SF 3197

as introduced - 90th Legislature (2017 - 2018) Posted on 03/13/2018 09:23am

A bill for an act
relating to transportation; requiring the Department of Transportation to study
transportation for unaccompanied minors for accessing mental health services;
requiring a report; appropriating money.

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

Section 1. new text begin TRANSPORTATION FOR MINORS ACCESSING MENTAL HEALTH
SERVICES; REPORT.
new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner of transportation must study how to ensure safe and quality
transportation for unaccompanied minors accessing mental health services, including day
treatment, related mental health care, and treatment services.
new text end

new text begin (b) The commissioner must work with the Department of Education, the Department of
Human Services, and other appropriate state agencies to identify:
new text end

new text begin (1) how to ensure the safety and quality of unaccompanied minors being transported to
mental health services;
new text end

new text begin (2) how to ensure positive and safe interactions with a driver;
new text end

new text begin (3) how to leverage Medicaid funds to provide transportation; and
new text end

new text begin (4) how to engage and leverage managed care organizations as payers.
new text end

new text begin (c) The report must include:
new text end

new text begin (1) the number of unaccompanied minors receiving transportation from any source for
mental health services;
new text end

new text begin (2) a description of the population of unaccompanied minors that require transportation
services to access mental health services, including a description of the population's unique
vulnerabilities due to age and health care needs;
new text end

new text begin (3) an assessment of the financial implications for transportation services, based on the
unmet need and how the current system expends funding through the medical assistance
nonemergency medical transportation services provided to the target population;
new text end

new text begin (4) a statement regarding the immediate and projected long-term benefit of meeting
mental health needs of children and youth; and
new text end

new text begin (5) an outline of the safety liability and concerns that would result if an updated system
to meet the unique needs of unaccompanied minors is not developed.
new text end

new text begin (d) The report must be submitted to the chairs and ranking minority members of the
senate and house of representatives committees with jurisdiction over transportation,
education, and human services by January 15, 2019.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATION.
new text end

new text begin $...... is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner of transportation for
the purposes of the study required in section 1.
new text end