CFS.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Use of grant funds. new text end

new text begin (a) Grant recipients must use grant funds to establish or
facilitate access to one or more of the following services for individuals diagnosed with, or
seeking a health care or integrative care professional's evaluation for symptoms of, ME/CFS:
new text end

new text begin (1) professional or peer delivered supportive counseling, such as counseling for an
individual with symptoms of ME/CFS and caregivers or family members of an individual
with symptoms of ME/CFS;
new text end

new text begin (2) professional or peer delivered health education;
new text end

new text begin (3) care coordination;
new text end

new text begin (4) medical case management, including but not limited to coordination of medical
equipment and home health services;
new text end

new text begin (5) health or social service transportation services;
new text end

new text begin (6) outpatient ambulatory services;
new text end

new text begin (7) social work;
new text end

new text begin (8) financial assistance;
new text end

new text begin (9) legal and other nonmedical case management;
new text end

new text begin (10) referrals for supportive services;
new text end

new text begin (11) practical support home services, such as assistance with cooking, laundry, and
cleaning;
new text end

new text begin (12) workplace and disability accommodation counseling and navigation services; and
new text end

new text begin (13) professional or peer-led support groups for people with ME/CFS symptoms, family
members, and caregivers.
new text end

new text begin (b) The commissioner must provide technical assistance and support to grant recipients
to improve outreach and the provision of services, especially in greater Minnesota, Tribal
Nations, marginalized communities, such as Black, Indigenous, Hispanic, Asian, and other
people of color, LGBTQ+ community, and those experiencing economic insecurity, and
other groups where services to address the effects of ME/CFS have not been established.
new text end

Sec. 3. new text begin ME/CFS PROGRAM.
new text end

new text begin The commissioner of health must establish a program to conduct community assessments
and epidemiologic investigations to monitor and address impacts of ME/CFS and related
conditions. The purposes of these activities are to:
new text end

new text begin (1) monitor trends in: incidence, prevalence, mortality, and health outcomes; changes
in disability status, employment, and quality of life; service needs of individuals with
ME/CFS or related conditions and to detect potential public health problems, predict risks,
and assist in investigating health inequities in ME/CFS and related conditions;
new text end

new text begin (2) more accurately target information and resources for communities and patients and
their families;
new text end

new text begin (3) inform health professionals and citizens about risks and early detection;
new text end

new text begin (4) promote evidence-based practices around ME/CFS and related conditions prevention
and management, and to address public concerns and questions about ME/CFS and related
conditions;
new text end

new text begin (5) identify demographics of those affected by ME/CFS, including but not limited to:
new text end

new text begin (i) gender;
new text end

new text begin (ii) race;
new text end

new text begin (iii) age;
new text end

new text begin (iv) geographic location;
new text end

new text begin (v) economic status; and
new text end

new text begin (vi) education; and
new text end

new text begin (6) research and track related conditions.
new text end

Sec. 4. new text begin REPORT TO THE LEGISLATURE.
new text end

new text begin The commissioners of health and human services must submit a report by December 1,
2027, to the legislative committees with jurisdiction over health and human services on the
effectiveness of the ME/CFS grants established in section 1 and the ME/CFS human services
grants established in section 2. The report must include but is not limited to information on:
new text end

new text begin (1) the ability of grant recipients to achieve the objectives set forth in section 1,
subdivision 2, paragraph (a), clauses (1) to (3), and section 2, subdivision 2, paragraph (a),
clauses (1) to (13);
new text end

new text begin (2) additional areas of need for ME/CFS diagnosis, treatment, symptom management,
insurance coverage, and access to health or integrative providers and social services;
new text end

new text begin (3) recommended legislative action and a five-year written plan to improve ME/CFS
outcomes, based on quality of life indicators and deliverables from the grants awarded in
sections 1 and 2, in Minnesota; and
new text end

new text begin (4) findings from data collection under the program in section 3, including but not limited
to:
new text end

new text begin (i) demographics, including but not limited to those set forth in section 3, clause (5);
new text end

new text begin (ii) common challenges;
new text end

new text begin (iii) gaps in services;
new text end

new text begin (iv) disease impacts on individuals, other than economic effects; and
new text end

new text begin (v) future community needs.
new text end

Sec. 5. new text begin APPROPRIATIONS.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin ME/CFS grants. new text end

new text begin $....... in fiscal year 2026 is appropriated from the
general fund to the commissioner of health for grants to increase awareness and understanding
of ME/CFS among health care professionals, individuals diagnosed with ME/CFS, individuals
with symptoms of ME/CFS and who believe they may have ME/CFS, health plan companies,
and the public. This is a onetime appropriation and is available until June 30, 2028.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin ME/CFS human services grants. new text end

new text begin $....... in fiscal year 2026 is appropriated
from the general fund to the commissioner of health for grants to improve access to services
for individuals experiencing effects of ME/CFS. This is a onetime appropriation and is
available until June 30, 2028.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin ME/CFS program. new text end

new text begin $....... in fiscal year 2026 is appropriated from the general
fund to the commissioner of health for a program to conduct community assessments and
epidemiologic investigations to monitor and address impacts of ME/CFS and related
conditions. This is a onetime appropriation and is available until June 30, 2028.
new text end