as introduced - 91st Legislature (2019 - 2020) Posted on 03/11/2020 03:07pm
A bill for an act
relating to human services; establishing the Direct Care Service Corps; requiring
a report; appropriating money.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
new text begin
HealthForce Minnesota must develop a pilot project
establishing the Minnesota Direct Care Service Corps. The pilot program must utilize
financial incentives to attract postsecondary students to work as personal care assistants.
HealthForce Minnesota must establish the financial incentives and minimum work
requirements to be eligible for incentive payments. The financial incentive must increase
with each semester that the student participates in the Minnesota Direct Care Service Corps.
new text end
new text begin
(a) Pilot sites must include one postsecondary institution in the
seven-county metropolitan area and at least one postsecondary institution outside of the
seven-county metropolitan area. If more than one postsecondary institution outside the
metropolitan area is selected, one must be located in northern Minnesota and the other must
be located in southern Minnesota.
new text end
new text begin
(b) Each pilot site must assist students in utilizing specialized job placement websites
to connect students with potential employers. After satisfactorily completing the work
requirements for a semester, the pilot site or its fiscal agent must pay students the financial
incentive developed for the pilot project.
new text end
new text begin
(a) HealthForce Minnesota must evaluate the pilot
project's impact on health care costs, retention of personal care assistants, and patient's and
provider's satisfaction of care. The evaluation must include the number of participants, the
hours of care provided by participants, and the retention of participants from semester to
semester.
new text end
new text begin
(b) By January 4, 2022, HealthForce Minnesota must report the findings under paragraph
(a) to the chairs and ranking members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over
human services policy and finance.
new text end
new text begin
$200,000 is appropriated in fiscal year 2020 from the general fund to the commissioner
of human services for a grant to HealthForce Minnesota for purposes of section 1. Up to
$25,000 may be used by HealthForce Minnesota for administrative costs. Any unencumbered
balance does not cancel but is available through June 30, 2021.
new text end