SF 4276

1st Engrossment - 93rd Legislature (2023 - 2024) Posted on 03/14/2024 08:57am

A bill for an act
relating to behavioral health; expanding client supports; modifying substance use
disorder licensing requirements; creating a reporting system; modifying behavioral
health reimbursement; modifying tax provisions for certain individuals employed
in substance use disorder treatment programs; requiring reports; amending
Minnesota Statutes 2022, sections 144.226, by adding a subdivision; 171.06, by
adding a subdivision; 254B.051; 290.0682, subdivision 2; Minnesota Statutes 2023
Supplement, sections 245G.07, subdivision 2; 254B.05, subdivision 5; 256B.761;
Laws 2021, First Special Session chapter 7, article 17, section 18; Laws 2023,
chapter 61, article 4, section 23; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota
Statutes, chapter 144.

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

Section 1.

new text begin [144.2256] CERTIFIED BIRTH RECORD FOR PERSONS ELIGIBLE
FOR MEDICAL ASSISTANCE.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Application; birth record. new text end

new text begin A subject of a birth record who is eligible
for medical assistance according to chapter 256B and who has been treated for a substance
use disorder within the last 12 months may apply to the state registrar or a local issuance
office for a certified birth record according to this section. The state registrar or local issuance
office shall issue a certified birth record, or statement of no vital record found, to a subject
of a birth record who submits:
new text end

new text begin (1) a completed application signed by the subject of the birth record;
new text end

new text begin (2) a statement of eligibility from an employee of a human services agency or treatment
provider licensed under chapter 245G that receives public funding to provide services to
people with substance use disorders. The statement must verify the subject of the birth
record is medical assistance eligible according to chapter 256B and has been treated for a
substance use disorder in the last 12 months. The statement must comply with the
requirements in subdivision 2; and
new text end

new text begin (3) identification in the form of:
new text end

new text begin (i) a document of identity listed in Minnesota Rules, part 4601.2600, subpart 8, or, at
the discretion of the state registrar or local issuance office, Minnesota Rules, part 4601.2600,
subpart 9;
new text end

new text begin (ii) a statement that complies with Minnesota Rules, part 4601.2600, subparts 6 and 7;
or
new text end

new text begin (iii) a statement of identity provided by the employee of a human services agency or
treatment provider that receives public funding to provide services to people with substance
use disorders who verified eligibility. The statement must comply with Minnesota Rules,
part 4601.2600, subpart 7.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Statement of eligibility. new text end

new text begin A statement of eligibility must be from an employee
of a human services agency or treatment provider that receives public funding to provide
services to people with substance use disorders and must verify the subject of the birth
record is medical assistance eligible according to chapter 256B and has been treated for a
substance use disorder within the last 12 months. The statement of eligibility must include:
new text end

new text begin (1) the employee's first name, middle name, if any, and last name; home or business
address; telephone number, if any; and email address, if any;
new text end

new text begin (2) the name of the human services agency or treatment provider that receives public
funding to provide services to people with substance use disorders that employs the person
making the eligibility statement;
new text end

new text begin (3) the first name, middle name, if any, and last name of the subject of the birth record;
new text end

new text begin (4) a copy of the individual's employment identification or verification of employment
linking the employee to the human services agency or treatment provider that provided
treatment; and
new text end

new text begin (5) a statement specifying the relationship of the individual providing the eligibility
statement to the subject of the birth record.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Data practices. new text end

new text begin Data listed under subdivision 1, clauses (2) and (3), are private
data on individuals.
new text end

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 144.226, is amended by adding a subdivision to
read:

new text begin Subd. 9. new text end

new text begin Birth record fees waived for persons treated for substance use disorders. new text end

new text begin A
subject of a birth record who is eligible for medical assistance according to chapter 256B
and who has been treated for a substance use disorder within the last 12 months must not
be charged any of the fees specified in this section for a certified birth record or statement
of no vital record found under section 144.2256.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective January 1, 2024.
new text end

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 171.06, is amended by adding a subdivision to
read:

new text begin Subd. 12. new text end

new text begin Application; identification card or copy of driver's license. new text end

new text begin (a) A subject
of an identification card or driver's license who is eligible for medical assistance according
to chapter 256B and who has been treated for a substance use disorder within the last 12
months may apply to the commissioner or driver's license agent for an identification card
or driver's license according to this section. The commissioner or driver's license agent shall
issue an identification card or driver's license and waive all fees to a person who submits:
new text end

new text begin (1) a completed application signed by the subject of the identification card or driver's
license;
new text end

new text begin (2) a statement, signed by the subject of the identification card or driver's license, that
the subject of the identification card or driver's license is eligible for medical assistance
according to chapter 256B and has been treated for a substance use disorder in the last 12
months; and
new text end

new text begin (3) a statement that complies with the requirements in paragraph (b) and is from an
employee of a human services agency that receives public funding to provide services to
people with substance use disorders verifying that the subject of the identification card or
driver's license is eligible for medical assistance according to chapter 256B and has been
treated for a substance use disorder in the last 12 months.
new text end

new text begin (b) A statement under paragraph (a), clause (3), must include:
new text end

new text begin (1) the following information regarding the individual providing the statement:
new text end

new text begin (i) first name, middle name, if any, and last name;
new text end

new text begin (ii) home or business address;
new text end

new text begin (iii) telephone number, if any; and
new text end

new text begin (iv) email address, if any;
new text end

new text begin (2) the first name, middle name, if any, and last name of the subject of the identification
card or driver's license; and
new text end

new text begin (3) a statement specifying the relationship of the individual providing the statement to
the subject of the identification card or driver's license and verifying that the subject of the
identification card or driver's license is eligible for medical assistance according to chapter
256B and has been treated for a substance use disorder within the last 12 months.
new text end

new text begin (c) For identification cards and driver's licenses issued under this section:
new text end

new text begin (1) the commissioner must not impose a fee, surcharge, or filing fee under section 171.06,
subdivision 2; and
new text end

new text begin (2) a driver's license agent must not impose a filing fee under section 171.061, subdivision
4.
new text end

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 245G.07, subdivision 2, is amended
to read:

Subd. 2.

Additional treatment service.

A license holder may provide or arrange the
following additional treatment service as a part of the client's individual treatment plan:

(1) relationship counseling provided by a qualified professional to help the client identify
the impact of the client's substance use disorder on others and to help the client and persons
in the client's support structure identify and change behaviors that contribute to the client's
substance use disorder;

(2) therapeutic recreation to allow the client to participate in recreational activities
without the use of mood-altering chemicals and to plan and select leisure activities that do
not involve the inappropriate use of chemicals;

(3) stress management and physical well-being to help the client reach and maintain an
appropriate level of health, physical fitness, and well-being;

(4) living skills development to help the client learn basic skills necessary for independent
living;

(5) employment or educational services to help the client become financially independent;

(6) socialization skills development to help the client live and interact with others in a
positive and productive manner;

(7) room, board, and supervision at the treatment site to provide the client with a safe
and appropriate environment to gain and practice new skills; and

(8) peer recovery support services provided by an individual in recovery qualified
according to section 245I.04, subdivision 18. Peer support services include education;
advocacy; mentoring through self-disclosure of personal recovery experiences; attending
recovery and other support groups with a client; accompanying the client to appointments
that support recovery; assistance accessing resources to obtain housing, employment,
education, and advocacy services; and nonclinical recovery support to assist the transition
from treatment into the recovery community. new text begin Peer support services may be provided in
groups, with a maximum of six clients per group.
new text end

Sec. 5.

Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 254B.05, subdivision 5, is amended
to read:

Subd. 5.

Rate requirements.

(a) The commissioner shall establish rates for substance
use disorder services and service enhancements funded under this chapter.

(b) Eligible substance use disorder treatment services include:

(1) those licensed, as applicable, according to chapter 245G or applicable Tribal license
and provided according to the following ASAM levels of care:

(i) ASAM level 0.5 early intervention services provided according to section 254B.19,
subdivision 1, clause (1);

(ii) ASAM level 1.0 outpatient services provided according to section 254B.19,
subdivision 1, clause (2);

(iii) ASAM level 2.1 intensive outpatient services provided according to section 254B.19,
subdivision 1, clause (3);

(iv) ASAM level 2.5 partial hospitalization services provided according to section
254B.19, subdivision 1, clause (4);

(v) ASAM level 3.1 clinically managed low-intensity residential services provided
according to section 254B.19, subdivision 1, clause (5);

(vi) ASAM level 3.3 clinically managed population-specific high-intensity residential
services provided according to section 254B.19, subdivision 1, clause (6); and

(vii) ASAM level 3.5 clinically managed high-intensity residential services provided
according to section 254B.19, subdivision 1, clause (7);

(2) comprehensive assessments provided according to sections 245.4863, paragraph (a),
and 245G.05;

(3) treatment coordination services provided according to section 245G.07, subdivision
1, paragraph (a), clause (5);

(4) new text begin individual and group new text end peer recovery support services provided according to section
245G.07, subdivision 2, clause (8);

(5) withdrawal management services provided according to chapter 245F;

(6) hospital-based treatment services that are licensed according to sections 245G.01 to
245G.17 or applicable tribal license and licensed as a hospital under sections 144.50 to
144.56;

(7) adolescent treatment programs that are licensed as outpatient treatment programs
according to sections 245G.01 to 245G.18 or as residential treatment programs according
to Minnesota Rules, parts 2960.0010 to 2960.0220, and 2960.0430 to 2960.0490, or
applicable tribal license;

(8) ASAM 3.5 clinically managed high-intensity residential services that are licensed
according to sections 245G.01 to 245G.17 and 245G.21 or applicable tribal license, which
provide ASAM level of care 3.5 according to section 254B.19, subdivision 1, clause (7),
and are provided by a state-operated vendor or to clients who have been civilly committed
to the commissioner, present the most complex and difficult care needs, and are a potential
threat to the community; and

(9) room and board facilities that meet the requirements of subdivision 1a.

(c) The commissioner shall establish higher rates for programs that meet the requirements
of paragraph (b) and one of the following additional requirements:

(1) programs that serve parents with their children if the program:

(i) provides on-site child care during the hours of treatment activity that:

(A) is licensed under chapter 245A as a child care center under Minnesota Rules, chapter
9503; or

(B) is licensed under chapter 245A and sections 245G.01 to 245G.19; or

(ii) arranges for off-site child care during hours of treatment activity at a facility that is
licensed under chapter 245A as:

(A) a child care center under Minnesota Rules, chapter 9503; or

(B) a family child care home under Minnesota Rules, chapter 9502;

(2) culturally specific or culturally responsive programs as defined in section 254B.01,
subdivision 4a;

(3) disability responsive programs as defined in section 254B.01, subdivision 4b;

(4) programs that offer medical services delivered by appropriately credentialed health
care staff in an amount equal to two hours per client per week if the medical needs of the
client and the nature and provision of any medical services provided are documented in the
client file; or

(5) programs that offer services to individuals with co-occurring mental health and
substance use disorder problems if:

(i) the program meets the co-occurring requirements in section 245G.20;

(ii) 25 percent of the counseling staff are licensed mental health professionals under
section 245I.04, subdivision 2, or are students or licensing candidates under the supervision
of a licensed alcohol and drug counselor supervisor and mental health professional under
section 245I.04, subdivision 2, except that no more than 50 percent of the mental health
staff may be students or licensing candidates with time documented to be directly related
to provisions of co-occurring services;

(iii) clients scoring positive on a standardized mental health screen receive a mental
health diagnostic assessment within ten days of admission;

(iv) the program has standards for multidisciplinary case review that include a monthly
review for each client that, at a minimum, includes a licensed mental health professional
and licensed alcohol and drug counselor, and their involvement in the review is documented;

(v) family education is offered that addresses mental health and substance use disorder
and the interaction between the two; and

(vi) co-occurring counseling staff shall receive eight hours of co-occurring disorder
training annually.

(d) In order to be eligible for a higher rate under paragraph (c), clause (1), a program
that provides arrangements for off-site child care must maintain current documentation at
the substance use disorder facility of the child care provider's current licensure to provide
child care services.

(e) Adolescent residential programs that meet the requirements of Minnesota Rules,
parts 2960.0430 to 2960.0490 and 2960.0580 to 2960.0690, are exempt from the requirements
in paragraph (c), clause (4), items (i) to (iv).

(f) Subject to federal approval, substance use disorder services that are otherwise covered
as direct face-to-face services may be provided via telehealth as defined in section 256B.0625,
subdivision 3b. The use of telehealth to deliver services must be medically appropriate to
the condition and needs of the person being served. Reimbursement shall be at the same
rates and under the same conditions that would otherwise apply to direct face-to-face services.

(g) For the purpose of reimbursement under this section, substance use disorder treatment
services provided in a group setting without a group participant maximum or maximum
client to staff ratio under chapter 245G shall not exceed a client to staff ratio of 48 to one.
At least one of the attending staff must meet the qualifications as established under this
chapter for the type of treatment service provided. A recovery peer may not be included as
part of the staff ratio.

(h) Payment for outpatient substance use disorder services that are licensed according
to sections 245G.01 to 245G.17 is limited to six hours per day or 30 hours per week unless
prior authorization of a greater number of hours is obtained from the commissioner.

(i) Payment for substance use disorder services under this section must start from the
day of service initiation, when the comprehensive assessment is completed within the
required timelines.

Sec. 6.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 254B.051, is amended to read:

254B.051 SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER TREATMENT EFFECTIVENESS.

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Commissioner to collect additional data. new text end

In addition to the substance
use disorder treatment program performance outcome measures that the commissioner of
human services collects annually from treatment providers, the commissioner deleted text begin shall deleted text end new text begin must new text end
request additional data from programs that receive appropriations from the behavioral health
fund. This data shall include number of client readmissions six months after release from
inpatient treatment, and the cost of treatment per person for each program receiving
behavioral health funds. The commissioner may post this data on the department website.

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Data to be provided. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner must work with substance use
disorder providers to design the reporting system and format of data availability for the
purposes of improving the efficiency and effectiveness of substance use disorder program
services.
new text end

new text begin (b) Applicable data collected by the commissioner from substance use disorder treatment
providers, including but not limited to claims, the drug and alcohol abuse normative
evaluation system, the utilization management system, the demonstration project, and cost
reporting, must be made available to substance use disorder treatment providers.
new text end

new text begin (c) At least annually, the commissioner must provide the data in an electronic format
that complies with chapter 13 and the format must allow providers to access all of the
information provided by the providers to the commissioner. When providing the data to
substance use disorder providers under this subdivision, the commissioner must include a
feature that allows a substance use disorder provider to compare their performance against
other providers.
new text end

Sec. 7.

Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 256B.761, is amended to read:

256B.761 REIMBURSEMENT FOR MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES.

(a) Effective for services rendered on or after July 1, 2001, payment for medication
management provided to psychiatric patients, outpatient mental health services, day treatment
services, home-based mental health services, and family community support services shall
be paid at the lower of (1) submitted charges, or (2) 75.6 percent of the 50th percentile of
1999 charges.

(b) Effective July 1, 2001, the medical assistance rates for outpatient mental health
services provided by an entity that operates: (1) a Medicare-certified comprehensive
outpatient rehabilitation facility; and (2) a facility that was certified prior to January 1, 1993,
with at least 33 percent of the clients receiving rehabilitation services in the most recent
calendar year who are medical assistance recipients, will be increased by 38 percent, when
those services are provided within the comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation facility and
provided to residents of nursing facilities owned by the entity.

(c) In addition to rate increases otherwise provided, the commissioner may restructure
coverage policy and rates to improve access to adult rehabilitative mental health services
under section 256B.0623 and related mental health support services under section 256B.021,
subdivision 4, paragraph (f), clause (2). For state fiscal years 2015 and 2016, the projected
state share of increased costs due to this paragraph is transferred from adult mental health
grants under sections 245.4661 and 256E.12. The transfer for fiscal year 2016 is a permanent
base adjustment for subsequent fiscal years. Payments made to managed care plans and
county-based purchasing plans under sections 256B.69, 256B.692, and 256L.12 shall reflect
the rate changes described in this paragraph.

(d) Any ratables effective before July 1, 2015, do not apply to early intensive
developmental and behavioral intervention (EIDBI) benefits described in section 256B.0949.

(e) Effective for services rendered on or after January 1, 2024, payment rates for
behavioral health services included in the rate analysis required by Laws 2021, First Special
Session chapter 7, article 17, section 18, except for adult day treatment services under section
256B.0671, subdivision 3 deleted text begin ; deleted text end new text begin , and new text end early intensive developmental and behavioral intervention
services under section 256B.0949 deleted text begin ; and substance use disorder services under chapter deleted text end deleted text begin 254B deleted text end deleted text begin , deleted text end
must be increased by three percent from the rates in effect on December 31, 2023. Effective
for services rendered on or after January 1, 2025, payment rates for behavioral health services
included in the rate analysis required by Laws 2021, First Special Session chapter 7, article
17, section 18, except for adult day treatment services under section 256B.0671, subdivision
3 deleted text begin ; deleted text end new text begin , and new text end early intensive developmental behavioral intervention services under section
256B.0949 deleted text begin ; and substance use disorder services under chapter deleted text end deleted text begin 254B deleted text end deleted text begin , deleted text end must be annually
adjusted according to the change from the midpoint of the previous rate year to the midpoint
of the rate year for which the rate is being determined using the Centers for Medicare and
Medicaid Services Medicare Economic Index as forecasted in the fourth quarter of the
calendar year before the rate year. For payments made in accordance with this paragraph,
if and to the extent that the commissioner identifies that the state has received federal
financial participation for behavioral health services in excess of the amount allowed under
United States Code, title 42, section 447.321, the state shall repay the excess amount to the
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services with state money and maintain the full payment
rate under this paragraph. This paragraph does not apply to federally qualified health centers,
rural health centers, Indian health services, certified community behavioral health clinics,
cost-based rates, and rates that are negotiated with the county. This paragraph expires upon
legislative implementation of the new rate methodology resulting from the rate analysis
required by Laws 2021, First Special Session chapter 7, article 17, section 18.

(f) Effective January 1, 2024, the commissioner shall increase capitation payments made
to managed care plans and county-based purchasing plans to reflect the behavioral health
service rate increase provided in paragraph (e). Managed care and county-based purchasing
plans must use the capitation rate increase provided under this paragraph to increase payment
rates to behavioral health services providers. The commissioner must monitor the effect of
this rate increase on enrollee access to behavioral health services. If for any contract year
federal approval is not received for this paragraph, the commissioner must adjust the
capitation rates paid to managed care plans and county-based purchasing plans for that
contract year to reflect the removal of this provision. Contracts between managed care plans
and county-based purchasing plans and providers to whom this paragraph applies must
allow recovery of payments from those providers if capitation rates are adjusted in accordance
with this paragraph. Payment recoveries must not exceed the amount equal to any increase
in rates that results from this provision.

Sec. 8.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 290.0682, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Credit allowed.

(a) An eligible individual is allowed a credit against the tax
due under this chapter.

(b) The credit for an eligible individual equals the least of:

(1) eligible loan payments minus ten percent of an amount equal to adjusted gross income
in excess of $10,000, but in no case less than zero;

(2) the earned income for the taxable year of the eligible individual, if any;

(3) the sum of:

(i) the interest portion of eligible loan payments made during the taxable year; and

(ii) ten percent of the original loan amount of all qualified education loans of the eligible
individual; or

(4) $500.

new text begin (c) For an eligible individual employed in a program licensed under chapter 245G who
has performed at least 1,000 hours of service as an employee in the taxable year, the credit
equals the least of the calculation under paragraph (b), clauses (1) to (3), or $6,000.
new text end

deleted text begin (c) deleted text end new text begin (d) new text end For a part-year resident, the credit must be allocated based on the percentage
calculated under section 290.06, subdivision 2c, paragraph (e).

deleted text begin (d) deleted text end new text begin (e) new text end In the case of a married couple, each spouse is eligible for the credit in this section.
For the purposes of paragraph (b), for married taxpayers filing joint returns, each spouse's
adjusted gross income equals the spouse's percentage share of the couple's earned income,
multiplied by the couple's combined adjusted gross income.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective for taxable years beginning after December
1, 2023.
new text end

Sec. 9.

Laws 2021, First Special Session chapter 7, article 17, section 18, is amended to
read:

Sec. 18. MEDICAL ASSISTANCE OUTPATIENT AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
SERVICE RATES STUDY.

(a) This act includes $486,000 in fiscal year 2022 and $696,000 in fiscal year 2023 for
an analysis of the current rate-setting methodology for all outpatient services in medical
assistance and MinnesotaCare, including rates for behavioral health, substance use disorder
treatment, and residential substance use disorder treatment. new text begin The analysis must also include
a review of the costs of providing room and board for all levels of substance use disorder
residential treatment, for adolescent residential treatment, for adolescent nonresidential
treatment, and for withdrawal management services for adolescents. new text end By January 1, 2022,
the commissioner shall issue a request for proposals for frameworks and modeling of
behavioral health services rates. Rates must be predicated on a uniform methodology that
is transparent, culturally responsive, supports staffing needed to treat a patient's assessed
need, and promotes quality service delivery, integration of care, and patient choice. The
commissioner must consult with providers across the spectrum of services, from across
each region of the state, and culturally responsive providers in the development of the request
for proposals and for the duration of the contract. The general fund base included in this
act for this purpose is $599,000 in fiscal year 2024 and $0 in fiscal year 2025.

(b) By deleted text begin January 15, 2023 deleted text end new text begin November 1, 2024 new text end , the commissioner of human services shall
submit a preliminary report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative
committees with jurisdiction over human services policy and finance on the initial results.
By January 15, deleted text begin 2024 deleted text end new text begin 2025 new text end , the commissioner of human services shall submit a final report
to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction
over human services policy and finance that includes legislative language necessary to
modify existing or implement new rate methodologies, including a new substance use
disorder treatment rate methodology, and a detailed fiscal analysis.

Sec. 10.

Laws 2023, chapter 61, article 4, section 23, is amended to read:

Sec. 23. MEDICAL ASSISTANCE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SYSTEM
TRANSFORMATION STUDY.

new text begin (a) new text end The commissioner of human services, in consultation with stakeholders, must evaluate
the feasibility, potential design, and federal authorities needed to cover traditional healing,
behavioral health services in correctional facilities, and contingency management under the
medical assistance program.

new text begin (b) The commissioner must seek federal approval to implement the demonstration project
under this section and receive federal financial participation by January 1, 2025.
new text end

Sec. 11. new text begin DIRECTION TO COMMISSIONER OF HUMAN SERVICES;
TRANSITION SUPPORT SERVICES RECOMMENDATIONS.
new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner of human services, in consultation with stakeholders, must develop
recommendations related to transition support services for persons who have been a client
of a substance use disorder treatment program and who receive medical assistance or services
through the behavioral health fund under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 254B.
new text end

new text begin (b) Stakeholders must equitably represent geographic areas of the state and must include
individuals in recovery from a substance use disorder and providers from Black, Indigenous,
people of color, or immigrant communities. Stakeholders must include but are not limited
to:
new text end

new text begin (1) the Minnesota Association of Resources for Recovery and Chemical Health;
new text end

new text begin (2) the Minnesota Alliance of Rural Addiction Treatment Providers;
new text end

new text begin (3) the Minnesota Association of Community Mental Health Programs;
new text end

new text begin (4) recovery community organizations;
new text end

new text begin (5) current and former clients of substance use disorder treatment programs based in
Minnesota; and
new text end

new text begin (6) the Minnesota Association of County Social Service Administrators.
new text end

new text begin (c) The commissioner must make recommendations on the following transition support
components:
new text end

new text begin (1) funding for recovery safe housing;
new text end

new text begin (2) food support funding for persons not otherwise eligible for food support programs;
new text end

new text begin (3) child care options;
new text end

new text begin (4) transportation services to facilitate attendance at group meetings or other recovery
activities and a person's ability to work and seek employment and to meet the needs of daily
living. The commissioner's recommendations on transportation services must consider:
new text end

new text begin (i) for persons well served by public transit, a monthly public transit pass; or
new text end

new text begin (ii) for persons who are not well served by public transit or who have access to personal
transportation, recommendations for a stipend for a gas card each month;
new text end

new text begin (5) a duration period of eligibility for transition support services and service coordination,
regardless of public assistance eligibility, and pursuing a federal waiver to allow persons
receiving transition support services to remain eligible for medical assistance for the identified
eligibility period; and
new text end

new text begin (6) eligibility criteria for transition support services.
new text end

new text begin (d) The commissioner's recommendations for funding transition support services must
maximize existing federal and state funding sources for which recipients may be eligible
and may not count federal and state benefits as income for the purposes of qualifying for
public assistance programs.
new text end

new text begin (e) By December 1, 2024, the commissioner must complete and submit a report on the
recommendations required under this section to the chairs and ranking minority members
of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over health and human services policy and
finance.
new text end

Sec. 12. new text begin DIRECTION TO COMMISSIONER OF HUMAN SERVICES; ADOPT
RATE STUDY PROPOSED RATES.
new text end

new text begin The commissioner of human services must adopt the proposed rates in Appendices A-D
in the Minnesota Health Care Programs Fee-for-Service Outpatient Services Rate Study,
Second Report published on January 22, 2024, except for the rate reductions to withdrawal
management services. The commissioner must maintain the rate enhancements in Minnesota
Statutes, section 254B.05, subdivision 5, paragraph (c), clause (1), for clients with children
until a cost-based rate is established.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective January 1, 2025.
new text end