HF 2458

as introduced - 89th Legislature (2015 - 2016) Posted on 03/10/2016 05:19pm

A bill for an act
relating to human services; creating an Office of Eligibility Services; proposing
coding for new law as Minnesota Statutes, chapter 256R.

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

Section 1.

new text begin [256R.01] OFFICE OF ELIGIBILITY SERVICES.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Creation. new text end

new text begin A state Office of Eligibility Services is created.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Director. new text end

new text begin (a) The office shall be under the direction of a director who
shall be appointed by the governor, with the advice and consent of the senate, for a term
ending on June 30 of the sixth calendar year after appointment. Senate confirmation of
the director shall be as provided by section 15.066. The director shall appoint deputies
to serve in the office as necessary to fulfill the duties of the office. The director may
delegate to a subordinate employee the exercise of a specified statutory power or duty,
subject to the control of the director. Every delegation must be by written order filed
with the secretary of state.
new text end

new text begin (b) The director shall be in the unclassified service, but may be removed only for
cause.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Duties. new text end

new text begin (a) The director of eligibility services shall determine initial and
ongoing client eligibility for:
new text end

new text begin (1) social service and income assistance programs administered under chapters 256,
256D, 256E, 256F, 256I, 256J, 256K, 256N, and 256P;
new text end

new text begin (2) mental health and chemical dependency programs administered under chapters
245, 253C, 254A, and 254B;
new text end

new text begin (3) health care programs administered under chapters 256, 256B, and 256L;
new text end

new text begin (4) programs for persons with disabilities administered under chapters 245D, 248,
252, 256C, and 256Q;
new text end

new text begin (5) student higher education grant, loan, and assistance programs administered
under chapter 136A;
new text end

new text begin (6) student prekindergarten through grade 12 scholarship, nutrition, and assistance
programs administered under chapters 119A to 127A; and
new text end

new text begin (7) housing assistance programs administered under chapters 462A and 462C.
new text end

new text begin (b) The director of eligibility services shall work with the commissioners of the
relevant state agencies and directors of relevant local agencies to coordinate eligibility
determination for the programs listed in paragraph (a) with program operations, and to
streamline, simplify, and consolidate the application and renewal process for persons
seeking or receiving assistance through the programs.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin TRANSFER OF DUTIES.
new text end

new text begin (a) Minnesota Statutes, section 15.039, applies to the transfer of duties required by
Minnesota Statutes, chapter 256R.
new text end

new text begin (b) The commissioner of administration, with approval of the governor, may issue
reorganization orders under Minnesota Statutes, section 16B.37, as necessary to carry out
the transfer of duties required by Minnesota Statutes, chapter 256R. The provision of
Minnesota Statutes, section 16B.37, subdivision 1, stating that transfers under that section
may be made only to an agency that has been in existence for at least one year does not
apply to transfers to an agency created by Minnesota Statutes, chapter 256R.
new text end

Sec. 3. new text begin CONFORMING STATUTORY CHANGES.
new text end

new text begin The revisor of statutes, in consultation with the house of representatives and senate
staff and representatives of relevant state and local agencies, shall prepare a bill for
introduction in the 2017 legislative session proposing the statutory changes needed to
implement the transfers of duties required by Minnesota Statutes, chapter 256R.
new text end

Sec. 4. new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE.
new text end

new text begin Sections 1 to 3 are effective July 1, 2017.
new text end