1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to human services; modifying foster care licensing for individuals with 
1.3 	autism;amending Laws 2012, chapter 247, article 5, section 7.
1.4 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.5 	Section 1. Laws 2012, chapter 247, article 5, section 7, is amended to read:
1.6 	Sec. 7. FOSTER CARE FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH AUTISM.
 1.7 	The commissioner of human services shall identify and coordinate with one or more 
1.8 	counties that agree to issue a where population density and need are the greatest, to identify 
1.9 	up to nine foster care license licenses and authorize funding for people to serve children 
1.10 	and young adults up to age 25 who are diagnosed with autism who are currently receiving 
1.11 	home and community-based services under Minnesota Statutes, section 256B.092 or 
1.12 	256B.49 spectrum disorder as defined by diagnostic code 299.00 in the Diagnostic and 
1.13 	Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V) and who need out-of-home placement. 
1.14 	Children eligible under this section must be in an approved for out-of-home placement 
1.15 	approved by the lead agency that has legal responsibility for the placement and either be 
1.16 	in an out-of-home placement or waiting for placement. Nothing in this section must be 
1.17 	construed as restricting an individual's choice of provider. The commissioner will assist 
1.18 	the interested county or counties with obtaining necessary capacity within the moratorium 
1.19 	under Minnesota Statutes, section 245A.03, subdivision 7. The commissioner shall 
1.20 	coordinate with the interested counties and issue a request for information to identify 
1.21 	providers who have the training and skills to meet the needs of the individuals identified in 
1.22 	this section. The commissioner shall have oversight of placements of individuals with 
1.23 	autism in foster care and shall report to the senate and house of representatives committees 
2.1 	and divisions with jurisdiction over human services policy regarding the implementation 
2.2 	and outcomes of this section by February 1, 2016.