HF 4049

as introduced - 92nd Legislature (2021 - 2022) Posted on 03/07/2022 03:01pm

A bill for an act
relating to human services; creating a legislative study group on restructuring the
Department of Human Services; requiring a report.

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

Section 1. new text begin LEGISLATIVE STUDY GROUP ON RESTRUCTURING THE
DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES.
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new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Establishment. new text end

new text begin A 12-member legislative study group is established to
prepare a plan to restructure the Department of Human Services.
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new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Members. new text end

new text begin (a) The legislative study group on restructuring the Department of
Human Services includes:
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new text begin (1) six duly elected and currently serving members of the house of representatives, three
appointed by the speaker of the house and three appointed by the house minority leader,
and one of whom must be the current chair of the house of representatives Human Services
Finance and Policy Committee;
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new text begin (2) six duly elected and currently serving senators, three appointed by the senate majority
leader and three appointed by the senate minority leader, one of whom must be the current
chair of the senate Human Services Reform Finance and Policy Committee; and
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new text begin (3) the legislative auditor or a designee as an ex officio member.
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new text begin (b) The appointments must be made by July 1, 2022, and expire January 31, 2024.
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new text begin (c) If a vacancy occurs, the leader of the caucus in the house of representatives or senate
to which the vacating study group member belonged must fill the vacancy.
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new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Duties. new text end

new text begin The study group must prepare a plan to restructure the Department of
Human services and provide a report to the legislature as required under subdivision 8. In
preparing the plan, the study group must consider:
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new text begin (1) current Department of Human Services functions and related functions performed
by other state agencies;
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new text begin (2) policy considerations related to agency restructuring including but not limited to:
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new text begin (i) coordination and control of programs;
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new text begin (ii) accountability;
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new text begin (iii) continuity of services;
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new text begin (iv) budget and policy priorities;
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new text begin (v) the effect on clients and counties; and
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new text begin (vi) administrative efficiencies; and
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new text begin (3) information on how human services agencies are structured in other states.
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new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Meetings. new text end

new text begin (a) The chair of the house Human Services Finance and Policy
Committee shall convene the first meeting of the study group no later than August 1, 2022.
The study group must meet periodically.
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new text begin (b) Meetings of the study group are subject to Minnesota Statutes, chapter 13D.
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new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Chairperson. new text end

new text begin The study group shall elect a chair or cochairs from among the
members at the first meeting.
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new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Administrative support. new text end

new text begin The Legislative Coordinating Commission shall
provide technical and administrative support upon request.
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new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Consultation with stakeholders. new text end

new text begin In preparing a plan to restructure the
Department of Human Services, the study group must consult with interested and affected
stakeholders including but not limited to:
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new text begin (1) the commissioner of human services or a designee;
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new text begin (2) the Minnesota Association of County Social Service Administrators;
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new text begin (3) the Association of Minnesota Counties;
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new text begin (4) health maintenance organizations;
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new text begin (5) primary care providers who serve public program enrollees;
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new text begin (6) the Minnesota Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities;
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new text begin (7) the Council on Disability;
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new text begin (8) organizations advocating on behalf of the elderly;
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new text begin (9) organizations advocating on behalf of children and child welfare issues;
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new text begin (10) organizations advocating on behalf of persons with mental illness; and
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new text begin (11) organizations advocating on behalf of persons in need of economic supports.
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new text begin Subd. 8. new text end

new text begin Report. new text end

new text begin The study group must report to the legislative committees and divisions
with jurisdiction over state government finance and policy and human services finance and
policy with a plan to restructure the Department of Human Services by January 31, 2024.
The study group shall include in the plan submitted to the legislature any draft legislation
necessary to implement the plan.
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new text begin Subd. 9. new text end

new text begin Expiration. new text end

new text begin The study group under this section expires on January 31, 2024,
or on the date upon which the report required under subdivision 8 is submitted to the
legislature, whichever is later.
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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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