SF 4149

as introduced - 92nd Legislature (2021 - 2022) Posted on 03/22/2022 08:35am

A bill for an act
relating to human services; creating a legislative study group on restructuring the
Department of Human Services; requiring a report.

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

Section 1. LEGISLATIVE STUDY GROUP ON RESTRUCTURING THE
DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES.

Subdivision 1.

Establishment.

A 12-member legislative study group is established to
prepare a plan to restructure the Department of Human Services.

Subd. 2.

Members.

(a) The legislative study group on restructuring the Department of
Human Services includes:

(1) six duly elected and currently serving members of the house of representatives, three
appointed by the speaker of the house and three appointed by the house minority leader,
and one of whom must be the current chair of the house of representatives Human Services
Finance and Policy Committee;

(2) six duly elected and currently serving senators, three appointed by the senate majority
leader and three appointed by the senate minority leader, one of whom must be the current
chair of the senate Human Services Reform Finance and Policy Committee; and

(3) the legislative auditor or a designee as an ex officio member.

(b) The appointments must be made by July 1, 2022, and expire January 31, 2024.

(c) If a vacancy occurs, the leader of the caucus in the house of representatives or senate
to which the vacating study group member belonged must fill the vacancy.

Subd. 3.

Duties.

The study group must prepare a plan to restructure the Department of
Human services and provide a report to the legislature as required under subdivision 8. In
preparing the plan, the study group must consider:

(1) current Department of Human Services functions and related functions performed
by other state agencies;

(2) policy considerations related to agency restructuring including but not limited to:

(i) coordination and control of programs;

(ii) accountability;

(iii) continuity of services;

(iv) budget and policy priorities;

(v) the effect on clients and counties; and

(vi) administrative efficiencies; and

(3) information on how human services agencies are structured in other states.

Subd. 4.

Meetings.

(a) The chair of the house Human Services Finance and Policy
Committee shall convene the first meeting of the study group no later than August 1, 2022.
The study group must meet periodically.

(b) Meetings of the study group are subject to Minnesota Statutes, chapter 13D.

Subd. 5.

Chairperson.

The study group shall elect a chair or cochairs from among the
members at the first meeting.

Subd. 6.

Administrative support.

The Legislative Coordinating Commission shall
provide technical and administrative support upon request.

Subd. 7.

Consultation with stakeholders.

In preparing a plan to restructure the
Department of Human Services, the study group must consult with interested and affected
stakeholders including but not limited to:

(1) the commissioner of human services or a designee;

(2) the Minnesota Association of County Social Service Administrators;

(3) the Association of Minnesota Counties;

(4) health maintenance organizations;

(5) primary care providers who serve public program enrollees;

(6) the Minnesota Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities;

(7) the Council on Disability;

(8) organizations advocating on behalf of the elderly;

(9) organizations advocating on behalf of children and child welfare issues;

(10) organizations advocating on behalf of persons with mental illness; and

(11) organizations advocating on behalf of persons in need of economic supports.

Subd. 8.

Report.

The study group must report to the legislative committees and divisions
with jurisdiction over state government finance and policy and human services finance and
policy with a plan to restructure the Department of Human Services by January 31, 2024.
The study group shall include in the plan submitted to the legislature any draft legislation
necessary to implement the plan.

Subd. 9.

Expiration.

The study group under this section expires on January 31, 2024,
or on the date upon which the report required under subdivision 8 is submitted to the
legislature, whichever is later.

EFFECTIVE DATE.

This section is effective the day following final enactment.