SF 234

4th Engrossment - 80th Legislature (1997 - 1998) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

  1.1                          A bill for an act 
  1.2             relating to human services; adding provisions for 
  1.3             licensing programs; imposing and modifying civil 
  1.4             penalties; amending Minnesota Statutes 1996, sections 
  1.5             144.057, subdivision 1; 144A.46, subdivision 5; 
  1.6             245A.02, subdivisions 15, 16, and 17, and by adding 
  1.7             subdivisions; 245A.03, subdivision 2; 245A.04, 
  1.8             subdivisions 3, 3a, 3b, 3c, 4, 5, 6, 7, and by adding 
  1.9             a subdivision; 245A.06, subdivisions 1, 3, 4, 5, 5a, 
  1.10            6, and 7; 245A.07, subdivisions 1 and 3; 245A.08, 
  1.11            subdivisions 1 and 2; 245A.09, subdivision 7; 245A.11, 
  1.12            subdivision 2; 245A.16, subdivision 2; 256E.115; and 
  1.13            364.09; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota 
  1.14            Statutes, chapter 245A; repealing Minnesota Statutes 
  1.15            1996, sections 245A.091; 245A.20; 245A.21; and 252.53; 
  1.16            Laws 1996, chapter 408, article 10, section 13; 
  1.17            Minnesota Rules, parts 4668.0020; 9503.0170, subpart 
  1.18            7; 9525.0215; 9525.0225; 9525.0235; 9525.0243; 
  1.19            9525.0245; 9525.0255; 9525.0265; 9525.0275; 9525.0285; 
  1.20            9525.0295; 9525.0305; 9525.0315; 9525.0325; 9525.0335; 
  1.21            9525.0345; 9525.0355; 9525.0500; 9525.0510; 9525.0520; 
  1.22            9525.0530; 9525.0540; 9525.0550; 9525.0560; 9525.0570; 
  1.23            9525.0580; 9525.0590; 9525.0600; 9525.0610; 9525.0620; 
  1.24            9525.0630; 9525.0640; 9525.0650; 9525.0660; 9525.1240, 
  1.25            subpart 1, item E, subitem (6); 9525.1500; 9525.1510; 
  1.26            9525.1520; 9525.1530; 9525.1540; 9525.1550; 9525.1560; 
  1.27            9525.1570; 9525.1590; 9525.1610; 9525.1620; 9525.1630; 
  1.28            9525.1640; 9525.1650; 9525.1660; 9525.1670; 9525.1680; 
  1.29            9525.1690; 9525.2000; 9525.2010; 9525.2020; 9525.2025; 
  1.30            9525.2030; 9525.2040; 9525.2050; 9525.2060; 9525.2070; 
  1.31            9525.2080; 9525.2090; 9525.2100; 9525.2110; 9525.2120; 
  1.32            9525.2130; 9525.2140; 9543.3070; 9555.8000; 9555.8100; 
  1.33            9555.8200; 9555.8300; 9555.8400; and 9555.8500. 
  1.34  BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 
  1.35     Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 144.057, 
  1.36  subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
  1.37     Subdivision 1.  [BACKGROUND STUDIES REQUIRED.] The 
  1.38  commissioner of health shall contract with the commissioner of 
  1.39  human services to conduct background studies of: 
  2.1      (1) individuals providing services which have direct 
  2.2   contact, as defined under section 245A.04, subdivision 3, with 
  2.3   patients and residents in hospitals, boarding care homes, 
  2.4   outpatient surgical centers licensed under sections 144.50 to 
  2.5   144.58; nursing homes and home care agencies licensed under 
  2.6   chapter 144A; residential care homes licensed under chapter 
  2.7   144B, and board and lodging establishments that are registered 
  2.8   to provide supportive or health supervision services under 
  2.9   section 157.17; and 
  2.10     (2) by July 1, 1999, all other employees in nursing homes 
  2.11  licensed under chapter 144A and boarding care homes licensed 
  2.12  under sections 144.50 to 144.58.  A disqualification of an 
  2.13  individual in this section shall disqualify the individual from 
  2.14  positions allowing direct contact or access to patients or 
  2.15  residents receiving services.  
  2.16     If a facility or program is licensed by the department of 
  2.17  human services and subject to the background study provisions of 
  2.18  chapter 245A and is also licensed by the department of health, 
  2.19  the department of human services is solely responsible for the 
  2.20  background studies of individuals in the jointly licensed 
  2.21  programs. 
  2.22     Sec. 2.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 144A.46, 
  2.23  subdivision 5, is amended to read: 
  2.24     Subd. 5.  [PRIOR CRIMINAL CONVICTIONS.] (a) Before the 
  2.25  commissioner issues a license and, as defined in the home care 
  2.26  licensure rules promulgated by the commissioner of health, an 
  2.27  owner or managerial official shall be required to disclose all 
  2.28  criminal convictions have a background study under section 
  2.29  144.057.  These individuals shall be disqualified under the 
  2.30  provisions of chapter 245A.  The commissioner may adopt rules 
  2.31  that may require a person who must disclose criminal convictions 
  2.32  under this subdivision to provide fingerprints and releases that 
  2.33  authorize law enforcement agencies, including the bureau of 
  2.34  criminal apprehension and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, 
  2.35  to release information about the person's criminal convictions 
  2.36  to the commissioner and home care providers.  The bureau of 
  3.1   criminal apprehension, county sheriffs, and local chiefs of 
  3.2   police shall, if requested, provide the commissioner with 
  3.3   criminal conviction data available from local, state, and 
  3.4   national criminal record repositories, including the criminal 
  3.5   justice data communications network.  No person may be involved 
  3.6   in the management, operation, or control of a provider, if the 
  3.7   person has been convicted of a crime that relates to the 
  3.8   provision of home care services or to the position, duties, or 
  3.9   responsibilities undertaken by that person in the operation of 
  3.10  the home care provider, unless the person can provide sufficient 
  3.11  evidence of rehabilitation.  The commissioner shall adopt rules 
  3.12  for determining whether a crime relates to home care services 
  3.13  and what constitutes sufficient evidence of rehabilitation.  The 
  3.14  rules must require consideration of the nature and seriousness 
  3.15  of the crime; the relationship of the crime to the purposes of 
  3.16  home care licensure and regulation; the relationship of the 
  3.17  crime to the ability, capacity, and fitness required to perform 
  3.18  the duties and discharge the responsibilities of the person's 
  3.19  position; mitigating circumstances or social conditions 
  3.20  surrounding the commission of the crime; the length of time 
  3.21  elapsed since the crime was committed; the seriousness of the 
  3.22  risk to the home care client's person or property; and other 
  3.23  factors the commissioner considers appropriate.  Data collected 
  3.24  under this subdivision shall be classified as private data under 
  3.25  section 13.02, subdivision 12. 
  3.26     (b) Employees, contractors, and volunteers of a home care 
  3.27  provider or hospice are subject to the background study required 
  3.28  by section 144.057.  These individuals shall be disqualified 
  3.29  under the provisions of chapter 245A and Minnesota Rules, parts 
  3.30  9543.3000 to 9543.3090.  Until October 1, 1997, grounds for 
  3.31  disqualification shall also include the crimes specified under 
  3.32  Minnesota Rules, part 4668.0020, subpart 14, or a comparable 
  3.33  crime or act in another jurisdiction.  Nothing in this section 
  3.34  shall be construed to prohibit a home care provider from 
  3.35  requiring self-disclosure of criminal conviction information; 
  3.36  however, compliance with the provisions of section 144.057 
  4.1   constitutes compliance with the provisions of Minnesota Rules, 
  4.2   part 4668.0020, subpart 8. 
  4.3      (c) Notwithstanding the provisions of Minnesota Rules, part 
  4.4   4668.0020, subparts 12, 13, and 15, disqualifications under 
  4.5   paragraph (b), removal from a direct care position, and the 
  4.6   process for reconsiderations shall be governed by the provisions 
  4.7   of section 144.057. 
  4.8      (d) Unless superseded by the provisions of section 144.057 
  4.9   or this section, the provisions of Minnesota Rules, part 
  4.10  4668.0020, remain in effect. 
  4.11     (e) (c) Termination of an employee in good faith reliance 
  4.12  on information or records obtained under paragraph (a) or (b) 
  4.13  regarding a confirmed conviction does not subject the home care 
  4.14  provider to civil liability or liability for reemployment 
  4.15  insurance benefits. 
  4.16     Sec. 3.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 245A.02, is 
  4.17  amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
  4.18     Subd. 6b.  [EXPERIENCE.] For purposes of child care 
  4.19  centers, "experience" includes paid or unpaid employment serving 
  4.20  children as a teacher, assistant teacher, aide, or a student 
  4.21  intern in a licensed child care center, in a public or nonpublic 
  4.22  school, or in a program licensed as a family day care or group 
  4.23  family day care provider. 
  4.24     Sec. 4.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 245A.02, 
  4.25  subdivision 15, is amended to read: 
  4.26     Subd. 15.  [RESPITE CARE SERVICES.] "Respite care services" 
  4.27  means temporary services provided to a person due to the absence 
  4.28  or need for relief of the primary caregiver, the person's family 
  4.29  member, or legal representative who is the primary caregiver and 
  4.30  principally responsible for the care and supervision of the 
  4.31  person.  Respite care services are those that provide the level 
  4.32  of supervision and care that is necessary to ensure the health 
  4.33  and safety of the person.  Respite care services do not include 
  4.34  services that are specifically directed toward the training and 
  4.35  habilitation of the person. 
  4.36     Sec. 5.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 245A.02, 
  5.1   subdivision 16, is amended to read: 
  5.2      Subd. 16.  [SCHOOL AGE CHILD.] "School age child," for 
  5.3   programs licensed or required to be licensed as a child care 
  5.4   center, means a child who is at least of sufficient age to have 
  5.5   attended the first day of kindergarten, or is eligible to enter 
  5.6   kindergarten within the next four months, but is younger than 13 
  5.7   years of age.  
  5.8      Sec. 6.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 245A.02, 
  5.9   subdivision 17, is amended to read: 
  5.10     Subd. 17.  [SCHOOL AGE CHILD CARE PROGRAM.] "School age 
  5.11  child care program" means a nonresidential program licensed or 
  5.12  required to be licensed as a child care center, serving more 
  5.13  than ten children with the primary purpose of providing child 
  5.14  care for school age children.  School age child care program 
  5.15  does not include programs such as scouting, boys clubs, girls 
  5.16  clubs, nor sports or art programs. 
  5.17     Sec. 7.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 245A.02, is 
  5.18  amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
  5.19     Subd. 18.  [SUPERVISION.] For purposes of child care 
  5.20  centers, "supervision" means when a program staff person is 
  5.21  within sight and hearing of a child at all times so that the 
  5.22  program staff can intervene to protect the health and safety of 
  5.23  the child.  When an infant is placed in a crib room to sleep, 
  5.24  supervision occurs when a staff person is within sight or 
  5.25  hearing of the infant.  When supervision of a crib room is 
  5.26  provided by sight or hearing, the center must have a plan to 
  5.27  address the other supervision component. 
  5.28     Sec. 8.  [245A.023] [IN-SERVICE TRAINING.] 
  5.29     For purposes of child care centers, in-service training 
  5.30  must be completed within the license period for which it is 
  5.31  required.  In-service training completed by staff persons as 
  5.32  required must be transferable upon a staff person's change in 
  5.33  employment to another child care program.  License holders shall 
  5.34  record all staff in-service training on forms prescribed by the 
  5.35  commissioner of human services. 
  5.36     Sec. 9.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 245A.03, 
  6.1   subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
  6.2      Subd. 2.  [EXCLUSION FROM LICENSURE.] Sections 245A.01 to 
  6.3   245A.16 do not apply to: 
  6.4      (1) residential or nonresidential programs that are 
  6.5   provided to a person by an individual who is related unless the 
  6.6   residential program is a foster care placement made by a local 
  6.7   social services agency or a licensed child-placing agency, 
  6.8   except as provided in subdivision 2a; 
  6.9      (2) nonresidential programs that are provided by an 
  6.10  unrelated individual to persons from a single related family; 
  6.11     (3) residential or nonresidential programs that are 
  6.12  provided to adults who do not abuse chemicals or who do not have 
  6.13  a chemical dependency, a mental illness, mental retardation or a 
  6.14  related condition, a functional impairment, or a physical 
  6.15  handicap; 
  6.16     (4) sheltered workshops or work activity programs that are 
  6.17  certified by the commissioner of economic security; 
  6.18     (5) programs for children enrolled in kindergarten to the 
  6.19  12th grade and prekindergarten special education in a school as 
  6.20  defined in section 120.101, subdivision 4, and programs serving 
  6.21  children in combined special education and regular 
  6.22  prekindergarten programs that are operated or assisted by the 
  6.23  commissioner of children, families, and learning; 
  6.24     (6) nonresidential programs primarily for children that 
  6.25  provide care or supervision, without charge for ten or fewer 
  6.26  days a year, and for periods of less than three hours a day 
  6.27  while the child's parent or legal guardian is in the same 
  6.28  building as the nonresidential program or present within another 
  6.29  building that is directly contiguous to the building in which 
  6.30  the nonresidential program is located; 
  6.31     (7) nursing homes or hospitals licensed by the commissioner 
  6.32  of health except as specified under section 245A.02; 
  6.33     (8) board and lodge facilities licensed by the commissioner 
  6.34  of health that provide services for five or more persons whose 
  6.35  primary diagnosis is mental illness who have refused an 
  6.36  appropriate residential program offered by a county agency.  
  7.1   This exclusion expires on July 1, 1990; 
  7.2      (9) homes providing programs for persons placed there by a 
  7.3   licensed agency for legal adoption, unless the adoption is not 
  7.4   completed within two years; 
  7.5      (10) programs licensed by the commissioner of corrections; 
  7.6      (11) recreation programs for children or adults that 
  7.7   operate for fewer than 40 calendar days in a calendar year or 
  7.8   programs operated by a park and recreation board of a city of 
  7.9   the first class whose primary purpose is to provide social and 
  7.10  recreational activities to school age children, provided the 
  7.11  program is approved by the park and recreation board; 
  7.12     (12) programs operated by a school as defined in section 
  7.13  120.101, subdivision 4, whose primary purpose is to provide 
  7.14  child care to school-age children, provided the program is 
  7.15  approved by the district's school board; 
  7.16     (13) head start nonresidential programs which operate for 
  7.17  less than 31 days in each calendar year; 
  7.18     (14) noncertified boarding care homes unless they provide 
  7.19  services for five or more persons whose primary diagnosis is 
  7.20  mental illness or mental retardation; 
  7.21     (15) nonresidential programs for nonhandicapped children 
  7.22  provided for a cumulative total of less than 30 days in any 
  7.23  12-month period; 
  7.24     (16) residential programs for persons with mental illness, 
  7.25  that are located in hospitals, until the commissioner adopts 
  7.26  appropriate rules; 
  7.27     (17) the religious instruction of school-age children; 
  7.28  Sabbath or Sunday schools; or the congregate care of children by 
  7.29  a church, congregation, or religious society during the period 
  7.30  used by the church, congregation, or religious society for its 
  7.31  regular worship; 
  7.32     (18) camps licensed by the commissioner of health under 
  7.33  Minnesota Rules, chapter 4630; 
  7.34     (19) mental health outpatient services for adults with 
  7.35  mental illness or children with emotional disturbance; 
  7.36     (20) residential programs serving school-age children whose 
  8.1   sole purpose is cultural or educational exchange, until the 
  8.2   commissioner adopts appropriate rules; 
  8.3      (21) unrelated individuals who provide out-of-home respite 
  8.4   care services to persons with mental retardation or related 
  8.5   conditions from a single related family for no more than 90 days 
  8.6   in a 12-month period and the respite care services are for the 
  8.7   temporary relief of the person's family or legal representative; 
  8.8      (22) respite care services provided as a home and 
  8.9   community-based service to a person with mental retardation or a 
  8.10  related condition, in the person's primary residence; 
  8.11     (23) community support services programs as defined in 
  8.12  section 245.462, subdivision 6, and family community support 
  8.13  services as defined in section 245.4871, subdivision 17; or 
  8.14     (24) the placement of a child by a birth parent or legal 
  8.15  guardian in a preadoptive home for purposes of adoption as 
  8.16  authorized by section 259.47. 
  8.17     For purposes of clause (6), a building is directly 
  8.18  contiguous to a building in which a nonresidential program is 
  8.19  located if it shares a common wall with the building in which 
  8.20  the nonresidential program is located or is attached to that 
  8.21  building by skyway, tunnel, atrium, or common roof. 
  8.22     Sec. 10.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 245A.04, 
  8.23  subdivision 3, is amended to read: 
  8.24     Subd. 3.  [BACKGROUND STUDY OF THE APPLICANT.] (a) Before 
  8.25  the commissioner issues a license, the commissioner shall 
  8.26  conduct a study of the individuals specified in paragraph (c), 
  8.27  clauses (1) to (5), according to rules of the commissioner.  
  8.28     Beginning January 1, 1997, the commissioner shall also 
  8.29  conduct a study of employees providing direct contact services 
  8.30  for nonlicensed personal care provider organizations described 
  8.31  in paragraph (c), clause (5). 
  8.32     The commissioner shall recover the cost of these background 
  8.33  studies through a fee of no more than $12 per study charged to 
  8.34  the personal care provider organization.  
  8.35     Beginning August 1, 1997, the commissioner shall conduct 
  8.36  all background studies required under this chapter for adult 
  9.1   foster care providers who are licensed by the commissioner of 
  9.2   human services and registered under chapter 144D.  The 
  9.3   commissioner shall conduct these background studies in 
  9.4   accordance with this chapter.  The commissioner shall initiate a 
  9.5   pilot project to conduct up to 5,000 background studies under 
  9.6   this chapter in programs with joint licensure as home- and 
  9.7   community-based services and adult foster care for people with 
  9.8   developmental disabilities when the license holder does not 
  9.9   reside in the foster care residence. 
  9.10     (b) Beginning July 1, 1997 1998, the commissioner shall 
  9.11  conduct a background study on individuals specified in paragraph 
  9.12  (c), clauses (1) to (5), who perform direct contact services in 
  9.13  a nursing home or a home care agency licensed under chapter 144A 
  9.14  or a boarding care home licensed under sections 144.50 to 
  9.15  144.58, when the subject of the study resides outside Minnesota; 
  9.16  the study must be at least as comprehensive as that of a 
  9.17  Minnesota resident and include a search of information from the 
  9.18  criminal justice data communications network in the state where 
  9.19  the subject of the study resides. 
  9.20     (c) The applicant, license holder, the bureau of criminal 
  9.21  apprehension, the commissioner of health and county agencies, 
  9.22  after written notice to the individual who is the subject of the 
  9.23  study, shall help with the study by giving the commissioner 
  9.24  criminal conviction data and reports about the maltreatment of 
  9.25  adults substantiated under section 626.557 and the maltreatment 
  9.26  of minors in licensed programs substantiated under section 
  9.27  626.556.  The individuals to be studied shall include: 
  9.28     (1) the applicant; 
  9.29     (2) persons over the age of 13 living in the household 
  9.30  where the licensed program will be provided; 
  9.31     (3) current employees or contractors of the applicant who 
  9.32  will have direct contact with persons served by the facility, 
  9.33  agency, or program; 
  9.34     (4) volunteers or student volunteers who have direct 
  9.35  contact with persons served by the program to provide program 
  9.36  services, if the contact is not directly supervised by the 
 10.1   individuals listed in clause (1) or (3); and 
 10.2      (5) any person who, as an individual or as a member of an 
 10.3   organization, exclusively offers, provides, or arranges for 
 10.4   personal care assistant services under the medical assistance 
 10.5   program as authorized under sections 256B.04, subdivision 16, 
 10.6   and 256B.0625, subdivision 19. 
 10.7      The juvenile courts shall also help with the study by 
 10.8   giving the commissioner existing juvenile court records on 
 10.9   individuals described in clause (2) relating to delinquency 
 10.10  proceedings held within either the five years immediately 
 10.11  preceding the application or the five years immediately 
 10.12  preceding the individual's 18th birthday, whichever time period 
 10.13  is longer.  The commissioner shall destroy juvenile records 
 10.14  obtained pursuant to this subdivision when the subject of the 
 10.15  records reaches age 23.  
 10.16     For purposes of this section and Minnesota Rules, part 
 10.17  9543.3070, a finding that a delinquency petition is proven in 
 10.18  juvenile court shall be considered a conviction in state 
 10.19  district court. 
 10.20     For purposes of this subdivision, "direct contact" means 
 10.21  providing face-to-face care, training, supervision, counseling, 
 10.22  consultation, or medication assistance to persons served by a 
 10.23  program.  For purposes of this subdivision, "directly supervised"
 10.24  means an individual listed in clause (1), (3), or (5) is within 
 10.25  sight or hearing of a volunteer to the extent that the 
 10.26  individual listed in clause (1), (3), or (5) is capable at all 
 10.27  times of intervening to protect the health and safety of the 
 10.28  persons served by the program who have direct contact with the 
 10.29  volunteer. 
 10.30     A study of an individual in clauses (1) to (5) shall be 
 10.31  conducted at least upon application for initial license and 
 10.32  reapplication for a license.  The commissioner is not required 
 10.33  to conduct a study of an individual at the time of reapplication 
 10.34  for a license or if the individual has been continuously 
 10.35  affiliated with a foster care provider licensed by the 
 10.36  commissioner of human services and registered under chapter 
 11.1   144D, other than a family day care or foster care license, if:  
 11.2   (i) a study of the individual was conducted either at the time 
 11.3   of initial licensure or when the individual became affiliated 
 11.4   with the license holder; (ii) the individual has been 
 11.5   continuously affiliated with the license holder since the last 
 11.6   study was conducted; and (iii) the procedure described in 
 11.7   paragraph (d) has been implemented and was in effect 
 11.8   continuously since the last study was conducted.  For the 
 11.9   purposes of this section, a physician licensed under chapter 147 
 11.10  is considered to be continuously affiliated upon the license 
 11.11  holder's receipt from the commissioner of health or human 
 11.12  services of the physician's background study results.  For 
 11.13  individuals who are required to have background studies under 
 11.14  clauses (1) to (5) and who have been continuously affiliated 
 11.15  with a foster care provider that is licensed in more than one 
 11.16  county, criminal conviction data may be shared among those 
 11.17  counties in which the foster care programs are licensed.  A 
 11.18  county agency's receipt of criminal conviction data from another 
 11.19  county agency shall meet the criminal data background study 
 11.20  requirements of this section. 
 11.21     The commissioner may also conduct studies on individuals 
 11.22  specified in clauses (3) and (4) when the studies are initiated 
 11.23  by: 
 11.24     (i) personnel pool agencies; 
 11.25     (ii) temporary personnel agencies; 
 11.26     (iii) educational programs that train persons by providing 
 11.27  direct contact services in licensed programs; and 
 11.28     (iv) professional services agencies that are not licensed 
 11.29  and which contract with licensed programs to provide direct 
 11.30  contact services or individuals who provide direct contact 
 11.31  services. 
 11.32     Studies on individuals in items (i) to (iv) must be 
 11.33  initiated annually by these agencies, programs, and 
 11.34  individuals.  Except for personal care provider organizations, 
 11.35  no applicant, license holder, or individual who is the subject 
 11.36  of the study shall pay any fees required to conduct the study. 
 12.1      (1) At the option of the licensed facility, rather than 
 12.2   initiating another background study on an individual required to 
 12.3   be studied who has indicated to the licensed facility that a 
 12.4   background study by the commissioner was previously completed, 
 12.5   the facility may make a request to the commissioner for 
 12.6   documentation of the individual's background study status, 
 12.7   provided that: 
 12.8      (i) the facility makes this request using a form provided 
 12.9   by the commissioner; 
 12.10     (ii) in making the request the facility informs the 
 12.11  commissioner that either: 
 12.12     (A) the individual has been continuously affiliated with a 
 12.13  licensed facility since the individual's previous background 
 12.14  study was completed, or since October 1, 1995, whichever is 
 12.15  shorter; or 
 12.16     (B) the individual is affiliated only with a personnel pool 
 12.17  agency, a temporary personnel agency, an educational program 
 12.18  that trains persons by providing direct contact services in 
 12.19  licensed programs, or a professional services agency that is not 
 12.20  licensed and which contracts with licensed programs to provide 
 12.21  direct contact services or individuals who provide direct 
 12.22  contact services; and 
 12.23     (iii) the facility provides notices to the individual as 
 12.24  required in paragraphs (a) to (d), and that the facility is 
 12.25  requesting written notification of the individual's background 
 12.26  study status from the commissioner.  
 12.27     (2) The commissioner shall respond to each request under 
 12.28  paragraph (1) with a written or electronic notice to the 
 12.29  facility and the study subject.  If the commissioner determines 
 12.30  that a background study is necessary, the study shall be 
 12.31  completed without further request from a licensed agency or 
 12.32  notifications to the study subject.  
 12.33     (3) When a background study is being initiated by a 
 12.34  licensed facility or a foster care provider that is also 
 12.35  registered under chapter 144D, a study subject affiliated with 
 12.36  multiple licensed facilities may attach to the background study 
 13.1   form a cover letter indicating the additional facilities' names, 
 13.2   addresses, and background study identification numbers.  When 
 13.3   the commissioner receives such notices, each facility identified 
 13.4   by the background study subject shall be notified of the study 
 13.5   results.  The background study notice sent to the subsequent 
 13.6   agencies shall satisfy those facilities' responsibilities for 
 13.7   initiating a background study on that individual. 
 13.8      (d) If an individual who is affiliated with a program or 
 13.9   facility regulated by the department of human services or 
 13.10  department of health or who is affiliated with a nonlicensed 
 13.11  personal care provider organization, is convicted of a crime 
 13.12  constituting a disqualification under Minnesota Rules, parts 
 13.13  9543.3000 to 9543.3090 subdivision 3aa, the probation officer or 
 13.14  corrections agent shall notify the commissioner of the 
 13.15  conviction.  The commissioner, in consultation with the 
 13.16  commissioner of corrections, shall develop forms and information 
 13.17  necessary to implement this paragraph and shall provide the 
 13.18  forms and information to the commissioner of corrections for 
 13.19  distribution to local probation officers and corrections 
 13.20  agents.  The commissioner shall inform individuals subject to a 
 13.21  background study that criminal convictions for disqualifying 
 13.22  crimes will be reported to the commissioner by the corrections 
 13.23  system.  A probation officer, corrections agent, or corrections 
 13.24  agency is not civilly or criminally liable for disclosing or 
 13.25  failing to disclose the information required by this paragraph.  
 13.26  Upon receipt of disqualifying information, the commissioner 
 13.27  shall provide the notifications required in subdivision 3a, as 
 13.28  appropriate to agencies on record as having initiated a 
 13.29  background study or making a request for documentation of the 
 13.30  background study status of the individual.  This paragraph does 
 13.31  not apply to family day care and child foster care programs. 
 13.32     (e) The individual who is the subject of the study must 
 13.33  provide the applicant or license holder with sufficient 
 13.34  information to ensure an accurate study including the 
 13.35  individual's first, middle, and last name; home address, city, 
 13.36  county, and state of residence for the past five years; zip 
 14.1   code; sex; date of birth; and driver's license number.  The 
 14.2   applicant or license holder shall provide this information about 
 14.3   an individual in paragraph (c), clauses (1) to (5), on forms 
 14.4   prescribed by the commissioner.  By January 1, 2000, for 
 14.5   background studies conducted by the department of human 
 14.6   services, the commissioner shall implement a system for the 
 14.7   electronic transmission of:  (1) background study information to 
 14.8   the commissioner; and (2) background study results to the 
 14.9   license holder.  The commissioner may request additional 
 14.10  information of the individual, which shall be optional for the 
 14.11  individual to provide, such as the individual's social security 
 14.12  number or race. 
 14.13     (f) Except for child foster care, adult foster care, and 
 14.14  family day care homes, a study must include information related 
 14.15  to names of substantiated perpetrators of maltreatment of 
 14.16  vulnerable adults that has been received by the commissioner as 
 14.17  required under section 626.557, subdivision 9c, paragraph (i), 
 14.18  and the commissioner's records relating to the maltreatment of 
 14.19  minors in licensed programs, information from juvenile courts as 
 14.20  required in paragraph (c) for persons listed in paragraph (c), 
 14.21  clause (2), and information from the bureau of criminal 
 14.22  apprehension.  For child foster care, adult foster care, and 
 14.23  family day care homes, the study must include information from 
 14.24  the county agency's record of substantiated maltreatment of 
 14.25  adults, and the maltreatment of minors, information from 
 14.26  juvenile courts as required in paragraph (c) for persons listed 
 14.27  in paragraph (c), clause (2), and information from the bureau of 
 14.28  criminal apprehension.  The commissioner may also review arrest 
 14.29  and investigative information from the bureau of criminal 
 14.30  apprehension, the commissioner of health, a county attorney, 
 14.31  county sheriff, county agency, local chief of police, other 
 14.32  states, the courts, or the Federal Bureau of Investigation if 
 14.33  the commissioner has reasonable cause to believe the information 
 14.34  is pertinent to the disqualification of an individual listed in 
 14.35  paragraph (c), clauses (1) to (5).  The commissioner is not 
 14.36  required to conduct more than one review of a subject's records 
 15.1   from the Federal Bureau of Investigation if a review of the 
 15.2   subject's criminal history with the Federal Bureau of 
 15.3   Investigation has already been completed by the commissioner and 
 15.4   there has been no break in the subject's affiliation with the 
 15.5   license holder who initiated the background studies. 
 15.6      When the commissioner has reasonable cause to believe that 
 15.7   further pertinent information may exist on the subject, the 
 15.8   subject shall provide a set of classifiable fingerprints 
 15.9   obtained from an authorized law enforcement agency.  For 
 15.10  purposes of requiring fingerprints, the commissioner shall be 
 15.11  considered to have reasonable cause under, but not limited to, 
 15.12  the following circumstances: 
 15.13     (1) information from the bureau of criminal apprehension 
 15.14  indicates that the subject is a multistate offender; 
 15.15     (2) information from the bureau of criminal apprehension 
 15.16  indicates that multistate offender status is undetermined; or 
 15.17     (3) the commissioner has received a report from the subject 
 15.18  or a third party indicating that the subject has a criminal 
 15.19  history in a jurisdiction other than Minnesota. 
 15.20     (g) An applicant's or license holder's failure or refusal 
 15.21  to cooperate with the commissioner is reasonable cause 
 15.22  to disqualify a subject, deny an a license application or 
 15.23  immediately suspend, suspend, or revoke a license.  Failure or 
 15.24  refusal of an individual to cooperate with the study is just 
 15.25  cause for denying or terminating employment of the individual if 
 15.26  the individual's failure or refusal to cooperate could cause the 
 15.27  applicant's application to be denied or the license holder's 
 15.28  license to be immediately suspended, suspended, or revoked. 
 15.29     (h) The commissioner shall not consider an application to 
 15.30  be complete until all of the information required to be provided 
 15.31  under this subdivision has been received.  
 15.32     (i) No person in paragraph (c), clause (1), (2), (3), (4), 
 15.33  or (5) who is disqualified as a result of this section may be 
 15.34  retained by the agency in a position involving direct contact 
 15.35  with persons served by the program. 
 15.36     (j) Termination of persons in paragraph (c), clause (1), 
 16.1   (2), (3), (4), or (5), made in good faith reliance on a notice 
 16.2   of disqualification provided by the commissioner shall not 
 16.3   subject the applicant or license holder to civil liability. 
 16.4      (k) The commissioner may establish records to fulfill the 
 16.5   requirements of this section. 
 16.6      (l) The commissioner may not disqualify an individual 
 16.7   subject to a study under this section because that person has, 
 16.8   or has had, a mental illness as defined in section 245.462, 
 16.9   subdivision 20. 
 16.10     (m) An individual who is subject to an applicant background 
 16.11  study under this section and whose disqualification in 
 16.12  connection with a license would be subject to the limitations on 
 16.13  reconsideration set forth in subdivision 3b, paragraph (c), 
 16.14  shall be disqualified for conviction of the crimes specified in 
 16.15  the manner specified in subdivision 3b, paragraph (c).  The 
 16.16  commissioner of human services shall amend Minnesota Rules, part 
 16.17  9543.3070, to conform to this section. 
 16.18     (n) An individual subject to disqualification under this 
 16.19  subdivision has the applicable rights in subdivision 3a, 3b, or 
 16.20  3c. 
 16.21     Sec. 11.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 245A.04, is 
 16.22  amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
 16.23     Subd. 3aa.  [DISQUALIFICATION.] When a background study 
 16.24  completed under subdivision 3 shows any of the following:  a 
 16.25  conviction of one or more crimes listed in clauses (1) to (4); 
 16.26  the individual has admitted to or a preponderance of the 
 16.27  evidence indicates the individual has committed an act or acts 
 16.28  that meet the definition of any of the crimes listed in clauses 
 16.29  (1) to (4); or an administrative determination listed under 
 16.30  clause (4), the individual shall be disqualified from any 
 16.31  position allowing direct contact with persons receiving services 
 16.32  from the license holder: 
 16.33     (1) regardless of how much time has passed since the 
 16.34  discharge of the sentence imposed for the offense, and unless 
 16.35  otherwise specified, regardless of the level of the conviction, 
 16.36  the individual was convicted of any of the following offenses:  
 17.1   sections 609.185 (murder in the first degree); 609.19 (murder in 
 17.2   the second degree); 609.195 (murder in the third degree); 
 17.3   609.2661 (murder of an unborn child in the first degree); 
 17.4   609.2662 (murder of an unborn child in the second degree); 
 17.5   609.2663 (murder of an unborn child in the third degree); 
 17.6   609.322 (solicitation, inducement, and promotion of 
 17.7   prostitution); 609.323 (receiving profit derived from 
 17.8   prostitution); 609.342 (criminal sexual conduct in the first 
 17.9   degree); 609.343 (criminal sexual conduct in the second degree); 
 17.10  609.344 (criminal sexual conduct in the third degree); 609.345 
 17.11  (criminal sexual conduct in the fourth degree); 609.352 
 17.12  (solicitation of children to engage in sexual conduct); 609.365 
 17.13  (incest); felony offense under 609.377 (malicious punishment of 
 17.14  a child); 617.246 (use of minors in sexual performance 
 17.15  prohibited); 617.247 (possession of pictorial representations of 
 17.16  minors); or attempt or conspiracy to commit any of these 
 17.17  offenses as defined in Minnesota Statutes, or an offense in any 
 17.18  other state or country, where the elements are substantially 
 17.19  similar to any of the offenses listed in this clause; 
 17.20     (2) if less than 15 years have passed since the discharge 
 17.21  of the sentence imposed for the offense; and the individual has 
 17.22  received a felony conviction for a violation of any of these 
 17.23  offenses:  sections 609.20 (manslaughter in the first degree); 
 17.24  609.205 (manslaughter in the second degree); 609.21 (criminal 
 17.25  vehicular homicide and injury); 609.215 (suicide); 609.221 to 
 17.26  609.2231 (assault in the first, second, third, or fourth 
 17.27  degree); repeat offenses under 609.224 (assault in the fifth 
 17.28  degree); 609.2242 and 609.2243 (domestic assault; sentencing; 
 17.29  repeat domestic assault); repeat offenses under 609.3451 
 17.30  (criminal sexual conduct in the fifth degree); 609.713 
 17.31  (terroristic threats); 609.235 (use of drugs to injure or 
 17.32  facilitate crime); 609.24 (simple robbery); 609.245 (aggravated 
 17.33  robbery); 609.25 (kidnapping); 609.255 (false imprisonment); 
 17.34  609.561 (arson in the first degree); 609.562 (arson in the 
 17.35  second degree); 609.563 (arson in the third degree); repeat 
 17.36  offenses under 617.23 (indecent exposure; penalties); repeat 
 18.1   offenses under 617.241 (obscene materials and performances; 
 18.2   distribution and exhibition prohibited; penalty); 609.71 (riot); 
 18.3   609.66 (dangerous weapons); 609.67 (machine guns and 
 18.4   short-barreled shotguns); 609.749 (harassment; stalking; 
 18.5   penalties); 609.228 (great bodily harm caused by distribution of 
 18.6   drugs); 609.2325 (criminal abuse of a vulnerable adult); 
 18.7   609.2664 (manslaughter of an unborn child in the first degree); 
 18.8   609.2665 (manslaughter of an unborn child in the second degree); 
 18.9   609.267 (assault of an unborn child in the first degree); 
 18.10  609.2671 (assault of an unborn child in the second degree); 
 18.11  609.268 (injury or death of an unborn child in the commission of 
 18.12  a crime); 609.378 (neglect or endangerment of a child); 609.324, 
 18.13  subdivision 1 (other prohibited acts); 609.52 (theft); 609.2335 
 18.14  (financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult); 609.521 
 18.15  (possession of shoplifting gear); 609.582 (burglary); 609.625 
 18.16  (aggravated forgery); 609.63 (forgery); 609.631 (check forgery; 
 18.17  offering a forged check); 609.635 (obtaining signature by false 
 18.18  pretense); 609.27 (coercion); 609.275 (attempt to coerce); 
 18.19  609.687 (adulteration); 260.221 (grounds for termination of 
 18.20  parental rights); and chapter 152 (drugs; controlled 
 18.21  substance).  An attempt or conspiracy to commit any of these 
 18.22  offenses, as each of these offenses is defined in Minnesota 
 18.23  Statutes; or an offense in any other state or country, the 
 18.24  elements of which are substantially similar to the elements of 
 18.25  the offenses in this clause.  If the individual studied is 
 18.26  convicted of one of the felonies listed in this clause, but the 
 18.27  sentence is a gross misdemeanor or misdemeanor disposition, the 
 18.28  look-back period for the conviction is the period applicable to 
 18.29  the disposition, that is the period for gross misdemeanors or 
 18.30  misdemeanors; 
 18.31     (3) if less than ten years have passed since the discharge 
 18.32  of the sentence imposed for the offense; and the individual has 
 18.33  received a gross misdemeanor conviction for a violation of any 
 18.34  of the following offenses:  sections 609.224 (assault in the 
 18.35  fifth degree); 609.2242 and 609.2243 (domestic assault); 
 18.36  violation of an order for protection under 518B.01, subdivision 
 19.1   14; 609.3451 (criminal sexual conduct in the fifth degree); 
 19.2   repeat offenses under 609.746 (interference with privacy); 
 19.3   repeat offenses under 617.23 (indecent exposure); 617.241 
 19.4   (obscene materials and performances); 617.243 (indecent 
 19.5   literature, distribution); 617.293 (harmful materials; 
 19.6   dissemination and display to minors prohibited); 609.71 (riot); 
 19.7   609.66 (dangerous weapons); 609.749 (harassment; stalking; 
 19.8   penalties); 609.224, subdivision 2, paragraph (c) (assault in 
 19.9   the fifth degree by a caregiver against a vulnerable adult); 
 19.10  609.23 (mistreatment of persons confined); 609.231 (mistreatment 
 19.11  of residents or patients); 609.2325 (criminal abuse of a 
 19.12  vulnerable adult); 609.233 (criminal neglect of a vulnerable 
 19.13  adult); 609.2335 (financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult); 
 19.14  609.234 (failure to report maltreatment of a vulnerable adult); 
 19.15  609.72, subdivision 3 (disorderly conduct against a vulnerable 
 19.16  adult); 609.265 (abduction); 609.378 (neglect or endangerment of 
 19.17  a child); 609.377 (malicious punishment of a child); 609.324, 
 19.18  subdivision 1a (other prohibited acts; minor engaged in 
 19.19  prostitution); 609.33 (disorderly house); 609.52 (theft); 
 19.20  609.582 (burglary); 609.631 (check forgery; offering a forged 
 19.21  check); 609.275 (attempt to coerce); or an attempt or conspiracy 
 19.22  to commit any of these offenses, as each of these offenses is 
 19.23  defined in Minnesota Statutes; or an offense in any other state 
 19.24  or country, the elements of which are substantially similar to 
 19.25  the elements of any of the offenses listed in this clause.  If 
 19.26  the defendant is convicted of one of the gross misdemeanors 
 19.27  listed in this clause, but the sentence is a misdemeanor 
 19.28  disposition, the look-back period for the conviction is the 
 19.29  period applicable to misdemeanors; 
 19.30     (4) if less than seven years have passed since the 
 19.31  discharge of the sentence imposed for the offense; and the 
 19.32  individual has received a misdemeanor conviction for a violation 
 19.33  of any of the following offenses:  sections 609.224 (assault in 
 19.34  the fifth degree); 609.2242 (domestic assault); violation of an 
 19.35  order for protection under 518B.01 (domestic abuse act); 
 19.36  violation of an order for protection under 609.3232 (protective 
 20.1   order authorized; procedures; penalties); 609.746 (interference 
 20.2   with privacy); 609.79 (obscene or harassing phone calls); 
 20.3   609.795 (letter, telegram, or package; opening; harassment); 
 20.4   617.23 (indecent exposure; penalties); 609.2672 (assault of an 
 20.5   unborn child in the third degree); 617.293 (harmful materials; 
 20.6   dissemination and display to minors prohibited); 609.66 
 20.7   (dangerous weapons); 609.665 (spring guns); 609.2335 (financial 
 20.8   exploitation of a vulnerable adult); 609.234 (failure to report 
 20.9   maltreatment of a vulnerable adult); 609.52 (theft); 609.27 
 20.10  (coercion); or an attempt or conspiracy to commit any of these 
 20.11  offenses, as each of these offenses is defined in Minnesota 
 20.12  Statutes; or an offense in any other state or country, the 
 20.13  elements of which are substantially similar to the elements of 
 20.14  any of the offenses listed in this clause; failure to make 
 20.15  required reports under section 626.556, subdivision 3, or 
 20.16  626.557, subdivision 3, for incidents in which:  (i) the final 
 20.17  disposition under section 626.556 or 626.557 was substantiated 
 20.18  maltreatment, and (ii) the maltreatment was recurring or 
 20.19  serious; or substantiated serious or recurring maltreatment of a 
 20.20  minor under section 626.556 or of a vulnerable adult under 
 20.21  section 626.557 for which there is a preponderance of evidence 
 20.22  that the maltreatment occurred, and that the subject was 
 20.23  responsible for the maltreatment.  For the purposes of this 
 20.24  section, serious maltreatment means sexual abuse; maltreatment 
 20.25  resulting in death; or maltreatment resulting in serious injury 
 20.26  which reasonably requires the care of a physician whether or not 
 20.27  the care of a physician was sought, including:  bruises, bites, 
 20.28  skin laceration or tissue damage; fractures; dislocations; 
 20.29  evidence of internal injuries; head injuries with loss of 
 20.30  consciousness; extensive second-degree or third-degree burns and 
 20.31  other burns for which complications are present; irreversible 
 20.32  mobility or avulsion of teeth; injuries to the eyeball; 
 20.33  ingestion of foreign substances and objects that are harmful; 
 20.34  near drowning; and heat exhaustion or sunstroke.  For the 
 20.35  purposes of this section, recurring maltreatment means more than 
 20.36  one incident of maltreatment for which there is a preponderance 
 21.1   of evidence that the maltreatment occurred, and that the subject 
 21.2   was responsible for the maltreatment. 
 21.3      Sec. 12.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 245A.04, 
 21.4   subdivision 3a, is amended to read: 
 21.5      Subd. 3a.  [NOTIFICATION TO SUBJECT AND LICENSE HOLDER OF 
 21.6   STUDY RESULTS; DETERMINATION OF RISK OF HARM.] (a) The 
 21.7   commissioner shall notify the applicant or license holder and 
 21.8   the individual who is the subject of the study, in writing or by 
 21.9   electronic transmission, of the results of the study.  When the 
 21.10  study is completed, a notice that the study was undertaken and 
 21.11  completed shall be maintained in the personnel files of the 
 21.12  program. 
 21.13     The commissioner shall notify the individual studied if the 
 21.14  information in the study indicates the individual is 
 21.15  disqualified from direct contact with persons served by the 
 21.16  program.  The commissioner shall disclose the 
 21.17  information causing disqualification and instructions on how to 
 21.18  request a reconsideration of the disqualification to the 
 21.19  individual studied.  An applicant or license holder who is not 
 21.20  the subject of the study shall be informed that the commissioner 
 21.21  has found information that disqualifies the subject from direct 
 21.22  contact with persons served by the program.  However, the 
 21.23  applicant or license holder shall not be told what that 
 21.24  information is only the individual studied must be informed of 
 21.25  the information contained in the subject's background study 
 21.26  unless the only basis for the disqualification is failure to 
 21.27  cooperate, the data practices act provides for release of the 
 21.28  information, or the individual studied authorizes the release of 
 21.29  the information. 
 21.30     (b) If the commissioner determines that the individual 
 21.31  studied has a disqualifying characteristic, the commissioner 
 21.32  shall review the information immediately available and make a 
 21.33  determination as to the subject's immediate risk of harm to 
 21.34  persons served by the program where the individual studied will 
 21.35  have direct contact.  The commissioner shall consider all 
 21.36  relevant information available, including the following factors 
 22.1   in determining the immediate risk of harm:  the recency of the 
 22.2   disqualifying characteristic, the recency of discharge from 
 22.3   probation for the crimes; the number of disqualifying 
 22.4   characteristics; the intrusiveness or violence of the 
 22.5   disqualifying characteristic; the vulnerability of the victim 
 22.6   involved in the disqualifying characteristic; and the similarity 
 22.7   of the victim to the persons served by the program where the 
 22.8   individual studied will have direct contact.  The commissioner 
 22.9   may determine that the evaluation of the information immediately 
 22.10  available gives the commissioner reason to believe one of the 
 22.11  following: 
 22.12     (1) The individual poses an imminent risk of harm to 
 22.13  persons served by the program where the individual studied will 
 22.14  have direct contact.  If the commissioner determines that an 
 22.15  individual studied poses an imminent risk of harm to persons 
 22.16  served by the program where the individual studied will have 
 22.17  direct contact, the individual and the license holder must be 
 22.18  sent a notice of disqualification.  The commissioner shall order 
 22.19  the license holder to immediately remove the individual studied 
 22.20  from direct contact.  The notice to the individual studied must 
 22.21  include an explanation of the basis of this determination. 
 22.22     (2) The individual poses a risk of harm requiring 
 22.23  continuous supervision while providing direct contact services 
 22.24  during the period in which the subject may request a 
 22.25  reconsideration.  If the commissioner determines that an 
 22.26  individual studied poses a risk of harm that requires continuous 
 22.27  supervision, the individual and the license holder must be sent 
 22.28  a notice of disqualification.  The commissioner shall order the 
 22.29  license holder to immediately remove the individual studied from 
 22.30  direct contact services or assure that the individual studied is 
 22.31  within sight or hearing of another staff person when providing 
 22.32  direct contact services during the period in which the 
 22.33  individual may request a reconsideration of the 
 22.34  disqualification.  If the individual studied does not submit a 
 22.35  timely request for reconsideration, or the individual submits a 
 22.36  timely request for reconsideration, but the disqualification is 
 23.1   not set aside for that license holder, the license holder will 
 23.2   be notified of the disqualification and ordered to immediately 
 23.3   remove the individual from any position allowing direct contact 
 23.4   with persons receiving services from the license holder. 
 23.5      (3) The individual does not pose an imminent risk of harm 
 23.6   or a risk of harm requiring continuous supervision while 
 23.7   providing direct contact services during the period in which the 
 23.8   subject may request a reconsideration.  If the commissioner 
 23.9   determines that an individual studied does not pose a risk of 
 23.10  harm that requires continuous supervision, only the individual 
 23.11  must be sent a notice of disqualification.  The license holder 
 23.12  must be sent a notice that more time is needed to complete the 
 23.13  individual's background study.  If the individual studied 
 23.14  submits a timely request for reconsideration, and if the 
 23.15  disqualification is set aside for that license holder, the 
 23.16  license holder will receive the same notification received by 
 23.17  license holders in cases where the individual studied has no 
 23.18  disqualifying characteristic.  If the individual studied does 
 23.19  not submit a timely request for reconsideration, or the 
 23.20  individual submits a timely request for reconsideration, but the 
 23.21  disqualification is not set aside for that license holder, the 
 23.22  license holder will be notified of the disqualification and 
 23.23  ordered to immediately remove the individual from any position 
 23.24  allowing direct contact with persons receiving services from the 
 23.25  license holder. 
 23.26     Sec. 13.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 245A.04, 
 23.27  subdivision 3b, is amended to read: 
 23.28     Subd. 3b.  [RECONSIDERATION OF DISQUALIFICATION.] (a) 
 23.29  Within 30 days after receiving notice of disqualification under 
 23.30  subdivision 3a, The individual who is the subject of the study 
 23.31  disqualification may request a reconsideration of the notice of 
 23.32  disqualification.  
 23.33     The individual must submit the request for reconsideration 
 23.34  to the commissioner in writing.  A request for reconsideration 
 23.35  for an individual who has been sent a notice of disqualification 
 23.36  under subdivision 3a, paragraph (b), clause (1) or (2), must be 
 24.1   submitted within 30 calendar days of the disqualified 
 24.2   individual's receipt of the notice of disqualification.  A 
 24.3   request for reconsideration for an individual who has been sent 
 24.4   a notice of disqualification under subdivision 3a, paragraph 
 24.5   (b), clause (3), must be submitted within 15 calendar days of 
 24.6   the disqualified individual's receipt of the notice of 
 24.7   disqualification.  Removal of a disqualified individual from 
 24.8   direct contact shall be ordered if the individual does not 
 24.9   request reconsideration within the prescribed time, and for an 
 24.10  individual who submits a timely request for reconsideration, if 
 24.11  the disqualification is not set aside.  The individual must 
 24.12  present information to show showing that: 
 24.13     (1) the information the commissioner relied upon is 
 24.14  incorrect or inaccurate.  If the basis of a reconsideration 
 24.15  request is that a maltreatment determination or disposition 
 24.16  under section 626.556 or 626.557 is incorrect, and the 
 24.17  commissioner has issued a final order in an appeal of that 
 24.18  determination or disposition under section 256.045, the 
 24.19  commissioner's order is conclusive on the issue of maltreatment; 
 24.20  or 
 24.21     (2) the subject of the study does not pose a risk of harm 
 24.22  to any person served by the applicant or license holder. 
 24.23     (b) The commissioner may set aside the disqualification 
 24.24  under this section if the commissioner finds that the 
 24.25  information the commissioner relied upon is incorrect or the 
 24.26  individual does not pose a risk of harm to any person served by 
 24.27  the applicant or license holder.  In determining that an 
 24.28  individual does not pose a risk of harm, the commissioner shall 
 24.29  review consider the consequences of the event or events 
 24.30  that could lead to disqualification, whether there is more than 
 24.31  one disqualifying event, the vulnerability of the victim at the 
 24.32  time of the event, the time elapsed without a repeat of the same 
 24.33  or similar event, and documentation of successful completion by 
 24.34  the individual studied of training or rehabilitation pertinent 
 24.35  to the event, and any other information relevant to 
 24.36  reconsideration.  In reviewing a disqualification under this 
 25.1   section, the commissioner shall give preeminent weight to the 
 25.2   safety of each person to be served by the license holder or 
 25.3   applicant over the interests of the license holder or applicant. 
 25.4      (c) Unless the information the commissioner relied on in 
 25.5   disqualifying an individual is incorrect, the commissioner may 
 25.6   not set aside the disqualification of an individual in 
 25.7   connection with a license to provide family day care for 
 25.8   children, foster care for children in the provider's own home, 
 25.9   or foster care or day care services for adults in the provider's 
 25.10  own home if: 
 25.11     (1) less than ten years have passed since the discharge of 
 25.12  the sentence imposed for the offense; and the individual has 
 25.13  been convicted of a violation of any offense listed in 
 25.14  section sections 609.20 (manslaughter in the first degree), 
 25.15  609.205 (manslaughter in the second degree), criminal vehicular 
 25.16  homicide under 609.21 (criminal vehicular homicide and injury), 
 25.17  609.215 (aiding suicide or aiding attempted suicide), felony 
 25.18  violations under 609.221 to 609.2231 (felony violations of 
 25.19  assault in the first, second, third, or fourth degree), 609.713 
 25.20  (terroristic threats), 609.235 (use of drugs to injure or to 
 25.21  facilitate crime), 609.24 (simple robbery), 609.245 (aggravated 
 25.22  robbery), 609.25 (kidnapping), 609.255 (false imprisonment), 
 25.23  609.561 or 609.562 (arson in the first or second degree), 609.71 
 25.24  (riot), burglary in the first or second degree under 609.582 
 25.25  (burglary in the first or second degree), 609.66 (reckless use 
 25.26  of a gun or dangerous weapon or intentionally pointing a gun at 
 25.27  or towards a human being), 609.665 (setting a spring gun guns), 
 25.28  609.67 (unlawfully owning, possessing, or operating a machine 
 25.29  gun guns and short-barreled shotguns), 609.749 (harassment; 
 25.30  stalking), 152.021 or 152.022 (controlled substance crime in the 
 25.31  first or second degree), 152.023, subdivision 1, clause (3) or 
 25.32  (4), or subdivision 2, clause (4) (controlled substance crime in 
 25.33  the third degree), 152.024, subdivision 1, clause (2), (3), or 
 25.34  (4) (controlled substance crime in the fourth degree), 609.224, 
 25.35  subdivision 2, paragraph (c) (fifth-degree assault by a 
 25.36  caregiver against a vulnerable adult), 609.228 (great bodily 
 26.1   harm caused by distribution of drugs), 609.23 (mistreatment of 
 26.2   persons confined), 609.231 (mistreatment of residents or 
 26.3   patients), 609.2325 (criminal abuse of a vulnerable adult), 
 26.4   609.233 (criminal neglect of a vulnerable adult), 609.2335 
 26.5   (financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult), 609.234 (failure 
 26.6   to report), 609.265 (abduction), 609.2664 to 609.2665 
 26.7   (manslaughter of an unborn child in the first or second degree), 
 26.8   609.267 to 609.2672 (assault of an unborn child in the first, 
 26.9   second, or third degree), 609.268 (injury or death of an unborn 
 26.10  child in the commission of a crime), 617.293 (disseminating or 
 26.11  displaying harmful material to minors), 609.378 (neglect or 
 26.12  endangerment of a child), a gross misdemeanor offense under 
 26.13  609.377 (a gross misdemeanor offense of malicious punishment of 
 26.14  a child), 609.72, subdivision 3 (disorderly conduct against a 
 26.15  vulnerable adult); or an attempt or conspiracy to commit any of 
 26.16  these offenses, as each of these offenses is defined in 
 26.17  Minnesota Statutes; or an offense in any other state, the 
 26.18  elements of which are substantially similar to the elements of 
 26.19  any of the foregoing offenses; 
 26.20     (2) regardless of how much time has passed since the 
 26.21  discharge of the sentence imposed for the offense, the 
 26.22  individual was convicted of a violation of any offense listed in 
 26.23  sections 609.185 to 609.195 (murder in the first, second, or 
 26.24  third degree), 609.2661 to 609.2663 (murder of an unborn child 
 26.25  in the first, second, or third degree), a felony offense under 
 26.26  609.377 (a felony offense of malicious punishment of a child), 
 26.27  609.322 (soliciting solicitation, inducement, or and promotion 
 26.28  of prostitution), 609.323 (receiving profit derived from 
 26.29  prostitution), 609.342 to 609.345 (criminal sexual conduct in 
 26.30  the first, second, third, or fourth degree), 609.352 
 26.31  (solicitation of children to engage in sexual conduct), 617.246 
 26.32  (use of minors in a sexual performance), 617.247 (possession of 
 26.33  pictorial representations of a minor), 609.365 (incest), or an 
 26.34  attempt or conspiracy to commit any of these offenses as defined 
 26.35  in Minnesota Statutes, or an offense in any other state, the 
 26.36  elements of which are substantially similar to any of the 
 27.1   foregoing offenses; 
 27.2      (3) within the seven years preceding the study, the 
 27.3   individual committed an act that constitutes maltreatment of a 
 27.4   child under section 626.556, subdivision 10e, and that resulted 
 27.5   in substantial bodily harm as defined in section 609.02, 
 27.6   subdivision 7a, or substantial mental or emotional harm as 
 27.7   supported by competent psychological or psychiatric evidence; or 
 27.8      (4) within the seven years preceding the study, the 
 27.9   individual was determined under section 626.557 to be the 
 27.10  perpetrator of a substantiated incident of abuse maltreatment of 
 27.11  a vulnerable adult that resulted in substantial bodily harm as 
 27.12  defined in section 609.02, subdivision 7a, or substantial mental 
 27.13  or emotional harm as supported by competent psychological or 
 27.14  psychiatric evidence. 
 27.15     In the case of any ground for disqualification under 
 27.16  clauses (1) to (4), if the act was committed by an individual 
 27.17  other than the applicant or license holder residing in the 
 27.18  applicant's or license holder's home, the applicant or license 
 27.19  holder may seek reconsideration when the individual who 
 27.20  committed the act no longer resides in the home.  
 27.21     The disqualification periods provided under clauses (1), 
 27.22  (3), and (4) are the minimum applicable disqualification 
 27.23  periods.  The commissioner may determine that an individual 
 27.24  should continue to be disqualified from licensure because the 
 27.25  license holder or applicant poses a risk of harm to a person 
 27.26  served by that individual after the minimum disqualification 
 27.27  period has passed. 
 27.28     (d) The commissioner shall respond in writing or by 
 27.29  electronic transmission to all reconsideration requests for 
 27.30  which the basis for the request is that the information relied 
 27.31  upon by the commissioner to disqualify is incorrect or 
 27.32  inaccurate within 30 working days of receipt of a request and 
 27.33  all relevant information.  If the basis for the request is that 
 27.34  the individual does not pose a risk of harm, the commissioner 
 27.35  shall respond to the request within 15 working days after 
 27.36  receiving the request for reconsideration and all relevant 
 28.1   information.  If the disqualification is set aside, the 
 28.2   commissioner shall notify the applicant or license holder in 
 28.3   writing or by electronic transmission of the decision. 
 28.4      (e) Except as provided in subdivision 3c, the 
 28.5   commissioner's decision to disqualify an individual, including 
 28.6   the decision to grant or deny a reconsideration of rescission or 
 28.7   set aside a disqualification under this subdivision, or to set 
 28.8   aside or uphold the results of the study under subdivision 
 28.9   3 this section, is the final administrative agency action and 
 28.10  shall not be subject to further review in a contested case under 
 28.11  chapter 14 involving a negative licensing action appeal taken in 
 28.12  response to the disqualification or involving an accuracy and 
 28.13  completeness appeal under section 13.04. 
 28.14     Sec. 14.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 245A.04, 
 28.15  subdivision 3c, is amended to read: 
 28.16     Subd. 3c.  [CONTESTED CASE.] If a disqualification is not 
 28.17  set aside, a person who, on or after the effective date of rules 
 28.18  adopted under subdivision 3, paragraph (i), is an employee of an 
 28.19  employer, as defined in section 179A.03, subdivision 15, may 
 28.20  request a contested case hearing under chapter 14.  Rules 
 28.21  adopted under this chapter may not preclude an employee in a 
 28.22  contested case hearing for disqualification from submitting 
 28.23  evidence concerning information gathered under subdivision 3, 
 28.24  paragraph (e). 
 28.25     Sec. 15.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 245A.04, 
 28.26  subdivision 4, is amended to read: 
 28.27     Subd. 4.  [INSPECTIONS; WAIVER.] (a) Before issuing a an 
 28.28  initial license, the commissioner shall conduct an inspection of 
 28.29  the program.  The inspection must include but is not limited to: 
 28.30     (1) an inspection of the physical plant; 
 28.31     (2) an inspection of records and documents; 
 28.32     (3) an evaluation of the program by consumers of the 
 28.33  program; and 
 28.34     (4) observation of the program in operation. 
 28.35     For the purposes of this subdivision, "consumer" means a 
 28.36  person who receives the services of a licensed program, the 
 29.1   person's legal guardian, or the parent or individual having 
 29.2   legal custody of a child who receives the services of a licensed 
 29.3   program. 
 29.4      (b) The evaluation required in paragraph (a), clause (3) or 
 29.5   the observation in paragraph (a), clause (4) is not required 
 29.6   prior to issuing a provisional an initial license under 
 29.7   subdivision 7.  If the commissioner issues a provisional an 
 29.8   initial license under subdivision 7, these requirements must be 
 29.9   completed within one year after the issuance of a provisional an 
 29.10  initial license.  The observation in paragraph (a), clause (4) 
 29.11  is not required if the commissioner determines that the 
 29.12  observation would hinder the persons receiving services in 
 29.13  benefiting from the program.  
 29.14     Sec. 16.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 245A.04, 
 29.15  subdivision 5, is amended to read: 
 29.16     Subd. 5.  [COMMISSIONER'S RIGHT OF ACCESS.] When the 
 29.17  commissioner is exercising the powers conferred by sections 
 29.18  245A.01 to 245A.15 this chapter, the commissioner must be given 
 29.19  access to the physical plant and grounds where the program is 
 29.20  provided, documents, persons served by the program, and staff 
 29.21  whenever the program is in operation and the information is 
 29.22  relevant to inspections or investigations conducted by the 
 29.23  commissioner.  The commissioner must be given access without 
 29.24  prior notice and as often as the commissioner considers 
 29.25  necessary if the commissioner is conducting an investigation of 
 29.26  allegations of abuse, neglect, maltreatment, or other violation 
 29.27  of applicable laws or rules.  In conducting inspections, the 
 29.28  commissioner may request and shall receive assistance from other 
 29.29  state, county, and municipal governmental agencies and 
 29.30  departments.  The applicant or license holder shall allow the 
 29.31  commissioner to photocopy, photograph, and make audio and video 
 29.32  tape recordings during the inspection of the program at the 
 29.33  commissioner's expense.  The commissioner shall obtain a court 
 29.34  order or the consent of the subject of the records or the 
 29.35  parents or legal guardian of the subject before photocopying 
 29.36  hospital medical records.  
 30.1      Persons served by the program have the right to refuse to 
 30.2   consent to be interviewed, photographed, or audio or videotaped. 
 30.3   Failure or refusal of an applicant or license holder to fully 
 30.4   comply with this subdivision is reasonable cause for the 
 30.5   commissioner to deny the application or immediately suspend or 
 30.6   revoke the license. 
 30.7      Sec. 17.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 245A.04, 
 30.8   subdivision 6, is amended to read: 
 30.9      Subd. 6.  [COMMISSIONER'S EVALUATION.] Before granting, 
 30.10  suspending, revoking, or making probationary conditional a 
 30.11  license, the commissioner shall evaluate information gathered 
 30.12  under this section.  The commissioner's evaluation shall 
 30.13  consider facts, conditions, or circumstances concerning the 
 30.14  program's operation, the well-being of persons served by the 
 30.15  program, available consumer evaluations of the program, and 
 30.16  information about the qualifications of the personnel employed 
 30.17  by the applicant or license holder. 
 30.18     The commissioner shall evaluate the results of the study 
 30.19  required in subdivision 3 and determine whether a risk of harm 
 30.20  to the persons served by the program exists.  In conducting this 
 30.21  evaluation, the commissioner shall apply the disqualification 
 30.22  standards set forth in rules adopted under this chapter.  Prior 
 30.23  to the adoption of rules establishing disqualification 
 30.24  standards, the commissioner shall forward the proposed rules to 
 30.25  the commissioner of human rights for review and recommendation 
 30.26  concerning the protection of individual rights.  The 
 30.27  recommendation of the commissioner of human rights is not 
 30.28  binding on the commissioner of human services.  
 30.29     Sec. 18.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 245A.04, 
 30.30  subdivision 7, is amended to read: 
 30.31     Subd. 7.  [ISSUANCE OF A LICENSE; PROVISIONAL EXTENSION OF 
 30.32  A LICENSE.] (a) If the commissioner determines that the program 
 30.33  complies with all applicable rules and laws, the commissioner 
 30.34  shall issue a license.  At minimum, the license shall state:  
 30.35     (1) the name of the license holder; 
 30.36     (2) the address of the program; 
 31.1      (3) the effective date and expiration date of the license; 
 31.2      (4) the type of license; 
 31.3      (5) the maximum number and ages of persons that may receive 
 31.4   services from the program; and 
 31.5      (6) any special conditions of licensure. 
 31.6      (b) The commissioner may issue a provisional an initial 
 31.7   license for a period not to exceed one year two years if:  
 31.8      (1) the commissioner is unable to conduct the evaluation or 
 31.9   observation required by subdivision 4, paragraph (a), clauses (3)
 31.10  and (4), because the program is not yet operational; 
 31.11     (2) certain records and documents are not available because 
 31.12  persons are not yet receiving services from the program; and 
 31.13     (3) the applicant complies with applicable laws and rules 
 31.14  in all other respects.  
 31.15  A provisional license must not be issued except at the time that 
 31.16  a license is first issued to an applicant. 
 31.17     (c) A decision by the commissioner to issue a license does 
 31.18  not guarantee that any person or persons will be placed or cared 
 31.19  for in the licensed program.  A license shall not be 
 31.20  transferable to another individual, corporation, partnership, 
 31.21  voluntary association, other organization, or controlling or to 
 31.22  another location. 
 31.23     For purposes of reimbursement for meals only, under the 
 31.24  Child and Adult Care Food Program, Code of Federal Regulations, 
 31.25  title 7, subtitle B, chapter II, subchapter A, part 226, 
 31.26  relocation within the same county by a licensed family day care 
 31.27  provider, shall be considered an extension of the license for a 
 31.28  period of no more than 30 calendar days or until the new license 
 31.29  is issued, whichever occurs first, provided the county agency 
 31.30  has determined the family day care provider meets licensure 
 31.31  requirements at the new location. 
 31.32     Unless otherwise specified by statute, all licenses expire 
 31.33  at 12:01 a.m. on the day after the expiration date stated on the 
 31.34  license.  A license holder must apply for and be granted a new 
 31.35  license to operate the program or the program must not be 
 31.36  operated after the expiration date.  
 32.1      Sec. 19.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 245A.06, 
 32.2   subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
 32.3      Subdivision 1.  [CONTENTS OF CORRECTION ORDERS OR FINES.] 
 32.4   (a) If the commissioner finds that the applicant or license 
 32.5   holder has failed to comply with an applicable law or rule and 
 32.6   this failure does not imminently endanger the health, safety, or 
 32.7   rights of the persons served by the program, the commissioner 
 32.8   may issue a correction order to or impose a fine on the 
 32.9   applicant or license holder.  The correction order or fine must 
 32.10  state: 
 32.11     (1) the conditions that constitute a violation of the law 
 32.12  or rule; 
 32.13     (2) the specific law or rule violated; and 
 32.14     (3) the time allowed to correct each violation; and 
 32.15     (4) if a fine is imposed, the amount of the fine. 
 32.16     (b) Nothing in this section prohibits the commissioner from 
 32.17  proposing a sanction as specified in section 245A.07, prior to 
 32.18  issuing a correction order or fine. 
 32.19     Sec. 20.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 245A.06, 
 32.20  subdivision 3, is amended to read: 
 32.21     Subd. 3.  [FAILURE TO COMPLY.] If upon reinspection, the 
 32.22  commissioner finds that the applicant or license holder has not 
 32.23  corrected the violations specified in the correction order, the 
 32.24  commissioner may order impose a fine.  If a fine was imposed and 
 32.25  the violation was not corrected, the commissioner may impose an 
 32.26  additional fine.  This section does not prohibit the 
 32.27  commissioner from seeking a court order, denying an application, 
 32.28  or suspending, revoking, or making probationary conditional the 
 32.29  license in addition to ordering imposing a fine. 
 32.30     Sec. 21.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 245A.06, 
 32.31  subdivision 4, is amended to read: 
 32.32     Subd. 4.  [NOTICE OF FINE; APPEAL RECONSIDERATION OF FINE.] 
 32.33  A license holder who is ordered to pay a fine must be notified 
 32.34  of the order by certified mail.  The notice must be mailed to 
 32.35  the address shown on the application or the last known address 
 32.36  of the license holder.  The notice must state the reasons the 
 33.1   fine was ordered and must inform the license holder of the 
 33.2   responsibility for payment of fines in subdivision 7 and the 
 33.3   right to a contested case hearing under chapter 14 request 
 33.4   reconsideration of the fine.  The license holder may appeal 
 33.5   request reconsideration of the order to forfeit a fine by 
 33.6   notifying the commissioner by certified mail within 15 20 
 33.7   calendar days after receiving the order.  A timely appeal 
 33.8   request for reconsideration shall stay forfeiture of the fine 
 33.9   until the commissioner issues a final order under section 
 33.10  245A.08, subdivision 5 decision on the request for 
 33.11  reconsideration.  The request for reconsideration must be in 
 33.12  writing and: 
 33.13     (1) specify the parts of the violation that are alleged to 
 33.14  be in error; 
 33.15     (2) explain why they are in error; 
 33.16     (3) include documentation to support the allegation of 
 33.17  error; and 
 33.18     (4) any other information relevant to the fine or the 
 33.19  amount of the fine. 
 33.20     The commissioner's disposition of a request for 
 33.21  reconsideration is final and not subject to appeal under chapter 
 33.22  14. 
 33.23     Sec. 22.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 245A.06, 
 33.24  subdivision 5, is amended to read: 
 33.25     Subd. 5.  [FORFEITURE OF FINES.] The license holder shall 
 33.26  pay the fines assessed on or before the payment date specified 
 33.27  in the commissioner's order.  If the license holder fails to 
 33.28  fully comply with the order, the commissioner shall issue a 
 33.29  second fine or suspend the license until the license holder 
 33.30  complies.  If the license holder receives state funds, the 
 33.31  state, county, or municipal agencies or departments responsible 
 33.32  for administering the funds shall withhold payments and recover 
 33.33  any payments made while the license is suspended for failure to 
 33.34  pay a fine.  
 33.35     Sec. 23.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 245A.06, 
 33.36  subdivision 5a, is amended to read: 
 34.1      Subd. 5a.  [ACCRUAL OF FINES.] A license holder shall 
 34.2   promptly notify the commissioner of human services, in writing, 
 34.3   when a violation specified in an order to forfeit is corrected.  
 34.4   A fine assessed for a violation shall stop accruing when the 
 34.5   commissioner receives the written notice.  The commissioner 
 34.6   shall reinspect the program within three working days after 
 34.7   receiving the notice.  If upon reinspection the commissioner 
 34.8   determines that a violation has not been corrected as indicated 
 34.9   by the order to forfeit, accrual of the daily fine resumes on 
 34.10  the date of reinspection and the amount of fines that otherwise 
 34.11  would have accrued between the date the commissioner received 
 34.12  the notice and date of the reinspection is added to the total 
 34.13  assessment due from the license holder the commissioner may 
 34.14  issue a second fine.  The commissioner shall notify the license 
 34.15  holder by certified mail that accrual of the a second fine has 
 34.16  resumed been assessed.  The license holder may challenge the 
 34.17  resumption in a contested case under chapter 14 by written 
 34.18  request within 15 days after receipt of the notice of resumption.
 34.19  Recovery of the resumed fine must be stayed if a controlling 
 34.20  individual or a legal representative on behalf of the license 
 34.21  holder makes a written request for a hearing.  The request for 
 34.22  hearing, however, may not stay accrual of the daily fine for 
 34.23  violations that have not been corrected.  The cost of 
 34.24  reinspection conducted under this subdivision for uncorrected 
 34.25  violations must be added to the total amount of accrued fines 
 34.26  due from the license holder request reconsideration of the 
 34.27  second fine under the provisions of subdivision 4. 
 34.28     Sec. 24.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 245A.06, 
 34.29  subdivision 6, is amended to read: 
 34.30     Subd. 6.  [AMOUNT OF FINES.] Until the commissioner adopts 
 34.31  one or more schedules of fines, Fines shall be assessed as 
 34.32  follows: 
 34.33     (1) the license holder shall forfeit $1,000 $500 for each 
 34.34  occurrence of violation of law or rule prohibiting the 
 34.35  maltreatment of children or the abuse, neglect, or exploitation 
 34.36  maltreatment of vulnerable adults, including but not limited to 
 35.1   corporal punishment, illegal or unauthorized use of physical, 
 35.2   mechanical, or chemical restraints, and illegal or unauthorized 
 35.3   use of aversive or deprivation procedures; 
 35.4      (2) the license holder shall forfeit $200 $100 for each 
 35.5   occurrence of a violation of law or rule governing matters of 
 35.6   health, safety, or supervision, including but not limited to the 
 35.7   provision of adequate staff to child or adult ratios, except 
 35.8   that the holder of a family or group family day care license 
 35.9   shall forfeit $100 for a violation under this clause; and 
 35.10     (3) the license holder shall forfeit $100 $50 for each 
 35.11  occurrence of a violation of law or rule other than those 
 35.12  included in clauses (1) and (2), except that the holder of a 
 35.13  family or group family day care license shall forfeit $50 for a 
 35.14  violation under this clause. 
 35.15     For the purposes of this section, "occurrence" means each 
 35.16  calendar day or part of a day that a violation continues to 
 35.17  exist after the date set for correction identified in the 
 35.18  commissioner's correction forfeiture order. 
 35.19     Sec. 25.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 245A.06, 
 35.20  subdivision 7, is amended to read: 
 35.21     Subd. 7.  [RESPONSIBILITY FOR PAYMENT OF FINES.] When a 
 35.22  fine has been assessed, the license holder may not avoid payment 
 35.23  by closing, selling, or otherwise transferring the licensed 
 35.24  program to a third party.  In such an event, the license holder 
 35.25  will be personally liable for payment.  In the case of a 
 35.26  corporation, each controlling individual is personally and 
 35.27  jointly liable for payment. 
 35.28     Fines for child care centers must be assessed according to 
 35.29  this section. 
 35.30     Sec. 26.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 245A.07, 
 35.31  subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
 35.32     Subdivision 1.  [SANCTIONS AVAILABLE.] In addition to 
 35.33  ordering forfeiture of fines, the commissioner may propose to 
 35.34  suspend, revoke, or make probationary conditional the license or 
 35.35  secure an injunction against the continuing operation of the 
 35.36  program of a license holder who does not comply with applicable 
 36.1   law or rule.  When applying sanctions authorized under this 
 36.2   section, the commissioner shall consider the nature, chronicity, 
 36.3   or severity of the violation of law or rule and the effect of 
 36.4   the violation on the health, safety, or rights of persons served 
 36.5   by the program. 
 36.6      Sec. 27.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 245A.07, 
 36.7   subdivision 3, is amended to read: 
 36.8      Subd. 3.  [SUSPENSION, REVOCATION, PROBATION DENIAL OF 
 36.9   CONDITIONAL LICENSE.] The commissioner may suspend, revoke, or 
 36.10  make probationary conditional, or deny a license if an applicant 
 36.11  or a license holder fails to comply fully with applicable laws 
 36.12  or rules, or knowingly withholds relevant information from or 
 36.13  gives false or misleading information to the commissioner in 
 36.14  connection with an application for a license or during an 
 36.15  investigation.  A license holder who has had a license 
 36.16  suspended, revoked, or made probationary conditional must be 
 36.17  given notice of the action by certified mail.  The notice must 
 36.18  be mailed to the address shown on the application or the last 
 36.19  known address of the license holder.  The notice must state the 
 36.20  reasons the license was suspended, revoked, or made probationary 
 36.21  conditional. 
 36.22     (a) If the license was suspended or revoked, the notice 
 36.23  must inform the license holder of the right to a contested case 
 36.24  hearing under chapter 14.  The license holder may appeal an 
 36.25  order suspending or revoking a license.  The appeal of an order 
 36.26  suspending or revoking a license must be made in writing by 
 36.27  certified mail and must be received by the commissioner within 
 36.28  ten calendar days after the license holder receives notice that 
 36.29  the license has been suspended or revoked.  
 36.30     (b) If the license was made probationary conditional, the 
 36.31  notice must inform the license holder of the right to request a 
 36.32  reconsideration by the commissioner.  The request for 
 36.33  reconsideration must be made in writing by certified mail and 
 36.34  must be received by the commissioner within ten calendar days 
 36.35  after the license holder receives notice that the license has 
 36.36  been made probationary conditional.  The license holder may 
 37.1   submit with the request for reconsideration written argument or 
 37.2   evidence in support of the request for reconsideration.  The 
 37.3   commissioner's disposition of a request for reconsideration is 
 37.4   final and is not subject to appeal under chapter 14.  
 37.5      Sec. 28.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 245A.08, 
 37.6   subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
 37.7      Subdivision 1.  [RECEIPT OF APPEAL; CONDUCT OF HEARING.] 
 37.8   Upon receiving a timely appeal or petition pursuant to 
 37.9   sections section 245A.05 to or 245A.07, the commissioner shall 
 37.10  issue a notice of and order for hearing to the appellant under 
 37.11  chapter 14. 
 37.12     Sec. 29.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 245A.08, 
 37.13  subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
 37.14     Subd. 2.  [CONDUCT OF HEARINGS.] At any hearing provided 
 37.15  for by sections section 245A.05 to or 245A.07, the appellant may 
 37.16  be represented by counsel and has the right to call, examine, 
 37.17  and cross-examine witnesses.  The administrative law judge may 
 37.18  require the presence of witnesses and evidence by subpoena on 
 37.19  behalf of any party.  
 37.20     Sec. 30.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 245A.09, 
 37.21  subdivision 7, is amended to read: 
 37.22     Subd. 7.  [REGULATORY METHODS.] (a) Where appropriate and 
 37.23  feasible the commissioner shall identify and implement 
 37.24  alternative methods of regulation and enforcement to the extent 
 37.25  authorized in this subdivision.  These methods shall include: 
 37.26     (1) expansion of the types and categories of licenses that 
 37.27  may be granted; 
 37.28     (2) when the standards of another state or federal 
 37.29  governmental agency or an independent accreditation body have 
 37.30  been shown to predict compliance with the rules, the 
 37.31  commissioner shall consider compliance with the governmental or 
 37.32  accreditation standards to be equivalent to partial compliance 
 37.33  with the rules; and 
 37.34     (3) use of an abbreviated inspection that employs key 
 37.35  standards that have been shown to predict full compliance with 
 37.36  the rules. 
 38.1      For programs and services for people with developmental 
 38.2   disabilities, the commissioner of human services shall develop 
 38.3   demonstration projects to use the standards of the commission on 
 38.4   accreditation of rehabilitation facilities and the standards of 
 38.5   the accreditation council on services to persons with 
 38.6   disabilities during the period of July 1, 1993 to December 31, 
 38.7   1994, and incorporate the alternative use of these standards and 
 38.8   methods in licensing rules where appropriate.  If the 
 38.9   commissioner determines that the methods in clause (2) or (3) 
 38.10  can be used in licensing a program, the commissioner may reduce 
 38.11  any fee set under section 245A.10 by up to 50 percent.  The 
 38.12  commissioner shall present a plan by January 31, 1995, to accept 
 38.13  accreditation by either the accreditation council on services to 
 38.14  people with disabilities or the commission on the accreditation 
 38.15  of rehabilitation services as evidence of being in compliance 
 38.16  where applicable with state licensing. 
 38.17     (b) The commissioner shall work with the commissioners of 
 38.18  health, public safety, administration, and children, families, 
 38.19  and learning in consolidating duplicative licensing and 
 38.20  certification rules and standards if the commissioner determines 
 38.21  that consolidation is administratively feasible, would 
 38.22  significantly reduce the cost of licensing, and would not reduce 
 38.23  the protection given to persons receiving services in licensed 
 38.24  programs.  Where administratively feasible and appropriate, the 
 38.25  commissioner shall work with the commissioners of health, public 
 38.26  safety, administration, and children, families, and learning in 
 38.27  conducting joint agency inspections of programs. 
 38.28     (c) The commissioner shall work with the commissioners of 
 38.29  health, public safety, administration, and children, families, 
 38.30  and learning in establishing a single point of application for 
 38.31  applicants who are required to obtain concurrent licensure from 
 38.32  more than one of the commissioners listed in this clause. 
 38.33     (d) The commissioner may specify in rule periods of 
 38.34  licensure up to two years. 
 38.35     Sec. 31.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 245A.11, 
 38.36  subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
 39.1      Subd. 2.  [PERMITTED SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL USE.] 
 39.2   Residential programs with a licensed capacity of six or fewer 
 39.3   persons shall be considered a permitted single-family 
 39.4   residential use of property for the purposes of zoning and other 
 39.5   land use regulations, except that a residential program whose 
 39.6   primary purpose is to treat juveniles who have violated criminal 
 39.7   statutes relating to sex offenses or have been adjudicated 
 39.8   delinquent on the basis of conduct in violation of criminal 
 39.9   statutes relating to sex offenses shall not be considered a 
 39.10  permitted use.  This exception shall not apply to residential 
 39.11  programs licensed before July 1, 1995.  Programs otherwise 
 39.12  allowed under this subdivision shall not be prohibited by 
 39.13  operation of restrictive covenants or similar restrictions, 
 39.14  regardless of when entered into, which cannot be met because of 
 39.15  the nature of the licensed program, including provisions which 
 39.16  require the home's occupants be related, and that the home must 
 39.17  be occupied by the owner, or similar provisions. 
 39.18     Sec. 32.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 245A.16, 
 39.19  subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
 39.20     Subd. 2.  [INVESTIGATIONS.] (a) The county or private 
 39.21  agency shall conduct timely investigations of allegations of 
 39.22  abuse or neglect maltreatment of children or adults in programs 
 39.23  for which the county or private agency is the commissioner's 
 39.24  designated representative and record a disposition of each 
 39.25  complaint in accordance with applicable law or rule.  The county 
 39.26  or private agency shall conduct similar investigations of 
 39.27  allegations of violations of rules governing licensure of the 
 39.28  program. 
 39.29     (b) If an investigation conducted under clause (a) results 
 39.30  in evidence that the commissioner should deny an application or 
 39.31  suspend, revoke, or make probationary conditional a license, the 
 39.32  county or private agency shall make that recommendation to the 
 39.33  commissioner within ten working days. 
 39.34     Sec. 33.  [245A.22] [INDEPENDENT LIVING ASSISTANCE FOR 
 39.35  YOUTH.] 
 39.36     Subdivision 1.  [INDEPENDENT LIVING ASSISTANCE FOR 
 40.1   YOUTH.] "Independent living assistance for youth" means a 
 40.2   nonresidential program that provides a system of services that 
 40.3   includes training, counseling, instruction, supervision, and 
 40.4   assistance provided to youth in accordance with the youth's 
 40.5   independent living plan, when the placements in the program are 
 40.6   made by the county agency.  Services may include assistance in 
 40.7   locating housing, budgeting, meal preparation, shopping, 
 40.8   personal appearance, counseling, and related social support 
 40.9   services needed to meet the youth's needs and improve the 
 40.10  youth's ability to conduct such tasks independently.  Such 
 40.11  services must not extend to youths needing 24-hour per day 
 40.12  supervision and services.  Youths needing a 24-hour per day 
 40.13  program of supervision and services must not be accepted or 
 40.14  retained in an independent living assistance program. 
 40.15     Subd. 2.  [ADMISSION.] The license holder shall accept as 
 40.16  clients in the independent living assistance program only 
 40.17  individuals specified under section 256E.115. 
 40.18     Subd. 3.  [INDEPENDENT LIVING PLAN.] Unless an independent 
 40.19  living plan has been developed by the county agency, the license 
 40.20  holder shall develop such a plan based on the client's 
 40.21  individual needs that specifies objectives for the client.  The 
 40.22  services provided must include those specified in this section 
 40.23  and the services specified under section 256E.115, subdivision 
 40.24  2, paragraph (a).  The plan must identify the persons 
 40.25  responsible for implementation of each part of the plan.  The 
 40.26  plan must be reviewed as necessary, but at least annually. 
 40.27     Subd. 4.  [REQUIRED AND MONEY RECORDS.] The license holder 
 40.28  shall maintain a record for each client. 
 40.29     (a) For each client, the record maintained by the license 
 40.30  holder must document the following: 
 40.31     (1) admission information; 
 40.32     (2) the independent living plan; 
 40.33     (3) delivery of the services required of the license holder 
 40.34  in the independent living plan; 
 40.35     (4) the client's progress toward the objectives identified 
 40.36  in the independent living plan; and 
 41.1      (5) after service termination, a termination summary. 
 41.2      (b) If the license holder manages the client's money, the 
 41.3   record maintained by the license holder must also document the 
 41.4   following: 
 41.5      (1) written permission from the client or the client's 
 41.6   legal guardian to manage the client's money; 
 41.7      (2) the reasons the license holder is to manage the 
 41.8   client's money; and 
 41.9      (3) a complete record of the use of the client's money and 
 41.10  reconciliation of the account. 
 41.11     Subd. 5.  [SERVICE TERMINATION PLAN.] The license holder, 
 41.12  in conjunction with the county agency, shall establish a service 
 41.13  termination plan, including necessary referrals for other 
 41.14  ongoing services, that specifies how independent living 
 41.15  assistance services will be terminated and the actions to be 
 41.16  performed by the involved agencies. 
 41.17     Subd. 6.  [PLACE OF RESIDENCE PROVIDED BY PROGRAM.] When a 
 41.18  client's place of residence is provided by the license holder as 
 41.19  part of the independent living assistance program, the provision 
 41.20  of the place of residence is not subject to separate licensure. 
 41.21     Subd. 7.  [GENERAL LICENSING REQUIREMENTS APPLY.] In 
 41.22  addition to the requirements of this section, providers of 
 41.23  independent living assistance are subject to the general 
 41.24  licensing requirements of this chapter. 
 41.25             MENTAL RETARDATION AND RELATED CONDITIONS
 41.26     Sec. 34.  [245A.50] [CONSOLIDATION OF RULES RELATED TO 
 41.27  SERVICES FOR PERSONS WITH MENTAL RETARDATION OR RELATED 
 41.28  CONDITIONS.] 
 41.29     Sections 245A.51 to 245A.56 establish new methods to ensure 
 41.30  the quality of services to persons with mental retardation or 
 41.31  related conditions, and streamline and simplify the regulation 
 41.32  of services and supports for persons with mental retardation or 
 41.33  related conditions.  Sections 245A.51 to 245A.56 establish new 
 41.34  standards that eliminate duplication and overlap of regulatory 
 41.35  requirements by consolidating and replacing rule parts from four 
 41.36  program rules.  Section 245A.57 authorizes the commissioner of 
 42.1   human services to develop and use new regulatory strategies to 
 42.2   maintain compliance with the streamlined requirements. 
 42.3      Sec. 35.  [245A.51] [DEFINITIONS.] 
 42.4      Subdivision 1.  [SCOPE.] The terms used in sections 245A.52 
 42.5   to 245A.56 have the meanings given them. 
 42.6      Subd. 2.  [APPLICANT.] "Applicant" has the meaning given in 
 42.7   section 245A.02, subdivision 3. 
 42.8      Subd. 3.  [CASE MANAGER.] "Case manager" means the 
 42.9   individual designated by the county board under rules of the 
 42.10  commissioner to provide case management services as delineated 
 42.11  in section 256B.092, or successor provisions. 
 42.12     Subd. 4.  [CONSUMER.] "Consumer" means a person who has 
 42.13  been determined eligible to receive and is receiving services or 
 42.14  support for persons with mental retardation or related 
 42.15  conditions. 
 42.16     Subd. 5.  [COMMISSIONER.] "Commissioner" means the 
 42.17  commissioner of the department of human services or the 
 42.18  commissioner's designated representative. 
 42.19     Subd. 6.  [DAY TRAINING AND HABILITATION SERVICES FOR 
 42.20  ADULTS WITH MENTAL RETARDATION OR RELATED CONDITIONS.] "Day 
 42.21  training and habilitation services for adults with mental 
 42.22  retardation or related conditions" has the meaning given in 
 42.23  sections 252.40 to 252.46. 
 42.24     Subd. 7.  [DEPARTMENT.] "Department" means the department 
 42.25  of human services. 
 42.26     Subd. 8.  [DIRECT SERVICE.] "Direct service" means, for a 
 42.27  consumer receiving residential-based services, day training and 
 42.28  habilitation services, or respite care services, one or more of 
 42.29  the following:  supervision, assistance, or training. 
 42.30     Subd. 9.  [HEALTH SERVICES.] "Health services" means any 
 42.31  service or treatment consistent with the health needs of the 
 42.32  consumer, such as medication administration and monitoring, 
 42.33  medical, dental, nutritional, health monitoring, wellness 
 42.34  education, and exercise. 
 42.35     Subd. 10.  [INCIDENT.] "Incident" means any serious injury 
 42.36  as determined by section 245.91, subdivision 6; accident; 
 43.1   reports of a child or vulnerable adult maltreatment; 
 43.2   circumstances that involve a law enforcement agency; or a 
 43.3   consumer's death. 
 43.4      Subd. 11.  [INDIVIDUAL SERVICE PLAN.] "Individual service 
 43.5   plan" has the meaning given in section 256B.092, or successor 
 43.6   provisions. 
 43.7      Subd. 12.  [INDIVIDUAL WHO IS RELATED.] "Individual who is 
 43.8   related" has the meaning given in section 245A.02, subdivision 
 43.9   13. 
 43.10     Subd. 13.  [INTERMEDIATE CARE FACILITY FOR PERSONS WITH 
 43.11  MENTAL RETARDATION OR RELATED CONDITIONS OR ICF/MR.] 
 43.12  "Intermediate care facility for persons with mental retardation 
 43.13  or related conditions" or "ICF/MR" means a residential program 
 43.14  licensed to provide services to persons with mental retardation 
 43.15  or related conditions under section 252.28 and this chapter and 
 43.16  a physical facility licensed as a supervised living facility 
 43.17  under chapter 144, which together are certified by the 
 43.18  department of health as an intermediate care facility for 
 43.19  persons with mental retardation or related conditions. 
 43.20     Subd. 14.  [LEAST RESTRICTIVE ENVIRONMENT.] "Least 
 43.21  restrictive environment" means an environment where services are:
 43.22     (1) delivered with minimum limitation, intrusion, 
 43.23  disruption, or departure from typical patterns of living 
 43.24  available to persons without disabilities; 
 43.25     (2) do not subject the consumer or others to unnecessary 
 43.26  risks to health or safety; and 
 43.27     (3) maximize the consumer's level of independence, 
 43.28  productivity, and inclusion in the community. 
 43.29     Subd. 15.  [LEGAL REPRESENTATIVE.] "Legal representative" 
 43.30  means the parent or parents of a consumer who is under 18 years 
 43.31  of age or a guardian, conservator, or guardian ad litem 
 43.32  authorized by the court, or other legally authorized 
 43.33  representative to make decisions about services for a consumer. 
 43.34     Subd. 16.  [LICENSE.] "License" has the meaning given in 
 43.35  section 245A.02, subdivision 8. 
 43.36     Subd. 17.  [LICENSE HOLDER.] "License holder" has the 
 44.1   meaning given in section 245A.02, subdivision 9. 
 44.2      Subd. 18.  [PERSON WITH MENTAL RETARDATION OR A RELATED 
 44.3   CONDITION.] "Person with mental retardation or a related 
 44.4   condition" means a person who has been diagnosed under section 
 44.5   256B.092 as having substantial limitations in present 
 44.6   functioning, manifested as significantly subaverage intellectual 
 44.7   functioning, existing concurrently with demonstrated deficits in 
 44.8   adaptive behavior, and who manifests these conditions before the 
 44.9   person's 22nd birthday.  A person with a related condition means 
 44.10  a person who meets the diagnostic definition under section 
 44.11  252.27, subdivision 1a. 
 44.12     Subd. 19.  [PSYCHOTROPIC MEDICATION USE CHECKLIST.] 
 44.13  "Psychotropic medication use checklist" means the psychotropic 
 44.14  medication monitoring checklist and manual used to govern the 
 44.15  administration of psychotropic medications.  The commissioner 
 44.16  may revise or update the psychotropic medication use checklist 
 44.17  to comply with legal requirements or to meet professional 
 44.18  standards or guidelines in the area of developmental 
 44.19  disabilities.  For the purposes of sections 245A.51 to 245A.56, 
 44.20  psychotropic medication means any medication prescribed to treat 
 44.21  mental illness and associated behaviors or to control or alter 
 44.22  behavior.  The major classes of psychotropic medication are 
 44.23  antipsychotic (neuroleptic), antidepressant, antianxiety, 
 44.24  antimania, stimulant, and sedative or hypnotic.  Other 
 44.25  miscellaneous medications are considered to be a psychotropic 
 44.26  medication when they are specifically prescribed to treat a 
 44.27  mental illness or to control or alter behavior. 
 44.28     Subd. 20.  [RESIDENTIAL-BASED HABILITATION.] 
 44.29  "Residential-based habilitation" means care, supervision, and 
 44.30  training provided primarily in the consumer's own home or place 
 44.31  of residence but also including community-integrated activities 
 44.32  following the individual service plan.  Residential habilitation 
 44.33  services are provided in coordination with the provision of day 
 44.34  training and habilitation services for those persons receiving 
 44.35  day training and habilitation services under sections 252.40 to 
 44.36  252.46. 
 45.1      Subd. 21.  [RESPITE CARE.] "Respite care" has the meaning 
 45.2   given in section 245A.02, subdivision 15. 
 45.3      Subd. 22.  [SERVICE.] "Service" means care, supervision, 
 45.4   activities, and training designed to achieve the outcomes 
 45.5   assigned to the license holder. 
 45.6      Subd. 23.  [SEMI-INDEPENDENT LIVING SERVICES OR 
 45.7   SILS] "Semi-independent living services" or "SILS" has the 
 45.8   meaning given in section 252.275. 
 45.9      Subd. 24.  [VOLUNTEER.] "Volunteer" means an individual 
 45.10  who, under the direction of the license holder, provides direct 
 45.11  services without pay to consumers served by the license holder. 
 45.12     Sec. 36.  [245A.52] [APPLICABILITY AND EFFECT.] 
 45.13     Subdivision 1.  [APPLICABILITY.] The standards in sections 
 45.14  245A.51 to 245A.56 govern services to persons with mental 
 45.15  retardation or related conditions receiving services from 
 45.16  license holders providing residential-based habilitation; day 
 45.17  training and habilitation services for adults; semi-independent 
 45.18  living services; residential programs that serve more than four 
 45.19  consumers, including intermediate care facilities for persons 
 45.20  with mental retardation; and respite care provided outside the 
 45.21  consumer's home for more than four consumers at the same time at 
 45.22  a single site. 
 45.23     Subd. 2.  [RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER STANDARDS GOVERNING 
 45.24  SERVICES FOR PERSONS WITH MENTAL RETARDATION OR RELATED 
 45.25  CONDITIONS.] (a) ICFs/MR are exempt from: 
 45.26     (1) section 245A.53; 
 45.27     (2) section 245A.55, subdivisions 4 and 6; and 
 45.28     (3) section 245A.56, subdivisions 4, paragraphs (b) and 
 45.29  (c); 7; and 8, paragraphs (a), clause (4), and (b), clause (1). 
 45.30     (b) License holders also licensed under chapter 144 as a 
 45.31  supervised living facility are exempt from section 245A.53. 
 45.32     (c) Residential service sites controlled by license holders 
 45.33  licensed under sections 245A.51 to 245A.56 for home- and 
 45.34  community-based waivered services for four or fewer adults are 
 45.35  exempt from compliance with Minnesota Rules, parts 9543.0040, 
 45.36  subpart 2, item C; 9555.5505; 9555.5515, items B and G; 
 46.1   9555.5605; 9555.5705; 9555.6125, subparts 3, item C, subitem 
 46.2   (2), and 4 to 6; 9555.6185; 9555.6225, subpart 8; 9555.6245; 
 46.3   9555.6255; and 9555.6265.  The commissioner may approve 
 46.4   alternative methods of providing overnight supervision using the 
 46.5   process and criteria for granting a variance in section 245A.04, 
 46.6   subdivision 9.  This chapter does not apply to foster care homes 
 46.7   that do not provide residential habilitation services funded 
 46.8   under the home- and community-based waiver programs defined in 
 46.9   section 256B.092. 
 46.10     (d) The commissioner may exempt license holders from 
 46.11  applicable standards of sections 245A.51 to 245A.56 when the 
 46.12  license holder meets the standards under section 245A.09, 
 46.13  subdivision 7.  License holders that are accredited by an 
 46.14  independent accreditation body must continue to be licensed 
 46.15  under this chapter. 
 46.16     (e) License holders governed by sections 245A.51 to 245A.56 
 46.17  must also meet the licensure requirements in this chapter. 
 46.18     (f) Nothing prohibits license holders under sections 
 46.19  245A.51 to 245A.56 from concurrently serving consumers with and 
 46.20  without mental retardation or related conditions provided the 
 46.21  standards under sections 245A.51 to 245A.56 are met as well as 
 46.22  other relevant standards. 
 46.23     (g) The documentation that sections 245A.51 to 245A.56 
 46.24  require of the license holder meets the individual program plan 
 46.25  required in section 256B.092.  
 46.26     Sec. 37.  [245A.53] [CONSUMER RIGHTS.] 
 46.27     Subdivision 1.  [LICENSE HOLDER'S RESPONSIBILITY FOR 
 46.28  CONSUMERS' RIGHTS.] The license holder must: 
 46.29     (1) provide the consumer or the consumer's legal 
 46.30  representative a copy of the consumer's rights on the day that 
 46.31  services are initiated and an explanation of the rights in 
 46.32  subdivisions 2 and 3 within five working days of service 
 46.33  initiation.  Reasonable accommodations must be made by the 
 46.34  license holder to provide this information in other formats as 
 46.35  needed to facilitate understanding of the rights by the consumer 
 46.36  and the consumer's legal representative, if any; 
 47.1      (2) document the consumer's or the consumer's legal 
 47.2   representative's receipt of a copy of the rights and an 
 47.3   explanation of the rights; and 
 47.4      (3) ensure the exercise and protection of the consumer's 
 47.5   rights in the services provided by the license holder and 
 47.6   authorized in the individual service plan. 
 47.7      Subd. 2.  [SERVICE-RELATED RIGHTS.] A consumer's 
 47.8   service-related rights include the right to: 
 47.9      (1) refuse or terminate services and be informed of the 
 47.10  consequences of refusing or terminating services; 
 47.11     (2) know, in advance, limits to the services available from 
 47.12  the license holder; 
 47.13     (3) know conditions and terms governing the provision of 
 47.14  services, including those related to initiation and termination; 
 47.15     (4) know what the charges are for services, regardless of 
 47.16  who will be paying for the services, and be notified of changes 
 47.17  in those charges; 
 47.18     (5) know, in advance, whether services are covered by 
 47.19  insurance, government funding, or other sources, and be told of 
 47.20  any charges the consumer or other private party may have to pay; 
 47.21  and 
 47.22     (6) receive licensed services from individuals who are 
 47.23  competent and trained, who have professional certification or 
 47.24  licensure, as required, and who meet additional qualifications 
 47.25  identified in the individual service plan. 
 47.26     Subd. 3.  [PROTECTION-RELATED RIGHTS.] The consumer's 
 47.27  protection-related rights include the right to: 
 47.28     (1) have personal, financial, services, and medical 
 47.29  information kept private, and be advised of the license holder's 
 47.30  policies and procedures regarding disclosure of such 
 47.31  information; 
 47.32     (2) access records and recorded information; 
 47.33     (3) be free from maltreatment; 
 47.34     (4) be treated with courtesy and respect for the consumer's 
 47.35  individuality, mode of communication, and culture, and receive 
 47.36  respectful treatment of the consumer's property; 
 48.1      (5) voice grievances, know the contact persons responsible 
 48.2   for addressing problems and how to contact those persons; 
 48.3      (6) any procedures for grievance or complaint resolution 
 48.4   and the right to appeal under section 256.045; 
 48.5      (7) know the name and address of the state, county, or 
 48.6   advocacy agency to contact for additional information or 
 48.7   assistance; 
 48.8      (8) assert these rights personally, or have them asserted 
 48.9   by the consumer's family or legal representative, without 
 48.10  retaliation; 
 48.11     (9) give or withhold written informed consent to 
 48.12  participate in any research or experimental treatment; 
 48.13     (10) have daily, private access to and use of a noncoin- 
 48.14  operated telephone for local calls and long-distance calls made 
 48.15  collect or paid for by the resident; 
 48.16     (11) receive and send uncensored, unopened mail; 
 48.17     (12) marital privacy for visits with the consumer's spouse 
 48.18  and, if both are residents of the site, the right to share a 
 48.19  bedroom and bed; 
 48.20     (13) associate with other persons of the consumer's choice; 
 48.21     (14) personal privacy; and 
 48.22     (15) engage in chosen activities. 
 48.23     Sec. 38.  [245A.54] [CONSUMER PROTECTION STANDARDS.] 
 48.24     Subdivision 1.  [ENVIRONMENT.] The license holder must: 
 48.25     (1) ensure that services are provided in a safe and 
 48.26  hazard-free environment when the license holder is the owner, 
 48.27  lessor, or tenant of the service site.  All other license 
 48.28  holders shall inform the consumer or the consumer's legal 
 48.29  representative and case manager about any environmental safety 
 48.30  concerns in writing; 
 48.31     (2) lock doors only to protect the safety of consumers and 
 48.32  not as a substitute for staff supervision or interactions with 
 48.33  consumers; 
 48.34     (3) follow procedures that minimize the consumer's health 
 48.35  risk from communicable diseases; and 
 48.36     (4) maintain equipment, vehicles, supplies, and materials 
 49.1   owned or leased by the license holder in good condition. 
 49.2      Subd. 2.  [LICENSED CAPACITY FOR FACILITY-BASED DAY 
 49.3   TRAINING AND HABILITATION SERVICES.] Licensed capacity of day 
 49.4   training and habilitation service sites must be determined by 
 49.5   the amount of primary space available, the scheduling of 
 49.6   activities at other service sites, and the space requirements of 
 49.7   consumers receiving services.  Primary space does not include 
 49.8   hallways, stairways, closets, utility areas, bathrooms, 
 49.9   kitchens, and floor areas beneath stationary equipment.  A 
 49.10  minimum of 40 square feet of primary space must be available for 
 49.11  each consumer who is engaged in a day training and habilitation 
 49.12  activity at the site for which the licensed capacity must be 
 49.13  determined. 
 49.14     Subd. 3.  [RESIDENTIAL SERVICE SITES FOR MORE THAN FOUR 
 49.15  CONSUMERS; FOUR-BED ICFS/MR.] Residential service sites licensed 
 49.16  to serve more than four consumers and four-bed ICFs/MR must meet 
 49.17  the fire protection provisions of either the Residential Board 
 49.18  and Care Occupancies Chapter or the Health Care Occupancies 
 49.19  Chapter of the Life Safety Code (LSC), National Fire Protection 
 49.20  Association, 1985 edition, or its successors.  Sites meeting the 
 49.21  definition of a residential board and care occupancy for 16 or 
 49.22  less beds must have the emergency evacuation capability of 
 49.23  residents evaluated in accordance with Appendix F of the LSC or 
 49.24  its successors, except for those sites that meet the LSC Health 
 49.25  Care Occupancies Chapter or its successors. 
 49.26     Subd. 4.  [MEETING FIRE AND SAFETY CODES.] An applicant or 
 49.27  license holder must document compliance with applicable building 
 49.28  codes, fire and safety codes, health rules, and zoning 
 49.29  ordinances, or document that an appropriate waiver has been 
 49.30  granted. 
 49.31     Subd. 5.  [CONSUMER HEALTH.] The license holder is 
 49.32  responsible for meeting the health service needs assigned to the 
 49.33  license holder in the individual service plan and for bringing 
 49.34  health needs as discovered by the license holder promptly to the 
 49.35  attention of the consumer, the consumer's legal representative, 
 49.36  and the case manager.  The license holder is required to 
 50.1   maintain documentation on how the consumer's health needs will 
 50.2   be met, including a description of procedures the license holder 
 50.3   will follow for the consumer regarding medication monitoring and 
 50.4   administration and seizure monitoring, if needed.  The 
 50.5   medication administration procedures are those procedures 
 50.6   necessary to implement medication and treatment orders issued by 
 50.7   appropriately licensed professionals, and must be established in 
 50.8   consultation with a registered nurse, nurse practitioner, 
 50.9   physician's assistant, or medical doctor. 
 50.10     Subd. 6.  [FIRST AID.] When the license holder is providing 
 50.11  direct service and supervision to a consumer who requires a 
 50.12  24-hour plan of care and receives services at a site licensed 
 50.13  under this chapter, the license holder must have available a 
 50.14  staff person trained in first aid, and if needed under section 
 50.15  245A.56, subdivision 6, paragraph (d), from a qualified source, 
 50.16  as determined by the commissioner. 
 50.17     Subd. 7.  [REPORTING INCIDENTS AND EMERGENCIES.] The 
 50.18  license holder must report the following incidents to the 
 50.19  consumer's legal representative, caregiver, and case manager 
 50.20  within 24 hours of the occurrence, or within 24 hours of receipt 
 50.21  of the information: 
 50.22     (1) the death of a consumer; 
 50.23     (2) any medical emergencies, unexpected serious illnesses, 
 50.24  or accidents that require physician treatment or 
 50.25  hospitalization; 
 50.26     (3) a consumer's unauthorized absence; or 
 50.27     (4) any fires and incidents involving a law enforcement 
 50.28  agency. 
 50.29     Death or serious injury of the consumer must also be 
 50.30  reported to the commissioner and the ombudsman as required in 
 50.31  sections 245.91 and 245.94, subdivision 2a. 
 50.32     Sec. 39.  [245A.55] [SERVICE STANDARDS.] 
 50.33     Subdivision 1.  [OUTCOME-BASED SERVICES.] (a) The license 
 50.34  holder must provide outcome-based services in response to the 
 50.35  consumer's identified needs as specified in the individual 
 50.36  service plan.  
 51.1      (b) Services must be based on the needs and preferences of 
 51.2   the consumer and the consumer's personal goals and be consistent 
 51.3   with the principles of least restrictive environment and 
 51.4   self-determination, and consistent with the following goals: 
 51.5      (1) the recognition of each consumer's history, dignity, 
 51.6   and cultural background; 
 51.7      (2) the affirmation and protection of each consumer's civil 
 51.8   and legal rights; 
 51.9      (3) the provision of services and supports for each 
 51.10  consumer which: 
 51.11     (i) promote community inclusion and self-sufficiency; 
 51.12     (ii) provide services in the least restrictive environment; 
 51.13     (iii) promote social relationships, natural supports, and 
 51.14  participation in community life; 
 51.15     (iv) allow for a balance between safety and opportunities; 
 51.16  and 
 51.17     (v) provide opportunities for development and exercise of 
 51.18  age-appropriate skills, decision-making and choice, personal 
 51.19  advocacy, and communication; and 
 51.20     (4) the provision of services and supports for families 
 51.21  which address the needs of the consumer in the context of the 
 51.22  family and support family self-sufficiency. 
 51.23     The license holder must make available to the consumer 
 51.24  opportunities to participate in the community, functional skill 
 51.25  development, reduced dependency on care providers, and 
 51.26  opportunities for development of decision-making skills.  
 51.27  "Outcome" means the behavior, action, or status attained by the 
 51.28  consumer that can be observed, measured, and can be determined 
 51.29  reliable and valid.  Outcomes are the equivalent of the 
 51.30  long-range goals and short-term goals under section 256B.092, 
 51.31  and any rules promulgated thereunder. 
 51.32     Subd. 2.  [RISK MANAGEMENT PLAN.] The license holder must 
 51.33  develop and document in writing a risk management plan that 
 51.34  incorporates the individual abuse prevention plan as required in 
 51.35  section 245A.65.  License holders jointly providing services to 
 51.36  a consumer must coordinate and use the resulting assessment of 
 52.1   risk areas for the development of this plan.  Upon initiation of 
 52.2   services, the license holder will have in place an initial risk 
 52.3   management plan that identifies areas in which the consumer is 
 52.4   vulnerable, including health, safety, and environmental issues 
 52.5   and the supports the provider will have in place to protect the 
 52.6   consumer and to minimize these risks.  The plan must be changed 
 52.7   based on the needs of the individual consumer and reviewed at 
 52.8   least annually. 
 52.9      Subd. 3.  [ASSESSMENTS.] (a) The license holder shall 
 52.10  assess and reassess the consumer within stated time lines and 
 52.11  assessment areas specified in the individual service plan or as 
 52.12  requested in writing by the case manager. 
 52.13     (b) For each area of assessment requested, the license 
 52.14  holder must provide a written summary, analysis, and 
 52.15  recommendations for use in the development of the individual 
 52.16  service plan. 
 52.17     (c) All assessments must include information about the 
 52.18  consumer that is descriptive of: 
 52.19     (1) the consumer's strengths and functional skills; and 
 52.20     (2) the level of support and supervision the consumer needs 
 52.21  to achieve the outcomes in subdivision 1. 
 52.22     Subd. 4.  [SUPPORTS AND METHODS.] The license holder, in 
 52.23  coordination with other service providers, shall meet with the 
 52.24  consumer, the consumer's legal representative, case manager, and 
 52.25  other members of the interdisciplinary team within 45 days of 
 52.26  service initiation.  Within ten working days after the meeting, 
 52.27  the license holder shall develop and document in writing: 
 52.28     (1) the methods that will be used to support the individual 
 52.29  or accomplish the outcomes in section 245A.55, subdivision 1, 
 52.30  including information about physical and social environments, 
 52.31  the equipment and materials required, and techniques that are 
 52.32  consistent with the consumer's communication mode and learning 
 52.33  style specified as the license holder's responsibility in the 
 52.34  individual service plan; 
 52.35     (2) the projected starting date for service supports and 
 52.36  the criteria for identifying when the desired outcome has been 
 53.1   achieved and when the service supports need to be reviewed; and 
 53.2      (3) the names of the staff, staff position, or contractors 
 53.3   responsible for implementing each outcome. 
 53.4      Subd. 5.  [PROGRESS REVIEWS.] The license holder must 
 53.5   participate in progress review meetings following stated time 
 53.6   lines established in the consumer's individual service plan or 
 53.7   as requested in writing by the consumer, the consumer's legal 
 53.8   representative, or the case manager, at a minimum of once a 
 53.9   year.  The license holder must summarize the progress toward 
 53.10  achieving the desired outcomes and make recommendations in a 
 53.11  written report sent to the consumer or the consumer's legal 
 53.12  representative and case manager prior to the review meeting.  
 53.13  For consumers under public guardianship, the license holder is 
 53.14  required to provide quarterly written progress review reports to 
 53.15  the consumer, designated family member, and case manager. 
 53.16     Subd. 6.  [REPORTS.] The license holder shall provide 
 53.17  written reports regarding the consumer's status as requested by 
 53.18  the consumer, or the consumer's legal representative and case 
 53.19  manager. 
 53.20     Subd. 7.  [STAFFING REQUIREMENTS.] The license holder shall 
 53.21  provide supervision to ensure the health, safety, and protection 
 53.22  of rights of each consumer and to be able to implement each 
 53.23  consumer's individual service plan.  Day training and 
 53.24  habilitation programs must meet the minimum staffing 
 53.25  requirements as specified in sections 252.40 to 252.46 and any 
 53.26  rules promulgated thereunder. 
 53.27     Subd. 8.  [LEAVING THE RESIDENCE.] As specified in each 
 53.28  consumer's individual service plan, each consumer requiring a 
 53.29  24-hour plan of care must leave the residence to participate in 
 53.30  regular education, employment, or community activities.  License 
 53.31  holders, providing services to consumers living in a licensed 
 53.32  site, shall ensure that they are prepared to care for consumers 
 53.33  whenever they are at the residence during the day because of 
 53.34  illness, work schedules, or other reasons. 
 53.35     Subd. 9.  [DAY TRAINING AND HABILITATION SERVICE DAYS.] Day 
 53.36  training and habilitation services must meet a minimum of 195 
 54.1   available service days. 
 54.2      Subd. 10.  [PROHIBITION.] Psychotropic medication and the 
 54.3   use of aversive and deprivation procedures, under section 
 54.4   245.825 and any rules promulgated thereunder cannot be used as a 
 54.5   substitute for adequate staffing, as punishment, or for staff 
 54.6   convenience. 
 54.7      Sec. 40.  [245A.56] [MANAGEMENT STANDARDS.] 
 54.8      Subdivision 1.  [CONSUMER DATA FILE.] The license holder 
 54.9   must maintain the following information for each consumer: 
 54.10     (1) identifying information that includes date of birth, 
 54.11  medications, legal representative, history, medical, and other 
 54.12  individual-specific information, and names and telephone numbers 
 54.13  of contacts; 
 54.14     (2) consumer health information, including individual 
 54.15  medication administration and monitoring information; 
 54.16     (3) the consumer's individual service plan.  When a 
 54.17  consumer's case manager does not provide a current individual 
 54.18  service plan, the license holder shall make a written request to 
 54.19  the case manager to provide a copy of the individual service 
 54.20  plan and inform the consumer or the consumer's legal 
 54.21  representative of the right to an individual service plan and 
 54.22  the right to appeal under section 256.045; 
 54.23     (4) copies of assessments, analyses, summaries, and 
 54.24  recommendations; 
 54.25     (5) progress review reports; 
 54.26     (6) incident and emergency reports involving the consumer; 
 54.27     (7) discharge summary, when applicable; 
 54.28     (8) record of other license holders serving the consumer 
 54.29  that includes a contact person and telephone numbers, services 
 54.30  being provided, services that require coordination between two 
 54.31  license holders, and name of staff responsible for coordination; 
 54.32  and 
 54.33     (9) incidents involving verbal and physical aggression 
 54.34  between consumers and self-abuse affecting the consumer. 
 54.35     Subd. 2.  [ACCESS TO RECORDS.] The license holder must 
 54.36  ensure that the following people have access to the information 
 55.1   in subdivision 1: 
 55.2      (1) the consumer, the consumer's legal representative, and 
 55.3   anyone properly authorized by the consumer or legal 
 55.4   representative; 
 55.5      (2) the consumer's case manager; 
 55.6      (3) staff providing direct services to the consumer unless 
 55.7   the information is not relevant to carrying out the individual 
 55.8   service plan; and 
 55.9      (4) the county adult foster care licensor, when services 
 55.10  are also licensed as an adult foster home.  Adult foster home 
 55.11  means a licensed residence operated by an operator who, for 
 55.12  financial gain or otherwise, provides 24-hour foster care to no 
 55.13  more than four functionally impaired residents. 
 55.14     Subd. 3.  [RETENTION OF CONSUMER'S RECORDS.] The license 
 55.15  holder must retain the records required for consumers for at 
 55.16  least three years following termination of services. 
 55.17     Subd. 4.  [STAFF QUALIFICATIONS.] (a) The license holder 
 55.18  must ensure that staff is competent through training, 
 55.19  experience, and education to meet the consumer's needs and 
 55.20  additional requirements as written in the individual service 
 55.21  plan.  Staff qualifications must be documented.  Staff under 18 
 55.22  years of age may not perform overnight duties or administer 
 55.23  medication. 
 55.24     (b) Delivery and evaluation of services provided by the 
 55.25  license holder to a consumer must be coordinated by a designated 
 55.26  person.  The designated person or coordinator must minimally 
 55.27  have a four-year degree in a field related to service provision, 
 55.28  and one year work experience with consumers with mental 
 55.29  retardation or related conditions, a two-year degree in a field 
 55.30  related to service provision, and two years of work experience 
 55.31  with consumers with mental retardation or related conditions, or 
 55.32  a diploma in community-based developmental disability services 
 55.33  from an accredited post-secondary institution and two years of 
 55.34  work experience with consumers with mental retardation or 
 55.35  related conditions.  The coordinator must provide supervision, 
 55.36  support, and evaluation of activities that include: 
 56.1      (1) oversight of the license holder's responsibilities 
 56.2   designated in the individual service plan; 
 56.3      (2) instruction and assistance to staff implementing the 
 56.4   individual service plan areas; 
 56.5      (3) evaluation of the effectiveness of service delivery, 
 56.6   methodologies, and progress on consumer outcomes based on the 
 56.7   condition set for objective change; and 
 56.8      (4) review of incident and emergency reports, 
 56.9   identification of incident patterns, and implementation of 
 56.10  corrective action as necessary to reduce occurrences. 
 56.11     (c) The coordinator is responsible for taking the action 
 56.12  necessary to facilitate the accomplishment of the outcomes for 
 56.13  each consumer as specified in the consumer's individual service 
 56.14  plan. 
 56.15     (d) The license holder must provide for adequate 
 56.16  supervision of direct care staff to ensure implementation of the 
 56.17  individual service plan. 
 56.18     Subd. 5.  [STAFF ORIENTATION.] (a) Within 60 days of hiring 
 56.19  staff who provide direct service, the license holder must 
 56.20  provide 30 hours of staff orientation.  Direct care staff must 
 56.21  complete 15 of the 30 hours orientation before providing any 
 56.22  unsupervised direct service to a consumer.  If the staff person 
 56.23  has received orientation training from a license holder licensed 
 56.24  under this chapter, or provides semi-independent living services 
 56.25  only, the 15-hour requirement may be reduced to eight hours.  
 56.26  The total orientation of 30 hours may be reduced to 15 hours if 
 56.27  the staff person has previously received orientation training 
 56.28  from a license holder licensed under this chapter. 
 56.29     (b) The 30 hours of orientation must combine supervised 
 56.30  on-the-job training with coverage of the following material: 
 56.31     (1) review of the consumer's service plans and risk 
 56.32  management plan to achieve an understanding of the consumer as a 
 56.33  unique individual; 
 56.34     (2) review and instruction on the license holder's policies 
 56.35  and procedures, including their location and access; 
 56.36     (3) emergency procedures; 
 57.1      (4) explanation of specific job functions, including 
 57.2   implementing objectives from the consumer's individual service 
 57.3   plan; 
 57.4      (5) explanation of responsibilities related to section 
 57.5   245A.65; sections 626.556 and 626.557, governing maltreatment 
 57.6   reporting and planning for children and vulnerable adults; and 
 57.7   section 245.825, governing use of aversive and deprivation 
 57.8   procedures; 
 57.9      (6) medication administration as it applies to the 
 57.10  individual consumer, from a training curriculum developed by a 
 57.11  health services professional described in section 245A.54, 
 57.12  subdivision 5, and when the consumer meets the criteria of 
 57.13  having overriding health care needs, then medication 
 57.14  administration taught by a health services professional.  Once a 
 57.15  consumer with overriding health care needs is admitted, staff 
 57.16  will be provided with remedial training as deemed necessary by 
 57.17  the license holder and the health professional to meet the needs 
 57.18  of that consumer.  Overriding health care needs means a health 
 57.19  care condition that affects the service options available to the 
 57.20  consumer because the condition requires: 
 57.21     (i) specialized or intensive medical or nursing 
 57.22  supervision; and 
 57.23     (ii) nonmedical service providers to adapt their services 
 57.24  to accommodate the health and safety needs of the consumer; 
 57.25     (7) consumer rights; and 
 57.26     (8) other topics necessary as determined by the consumer's 
 57.27  individual service plan or other areas identified by the license 
 57.28  holder. 
 57.29     (c) The license holder must document each employee's 
 57.30  orientation received. 
 57.31     Subd. 6.  [STAFF TRAINING.] (a) The license holder shall 
 57.32  ensure that direct service staff annually complete hours of 
 57.33  training equal to two percent of the number of hours the staff 
 57.34  person worked or one percent for license holders providing 
 57.35  semi-independent living services.  If direct service staff has 
 57.36  received training from a license holder licensed under a program 
 58.1   rule identified in this chapter or completed course work 
 58.2   regarding disability-related issues from a post-secondary 
 58.3   educational institute, that training may also count toward 
 58.4   training requirements for other services and for other license 
 58.5   holders. 
 58.6      (b) The license holder shall document the training 
 58.7   completed by each employee. 
 58.8      (c) Training must address staff competencies necessary to 
 58.9   address the consumer needs as identified in the consumer's 
 58.10  individual service plan and ensure consumer health, safety, and 
 58.11  protection of rights.  Training may also include other areas 
 58.12  identified by the license holder. 
 58.13     (d) For consumers requiring a 24-hour plan of care, the 
 58.14  license holder shall provide training in cardiopulmonary 
 58.15  resuscitation, from a qualified source determined by the 
 58.16  commissioner, if the consumer's health needs as determined by 
 58.17  the consumer's physician indicate trained staff would be 
 58.18  necessary to the consumer. 
 58.19     Subd. 7.  [VOLUNTEERS.] The license holder must ensure that 
 58.20  volunteers who provide direct services to consumers receive the 
 58.21  training and orientation necessary to fulfill their 
 58.22  responsibilities. 
 58.23     Subd. 8.  [POLICIES AND PROCEDURES.] The license holder 
 58.24  must develop and implement the policies and procedures in 
 58.25  clauses (1) to (3): 
 58.26     (1) policies and procedures that promote consumer health 
 58.27  and safety by ensuring: 
 58.28     (i) consumer safety in emergency situations as identified 
 58.29  in section 245A.54, subdivision 7; 
 58.30     (ii) consumer health through sanitary practices; 
 58.31     (iii) safe transportation, when the license holder is 
 58.32  responsible for transportation of consumers, with provisions for 
 58.33  handling emergency situations; 
 58.34     (iv) a system of recordkeeping for both individuals and the 
 58.35  organization, for review of incidents and emergencies, and 
 58.36  corrective action if needed; 
 59.1      (v) a plan for responding to and reporting all emergencies, 
 59.2   including deaths, medical emergencies, illnesses, accidents, 
 59.3   missing consumers, fires, severe weather and natural disasters, 
 59.4   bomb threats, and other threats; 
 59.5      (vi) safe medication administration as identified in 
 59.6   section 245A.54, subdivision 5; 
 59.7      (vii) psychotropic medication monitoring when the consumer 
 59.8   is prescribed a psychotropic medication, including the use of 
 59.9   the psychotropic medication use checklist.  If the 
 59.10  responsibility for implementing the psychotropic medication use 
 59.11  checklist has not been assigned in the individual service plan 
 59.12  and the consumer lives in a licensed site, the residential 
 59.13  license holder shall be designated; and 
 59.14     (viii) criteria for admission or service initiation 
 59.15  developed by the license holder; 
 59.16     (2) policies and procedures that protect consumer rights 
 59.17  and privacy by ensuring: 
 59.18     (i) consumer data privacy, in compliance with chapter 13; 
 59.19  and 
 59.20     (ii) that complaint procedures provide consumers with a 
 59.21  simple process to bring grievances and consumers receive a 
 59.22  response to the grievance within a reasonable time period.  The 
 59.23  license holder must provide a copy of the program's grievance 
 59.24  procedure and timelines for addressing grievances.  The 
 59.25  program's grievance procedure must permit consumers served by 
 59.26  the program and the authorized representatives to bring a 
 59.27  grievance to the highest level of authority in the program; and 
 59.28     (3) policies and procedures that promote continuity and 
 59.29  quality of consumer supports by ensuring: 
 59.30     (i) continuity of care and service coordination, including 
 59.31  provisions for service termination, temporary service 
 59.32  suspension, and efforts made by the license holder to coordinate 
 59.33  services with other vendors who also provide support to the 
 59.34  consumer.  The policy must include the following requirements: 
 59.35     (A) the license holder must notify the consumer or 
 59.36  consumer's legal representative and the consumer's case manager 
 60.1   in writing of the intended termination or temporary service 
 60.2   suspension and the consumer's right to seek a temporary order 
 60.3   staying the termination or suspension of service in accordance 
 60.4   with the procedures under section 256.045, subdivision 4a or 6c; 
 60.5      (B) notice of the proposed termination of services must be 
 60.6   given at least 60 days before the proposed termination is to 
 60.7   become effective unless services are temporarily suspended 
 60.8   according to the license holder's written temporary service 
 60.9   suspension procedures in which case notice must be given as soon 
 60.10  as possible; 
 60.11     (C) the license holder must provide information requested 
 60.12  by the consumer or consumer's legal representative or case 
 60.13  manager when services are temporarily suspended or upon notice 
 60.14  of termination; 
 60.15     (D) use of temporary service suspension procedures are 
 60.16  restricted to situations in which the consumer's behavior causes 
 60.17  immediate and serious danger to the health and safety of the 
 60.18  individual or others; 
 60.19     (E) prior to giving notice of service termination or 
 60.20  temporary service suspension, the license holder must document 
 60.21  actions taken to minimize or eliminate the need for service 
 60.22  termination or temporary service suspension; and 
 60.23     (F) during the period of temporary service suspension, the 
 60.24  license holder will work with the appropriate county agency to 
 60.25  develop reasonable alternatives to protect the individual and 
 60.26  others; and 
 60.27     (ii) quality services measured through a program evaluation 
 60.28  process including regular evaluations of consumer satisfaction 
 60.29  and sharing the results of the evaluations with the consumers 
 60.30  and legal representatives. 
 60.31     Subd. 9.  [AVAILABILITY OF CURRENT WRITTEN POLICIES AND 
 60.32  PROCEDURES.] The license holder shall: 
 60.33     (1) review and update, as needed, the written policies and 
 60.34  procedures in this subdivision and inform all consumers or the 
 60.35  consumer's legal representatives, case managers, and employees 
 60.36  of the revised policies and procedures when they affect the 
 61.1   service provision; 
 61.2      (2) inform consumers or the consumer's legal 
 61.3   representatives of the written policies and procedures in this 
 61.4   subdivision upon service initiation.  Copies must be available 
 61.5   to consumers or the consumer's legal representatives, case 
 61.6   managers, the county where services are located, and the 
 61.7   commissioner upon request; and 
 61.8      (3) document and maintain relevant information related to 
 61.9   the policies and procedures in this subdivision. 
 61.10     Subd. 10.  [CONSUMER FUNDS.] The license holder must ensure 
 61.11  that consumers retain the use and availability of personal funds 
 61.12  or property unless restrictions are justified in the consumer's 
 61.13  individual service plan. 
 61.14     (a) The license holder must ensure separation of resident 
 61.15  funds from funds of the license holder, the residential program, 
 61.16  or program staff. 
 61.17     (b) Whenever the license holder assists a consumer with the 
 61.18  safekeeping of funds or other property, the license holder shall:
 61.19     (1) document receipt and disbursement of the consumer's 
 61.20  funds or other property, including the signature of the 
 61.21  consumer, conservator, or payee; 
 61.22     (2) provide a statement, at least quarterly, itemizing 
 61.23  receipts and disbursements of resident funds or other property; 
 61.24  and 
 61.25     (3) return to the consumer upon the consumer's request, 
 61.26  funds and property in the license holder's possession subject to 
 61.27  restrictions in the consumer's individual service plan, as soon 
 61.28  as possible, but no later than three working days after the date 
 61.29  of the request. 
 61.30     (c) License holders and program staff must not: 
 61.31     (1) borrow money from a consumer; 
 61.32     (2) purchase personal items from a consumer; 
 61.33     (3) sell merchandise or personal services to a consumer; 
 61.34     (4) require a resident to purchase items for which the 
 61.35  license holder is eligible for reimbursement; or 
 61.36     (5) use resident funds in a manner that would violate 
 62.1   section 256B.04, or any rules promulgated thereunder. 
 62.2      Subd. 11.  [TRAVEL TIME TO AND FROM A DAY TRAINING AND 
 62.3   HABILITATION SITE.] Except in unusual circumstances, the license 
 62.4   holder must not transport a consumer receiving services for 
 62.5   longer than one hour per one-way trip. 
 62.6      Subd. 12.  [SEPARATE LICENSE REQUIRED FOR SEPARATE SITES.] 
 62.7   The license holder shall apply for separate licenses for each 
 62.8   day training and habilitation service site owned or leased by 
 62.9   the license holder at which persons receiving services and the 
 62.10  provider's employees who provide training and habilitation 
 62.11  services are present for a cumulative total of more than 30 days 
 62.12  within any 12-month period and each residential service site. 
 62.13     Subd. 13.  [VARIANCE.] The commissioner may grant a 
 62.14  variance to any of the requirements in sections 245A.51 to 
 62.15  245A.56, except section 245A.56, subdivision 8, paragraph (1), 
 62.16  clause (vii), or provisions governing data practices or 
 62.17  information rights of consumers, if the conditions in section 
 62.18  245A.04, subdivision 9, are met.  Upon the request of the 
 62.19  license holder, the commissioner shall continue variances from 
 62.20  the standards in this chapter previously granted under Minnesota 
 62.21  Rules that are repealed as a result of this chapter.  The 
 62.22  commissioner may approve variances for a license holder on a 
 62.23  program, geographic, or organizational basis. 
 62.24     Sec. 41.  [245A.57] [NEW REGULATORY STRATEGIES.] 
 62.25     Subdivision 1.  [ALTERNATIVE METHODS OF DETERMINING 
 62.26  COMPLIANCE.] (a) In addition to methods specified in this 
 62.27  chapter, the commissioner may use alternative methods and new 
 62.28  regulatory strategies to determine compliance with this 
 62.29  section.  The commissioner may use sampling techniques to ensure 
 62.30  compliance with this section.  Notwithstanding section 245A.09, 
 62.31  subdivision 7, paragraph (d), the commissioner may also extend 
 62.32  periods of licensure, not to exceed five years, for license 
 62.33  holders who have demonstrated substantial and consistent 
 62.34  compliance with sections 245A.51 to 245A.56 and have 
 62.35  consistently maintained the health and safety of consumers and 
 62.36  have demonstrated by alternative methods in paragraph (b) that 
 63.1   they meet or exceed the requirements of this section.  For 
 63.2   purposes of this section, "substantial and consistent 
 63.3   compliance" means that during the current licensing period: 
 63.4      (1) the license holder's license has not been made 
 63.5   conditional, suspended, or revoked; 
 63.6      (2) there have been no substantiated allegations of 
 63.7   maltreatment against the license holder; 
 63.8      (3) there have been no program deficiencies that have been 
 63.9   identified that would jeopardize the health or safety of 
 63.10  consumers being served; and 
 63.11     (4) the license holder is in substantial compliance with 
 63.12  the other requirements of this chapter and other applicable laws 
 63.13  and rules. 
 63.14     (b) To determine the length of a license, the commissioner 
 63.15  shall consider: 
 63.16     (1) information from affected consumers, and the license 
 63.17  holder's responsiveness to consumers' concerns and 
 63.18  recommendations; 
 63.19     (2) self assessments and peer reviews of the standards of 
 63.20  this section, corrective actions taken by the license holder, 
 63.21  and sharing the results of the inspections with consumers, the 
 63.22  consumers' families, and others, as requested; 
 63.23     (3) length of accreditation by an independent accreditation 
 63.24  body, if applicable; 
 63.25     (4) information from the county where the license holder is 
 63.26  located; and 
 63.27     (5) information from the license holder demonstrating 
 63.28  performance that meets or exceeds the minimum standards of this 
 63.29  chapter. 
 63.30     (c) The commissioner may reduce the length of the license 
 63.31  if the license holder fails to meet the criteria in paragraph 
 63.32  (a) and the conditions specified in paragraph (b). 
 63.33     Subd. 2.  [ADDITIONAL MEASURES.] The commissioner may 
 63.34  require the license holder to implement additional measures on a 
 63.35  time-limited basis to ensure the health and safety of consumers 
 63.36  when the health and safety of consumers has been determined to 
 64.1   be at risk as determined by substantiated incidents of 
 64.2   maltreatment under sections 626.556 and 626.557.  The license 
 64.3   holder may request reconsideration of the actions taken by the 
 64.4   commissioner under this subdivision according to section 245A.06.
 64.5      Subd. 3.  [SANCTIONS AVAILABLE.] Nothing in this section 
 64.6   shall be construed to limit the commissioner's authority to 
 64.7   suspend, revoke, or make conditional at any time a license under 
 64.8   section 245A.07; make correction orders and require fines for 
 64.9   failure to comply with applicable laws or rules under section 
 64.10  245A.06; or deny an application for license under section 
 64.11  245A.05. 
 64.12     Subd. 4.  [EFFICIENT APPLICATION.] The commissioner shall 
 64.13  establish application procedures for license holders licensed 
 64.14  under this chapter to reduce the need to submit duplicative 
 64.15  material. 
 64.16     Subd. 5.  [INFORMATION.] The commissioner shall make 
 64.17  information available to consumers and interested persons 
 64.18  regarding the licensing status of a license holder. 
 64.19     Subd. 6.  [IMPLEMENTATION.] The commissioner shall seek 
 64.20  advice from parties affected by the implementation of sections 
 64.21  245A.50 to 245A.57. 
 64.22     Subd. 7.  [DEEM STATUS.] The commissioner may exempt a 
 64.23  license holder from duplicative standards if the license holder 
 64.24  is already licensed under this chapter. 
 64.25                         VULNERABLE ADULTS
 64.26     Sec. 42.  [245A.65] [LICENSE HOLDER REQUIREMENTS GOVERNING 
 64.27  MALTREATMENT OF VULNERABLE ADULTS.] 
 64.28     Subdivision 1.  [LICENSE HOLDER INTERNAL REPORTING AND 
 64.29  INVESTIGATION OF MALTREATMENT.] All license holders serving 
 64.30  vulnerable adults shall establish and enforce written policies 
 64.31  and procedures related to suspected or alleged maltreatment, and 
 64.32  shall orient clients and mandated reporters who are under the 
 64.33  control of the license holder to these procedures, as defined in 
 64.34  section 626.5572, subdivision 16. 
 64.35     (a) License holders must establish policies and procedures 
 64.36  allowing but not mandating the internal reporting of alleged or 
 65.1   suspected maltreatment.  License holders shall ensure that the 
 65.2   policies and procedures on internal reporting: 
 65.3      (1) meet all the requirements identified for the optional 
 65.4   internal reporting policies and procedures in section 626.557, 
 65.5   subdivision 4a; and 
 65.6      (2) identify the primary and secondary person or position 
 65.7   to whom internal reports may be made and the primary and 
 65.8   secondary person or position responsible for forwarding internal 
 65.9   reports to the common entry point as defined in section 
 65.10  626.5572, subdivision 5.  The secondary person must be involved 
 65.11  when there is reason to believe that the primary person was 
 65.12  involved in the alleged or suspected maltreatment. 
 65.13     (b) The license holder shall:  
 65.14     (1) establish and maintain policies and procedures to 
 65.15  ensure that an internal review is completed when the facility 
 65.16  has reason to know that an internal or external report of 
 65.17  alleged or suspected maltreatment has been made.  The review 
 65.18  must include an evaluation of whether related policies and 
 65.19  procedures were followed, whether the policies and procedures 
 65.20  were adequate, whether there is a need for additional staff 
 65.21  training, and whether there is a need for any further action to 
 65.22  be taken by the facility to protect the health and safety of 
 65.23  vulnerable adults; 
 65.24     (2) identify the primary and secondary person or position 
 65.25  who will ensure that, when required, internal reviews are 
 65.26  completed.  The secondary person shall be involved when there is 
 65.27  reason to believe that the primary person was involved in the 
 65.28  alleged or suspected maltreatment; and 
 65.29     (3) document and make internal reviews accessible to the 
 65.30  commissioner upon the commissioner's request. 
 65.31     (c) The license holder shall provide an orientation to the 
 65.32  internal and external reporting procedures to all persons 
 65.33  receiving services.  The orientation shall include the telephone 
 65.34  number for the license holder's common entry point as defined in 
 65.35  section 626.5572, subdivision 5.  If applicable, the person's 
 65.36  legal representative must be notified of the orientation.  The 
 66.1   program shall provide this orientation for each new person 
 66.2   within 24 hours of admission, or for persons who would benefit 
 66.3   more from a later orientation, the orientation may take place 
 66.4   within 72 hours. 
 66.5      (d) The license holder shall post a copy of the internal 
 66.6   and external reporting policies and procedures, including the 
 66.7   telephone number of the common entry point as defined in section 
 66.8   626.5572, subdivision 5, in a prominent location in the program 
 66.9   and have it available upon request to mandated reporters, 
 66.10  persons receiving services, and the person's legal 
 66.11  representatives. 
 66.12     Subd. 2.  [ABUSE PREVENTION PLANS.] All license holders 
 66.13  shall establish and enforce ongoing written program abuse 
 66.14  prevention plans and individual abuse prevention plans as 
 66.15  required under section 626.557, subdivision 14. 
 66.16     (a) The scope of the program abuse prevention plan is 
 66.17  limited to the population, physical plant, and environment 
 66.18  within the control of the license holder and the location where 
 66.19  licensed services are provided.  In addition to the requirements 
 66.20  in section 626.557, subdivision 14, the program abuse prevention 
 66.21  plan shall meet the requirements in clauses (1) to (5). 
 66.22     (1) The assessment of the population shall include an 
 66.23  evaluation of the following factors:  age, gender, mental 
 66.24  functioning, physical and emotional health or behavior of the 
 66.25  client; the need for specialized programs of care for clients; 
 66.26  the need for training of staff to meet identified individual 
 66.27  needs; and the knowledge a license holder may have regarding 
 66.28  previous abuse that is relevant to minimizing risk of abuse for 
 66.29  clients. 
 66.30     (2) The assessment of the physical plant where the licensed 
 66.31  services are provided shall include an evaluation of the 
 66.32  following factors:  the condition and design of the building as 
 66.33  it relates to the safety of the clients; and the existence of 
 66.34  areas in the building which are difficult to supervise. 
 66.35     (3) The assessment of the environment for each facility and 
 66.36  for each site when living arrangements are provided by the 
 67.1   agency shall include an evaluation of the following factors:  
 67.2   the location of the program in a particular neighborhood or 
 67.3   community; the type of grounds and terrain surrounding the 
 67.4   building; the type of internal programming; and the program's 
 67.5   staffing patterns. 
 67.6      (4) The license holder shall provide an orientation to the 
 67.7   program abuse prevention plan for clients receiving services.  
 67.8   If applicable, the client's legal representative must be 
 67.9   notified of the orientation.  The license holder shall provide 
 67.10  this orientation for each new person within 24 hours of 
 67.11  admission, or for persons who would benefit more from a later 
 67.12  orientation, the orientation may take place within 72 hours. 
 67.13     (5) The license holder's governing body shall review the 
 67.14  plan at least annually using the assessment factors in the plan 
 67.15  and any substantiated maltreatment findings that occurred since 
 67.16  the last review.  The governing body shall revise the plan, if 
 67.17  necessary, to reflect the review results. 
 67.18     (6) A copy of the program abuse prevention plan shall be 
 67.19  posted in a prominent location in the program and be available 
 67.20  upon request to mandated reporters, persons receiving services, 
 67.21  and legal representatives. 
 67.22     (b) In addition to the requirements in section 626.557, 
 67.23  subdivision 14, the individual abuse prevention plan shall meet 
 67.24  the requirements in clauses (1) and (2).  
 67.25     (1) The plan shall include a statement of measures that 
 67.26  will be taken to minimize the risk of abuse to the vulnerable 
 67.27  adult when the individual assessment required in section 
 67.28  626.557, subdivision 14, paragraph (b), indicates the need for 
 67.29  measures in addition to the specific measures identified in the 
 67.30  program abuse prevention plan.  The measures shall include the 
 67.31  specific actions the program will take to minimize the risk of 
 67.32  abuse within the scope of the licensed services, and will 
 67.33  identify referrals made when the vulnerable adult is susceptible 
 67.34  to abuse outside the scope or control of the licensed services.  
 67.35  When the assessment indicates that the vulnerable adult does not 
 67.36  need specific risk reduction measures in addition to those 
 68.1   identified in the program abuse prevention plan, the individual 
 68.2   abuse prevention plan shall document this determination. 
 68.3      (2) An individual abuse prevention plan shall be developed 
 68.4   for each new person as part of the initial individual program 
 68.5   plan or service plan required under the applicable licensing 
 68.6   rule.  The review and evaluation of the individual abuse 
 68.7   prevention plan shall be done as part of the review of the 
 68.8   program plan or service plan.  The person receiving services 
 68.9   shall participate in the development of the individual abuse 
 68.10  prevention plan to the full extent of the person's abilities.  
 68.11  If applicable, the person's legal representative shall be given 
 68.12  the opportunity to participate with or for the person in the 
 68.13  development of the plan.  The interdisciplinary team shall 
 68.14  document the review of all abuse prevention plans at least 
 68.15  annually, using the individual assessment and any reports of 
 68.16  abuse relating to the person.  The plan shall be revised to 
 68.17  reflect the results of this review. 
 68.18     Subd. 3.  [ORIENTATION OF MANDATED REPORTERS.] The license 
 68.19  holder shall ensure that each new mandated reporter, as defined 
 68.20  in section 626.5572, subdivision 16, who is under the control of 
 68.21  the license holder, receives an orientation within 72 hours of 
 68.22  first providing direct contact services as defined in section 
 68.23  245A.04, subdivision 3, to a vulnerable adult and annually 
 68.24  thereafter.  The orientation and annual review shall inform the 
 68.25  mandated reporters of the reporting requirements and definitions 
 68.26  in sections 626.557 and 626.5572, the requirements of this 
 68.27  section, the license holder's program abuse prevention plan, and 
 68.28  all internal policies and procedures related to the prevention 
 68.29  and reporting of maltreatment of individuals receiving services. 
 68.30     Sec. 43.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 256E.115, is 
 68.31  amended to read: 
 68.32     256E.115 [SAFE HOUSES AND, TRANSITIONAL HOUSING, AND 
 68.33  INDEPENDENT LIVING ASSISTANCE SERVICES FOR HOMELESS YOUTH.] 
 68.34     Subdivision 1.  [DEFINITIONS; COMMISSIONER DUTIES.] (a) The 
 68.35  following definitions apply to this section: 
 68.36     (1) "Targeted youth" means children who are ages 16 to 21 
 69.1   and who are in out-of-home placement, leaving out-of-home 
 69.2   placement, at risk of becoming homeless, or homeless. 
 69.3      (2) "Safe house" means a facility providing emergency 
 69.4   housing for homeless targeted youth with the goal of reuniting 
 69.5   the family if appropriate and possible. 
 69.6      (3) "Transitional housing" means congregate or cooperative 
 69.7   housing for targeted youth who are transitioning to independent 
 69.8   living. 
 69.9      (4) "Independent living assistance" means services provided 
 69.10  to assist targeted youth who are not living in a safe house or 
 69.11  transitional housing to make the transition to independent 
 69.12  living. 
 69.13     (b) The commissioner shall issue a request for proposals 
 69.14  from organizations that are knowledgeable about the needs 
 69.15  of homeless targeted youth for the purpose of providing 
 69.16  establishing a system of safe houses and, transitional housing, 
 69.17  and independent living assistance for homeless such youth.  The 
 69.18  commissioner shall appoint a review committee of up to eight 
 69.19  members to evaluate the proposals.  The review panel must 
 69.20  include representation from communities of color, youth, and 
 69.21  other community providers and agency representatives who 
 69.22  understand the needs and problems of homeless targeted youth.  
 69.23  The commissioner shall also assist in coordinating funding from 
 69.24  federal and state grant programs and funding available from a 
 69.25  variety of sources for efforts to promote a continuum of 
 69.26  services for targeted youth through a consolidated grant 
 69.27  application.  The commissioner shall analyze the needs 
 69.28  of homeless targeted youth and gaps in services throughout the 
 69.29  state and determine how to best serve those needs within the 
 69.30  available funding. 
 69.31     Subd. 2.  [SAFE HOUSES AND TRANSITIONAL HOUSING PROGRAM 
 69.32  SERVICE REQUIREMENTS; PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS; LICENSURE OF 
 69.33  INDEPENDENT LIVING ASSISTANCE PROVIDERS.] A safe house provides 
 69.34  emergency housing for homeless youth ranging in age from 13 to 
 69.35  22 with the goal of reuniting the family, if appropriate, 
 69.36  whenever possible.  Transitional housing provides housing for 
 70.1   homeless youth ages 16 to 22 who are transitioning into 
 70.2   independent living. 
 70.3      In developing both types of housing, the commissioner and 
 70.4   the review committee shall try to create a family atmosphere in 
 70.5   a neighborhood or community and, if possible, provide separate 
 70.6   but cooperative homes for males and females.  It may be 
 70.7   necessary, due to licensing restrictions, to provide separate 
 70.8   housing for different age groups. (a) The following services, or 
 70.9   adequate access to referrals for the following services, must be 
 70.10  made available to the homeless targeted youth participating in 
 70.11  the programs described in subdivision 1: 
 70.12     (1) counseling services for the youth, and their families, 
 70.13  if appropriate, on site, to help with problems that resulted 
 70.14  in contributed to the homelessness or could impede making the 
 70.15  transition to independent living; 
 70.16     (2) job services to help youth find employment in addition 
 70.17  to creating jobs on site, including food service, maintenance, 
 70.18  child care, and tutoring; 
 70.19     (3) health services that are confidential and provide 
 70.20  preventive care services, crisis referrals, and other necessary 
 70.21  health care services; 
 70.22     (4) living skills training to help youth learn how to care 
 70.23  for themselves; and 
 70.24     (5) education services that help youth enroll in academic 
 70.25  programs, if they are currently not in a program.  Enrollment in 
 70.26  an academic program is required for residency in transitional 
 70.27  housing. 
 70.28     (b)(1) Targeted youth who have current drug or alcohol 
 70.29  problems, a recent history of violent behaviors, or a mental 
 70.30  health disorder or issue that is not being resolved through 
 70.31  counseling or treatment are not eligible to receive the services 
 70.32  described in subdivision 1. 
 70.33     (2) Targeted youth who are not employed, participating in 
 70.34  employment training, or enrolled in an academic program are not 
 70.35  eligible to receive transitional housing or independent living 
 70.36  assistance. 
 71.1      (c) Providers of independent living assistance services 
 71.2   must be licensed under section 245A.22. 
 71.3      Sec. 44.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 364.09, is 
 71.4   amended to read: 
 71.5      364.09 [EXCEPTIONS.] 
 71.6      (a) This chapter does not apply to the licensing process 
 71.7   for peace officers; to law enforcement agencies as defined in 
 71.8   section 626.84, subdivision 1, paragraph (h); to fire protection 
 71.9   agencies; to eligibility for a private detective or protective 
 71.10  agent license; to eligibility for a family day care license, a 
 71.11  family foster care license, or a home care provider license the 
 71.12  licensing and background study process in chapter 245A; to 
 71.13  eligibility for school bus driver endorsements; or to 
 71.14  eligibility for special transportation service endorsements.  
 71.15  This chapter also shall not apply to eligibility for juvenile 
 71.16  corrections employment, where the offense involved child 
 71.17  physical or sexual abuse or criminal sexual conduct.  
 71.18     (b) This chapter does not apply to a school district or to 
 71.19  eligibility for a license issued or renewed by the board of 
 71.20  teaching or the state board of education.  
 71.21     (c) Nothing in this section precludes the Minnesota police 
 71.22  and peace officers training board or the state fire marshal from 
 71.23  recommending policies set forth in this chapter to the attorney 
 71.24  general for adoption in the attorney general's discretion to 
 71.25  apply to law enforcement or fire protection agencies. 
 71.26     (d) This chapter does not apply to a license to practice 
 71.27  medicine that has been denied or revoked by the board of medical 
 71.28  practice pursuant to section 147.091, subdivision 1a. 
 71.29     Sec. 45.  [LEGISLATIVE TASK FORCE TO REVIEW THE BACKGROUND 
 71.30  STUDY PROCESS.] 
 71.31     The task force must consist of at least six legislators and 
 71.32  other members appointed by the commissioner of human services, 
 71.33  which may include representatives from the departments of human 
 71.34  services, health, and public safety, the ombudsman for older 
 71.35  Minnesotans, the ombudsman for mental health and mental 
 71.36  retardation, representatives from the attorney general's office, 
 72.1   and county agencies, persons receiving services in licensed 
 72.2   facilities, families of persons receiving services in licensed 
 72.3   facilities, representatives from consumer and advocacy groups, 
 72.4   representatives of agencies that provide services, 
 72.5   representatives of individuals and professionals who provide 
 72.6   services within the agencies, and representatives of employee 
 72.7   bargaining units. 
 72.8      The speaker of the house and the rules and administration 
 72.9   subcommittee on committees in the senate shall appoint at least 
 72.10  three members from each body to constitute a legislative task 
 72.11  force to review the background study process for individuals 
 72.12  providing services in facilities and programs licensed by either 
 72.13  the department of human services or the department of health.  
 72.14  At least one of the members from each body shall be from the 
 72.15  minority party.  Members shall be appointed before July 1, 1997, 
 72.16  and shall convene as soon as possible during the 1997 interim at 
 72.17  the call of the chairs. 
 72.18     Members shall evaluate the current systems for background 
 72.19  studies completed under Minnesota Statutes, section 144.057, and 
 72.20  chapter 245A, specific to, but not limited to, the 
 72.21  appropriateness of the authority to disqualify individuals based 
 72.22  on a commissioner's determination that, absent a criminal 
 72.23  conviction, there is a preponderance of evidence that the 
 72.24  individual committed an act that meets the definition of a 
 72.25  disqualifying crime under Minnesota Statutes, section 245A.04, 
 72.26  the appropriateness and effectiveness of the due process 
 72.27  available to disqualified individuals, and the appropriateness 
 72.28  of standardizing disqualifying characteristics across all 
 72.29  services licensed by the department of human services and the 
 72.30  department of health. 
 72.31     The deliberations of the task force shall include 
 72.32  consideration of the privacy issues related to background 
 72.33  studies, specifically the efficient and effective dissemination 
 72.34  of information while protecting individual privacy rights, and 
 72.35  issues related to rehabilitation and present fitness to perform 
 72.36  the duties of employment, and be based upon the recognition that 
 73.1   the background study process exists to protect vulnerable 
 73.2   children and adults receiving services in licensed programs and 
 73.3   facilities and that the safety of these persons shall be given 
 73.4   preeminent weight over the interests of persons subject to the 
 73.5   background study process. 
 73.6      The task force shall present a report containing any 
 73.7   recommendations for change, with draft legislation, to the 
 73.8   legislature by February 1, 1998.  The task force expires June 
 73.9   30, 1998.  
 73.10     Sec. 46.  [REPORT ON RULE CONSOLIDATION.] 
 73.11     The commissioner of human services shall report no later 
 73.12  than March 15, 1998, to the chairs of the senate committee on 
 73.13  health and family security, the house committee on health and 
 73.14  human services, the senate health and family security budget 
 73.15  division, and the house health and human services finance 
 73.16  division on the implementation of rule consolidation authorized 
 73.17  by Minnesota Statutes, sections 245A.50 to 245A.57.  In 
 73.18  addition, the report shall include recommendations as needed to 
 73.19  improve the consolidated rule's effectiveness in providing 
 73.20  safeguards for clients while streamlining the regulatory 
 73.21  process.  The commissioner shall appoint an advisory task force 
 73.22  to assist in developing the report.  The task force membership 
 73.23  shall include, but not be limited to, representatives from 
 73.24  provider, advocacy, and other interested groups.  Department of 
 73.25  human services staff shall not be members of the task force but 
 73.26  shall provide technical assistance as needed. 
 73.27     Sec. 47.  [COST OF BACKGROUND STUDIES.] 
 73.28     By January 15, 1998, the commissioner of health shall 
 73.29  report to the chairs of the appropriate house of representatives 
 73.30  and senate committees the costs of background studies required 
 73.31  under Minnesota Statutes, section 245A.04, subdivision 3, 
 73.32  paragraph (b), and methods to fund these studies. 
 73.33     Sec. 48.  [EXPIRATION.] 
 73.34     Section 11 shall expire on June 30, 1998. 
 73.35     Sec. 49.  [REPEALER.] 
 73.36     Subdivision 1.  Minnesota Rules, parts 4668.0020; 
 74.1   9555.8000; 9555.8100; 9555.8200; 9555.8300; 9555.8400; and 
 74.2   9555.8500, are repealed. 
 74.3      Subd. 2.  (a) Laws 1996, chapter 408, article 10, section 
 74.4   13, is repealed. 
 74.5      (b) Minnesota Rules, part 9543.3070, is repealed. 
 74.6      Subd. 3.  (a) Minnesota Statutes 1996, sections 245A.091; 
 74.7   245A.20; 245A.21; and 252.53, are repealed. 
 74.8      (b) Minnesota Rules, parts 9503.0170, subpart 7; 9525.0215; 
 74.9   9525.0225; 9525.0235; 9525.0243; 9525.0245; 9525.0255; 
 74.10  9525.0265; 9525.0275; 9525.0285; 9525.0295; 9525.0305; 
 74.11  9525.0315; 9525.0325; 9525.0335; 9525.0345; 9525.0355; 
 74.12  9525.0500; 9525.0510; 9525.0520; 9525.0530; 9525.0540; 
 74.13  9525.0550; 9525.0560; 9525.0570; 9525.0580; 9525.0590; 
 74.14  9525.0600; 9525.0610; 9525.0620; 9525.0630; 9525.0640; 
 74.15  9525.0650; 9525.0660; 9525.1240, subpart 1, item E, subitem (6); 
 74.16  9525.1500; 9525.1510; 9525.1520; 9525.1530; 9525.1540; 
 74.17  9525.1550; 9525.1560; 9525.1570; 9525.1590; 9525.1610; 
 74.18  9525.1620; 9525.1630; 9525.1640; 9525.1650; 9525.1660; 
 74.19  9525.1670; 9525.1680; 9525.1690; 9525.2000; 9525.2010; 
 74.20  9525.2020; 9525.2025; 9525.2030; 9525.2040; 9525.2050; 
 74.21  9525.2060; 9525.2070; 9525.2080; 9525.2090; 9525.2100; 
 74.22  9525.2110; 9525.2120; 9525.2130; and 9525.2140, are repealed. 
 74.23     Sec. 50.  [EFFECTIVE DATE.] 
 74.24     Sections 4, 5, 9, 13 to 32, 41 to 43, and 49, subdivision 
 74.25  1, are effective the day following final enactment.  Sections 6, 
 74.26  10 to 12, and 49, subdivision 2, are effective August 1, 1997.  
 74.27  Sections 33 to 40 and 49, subdivision 3, are effective January 
 74.28  1, 1998.