SF 4550

Introduction - 94th Legislature (2025 - 2026)

Posted on 03/19/2026 09:04 a.m.

A bill for an act
relating to human services; creating the legislative working group on intellectual
and developmental disabilities; providing appointments; requiring a report;
appropriating money.

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

Section 1.

new text begin LEGISLATIVE WORKING GROUP ON INTELLECTUAL AND
DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Working group established. new text end

new text begin A working group is established to review
and examine state and county demographic data related to gaps in the availability and
delivery of disability services for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Membership. new text end

new text begin The legislative working group on intellectual and developmental
disabilities consists of the following 18 members:
new text end

new text begin (1) 16 members of the legislature appointed by the respective leaders of the caucuses of
each chamber:
new text end

new text begin (i) the chair and ranking minority member, or as applicable the cochairs, of the legislative
committees with primary jurisdiction over programs serving people with intellectual and
developmental disabilities at the Department of Human Services;
new text end

new text begin (ii) the chair and ranking minority member, or as applicable the cochairs, of the legislative
committees with primary jurisdiction over programs serving people with intellectual and
developmental disabilities at the Department of Labor and Industry;
new text end

new text begin (iii) the chair and ranking minority member, or as applicable the cochairs, of the
legislative committees with primary jurisdiction over housing; and
new text end

new text begin (iv) the chairs and ranking minority members, or as applicable the cochairs, of the
legislative committees with primary jurisdiction over programs serving people with
intellectual and developmental disabilities at the Department of Education;
new text end

new text begin (2) one member appointed by the county board of the county with the densest population
that is willing to participate; and
new text end

new text begin (3) one member appointed by the county board of the county with the largest geographic
territory that is willing to participate.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Definitions. new text end

new text begin (a) "Direct support professional" means an individual employed
to provide documented direct support services to a person with an intellectual or
developmental disability.
new text end

new text begin (b) "Disability services" means services for people with intellectual or developmental
disabilities provided by a county, billed to a county, managed by a county, or subject to
county case management.
new text end

new text begin (c) "Person with an intellectual or developmental disability" means a person who has
been diagnosed with an intellectual or developmental disability or related condition as
defined by any of the following:
new text end

new text begin (1) the current version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders;
new text end

new text begin (2) the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention;
new text end

new text begin (3) the National Institutes of Health;
new text end

new text begin (4) Minnesota Statutes; or
new text end

new text begin (5) Minnesota Rules, including Minnesota Rules, part 9525.0016, subpart 2, items A to
E.
new text end

new text begin (d) "Summary data" has the meaning given in Minnesota Statutes, section 13.02,
subdivision 19.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Terms; vacancies. new text end

new text begin (a) Each appointing authority must make appointments
within 30 calendar days following the effective date of this section.
new text end

new text begin (b) The appropriate appointing authority must fill a vacancy on the working group by
appointing a member in a manner that will preserve the representation of the standing
legislative committees and counties listed in subdivision 2.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Compensation. new text end

new text begin Legislative members may receive per-diem compensation and
reimbursement for expenses according to the rules of their respective bodies. Other members
of the working group are eligible for per-diem compensation as provided under Minnesota
Statutes, section 15.059, subdivision 3.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Chair; convening. new text end

new text begin (a) One member appointed by the senate majority leader
must convene the first working group meeting on or before August 15, 2026. The working
group must meet at least monthly.
new text end

new text begin (b) Working group meetings must be open to the public.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Administrative support. new text end

new text begin (a) The Legislative Coordinating Commission must
provide meeting space, technical and administrative support, and staff support for the
working group. The working group may hold meetings in any publicly accessible location
in the Capitol complex that is equipped with technology that can facilitate remote testimony.
new text end

new text begin (b) The working group may hold meetings outside the Capitol complex, including in
rural areas of the state, at the times and places it designates to gather input directly from
self-advocates with intellectual or developmental disabilities, families of people with
intellectual or developmental disabilities, legal guardians, counties, and disability service
providers.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 8. new text end

new text begin Working group duties; fact finding, research, and recommendations. new text end

new text begin The
members of the working group must:
new text end

new text begin (1) develop expertise and knowledge about the characteristics of people with intellectual
or developmental disabilities;
new text end

new text begin (2) review state and county data, including demographic summary data, related to
disability services for adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities to identify service
shortcomings and gaps related to case management, housing, work options, transportation,
availability of qualified direct support professionals, life enrichment opportunities, and day
services;
new text end

new text begin (3) review data to identify long-term educational needs; and
new text end

new text begin (4) review data to identify how many people with intellectual or developmental disabilities
live with aging family members.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 9. new text end

new text begin Report. new text end

new text begin By January 1, 2027, the working group must submit a written report
with recommendations to the standing legislative committees of the senate and house of
representatives from which the working group membership is drawn according to subdivision
2. The report must include:
new text end

new text begin (1) a summary of the working group's work;
new text end

new text begin (2) an itemized list with descriptions of identified disability services gaps and
shortcomings in 87 counties; and
new text end

new text begin (3) recommendations for future use of demographic data in making decisions related to
programs and disability services for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2026.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATION; LEGISLATIVE WORKING GROUP ON
INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES.
new text end

new text begin $....... in fiscal year 2027 is appropriated from the general fund to the Legislative
Coordinating Commission for the legislative working group on intellectual and developmental
disabilities. This is a onetime appropriation.
new text end