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Key: (1) language to be deleted (2) new language

CHAPTER 267--S.F.No. 367

An act

relating to health; implementing health care cost-containment measures; promoting electronic billing assistance; modifying the qualification standards of certain licenses; establishing certain fees; requiring certain studies; defining terms; modifying certain informed consent provisions; allowing entity certain specific administrative efficiency reports to be published on the state agency Web sites; permitting commissioner to consult others and make recommendations regarding infection control reporting; requiring certain reports; adding provisions for service cooperatives contracts; appropriating money;

amending Minnesota Statutes 2004, sections 145.4241, by adding subdivisions; 148.06, subdivision 1; 148.515, subdivision 2; 148.5175; 148.518; 148.5193, subdivision 1; 148.5195, by adding a subdivision; 148.6440, subdivision 7; 148.6443, subdivisions 2, 3, 4; 148.6448, by adding a subdivision; 151.214, subdivision 1; 153A.13, subdivision 4; 153A.15, by adding a subdivision; Minnesota Statutes 2005 Supplement, sections 145.4242; 148.515, subdivision 6; 153A.14, subdivision 4c; 214.071; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapters 62J; 144; 147; 148; 214; 256B.

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

ARTICLE 1

Section 1.

new text begin [62J.62] ELECTRONIC BILLING ASSISTANCE. new text end

new text begin The commissioner of human services shall, out of existing resources, encourage and assist providers to adopt and use electronic billing for state programs, including but not limited to the provision of training. new text end

Sec. 2.

new text begin [144.0506] AGENCY WEB SITES. new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Information to be posted. new text end

new text begin The commissioner of health may post the following information on agency Web sites, including minnesotahealthinfo.com: new text end

new text begin (1) healthy lifestyle and preventive health care information, organized by sex and age, with procedures and treatments categorized by level of effectiveness and reliability of the supporting evidence on effectiveness; new text end

new text begin (2) health plan company administrative efficiency report cards; new text end

new text begin (3) health care provider charges for common procedures, based on information available under section 62J.052; new text end

new text begin (4) evidence-based medicine guidelines and related information for use as resources by health care professionals, and summaries of the guidelines and related information for use by patients and consumers; new text end

new text begin (5) resources and Web links related to improving efficiency in medical clinics and health care professional practices; and new text end

new text begin (6) lists of nonprofit and charitable entities that accept donations of used medical equipment and supplies, such as crutches and walkers. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Other Internet resources. new text end

new text begin The commissioner of health, in implementing subdivision 1, shall include relevant Web links and materials from private sector and other government sources in order to avoid duplication and reduce state administrative costs. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Cooperation with commissioner of commerce. new text end

new text begin The commissioner of health shall consult and work in cooperation with the commissioner of commerce when posting on the Web site information collected from health plan companies regulated by the commissioner of commerce. new text end

Sec. 3.

new text begin [147.37] INFORMATION PROVISION; PHARMACEUTICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS. new text end

new text begin The board shall encourage licensees to make available to patients information on free and discounted prescription drug programs offered by pharmaceutical manufacturers when the information is provided to the licensees at no cost. new text end

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 148.06, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

License required; qualifications.

No person shall practice chiropractic in this state without first being licensed by the State Board of Chiropractic Examiners. The applicant shall have earned at least one-half of all academic credits required for awarding of a baccalaureate degree from the University of Minnesota, or other university, college, or community college of equal standing, in subject matter determined by the board, and taken a four-year resident course of at least eight months each in a school or college of chiropractic or in a chiropractic program that is accredited by the Council on Chiropractic Educationnew text begin , holds a recognition agreement with the Council on Chiropractic Education,new text end or new text begin is new text end accredited by an agency approved by the United States Office of Education or their successors as of January 1, 1988. The board may issue licenses to practice chiropractic without compliance with prechiropractic or academic requirements listed above if in the opinion of the board the applicant has the qualifications equivalent to those required of other applicants, the applicant satisfactorily passes written and practical examinations as required by the Board of Chiropractic Examiners, and the applicant is a graduate of a college of chiropractic with a deleted text begin reciprocaldeleted text end recognition agreement with the Council on Chiropractic Education deleted text begin as of January 1, 1988deleted text end . The board may recommend a two-year prechiropractic course of instruction to any university, college, or community college which in its judgment would satisfy the academic prerequisite for licensure as established by this section.

An examination for a license shall be in writing and shall include testing in:

(a) The basic sciences including but not limited to anatomy, physiology, bacteriology, pathology, hygiene, and chemistry as related to the human body or mind;

(b) The clinical sciences including but not limited to the science and art of chiropractic, chiropractic physiotherapy, diagnosis, roentgenology, and nutrition; and

(c) Professional ethics and any other subjects that the board may deem advisable.

The board may consider a valid certificate of examination from the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners as evidence of compliance with the examination requirements of this subdivision. The applicant shall be required to give practical demonstration in vertebral palpation, neurology, adjusting and any other subject that the board may deem advisable. A license, countersigned by the members of the board and authenticated by the seal thereof, shall be granted to each applicant who correctly answers 75 percent of the questions propounded in each of the subjects required by this subdivision and meets the standards of practical demonstration established by the board. Each application shall be accompanied by a fee set by the board. The fee shall not be returned but the applicant may, within one year, apply for examination without the payment of an additional fee. The board may grant a license to an applicant who holds a valid license to practice chiropractic issued by the appropriate licensing board of another state, provided the applicant meets the other requirements of this section and satisfactorily passes a practical examination approved by the board. The burden of proof is on the applicant to demonstrate these qualifications or satisfaction of these requirements.

Sec. 5.

new text begin [148.108] FEES. new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Fees. new text end

new text begin In addition to the fees established in Minnesota Rules, chapter 2500, the board is authorized to charge the fees in this section. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Annual renewal of inactive acupuncture registration. new text end

new text begin The annual renewal of inactive acupuncture registration fee is $25. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Acupuncture reinstatement. new text end

new text begin The acupuncture reinstatement fee is $50. new text end

Sec. 6.

Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 151.214, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Explanation of pharmacy benefits.

A pharmacist licensed under this chapter must provide to a patient, for each prescription dispensed where part or all of the cost of the prescription is being paid or reimbursed by an employer-sponsored plan or health plan company, or its contracted pharmacy benefit manager, the patient's co-payment amount and the new text begin pharmacy's own new text end usual and customary price of the prescription or the amount the pharmacy will be paid for the prescription drug by the patient's employer-sponsored plan or health plan company, or its contracted pharmacy benefit manager.

Sec. 7.

Minnesota Statutes 2005 Supplement, section 214.071, is amended to read:

214.071 HEALTH BOARDS; DIRECTORY OF LICENSEES.

new text begin By July 1, 2009, new text end each deleted text begin healthdeleted text end new text begin health-related licensingnew text end board deleted text begin under chapters 147, 148, 148B, and 150Adeleted text end new text begin , as defined in section 214.01, subdivision 2new text end , shall establish a directory of licensees that includes biographical data for each licensee.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2007. new text end

Sec. 8.

new text begin [214.121] PRICE DISCLOSURE REMINDER. new text end

new text begin Each health-related licensing board shall at least annually inform and remind its licensees of the price disclosure requirements of section 62J.052 or 151.214, as applicable, through the board's regular means of communicating with its licensees. new text end

Sec. 9.

new text begin [256B.043] COST CONTAINMENT EFFORTS. new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Alternative and complementary health care. new text end

new text begin The commissioner of human services, through the medical director and in consultation with the health services policy committee established under section 256B.0625, subdivision 3c, as part of the commissioner's ongoing duties, shall consider the potential for improving quality and obtaining cost savings through greater use of alternative and complementary treatment methods and clinical practice; shall incorporate these methods into the medical assistance, MinnesotaCare, and general assistance medical care programs; and shall make related legislative recommendations as appropriate. The commissioner shall post the recommendations required under this subdivision on agency Web sites according to chapter 144.0506, subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Access to care. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioners of human services and health, as part of their ongoing duties, shall consider the adequacy of the current system of community health clinics and centers both statewide and in urban areas with significant disparities in health status and access to services across racial and ethnic groups, including: new text end

new text begin (1) methods to provide 24-hour availability of care through the clinics and centers; new text end

new text begin (2) methods to expand the availability of care through the clinics and centers; new text end

new text begin (3) the use of grants to expand the number of clinics and centers, the services provided, and the availability of care; and new text end

new text begin (4) the extent to which increased use of physician assistants, nurse practitioners, medical residents and interns, and other allied health professionals in clinics and centers would increase the availability of services. new text end

new text begin (b) The commissioners shall make departmental modifications and legislative recommendations as appropriate on the basis of their considerations under paragraph (a). new text end

Sec. 10.

new text begin REPORTING OF ACQUIRED INFECTIONS. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner of health may consult with infection control specialists, health care facility representatives, and consumers for the purpose of obtaining recommendations regarding a determination of the need for action to implement health care associated infection control reporting in hospitals and nursing homes. If the outcome of the determination warrants, the commissioner shall consult with the group regarding: new text end

new text begin (1) the selection of reporting measures relating to health care associated infections; new text end

new text begin (2) design, implementation, validation, and ongoing evaluation of the reporting system; and new text end

new text begin (3) ensuring that the reporting measures remain flexible and adaptable to changing national standards. new text end

new text begin (b) If the commissioner determines that there is a need for the action described in paragraph (a), the commissioner shall make written recommendations to the legislature. new text end

Sec. 11.

new text begin STUDY OF HOSPITAL UNCOMPENSATED CARE. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner of health shall study and report to the legislature by January 15, 2007, the following: new text end

new text begin (1) trends in hospitals' cost of providing uncompensated care, separately identifying charity care and bad debt as components of uncompensated care; new text end

new text begin (2) the impact of any changes in hospitals' charity care policies and debt collection practices in the past three years on the amount of uncompensated care provided and the number of patients receiving uncompensated care; and new text end

new text begin (3) the value of hospital uncompensated care and community benefits in comparison to the value of tax exemptions received as a result of nonprofit status. new text end

new text begin (b) The commissioner's report to the legislature shall include recommendations on: (1) the need for more uniform hospital charity care policies and debt collection practices; and (2) the need for more uniform reporting of community benefits provided by nonprofit hospitals. new text end

Sec. 12.

new text begin STUDY; REPORT. new text end

new text begin The medical director for medical assistance and the assistant commissioner for chemical and mental health services of the Department of Human Services, in conjunction with the mental health licensing boards, shall evaluate the requirements for licensed mental health practitioners to receive medical assistance reimbursement under Minnesota Statutes, section 256B.0625, subdivision 38. The purpose of this study is to evaluate qualifications of all licensed mental health practitioners and licensed mental health professionals and make recommendations regarding requirements for medical assistance reimbursement. This study is to be completed by January 15, 2007. Written results of the study are to be submitted to the chairs of the house of representatives and senate committees with jurisdiction over health related licensing boards. new text end

Sec. 13.

new text begin APPROPRIATIONS. new text end

new text begin $5,000 is appropriated from the state government special revenue fund in fiscal year 2006 and $5,000 is appropriated from the state government special revenue fund in fiscal year 2007 to the Board of Chiropractic Examiners, to correct programming difficulties incurred during implementation of payment processing changes. This is a onetime appropriation. new text end

ARTICLE 2

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 145.4241, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 3a. new text end

new text begin Fetal anomaly incompatible with life. new text end

new text begin "Fetal anomaly incompatible with life" means a fetal anomaly diagnosed before birth that will with reasonable certainty result in death of the unborn child within three months. Fetal anomaly incompatible with life does not include conditions which can be treated. new text end

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 145.4241, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 4a. new text end

new text begin Perinatal hospice. new text end

new text begin (a) "Perinatal hospice" means comprehensive support to the female and her family that includes support from the time of diagnosis through the time of birth and death of the infant and through the postpartum period. Supportive care may include maternal-fetal medical specialists, obstetricians, neonatologists, anesthesia specialists, clergy, social workers, and specialty nurses. new text end

new text begin (b) The availability of perinatal hospice provides an alternative to families for whom elective pregnancy termination is not chosen. new text end

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2005 Supplement, section 145.4242, is amended to read:

145.4242 INFORMED CONSENT.

(a) No abortion shall be performed in this state except with the voluntary and informed consent of the female upon whom the abortion is to be performed. Except in the case of a medical emergencynew text begin or if the fetus has an anomaly incompatible with life, and the female has declined perinatal hospice carenew text end , consent to an abortion is voluntary and informed only if:

(1) the female is told the following, by telephone or in person, by the physician who is to perform the abortion or by a referring physician, at least 24 hours before the abortion:

(i) the particular medical risks associated with the particular abortion procedure to be employed including, when medically accurate, the risks of infection, hemorrhage, breast cancer, danger to subsequent pregnancies, and infertility;

(ii) the probable gestational age of the unborn child at the time the abortion is to be performed;

(iii) the medical risks associated with carrying her child to term; and

(iv) for abortions after 20 weeks gestational, whether or not an anesthetic or analgesic would eliminate or alleviate organic pain to the unborn child caused by the particular method of abortion to be employed and the particular medical benefits and risks associated with the particular anesthetic or analgesic.

The information required by this clause may be provided by telephone without conducting a physical examination or tests of the patient, in which case the information required to be provided may be based on facts supplied to the physician by the female and whatever other relevant information is reasonably available to the physician. It may not be provided by a tape recording, but must be provided during a consultation in which the physician is able to ask questions of the female and the female is able to ask questions of the physician. If a physical examination, tests, or the availability of other information to the physician subsequently indicate, in the medical judgment of the physician, a revision of the information previously supplied to the patient, that revised information may be communicated to the patient at any time prior to the performance of the abortion. Nothing in this section may be construed to preclude provision of required information in a language understood by the patient through a translator;

(2) the female is informed, by telephone or in person, by the physician who is to perform the abortion, by a referring physician, or by an agent of either physician at least 24 hours before the abortion:

(i) that medical assistance benefits may be available for prenatal care, childbirth, and neonatal care;

(ii) that the father is liable to assist in the support of her child, even in instances when the father has offered to pay for the abortion; and

(iii) that she has the right to review the printed materials described in section 145.4243, that these materials are available on a state-sponsored Web site, and what the Web site address is. The physician or the physician's agent shall orally inform the female that the materials have been provided by the state of Minnesota and that they describe the unborn child, list agencies that offer alternatives to abortion, and contain information on fetal pain. If the female chooses to view the materials other than on the Web site, they shall either be given to her at least 24 hours before the abortion or mailed to her at least 72 hours before the abortion by certified mail, restricted delivery to addressee, which means the postal employee can only deliver the mail to the addressee.

The information required by this clause may be provided by a tape recording if provision is made to record or otherwise register specifically whether the female does or does not choose to have the printed materials given or mailed to her;

(3) the female certifies in writing, prior to the abortion, that the information described in clauses (1) and (2) has been furnished to her and that she has been informed of her opportunity to review the information referred to in clause (2), subclause (iii); and

(4) prior to the performance of the abortion, the physician who is to perform the abortion or the physician's agent obtains a copy of the written certification prescribed by clause (3) and retains it on file with the female's medical record for at least three years following the date of receipt.

(b) Prior to administering the anesthetic or analgesic as described in paragraph (a), clause (1), item (iv), the physician must disclose to the woman any additional cost of the procedure for the administration of the anesthetic or analgesic. If the woman consents to the administration of the anesthetic or analgesic, the physician shall administer the anesthetic or analgesic or arrange to have the anesthetic or analgesic administered.

new text begin (c) A female seeking an abortion of her unborn child diagnosed with fetal anomaly incompatible with life must be informed of available perinatal hospice services and offered this care as an alternative to abortion. If perinatal hospice services are declined, voluntary and informed consent by the female seeking an abortion is given if the female receives the information required in paragraphs (a), clause (1) and (b). The female must comply with the requirements in paragraph (a), clauses (3) and (4). new text end

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 148.515, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Master's or doctoral degree required.

(a) An applicant must possess a master's or doctoral degree that meets the requirements of paragraph (b). If completing a doctoral program in which a master's degree has not been conferred, an applicant must submit a transcript showing completion of course work equivalent to, or exceeding, a master's degree that meets the requirement of paragraph (b).

(b) All of the applicant's graduate coursework and clinical practicum required in the professional area for which licensure is sought must have been initiated and completed at an institution whose program new text begin meets the current requirements and new text end was accredited by the Educational Standards Board of the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology, a body recognized by the United States Department of Education, or an equivalent as determined by the commissioner, in the area for which licensure is sought.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment. new text end

Sec. 5.

Minnesota Statutes 2005 Supplement, section 148.515, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

Subd. 6.

Dispensing audiologist examination requirements.

(a) Audiologists are exempt from the written examination requirement in section 153A.14, subdivision 2h, paragraph (a), clause (1).

(b) After July 31, 2005, all applicants for audiologist licensure under sections 148.512 to 148.5198 must achieve a passing score on the practical tests of proficiency described in section 153A.14, subdivision 2h, paragraph (a), clause (2), within the time period described in section 153A.14, subdivision 2h, paragraph (c).

(c) In order to dispense hearing aids as a sole proprietor, member of a partnership, or for a limited liability company, corporation, or any other entity organized for profit, a licensee who obtained audiologist licensure under sections 148.512 to 148.5198, before August 1, 2005, and who is not certified to dispense hearing aids under chapter 153A, must achieve a passing score on the practical tests of proficiency described in section 153A.14, subdivision 2h, paragraph (a), clause (2), within the time period described in section 153A.14, subdivision 2h, paragraph (c). All other audiologist licensees who obtained licensure before August 1, 2005, are exempt from the practical tests.

new text begin (d) An applicant for an audiology license who obtains a temporary license under section 148.5175 may dispense hearing aids only under supervision of a licensed audiologist who dispenses hearing aids. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment. new text end

Sec. 6.

Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 148.5175, is amended to read:

148.5175 TEMPORARY LICENSURE.

(a) The commissioner shall issue temporary licensure as a speech-language pathologist, an audiologist, or both, to an applicant deleted text begin who has applied for licensure under section 148.515, 148.516, 148.517, or 148.518 and deleted text end who:

(1) submits a signed and dated affidavit stating that the applicant is not the subject of a disciplinary action or past disciplinary action in this or another jurisdiction and is not disqualified on the basis of section 148.5195, subdivision 3; and

(2) either:

(i) provides a copy of a current credential as a speech-language pathologist, an audiologist, or both, held in the District of Columbia or a state or territory of the United States; or

(ii) provides a copy of a current certificate of clinical competence issued by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association or board certification in audiology by the American Board of Audiology.

(b) A temporary license issued to a person under this subdivision expires 90 days after it is issued or on the date the commissioner grants or denies licensure, whichever occurs first.

(c) Upon application, a temporary license shall be renewed once to a person who is able to demonstrate good cause for failure to meet the requirements for licensure within the initial temporary licensure period and who is not the subject of a disciplinary action or disqualified on the basis of section 148.5195, subdivision 3.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment. new text end

Sec. 7.

Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 148.518, is amended to read:

148.518 LICENSURE FOLLOWING LAPSE OF LICENSURE STATUS.

For an applicant whose licensure status has lapsed, the applicant must:

(1) apply for licensure renewal according to section 148.5191 and document compliance with the continuing education requirements of section 148.5193 since the applicant's license lapsed;

(2) fulfill the requirements of section 148.517;

(3) apply for renewal according to section 148.5191, provide evidence to the commissioner that the applicant holds a current and unrestricted credential for the practice of speech-language pathology from the Minnesota Board of Teaching or for the practice of speech-language pathology or audiology in another jurisdiction that has requirements equivalent to or higher than those in effect for Minnesota, and provide evidence of compliance with Minnesota Board of Teaching or that jurisdiction's continuing education requirements; deleted text begin ordeleted text end

(4) apply for renewal according to section 148.5191 and submit verified documentation of successful completion of 160 hours of supervised practice approved by the commissioner. To participate in a supervised practice, the applicant shall first apply and obtain temporary licensing according to section 148.5161deleted text begin .deleted text end new text begin ; ornew text end

new text begin (5) apply for renewal according to section 148.5191 and provide documentation of obtaining a qualifying score on the examination described in section 148.515, subdivision 4, within one year of the application date for license renewal. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment. new text end

Sec. 8.

Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 148.5193, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Number of contact hours required.

(a) An applicant for licensure renewal must meet the requirements for continuing education stipulated by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association or the American Board of Audiology, or satisfy the requirements described in paragraphs (b) to (e).

(b) Within one month following expiration of a license, an applicant for licensure renewal as either a speech-language pathologist or an audiologist must provide evidence to the commissioner of a minimum of 30 contact hours of continuing education obtained within the two years immediately preceding licensure expiration. A minimum of 20 contact hours of continuing education must be directly related to the licensee's area of licensure. Ten contact hours of continuing education may be in areas generally related to the licensee's area of licensure. Licensees who are issued licenses for a period of less than two years shall prorate the number of contact hours required for licensure renewal based on the number of months licensed during the biennial licensure period. Licensees shall receive contact hours for continuing education activities only for the biennial licensure period in which the continuing education activity was performed.

(c) An applicant for licensure renewal as both a speech-language pathologist and an audiologist must attest to and document completion of a minimum of 36 contact hours of continuing education offered by a continuing education sponsor within the two years immediately preceding licensure renewal. A minimum of 15 contact hours must be received in the area of speech-language pathology and a minimum of 15 contact hours must be received in the area of audiology. Six contact hours of continuing education may be in areas generally related to the licensee's areas of licensure. Licensees who are issued licenses for a period of less than two years shall prorate the number of contact hours required for licensure renewal based on the number of months licensed during the biennial licensure period. Licensees shall receive contact hours for continuing education activities only for the biennial licensure period in which the continuing education activity was performed.

(d) If the licensee is licensed by the Board of Teaching:

(1) activities that are approved in the categories of Minnesota Rules, part deleted text begin 8700.1000deleted text end new text begin 8710.7200new text end , subpart 3, items A and B, and that relate to speech-language pathology, shall be considered:

(i) offered by a sponsor of continuing education; and

(ii) directly related to speech-language pathology;

(2) activities that are approved in the categories of Minnesota Rules, part deleted text begin 8700.1000deleted text end new text begin 8710.7200new text end , subpart 3, shall be considered:

(i) offered by a sponsor of continuing education; and

(ii) generally related to speech-language pathology; and

(3) one clock hour as defined in Minnesota Rules, part deleted text begin 8700.1000deleted text end new text begin 8710.7200new text end , subpart 1, is equivalent to 1.0 contact hours of continuing education.

(e) Contact hours may not be accumulated in advance and transferred to a future continuing education period.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment. new text end

Sec. 9.

Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 148.5195, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Authority to contract. new text end

new text begin The commissioner shall contract with the health professionals services program as authorized by sections 214.31 to 214.37 to provide these services to practitioners under this chapter. The health professionals services program does not affect the commissioner's authority to discipline violations of sections 148.511 to 148.5198. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment. new text end

Sec. 10.

Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 148.6440, subdivision 7, is amended to read:

Subd. 7.

Approval.

(a) The advisory council shall appoint a committee to review documentation under subdivisions 2 to 6 to determine if established educational and clinical requirements are met.new text begin If, after review of course documentation, the committee verifies that a specific course meets the theoretical and clinical requirements in subdivisions 2 to 6, the commissioner may approve practitioner applications that include the required course documentation evidencing completion of the same course.new text end

(b) Occupational therapists shall be advised of the status of their request for approval within 30 days. Occupational therapists must provide any additional information requested by the committee that is necessary to make a determination regarding approval or denial.

(c) A determination regarding a request for approval of training under this subdivision shall be made in writing to the occupational therapist. If denied, the reason for denial shall be provided.

(d) A licensee who was approved by the commissioner as a level two provider prior to July 1, 1999, shall remain on the roster maintained by the commissioner in accordance with subdivision 1, paragraph (c).

(e) To remain on the roster maintained by the commissioner, a licensee who was approved by the commissioner as a level one provider prior to July 1, 1999, must submit to the commissioner documentation of training and experience gained using physical agent modalities since the licensee's approval as a level one provider. The committee appointed under paragraph (a) shall review the documentation and make a recommendation to the commissioner regarding approval.

(f) An occupational therapist who received training in the use of physical agent modalities prior to July 1, 1999, but who has not been placed on the roster of approved providers may submit to the commissioner documentation of training and experience gained using physical agent modalities. The committee appointed under paragraph (a) shall review documentation and make a recommendation to the commissioner regarding approval.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment. new text end

Sec. 11.

Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 148.6443, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Standards for determining qualified continuing education activities.

Except as provided in subdivision 3, paragraph (f), in order to qualify as a continuing education activity, the activity must:

(1) constitute an organized program of learning;

(2) reasonably be expected to advance the knowledge and skills of the occupational therapy practitioner;

(3) pertain to subjects that directly relate to the practice of occupational therapy;

(4) be conducted by new text begin a sponsor approved by the American Occupational Therapy Association or by new text end individuals who have education, training, and experience by reason of which the individuals should be considered experts on the subject matter of the activity; and

(5) be presented by a sponsor who has a mechanism to verify participation and maintains attendance records for three years.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment. new text end

Sec. 12.

Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 148.6443, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Activities qualifying for continuing education contact hours.

(a) The activities in this subdivision qualify for continuing education contact hours if they meet all other requirements of this section.

(b) new text begin A minimum of one-half of the required contact hours must be directly related to the occupational therapy practice. The remaining contact hours may be related to occupational therapy practice, the delivery of occupational therapy services, or to the practitioner's current professional role. new text end

new text begin (c) new text end A licensee may obtain an unlimited number of contact hours in any two-year continuing education period through participation in the following:

(1) attendance at educational programs of annual conferences, lectures, panel discussions, workshops, in-service training, seminars, and symposiums;

(2) successful completion of college or university courses. The licensee must obtain a grade of at least a "C" or a pass in a pass or fail course in order to receive the following continuing education credits:

(i) one semester credit equals 14 contact hours;

(ii) one trimester credit equals 12 contact hours; and

(iii) one quarter credit equals ten contact hours; deleted text begin anddeleted text end

(3) successful completion of home study courses that require the participant to demonstrate the participant's knowledge following completion of the course.

deleted text begin (c)deleted text end new text begin (d) new text end A licensee may obtain a maximum of six contact hours in any two-year continuing education period fornew text begin :new text end

new text begin (1) new text end teaching continuing education courses that meet the requirements of this section. A licensee is entitled to earn a maximum of two contact hours as preparation time for each contact hour of presentation time. Contact hours may be claimed only once for teaching the same course in any two-year continuing education period. A course schedule or brochure must be maintained for auditdeleted text begin .deleted text end new text begin ;new text end

new text begin (2) supervising occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant students. A licensee may earn one contact hour for every eight hours of student supervision. Licensees must maintain a log indicating the name of each student supervised and the hours each student was supervised. Contact hours obtained by student supervision must be obtained by supervising students from an occupational therapy education program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education; new text end

new text begin (3) teaching or participating in courses related to leisure activities, recreational activities, or hobbies if the practitioner uses these interventions within the practitioner's current practice or employment; and new text end

new text begin (4) engaging in research activities or outcome studies that are associated with grants, postgraduate studies, or publications in professional journals or books. new text end

deleted text begin (d)deleted text end new text begin (e) new text end A licensee may obtain a maximum of two contact hours in any two-year continuing education period for continuing education activities in the following areas:

(1) business-related topics: marketing, time management, administration, risk management, government regulations, techniques for training professionals, computer skills, new text begin payment systems, including covered services, coding, documentation, billing, new text end and similar topics;

(2) personal skill topics: career burnout, communication skills, human relations, and similar topics; and

(3) training that is obtained in conjunction with a licensee's employment, occurs during a licensee's normal workday, and does not include subject matter specific to the fundamentals of occupational therapy.

deleted text begin (e) An occupational therapy practitioner that utilizes leisure activities, recreational activities, or hobbies as part of occupational therapy services in the practitioner's current work setting may obtain a maximum of six contact hours in any two-year continuing education period for participation in courses teaching these activities. deleted text end

deleted text begin (f) A licensee may obtain a maximum of six contact hours in any two-year continuing education period for supervision of occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant students. A licensee may earn one contact hour for every eight hours of student supervision. Licensees must maintain a log indicating the name of each student supervised and the hours each student was supervised. Contact hours obtained by student supervision must be obtained by supervising students from an occupational therapy education program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education. deleted text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment. new text end

Sec. 13.

Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 148.6443, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Activities not qualifying for continuing education contact hours.

No credit shall be granted for the following activities: hospital rounds, entertainment or recreational activities, employment orientation sessions, holding an office or serving as an organizational delegate, meetings for the purpose of making policydeleted text begin ,deleted text end new text begin and new text end noneducational association meetingsdeleted text begin , training related to payment systems, including covered services, coding, and billingdeleted text end .

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment. new text end

Sec. 14.

Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 148.6448, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Authority to contract. new text end

new text begin The commissioner shall contract with the health professionals services program as authorized by sections 214.31 to 214.37 to provide these services to practitioners under this chapter. The health professionals services program does not affect the commissioner's authority to discipline violations of sections 148.6401 to 148.6450. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment. new text end

Sec. 15.

Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 153A.13, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Hearing instrument dispensing.

"Hearing instrument dispensing" means making ear mold impressions, prescribing, or recommending a hearing instrument, assisting the consumer in instrument selection, selling hearing instruments at retail, or testing human hearing in connection with these activities deleted text begin whendeleted text end new text begin regardless of whethernew text end the person conducting these activities has a monetary interest in the sale of hearing instruments to the consumer.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment. new text end

Sec. 16.

Minnesota Statutes 2005 Supplement, section 153A.14, subdivision 4c, is amended to read:

Subd. 4c.

Reciprocity.

(a) A person deleted text begin applying for certification as a hearing instrument dispenser under subdivision 1deleted text end who has dispensed hearing instruments in another jurisdiction may dispense hearing instruments as a trainee under indirect supervision if the person:

(1) satisfies the provisions of subdivision 4a, paragraph (a);

(2) submits a signed and dated affidavit stating that the applicant is not the subject of a disciplinary action or past disciplinary action in this or another jurisdiction and is not disqualified on the basis of section 153A.15, subdivision 1; and

(3) provides a copy of a current credential as a hearing instrument dispenser held in the District of Columbia or a state or territory of the United States.

(b) A person becoming a trainee under this subdivision who fails to take and pass the practical examination described in subdivision 2h, paragraph (a), clause (2), when next offered must cease dispensing hearing instruments unless under direct supervision.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment. new text end

Sec. 17.

Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 153A.15, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Authority to contract. new text end

new text begin The commissioner shall contract with the health professionals services program as authorized by sections 214.31 to 214.37 to provide these services to practitioners under this chapter. The health professionals services program does not affect the commissioner's authority to discipline violations of chapter 153A. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment. new text end

Presented to the governor May 22, 2006

Signed by the governor May 31, 2006, 10:05 p.m.

Official Publication of the State of Minnesota
Revisor of Statutes