SF 3448

as introduced - 85th Legislature (2007 - 2008) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

A bill for an act
relating to human services; allowing counties to contract with hospitals to provide
chemical use assessments; amending Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement,
section 254A.19, subdivision 3, by adding a subdivision.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, section 254A.19, is amended by
adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 1a. new text end

new text begin Emergency room patients. new text end

new text begin A county may enter into a contract with a
hospital to provide chemical use assessments under Minnesota Rules, parts 9530.6600 to
9530.6655, for patients admitted to an emergency room when:
new text end

new text begin (1) an assessor is not available; and
new text end

new text begin (2) detoxification services in the county are at full capacity.
new text end

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, section 254A.19, subdivision 3, is
amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Financial conflicts of interest.

(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) new text begin
or (c) new text end , an assessor conducting a chemical use assessment under Minnesota Rules, parts
9530.6600 to 9530.6655, may not have any direct or shared financial interest or referral
relationship resulting in shared financial gain with a treatment provider.

(b) A county may contract with an assessor having a conflict described in paragraph
(a) if the county documents that:

(1) the assessor is employed by a culturally specific service provider or a service
provider with a program designed to treat individuals of a specific age, sex, or sexual
preference;

(2) the county does not employ a sufficient number of qualified assessors and the
only qualified assessors available in the county have a direct or shared financial interest or
a referral relationship resulting in shared financial gain with a treatment provider; or

(3) the county social service agency has an existing relationship with an assessor
or service provider and elects to enter into a contract with that assessor to provide both
assessment and treatment under circumstances specified in the county's contract, provided
the county retains responsibility for making placement decisions.

new text begin (c) The county may contract with a hospital to conduct chemical assessments if the
requirements in subdivision 1a are met.
new text end

An assessor under this paragraph may not place clients in treatment. The assessor
shall gather required information and provide it to the county along with any required
documentation. The county shall make all placement decisions for clients assessed by
assessors under this paragraph.