HF 1152

1st Engrossment - 89th Legislature (2015 - 2016) Posted on 03/27/2015 08:32am

A bill for an act
relating to health; establishing a work group to review and make recommendations
on vaccinating and screening home care employees; appropriating money.

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

Section 1. new text begin WORKING GROUP ON PREVENTING INFECTIOUS DISEASE
AMONG HOME CARE AGENCY EMPLOYEES.
new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner of health shall convene a working group to review the current
federal and state regulatory and safety processes in place which impact vaccination rates
among employees of Minnesota's licensed-only home care providers for hepatitis B and
influenza, and screening for tuberculosis. The purpose of the working group is to develop
and recommend methods to reduce the costs of vaccinating and screening home care
employees and to enable licensed home care agencies to more efficiently meet the state's
infection control requirements and public health objectives.
new text end

new text begin (b) The working group shall consider and report on the costs, risks, and benefits
of the following options:
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new text begin (1) a contract between the commissioner and a third-party entity to provide these
services to all licensed home care agencies;
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new text begin (2) funding for local public health boards in select regions to perform necessary
vaccinations for this workforce;
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new text begin (3) home care providers obtaining stock supplies of tuberculin, hepatitis B vaccine,
and influenza vaccine, and providing this service directly to the provider's workforce; and
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new text begin (4) no change in law or policy.
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new text begin (c) The review must consider the extent to which changes to Minnesota Statutes or
Minnesota Rules are necessary to achieve these purposes.
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new text begin (d) Membership shall include:
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new text begin (1) the commissioner of health;
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new text begin (2) the commissioner of human services;
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new text begin (3) a representative selected by the Minnesota Board of Nursing;
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new text begin (4) a representative selected by the Minnesota Board of Pharmacy;
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new text begin (5) a representative selected by the Minnesota Board of Medicine;
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new text begin (6) two representatives selected by associations representing licensed home care
providers;
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new text begin (7) a Minnesota Occupational Safety and Health Administration representative;
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new text begin (8) a representative of a statewide medical association;
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new text begin (9) a representative of a statewide nursing association;
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new text begin (10) a representative of a statewide public health association; and
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new text begin (11) other interested stakeholders that the commissioner deems necessary for the
working group.
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new text begin (e) The commissioner shall report the results of the working group to the legislative
committees in the house of representatives and the senate with jurisdiction over health
and human services by February 15, 2016.
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new text begin (f) The working group sunsets 60 days after the commissioner submits the report
required under paragraph (e).
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new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
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Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATION.
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new text begin $....... in fiscal year 2016 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner
of health for the working group on infectious disease prevention among home care agency
employees. This is a onetime appropriation.
new text end