SF 1202

as introduced - 93rd Legislature (2023 - 2024) Posted on 08/03/2023 10:32am

A bill for an act
relating to human services; requiring a report on feasibility of a demonstration
project to continue to offer program benefits during a transition period.

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

Section 1. new text begin REPORT ON A TRANSITIONAL BENEFIT DEMONSTRATION
PROJECT.
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new text begin (a) By January 15, 2024, the commissioner of human services shall report to the chairs
and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over health
and human services policy and finance on the feasibility of a demonstration project that
continues to offer human services program benefits to individuals no longer eligible for
those programs during a transition period to reduce benefit cliffs and incentivize those
individuals to take advantage of career advancement opportunities. In the report, the
commissioner shall evaluate the health care, income assistance, and social service programs
administered by the Department of Human Services, and designate qualified human services
programs for which it is feasible to continue benefits for individuals who lose program
eligibility due to increased employment income.
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new text begin (b) In determining whether the demonstration project is feasible, the commissioner shall
evaluate and, as applicable, provide recommendations on:
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new text begin (1) the qualified human services programs that would be part of the demonstration
project;
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new text begin (2) the income and time limits beyond which former enrollees of a program would no
longer receive transition benefits, including whether a standard income limit would apply
across all qualified human services programs;
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new text begin (3) the number and characteristics of counties that would participate in the demonstration
project;
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new text begin (4) the changes to program benefits, premiums, and cost-sharing for former and current
program enrollees necessary to ensure that the demonstration project is budget neutral;
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new text begin (5) any federal waivers, law changes, and approvals necessary to include each qualified
human services program in the demonstration project; and
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new text begin (6) evaluation criteria and an evaluation process for the demonstration project.
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new text begin (c) In identifying qualified human services programs for possible inclusion in the
demonstration project, the commissioner must, at a minimum, evaluate the following
programs: medical assistance, MinnesotaCare, the Minnesota family investment program,
the diversionary work program, general assistance, housing support, the child care assistance
program, and programs financed through behavioral health fund payments.
new text end