SF 2702

as introduced - 93rd Legislature (2023 - 2024) Posted on 08/16/2023 12:47pm

A bill for an act
relating to health; establishing a universal, voluntary home visiting program for
families with infants; appropriating money; proposing coding for new law in
Minnesota Statutes, chapter 145.

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

Section 1.

new text begin [145.871] UNIVERSAL, VOLUNTARY HOME VISITING PROGRAM.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Grant program. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner of health shall award grants to
eligible individuals and entities to establish voluntary home visiting services to families
expecting or caring for an infant, including families adopting an infant. The following
individuals and entities are eligible for a grant under this section: community health boards;
nonprofit organizations; Tribal Nations; early childhood family education programs; and
health care providers, including doulas, community health workers, perinatal health educators,
early childhood family education home visiting providers, nurses, community health
technicians, and local public health nurses.
new text end

new text begin (b) The grant money awarded under this section must be used to establish home visiting
services that:
new text end

new text begin (1) provide a range of one to six visits that occur prenatally or within the first four months
of the expected birth or adoption of an infant; and
new text end

new text begin (2) improve outcomes in two or more of the following areas:
new text end

new text begin (i) maternal and newborn health;
new text end

new text begin (ii) school readiness and achievement;
new text end

new text begin (iii) family economic self-sufficiency;
new text end

new text begin (iv) coordination and referral for other community resources and supports;
new text end

new text begin (v) reduction in child injuries, abuse, or neglect; or
new text end

new text begin (vi) reduction in crime or domestic violence.
new text end

new text begin (c) The commissioner shall ensure that the voluntary home visiting services established
under this section are available to all families residing in the state by June 30, 2025. In
awarding grants prior to the home visiting services being available statewide, the
commissioner shall prioritize applicants serving high-risk or high-need populations of
pregnant women and families with infants, including populations with insufficient access
to prenatal care, high incidence of mental illness or substance use disorder, low
socioeconomic status, and other factors as determined by the commissioner.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Home visiting services. new text end

new text begin (a) The home visiting services provided under this
section must, at a minimum:
new text end

new text begin (1) offer information on infant care, child growth and development, positive parenting,
preventing diseases, preventing exposure to environmental hazards, and support services
in the community;
new text end

new text begin (2) provide information on and referrals to health care services, including information
on and assistance in applying for health care coverage for which the child or family may
be eligible, and provide information on the availability of group prenatal care, preventative
services, developmental assessments, and public assistance programs as appropriate;
new text end

new text begin (3) include an assessment of the physical, social, and emotional factors affecting the
family and provide information and referrals to address each family's identified needs;
new text end

new text begin (4) connect families to additional resources available in the community, including early
care and education programs, health or mental health services, family literacy programs,
employment agencies, and social services, as needed;
new text end

new text begin (5) utilize appropriate racial, ethnic, and cultural approaches to providing home visiting
services; and
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new text begin (6) be voluntary and free of charge to families.
new text end

new text begin (b) Home visiting services under this section may be provided through telephone or
video communication when the commissioner determines the methods are necessary to
protect the health and safety of individuals receiving the visits and the home visiting
workforce.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Administrative costs. new text end

new text begin The commissioner may use up to seven percent of the
annual appropriation under this section to provide training and technical assistance, to
administer the program, and to conduct ongoing evaluations of the program. The
commissioner may contract for training, capacity-building support for grantees or potential
grantees, technical assistance, and evaluation support.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATION; UNIVERSAL, VOLUNTARY HOME VISITING
PROGRAM.
new text end

new text begin $....... in fiscal year 2024 and $....... in fiscal year 2025 are appropriated from the general
fund to the commissioner of health for the universal, voluntary home visiting program under
Minnesota Statutes, section 145.871.
new text end

Sec. 3. new text begin REVISOR INSTRUCTION.
new text end

new text begin The revisor of statutes shall renumber Minnesota Statutes, section 145A.145, as section
145.872 and Minnesota Statutes, section 145A.17, as section 145.873. The revisor shall
also make necessary cross-reference changes consistent with the renumbering.
new text end