Minnesota Session Laws - 2021, Regular Session

CHAPTER 30--H.F.No. 2128

An act

relating to state government; modifying policy provisions governing health, health care, human services, human services licensing and background studies, health-related licensing boards, prescription drugs, health insurance, telehealth, children and family services, behavioral health, disability services and continuing care for older adults, community supports, and chemical and mental health services; implementing mental health uniform service standards; making forecast adjustments; making technical and conforming changes; requiring reports; modifying appropriations;

amending Minnesota Statutes 2020, sections 62A.152, subdivision 3; 62A.3094, subdivision 1; 62J.495, subdivision 3; 62J.498; 62J.4981; 62J.4982; 62J.84, subdivisions 3, 4, 5, 6, 9; 62Q.096; 62W.11; 144.05, by adding a subdivision; 144.1205, subdivisions 2, 4, 8, 9, by adding a subdivision; 144.1481, subdivision 1; 144.1911, subdivision 6; 144.223; 144.225, subdivision 7; 144.651, subdivision 2; 144D.01, subdivision 4; 144G.08, subdivision 7, as amended; 144G.84; 145.893, subdivision 1; 145.894; 145.897; 145.899; 148B.5301, subdivision 2; 148E.120, subdivision 2; 148F.11, subdivision 1; 151.01, subdivision 29, by adding subdivisions; 151.555, subdivisions 1, 7, 11, by adding a subdivision; 151.72, subdivision 5; 152.22, subdivisions 6, 11, by adding a subdivision; 152.23; 152.26; 152.27, subdivisions 2, 3, 4; 152.28, subdivision 1; 152.29, subdivisions 1, 3, by adding subdivisions; 152.31; 157.22; 245.462, subdivisions 1, 6, 8, 9, 14, 16, 17, 18, 21, 23, by adding a subdivision; 245.4661, subdivision 5; 245.4662, subdivision 1; 245.467, subdivisions 2, 3; 245.469, subdivisions 1, 2; 245.470, subdivision 1; 245.4712, subdivision 2; 245.472, subdivision 2; 245.4863; 245.4871, subdivisions 9a, 10, 11a, 17, 21, 26, 27, 29, 31, 32, 34, by adding a subdivision; 245.4874, subdivision 1; 245.4876, subdivisions 2, 3; 245.4879, subdivision 1; 245.488, subdivision 1; 245.4885, subdivision 1; 245.4901, subdivision 2; 245.62, subdivision 2; 245.697, subdivision 1; 245.735, subdivisions 3, 5, by adding a subdivision; 245A.02, by adding subdivisions; 245A.04, subdivision 5; 245A.041, by adding a subdivision; 245A.043, subdivision 3; 245A.10, subdivision 4; 245A.65, subdivision 2; 245D.02, subdivision 20; 245F.04, subdivision 2; 245G.03, subdivision 2; 252.43; 252A.01, subdivision 1; 252A.02, subdivisions 2, 9, 11, 12, by adding subdivisions; 252A.03, subdivisions 3, 4; 252A.04, subdivisions 1, 2, 4; 252A.05; 252A.06, subdivisions 1, 2; 252A.07, subdivisions 1, 2, 3; 252A.081, subdivisions 2, 3, 5; 252A.09, subdivisions 1, 2; 252A.101, subdivisions 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8; 252A.111, subdivisions 2, 4, 6; 252A.12; 252A.16; 252A.17; 252A.19, subdivisions 2, 4, 5, 7, 8; 252A.20; 252A.21, subdivisions 2, 4; 254B.03, subdivision 2; 256.01, subdivision 14b, by adding a subdivision; 256.0112, subdivision 6; 256.741, by adding subdivisions; 256.969, subdivisions 2b, 9, by adding a subdivision; 256.9695, subdivision 1; 256.9741, subdivision 1; 256.98, subdivision 1; 256.983; 256B.051, subdivisions 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, by adding a subdivision; 256B.057, subdivision 3; 256B.0615, subdivisions 1, 5; 256B.0616, subdivisions 1, 3, 5; 256B.0622, subdivisions 1, 2, 3a, 4, 7, 7a, 7b, 7d; 256B.0623, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 12; 256B.0624; 256B.0625, subdivisions 3b, 3c, 3d, 3e, 5, 5m, 19c, 28a, 30, 42, 48, 49, 56a; 256B.0638, subdivisions 3, 5, 6; 256B.0659, subdivision 13; 256B.0757, subdivision 4c; 256B.0911, subdivision 3a; 256B.0941, subdivision 1; 256B.0943, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 5a, 6, 7, 9, 11; 256B.0946, subdivisions 1, 1a, 2, 3, 4, 6; 256B.0947, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 3a, 5, 6, 7; 256B.0949, subdivisions 2, 4, 5a; 256B.196, subdivision 2; 256B.25, subdivision 3; 256B.4912, subdivision 13; 256B.69, subdivision 5a; 256B.6928, subdivision 5; 256B.761; 256B.763; 256B.85, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 11b, 12, 12b, 13, 13a, 15, 17a, 18a, 20b, 23, 23a, by adding subdivisions; 256E.34, subdivision 1; 256I.05, subdivisions 1a, 11; 256J.08, subdivision 21; 256J.09, subdivision 3; 256J.30, subdivision 8; 256J.45, subdivision 1; 256J.626, subdivision 1; 256J.95, subdivision 5; 256L.01, subdivision 5; 256L.03, subdivision 1; 256L.04, subdivision 7b; 256L.05, subdivision 3a; 256N.02, subdivisions 16, 17; 256N.22, subdivision 1; 256N.23, subdivisions 2, 6; 256N.24, subdivisions 1, 8, 11, 12, 14; 256N.25, subdivision 1, by adding a subdivision; 256P.01, subdivision 6a; 259.22, subdivision 4; 259.241; 259.35, subdivision 1; 259.53, subdivision 4; 259.73; 259.75, subdivisions 5, 6, 9; 259.83, subdivision 1a; 259A.75, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 4; 260C.007, subdivisions 22a, 26c, 31; 260C.157, subdivision 3; 260C.212, subdivisions 1, 1a, 2, 13, by adding a subdivision; 260C.219, subdivision 5; 260C.4412; 260C.452; 260C.503, subdivision 2; 260C.515, subdivision 3; 260C.605, subdivision 1; 260C.607, subdivision 6; 260C.609; 260C.615; 260C.704; 260C.706; 260C.708; 260C.71; 260C.712; 260C.714; 260D.01; 260D.05; 260D.06, subdivision 2; 260D.07; 260D.08; 260D.14; 260E.20, subdivision 2; 260E.31, subdivision 1; 260E.33, by adding a subdivision; 260E.36, by adding a subdivision; 295.50, subdivision 9b; 295.53, subdivision 1; 297E.02, subdivision 3; 325F.721, subdivision 1; 326.71, subdivision 4; 326.75, subdivisions 1, 2, 3; 518.157, subdivisions 1, 3; 518.68, subdivision 2; 518A.29; 518A.33; 518A.35, subdivisions 1, 2; 518A.39, subdivision 7; 518A.40, subdivision 4, by adding a subdivision; 518A.42; 518A.43, by adding a subdivision; 518A.685; 548.091, subdivisions 1a, 2a, 3b, 9, 10; 549.09, subdivision 1; Laws 2008, chapter 364, section 17; Laws 2019, First Special Session chapter 9, article 14, section 3, as amended; Laws 2020, Seventh Special Session chapter 1, article 6, section 12, subdivision 4; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapters 62A; 62Q; 145; 145A; 151; 245A; 256B; 363A; 518A; proposing coding for new law as Minnesota Statutes, chapter 245I; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2020, sections 151.19, subdivision 3; 245.462, subdivision 4a; 245.4879, subdivision 2; 245.62, subdivisions 3, 4; 245.69, subdivision 2; 245.735, subdivisions 1, 2, 4; 252.28, subdivisions 1, 5; 252A.02, subdivisions 8, 10; 252A.21, subdivision 3; 256B.0615, subdivision 2; 256B.0616, subdivision 2; 256B.0622, subdivisions 3, 5a; 256B.0623, subdivisions 7, 8, 10, 11; 256B.0625, subdivisions 5l, 35a, 35b, 61, 62, 65; 256B.0943, subdivisions 8, 10; 256B.0944; 256B.0946, subdivision 5; Minnesota Rules, parts 9505.0370; 9505.0371; 9505.0372; 9520.0010; 9520.0020; 9520.0030; 9520.0040; 9520.0050; 9520.0060; 9520.0070; 9520.0080; 9520.0090; 9520.0100; 9520.0110; 9520.0120; 9520.0130; 9520.0140; 9520.0150; 9520.0160; 9520.0170; 9520.0180; 9520.0190; 9520.0200; 9520.0210; 9520.0230; 9520.0750; 9520.0760; 9520.0770; 9520.0780; 9520.0790; 9520.0800; 9520.0810; 9520.0820; 9520.0830; 9520.0840; 9520.0850; 9520.0860; 9520.0870; 9530.6800; 9530.6810.

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

ARTICLE 1

DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES HEALTH CARE PROGRAMS

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 256.01, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 42. new text end

new text begin Expiration of report mandates. new text end

new text begin (a) If the submission of a report by the commissioner of human services to the legislature is mandated by statute and the enabling legislation does not include a date for the submission of a final report, the mandate to submit the report shall expire in accordance with this section. new text end

new text begin (b) If the mandate requires the submission of an annual report and the mandate was enacted before January 1, 2021, the mandate shall expire on January 1, 2023. If the mandate requires the submission of a biennial or less frequent report and the mandate was enacted before January 1, 2021, the mandate shall expire on January 1, 2024. new text end

new text begin (c) Any reporting mandate enacted on or after January 1, 2021, shall expire three years after the date of enactment if the mandate requires the submission of an annual report and shall expire five years after the date of enactment if the mandate requires the submission of a biennial or less frequent report unless the enacting legislation provides for a different expiration date. new text end

new text begin (d) The commissioner shall submit a list to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committee with jurisdiction over human services by February 15 of each year, beginning February 15, 2022, of all reports set to expire during the following calendar year in accordance with this section. 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. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 256.969, subdivision 2b, is amended to read:

Subd. 2b.

Hospital payment rates.

(a) For discharges occurring on or after November 1, 2014, hospital inpatient services for hospitals located in Minnesota shall be paid according to the following:

(1) critical access hospitals as defined by Medicare shall be paid using a cost-based methodology;

(2) long-term hospitals as defined by Medicare shall be paid on a per diem methodology under subdivision 25;

(3) rehabilitation hospitals or units of hospitals that are recognized as rehabilitation distinct parts as defined by Medicare shall be paid according to the methodology under subdivision 12; and

(4) all other hospitals shall be paid on a diagnosis-related group (DRG) methodology.

(b) For the period beginning January 1, 2011, through October 31, 2014, rates shall not be rebased, except that a Minnesota long-term hospital shall be rebased effective January 1, 2011, based on its most recent Medicare cost report ending on or before September 1, 2008, with the provisions under subdivisions 9 and 23, based on the rates in effect on December 31, 2010. For rate setting periods after November 1, 2014, in which the base years are updated, a Minnesota long-term hospital's base year shall remain within the same period as other hospitals.

(c) Effective for discharges occurring on and after November 1, 2014, payment rates for hospital inpatient services provided by hospitals located in Minnesota or the local trade area, except for the hospitals paid under the methodologies described in paragraph (a), clauses (2) and (3), shall be rebased, incorporating cost and payment methodologies in a manner similar to Medicare. The base year new text begin or years new text end for the rates effective November 1, 2014, shall be calendar year 2012. The rebasing under this paragraph shall be budget neutral, ensuring that the total aggregate payments under the rebased system are equal to the total aggregate payments that were made for the same number and types of services in the base year. Separate budget neutrality calculations shall be determined for payments made to critical access hospitals and payments made to hospitals paid under the DRG system. Only the rate increases or decreases under subdivision 3a or 3c that applied to the hospitals being rebased during the entire base period shall be incorporated into the budget neutrality calculation.

(d) For discharges occurring on or after November 1, 2014, through the next rebasing that occurs, the rebased rates under paragraph (c) that apply to hospitals under paragraph (a), clause (4), shall include adjustments to the projected rates that result in no greater than a five percent increase or decrease from the base year payments for any hospital. Any adjustments to the rates made by the commissioner under this paragraph and paragraph (e) shall maintain budget neutrality as described in paragraph (c).

(e) For discharges occurring on or after November 1, 2014, the commissioner may make additional adjustments to the rebased rates, and when evaluating whether additional adjustments should be made, the commissioner shall consider the impact of the rates on the following:

(1) pediatric services;

(2) behavioral health services;

(3) trauma services as defined by the National Uniform Billing Committee;

(4) transplant services;

(5) obstetric services, newborn services, and behavioral health services provided by hospitals outside the seven-county metropolitan area;

(6) outlier admissions;

(7) low-volume providers; and

(8) services provided by small rural hospitals that are not critical access hospitals.

(f) Hospital payment rates established under paragraph (c) must incorporate the following:

(1) for hospitals paid under the DRG methodology, the base year payment rate per admission is standardized by the applicable Medicare wage index and adjusted by the hospital's disproportionate population adjustment;

(2) for critical access hospitals, payment rates for discharges between November 1, 2014, and June 30, 2015, shall be set to the same rate of payment that applied for discharges on October 31, 2014;

(3) the cost and charge data used to establish hospital payment rates must only reflect inpatient services covered by medical assistance; and

(4) in determining hospital payment rates for discharges occurring on or after the rate year beginning January 1, 2011, through December 31, 2012, the hospital payment rate per discharge shall be based on the cost-finding methods and allowable costs of the Medicare program in effect during the base year or years. In determining hospital payment rates for discharges in subsequent base years, the per discharge rates shall be based on the cost-finding methods and allowable costs of the Medicare program in effect during the base year or years.

(g) The commissioner shall validate the rates effective November 1, 2014, by applying the rates established under paragraph (c), and any adjustments made to the rates under paragraph (d) or (e), to hospital claims paid in calendar year 2013 to determine whether the total aggregate payments for the same number and types of services under the rebased rates are equal to the total aggregate payments made during calendar year 2013.

(h) Effective for discharges occurring on or after July 1, 2017, and every two years thereafter, payment rates under this section shall be rebased to reflect only those changes in hospital costs between the existing base year new text begin or years new text end and the next base year new text begin or years new text end . new text begin In any year that inpatient claims volume falls below the threshold required to ensure a statistically valid sample of claims, the commissioner may combine claims data from two consecutive years to serve as the base year. Years in which inpatient claims volume is reduced or altered due to a pandemic or other public health emergency shall not be used as a base year or part of a base year if the base year includes more than one year. new text end Changes in costs between base years shall be measured using the lower of the hospital cost index defined in subdivision 1, paragraph (a), or the percentage change in the case mix adjusted cost per claim. The commissioner shall establish the base year for each rebasing period considering the most recent year new text begin or years new text end for which filed Medicare cost reports are available. The estimated change in the average payment per hospital discharge resulting from a scheduled rebasing must be calculated and made available to the legislature by January 15 of each year in which rebasing is scheduled to occur, and must include by hospital the differential in payment rates compared to the individual hospital's costs.

(i) Effective for discharges occurring on or after July 1, 2015, inpatient payment rates for critical access hospitals located in Minnesota or the local trade area shall be determined using a new cost-based methodology. The commissioner shall establish within the methodology tiers of payment designed to promote efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Payment rates for hospitals under this paragraph shall be set at a level that does not exceed the total cost for critical access hospitals as reflected in base year cost reports. Until the next rebasing that occurs, the new methodology shall result in no greater than a five percent decrease from the base year payments for any hospital, except a hospital that had payments that were greater than 100 percent of the hospital's costs in the base year shall have their rate set equal to 100 percent of costs in the base year. The rates paid for discharges on and after July 1, 2016, covered under this paragraph shall be increased by the inflation factor in subdivision 1, paragraph (a). The new cost-based rate shall be the final rate and shall not be settled to actual incurred costs. Hospitals shall be assigned a payment tier based on the following criteria:

(1) hospitals that had payments at or below 80 percent of their costs in the base year shall have a rate set that equals 85 percent of their base year costs;

(2) hospitals that had payments that were above 80 percent, up to and including 90 percent of their costs in the base year shall have a rate set that equals 95 percent of their base year costs; and

(3) hospitals that had payments that were above 90 percent of their costs in the base year shall have a rate set that equals 100 percent of their base year costs.

(j) The commissioner may refine the payment tiers and criteria for critical access hospitals to coincide with the next rebasing under paragraph (h). The factors used to develop the new methodology may include, but are not limited to:

(1) the ratio between the hospital's costs for treating medical assistance patients and the hospital's charges to the medical assistance program;

(2) the ratio between the hospital's costs for treating medical assistance patients and the hospital's payments received from the medical assistance program for the care of medical assistance patients;

(3) the ratio between the hospital's charges to the medical assistance program and the hospital's payments received from the medical assistance program for the care of medical assistance patients;

(4) the statewide average increases in the ratios identified in clauses (1), (2), and (3);

(5) the proportion of that hospital's costs that are administrative and trends in administrative costs; and

(6) geographic location.

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 256.969, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 2f. new text end

new text begin Alternate inpatient payment rate. new text end

new text begin Effective January 1, 2022, for a hospital eligible to receive disproportionate share hospital payments under subdivision 9, paragraph (d), clause (6), the commissioner shall reduce the amount calculated under subdivision 9, paragraph (d), clause (6), by 99 percent and compute an alternate inpatient payment rate. The alternate payment rate shall be structured to target a total aggregate reimbursement amount equal to what the hospital would have received for providing fee-for-service inpatient services under this section to patients enrolled in medical assistance had the hospital received the entire amount calculated under subdivision 9, paragraph (d), clause (6). new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective January 1, 2022. new text end

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 256.969, subdivision 9, is amended to read:

Subd. 9.

Disproportionate numbers of low-income patients served.

(a) For admissions occurring on or after July 1, 1993, the medical assistance disproportionate population adjustment shall comply with federal law and shall be paid to a hospital, excluding regional treatment centers and facilities of the federal Indian Health Service, with a medical assistance inpatient utilization rate in excess of the arithmetic mean. The adjustment must be determined as follows:

(1) for a hospital with a medical assistance inpatient utilization rate above the arithmetic mean for all hospitals excluding regional treatment centers and facilities of the federal Indian Health Service but less than or equal to one standard deviation above the mean, the adjustment must be determined by multiplying the total of the operating and property payment rates by the difference between the hospital's actual medical assistance inpatient utilization rate and the arithmetic mean for all hospitals excluding regional treatment centers and facilities of the federal Indian Health Service; and

(2) for a hospital with a medical assistance inpatient utilization rate above one standard deviation above the mean, the adjustment must be determined by multiplying the adjustment that would be determined under clause (1) for that hospital by 1.1. The commissioner shall report annually on the number of hospitals likely to receive the adjustment authorized by this paragraph. The commissioner shall specifically report on the adjustments received by public hospitals and public hospital corporations located in cities of the first class.

(b) Certified public expenditures made by Hennepin County Medical Center shall be considered Medicaid disproportionate share hospital payments. Hennepin County and Hennepin County Medical Center shall report by June 15, 2007, on payments made beginning July 1, 2005, or another date specified by the commissioner, that may qualify for reimbursement under federal law. Based on these reports, the commissioner shall apply for federal matching funds.

(c) Upon federal approval of the related state plan amendment, paragraph (b) is effective retroactively from July 1, 2005, or the earliest effective date approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

(d) Effective July 1, 2015, disproportionate share hospital (DSH) payments shall be paid in accordance with a new methodology using 2012 as the base year. Annual payments made under this paragraph shall equal the total amount of payments made for 2012. A licensed children's hospital shall receive only a single DSH factor for children's hospitals. Other DSH factors may be combined to arrive at a single factor for each hospital that is eligible for DSH payments. The new methodology shall make payments only to hospitals located in Minnesota and include the following factors:

(1) a licensed children's hospital with at least 1,000 fee-for-service discharges in the base year shall receive a factor of 0.868. A licensed children's hospital with less than 1,000 fee-for-service discharges in the base year shall receive a factor of 0.7880;

(2) a hospital that has in effect for the initial rate year a contract with the commissioner to provide extended psychiatric inpatient services under section 256.9693 shall receive a factor of 0.0160;

(3) a hospital that has received new text begin medical assistance new text end payment deleted text begin from the fee-for-service program deleted text end for at least 20 transplant services in the base year shall receive a factor of 0.0435;

(4) a hospital that has a medical assistance utilization rate in the base year between 20 percent up to one standard deviation above the statewide mean utilization rate shall receive a factor of 0.0468;

(5) a hospital that has a medical assistance utilization rate in the base year that is at least one standard deviation above the statewide mean utilization rate but is less than two and one-half standard deviations above the mean shall receive a factor of 0.2300; and

(6) a hospital new text begin that is a level one trauma center and new text end that has a medical assistance utilization rate in the base year that is at least two and one-half standard deviations above the statewide mean utilization rate shall receive a factor of 0.3711.

new text begin (e) For the purposes of determining eligibility for the disproportionate share hospital factors in paragraph (d), clauses (1) to (6), the medical assistance utilization rate and discharge thresholds shall be measured using only one year when a two-year base period is used. new text end

deleted text begin (e) deleted text end new text begin (f) new text end Any payments or portion of payments made to a hospital under this subdivision that are subsequently returned to the commissioner because the payments are found to exceed the hospital-specific DSH limit for that hospital shall be redistributed, proportionate to the number of fee-for-service discharges, to other DSH-eligible non-children's hospitals that have a medical assistance utilization rate that is at least one standard deviation above the mean.

deleted text begin (f) deleted text end new text begin (g) new text end An additional payment adjustment shall be established by the commissioner under this subdivision for a hospital that provides high levels of administering high-cost drugs to enrollees in fee-for-service medical assistance. The commissioner shall consider factors including fee-for-service medical assistance utilization rates and payments made for drugs purchased through the 340B drug purchasing program and administered to fee-for-service enrollees. If any part of this adjustment exceeds a hospital's hospital-specific disproportionate share hospital limit, the commissioner shall make a payment to the hospital that equals the nonfederal share of the amount that exceeds the limit. The total nonfederal share of the amount of the payment adjustment under this paragraph shall not exceed $1,500,000.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2021. new text end

Sec. 5.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 256.9695, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Appeals.

A hospital may appeal a decision arising from the application of standards or methods under section 256.9685, 256.9686, or 256.969, if an appeal would result in a change to the hospital's payment rate or payments. Both overpayments and underpayments that result from the submission of appeals shall be implemented. Regardless of any appeal outcome, relative values, Medicare wage indexes, Medicare cost-to-charge ratios, and policy adjusters shall not be changed. The appeal shall be heard by an administrative law judge according to sections 14.57 to 14.62, or upon agreement by both parties, according to a modified appeals procedure established by the commissioner and the Office of Administrative Hearings. In any proceeding under this section, the appealing party must demonstrate by a preponderance of the evidence that the commissioner's determination is incorrect or not according to law.

To appeal a payment rate or payment determination or a determination made from base year information, the hospital shall file a written appeal request to the commissioner within 60 days of the date the preliminary payment rate determination was mailed. The appeal request shall specify: (i) the disputed items; (ii) the authority in federal or state statute or rule upon which the hospital relies for each disputed item; and (iii) the name and address of the person to contact regarding the appeal. Facts to be considered in any appeal of base year information are limited to those in existence deleted text begin 12 deleted text end new text begin 18 new text end months after the last day of the calendar year that is the base year for the payment rates in dispute.

Sec. 6.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 256.983, is amended to read:

256.983 FRAUD PREVENTION INVESTIGATIONS.

Subdivision 1.

Programs established.

Within the limits of available appropriations, the commissioner of human services shall require the maintenance of budget neutral fraud prevention investigation programs in the counties new text begin or tribal agencies new text end participating in the fraud prevention investigation project established under this section. If funds are sufficient, the commissioner may also extend fraud prevention investigation programs to other counties new text begin or tribal agencies new text end provided the expansion is budget neutral to the state. Under any expansion, the commissioner has the final authority in decisions regarding the creation and realignment of individual county new text begin , tribal agency, new text end or regional operations.

Subd. 2.

County new text begin and tribal agency new text end proposals.

Each participating county new text begin and tribal new text end agency shall develop and submit an annual staffing and funding proposal to the commissioner no later than April 30 of each year. Each proposal shall include, but not be limited to, the staffing and funding of the fraud prevention investigation program, a job description for investigators involved in the fraud prevention investigation program, and the organizational structure of the county new text begin or tribal new text end agency unit, training programs for case workers, and the operational requirements which may be directed by the commissioner. The proposal shall be approved, to include any changes directed or negotiated by the commissioner, no later than June 30 of each year.

Subd. 3.

Department responsibilities.

The commissioner shall establish training programs which shall be attended by all investigative and supervisory staff of the involved county new text begin and tribal new text end agencies. The commissioner shall also develop the necessary operational guidelines, forms, and reporting mechanisms, which shall be used by the involved county new text begin or tribal new text end agencies. An individual's application or redetermination form for public assistance benefits, including child care assistance programs and medical care programs, must include an authorization for release by the individual to obtain documentation for any information on that form which is involved in a fraud prevention investigation. The authorization for release is effective for six months after public assistance benefits have ceased.

Subd. 4.

Funding.

(a) County new text begin and tribal new text end agency reimbursement shall be made through the settlement provisions applicable to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), MFIP, child care assistance programs, the medical assistance program, and other federal and state-funded programs.

(b) The commissioner will maintain program compliance if for any three consecutive month period, a county new text begin or tribal new text end agency fails to comply with fraud prevention investigation program guidelines, or fails to meet the cost-effectiveness standards developed by the commissioner. This result is contingent on the commissioner providing written notice, including an offer of technical assistance, within 30 days of the end of the third or subsequent month of noncompliance. The county new text begin or tribal new text end agency shall be required to submit a corrective action plan to the commissioner within 30 days of receipt of a notice of noncompliance. Failure to submit a corrective action plan or, continued deviation from standards of more than ten percent after submission of a corrective action plan, will result in denial of funding for each subsequent month, or billing the county new text begin or tribal new text end agency for fraud prevention investigation (FPI) service provided by the commissioner, or reallocation of program grant funds, or investigative resources, or both, to other counties new text begin or tribal agencies new text end . The denial of funding shall apply to the general settlement received by the county new text begin or tribal new text end agency on a quarterly basis and shall not reduce the grant amount applicable to the FPI project.

Subd. 5.

Child care providers; financial misconduct.

(a) A county or tribal agency may conduct investigations of financial misconduct by child care providers as described in chapter 245E. Prior to opening an investigation, a county or tribal agency must contact the commissioner to determine whether an investigation under this chapter may compromise an ongoing investigation.

(b) If, upon investigation, a preponderance of evidence shows a provider committed an intentional program violation, intentionally gave the county or tribe materially false information on the provider's billing forms, provided false attendance records to a county, tribe, or the commissioner, or committed financial misconduct as described in section 245E.01, subdivision 8, the county or tribal agency may suspend a provider's payment pursuant to chapter 245E, or deny or revoke a provider's authorization pursuant to section 119B.13, subdivision 6, paragraph (d), clause (2), prior to pursuing other available remedies. The county new text begin or tribe new text end must send notice in accordance with the requirements of section 119B.161, subdivision 2. If a provider's payment is suspended under this section, the payment suspension shall remain in effect until: (1) the commissioner, county, new text begin tribe, new text end or a law enforcement authority determines that there is insufficient evidence warranting the action and a county, tribe, or the commissioner does not pursue an additional administrative remedy under chapter 119B or 245E, or section 256.046 or 256.98; or (2) all criminal, civil, and administrative proceedings related to the provider's alleged misconduct conclude and any appeal rights are exhausted.

(c) For the purposes of this section, an intentional program violation includes intentionally making false or misleading statements; intentionally misrepresenting, concealing, or withholding facts; and repeatedly and intentionally violating program regulations under chapters 119B and 245E.

(d) A provider has the right to administrative review under section 119B.161 if: (1) payment is suspended under chapter 245E; or (2) the provider's authorization was denied or revoked under section 119B.13, subdivision 6, paragraph (d), clause (2).

Sec. 7.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 256B.057, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Qualified Medicare beneficiaries.

new text begin (a) new text end A person deleted text begin who is entitled to Part A Medicare benefits, whose income is equal to or less than 100 percent of the federal poverty guidelines, and whose assets are no more than $10,000 for a single individual and $18,000 for a married couple or family of two or more, deleted text end is eligible for medical assistance reimbursement of new text begin Medicare new text end Part A and Part B premiums, Part A and Part B coinsurance and deductibles, and cost-effective premiums for enrollment with a health maintenance organization or a competitive medical plan under section 1876 of the Social Security Act deleted text begin . deleted text end new text begin if: new text end

new text begin (1) the person is entitled to Medicare Part A benefits; new text end

new text begin (2) the person's income is equal to or less than 100 percent of the federal poverty guidelines; and new text end

new text begin (3) the person's assets are no more than (i) $10,000 for a single individual, or (ii) $18,000 for a married couple or family of two or more; or, when the resource limits for eligibility for the Medicare Part D extra help low income subsidy (LIS) exceed either amount in item (i) or (ii), the person's assets are no more than the LIS resource limit in United States Code, title 42, section 1396d, subsection (p). new text end

new text begin (b) new text end Reimbursement of the Medicare coinsurance and deductibles, when added to the amount paid by Medicare, must not exceed the total rate the provider would have received for the same service or services if the person were a medical assistance recipient with Medicare coverage. Increases in benefits under Title II of the Social Security Act shall not be counted as income for purposes of this subdivision until July 1 of each year.

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 2020, section 256B.0625, subdivision 3c, is amended to read:

Subd. 3c.

Health Services deleted text begin Policy Committee deleted text end new text begin Advisory Council new text end .

(a) The commissioner, after receiving recommendations from professional physician associations, professional associations representing licensed nonphysician health care professionals, and consumer groups, shall establish a deleted text begin 13-member deleted text end new text begin 14-member new text end Health Services deleted text begin Policy Committee deleted text end new text begin Advisory Council new text end , which consists of deleted text begin 12 deleted text end new text begin 13 new text end voting members and one nonvoting member. The Health Services deleted text begin Policy Committee deleted text end new text begin Advisory Council new text end shall advise the commissioner regarding new text begin (1) new text end health services pertaining to the administration of health care benefits covered under deleted text begin the medical assistance and MinnesotaCare programs deleted text end new text begin Minnesota health care programs (MHCP); and (2) evidence-based decision-making and health care benefit and coverage policies for MHCP. The Health Services Advisory Council shall consider available evidence regarding quality, safety, and cost-effectiveness when advising the commissioner new text end . The Health Services deleted text begin Policy Committee deleted text end new text begin Advisory Council new text end shall meet at least quarterly. The Health Services deleted text begin Policy Committee deleted text end new text begin Advisory Council new text end shall annually deleted text begin elect deleted text end new text begin select new text end a deleted text begin physician deleted text end chair from among its members deleted text begin , deleted text end who shall work directly with the commissioner's medical director deleted text begin , deleted text end to establish the agenda for each meeting. The Health Services deleted text begin Policy Committee shall also deleted text end new text begin Advisory Council may new text end recommend criteria for verifying centers of excellence for specific aspects of medical care where a specific set of combined services, a volume of patients necessary to maintain a high level of competency, or a specific level of technical capacity is associated with improved health outcomes.

(b) The commissioner shall establish a dental deleted text begin subcommittee deleted text end new text begin subcouncil new text end to operate under the Health Services deleted text begin Policy Committee deleted text end new text begin Advisory Council new text end . The dental deleted text begin subcommittee deleted text end new text begin subcouncil new text end consists of general dentists, dental specialists, safety net providers, dental hygienists, health plan company and county and public health representatives, health researchers, consumers, and a designee of the commissioner of health. The dental deleted text begin subcommittee deleted text end new text begin subcouncil new text end shall advise the commissioner regarding:

(1) the critical access dental program under section 256B.76, subdivision 4, including but not limited to criteria for designating and terminating critical access dental providers;

(2) any changes to the critical access dental provider program necessary to comply with program expenditure limits;

(3) dental coverage policy based on evidence, quality, continuity of care, and best practices;

(4) the development of dental delivery models; and

(5) dental services to be added or eliminated from subdivision 9, paragraph (b).

deleted text begin (c) The Health Services Policy Committee shall study approaches to making provider reimbursement under the medical assistance and MinnesotaCare programs contingent on patient participation in a patient-centered decision-making process, and shall evaluate the impact of these approaches on health care quality, patient satisfaction, and health care costs. The committee shall present findings and recommendations to the commissioner and the legislative committees with jurisdiction over health care by January 15, 2010. deleted text end

deleted text begin (d) deleted text end new text begin (c) new text end The Health Services deleted text begin Policy Committee shall deleted text end new text begin Advisory Council may new text end monitor and track the practice patterns of deleted text begin physicians providing services to medical assistance and MinnesotaCare enrollees deleted text end new text begin health care providers who serve MHCP recipients new text end under fee-for-service, managed care, and county-based purchasing. The deleted text begin committee deleted text end new text begin monitoring and tracking new text end shall focus on services or specialties for which there is a high variation in utilization new text begin or quality new text end across deleted text begin physicians deleted text end new text begin providers new text end , or which are associated with high medical costs. The commissioner, based upon the findings of the deleted text begin committee deleted text end new text begin Health Services Advisory Council new text end , deleted text begin shall regularly deleted text end new text begin may new text end notify deleted text begin physicians deleted text end new text begin providers new text end whose practice patterns indicate new text begin below average quality or new text end higher than average utilization or costs. Managed care and county-based purchasing plans shall provide the commissioner with utilization and cost data necessary to implement this paragraph, and the commissioner shall make deleted text begin this deleted text end new text begin these new text end data available to the deleted text begin committee deleted text end new text begin Health Services Advisory Council new text end .

deleted text begin (e) The Health Services Policy Committee shall review caesarean section rates for the fee-for-service medical assistance population. The committee may develop best practices policies related to the minimization of caesarean sections, including but not limited to standards and guidelines for health care providers and health care facilities. deleted text end

Sec. 9.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 256B.0625, subdivision 3d, is amended to read:

Subd. 3d.

Health Services deleted text begin Policy Committee deleted text end new text begin Advisory Council new text end members.

(a) The Health Services deleted text begin Policy Committee deleted text end new text begin Advisory Council new text end consists of:

(1) deleted text begin seven deleted text end new text begin six new text end voting members who are licensed physicians actively engaged in the practice of medicine in Minnesota, deleted text begin one of whom must be actively engaged in the treatment of persons with mental illness, and deleted text end three of whom must represent health plans currently under contract to serve deleted text begin medical assistance deleted text end new text begin MHCP new text end recipients;

(2) two voting members who are new text begin licensed new text end physician specialists actively practicing their specialty in Minnesota;

(3) two voting members who are nonphysician health care professionals licensed or registered in their profession and actively engaged in their practice of their profession in Minnesota;

new text begin (4) one voting member who is a health care or mental health professional licensed or registered in the member's profession, actively engaged in the practice of the member's profession in Minnesota, and actively engaged in the treatment of persons with mental illness; new text end

deleted text begin (4) one consumer deleted text end new text begin (5) two consumers new text end who shall serve as deleted text begin a deleted text end voting deleted text begin member deleted text end new text begin members new text end ; and

deleted text begin (5) deleted text end new text begin (6) new text end the commissioner's medical director who shall serve as a nonvoting member.

(b) Members of the Health Services deleted text begin Policy Committee deleted text end new text begin Advisory Council new text end shall not be employed by the deleted text begin Department of Human Services deleted text end new text begin state of Minnesota new text end , except for the medical director. new text begin A quorum shall comprise a simple majority of the voting members. Vacant seats shall not count toward a quorum. new text end

Sec. 10.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 256B.0625, subdivision 3e, is amended to read:

Subd. 3e.

Health Services deleted text begin Policy Committee deleted text end new text begin Advisory Council new text end terms and compensation.

deleted text begin Committee deleted text end Members shall serve staggered three-year terms, with one-third of the voting members' terms expiring annually. Members may be reappointed by the commissioner. The commissioner may require more frequent Health Services deleted text begin Policy Committee deleted text end new text begin Advisory Council new text end meetings as needed. An honorarium of $200 per meeting and reimbursement for mileage and parking shall be paid to each deleted text begin committee deleted text end new text begin council new text end member in attendance except the medical director. The Health Services deleted text begin Policy Committee deleted text end new text begin Advisory Council new text end does not expire as provided in section 15.059, subdivision 6.

Sec. 11.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 256B.0625, subdivision 30, is amended to read:

Subd. 30.

Other clinic services.

(a) Medical assistance covers rural health clinic services, federally qualified health center services, nonprofit community health clinic services, and public health clinic services. Rural health clinic services and federally qualified health center services mean services defined in United States Code, title 42, section 1396d(a)(2)(B) and (C). Payment for rural health clinic and federally qualified health center services shall be made according to applicable federal law and regulation.

(b) A federally qualified health center (FQHC) that is beginning initial operation shall submit an estimate of budgeted costs and visits for the initial reporting period in the form and detail required by the commissioner. An FQHC that is already in operation shall submit an initial report using actual costs and visits for the initial reporting period. Within 90 days of the end of its reporting period, an FQHC shall submit, in the form and detail required by the commissioner, a report of its operations, including allowable costs actually incurred for the period and the actual number of visits for services furnished during the period, and other information required by the commissioner. FQHCs that file Medicare cost reports shall provide the commissioner with a copy of the most recent Medicare cost report filed with the Medicare program intermediary for the reporting year which support the costs claimed on their cost report to the state.

(c) In order to continue cost-based payment under the medical assistance program according to paragraphs (a) and (b), an FQHC or rural health clinic must apply for designation as an essential community provider within six months of final adoption of rules by the Department of Health according to section 62Q.19, subdivision 7. For those FQHCs and rural health clinics that have applied for essential community provider status within the six-month time prescribed, medical assistance payments will continue to be made according to paragraphs (a) and (b) for the first three years after application. For FQHCs and rural health clinics that either do not apply within the time specified above or who have had essential community provider status for three years, medical assistance payments for health services provided by these entities shall be according to the same rates and conditions applicable to the same service provided by health care providers that are not FQHCs or rural health clinics.

(d) Effective July 1, 1999, the provisions of paragraph (c) requiring an FQHC or a rural health clinic to make application for an essential community provider designation in order to have cost-based payments made according to paragraphs (a) and (b) no longer apply.

(e) Effective January 1, 2000, payments made according to paragraphs (a) and (b) shall be limited to the cost phase-out schedule of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997.

(f) Effective January 1, 2001, through December 31, 2020, each FQHC and rural health clinic may elect to be paid either under the prospective payment system established in United States Code, title 42, section 1396a(aa), or under an alternative payment methodology consistent with the requirements of United States Code, title 42, section 1396a(aa), and approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The alternative payment methodology shall be 100 percent of cost as determined according to Medicare cost principles.

(g) Effective for services provided on or after January 1, 2021, all claims for payment of clinic services provided by FQHCs and rural health clinics shall be paid by the commissioner, according to an annual election by the FQHC or rural health clinic, under the current prospective payment system described in paragraph (f) or the alternative payment methodology described in paragraph (l).

(h) For purposes of this section, "nonprofit community clinic" is a clinic that:

(1) has nonprofit status as specified in chapter 317A;

(2) has tax exempt status as provided in Internal Revenue Code, section 501(c)(3);

(3) is established to provide health services to low-income population groups, uninsured, high-risk and special needs populations, underserved and other special needs populations;

(4) employs professional staff at least one-half of which are familiar with the cultural background of their clients;

(5) charges for services on a sliding fee scale designed to provide assistance to low-income clients based on current poverty income guidelines and family size; and

(6) does not restrict access or services because of a client's financial limitations or public assistance status and provides no-cost care as needed.

(i) Effective for services provided on or after January 1, 2015, all claims for payment of clinic services provided by FQHCs and rural health clinics shall be paid by the commissioner. the commissioner shall determine the most feasible method for paying claims from the following options:

(1) FQHCs and rural health clinics submit claims directly to the commissioner for payment, and the commissioner provides claims information for recipients enrolled in a managed care or county-based purchasing plan to the plan, on a regular basis; or

(2) FQHCs and rural health clinics submit claims for recipients enrolled in a managed care or county-based purchasing plan to the plan, and those claims are submitted by the plan to the commissioner for payment to the clinic.

(j) For clinic services provided prior to January 1, 2015, the commissioner shall calculate and pay monthly the proposed managed care supplemental payments to clinics, and clinics shall conduct a timely review of the payment calculation data in order to finalize all supplemental payments in accordance with federal law. Any issues arising from a clinic's review must be reported to the commissioner by January 1, 2017. Upon final agreement between the commissioner and a clinic on issues identified under this subdivision, and in accordance with United States Code, title 42, section 1396a(bb), no supplemental payments for managed care plan or county-based purchasing plan claims for services provided prior to January 1, 2015, shall be made after June 30, 2017. If the commissioner and clinics are unable to resolve issues under this subdivision, the parties shall submit the dispute to the arbitration process under section 14.57.

(k) The commissioner shall seek a federal waiver, authorized under section 1115 of the Social Security Act, to obtain federal financial participation at the 100 percent federal matching percentage available to facilities of the Indian Health Service or tribal organization in accordance with section 1905(b) of the Social Security Act for expenditures made to organizations dually certified under Title V of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act, Public Law 94-437, and as a federally qualified health center under paragraph (a) that provides services to American Indian and Alaskan Native individuals eligible for services under this subdivision.

(l) All claims for payment of clinic services provided by FQHCs and rural health clinics, that have elected to be paid under this paragraph, shall be paid by the commissioner according to the following requirements:

(1) the commissioner shall establish a single medical and single dental organization encounter rate for each FQHC and rural health clinic when applicable;

(2) each FQHC and rural health clinic is eligible for same day reimbursement of one medical and one dental organization encounter rate if eligible medical and dental visits are provided on the same day;

(3) the commissioner shall reimburse FQHCs and rural health clinics, in accordance with current applicable Medicare cost principles, their allowable costs, including direct patient care costs and patient-related support services. Nonallowable costs include, but are not limited to:

(i) general social services and administrative costs;

(ii) retail pharmacy;

(iii) patient incentives, food, housing assistance, and utility assistance;

(iv) external lab and x-ray;

(v) navigation services;

(vi) health care taxes;

(vii) advertising, public relations, and marketing;

(viii) office entertainment costs, food, alcohol, and gifts;

(ix) contributions and donations;

(x) bad debts or losses on awards or contracts;

(xi) fines, penalties, damages, or other settlements;

(xii) fund-raising, investment management, and associated administrative costs;

(xiii) research and associated administrative costs;

(xiv) nonpaid workers;

(xv) lobbying;

(xvi) scholarships and student aid; and

(xvii) nonmedical assistance covered services;

(4) the commissioner shall review the list of nonallowable costs in the years between the rebasing process established in clause (5), in consultation with the Minnesota Association of Community Health Centers, FQHCs, and rural health clinics. The commissioner shall publish the list and any updates in the Minnesota health care programs provider manual;

(5) the initial applicable base year organization encounter rates for FQHCs and rural health clinics shall be computed for services delivered on or after January 1, 2021, and:

(i) must be determined using each FQHC's and rural health clinic's Medicare cost reports from 2017 and 2018;

(ii) must be according to current applicable Medicare cost principles as applicable to FQHCs and rural health clinics without the application of productivity screens and upper payment limits or the Medicare prospective payment system FQHC aggregate mean upper payment limit;

(iii) must be subsequently rebased every two years thereafter using the Medicare cost reports that are three and four years prior to the rebasing year new text begin . Years in which organizational cost or claims volume is reduced or altered due to a pandemic, disease, or other public health emergency shall not be used as part of a base year when the base year includes more than one year. The commissioner may use the Medicare cost reports of a year unaffected by a pandemic, disease, or other public health emergency, or previous two consecutive years, inflated to the base year as established under item (iv) new text end ;

(iv) must be inflated to the base year using the inflation factor described in clause (6); and

(v) the commissioner must provide for a 60-day appeals process under section 14.57;

(6) the commissioner shall annually inflate the applicable organization encounter rates for FQHCs and rural health clinics from the base year payment rate to the effective date by using the CMS FQHC Market Basket inflator established under United States Code, title 42, section 1395m(o), less productivity;

(7) FQHCs and rural health clinics that have elected the alternative payment methodology under this paragraph shall submit all necessary documentation required by the commissioner to compute the rebased organization encounter rates no later than six months following the date the applicable Medicare cost reports are due to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services;

(8) the commissioner shall reimburse FQHCs and rural health clinics an additional amount relative to their medical and dental organization encounter rates that is attributable to the tax required to be paid according to section 295.52, if applicable;

(9) FQHCs and rural health clinics may submit change of scope requests to the commissioner if the change of scope would result in an increase or decrease of 2.5 percent or higher in the medical or dental organization encounter rate currently received by the FQHC or rural health clinic;

(10) for FQHCs and rural health clinics seeking a change in scope with the commissioner under clause (9) that requires the approval of the scope change by the federal Health Resources Services Administration:

(i) FQHCs and rural health clinics shall submit the change of scope request, including the start date of services, to the commissioner within seven business days of submission of the scope change to the federal Health Resources Services Administration;

(ii) the commissioner shall establish the effective date of the payment change as the federal Health Resources Services Administration date of approval of the FQHC's or rural health clinic's scope change request, or the effective start date of services, whichever is later; and

(iii) within 45 days of one year after the effective date established in item (ii), the commissioner shall conduct a retroactive review to determine if the actual costs established under clause (3) or encounters result in an increase or decrease of 2.5 percent or higher in the medical or dental organization encounter rate, and if this is the case, the commissioner shall revise the rate accordingly and shall adjust payments retrospectively to the effective date established in item (ii);

(11) for change of scope requests that do not require federal Health Resources Services Administration approval, the FQHC and rural health clinic shall submit the request to the commissioner before implementing the change, and the effective date of the change is the date the commissioner received the FQHC's or rural health clinic's request, or the effective start date of the service, whichever is later. The commissioner shall provide a response to the FQHC's or rural health clinic's request within 45 days of submission and provide a final approval within 120 days of submission. This timeline may be waived at the mutual agreement of the commissioner and the FQHC or rural health clinic if more information is needed to evaluate the request;

(12) the commissioner, when establishing organization encounter rates for new FQHCs and rural health clinics, shall consider the patient caseload of existing FQHCs and rural health clinics in a 60-mile radius for organizations established outside of the seven-county metropolitan area, and in a 30-mile radius for organizations in the seven-county metropolitan area. If this information is not available, the commissioner may use Medicare cost reports or audited financial statements to establish base rate;

(13) the commissioner shall establish a quality measures workgroup that includes representatives from the Minnesota Association of Community Health Centers, FQHCs, and rural health clinics, to evaluate clinical and nonclinical measures; and

(14) the commissioner shall not disallow or reduce costs that are related to an FQHC's or rural health clinic's participation in health care educational programs to the extent that the costs are not accounted for in the alternative payment methodology encounter rate established in this paragraph.

Sec. 12.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 256B.0638, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Opioid prescribing work group.

(a) The commissioner of human services, in consultation with the commissioner of health, shall appoint the following voting members to an opioid prescribing work group:

(1) two consumer members who have been impacted by an opioid abuse disorder or opioid dependence disorder, either personally or with family members;

(2) one member who is a licensed physician actively practicing in Minnesota and registered as a practitioner with the DEA;

(3) one member who is a licensed pharmacist actively practicing in Minnesota and registered as a practitioner with the DEA;

(4) one member who is a licensed nurse practitioner actively practicing in Minnesota and registered as a practitioner with the DEA;

(5) one member who is a licensed dentist actively practicing in Minnesota and registered as a practitioner with the DEA;

(6) two members who are nonphysician licensed health care professionals actively engaged in the practice of their profession in Minnesota, and their practice includes treating pain;

(7) one member who is a mental health professional who is licensed or registered in a mental health profession, who is actively engaged in the practice of that profession in Minnesota, and whose practice includes treating patients with chemical dependency or substance abuse;

(8) one member who is a medical examiner for a Minnesota county;

(9) one member of the Health Services Policy Committee established under section 256B.0625, subdivisions 3c to 3e;

(10) one member who is a medical director of a health plan company doing business in Minnesota;

(11) one member who is a pharmacy director of a health plan company doing business in Minnesota; deleted text begin and deleted text end

(12) one member representing Minnesota law enforcement deleted text begin . deleted text end new text begin ; and new text end

new text begin (13) two consumer members who are Minnesota residents and who have used or are using opioids to manage chronic pain. new text end

(b) In addition, the work group shall include the following nonvoting members:

(1) the medical director for the medical assistance program;

(2) a member representing the Department of Human Services pharmacy unit; deleted text begin and deleted text end

(3) the medical director for the Department of Labor and Industry deleted text begin . deleted text end new text begin ; and new text end

new text begin (4) a member representing the Minnesota Department of Health. new text end

(c) An honorarium of $200 per meeting and reimbursement for mileage and parking shall be paid to each voting member in attendance.

Sec. 13.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 256B.0638, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5.

Program implementation.

(a) The commissioner shall implement the programs within the Minnesota health care program to improve the health of and quality of care provided to Minnesota health care program enrollees. The commissioner shall annually collect and report to new text begin provider groups the sentinel measures of data showing individual new text end opioid deleted text begin prescribers data showing the sentinel measures of their deleted text end new text begin prescribers' new text end opioid prescribing patterns compared to their anonymized peers. new text begin Provider groups shall distribute data to their affiliated, contracted, or employed opioid prescribers. new text end

(b) The commissioner shall notify an opioid prescriber and all provider groups with which the opioid prescriber is employed or affiliated when the opioid prescriber's prescribing pattern exceeds the opioid quality improvement standard thresholds. An opioid prescriber and any provider group that receives a notice under this paragraph shall submit to the commissioner a quality improvement plan for review and approval by the commissioner with the goal of bringing the opioid prescriber's prescribing practices into alignment with community standards. A quality improvement plan must include:

(1) components of the program described in subdivision 4, paragraph (a);

(2) internal practice-based measures to review the prescribing practice of the opioid prescriber and, where appropriate, any other opioid prescribers employed by or affiliated with any of the provider groups with which the opioid prescriber is employed or affiliated; and

(3) appropriate use of the prescription monitoring program under section 152.126.

(c) If, after a year from the commissioner's notice under paragraph (b), the opioid prescriber's prescribing practices do not improve so that they are consistent with community standards, the commissioner shall take one or more of the following steps:

(1) monitor prescribing practices more frequently than annually;

(2) monitor more aspects of the opioid prescriber's prescribing practices than the sentinel measures; or

(3) require the opioid prescriber to participate in additional quality improvement efforts, including but not limited to mandatory use of the prescription monitoring program established under section 152.126.

(d) The commissioner shall terminate from Minnesota health care programs all opioid prescribers and provider groups whose prescribing practices fall within the applicable opioid disenrollment standards.

Sec. 14.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 256B.0638, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

Subd. 6.

Data practices.

(a) Reports and data identifying an opioid prescriber are private data on individuals as defined under section 13.02, subdivision 12, until an opioid prescriber is subject to termination as a medical assistance provider under this section. Notwithstanding this data classification, the commissioner shall share with all of the provider groups with which an opioid prescriber is employed new text begin , contracted, new text end or affiliated, deleted text begin a report identifying an opioid prescriber who is subject to quality improvement activities deleted text end new text begin the data new text end under subdivision 5, paragraph new text begin (a), new text end (b) new text begin , new text end or (c).

(b) Reports and data identifying a provider group are nonpublic data as defined under section 13.02, subdivision 9, until the provider group is subject to termination as a medical assistance provider under this section.

(c) Upon termination under this section, reports and data identifying an opioid prescriber or provider group are public, except that any identifying information of Minnesota health care program enrollees must be redacted by the commissioner.

Sec. 15.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 256B.0659, subdivision 13, is amended to read:

Subd. 13.

Qualified professional; qualifications.

(a) The qualified professional must work for a personal care assistance provider agency, meet the definition of qualified professional under section 256B.0625, subdivision 19c, deleted text begin and enroll with the department as a qualified professional after clearing deleted text end new text begin clear new text end a background study new text begin , and meet provider training requirements new text end . Before a qualified professional provides services, the personal care assistance provider agency must initiate a background study on the qualified professional under chapter 245C, and the personal care assistance provider agency must have received a notice from the commissioner that the qualified professional:

(1) is not disqualified under section 245C.14; or

(2) is disqualified, but the qualified professional has received a set aside of the disqualification under section 245C.22.

(b) The qualified professional shall perform the duties of training, supervision, and evaluation of the personal care assistance staff and evaluation of the effectiveness of personal care assistance services. The qualified professional shall:

(1) develop and monitor with the recipient a personal care assistance care plan based on the service plan and individualized needs of the recipient;

(2) develop and monitor with the recipient a monthly plan for the use of personal care assistance services;

(3) review documentation of personal care assistance services provided;

(4) provide training and ensure competency for the personal care assistant in the individual needs of the recipient; and

(5) document all training, communication, evaluations, and needed actions to improve performance of the personal care assistants.

(c) deleted text begin Effective July 1, 2011, deleted text end The qualified professional shall complete the provider training with basic information about the personal care assistance program approved by the commissioner. Newly hired qualified professionals must complete the training within six months of the date hired by a personal care assistance provider agency. Qualified professionals who have completed the required training as a worker from a personal care assistance provider agency do not need to repeat the required training if they are hired by another agency, if they have completed the training within the last three years. The required training must be available with meaningful access according to title VI of the Civil Rights Act and federal regulations adopted under that law or any guidance from the United States Health and Human Services Department. The required training must be available online or by electronic remote connection. The required training must provide for competency testing to demonstrate an understanding of the content without attending in-person training. A qualified professional is allowed to be employed and is not subject to the training requirement until the training is offered online or through remote electronic connection. A qualified professional employed by a personal care assistance provider agency certified for participation in Medicare as a home health agency is exempt from the training required in this subdivision. When available, the qualified professional working for a Medicare-certified home health agency must successfully complete the competency test. The commissioner shall ensure there is a mechanism in place to verify the identity of persons completing the competency testing electronically.

Sec. 16.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 256B.196, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Commissioner's duties.

(a) For the purposes of this subdivision and subdivision 3, the commissioner shall determine the fee-for-service outpatient hospital services upper payment limit for nonstate government hospitals. The commissioner shall then determine the amount of a supplemental payment to Hennepin County Medical Center and Regions Hospital for these services that would increase medical assistance spending in this category to the aggregate upper payment limit for all nonstate government hospitals in Minnesota. In making this determination, the commissioner shall allot the available increases between Hennepin County Medical Center and Regions Hospital based on the ratio of medical assistance fee-for-service outpatient hospital payments to the two facilities. The commissioner shall adjust this allotment as necessary based on federal approvals, the amount of intergovernmental transfers received from Hennepin and Ramsey Counties, and other factors, in order to maximize the additional total payments. The commissioner shall inform Hennepin County and Ramsey County of the periodic intergovernmental transfers necessary to match federal Medicaid payments available under this subdivision in order to make supplementary medical assistance payments to Hennepin County Medical Center and Regions Hospital equal to an amount that when combined with existing medical assistance payments to nonstate governmental hospitals would increase total payments to hospitals in this category for outpatient services to the aggregate upper payment limit for all hospitals in this category in Minnesota. Upon receipt of these periodic transfers, the commissioner shall make supplementary payments to Hennepin County Medical Center and Regions Hospital.

(b) For the purposes of this subdivision and subdivision 3, the commissioner shall determine an upper payment limit for physicians and other billing professionals affiliated with Hennepin County Medical Center and with Regions Hospital. The upper payment limit shall be based on the average commercial rate or be determined using another method acceptable to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The commissioner shall inform Hennepin County and Ramsey County of the periodic intergovernmental transfers necessary to match the federal Medicaid payments available under this subdivision in order to make supplementary payments to physicians and other billing professionals affiliated with Hennepin County Medical Center and to make supplementary payments to physicians and other billing professionals affiliated with Regions Hospital through HealthPartners Medical Group equal to the difference between the established medical assistance payment for physician and other billing professional services and the upper payment limit. Upon receipt of these periodic transfers, the commissioner shall make supplementary payments to physicians and other billing professionals affiliated with Hennepin County Medical Center and shall make supplementary payments to physicians and other billing professionals affiliated with Regions Hospital through HealthPartners Medical Group.

(c) Beginning January 1, 2010, deleted text begin Hennepin County and deleted text end Ramsey County may make monthly voluntary intergovernmental transfers to the commissioner in amounts not to exceed deleted text begin $12,000,000 per year from Hennepin County and deleted text end $6,000,000 per year deleted text begin from Ramsey County deleted text end . The commissioner shall increase the medical assistance capitation payments to any licensed health plan under contract with the medical assistance program that agrees to make enhanced payments to deleted text begin Hennepin County Medical Center or deleted text end Regions Hospital. The increase shall be in an amount equal to the annual value of the monthly transfers plus federal financial participation, with each health plan receiving its pro rata share of the increase based on the pro rata share of medical assistance admissions to deleted text begin Hennepin County Medical Center and deleted text end Regions Hospital by those plans. For the purposes of this paragraph, "the base amount" means the total annual value of increased medical assistance capitation payments, including the voluntary intergovernmental transfers, under this paragraph in calendar year 2017. For managed care contracts beginning on or after January 1, 2018, the commissioner shall reduce the total annual value of increased medical assistance capitation payments under this paragraph by an amount equal to ten percent of the base amount, and by an additional ten percent of the base amount for each subsequent contract year until December 31, 2025. Upon the request of the commissioner, health plans shall submit individual-level cost data for verification purposes. The commissioner may ratably reduce these payments on a pro rata basis in order to satisfy federal requirements for actuarial soundness. If payments are reduced, transfers shall be reduced accordingly. Any licensed health plan that receives increased medical assistance capitation payments under the intergovernmental transfer described in this paragraph shall increase its medical assistance payments to deleted text begin Hennepin County Medical Center and deleted text end Regions Hospital by the same amount as the increased payments received in the capitation payment described in this paragraph. This paragraph expires January 1, 2026.

(d) For the purposes of this subdivision and subdivision 3, the commissioner shall determine an upper payment limit for ambulance services affiliated with Hennepin County Medical Center and the city of St. Paul, and ambulance services owned and operated by another governmental entity that chooses to participate by requesting the commissioner to determine an upper payment limit. The upper payment limit shall be based on the average commercial rate or be determined using another method acceptable to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The commissioner shall inform Hennepin County, the city of St. Paul, and other participating governmental entities of the periodic intergovernmental transfers necessary to match the federal Medicaid payments available under this subdivision in order to make supplementary payments to Hennepin County Medical Center, the city of St. Paul, and other participating governmental entities equal to the difference between the established medical assistance payment for ambulance services and the upper payment limit. Upon receipt of these periodic transfers, the commissioner shall make supplementary payments to Hennepin County Medical Center, the city of St. Paul, and other participating governmental entities. A tribal government that owns and operates an ambulance service is not eligible to participate under this subdivision.

(e) For the purposes of this subdivision and subdivision 3, the commissioner shall determine an upper payment limit for physicians, dentists, and other billing professionals affiliated with the University of Minnesota and University of Minnesota Physicians. The upper payment limit shall be based on the average commercial rate or be determined using another method acceptable to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The commissioner shall inform the University of Minnesota Medical School and University of Minnesota School of Dentistry of the periodic intergovernmental transfers necessary to match the federal Medicaid payments available under this subdivision in order to make supplementary payments to physicians, dentists, and other billing professionals affiliated with the University of Minnesota and the University of Minnesota Physicians equal to the difference between the established medical assistance payment for physician, dentist, and other billing professional services and the upper payment limit. Upon receipt of these periodic transfers, the commissioner shall make supplementary payments to physicians, dentists, and other billing professionals affiliated with the University of Minnesota and the University of Minnesota Physicians.

(f) The commissioner shall inform the transferring governmental entities on an ongoing basis of the need for any changes needed in the intergovernmental transfers in order to continue the payments under paragraphs (a) to (e), at their maximum level, including increases in upper payment limits, changes in the federal Medicaid match, and other factors.

(g) The payments in paragraphs (a) to (e) shall be implemented independently of each other, subject to federal approval and to the receipt of transfers under subdivision 3.

(h) All of the data and funding transactions related to the payments in paragraphs (a) to (e) shall be between the commissioner and the governmental entities.

(i) For purposes of this subdivision, billing professionals are limited to physicians, nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, clinical nurse specialists, physician assistants, anesthesiologists, certified registered nurse anesthetists, dentists, dental hygienists, and dental therapists.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective January 1, 2022, or upon federal approval of both this section and Minnesota Statutes, section 256B.1973, whichever is later. The commissioner of human services shall notify the revisor of statutes when federal approval is obtained. new text end

Sec. 17.

new text begin [256B.1973] DIRECTED PAYMENT ARRANGEMENTS. new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Definitions. new text end

new text begin (a) For the purposes of this section, the following terms have the meanings given them. new text end

new text begin (b) "Billing professionals" means physicians, nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, clinical nurse specialists, physician assistants, anesthesiologists, and certified registered anesthetists, and may include dentists, individually enrolled dental hygienists, and dental therapists. new text end

new text begin (c) "Health plan" means a managed care or county-based purchasing plan that is under contract with the commissioner to deliver services to medical assistance enrollees under section 256B.69. new text end

new text begin (d) "High medical assistance utilization" means a medical assistance utilization rate equal to the standard established in section 256.969, subdivision 9, paragraph (d), clause (6). new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Federal approval required. new text end

new text begin Each directed payment arrangement under this section is contingent on federal approval and must conform with the requirements for permissible directed managed care organization expenditures under section 256B.6928, subdivision 5. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Eligible providers. new text end

new text begin Eligible providers under this section are nonstate government teaching hospitals with high medical assistance utilization and a level 1 trauma center and all of the hospital's owned or affiliated billing professionals, ambulance services, sites, and clinics. new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Voluntary intergovernmental transfers. new text end

new text begin A nonstate governmental entity that is eligible to perform intergovernmental transfers may make voluntary intergovernmental transfers to the commissioner. The commissioner shall inform the nonstate governmental entity of the intergovernmental transfers necessary to maximize the allowable directed payments. new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Commissioner's duties; state-directed fee schedule requirement. new text end

new text begin (a) For each federally approved directed payment arrangement that is a state-directed fee schedule requirement, the commissioner shall determine a uniform adjustment factor to be applied to each claim submitted by an eligible provider to a health plan. The uniform adjustment factor shall be determined using the average commercial payer rate or using another method acceptable to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services if the average commercial payer rate is not approved, minus the amount necessary for the plan to satisfy tax liabilities under sections 256.9657 and 297I.05 attributable to the directed payment arrangement. The commissioner shall ensure that the application of the uniform adjustment factor maximizes the allowable directed payments and does not result in payments exceeding federal limits, and may use an annual settle-up process. The directed payment shall be specific to each health plan and prospectively incorporated into capitation payments for that plan. new text end

new text begin (b) For each federally approved directed payment arrangement that is a state-directed fee schedule requirement, the commissioner shall develop a plan for the initial implementation of the state-directed fee schedule requirement to ensure that the eligible provider receives the entire permissible value of the federally approved directed payment arrangement. If federal approval of a directed payment arrangement under this subdivision is retroactive, the commissioner shall make a onetime pro rata increase to the uniform adjustment factor and the initial payments in order to include claims submitted between the retroactive federal approval date and the period captured by the initial payments. new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Health plan duties; submission of claims. new text end

new text begin In accordance with its contract, each health plan shall submit to the commissioner payment information for each claim paid to an eligible provider for services provided to a medical assistance enrollee. new text end

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Health plan duties; directed payments. new text end

new text begin In accordance with its contract, each health plan shall make directed payments to the eligible provider in an amount equal to the payment amounts the plan received from the commissioner. new text end

new text begin Subd. 8. new text end

new text begin State quality goals. new text end

new text begin The directed payment arrangement and state-directed fee schedule requirement must align the state quality goals to Hennepin Healthcare medical assistance patients, including unstably housed individuals, those with higher levels of social and clinical risk, limited English proficiency (LEP) patients, adults with serious chronic conditions, and individuals of color. The directed payment arrangement must maintain quality and access to a full range of health care delivery mechanisms for these patients that may include behavioral health, emergent care, preventive care, hospitalization, transportation, interpreter services, and pharmaceutical services. The commissioner, in consultation with Hennepin Healthcare, shall submit to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services a methodology to measure access to care and the achievement of state quality goals. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective January 1, 2022, or upon federal approval, whichever is later, unless the federal approval provides for an effective date after July 1, 2021, but before the date of federal approval, in which case the federally approved effective date applies. new text end

Sec. 18.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 256B.6928, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5.

Direction of managed care organization expenditures.

(a) The commissioner shall not direct managed care organizations expenditures under the managed care contract, except deleted text begin in deleted text end new text begin as permitted under Code of Federal Regulations, part 42, section 438.6(c). The exception under this paragraph includes new text end the following situations:

(1) implementation of a value-based purchasing model for provider reimbursement, including pay-for-performance arrangements, bundled payments, or other service payments intended to recognize value or outcomes over volume of services;

(2) participation in a multipayer or medical assistance-specific delivery system reform or performance improvement initiative; or

(3) implementation of a minimum or maximum fee schedule, or a uniform dollar or percentage increase for network providers that provide a particular service. The maximum fee schedule must allow the managed care organization the ability to reasonably manage risk and provide discretion in accomplishing the goals of the contract.

(b) Any managed care contract that directs managed care organization expenditures as permitted under paragraph (a), clauses (1) to (3), must be developed in accordance with Code of Federal Regulations, part 42, sections 438.4 and 438.5; comply with actuarial soundness and generally accepted actuarial principles and practices; and have written approval from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services before implementation. To obtain approval, the commissioner shall demonstrate in writing that the contract arrangement:

(1) is based on the utilization and delivery of services;

(2) directs expenditures equally, using the same terms of performance for a class of providers providing service under the contract;

(3) is intended to advance at least one of the goals and objectives in the commissioner's quality strategy;

(4) has an evaluation plan that measures the degree to which the arrangement advances at least one of the goals in the commissioner's quality strategy;

(5) does not condition network provider participation on the network provider entering into or adhering to an intergovernmental transfer agreement; and

(6) is not renewed automatically.

(c) For contract arrangements identified in paragraph (a), clauses (1) and (2), the commissioner shall:

(1) make participation in the value-based purchasing model, special delivery system reform, or performance improvement initiative available, using the same terms of performance, to a class of providers providing services under the contract related to the model, reform, or initiative; and

(2) use a common set of performance measures across all payers and providers.

(d) The commissioner shall not set the amount or frequency of the expenditures or recoup from the managed care organization any unspent funds allocated for these arrangements.

Sec. 19.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 256L.01, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5.

Income.

"Income" has the meaning given for modified adjusted gross income, as defined in Code of Federal Regulations, title 26, section 1.36B-1, and means a household's deleted text begin current income, or if income fluctuates month to month, the income for the 12-month eligibility period deleted text end new text begin projected annual income for the applicable tax year 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. 20.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 256L.04, subdivision 7b, is amended to read:

Subd. 7b.

Annual income limits adjustment.

The commissioner shall adjust the income limits under this section annually deleted text begin each July 1 deleted text end new text begin on January 1 new text end as deleted text begin described in section 256B.056, subdivision 1c deleted text end new text begin provided in Code of Federal Regulations, title 26, section 1.36B-1(h) 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. 21.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 256L.05, subdivision 3a, is amended to read:

Subd. 3a.

Redetermination of eligibility.

(a) An enrollee's eligibility must be redetermined on an annual basis deleted text begin , in accordance with Code of Federal Regulations, title 42, section 435.916 (a). The 12-month eligibility period begins the month of application. Beginning July 1, 2017, the commissioner shall adjust the eligibility period for enrollees to implement renewals throughout the year according to guidance from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services deleted text end . new text begin The period of eligibility is the entire calendar year following the year in which eligibility is redetermined. Eligibility redeterminations shall occur during the open enrollment period for qualified health plans as specified in Code of Federal Regulations, title 45, section 155.410(e)(3). new text end

(b) Each new period of eligibility must take into account any changes in circumstances that impact eligibility and premium amount. Coverage begins as provided in section 256L.06.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

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

Sec. 22.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 295.53, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Exclusions and exemptions.

(a) The following payments are excluded from the gross revenues subject to the hospital, surgical center, or health care provider taxes under sections 295.50 to 295.59:

(1) payments received by a health care provider or the wholly owned subsidiary of a health care provider for care provided outside Minnesota;

(2) government payments received by the commissioner of human services for state-operated services;

(3) payments received by a health care provider for hearing aids and related equipment or prescription eyewear delivered outside of Minnesota; and

(4) payments received by an educational institution from student tuition, student activity fees, health care service fees, government appropriations, donations, or grants, and for services identified in and provided under an individualized education program as defined in section 256B.0625 or Code of Federal Regulations, chapter 34, section 300.340(a). Fee for service payments and payments for extended coverage are taxable.

(b) The following payments are exempted from the gross revenues subject to hospital, surgical center, or health care provider taxes under sections 295.50 to 295.59:

(1) payments received for services provided under the Medicare program, including payments received from the government and organizations governed by sections 1833, 1853, and 1876 of title XVIII of the federal Social Security Act, United States Code, title 42, section 1395; and enrollee deductibles, co-insurance, and co-payments, whether paid by the Medicare enrollee, by Medicare supplemental coverage as described in section 62A.011, subdivision 3, clause (10), or by Medicaid payments under title XIX of the federal Social Security Act. Payments for services not covered by Medicare are taxable;

(2) payments received for home health care services;

(3) payments received from hospitals or surgical centers for goods and services on which liability for tax is imposed under section 295.52 or the source of funds for the payment is exempt under clause (1), (6), (9), (10), or (11);

(4) payments received from the health care providers for goods and services on which liability for tax is imposed under this chapter or the source of funds for the payment is exempt under clause (1), (6), (9), (10), or (11);

(5) amounts paid for legend drugs to a wholesale drug distributor who is subject to tax under section 295.52, subdivision 3, reduced by reimbursement received for legend drugs otherwise exempt under this chapter;

(6) payments received from the chemical dependency fund under chapter 254B;

(7) payments received in the nature of charitable donations that are not designated for providing patient services to a specific individual or group;

(8) payments received for providing patient services incurred through a formal program of health care research conducted in conformity with federal regulations governing research on human subjects. Payments received from patients or from other persons paying on behalf of the patients are subject to tax;

(9) payments received from any governmental agency for services benefiting the public, not including payments made by the government in its capacity as an employer or insurer or payments made by the government for services provided under the MinnesotaCare program or the medical assistance program governed by title XIX of the federal Social Security Act, United States Code, title 42, sections 1396 to 1396v;

(10) payments received under the federal Employees Health Benefits Act, United States Code, title 5, section 8909(f), as amended by the Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 1990. Enrollee deductibles, co-insurance, and co-payments are subject to tax;

(11) payments received under the federal Tricare program, Code of Federal Regulations, title 32, section 199.17(a)(7). Enrollee deductibles, co-insurance, and co-payments are subject to tax; and

(12) supplemental deleted text begin or deleted text end new text begin , new text end enhanced new text begin , or uniform adjustment factor new text end payments authorized under section 256B.196 deleted text begin or deleted text end new text begin , new text end 256B.197 new text begin , or 256B.1973 new text end .

(c) Payments received by wholesale drug distributors for legend drugs sold directly to veterinarians or veterinary bulk purchasing organizations are excluded from the gross revenues subject to the wholesale drug distributor tax under sections 295.50 to 295.59.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2021. new text end

Sec. 23.

new text begin DIRECTION TO THE COMMISSIONER OF HUMAN SERVICES; FUNDING FOR RECUPERATIVE CARE. new text end

new text begin The commissioner of human services shall develop a medical assistance reimbursable recuperative care service, not limited to a health home model, designed to serve individuals with chronic conditions, as defined in United States Code, title 42, section 1396w-4(h), who also lack a permanent place of residence at the time of discharge from an emergency department or hospital in order to prevent a return to the emergency department, readmittance to the hospital, or hospitalization. This section is contingent on the receipt of nonstate funding to the commissioner of human services for this purpose as permitted by Minnesota Statutes, section 256.01, subdivision 25. new text end

Sec. 24.

new text begin REVISOR INSTRUCTION. new text end

new text begin The revisor of statutes must change the term "Health Services Policy Committee" to "Health Services Advisory Council" wherever the term appears in Minnesota Statutes and may make any necessary changes to grammar or sentence structure to preserve the meaning of the text. new text end

ARTICLE 2

DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES
LICENSING AND BACKGROUND STUDIES

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 245A.043, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Change of ownership process.

(a) When a change in ownership is proposed and the party intends to assume operation without an interruption in service longer than 60 days after acquiring the program or service, the license holder must provide the commissioner with written notice of the proposed change on a form provided by the commissioner at least 60 days before the anticipated date of the change in ownership. For purposes of this subdivision and subdivision 4, "party" means the party that intends to operate the service or program.

(b) The party must submit a license application under this chapter on the form and in the manner prescribed by the commissioner at least 30 days before the change in ownership is complete, and must include documentation to support the upcoming change. The party must comply with background study requirements under chapter 245C and shall pay the application fee required under section 245A.10. A party that intends to assume operation without an interruption in service longer than 60 days after acquiring the program or service is exempt from the requirements of deleted text begin Minnesota Rules, part 9530.6800 deleted text end new text begin sections 245G.03, subdivision 2, paragraph (b), and 254B.03, subdivision 2, paragraphs (d) and (e) new text end .

(c) The commissioner may streamline application procedures when the party is an existing license holder under this chapter and is acquiring a program licensed under this chapter or service in the same service class as one or more licensed programs or services the party operates and those licenses are in substantial compliance. For purposes of this subdivision, "substantial compliance" means within the previous 12 months the commissioner did not (1) issue a sanction under section 245A.07 against a license held by the party, or (2) make a license held by the party conditional according to section 245A.06.

(d) Except when a temporary change in ownership license is issued pursuant to subdivision 4, the existing license holder is solely responsible for operating the program according to applicable laws and rules until a license under this chapter is issued to the party.

(e) If a licensing inspection of the program or service was conducted within the previous 12 months and the existing license holder's license record demonstrates substantial compliance with the applicable licensing requirements, the commissioner may waive the party's inspection required by section 245A.04, subdivision 4. The party must submit to the commissioner (1) proof that the premises was inspected by a fire marshal or that the fire marshal deemed that an inspection was not warranted, and (2) proof that the premises was inspected for compliance with the building code or that no inspection was deemed warranted.

(f) If the party is seeking a license for a program or service that has an outstanding action under section 245A.06 or 245A.07, the party must submit a letter as part of the application process identifying how the party has or will come into full compliance with the licensing requirements.

(g) The commissioner shall evaluate the party's application according to section 245A.04, subdivision 6. If the commissioner determines that the party has remedied or demonstrates the ability to remedy the outstanding actions under section 245A.06 or 245A.07 and has determined that the program otherwise complies with all applicable laws and rules, the commissioner shall issue a license or conditional license under this chapter. The conditional license remains in effect until the commissioner determines that the grounds for the action are corrected or no longer exist.

(h) The commissioner may deny an application as provided in section 245A.05. An applicant whose application was denied by the commissioner may appeal the denial according to section 245A.05.

(i) This subdivision does not apply to a licensed program or service located in a home where the license holder resides.

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 245F.04, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Contents of application.

Prior to the issuance of a license, an applicant must submit, on forms provided by the commissioner, documentation demonstrating the following:

(1) compliance with this section;

(2) compliance with applicable building, fire, and safety codes; health rules; zoning ordinances; and other applicable rules and regulations or documentation that a waiver has been granted. The granting of a waiver does not constitute modification of any requirement of this section; new text begin and new text end

deleted text begin (3) completion of an assessment of need for a new or expanded program as required by Minnesota Rules, part 9530.6800; and deleted text end

deleted text begin (4) deleted text end new text begin (3) new text end insurance coverage, including bonding, sufficient to cover all patient funds, property, and interests.

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 245G.03, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Application.

new text begin (a) new text end Before the commissioner issues a license, an applicant must submit, on forms provided by the commissioner, any documents the commissioner requires.

new text begin (b) The applicant must submit documentation that the applicant has notified the county as required under section 254B.03, subdivision 2. new text end

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 254B.03, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Chemical dependency fund payment.

(a) Payment from the chemical dependency fund is limited to payments for services other than detoxification licensed under Minnesota Rules, parts 9530.6510 to 9530.6590, that, if located outside of federally recognized tribal lands, would be required to be licensed by the commissioner as a chemical dependency treatment or rehabilitation program under sections 245A.01 to 245A.16, and services other than detoxification provided in another state that would be required to be licensed as a chemical dependency program if the program were in the state. Out of state vendors must also provide the commissioner with assurances that the program complies substantially with state licensing requirements and possesses all licenses and certifications required by the host state to provide chemical dependency treatment. Vendors receiving payments from the chemical dependency fund must not require co-payment from a recipient of benefits for services provided under this subdivision. The vendor is prohibited from using the client's public benefits to offset the cost of services paid under this section. The vendor shall not require the client to use public benefits for room or board costs. This includes but is not limited to cash assistance benefits under chapters 119B, 256D, and 256J, or SNAP benefits. Retention of SNAP benefits is a right of a client receiving services through the consolidated chemical dependency treatment fund or through state contracted managed care entities. Payment from the chemical dependency fund shall be made for necessary room and board costs provided by vendors meeting the criteria under section 254B.05, subdivision 1a, or in a community hospital licensed by the commissioner of health according to sections 144.50 to 144.56 to a client who is:

(1) determined to meet the criteria for placement in a residential chemical dependency treatment program according to rules adopted under section 254A.03, subdivision 3; and

(2) concurrently receiving a chemical dependency treatment service in a program licensed by the commissioner and reimbursed by the chemical dependency fund.

(b) A county may, from its own resources, provide chemical dependency services for which state payments are not made. A county may elect to use the same invoice procedures and obtain the same state payment services as are used for chemical dependency services for which state payments are made under this section if county payments are made to the state in advance of state payments to vendors. When a county uses the state system for payment, the commissioner shall make monthly billings to the county using the most recent available information to determine the anticipated services for which payments will be made in the coming month. Adjustment of any overestimate or underestimate based on actual expenditures shall be made by the state agency by adjusting the estimate for any succeeding month.

(c) The commissioner shall coordinate chemical dependency services and determine whether there is a need for any proposed expansion of chemical dependency treatment services. The commissioner shall deny vendor certification to any provider that has not received prior approval from the commissioner for the creation of new programs or the expansion of existing program capacity. The commissioner shall consider the provider's capacity to obtain clients from outside the state based on plans, agreements, and previous utilization history, when determining the need for new treatment services.

new text begin (d) At least 60 days prior to submitting an application for new licensure under chapter 245G, the applicant must notify the county human services director in writing of the applicant's intent to open a new treatment program. The written notification must include, at a minimum: new text end

new text begin (1) a description of the proposed treatment program; and new text end

new text begin (2) a description of the target population to be served by the treatment program. new text end

new text begin (e) The county human services director may submit a written statement to the commissioner, within 60 days of receiving notice from the applicant, regarding the county's support of or opposition to the opening of the new treatment program. The written statement must include documentation of the rationale for the county's determination. The commissioner shall consider the county's written statement when determining whether there is a need for the treatment program as required by paragraph (c). new text end

Sec. 5.

new text begin REPEALER. new text end

new text begin Minnesota Rules, parts 9530.6800; and 9530.6810, new text end new text begin are repealed. new text end

ARTICLE 3

HEALTH DEPARTMENT

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 62J.495, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Interoperable electronic health record requirements.

(a) Hospitals and health care providers must meet the following criteria when implementing an interoperable electronic health records system within their hospital system or clinical practice setting.

(b) The electronic health record must be a qualified electronic health record.

(c) The electronic health record must be certified by the Office of the National Coordinator pursuant to the HITECH Act. This criterion only applies to hospitals and health care providers if a certified electronic health record product for the provider's particular practice setting is available. This criterion shall be considered met if a hospital or health care provider is using an electronic health records system that has been certified within the last three years, even if a more current version of the system has been certified within the three-year period.

(d) The electronic health record must meet the standards established according to section 3004 of the HITECH Act as applicable.

(e) The electronic health record must have the ability to generate information on clinical quality measures and other measures reported under sections 4101, 4102, and 4201 of the HITECH Act.

(f) The electronic health record system must be connected to a state-certified health information organization either directly or through a connection facilitated by a deleted text begin state-certified deleted text end health data intermediary as defined in section 62J.498.

(g) A health care provider who is a prescriber or dispenser of legend drugs must have an electronic health record system that meets the requirements of section 62J.497.

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 62J.498, is amended to read:

62J.498 HEALTH INFORMATION EXCHANGE.

Subdivision 1.

Definitions.

(a) The following definitions apply to sections 62J.498 to 62J.4982:

(b) "Clinical data repository" means a real time database that consolidates data from a variety of clinical sources to present a unified view of a single patient and is used by a deleted text begin state-certified deleted text end health information exchange service provider to enable health information exchange among health care providers that are not related health care entities as defined in section 144.291, subdivision 2, paragraph (k). This does not include clinical data that are submitted to the commissioner for public health purposes required or permitted by law, including any rules adopted by the commissioner.

(c) "Clinical transaction" means any meaningful use transaction or other health information exchange transaction that is not covered by section 62J.536.

(d) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of health.

(e) "Health care provider" or "provider" means a health care provider or provider as defined in section 62J.03, subdivision 8.

(f) "Health data intermediary" means an entity that provides the technical capabilities or related products and services to enable health information exchange among health care providers that are not related health care entities as defined in section 144.291, subdivision 2, paragraph (k). This includes but is not limited to health information service providers (HISP), electronic health record vendors, and pharmaceutical electronic data intermediaries as defined in section 62J.495.

(g) "Health information exchange" means the electronic transmission of health-related information between organizations according to nationally recognized standards.

(h) "Health information exchange service provider" means a health data intermediary or health information organization.

(i) "Health information organization" means an organization that oversees, governs, and facilitates health information exchange among health care providers that are not related health care entities as defined in section 144.291, subdivision 2, paragraph (k), to improve coordination of patient care and the efficiency of health care delivery.

deleted text begin (j) "HITECH Act" means the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act as defined in section 62J.495. deleted text end

deleted text begin (k) deleted text end new text begin (j) new text end "Major participating entity" means:

(1) a participating entity that receives compensation for services that is greater than 30 percent of the health information organization's gross annual revenues from the health information exchange service provider;

(2) a participating entity providing administrative, financial, or management services to the health information organization, if the total payment for all services provided by the participating entity exceeds three percent of the gross revenue of the health information organization; and

(3) a participating entity that nominates or appoints 30 percent or more of the board of directors or equivalent governing body of the health information organization.

deleted text begin (l) deleted text end new text begin (k) new text end "Master patient index" means an electronic database that holds unique identifiers of patients registered at a care facility and is used by a deleted text begin state-certified deleted text end health information exchange service provider to enable health information exchange among health care providers that are not related health care entities as defined in section 144.291, subdivision 2, paragraph (k). This does not include data that are submitted to the commissioner for public health purposes required or permitted by law, including any rules adopted by the commissioner.

deleted text begin (m) "Meaningful use" means use of certified electronic health record technology to improve quality, safety, and efficiency and reduce health disparities; engage patients and families; improve care coordination and population and public health; and maintain privacy and security of patient health information as established by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the Minnesota Department of Human Services pursuant to sections 4101, 4102, and 4201 of the HITECH Act. deleted text end

deleted text begin (n) "Meaningful use transaction" means an electronic transaction that a health care provider must exchange to receive Medicare or Medicaid incentives or avoid Medicare penalties pursuant to sections 4101, 4102, and 4201 of the HITECH Act. deleted text end

deleted text begin (o) deleted text end new text begin (l) new text end "Participating entity" means any of the following persons, health care providers, companies, or other organizations with which a health information organization deleted text begin or health data intermediary deleted text end has contracts or other agreements for the provision of health information exchange services:

(1) a health care facility licensed under sections 144.50 to 144.56, a nursing home licensed under sections 144A.02 to 144A.10, and any other health care facility otherwise licensed under the laws of this state or registered with the commissioner;

(2) a health care provider, and any other health care professional otherwise licensed under the laws of this state or registered with the commissioner;

(3) a group, professional corporation, or other organization that provides the services of individuals or entities identified in clause (2), including but not limited to a medical clinic, a medical group, a home health care agency, an urgent care center, and an emergent care center;

(4) a health plan as defined in section 62A.011, subdivision 3; and

(5) a state agency as defined in section 13.02, subdivision 17.

deleted text begin (p) deleted text end new text begin (m) new text end "Reciprocal agreement" means an arrangement in which two or more health information exchange service providers agree to share in-kind services and resources to allow for the pass-through of clinical transactions.

deleted text begin (q) "State-certified health data intermediary" means a health data intermediary that has been issued a certificate of authority to operate in Minnesota. deleted text end

deleted text begin (r) deleted text end new text begin (n) new text end "State-certified health information organization" means a health information organization that has been issued a certificate of authority to operate in Minnesota.

Subd. 2.

Health information exchange oversight.

(a) The commissioner shall protect the public interest on matters pertaining to health information exchange. The commissioner shall:

(1) review and act on applications from deleted text begin health data intermediaries and deleted text end health information organizations for certificates of authority to operate in Minnesota;

new text begin (2) require information to be provided as needed from health information exchange service providers in order to meet requirements established under sections 62J.498 to 62J.4982; new text end

deleted text begin (2) deleted text end new text begin (3) new text end provide ongoing monitoring to ensure compliance with criteria established under sections 62J.498 to 62J.4982;

deleted text begin (3) deleted text end new text begin (4) new text end respond to public complaints related to health information exchange services;

deleted text begin (4) deleted text end new text begin (5) new text end take enforcement actions as necessary, including the imposition of fines, suspension, or revocation of certificates of authority as outlined in section 62J.4982;

deleted text begin (5) deleted text end new text begin (6) new text end provide a biennial report on the status of health information exchange services that includes but is not limited to:

(i) recommendations on actions necessary to ensure that health information exchange services are adequate to meet the needs of Minnesota citizens and providers statewide;

(ii) recommendations on enforcement actions to ensure that health information exchange service providers act in the public interest without causing disruption in health information exchange services;

(iii) recommendations on updates to criteria for obtaining certificates of authority under this section; and

(iv) recommendations on standard operating procedures for health information exchange, including but not limited to the management of consumer preferences; and

deleted text begin (6) deleted text end new text begin (7) new text end other duties necessary to protect the public interest.

(b) As part of the application review process for certification under paragraph (a), prior to issuing a certificate of authority, the commissioner shall:

(1) make all portions of the application classified as public data available to the public for at least ten days while an application is under consideration. At the request of the commissioner, the applicant shall participate in a public hearing by presenting an overview of their application and responding to questions from interested parties; and

(2) consult with hospitals, physicians, and other providers prior to issuing a certificate of authority.

(c) When the commissioner is actively considering a suspension or revocation of a certificate of authority as described in section 62J.4982, subdivision 3, all investigatory data that are collected, created, or maintained related to the suspension or revocation are classified as confidential data on individuals and as protected nonpublic data in the case of data not on individuals.

(d) The commissioner may disclose data classified as protected nonpublic or confidential under paragraph (c) if disclosing the data will protect the health or safety of patients.

(e) After the commissioner makes a final determination regarding a suspension or revocation of a certificate of authority, all minutes, orders for hearing, findings of fact, conclusions of law, and the specification of the final disciplinary action, are classified as public data.

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 62J.4981, is amended to read:

62J.4981 CERTIFICATE OF AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE HEALTH INFORMATION EXCHANGE SERVICES.

Subdivision 1.

Authority to require organizations to apply.

The commissioner shall require deleted text begin a health data intermediary or deleted text end a health information organization to apply for a certificate of authority under this section. An applicant may continue to operate until the commissioner acts on the application. If the application is denied, the applicant is considered a health information exchange service provider whose certificate of authority has been revoked under section 62J.4982, subdivision 2, paragraph (d).

deleted text begin Subd. 2. deleted text end

deleted text begin Certificate of authority for health data intermediaries. deleted text end

deleted text begin (a) A health data intermediary must be certified by the state and comply with requirements established in this section. deleted text end

deleted text begin (b) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, any corporation organized to do so may apply to the commissioner for a certificate of authority to establish and operate as a health data intermediary in compliance with this section. No person shall establish or operate a health data intermediary in this state, nor sell or offer to sell, or solicit offers to purchase or receive advance or periodic consideration in conjunction with a health data intermediary contract unless the organization has a certificate of authority or has an application under active consideration under this section. deleted text end

deleted text begin (c) In issuing the certificate of authority, the commissioner shall determine whether the applicant for the certificate of authority has demonstrated that the applicant meets the following minimum criteria: deleted text end

deleted text begin (1) hold reciprocal agreements with at least one state-certified health information organization to access patient data, and for the transmission and receipt of clinical transactions. Reciprocal agreements must meet the requirements established in subdivision 5; and deleted text end

deleted text begin (2) participate in statewide shared health information exchange services as defined by the commissioner to support interoperability between state-certified health information organizations and state-certified health data intermediaries. deleted text end

Subd. 3.

Certificate of authority for health information organizations.

(a) A health information organization must obtain a certificate of authority from the commissioner and demonstrate compliance with the criteria in paragraph (c).

(b) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, an organization may apply for a certificate of authority to establish and operate a health information organization under this section. No person shall establish or operate a health information organization in this state, nor sell or offer to sell, or solicit offers to purchase or receive advance or periodic consideration in conjunction with a health information organization or health information contract unless the organization has a certificate of authority under this section.

(c) In issuing the certificate of authority, the commissioner shall determine whether the applicant for the certificate of authority has demonstrated that the applicant meets the following minimum criteria:

(1) the entity is a legally established organization;

(2) appropriate insurance, including liability insurance, for the operation of the health information organization is in place and sufficient to protect the interest of the public and participating entities;

(3) strategic and operational plans address governance, technical infrastructure, legal and policy issues, finance, and business operations in regard to how the organization will expand to support providers in achieving health information exchange goals over time;

(4) the entity addresses the parameters to be used with participating entities and other health information exchange service providers for clinical transactions, compliance with Minnesota law, and interstate health information exchange trust agreements;

(5) the entity's board of directors or equivalent governing body is composed of members that broadly represent the health information organization's participating entities and consumers;

(6) the entity maintains a professional staff responsible to the board of directors or equivalent governing body with the capacity to ensure accountability to the organization's mission;

(7) the organization is compliant with national certification and accreditation programs designated by the commissioner;

(8) the entity maintains the capability to query for patient information based on national standards. The query capability may utilize a master patient index, clinical data repository, or record locator service as defined in section 144.291, subdivision 2, paragraph (j). The entity must be compliant with the requirements of section 144.293, subdivision 8, when conducting clinical transactions;

(9) the organization demonstrates interoperability with all other state-certified health information organizations using nationally recognized standards;

(10) the organization demonstrates compliance with all privacy and security requirements required by state and federal law; and

(11) the organization uses financial policies and procedures consistent with generally accepted accounting principles and has an independent audit of the organization's financials on an annual basis.

(d) Health information organizations that have obtained a certificate of authority must:

(1) meet the requirements established for connecting to the National eHealth Exchange;

(2) annually submit strategic and operational plans for review by the commissioner that address:

(i) progress in achieving objectives included in previously submitted strategic and operational plans across the following domains: business and technical operations, technical infrastructure, legal and policy issues, finance, and organizational governance;

(ii) plans for ensuring the necessary capacity to support clinical transactions;

(iii) approach for attaining financial sustainability, including public and private financing strategies, and rate structures;

(iv) rates of adoption, utilization, and transaction volume, and mechanisms to support health information exchange; and

(v) an explanation of methods employed to address the needs of community clinics, critical access hospitals, and free clinics in accessing health information exchange services;

(3) enter into reciprocal agreements with all other state-certified health information organizations deleted text begin and state-certified health data intermediaries deleted text end to enable access to patient data, and for the transmission and receipt of clinical transactions. Reciprocal agreements must meet the requirements in subdivision 5;

(4) participate in statewide shared health information exchange services as defined by the commissioner to support interoperability deleted text begin between state-certified health information organizations and state-certified health data intermediaries deleted text end ; and

(5) comply with additional requirements for the certification or recertification of health information organizations that may be established by the commissioner.

Subd. 4.

Application for certificate of authority for health information deleted text begin exchange service providers deleted text end new text begin organizations new text end .

(a) Each application for a certificate of authority shall be in a form prescribed by the commissioner and verified by an officer or authorized representative of the applicant. Each application shall include the following in addition to information described in the criteria in deleted text begin subdivisions 2 and deleted text end new text begin subdivision new text end 3:

(1) deleted text begin for health information organizations only, deleted text end a copy of the basic organizational document, if any, of the applicant and of each major participating entity, such as the articles of incorporation, or other applicable documents, and all amendments to it;

(2) deleted text begin for health information organizations only, deleted text end a list of the names, addresses, and official positions of the following:

(i) all members of the board of directors or equivalent governing body, and the principal officers and, if applicable, shareholders of the applicant organization; and

(ii) all members of the board of directors or equivalent governing body, and the principal officers of each major participating entity and, if applicable, each shareholder beneficially owning more than ten percent of any voting stock of the major participating entity;

(3) deleted text begin for health information organizations only, deleted text end the name and address of each participating entity and the agreed-upon duration of each contract or agreement if applicable;

(4) a copy of each standard agreement or contract intended to bind the participating entities and the health information deleted text begin exchange service provider deleted text end new text begin organization new text end . Contractual provisions shall be consistent with the purposes of this section, in regard to the services to be performed under the standard agreement or contract, the manner in which payment for services is determined, the nature and extent of responsibilities to be retained by the health information organization, and contractual termination provisions;

(5) a statement generally describing the health information deleted text begin exchange service provider deleted text end new text begin organization new text end , its health information exchange contracts, facilities, and personnel, including a statement describing the manner in which the applicant proposes to provide participants with comprehensive health information exchange services;

(6) a statement reasonably describing the geographic area or areas to be served and the type or types of participants to be served;

(7) a description of the complaint procedures to be used as required under this section;

(8) a description of the mechanism by which participating entities will have an opportunity to participate in matters of policy and operation;

(9) a copy of any pertinent agreements between the health information organization and insurers, including liability insurers, demonstrating coverage is in place;

(10) a copy of the conflict of interest policy that applies to all members of the board of directors or equivalent governing body and the principal officers of the health information organization; and

(11) other information as the commissioner may reasonably require to be provided.

(b) Within 45 days after the receipt of the application for a certificate of authority, the commissioner shall determine whether or not the application submitted meets the requirements for completion in paragraph (a), and notify the applicant of any further information required for the application to be processed.

(c) Within 90 days after the receipt of a complete application for a certificate of authority, the commissioner shall issue a certificate of authority to the applicant if the commissioner determines that the applicant meets the minimum criteria requirements of deleted text begin subdivision 2 for health data intermediaries or deleted text end subdivision 3 deleted text begin for health information organizations deleted text end . If the commissioner determines that the applicant is not qualified, the commissioner shall notify the applicant and specify the reasons for disqualification.

(d) Upon being granted a certificate of authority to operate as a state-certified health information organization deleted text begin or state-certified health data intermediary deleted text end , the organization must operate in compliance with the provisions of this section. Noncompliance may result in the imposition of a fine or the suspension or revocation of the certificate of authority according to section 62J.4982.

Subd. 5.

Reciprocal agreements between health information deleted text begin exchange entities deleted text end new text begin organizations new text end .

(a) Reciprocal agreements between two health information organizations deleted text begin or between a health information organization and a health data intermediary deleted text end must include a fair and equitable model for charges between the entities that:

(1) does not impede the secure transmission of clinical transactions;

(2) does not charge a fee for the exchange of deleted text begin meaningful use deleted text end transactions transmitted according to nationally recognized standards where no additional value-added service is rendered to the sending or receiving health information organization deleted text begin or health data intermediary deleted text end either directly or on behalf of the client;

(3) is consistent with fair market value and proportionately reflects the value-added services accessed as a result of the agreement; and

(4) prevents health care stakeholders from being charged multiple times for the same service.

(b) Reciprocal agreements must include comparable quality of service standards that ensure equitable levels of services.

(c) Reciprocal agreements are subject to review and approval by the commissioner.

(d) Nothing in this section precludes a state-certified health information organization deleted text begin or state-certified health data intermediary deleted text end from entering into contractual agreements for the provision of value-added services deleted text begin beyond meaningful use transactions deleted text end .

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 62J.4982, is amended to read:

62J.4982 ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITY; COMPLIANCE.

Subdivision 1.

Penalties and enforcement.

(a) The commissioner may, for any violation of statute or rule applicable to a health information deleted text begin exchange service provider deleted text end new text begin organization new text end , levy an administrative penalty in an amount up to $25,000 for each violation. In determining the level of an administrative penalty, the commissioner shall consider the following factors:

(1) the number of participating entities affected by the violation;

(2) the effect of the violation on participating entities' access to health information exchange services;

(3) if only one participating entity is affected, the effect of the violation on the patients of that entity;

(4) whether the violation is an isolated incident or part of a pattern of violations;

(5) the economic benefits derived by the health information organization deleted text begin or a health data intermediary deleted text end by virtue of the violation;

(6) whether the violation hindered or facilitated an individual's ability to obtain health care;

(7) whether the violation was intentional;

(8) whether the violation was beyond the direct control of the health information deleted text begin exchange service provider deleted text end new text begin organization new text end ;

(9) any history of prior compliance with the provisions of this section, including violations;

(10) whether and to what extent the health information deleted text begin exchange service provider deleted text end new text begin organization new text end attempted to correct previous violations;

(11) how the health information deleted text begin exchange service provider deleted text end new text begin organization new text end responded to technical assistance from the commissioner provided in the context of a compliance effort; and

(12) the financial condition of the health information deleted text begin exchange service provider deleted text end new text begin organization new text end including deleted text begin , deleted text end but not limited to deleted text begin , deleted text end whether the health information deleted text begin exchange service provider deleted text end new text begin organization new text end had financial difficulties that affected its ability to comply or whether the imposition of an administrative monetary penalty would jeopardize the ability of the health information deleted text begin exchange service provider deleted text end new text begin organization new text end to continue to deliver health information exchange services.

The commissioner shall give reasonable notice in writing to the health information deleted text begin exchange service provider deleted text end new text begin organization new text end of the intent to levy the penalty and the reasons for it. A health information deleted text begin exchange service provider deleted text end new text begin organization new text end may have 15 days within which to contest whether the facts found constitute a violation of sections 62J.4981 and 62J.4982, according to the contested case and judicial review provisions of sections 14.57 to 14.69.

(b) If the commissioner has reason to believe that a violation of section 62J.4981 or 62J.4982 has occurred or is likely, the commissioner may confer with the persons involved before commencing action under subdivision 2. The commissioner may notify the health information deleted text begin exchange service provider deleted text end new text begin organization new text end and the representatives, or other persons who appear to be involved in the suspected violation, to arrange a voluntary conference with the alleged violators or their authorized representatives. The purpose of the conference is to attempt to learn the facts about the suspected violation and, if it appears that a violation has occurred or is threatened, to find a way to correct or prevent it. The conference is not governed by any formal procedural requirements, and may be conducted as the commissioner considers appropriate.

(c) The commissioner may issue an order directing a health information deleted text begin exchange service provider deleted text end new text begin organization new text end or a representative of a health information deleted text begin exchange service provider deleted text end new text begin organization new text end to cease and desist from engaging in any act or practice in violation of sections 62J.4981 and 62J.4982.

(d) Within 20 days after service of the order to cease and desist, a health information deleted text begin exchange service provider deleted text end new text begin organization new text end may contest whether the facts found constitute a violation of sections 62J.4981 and 62J.4982 according to the contested case and judicial review provisions of sections 14.57 to 14.69.

(e) In the event of noncompliance with a cease and desist order issued under this subdivision, the commissioner may institute a proceeding to obtain injunctive relief or other appropriate relief in Ramsey County District Court.

Subd. 2.

Suspension or revocation of certificates of authority.

(a) The commissioner may suspend or revoke a certificate of authority issued to a deleted text begin health data intermediary or deleted text end health information organization under section 62J.4981 if the commissioner finds that:

(1) the health information deleted text begin exchange service provider deleted text end new text begin organization new text end is operating significantly in contravention of its basic organizational document, or in a manner contrary to that described in and reasonably inferred from any other information submitted under section 62J.4981, unless amendments to the submissions have been filed with and approved by the commissioner;

(2) the health information deleted text begin exchange service provider deleted text end new text begin organization new text end is unable to fulfill its obligations to furnish comprehensive health information exchange services as required under its health information exchange contract;

(3) the health information deleted text begin exchange service provider deleted text end new text begin organization new text end is no longer financially solvent or may not reasonably be expected to meet its obligations to participating entities;

(4) the health information deleted text begin exchange service provider deleted text end new text begin organization new text end has failed to implement the complaint system in a manner designed to reasonably resolve valid complaints;

(5) the health information deleted text begin exchange service provider deleted text end new text begin organization new text end , or any person acting with its sanction, has advertised or merchandised its services in an untrue, misleading, deceptive, or unfair manner;

(6) the continued operation of the health information deleted text begin exchange service provider deleted text end new text begin organization new text end would be hazardous to its participating entities or the patients served by the participating entities; or

(7) the health information deleted text begin exchange service provider deleted text end new text begin organization new text end has otherwise failed to substantially comply with section 62J.4981 or with any other statute or administrative rule applicable to health information exchange service providers, or has submitted false information in any report required under sections 62J.498 to 62J.4982.

(b) A certificate of authority shall be suspended or revoked only after meeting the requirements of subdivision 3.

(c) If the certificate of authority of a health information deleted text begin exchange service provider deleted text end new text begin organization new text end is suspended, the health information deleted text begin exchange service provider deleted text end new text begin organization new text end shall not, during the period of suspension, enroll any additional participating entities, and shall not engage in any advertising or solicitation.

(d) If the certificate of authority of a health information deleted text begin exchange service provider deleted text end new text begin organization new text end is revoked, the organization shall proceed, immediately following the effective date of the order of revocation, to wind up its affairs, and shall conduct no further business except as necessary to the orderly conclusion of the affairs of the organization. The organization shall engage in no further advertising or solicitation. The commissioner may, by written order, permit further operation of the organization as the commissioner finds to be in the best interest of participating entities, to the end that participating entities will be given the greatest practical opportunity to access continuing health information exchange services.

Subd. 3.

Denial, suspension, and revocation; administrative procedures.

(a) When the commissioner has cause to believe that grounds for the denial, suspension, or revocation of a certificate of authority exist, the commissioner shall notify the health information deleted text begin exchange service provider deleted text end new text begin organization new text end in writing stating the grounds for denial, suspension, or revocation and setting a time within 20 days for a hearing on the matter.

(b) After a hearing before the commissioner at which the health information deleted text begin exchange service provider deleted text end new text begin organization new text end may respond to the grounds for denial, suspension, or revocation, or upon the failure of the health information deleted text begin exchange service provider deleted text end new text begin organization new text end to appear at the hearing, the commissioner shall take action as deemed necessary and shall issue written findings and mail them to the health information deleted text begin exchange service provider deleted text end new text begin organization new text end .

(c) If suspension, revocation, or administrative penalty is proposed according to this section, the commissioner must deliver, or send by certified mail with return receipt requested, to the health information deleted text begin exchange service provider deleted text end new text begin organization new text end written notice of the commissioner's intent to impose a penalty. This notice of proposed determination must include:

(1) a reference to the statutory basis for the penalty;

(2) a description of the findings of fact regarding the violations with respect to which the penalty is proposed;

(3) the nature and amount of the proposed penalty;

(4) any circumstances described in subdivision 1, paragraph (a), that were considered in determining the amount of the proposed penalty;

(5) instructions for responding to the notice, including a statement of the health information deleted text begin exchange service provider's deleted text end new text begin organization's new text end right to a contested case proceeding and a statement that failure to request a contested case proceeding within 30 calendar days permits the imposition of the proposed penalty; and

(6) the address to which the contested case proceeding request must be sent.

Subd. 4.

Coordination.

The commissioner shall, to the extent possible, seek the advice of the Minnesota e-Health Advisory Committee, in the review and update of criteria for the certification and recertification of health information deleted text begin exchange service providers deleted text end new text begin organizations new text end when implementing sections 62J.498 to 62J.4982.

Subd. 5.

Fees and monetary penalties.

(a) The commissioner shall assess fees on every health information deleted text begin exchange service provider deleted text end new text begin organization new text end subject to sections 62J.4981 and 62J.4982 as follows:

(1) filing an application for certificate of authority to operate as a health information organization, $7,000; new text begin and new text end

(2) deleted text begin filing an application for certificate of authority to operate as a health data intermediary, $7,000; deleted text end

deleted text begin (3) deleted text end annual health information organization certificate fee, $7,000 deleted text begin ; and deleted text end new text begin . new text end

deleted text begin (4) annual health data intermediary certificate fee, $7,000. deleted text end

(b) Fees collected under this section shall be deposited in the state treasury and credited to the state government special revenue fund.

(c) Administrative monetary penalties imposed under this subdivision shall be credited to an account in the special revenue fund and are appropriated to the commissioner for the purposes of sections 62J.498 to 62J.4982.

Sec. 5.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 62J.84, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Prescription drug price increases reporting.

(a) Beginning deleted text begin October 1, 2021 deleted text end new text begin January 1, 2022 new text end , a drug manufacturer must submit to the commissioner the information described in paragraph (b) for each prescription drug for which the price was $100 or greater for a 30-day supply or for a course of treatment lasting less than 30 days and:

(1) for brand name drugs where there is an increase of ten percent or greater in the price over the previous 12-month period or an increase of 16 percent or greater in the price over the previous 24-month period; and

(2) for generic drugs where there is an increase of 50 percent or greater in the price over the previous 12-month period.

(b) For each of the drugs described in paragraph (a), the manufacturer shall submit to the commissioner no later than 60 days after the price increase goes into effect, in the form and manner prescribed by the commissioner, the following information, if applicable:

(1) the name and price of the drug and the net increase, expressed as a percentage;

(2) the factors that contributed to the price increase;

(3) the name of any generic version of the prescription drug available on the market;

(4) the introductory price of the prescription drug when it was approved for marketing by the Food and Drug Administration and the net yearly increase, by calendar year, in the price of the prescription drug during the previous five years;

(5) the direct costs incurred by the manufacturer that are associated with the prescription drug, listed separately:

(i) to manufacture the prescription drug;

(ii) to market the prescription drug, including advertising costs; and

(iii) to distribute the prescription drug;

(6) the total sales revenue for the prescription drug during the previous 12-month period;

(7) the manufacturer's net profit attributable to the prescription drug during the previous 12-month period;

(8) the total amount of financial assistance the manufacturer has provided through patient prescription assistance programs, if applicable;

(9) any agreement between a manufacturer and another entity contingent upon any delay in offering to market a generic version of the prescription drug;

(10) the patent expiration date of the prescription drug if it is under patent;

(11) the name and location of the company that manufactured the drug; and

(12) if a brand name prescription drug, the ten highest prices paid for the prescription drug during the previous calendar year in any country other than the United States.

(c) The manufacturer may submit any documentation necessary to support the information reported under this subdivision.

Sec. 6.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 62J.84, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

New prescription drug price reporting.

(a) Beginning deleted text begin October 1, 2021 deleted text end new text begin January 1, 2022 new text end , no later than 60 days after a manufacturer introduces a new prescription drug for sale in the United States that is a new brand name drug with a price that is greater than the tier threshold established by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for specialty drugs in the Medicare Part D program for a 30-day supply or a new generic or biosimilar drug with a price that is greater than the tier threshold established by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for specialty drugs in the Medicare Part D program for a 30-day supply and is not at least 15 percent lower than the referenced brand name drug when the generic or biosimilar drug is launched, the manufacturer must submit to the commissioner, in the form and manner prescribed by the commissioner, the following information, if applicable:

(1) the price of the prescription drug;

(2) whether the Food and Drug Administration granted the new prescription drug a breakthrough therapy designation or a priority review;

(3) the direct costs incurred by the manufacturer that are associated with the prescription drug, listed separately:

(i) to manufacture the prescription drug;

(ii) to market the prescription drug, including advertising costs; and

(iii) to distribute the prescription drug; and

(4) the patent expiration date of the drug if it is under patent.

(b) The manufacturer may submit documentation necessary to support the information reported under this subdivision.

Sec. 7.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 62J.84, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5.

Newly acquired prescription drug price reporting.

(a) Beginning deleted text begin October 1, 2021 deleted text end new text begin January 1, 2022 new text end , the acquiring drug manufacturer must submit to the commissioner the information described in paragraph (b) for each newly acquired prescription drug for which the price was $100 or greater for a 30-day supply or for a course of treatment lasting less than 30 days and:

(1) for a newly acquired brand name drug where there is an increase of ten percent or greater in the price over the previous 12-month period or an increase of 16 percent or greater in price over the previous 24-month period; and

(2) for a newly acquired generic drug where there is an increase of 50 percent or greater in the price over the previous 12-month period.

(b) For each of the drugs described in paragraph (a), the acquiring manufacturer shall submit to the commissioner no later than 60 days after the acquiring manufacturer begins to sell the newly acquired drug, in the form and manner prescribed by the commissioner, the following information, if applicable:

(1) the price of the prescription drug at the time of acquisition and in the calendar year prior to acquisition;

(2) the name of the company from which the prescription drug was acquired, the date acquired, and the purchase price;

(3) the year the prescription drug was introduced to market and the price of the prescription drug at the time of introduction;

(4) the price of the prescription drug for the previous five years;

(5) any agreement between a manufacturer and another entity contingent upon any delay in offering to market a generic version of the manufacturer's drug; and

(6) the patent expiration date of the drug if it is under patent.

(c) The manufacturer may submit any documentation necessary to support the information reported under this subdivision.

Sec. 8.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 62J.84, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

Subd. 6.

Public posting of prescription drug price information.

(a) The commissioner shall post on the department's website, or may contract with a private entity or consortium that satisfies the standards of section 62U.04, subdivision 6, to meet this requirement, the following information:

(1) a list of the prescription drugs reported under subdivisions 3, 4, and 5, and the manufacturers of those prescription drugs; and

(2) information reported to the commissioner under subdivisions 3, 4, and 5.

(b) The information must be published in an easy-to-read format and in a manner that identifies the information that is disclosed on a per-drug basis and must not be aggregated in a manner that prevents the identification of the prescription drug.

(c) The commissioner shall not post to the department's website or a private entity contracting with the commissioner shall not post any information described in this section if the information is not public data under section 13.02, subdivision 8a; or is trade secret information under section 13.37, subdivision 1, paragraph (b); or is trade secret information pursuant to the Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016, United States Code, title 18, section 1836, as amended. If a manufacturer believes information should be withheld from public disclosure pursuant to this paragraph, the manufacturer must clearly and specifically identify that information and describe the legal basis in writing when the manufacturer submits the information under this section. If the commissioner disagrees with the manufacturer's request to withhold information from public disclosure, the commissioner shall provide the manufacturer written notice that the information will be publicly posted 30 days after the date of the notice.

(d) If the commissioner withholds any information from public disclosure pursuant to this subdivision, the commissioner shall post to the department's website a report describing the nature of the information and the commissioner's basis for withholding the information from disclosure.

new text begin (e) To the extent the information required to be posted under this subdivision is collected and made available to the public by another state, by the University of Minnesota, or through an online drug pricing reference and analytical tool, the commissioner may reference the availability of this drug price data from another source including, within existing appropriations, creating the ability of the public to access the data from the source for purposes of meeting the reporting requirements of this subdivision. new text end

Sec. 9.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 62J.84, subdivision 9, is amended to read:

Subd. 9.

Legislative report.

(a) No later than deleted text begin January 15 of each year, beginning January 15, 2022 deleted text end new text begin May 15, 2022, and by January 15 of each year thereafter new text end , the commissioner shall report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over commerce and health and human services policy and finance on the implementation of this section, including but not limited to the effectiveness in addressing the following goals:

(1) promoting transparency in pharmaceutical pricing for the state and other payers;

(2) enhancing the understanding on pharmaceutical spending trends; and

(3) assisting the state and other payers in the management of pharmaceutical costs.

(b) The report must include a summary of the information submitted to the commissioner under subdivisions 3, 4, and 5.

Sec. 10.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 144.05, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Expiration of report mandates. new text end

new text begin (a) If the submission of a report by the commissioner of health to the legislature is mandated by statute and the enabling legislation does not include a date for the submission of a final report, the mandate to submit the report shall expire in accordance with this section. new text end

new text begin (b) If the mandate requires the submission of an annual report and the mandate was enacted before January 1, 2021, the mandate shall expire on January 1, 2023. If the mandate requires the submission of a biennial or less frequent report and the mandate was enacted before January 1, 2021, the mandate shall expire on January 1, 2024. new text end

new text begin (c) Any reporting mandate enacted on or after January 1, 2021 shall expire three years after the date of enactment if the mandate requires the submission of an annual report and shall expire five years after the date of enactment if the mandate requires the submission of a biennial or less frequent report, unless the enacting legislation provides for a different expiration date. new text end

new text begin (d) The commissioner shall submit a list to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committee with jurisdiction over health by February 15 of each year, beginning February 15, 2022, of all reports set to expire during the following calendar year in accordance with this section. 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. 11.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 144.1205, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

new text begin Initial and new text end annual fee.

new text begin (a) A licensee must pay an initial fee that is equivalent to the annual fee upon issuance of the initial license. new text end

new text begin (b) new text end A licensee must pay an annual fee at least 60 days before the anniversary date of the issuance of the license. The annual fee is as follows:

TYPE		deleted text begin ANNUAL deleted text end new text begin LICENSE new text end FEE
Academic broad scope - type A new text begin , B, or C new text end		deleted text begin $19,920 deleted text end new text begin $25,896 new text end
deleted text begin Academic broad scope - type B deleted text end		deleted text begin 19,920 deleted text end
deleted text begin Academic broad scope - type C deleted text end		deleted text begin 19,920 deleted text end
new text begin Academic broad scope - type A, B, or C (4-8 locations) new text end		new text begin $31,075 new text end
new text begin Academic broad scope - type A, B, or C (9 or more locations) new text end		new text begin $36,254 new text end
Medical broad scope - type A		deleted text begin 19,920 deleted text end new text begin $25,896 new text end
new text begin Medical broad scope- type A (4-8 locations) new text end		new text begin $31,075 new text end
new text begin Medical broad scope- type A (9 or more locations) new text end		new text begin $36,254 new text end
deleted text begin Medical institution - diagnostic and therapeutic deleted text end		deleted text begin 3,680 deleted text end
new text begin Medical - diagnostic, diagnostic and therapeutic, mobile nuclear medicine, eye applicators, high dose rate afterloaders, and medical therapy emerging technologies new text end		new text begin $4,784 new text end
new text begin Medical - diagnostic, diagnostic and therapeutic, mobile nuclear medicine, eye applicators, high dose rate afterloaders, and medical therapy emerging technologies (4-8 locations) new text end		new text begin $5,740 new text end
new text begin Medical - diagnostic, diagnostic and therapeutic, mobile nuclear medicine, eye applicators, high dose rate afterloaders, and medical therapy emerging technologies (9 or more locations) new text end		new text begin $6,697 new text end
deleted text begin Medical institution - diagnostic (no written directives) deleted text end		deleted text begin 3,680 deleted text end
deleted text begin Medical private practice - diagnostic and therapeutic deleted text end		deleted text begin 3,680 deleted text end
deleted text begin Medical private practice - diagnostic (no written directives) deleted text end		deleted text begin 3,680 deleted text end
deleted text begin Eye applicators deleted text end		deleted text begin 3,680 deleted text end
deleted text begin Nuclear medical vans deleted text end		deleted text begin 3,680 deleted text end
deleted text begin High dose rate afterloader deleted text end		deleted text begin 3,680 deleted text end
deleted text begin Mobile high dose rate afterloader deleted text end		deleted text begin 3,680 deleted text end
deleted text begin Medical therapy - other emerging technology deleted text end		deleted text begin 3,680 deleted text end
Teletherapy		deleted text begin 8,960 deleted text end new text begin $11,648 new text end
Gamma knife		deleted text begin 8,960 deleted text end new text begin $11,648 new text end
Veterinary medicine		deleted text begin 2,000 deleted text end new text begin $2,600 new text end
In vitro testing lab		deleted text begin 2,000 deleted text end new text begin $2,600 new text end
Nuclear pharmacy		deleted text begin 8,800 deleted text end new text begin $11,440 new text end
new text begin Nuclear pharmacy (5 or more locations) new text end		new text begin $13,728 new text end
Radiopharmaceutical distribution (10 CFR 32.72)		deleted text begin 3,840 deleted text end new text begin $4,992 new text end
Radiopharmaceutical processing and distribution (10 CFR 32.72)		deleted text begin 8,800 deleted text end new text begin $11,440 new text end
new text begin Radiopharmaceutical processing and distribution (10 CFR 32.72) (5 or more locations) new text end		new text begin $13,728 new text end
Medical sealed sources - distribution (10 CFR 32.74)		deleted text begin 3,840 deleted text end new text begin $4,992 new text end
Medical sealed sources - processing and distribution (10 CFR 32.74)		deleted text begin 8,800 deleted text end new text begin $11,440 new text end
new text begin Medical sealed sources - processing and distribution (10 CFR 32.74) (5 or more locations) new text end		new text begin $13,728 new text end
Well logging - sealed sources		deleted text begin 3,760 deleted text end new text begin $4,888 new text end
Measuring systems - new text begin ( new text end fixed gauge new text begin , portable gauge, gas chromatograph, other) new text end		deleted text begin 2,000 deleted text end new text begin $2,600 new text end
deleted text begin Measuring systems - portable gauge deleted text end		deleted text begin 2,000 deleted text end
new text begin Measuring systems - (fixed gauge, portable gauge, gas chromatograph, other) (4-8 locations) new text end		new text begin $3,120 new text end
new text begin Measuring systems - (fixed gauge, portable gauge, gas chromatograph, other) (9 or more locations) new text end		new text begin $3,640 new text end
X-ray fluorescent analyzer		deleted text begin 1,520 deleted text end new text begin $1,976 new text end
deleted text begin Measuring systems - gas chromatograph deleted text end		deleted text begin 2,000 deleted text end
deleted text begin Measuring systems - other deleted text end		deleted text begin 2,000 deleted text end
deleted text begin Broad scope deleted text end Manufacturing and distribution - type A new text begin broad scope new text end		deleted text begin 19,920 deleted text end new text begin $25,896 new text end
new text begin Manufacturing and distribution - type A broad scope (4-8 locations) new text end		new text begin $31,075 new text end
new text begin Manufacturing and distribution - type A broad scope (9 or more locations) new text end		new text begin $36,254 new text end
deleted text begin Broad scope deleted text end Manufacturing and distribution - type B new text begin or C broad scope new text end		deleted text begin 17,600 deleted text end new text begin $22,880 new text end
deleted text begin Broad scope Manufacturing and distribution - type C deleted text end		deleted text begin 17,600 deleted text end
new text begin Manufacturing and distribution - type B or C broad scope (4-8 locations) new text end		new text begin $27,456 new text end
new text begin Manufacturing and distribution - type B or C broad scope (9 or more locations) new text end		new text begin $32,032 new text end
Manufacturing and distribution - other		deleted text begin 5,280 deleted text end new text begin $6,864 new text end
new text begin Manufacturing and distribution - other (4-8 locations) new text end		new text begin $8,236 new text end
new text begin Manufacturing and distribution - other (9 or more locations) new text end		new text begin $9,609 new text end
Nuclear laundry		deleted text begin 18,640 deleted text end new text begin $24,232 new text end
Decontamination services		deleted text begin 4,960 deleted text end new text begin $6,448 new text end
Leak test services only		deleted text begin 2,000 deleted text end new text begin $2,600 new text end
Instrument calibration service only deleted text begin , less than 100 curies deleted text end		deleted text begin 2,000 deleted text end new text begin $2,600 new text end
deleted text begin Instrument calibration service only, 100 curies or more deleted text end		deleted text begin 2,000 deleted text end
Service, maintenance, installation, source changes, etc.		deleted text begin 4,960 deleted text end new text begin $6,448 new text end
Waste disposal service, prepackaged only		deleted text begin 6,000 deleted text end new text begin $7,800 new text end
Waste disposal		deleted text begin 8,320 deleted text end new text begin $10,816 new text end
Distribution - general licensed devices (sealed sources)		deleted text begin 1,760 deleted text end new text begin $2,288 new text end
Distribution - general licensed material (unsealed sources)		deleted text begin 1,120 deleted text end new text begin $1,456 new text end
Industrial radiography - fixed new text begin or temporary new text end location		deleted text begin 9,840 deleted text end new text begin $12,792 new text end
deleted text begin Industrial radiography - temporary job sites deleted text end		deleted text begin 9,840 deleted text end
new text begin Industrial radiography - fixed or temporary location (5 or more locations) new text end		new text begin $16,629 new text end
Irradiators, self-shielding deleted text begin , less than 10,000 curies deleted text end		deleted text begin 2,880 deleted text end new text begin $3,744 new text end
Irradiators, other, less than 10,000 curies		deleted text begin 5,360 deleted text end new text begin $6,968 new text end
deleted text begin Irradiators, self-shielding, 10,000 curies or more deleted text end		deleted text begin 2,880 deleted text end
Research and development - type A new text begin , B, or C new text end broad scope		deleted text begin 9,520 deleted text end new text begin $12,376 new text end
deleted text begin Research and development - type B broad scope deleted text end		deleted text begin 9,520 deleted text end
deleted text begin Research and development - type C broad scope deleted text end		deleted text begin 9,520 deleted text end
new text begin Research and development - type A, B, or C broad scope (4-8 locations) new text end		new text begin $14,851 new text end
new text begin Research and development - type A, B, or C broad scope (9 or more locations) new text end		new text begin $17,326 new text end
Research and development - other		deleted text begin 4,480 deleted text end new text begin $5,824 new text end
Storage - no operations		deleted text begin 2,000 deleted text end new text begin $2,600 new text end
Source material - shielding		deleted text begin 584 deleted text end new text begin $759 new text end
Special nuclear material plutonium - neutron source in device		deleted text begin 3,680 deleted text end new text begin $4,784 new text end
Pacemaker by-product and/or special nuclear material - medical (institution)		deleted text begin 3,680 deleted text end new text begin $4,784 new text end
Pacemaker by-product and/or special nuclear material - manufacturing and distribution		deleted text begin 5,280 deleted text end new text begin $6,864 new text end
Accelerator-produced radioactive material		deleted text begin 3,840 deleted text end new text begin $4,992 new text end
Nonprofit educational institutions		deleted text begin 300 deleted text end new text begin $500 new text end
deleted text begin General license registration deleted text end		deleted text begin 150 deleted text end

Sec. 12.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 144.1205, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

new text begin Initial and renewal new text end application fee.

A licensee must pay an new text begin initial and a renewal new text end application fee deleted text begin as follows: deleted text end new text begin according to this subdivision. new text end

TYPE	APPLICATION FEE
Academic broad scope - type A new text begin , B, or C new text end		deleted text begin $ 5,920 deleted text end new text begin $6,808 new text end
deleted text begin Academic broad scope - type B deleted text end		deleted text begin 5,920 deleted text end
deleted text begin Academic broad scope - type C deleted text end		deleted text begin 5,920 deleted text end
Medical broad scope - type A		deleted text begin 3,920 deleted text end new text begin $4,508 new text end
new text begin Medical - diagnostic, diagnostic and therapeutic, mobile nuclear medicine, eye applicators, high dose rate afterloaders, and medical therapy emerging technologies new text end		new text begin $1,748 new text end
deleted text begin Medical institution - diagnostic and therapeutic deleted text end		deleted text begin 1,520 deleted text end
deleted text begin Medical institution - diagnostic (no written directives) deleted text end		deleted text begin 1,520 deleted text end
deleted text begin Medical private practice - diagnostic and therapeutic deleted text end		deleted text begin 1,520 deleted text end
deleted text begin Medical private practice - diagnostic (no written directives) deleted text end		deleted text begin 1,520 deleted text end
deleted text begin Eye applicators deleted text end		deleted text begin 1,520 deleted text end
deleted text begin Nuclear medical vans deleted text end		deleted text begin 1,520 deleted text end
deleted text begin High dose rate afterloader deleted text end		deleted text begin 1,520 deleted text end
deleted text begin Mobile high dose rate afterloader deleted text end		deleted text begin 1,520 deleted text end
deleted text begin Medical therapy - other emerging technology deleted text end		deleted text begin 1,520 deleted text end
Teletherapy		deleted text begin 5,520 deleted text end new text begin $6,348 new text end
Gamma knife		deleted text begin 5,520 deleted text end new text begin $6,348 new text end
Veterinary medicine		deleted text begin 960 deleted text end new text begin $1,104 new text end
In vitro testing lab		deleted text begin 960 deleted text end new text begin $1,104 new text end
Nuclear pharmacy		deleted text begin 4,880 deleted text end new text begin $5,612 new text end
Radiopharmaceutical distribution (10 CFR 32.72)		deleted text begin 2,160 deleted text end new text begin $2,484 new text end
Radiopharmaceutical processing and distribution (10 CFR 32.72)		deleted text begin 4,880 deleted text end new text begin $5,612 new text end
Medical sealed sources - distribution (10 CFR 32.74)		deleted text begin 2,160 deleted text end new text begin $2,484 new text end
Medical sealed sources - processing and distribution (10 CFR 32.74)		deleted text begin 4,880 deleted text end new text begin $5,612 new text end
Well logging - sealed sources		deleted text begin 1,600 deleted text end new text begin $1,840 new text end
Measuring systems - new text begin ( new text end fixed gauge new text begin , portable gauge, gas chromatograph, other) new text end		deleted text begin 960 deleted text end new text begin $1,104 new text end
deleted text begin Measuring systems - portable gauge deleted text end		deleted text begin 960 deleted text end
X-ray fluorescent analyzer		deleted text begin 584 deleted text end new text begin $671 new text end
deleted text begin Measuring systems - gas chromatograph deleted text end		deleted text begin 960 deleted text end
deleted text begin Measuring systems - other deleted text end		deleted text begin 960 deleted text end
deleted text begin Broad scope deleted text end Manufacturing and distribution - type A new text begin , B, and C broad scope new text end		deleted text begin 5,920 deleted text end new text begin $6,854 new text end
deleted text begin Broad scope manufacturing and distribution - type B deleted text end		deleted text begin 5,920 deleted text end
deleted text begin Broad scope manufacturing and distribution - type C deleted text end		deleted text begin 5,920 deleted text end
Manufacturing and distribution - other		deleted text begin 2,320 deleted text end new text begin $2,668 new text end
Nuclear laundry		deleted text begin 10,080 deleted text end new text begin $11,592 new text end
Decontamination services		deleted text begin 2,640 deleted text end new text begin $3,036 new text end
Leak test services only		deleted text begin 960 deleted text end new text begin $1,104 new text end
Instrument calibration service only deleted text begin , less than 100 curies deleted text end		deleted text begin 960 deleted text end new text begin $1,104 new text end
deleted text begin Instrument calibration service only, 100 curies or more deleted text end		deleted text begin 960 deleted text end
Service, maintenance, installation, source changes, etc.		deleted text begin 2,640 deleted text end new text begin $3,036 new text end
Waste disposal service, prepackaged only		deleted text begin 2,240 deleted text end new text begin $2,576 new text end
Waste disposal		deleted text begin 1,520 deleted text end new text begin $1,748 new text end
Distribution - general licensed devices (sealed sources)		deleted text begin 880 deleted text end new text begin $1,012 new text end
Distribution - general licensed material (unsealed sources)		deleted text begin 520 deleted text end new text begin $598 new text end
Industrial radiography - fixed new text begin or temporary new text end location		deleted text begin 2,640 deleted text end new text begin $3,036 new text end
deleted text begin Industrial radiography - temporary job sites deleted text end		deleted text begin 2,640 deleted text end
Irradiators, self-shielding deleted text begin , less than 10,000 curies deleted text end		deleted text begin 1,440 deleted text end new text begin $1,656 new text end
Irradiators, other, less than 10,000 curies		deleted text begin 2,960 deleted text end new text begin $3,404 new text end
deleted text begin Irradiators, self-shielding, 10,000 curies or more deleted text end		deleted text begin 1,440 deleted text end
Research and development - type A new text begin , B, or C new text end broad scope		deleted text begin 4,960 deleted text end new text begin $5,704 new text end
deleted text begin Research and development - type B broad scope deleted text end		deleted text begin 4,960 deleted text end
deleted text begin Research and development - type C broad scope deleted text end		deleted text begin 4,960 deleted text end
Research and development - other		deleted text begin 2,400 deleted text end new text begin $2,760 new text end
Storage - no operations		deleted text begin 960 deleted text end new text begin $1,104 new text end
Source material - shielding		deleted text begin 136 deleted text end new text begin $156 new text end
Special nuclear material plutonium - neutron source in device		deleted text begin 1,200 deleted text end new text begin $1,380 new text end
Pacemaker by-product and/or special nuclear material - medical (institution)		deleted text begin 1,200 deleted text end new text begin $1,380 new text end
Pacemaker by-product and/or special nuclear material - manufacturing and distribution		deleted text begin 2,320 deleted text end new text begin $2,668 new text end
Accelerator-produced radioactive material		deleted text begin 4,100 deleted text end new text begin $4,715 new text end
Nonprofit educational institutions		deleted text begin 300 deleted text end new text begin $345 new text end
deleted text begin General license registration deleted text end		deleted text begin 0 deleted text end
deleted text begin Industrial radiographer certification deleted text end		deleted text begin 150 deleted text end

Sec. 13.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 144.1205, subdivision 8, is amended to read:

Subd. 8.

Reciprocity fee.

A licensee submitting an application for reciprocal recognition of a materials license issued by another agreement state or the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission for a period of 180 days or less during a calendar year must pay deleted text begin $1,200 deleted text end new text begin $2,400 new text end . For a period of 181 days or more, the licensee must obtain a license under subdivision 4.

Sec. 14.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 144.1205, subdivision 9, is amended to read:

Subd. 9.

Fees for license amendments.

A licensee must pay a fee of deleted text begin $300 deleted text end new text begin $600 new text end to amend a license as follows:

(1) to amend a license requiring review including, but not limited to, addition of isotopes, procedure changes, new authorized users, or a new radiation safety officer; deleted text begin and deleted text end new text begin or new text end

(2) to amend a license requiring review and a site visit including, but not limited to, facility move or addition of processes.

Sec. 15.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 144.1205, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 10. new text end

new text begin Fees for general license registrations. new text end

new text begin A person required to register generally licensed devices according to Minnesota Rules, part 4731.3215, must pay an annual registration fee of $450. new text end

Sec. 16.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 144.1481, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Establishment; membership.

The commissioner of health shall establish a deleted text begin 15-member deleted text end new text begin 16-member new text end Rural Health Advisory Committee. The committee shall consist of the following members, all of whom must reside outside the seven-county metropolitan area, as defined in section 473.121, subdivision 2:

(1) two members from the house of representatives of the state of Minnesota, one from the majority party and one from the minority party;

(2) two members from the senate of the state of Minnesota, one from the majority party and one from the minority party;

(3) a volunteer member of an ambulance service based outside the seven-county metropolitan area;

(4) a representative of a hospital located outside the seven-county metropolitan area;

(5) a representative of a nursing home located outside the seven-county metropolitan area;

(6) a medical doctor or doctor of osteopathic medicine licensed under chapter 147;

(7) new text begin a dentist licensed under chapter 150A; new text end

new text begin (8) new text end a midlevel practitioner;

deleted text begin (8) deleted text end new text begin (9) new text end a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse;

deleted text begin (9) deleted text end new text begin (10) new text end a licensed health care professional from an occupation not otherwise represented on the committee;

deleted text begin (10) deleted text end new text begin (11) new text end a representative of an institution of higher education located outside the seven-county metropolitan area that provides training for rural health care providers; and

deleted text begin (11) deleted text end new text begin (12) new text end three consumers, at least one of whom must be an advocate for persons who are mentally ill or developmentally disabled.

The commissioner will make recommendations for committee membership. Committee members will be appointed by the governor. In making appointments, the governor shall ensure that appointments provide geographic balance among those areas of the state outside the seven-county metropolitan area. The chair of the committee shall be elected by the members. The advisory committee is governed by section 15.059, except that the members do not receive per diem compensation.

Sec. 17.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 144.1911, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

Subd. 6.

International medical graduate primary care residency grant program and revolving account.

(a) The commissioner shall award grants to support primary care residency positions designated for Minnesota immigrant physicians who are willing to serve in rural or underserved areas of the state. No grant shall exceed $150,000 per residency position per year. Eligible primary care residency grant recipients include accredited family medicine, new text begin general surgery, new text end internal medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, psychiatry, and pediatric residency programs. Eligible primary care residency programs shall apply to the commissioner. Applications must include the number of anticipated residents to be funded using grant funds and a budget. Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, funds awarded to grantees in a grant agreement do not lapse until the grant agreement expires. Before any funds are distributed, a grant recipient shall provide the commissioner with the following:

(1) a copy of the signed contract between the primary care residency program and the participating international medical graduate;

(2) certification that the participating international medical graduate has lived in Minnesota for at least two years and is certified by the Educational Commission on Foreign Medical Graduates. Residency programs may also require that participating international medical graduates hold a Minnesota certificate of clinical readiness for residency, once the certificates become available; and

(3) verification that the participating international medical graduate has executed a participant agreement pursuant to paragraph (b).

(b) Upon acceptance by a participating residency program, international medical graduates shall enter into an agreement with the commissioner to provide primary care for at least five years in a rural or underserved area of Minnesota after graduating from the residency program and make payments to the revolving international medical graduate residency account for five years beginning in their second year of postresidency employment. Participants shall pay $15,000 or ten percent of their annual compensation each year, whichever is less.

(c) A revolving international medical graduate residency account is established as an account in the special revenue fund in the state treasury. The commissioner of management and budget shall credit to the account appropriations, payments, and transfers to the account. Earnings, such as interest, dividends, and any other earnings arising from fund assets, must be credited to the account. Funds in the account are appropriated annually to the commissioner to award grants and administer the grant program established in paragraph (a). Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, any funds deposited in the account do not expire. The commissioner may accept contributions to the account from private sector entities subject to the following provisions:

(1) the contributing entity may not specify the recipient or recipients of any grant issued under this subdivision;

(2) the commissioner shall make public the identity of any private contributor to the account, as well as the amount of the contribution provided; and

(3) a contributing entity may not specify that the recipient or recipients of any funds use specific products or services, nor may the contributing entity imply that a contribution is an endorsement of any specific product or service.

Sec. 18.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 144.223, is amended to read:

144.223 REPORT OF MARRIAGE.

Data relating to certificates of marriage registered shall be reported to the state registrar by the local registrar or designee of the county board in each of the 87 registration districts pursuant to the rules of the commissioner. The information in clause (1) necessary to compile the report shall be furnished by the applicant prior to the issuance of the marriage license. The report shall contain the following:

(1) personal information on bride and groom:

(i) name;

(ii) residence;

(iii) date and place of birth;

deleted text begin (iv) race; deleted text end

deleted text begin (v) deleted text end new text begin (iv) new text end if previously married, how terminated; and

deleted text begin (vi) deleted text end new text begin (v) new text end signature of applicant, date signed, and Social Security number; and

(2) information concerning the marriage:

(i) date of marriage;

(ii) place of marriage; and

(iii) civil or religious ceremony.

Sec. 19.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 144.225, subdivision 7, is amended to read:

Subd. 7.

Certified birth or death record.

(a) The state registrar or local issuance office shall issue a certified birth or death record or a statement of no vital record found to an individual upon the individual's proper completion of an attestation provided by the commissioner and payment of the required fee:

(1) to a person who deleted text begin has a tangible interest in the requested vital record. A person who has a tangible interest deleted text end is:

(i) the subject of the vital record;

(ii) a child of the subject;

(iii) the spouse of the subject;

(iv) a parent of the subject;

(v) the grandparent or grandchild of the subject;

(vi) if the requested record is a death record, a sibling of the subject;

deleted text begin (vii) the party responsible for filing the vital record; deleted text end

deleted text begin (viii) deleted text end new text begin (vii) new text end the legal custodian, guardian or conservator, or health care agent of the subject;

deleted text begin (ix) deleted text end new text begin (viii) new text end a personal representative, by sworn affidavit of the fact that the certified copy is required for administration of the estate;

deleted text begin (x) deleted text end new text begin (ix) new text end a successor of the subject, as defined in section 524.1-201, if the subject is deceased, by sworn affidavit of the fact that the certified copy is required for administration of the estate;

deleted text begin (xi) deleted text end new text begin (x) new text end if the requested record is a death record, a trustee of a trust by sworn affidavit of the fact that the certified copy is needed for the proper administration of the trust;

deleted text begin (xii) deleted text end new text begin (xi) new text end a person or entity who demonstrates that a certified vital record is necessary for the determination or protection of a personal or property right, pursuant to rules adopted by the commissioner; or

deleted text begin (xiii) deleted text end new text begin (xii) new text end an adoption agency in order to complete confidential postadoption searches as required by section 259.83;

(2) to any local, state, tribal, or federal governmental agency upon request if the certified vital record is necessary for the governmental agency to perform its authorized duties;

(3) to an attorney new text begin representing the subject of the vital record or another person listed in clause (1), new text end upon evidence of the attorney's license;

(4) pursuant to a court order issued by a court of competent jurisdiction. For purposes of this section, a subpoena does not constitute a court order; or

(5) to a representative authorized by a person under clauses (1) to (4).

(b) The state registrar or local issuance office shall also issue a certified death record to an individual described in paragraph (a), clause (1), items (ii) to deleted text begin (viii) deleted text end new text begin (xi) new text end , if, on behalf of the individual, a licensed mortician furnishes the registrar with a properly completed attestation in the form provided by the commissioner within 180 days of the time of death of the subject of the death record. This paragraph is not subject to the requirements specified in Minnesota Rules, part 4601.2600, subpart 5, item B.

Sec. 20.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 144G.84, is amended to read:

144G.84 SERVICES FOR RESIDENTS WITH DEMENTIA.

(a) In addition to the minimum services required in section 144G.41, an assisted living facility with dementia care must also provide the following services:

(1) assistance with activities of daily living that address the needs of each resident with dementia due to cognitive or physical limitations. These services must meet or be in addition to the requirements in the licensing rules for the facility. Services must be provided in a person-centered manner that promotes resident choice, dignity, and sustains the resident's abilities;

(2) nonpharmacological practices that are person-centered and evidence-informed;

(3) services to prepare and educate persons living with dementia and their legal and designated representatives about transitions in care and ensuring complete, timely communication between, across, and within settings; and

(4) services that provide residents with choices for meaningful engagement with other facility residents and the broader community.

(b) Each resident must be evaluated for activities according to the licensing rules of the facility. In addition, the evaluation must address the following:

(1) past and current interests;

(2) current abilities and skills;

(3) emotional and social needs and patterns;

(4) physical abilities and limitations;

(5) adaptations necessary for the resident to participate; and

(6) identification of activities for behavioral interventions.

(c) An individualized activity plan must be developed for each resident based on their activity evaluation. The plan must reflect the resident's activity preferences and needs.

(d) A selection of daily structured and non-structured activities must be provided and included on the resident's activity service or care plan as appropriate. Daily activity options based on resident evaluation may include but are not limited to:

(1) occupation or chore related tasks;

(2) scheduled and planned events such as entertainment or outings;

(3) spontaneous activities for enjoyment or those that may help defuse a behavior;

(4) one-to-one activities that encourage positive relationships between residents and staff such as telling a life story, reminiscing, or playing music;

(5) spiritual, creative, and intellectual activities;

(6) sensory stimulation activities;

(7) physical activities that enhance or maintain a resident's ability to ambulate or move; and

(8) new text begin a resident's individualized activity plan for regular new text end outdoor deleted text begin activities deleted text end new text begin activity new text end .

(e) Behavioral symptoms that negatively impact the resident and others in the assisted living facility with dementia care must be evaluated and included on the service or care plan. The staff must initiate and coordinate outside consultation or acute care when indicated.

(f) Support must be offered to family and other significant relationships on a regularly scheduled basis but not less than quarterly.

(g) deleted text begin Access to secured outdoor space and walkways that allow residents to enter and return without staff assistance must be provided. deleted text end new text begin Existing housing with services establishments registered under chapter 144D prior to August 1, 2021, that obtain an assisted living facility license must provide residents with regular access to outdoor space. A licensee with new construction on or after August 1, 2021, or a new licensee that was not previously registered under chapter 144D prior to August 1, 2021, must provide regular access to secured outdoor space on the premises of the facility. A resident's access to outdoor space must be in accordance with the resident's documented care plan. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective August 1, 2021. new text end

Sec. 21.

new text begin [145.87] HOME VISITING FOR PREGNANT WOMEN AND FAMILIES WITH YOUNG CHILDREN. new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Definitions. new text end

new text begin (a) The terms defined in this subdivision apply to this section and have the meanings given them. new text end

new text begin (b) "Evidence-based home visiting program" means a program that: new text end

new text begin (1) is based on a clear, consistent program or model that is research-based and grounded in relevant, empirically based knowledge; new text end

new text begin (2) is linked to program-determined outcomes and is associated with a national organization, institution of higher education, or national or state public health institute; new text end

new text begin (3) has comprehensive home visitation standards that ensure high-quality service delivery and continuous quality improvement; new text end

new text begin (4) has demonstrated significant, sustained positive outcomes; and new text end

new text begin (5) either: new text end

new text begin (i) has been evaluated using rigorous randomized controlled research designs and the evaluation results have been published in a peer-reviewed journal; or new text end

new text begin (ii) is based on quasi-experimental research using two or more separate, comparable client samples. new text end

new text begin (c) "Evidence-informed home visiting program" means a program that: new text end

new text begin (1) has data or evidence demonstrating effectiveness at achieving positive outcomes for pregnant women or young children; and new text end

new text begin (2) either: new text end

new text begin (i) has an active evaluation of the program; or new text end

new text begin (ii) has a plan and timeline for an active evaluation of the program to be conducted. new text end

new text begin (d) "Health equity" means every individual has a fair opportunity to attain the individual's full health potential and no individual is disadvantaged from achieving this potential. new text end

new text begin (e) "Promising practice home visiting program" means a program that has shown improvement toward achieving positive outcomes for pregnant women or young children. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Grants for home visiting programs. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner of health shall award grants to community health boards, nonprofit organizations, and Tribal nations to start up, sustain, or expand voluntary home visiting programs serving pregnant women or families with young children. Home visiting programs supported under this section shall provide voluntary home visits by early childhood professionals or health professionals, including but not limited to nurses, social workers, early childhood educators, and trained paraprofessionals. Grant money shall be used to: new text end

new text begin (1) establish, sustain, or expand evidence-based, evidence-informed, or promising practice home visiting programs that address health equity and utilize community-driven health strategies; new text end

new text begin (2) serve families with young children or pregnant women who have high needs or are high-risk, including but not limited to a family with low income, a parent or pregnant woman with a mental illness or a substance use disorder, or a parent or pregnant woman experiencing housing instability or domestic abuse; and new text end

new text begin (3) improve program outcomes in two or more of the following areas: new text end

new text begin (i) maternal and newborn health; new text end

new text begin (ii) school readiness and achievement; new text end

new text begin (iii) family economic self-sufficiency; new text end

new text begin (iv) coordination and referral for other community resources and supports; new text end

new text begin (v) reduction in child injuries, abuse, or neglect; or new text end

new text begin (vi) reduction in crime or domestic violence. new text end

new text begin (b) Grants awarded to evidence-informed and promising practice home visiting programs must include money to evaluate program outcomes for up to four of the areas listed in paragraph (a), clause (3). new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Grant prioritization. new text end

new text begin (a) In awarding grants, the commissioner shall give priority to community health boards, nonprofit organizations, and Tribal nations seeking to expand home visiting services with community or regional partnerships. new text end

new text begin (b) The commissioner shall allocate at least 75 percent of the grant money awarded each grant cycle to evidence-based home visiting programs that address health equity and up to 25 percent of the grant money awarded each grant cycle to evidence-informed or promising practice home visiting programs that address health equity and utilize community-driven health strategies. new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Administrative costs. new text end

new text begin The commissioner may use up to seven percent of the annual appropriation under this section to provide training and technical assistance and to administer and evaluate the program. The commissioner may contract for training, capacity-building support for grantees or potential grantees, technical assistance, and evaluation support. new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Use of state general fund appropriations. new text end

new text begin Appropriations dedicated to establishing, sustaining, or expanding evidence-based home visiting programs shall, for grants awarded on or after July 1, 2021, be awarded according to this section. This section shall not govern grant awards of federal funds for home visiting programs and shall not govern grant awards using state general fund appropriations dedicated to establishing or expanding nurse-family partnership home visiting programs. new text end

Sec. 22.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 145.893, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

deleted text begin Vouchers deleted text end new text begin Food benefits new text end .

An eligible individual shall receive deleted text begin vouchers deleted text end new text begin food benefits new text end for the purchase of specified nutritional supplements in type and quantity approved by the commissioner. Alternate forms of delivery may be developed by the commissioner in appropriate cases.

Sec. 23.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 145.894, is amended to read:

145.894 STATE COMMISSIONER OF HEALTH; DUTIES, RESPONSIBILITIES.

The commissioner of health shall:

(1) develop a comprehensive state plan for the delivery of nutritional supplements to pregnant and lactating women, infants, and children;

(2) contract with existing local public or private nonprofit organizations for the administration of the nutritional supplement program;

(3) develop and implement a public education program promoting the provisions of sections 145.891 to 145.897, and provide for the delivery of individual and family nutrition education and counseling at project sites. The education programs must include a campaign to promote breast feeding;

(4) develop in cooperation with other agencies and vendors a uniform state deleted text begin voucher deleted text end new text begin food benefit new text end system for the delivery of nutritional supplements;

(5) authorize local health agencies to issue deleted text begin vouchers bimonthly deleted text end new text begin food benefits trimonthly new text end to some or all eligible individuals served by the agency, provided the agency demonstrates that the federal minimum requirements for providing nutrition education will continue to be met and that the quality of nutrition education and health services provided by the agency will not be adversely impacted;

(6) investigate and implement a system to reduce the cost of nutritional supplements and maintain ongoing negotiations with nonparticipating manufacturers and suppliers to maximize cost savings;

(7) develop, analyze, and evaluate the health aspects of the nutritional supplement program and establish nutritional guidelines for the program;

(8) apply for, administer, and annually expend at least 99 percent of available federal or private funds;

(9) aggressively market services to eligible individuals by conducting ongoing outreach activities and by coordinating with and providing marketing materials and technical assistance to local human services and community service agencies and nonprofit service providers;

(10) determine, on July 1 of each year, the number of pregnant women participating in each special supplemental food program for women, infants, and children (WIC) deleted text begin and, in 1986, 1987, and 1988, at the commissioner's discretion, designate a different food program deliverer if the current deliverer fails to increase the participation of pregnant women in the program by at least ten percent over the previous year's participation rate deleted text end ;

(11) promulgate all rules necessary to carry out the provisions of sections 145.891 to 145.897; and

(12) ensure that any state appropriation to supplement the federal program is spent consistent with federal requirements.

Sec. 24.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 145.897, is amended to read:

145.897 deleted text begin VOUCHERS deleted text end new text begin FOOD BENEFITS new text end .

deleted text begin Vouchers deleted text end new text begin Food benefits new text end issued pursuant to sections 145.891 to 145.897 shall be only for the purchase of those foods determined by the deleted text begin commissioner deleted text end new text begin United States Department of Agriculture new text end to be desirable nutritional supplements for pregnant and lactating women, infants and children. deleted text begin These foods shall include, but not be limited to, iron fortified infant formula, vegetable or fruit juices, cereal, milk, cheese, and eggs. deleted text end

Sec. 25.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 145.899, is amended to read:

145.899 WIC deleted text begin VOUCHERS deleted text end new text begin FOOD BENEFITS new text end FOR ORGANICS.

deleted text begin Vouchers deleted text end new text begin Food benefits new text end for the special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children (WIC) may be used to purchase cost-neutral organic WIC allowable food. The commissioner of health shall regularly evaluate the list of WIC allowable food in accordance with federal requirements and shall add to the list any organic WIC allowable foods determined to be cost-neutral.

Sec. 26.

new text begin [145A.145] NURSE-FAMILY PARTNERSHIP PROGRAMS. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner of health shall award expansion grants to community health boards and tribal nations to expand existing nurse-family partnership programs. Grant funds must be used to start up, expand, or sustain nurse-family partnership programs in the county, reservation, or region to serve families in accordance with the Nurse-Family Partnership Service Office nurse-family partnership model. The commissioner shall award grants to community health boards, nonprofit organizations, or tribal nations in metropolitan and rural areas of the state. new text end

new text begin (b) Priority for all grants shall be given to nurse-family partnership programs that provide services through a Minnesota health care program-enrolled provider that accepts medical assistance. Priority for grants to rural areas shall be given to community health boards, nonprofit organizations, and tribal nations that start up, expand, or sustain services within regional partnerships that provide the nurse-family partnership program. new text end

new text begin (c) Funding available under this section may only be used to supplement, not to replace, funds being used for nurse-family partnership home visiting services as of June 30, 2015. new text end

Sec. 27.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 151.72, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5.

Labeling requirements.

(a) A product regulated under this section must bear a label that contains, at a minimum:

(1) the name, location, contact phone number, and website of the manufacturer of the product;

(2) the name and address of the independent, accredited laboratory used by the manufacturer to test the product; new text begin and new text end

(3) an accurate statement of the amount or percentage of cannabinoids found in each unit of the product meant to be consumed; deleted text begin and deleted text end new text begin or new text end

(4) new text begin instead of the information required in clauses (1) to (3), a scannable bar code or QR code that links to the manufacturer's website. new text end

new text begin The label must also include new text end a statement stating that this product does not claim to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease and has not been evaluated or approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) unless the product has been so approved.

(b) The information required to be on the label must be prominently and conspicuously placed and in terms that can be easily read and understood by the consumer.

(c) The label must not contain any claim that the product may be used or is effective for the prevention, treatment, or cure of a disease or that it may be used to alter the structure or function of human or animal bodies, unless the claim has been approved by the FDA.

Sec. 28.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 152.22, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 5c. new text end

new text begin Hemp processor. new text end

new text begin "Hemp processor" means a person or business licensed by the commissioner of agriculture under chapter 18K to convert raw hemp into a product. new text end

Sec. 29.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 152.22, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

Subd. 6.

Medical cannabis.

(a) "Medical cannabis" means any species of the genus cannabis plant, or any mixture or preparation of them, including whole plant extracts and resins, and is delivered in the form of:

(1) liquid, including, but not limited to, oil;

(2) pill;

(3) vaporized delivery method with use of liquid or oil deleted text begin but which does not require the use of dried leaves or plant form; or deleted text end new text begin ; new text end

new text begin (4) combustion with use of dried raw cannabis; or new text end

deleted text begin (4) deleted text end new text begin (5) new text end any other method deleted text begin , excluding smoking, deleted text end approved by the commissioner.

(b) This definition includes any part of the genus cannabis plant prior to being processed into a form allowed under paragraph (a), that is possessed by a person while that person is engaged in employment duties necessary to carry out a requirement under sections 152.22 to 152.37 for a registered manufacturer or a laboratory under contract with a registered manufacturer. This definition also includes any hemp acquired by a manufacturer by a hemp grower as permitted under section 152.29, subdivision 1, paragraph (b).

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the earlier of (1) March 1, 2022, or (2) a date, as determined by the commissioner of health, by which (i) the rules adopted or amended under Minnesota Statutes, section 152.26, paragraph (b), are in effect and (ii) the independent laboratories under contract with the manufacturers have the necessary procedures and equipment in place to perform the required testing of dried raw cannabis. If this section is effective before March 1, 2022, the commissioner shall provide notice of that effective date to the public. new text end

Sec. 30.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 152.22, subdivision 11, is amended to read:

Subd. 11.

Registered designated caregiver.

"Registered designated caregiver" means a person who:

(1) is at least 18 years old;

(2) does not have a conviction for a disqualifying felony offense;

(3) has been approved by the commissioner to assist a patient who deleted text begin has been identified by a health care practitioner as developmentally or physically disabled and therefore deleted text end requires assistance in administering medical cannabis or obtaining medical cannabis from a distribution facility deleted text begin due to the disability deleted text end ; and

(4) is authorized by the commissioner to assist the patient with the use of medical cannabis.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

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

Sec. 31.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 152.23, is amended to read:

152.23 LIMITATIONS.

(a) Nothing in sections 152.22 to 152.37 permits any person to engage in and does not prevent the imposition of any civil, criminal, or other penalties for:

(1) undertaking any task under the influence of medical cannabis that would constitute negligence or professional malpractice;

(2) possessing or engaging in the use of medical cannabis:

(i) on a school bus or van;

(ii) on the grounds of any preschool or primary or secondary school;

(iii) in any correctional facility; or

(iv) on the grounds of any child care facility or home day care;

(3) vaporizing new text begin or combusting new text end medical cannabis pursuant to section 152.22, subdivision 6:

(i) on any form of public transportation;

(ii) where the vapor would be inhaled by a nonpatient minor child new text begin or where the smoke would be inhaled by a minor child new text end ; or

(iii) in any public place, including any indoor or outdoor area used by or open to the general public or a place of employment as defined under section 144.413, subdivision 1b; and

(4) operating, navigating, or being in actual physical control of any motor vehicle, aircraft, train, or motorboat, or working on transportation property, equipment, or facilities while under the influence of medical cannabis.

(b) Nothing in sections 152.22 to 152.37 require the medical assistance and MinnesotaCare programs to reimburse an enrollee or a provider for costs associated with the medical use of cannabis. Medical assistance and MinnesotaCare shall continue to provide coverage for all services related to treatment of an enrollee's qualifying medical condition if the service is covered under chapter 256B or 256L.

Sec. 32.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 152.26, is amended to read:

152.26 RULEMAKING.

new text begin (a) new text end The commissioner may adopt rules to implement sections 152.22 to 152.37. Rules for which notice is published in the State Register before January 1, 2015, may be adopted using the process in section 14.389.

new text begin (b) The commissioner may adopt or amend rules, using the procedure in section 14.386, paragraph (a), to implement the addition of dried raw cannabis as an allowable form of medical cannabis under section 152.22, subdivision 6, paragraph (a), clause (4). Section 14.386, paragraph (b), does not apply to these rules. 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. 33.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 152.27, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Commissioner duties.

(a) The commissioner shall:

(1) give notice of the program to health care practitioners in the state who are eligible to serve as health care practitioners and explain the purposes and requirements of the program;

(2) allow each health care practitioner who meets or agrees to meet the program's requirements and who requests to participate, to be included in the registry program to collect data for the patient registry;

(3) provide explanatory information and assistance to each health care practitioner in understanding the nature of therapeutic use of medical cannabis within program requirements;

(4) create and provide a certification to be used by a health care practitioner for the practitioner to certify whether a patient has been diagnosed with a qualifying medical condition and include in the certification an option for the practitioner to certify whether the patient, in the health care practitioner's medical opinion, is developmentally or physically disabled and, as a result of that disability, the patient requires assistance in administering medical cannabis or obtaining medical cannabis from a distribution facility;

(5) supervise the participation of the health care practitioner in conducting patient treatment and health records reporting in a manner that ensures stringent security and record-keeping requirements and that prevents the unauthorized release of private data on individuals as defined by section 13.02;

(6) develop safety criteria for patients with a qualifying medical condition as a requirement of the patient's participation in the program, to prevent the patient from undertaking any task under the influence of medical cannabis that would constitute negligence or professional malpractice on the part of the patient; and

(7) conduct research and studies based on data from health records submitted to the registry program and submit reports on intermediate or final research results to the legislature and major scientific journals. The commissioner may contract with a third party to complete the requirements of this clause. Any reports submitted must comply with section 152.28, subdivision 2.

(b) The commissioner may add a delivery method under section 152.22, subdivision 6, or add new text begin , remove, new text end or modify a qualifying medical condition under section 152.22, subdivision 14, upon a petition from a member of the public or the task force on medical cannabis therapeutic research or as directed by law. The commissioner shall evaluate all petitions to add a qualifying medical condition new text begin or to remove new text end or modify an existing qualifying medical condition submitted by the task force on medical cannabis therapeutic research or as directed by law and deleted text begin shall deleted text end new text begin may new text end make the addition new text begin , removal, new text end or modification if the commissioner determines the addition new text begin , removal, new text end or modification is warranted based on the best available evidence and research. If the commissioner wishes to add a delivery method under section 152.22, subdivision 6, or new text begin add or remove new text end a qualifying medical condition under section 152.22, subdivision 14, the commissioner must notify the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative policy committees having jurisdiction over health and public safety of the addition new text begin or removal new text end and the reasons for its addition new text begin or removal new text end , including any written comments received by the commissioner from the public and any guidance received from the task force on medical cannabis research, by January 15 of the year in which the commissioner wishes to make the change. The change shall be effective on August 1 of that year, unless the legislature by law provides otherwise.

Sec. 34.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 152.27, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Patient application.

(a) The commissioner shall develop a patient application for enrollment into the registry program. The application shall be available to the patient and given to health care practitioners in the state who are eligible to serve as health care practitioners. The application must include:

(1) the name, mailing address, and date of birth of the patient;

(2) the name, mailing address, and telephone number of the patient's health care practitioner;

(3) the name, mailing address, and date of birth of the patient's designated caregiver, if any, or the patient's parent, legal guardian, or spouse if the parent, legal guardian, or spouse will be acting as a caregiver;

(4) a copy of the certification from the patient's health care practitioner that is dated within 90 days prior to submitting the application deleted text begin which deleted text end new text begin that new text end certifies that the patient has been diagnosed with a qualifying medical condition deleted text begin and, if applicable, that, in the health care practitioner's medical opinion, the patient is developmentally or physically disabled and, as a result of that disability, the patient requires assistance in administering medical cannabis or obtaining medical cannabis from a distribution facility deleted text end ; and

(5) all other signed affidavits and enrollment forms required by the commissioner under sections 152.22 to 152.37, including, but not limited to, the disclosure form required under paragraph (c).

(b) The commissioner shall require a patient to resubmit a copy of the certification from the patient's health care practitioner on a yearly basis and shall require that the recertification be dated within 90 days of submission.

(c) The commissioner shall develop a disclosure form and require, as a condition of enrollment, all patients to sign a copy of the disclosure. The disclosure must include:

(1) a statement that, notwithstanding any law to the contrary, the commissioner, or an employee of any state agency, may not be held civilly or criminally liable for any injury, loss of property, personal injury, or death caused by any act or omission while acting within the scope of office or employment under sections 152.22 to 152.37; and

(2) the patient's acknowledgment that enrollment in the patient registry program is conditional on the patient's agreement to meet all of the requirements of sections 152.22 to 152.37.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

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

Sec. 35.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 152.27, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Registered designated caregiver.

(a) The commissioner shall register a designated caregiver for a patient if deleted text begin the patient's health care practitioner has certified that the patient, in the health care practitioner's medical opinion, is developmentally or physically disabled and, as a result of that disability, deleted text end the patient requires assistance in administering medical cannabis or obtaining medical cannabis from a distribution facility and the caregiver has agreed, in writing, to be the patient's designated caregiver. As a condition of registration as a designated caregiver, the commissioner shall require the person to:

(1) be at least 18 years of age;

(2) agree to only possess the patient's medical cannabis for purposes of assisting the patient; and

(3) agree that if the application is approved, the person will not be a registered designated caregiver for more than deleted text begin one patient, unless the deleted text end new text begin six registered patients at one time. new text end Patients new text begin who new text end reside in the same residence new text begin shall count as one patient new text end .

(b) The commissioner shall conduct a criminal background check on the designated caregiver prior to registration to ensure that the person does not have a conviction for a disqualifying felony offense. Any cost of the background check shall be paid by the person seeking registration as a designated caregiver. A designated caregiver must have the criminal background check renewed every two years.

(c) Nothing in sections 152.22 to 152.37 shall be construed to prevent a person registered as a designated caregiver from also being enrolled in the registry program as a patient and possessing and using medical cannabis as a patient.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

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

Sec. 36.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 152.28, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Health care practitioner duties.

(a) Prior to a patient's enrollment in the registry program, a health care practitioner shall:

(1) determine, in the health care practitioner's medical judgment, whether a patient suffers from a qualifying medical condition, and, if so determined, provide the patient with a certification of that diagnosis;

(2) deleted text begin determine whether a patient is developmentally or physically disabled and, as a result of that disability, the patient requires assistance in administering medical cannabis or obtaining medical cannabis from a distribution facility, and, if so determined, include that determination on the patient's certification of diagnosis; deleted text end

deleted text begin (3) deleted text end advise patients, registered designated caregivers, and parents, legal guardians, or spouses who are acting as caregivers of the existence of any nonprofit patient support groups or organizations;

deleted text begin (4) deleted text end new text begin (3) new text end provide explanatory information from the commissioner to patients with qualifying medical conditions, including disclosure to all patients about the experimental nature of therapeutic use of medical cannabis; the possible risks, benefits, and side effects of the proposed treatment; the application and other materials from the commissioner; and provide patients with the Tennessen warning as required by section 13.04, subdivision 2; and

deleted text begin (5) deleted text end new text begin (4) new text end agree to continue treatment of the patient's qualifying medical condition and report medical findings to the commissioner.

(b) Upon notification from the commissioner of the patient's enrollment in the registry program, the health care practitioner shall:

(1) participate in the patient registry reporting system under the guidance and supervision of the commissioner;

(2) report health records of the patient throughout the ongoing treatment of the patient to the commissioner in a manner determined by the commissioner and in accordance with subdivision 2;

(3) determine, on a yearly basis, if the patient continues to suffer from a qualifying medical condition and, if so, issue the patient a new certification of that diagnosis; and

(4) otherwise comply with all requirements developed by the commissioner.

(c) A health care practitioner may conduct a patient assessment to issue a recertification as required under paragraph (b), clause (3), via telemedicine as defined under section 62A.671, subdivision 9.

(d) Nothing in this section requires a health care practitioner to participate in the registry program.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

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

Sec. 37.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 152.29, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Manufacturer; requirements.

(a) A manufacturer may operate eight distribution facilities, which may include the manufacturer's single location for cultivation, harvesting, manufacturing, packaging, and processing but is not required to include that location. The commissioner shall designate the geographical service areas to be served by each manufacturer based on geographical need throughout the state to improve patient access. A manufacturer shall not have more than two distribution facilities in each geographical service area assigned to the manufacturer by the commissioner. A manufacturer shall operate only one location where all cultivation, harvesting, manufacturing, packaging, and processing of medical cannabis shall be conducted. This location may be one of the manufacturer's distribution facility sites. The additional distribution facilities may dispense medical cannabis and medical cannabis products but may not contain any medical cannabis in a form other than those forms allowed under section 152.22, subdivision 6, and the manufacturer shall not conduct any cultivation, harvesting, manufacturing, packaging, or processing at the other distribution facility sites. Any distribution facility operated by the manufacturer is subject to all of the requirements applying to the manufacturer under sections 152.22 to 152.37, including, but not limited to, security and distribution requirements.

(b) A manufacturer may acquire hemp grown in this state from a hemp grower new text begin , and may acquire hemp products produced by a hemp processor new text end . A manufacturer may manufacture or process hemp new text begin and hemp products new text end into an allowable form of medical cannabis under section 152.22, subdivision 6. Hemp new text begin and hemp products new text end acquired by a manufacturer under this paragraph deleted text begin is deleted text end new text begin are new text end subject to the same quality control program, security and testing requirements, and other requirements that apply to medical cannabis under sections 152.22 to 152.37 and Minnesota Rules, chapter 4770.

(c) A medical cannabis manufacturer shall contract with a laboratory approved by the commissioner, subject to any additional requirements set by the commissioner, for purposes of testing medical cannabis manufactured or hemp new text begin or hemp products new text end acquired by the medical cannabis manufacturer as to content, contamination, and consistency to verify the medical cannabis meets the requirements of section 152.22, subdivision 6. The cost of laboratory testing shall be paid by the manufacturer.

(d) The operating documents of a manufacturer must include:

(1) procedures for the oversight of the manufacturer and procedures to ensure accurate record keeping;

(2) procedures for the implementation of appropriate security measures to deter and prevent the theft of medical cannabis and unauthorized entrance into areas containing medical cannabis; and

(3) procedures for the delivery and transportation of hemp between hemp growers and manufacturers new text begin and for the delivery and transportation of hemp products between hemp processors and manufacturers new text end .

(e) A manufacturer shall implement security requirements, including requirements for the delivery and transportation of hemp new text begin and hemp products new text end , protection of each location by a fully operational security alarm system, facility access controls, perimeter intrusion detection systems, and a personnel identification system.

(f) A manufacturer shall not share office space with, refer patients to a health care practitioner, or have any financial relationship with a health care practitioner.

(g) A manufacturer shall not permit any person to consume medical cannabis on the property of the manufacturer.

(h) A manufacturer is subject to reasonable inspection by the commissioner.

(i) For purposes of sections 152.22 to 152.37, a medical cannabis manufacturer is not subject to the Board of Pharmacy licensure or regulatory requirements under chapter 151.

(j) A medical cannabis manufacturer may not employ any person who is under 21 years of age or who has been convicted of a disqualifying felony offense. An employee of a medical cannabis manufacturer must submit a completed criminal history records check consent form, a full set of classifiable fingerprints, and the required fees for submission to the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension before an employee may begin working with the manufacturer. The bureau must conduct a Minnesota criminal history records check and the superintendent is authorized to exchange the fingerprints with the Federal Bureau of Investigation to obtain the applicant's national criminal history record information. The bureau shall return the results of the Minnesota and federal criminal history records checks to the commissioner.

(k) A manufacturer may not operate in any location, whether for distribution or cultivation, harvesting, manufacturing, packaging, or processing, within 1,000 feet of a public or private school existing before the date of the manufacturer's registration with the commissioner.

(l) A manufacturer shall comply with reasonable restrictions set by the commissioner relating to signage, marketing, display, and advertising of medical cannabis.

(m) Before a manufacturer acquires hemp from a hemp grower new text begin or hemp products from a hemp processor new text end , the manufacturer must verify that the hemp grower new text begin or hemp processor new text end has a valid license issued by the commissioner of agriculture under chapter 18K.

(n) Until a state-centralized, seed-to-sale system is implemented that can track a specific medical cannabis plant from cultivation through testing and point of sale, the commissioner shall conduct at least one unannounced inspection per year of each manufacturer that includes inspection of:

(1) business operations;

(2) physical locations of the manufacturer's manufacturing facility and distribution facilities;

(3) financial information and inventory documentation, including laboratory testing results; and

(4) physical and electronic security alarm systems.

Sec. 38.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 152.29, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Manufacturer; distribution.

(a) A manufacturer shall require that employees licensed as pharmacists pursuant to chapter 151 be the only employees to give final approval for the distribution of medical cannabis to a patient. A manufacturer may transport medical cannabis or medical cannabis products that have been cultivated, harvested, manufactured, packaged, and processed by that manufacturer to another registered manufacturer for the other manufacturer to distribute.

(b) A manufacturer may distribute medical cannabis products, whether or not the products have been manufactured by that manufacturer.

(c) Prior to distribution of any medical cannabis, the manufacturer shall:

(1) verify that the manufacturer has received the registry verification from the commissioner for that individual patient;

(2) verify that the person requesting the distribution of medical cannabis is the patient, the patient's registered designated caregiver, or the patient's parent, legal guardian, or spouse listed in the registry verification using the procedures described in section 152.11, subdivision 2d;

(3) assign a tracking number to any medical cannabis distributed from the manufacturer;

(4) ensure that any employee of the manufacturer licensed as a pharmacist pursuant to chapter 151 has consulted with the patient to determine the proper dosage for the individual patient after reviewing the ranges of chemical compositions of the medical cannabis and the ranges of proper dosages reported by the commissioner. For purposes of this clause, a consultation may be conducted remotely deleted text begin using a deleted text end new text begin by secure new text end videoconference new text begin , telephone, or other remote means new text end , so long as the employee providing the consultation is able to confirm the identity of the patient deleted text begin , the consultation occurs while the patient is at a distribution facility, deleted text end and the consultation adheres to patient privacy requirements that apply to health care services delivered through telemedicine new text begin . A pharmacist consultation under this clause is not required when a manufacturer is distributing medical cannabis to a patient according to a patient-specific dosage plan established with that manufacturer and is not modifying the dosage or product being distributed under that plan and the medical cannabis is distributed by a pharmacy technician new text end ;

(5) properly package medical cannabis in compliance with the United States Poison Prevention Packing Act regarding child-resistant packaging and exemptions for packaging for elderly patients, and label distributed medical cannabis with a list of all active ingredients and individually identifying information, including:

(i) the patient's name and date of birth;

(ii) the name and date of birth of the patient's registered designated caregiver or, if listed on the registry verification, the name of the patient's parent or legal guardian, if applicable;

(iii) the patient's registry identification number;

(iv) the chemical composition of the medical cannabis; and

(v) the dosage; and

(6) ensure that the medical cannabis distributed contains a maximum of a 90-day supply of the dosage determined for that patient.

(d) A manufacturer shall require any employee of the manufacturer who is transporting medical cannabis or medical cannabis products to a distribution facility or to another registered manufacturer to carry identification showing that the person is an employee of the manufacturer.

new text begin (e) A manufacturer shall distribute medical cannabis in dried raw cannabis form only to a patient age 21 or older, or to the registered designated caregiver, parent, legal guardian, or spouse of a patient age 21 or older. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin Paragraph (c) is effective the day following final enactment. Paragraph (e) is effective the earlier of (1) March 1, 2022, or (2) a date, as determined by the commissioner of health, by which (i) the rules adopted or amended under Minnesota Statutes, section 152.26, paragraph (b), are in effect and (ii) the independent laboratories under contract with the manufacturers have the necessary procedures and equipment in place to perform the required testing of dried raw cannabis. If paragraph (e) is effective before March 1, 2022, the commissioner shall provide notice of that effective date to the public. new text end

Sec. 39.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 152.29, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 3b. new text end

new text begin Distribution to recipient in a motor vehicle. new text end

new text begin A manufacturer may distribute medical cannabis to a patient, registered designated caregiver, or parent, legal guardian, or spouse of a patient who is at the distribution facility but remains in a motor vehicle, provided: new text end

new text begin (1) distribution facility staff receive payment and distribute medical cannabis in a designated zone that is as close as feasible to the front door of the distribution facility; new text end

new text begin (2) the manufacturer ensures that the receipt of payment and distribution of medical cannabis are visually recorded by a closed-circuit television surveillance camera at the distribution facility and provides any other necessary security safeguards; new text end

new text begin (3) the manufacturer does not store medical cannabis outside a restricted access area at the distribution facility, and distribution facility staff transport medical cannabis from a restricted access area at the distribution facility to the designated zone for distribution only after confirming that the patient, designated caregiver, or parent, guardian, or spouse has arrived in the designated zone; new text end

new text begin (4) the payment and distribution of medical cannabis take place only after a pharmacist consultation takes place, if required under subdivision 3, paragraph (c), clause (4); new text end

new text begin (5) immediately following distribution of medical cannabis, distribution facility staff enter the transaction in the state medical cannabis registry information technology database; and new text end

new text begin (6) immediately following distribution of medical cannabis, distribution facility staff take the payment received into the distribution facility. 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. 40.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 152.29, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 3c. new text end

new text begin Disposal of medical cannabis plant root balls. new text end

new text begin Notwithstanding Minnesota Rules, part 4770.1200, subpart 2, item C, a manufacturer is not required to grind root balls of medical cannabis plants or incorporate them with a greater quantity of nonconsumable solid waste before transporting root balls to another location for disposal. For purposes of this subdivision, "root ball" means a compact mass of roots formed by a plant and any attached growing medium. 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. 41.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 152.31, is amended to read:

152.31 DATA PRACTICES.

(a) Government data in patient files maintained by the commissioner and the health care practitioner, and data submitted to or by a medical cannabis manufacturer, are private data on individuals, as defined in section 13.02, subdivision 12, or nonpublic data, as defined in section 13.02, subdivision 9, but may be used for purposes of complying with chapter 13 and complying with a request from the legislative auditor or the state auditor in the performance of official duties. The provisions of section 13.05, subdivision 11, apply to a registration agreement entered between the commissioner and a medical cannabis manufacturer under section 152.25.

(b) Not public data maintained by the commissioner may not be used for any purpose not provided for in sections 152.22 to 152.37, and may not be combined or linked in any manner with any other list, dataset, or database.

(c) The commissioner may execute data sharing arrangements with the commissioner of agriculture to verify licensing, inspection, and compliance information related to hemp growers new text begin and hemp processors new text end under chapter 18K.

Sec. 42.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 157.22, is amended to read:

157.22 EXEMPTIONS.

This chapter does not apply to:

(1) interstate carriers under the supervision of the United States Department of Health and Human Services;

(2) weddings, fellowship meals, or funerals conducted by a faith-based organization using any building constructed and primarily used for religious worship or education;

(3) any building owned, operated, and used by a college or university in accordance with health regulations promulgated by the college or university under chapter 14;

(4) any person, firm, or corporation whose principal mode of business is licensed under sections 28A.04 and 28A.05, is exempt at that premises from licensure as a food or beverage establishment; provided that the holding of any license pursuant to sections 28A.04 and 28A.05 shall not exempt any person, firm, or corporation from the applicable provisions of this chapter or the rules of the state commissioner of health relating to food and beverage service establishments;

(5) family day care homes and group family day care homes governed by sections 245A.01 to 245A.16;

(6) nonprofit senior citizen centers for the sale of home-baked goods;

(7) fraternal, sportsman, or patriotic organizations that are tax exempt under section 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), 501(c)(6), 501(c)(7), 501(c)(10), or 501(c)(19) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or organizations related to, affiliated with, or supported by such fraternal, sportsman, or patriotic organizations for events held in the building or on the grounds of the organization and at which home-prepared food is donated by organization members for sale at the events, provided:

(i) the event is not a circus, carnival, or fair;

(ii) the organization controls the admission of persons to the event, the event agenda, or both; and

(iii) the organization's licensed kitchen is not used in any manner for the event;

(8) food not prepared at an establishment and brought in by individuals attending a potluck event for consumption at the potluck event. An organization sponsoring a potluck event under this clause may advertise the potluck event to the public through any means. Individuals who are not members of an organization sponsoring a potluck event under this clause may attend the potluck event and consume the food at the event. Licensed food establishments other than schools cannot be sponsors of potluck events. A school may sponsor and hold potluck events in areas of the school other than the school's kitchen, provided that the school's kitchen is not used in any manner for the potluck event. For purposes of this clause, "school" means a public school as defined in section 120A.05, subdivisions 9, 11, 13, and 17, or a nonpublic school, church, or religious organization at which a child is provided with instruction in compliance with sections 120A.22 and 120A.24. Potluck event food shall not be brought into a licensed food establishment kitchen;

(9) a home school in which a child is provided instruction at home;

(10) school concession stands serving commercially prepared, nonpotentially hazardous foods, as defined in Minnesota Rules, chapter 4626;

(11) group residential facilities of ten or fewer beds licensed by the commissioner of human services under Minnesota Rules, chapter 2960, provided the facility employs or contracts with a certified food manager under Minnesota Rules, part 4626.2015;

deleted text begin (12) food served at fund-raisers or community events conducted in the building or on the grounds of a faith-based organization, provided that a certified food manager, or a volunteer trained in a food safety course, trains the food preparation workers in safe food handling practices. This exemption does not apply to faith-based organizations at the state agricultural society or county fairs or to faith-based organizations that choose to apply for a license; deleted text end

new text begin (12) food served at fund-raisers, community events or fellowship meals conducted in the building or on the grounds of a faith-based organization, provided that a certified food manager or volunteer trained in a food safety course, trains the food preparation workers in safe food handling practices. Food prepared during these events is allowed to be made available for curbside pickup or delivered to members of the faith-based organization or the community in which the faith-based organization serves. This exemption does not apply to faith-based organizations at the state agricultural society or county fairs or to faith-based organizations that choose to apply for a license; new text end

(13) food service events conducted following a disaster for purposes of feeding disaster relief staff and volunteers serving commercially prepared, nonpotentially hazardous foods, as defined in Minnesota Rules, chapter 4626;

(14) chili or soup served at a chili or soup cook-off fund-raiser conducted by a community-based nonprofit organization, provided:

(i) the municipality where the event is located approves the event;

(ii) the sponsoring organization must develop food safety rules and ensure that participants follow these rules; and

(iii) if the food is not prepared in a kitchen that is licensed or inspected, a visible sign or placard must be posted that states: "These products are homemade and not subject to state inspection."

Foods exempt under this clause must be labeled to accurately reflect the name and address of the person preparing the foods; and

(15) a special event food stand or a seasonal temporary food stand provided:

(i) the stand is located on private property with the permission of the property owner;

(ii) the stand has gross receipts or contributions of $1,000 or less in a calendar year; and

(iii) the operator of the stand posts a sign or placard at the site that states "The products sold at this stand are not subject to state inspection or regulation." if the stand offers for sale potentially hazardous food as defined in Minnesota Rules, part 4626.0020, subpart 62.

Sec. 43.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 256.98, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Wrongfully obtaining assistance.

new text begin (a) new text end A person who commits any of the following acts or omissions with intent to defeat the purposes of sections 145.891 to 145.897, the MFIP program formerly codified in sections 256.031 to 256.0361, the AFDC program formerly codified in sections 256.72 to 256.871, chapter 256B, 256D, 256I, 256J, 256K, or 256L, child care assistance programs, and emergency assistance programs under section 256D.06, is guilty of theft and shall be sentenced under section 609.52, subdivision 3, clauses (1) to (5):

(1) obtains or attempts to obtain, or aids or abets any person to obtain by means of a willfully false statement or representation, by intentional concealment of any material fact, or by impersonation or other fraudulent device, assistance or the continued receipt of assistance, to include child care assistance or deleted text begin vouchers deleted text end new text begin food benefits new text end produced according to sections 145.891 to 145.897 and MinnesotaCare services according to sections 256.9365, 256.94, and 256L.01 to 256L.15, to which the person is not entitled or assistance greater than that to which the person is entitled;

(2) knowingly aids or abets in buying or in any way disposing of the property of a recipient or applicant of assistance without the consent of the county agency; or

(3) obtains or attempts to obtain, alone or in collusion with others, the receipt of payments to which the individual is not entitled as a provider of subsidized child care, or by furnishing or concurring in a willfully false claim for child care assistance.

new text begin (b) new text end The continued receipt of assistance to which the person is not entitled or greater than that to which the person is entitled as a result of any of the acts, failure to act, or concealment described in this subdivision shall be deemed to be continuing offenses from the date that the first act or failure to act occurred.

Sec. 44.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 326.71, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Asbestos-related work.

"Asbestos-related work" means the enclosure, removal, or encapsulation of asbestos-containing material in a quantity that meets or exceeds 260 linear feet of friable asbestos-containing material on pipes, 160 square feet of friable asbestos-containing material on other facility components, or, if linear feet or square feet cannot be measured, a total of 35 cubic feet of friable asbestos-containing material on or off all facility components in one facility. In the case of single or multifamily residences, "asbestos-related work" also means the enclosure, removal, or encapsulation of greater than ten but less than 260 linear feet of friable asbestos-containing material on pipes, greater than six but less than 160 square feet of friable asbestos-containing material on other facility components, or, if linear feet or square feet cannot be measured, greater than one cubic foot but less than 35 cubic feet of friable asbestos-containing material on or off all facility components in one facility. deleted text begin This provision excludes asbestos-containing floor tiles and sheeting, roofing materials, siding, and all ceilings with asbestos-containing material in single family residences and buildings with no more than four dwelling units. deleted text end Asbestos-related work includes asbestos abatement area preparation; enclosure, removal, or encapsulation operations; and an air quality monitoring specified in rule to assure that the abatement and adjacent areas are not contaminated with asbestos fibers during the project and after completion.

For purposes of this subdivision, the quantity of deleted text begin asbestos containing deleted text end new text begin asbestos-containing new text end material applies separately for every project.

Sec. 45.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 326.75, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Licensing fee.

A person required to be licensed under section 326.72 shall, before receipt of the license and before causing asbestos-related work to be performed, pay the commissioner an annual license fee of deleted text begin $100 deleted text end new text begin $105 new text end .

Sec. 46.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 326.75, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Certification fee.

An individual required to be certified new text begin as an asbestos worker or asbestos site supervisor new text end under section 326.73, subdivision 1, shall pay the commissioner a certification fee of deleted text begin $50 deleted text end new text begin $52.50 new text end before the issuance of the certificate. deleted text begin The commissioner may establish by rule fees required before the issuance of deleted text end new text begin An individual required to be certified as an new text end asbestos inspector, asbestos management planner, deleted text begin and deleted text end new text begin or new text end asbestos project designer deleted text begin certificates required deleted text end under section 326.73, subdivisions 2, 3, and 4 new text begin , shall pay the commissioner a certification fee of $105 before the issuance of the certificate new text end .

Sec. 47.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 326.75, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Permit fee.

Five calendar days before beginning asbestos-related work, a person shall pay a project permit fee to the commissioner equal to deleted text begin one deleted text end new text begin two new text end percent of the total costs of the asbestos-related work. For asbestos-related work performed in single or multifamily residences, of greater than ten but less than 260 linear feet of asbestos-containing material on pipes, or greater than six but less than 160 square feet of asbestos-containing material on other facility components, a person shall pay a project permit fee of $35 to the commissioner.

Sec. 48.

Laws 2008, chapter 364, section 17, is amended to read:

Sec. 17.

APPROPRIATIONS.

deleted text begin (a) $261,000 is appropriated from the state government special revenue fund to the commissioner of health for the purposes of this act for fiscal year 2009. Base level funding for this appropriation shall be $77,000 for fiscal years beginning on or after July 1, 2009. deleted text end

deleted text begin (b) Of the appropriation in paragraph (a), $116,000 in fiscal year 2009 is for the study and report required in section 12, $145,000 in fiscal year 2009 shall be transferred to the general fund, and $77,000 shall be transferred for each fiscal year beginning on or after July 1, 2009. deleted text end

deleted text begin (c) deleted text end new text begin (a) new text end $145,000 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner of human services for fiscal year 2009 for the actuarial and other department costs associated with additional reporting requirements for health plans and county-based purchasing plans. Base level funding for this appropriation for fiscal years beginning on or after July 1, 2009, shall be $135,000 each year.

deleted text begin (d) deleted text end new text begin (b) new text end $96,000 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner of human services for fiscal year 2009 for the study authorized in section 11, clause (3). This appropriation is onetime.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2021. new text end

Sec. 49.

Laws 2019, First Special Session chapter 9, article 14, section 3, as amended by Laws 2019, First Special Session chapter 12, section 6, is amended to read:

Sec. 3. COMMISSIONER OF HEALTH

Subdivision 1. Total Appropriation

$

231,829,000

$

deleted text begin 236,188,000 deleted text end new text begin 233,584,000 new text end

Appropriations by Fund
	2020	2021
General	124,381,000	deleted text begin 126,276,000 deleted text end new text begin 125,881,000 new text end
State Government Special Revenue	58,450,000	deleted text begin 61,367,000 deleted text end new text begin 59,158,000 new text end
Health Care Access	37,285,000	36,832,000
Federal TANF	11,713,000	11,713,000

The amounts that may be spent for each purpose are specified in the following subdivisions.

Subd. 2. Health Improvement

Appropriations by Fund
General	94,980,000	deleted text begin 96,117,000 deleted text end new text begin 95,722,000 new text end
State Government Special Revenue	7,614,000	deleted text begin 7,558,000 deleted text end new text begin 6,924,000 new text end
Health Care Access	37,285,000	36,832,000
Federal TANF	11,713,000	11,713,000

(a) TANF Appropriations. (1) $3,579,000 in fiscal year 2020 and $3,579,000 in fiscal year 2021 are from the TANF fund for home visiting and nutritional services under Minnesota Statutes, section 145.882, subdivision 7, clauses (6) and (7). Funds must be distributed to community health boards according to Minnesota Statutes, section 145A.131, subdivision 1;

(2) $2,000,000 in fiscal year 2020 and $2,000,000 in fiscal year 2021 are from the TANF fund for decreasing racial and ethnic disparities in infant mortality rates under Minnesota Statutes, section 145.928, subdivision 7;

(3) $4,978,000 in fiscal year 2020 and $4,978,000 in fiscal year 2021 are from the TANF fund for the family home visiting grant program under Minnesota Statutes, section 145A.17. $4,000,000 of the funding in each fiscal year must be distributed to community health boards according to Minnesota Statutes, section 145A.131, subdivision 1. $978,000 of the funding in each fiscal year must be distributed to tribal governments according to Minnesota Statutes, section 145A.14, subdivision 2a;

(4) $1,156,000 in fiscal year 2020 and $1,156,000 in fiscal year 2021 are from the TANF fund for family planning grants under Minnesota Statutes, section 145.925; and

(5) The commissioner may use up to 6.23 percent of the amounts appropriated from the TANF fund each year to conduct the ongoing evaluations required under Minnesota Statutes, section 145A.17, subdivision 7, and training and technical assistance as required under Minnesota Statutes, section 145A.17, subdivisions 4 and 5.

(b) TANF Carryforward. Any unexpended balance of the TANF appropriation in the first year of the biennium does not cancel but is available for the second year.

(c) Comprehensive Suicide Prevention. $2,730,000 in fiscal year 2020 and $2,730,000 in fiscal year 2021 are from the general fund for a comprehensive, community-based suicide prevention strategy. The funds are allocated as follows:

(1) $955,000 in fiscal year 2020 and $955,000 in fiscal year 2021 are for community-based suicide prevention grants authorized in Minnesota Statutes, section 145.56, subdivision 2. Specific emphasis must be placed on those communities with the greatest disparities. The base for this appropriation is $1,291,000 in fiscal year 2022 and $1,291,000 in fiscal year 2023;

(2) $683,000 in fiscal year 2020 and $683,000 in fiscal year 2021 are to support evidence-based training for educators and school staff and purchase suicide prevention curriculum for student use statewide, as authorized in Minnesota Statutes, section 145.56, subdivision 2. The base for this appropriation is $913,000 in fiscal year 2022 and $913,000 in fiscal year 2023;

(3) $137,000 in fiscal year 2020 and $137,000 in fiscal year 2021 are to implement the Zero Suicide framework with up to 20 behavioral and health care organizations each year to treat individuals at risk for suicide and support those individuals across systems of care upon discharge. The base for this appropriation is $205,000 in fiscal year 2022 and $205,000 in fiscal year 2023;

(4) $955,000 in fiscal year 2020 and $955,000 in fiscal year 2021 are to develop and fund a Minnesota-based network of National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, providing statewide coverage. The base for this appropriation is $1,321,000 in fiscal year 2022 and $1,321,000 in fiscal year 2023; and

(5) the commissioner may retain up to 18.23 percent of the appropriation under this paragraph to administer the comprehensive suicide prevention strategy.

(d) Statewide Tobacco Cessation. $1,598,000 in fiscal year 2020 and $2,748,000 in fiscal year 2021 are from the general fund for statewide tobacco cessation services under Minnesota Statutes, section 144.397. The base for this appropriation is $2,878,000 in fiscal year 2022 and $2,878,000 in fiscal year 2023.

(e) Health Care Access Survey. $225,000 in fiscal year 2020 and $225,000 in fiscal year 2021 are from the health care access fund to continue and improve the Minnesota Health Care Access Survey. These appropriations may be used in either year of the biennium.

(f) Community Solutions for Healthy Child Development Grant Program. $1,000,000 in fiscal year 2020 and $1,000,000 in fiscal year 2021 are for the community solutions for healthy child development grant program to promote health and racial equity for young children and their families under article 11, section 107. The commissioner may use up to 23.5 percent of the total appropriation for administration. The base for this appropriation is $1,000,000 in fiscal year 2022, $1,000,000 in fiscal year 2023, and $0 in fiscal year 2024.

(g) Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Prevention Program. $375,000 in fiscal year 2020 and $375,000 in fiscal year 2021 are from the general fund for the domestic violence and sexual assault prevention program under article 11, section 108. This is a onetime appropriation.

(h) Skin Lightening Products Public Awareness Grant Program. $100,000 in fiscal year 2020 and $100,000 in fiscal year 2021 are from the general fund for a skin lightening products public awareness and education grant program. This is a onetime appropriation.

(i) Cannabinoid Products Workgroup. $8,000 in fiscal year 2020 is from the state government special revenue fund for the cannabinoid products workgroup. This is a onetime appropriation.

(j) Base Level Adjustments. The general fund base is $96,742,000 in fiscal year 2022 and $96,742,000 in fiscal year 2023. The health care access fund base is $37,432,000 in fiscal year 2022 and $36,832,000 in fiscal year 2023.

Subd. 3. Health Protection

Appropriations by Fund
General	18,803,000	19,774,000
State Government Special Revenue	50,836,000	deleted text begin 53,809,000 deleted text end new text begin 52,234,000 new text end

(a) Public Health Laboratory Equipment. $840,000 in fiscal year 2020 and $655,000 in fiscal year 2021 are from the general fund for equipment for the public health laboratory. This is a onetime appropriation and is available until June 30, 2023.

(b) Base Level Adjustment. The general fund base is $19,119,000 in fiscal year 2022 and $19,119,000 in fiscal year 2023. The state government special revenue fund base is $53,782,000 in fiscal year 2022 and $53,782,000 in fiscal year 2023.

Subd. 4. Health Operations

10,598,000

10,385,000

Base Level Adjustment. The general fund base is $10,912,000 in fiscal year 2022 and $10,912,000 in fiscal year 2023.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment and the reductions in subdivisions 1 to 3 are onetime reductions. new text end

Sec. 50.

Laws 2020, Seventh Special Session chapter 1, article 6, section 12, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Housing with services establishment registration; conversion to an assisted living facility license.

(a) Housing with services establishments registered under chapter 144D, providing home care services according to chapter 144A to at least one resident, and intending to provide assisted living services on or after August 1, 2021, must submit an application for an assisted living facility license in accordance with section 144G.12 no later than June 1, 2021. The commissioner shall consider the application in accordance with section deleted text begin 144G.16 deleted text end new text begin 144G.15 new text end .

(b) Notwithstanding the housing with services contract requirements identified in section 144D.04, any existing housing with services establishment registered under chapter 144D that does not intend to convert its registration to an assisted living facility license under this chapter must provide written notice to its residents at least 60 days before the expiration of its registration, or no later than May 31, 2021, whichever is earlier. The notice must:

(1) state that the housing with services establishment does not intend to convert to an assisted living facility;

(2) include the date when the housing with services establishment will no longer provide housing with services;

(3) include the name, e-mail address, and phone number of the individual associated with the housing with services establishment that the recipient of home care services may contact to discuss the notice;

(4) include the contact information consisting of the phone number, e-mail address, mailing address, and website for the Office of Ombudsman for Long-Term Care and the Office of Ombudsman for Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities; and

(5) for residents who receive home and community-based waiver services under section 256B.49 and chapter 256S, also be provided to the resident's case manager at the same time that it is provided to the resident.

(c) A housing with services registrant that obtains an assisted living facility license, but does so under a different business name as a result of reincorporation, and continues to provide services to the recipient, is not subject to the 60-day notice required under paragraph (b). However, the provider must otherwise provide notice to the recipient as required under sections 144D.04 and 144D.045, as applicable, and section 144D.09.

(d) All registered housing with services establishments providing assisted living under sections 144G.01 to 144G.07 prior to August 1, 2021, must have an assisted living facility license under this chapter.

(e) Effective August 1, 2021, any housing with services establishment registered under chapter 144D that has not converted its registration to an assisted living facility license under this chapter is prohibited from providing assisted living services.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective retroactively from December 17, 2020. new text end

Sec. 51.

new text begin DIRECTION TO MODIFY MARRIAGE LICENSE APPLICATIONS. new text end

new text begin A local registrar or a designee of the county board shall delete from the county's marriage license application any space or other manner in which the applicant is required to specify the applicant's race. new text end

ARTICLE 4

HEALTH-RELATED LICENSING BOARDS

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 151.01, subdivision 29, is amended to read:

Subd. 29.

deleted text begin Legend deleted text end Medical gas.

" deleted text begin Legend deleted text end Medical gas" means deleted text begin a liquid or gaseous substance used for medical purposes and that is required by federal law to be dispensed only pursuant to the prescription of a licensed practitioner deleted text end new text begin any gas or liquid manufactured or stored in a liquefied, nonliquefied, or cryogenic state that: new text end

new text begin (1) has a chemical or physical action in or on the human body or animals or is used in conjunction with medical gas equipment; and new text end

new text begin (2) is intended to be used for the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease new text end .

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 151.01, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 29a. new text end

new text begin Medical gas manufacturer. new text end

new text begin "Medical gas manufacturer" means any person: new text end

new text begin (1) originally manufacturing a medical gas by chemical reaction, physical separation, compression of atmospheric air, purification, or other means; new text end

new text begin (2) filling a medical gas into a dispensing container via gas to gas, liquid to gas, or liquid to liquid processes; new text end

new text begin (3) combining two or more medical gases into a container to form a medically appropriate mixture; or new text end

new text begin (4) filling a medical gas via liquid to liquid into a final use container at the point of use. new text end

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 151.01, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 29b. new text end

new text begin Medical gas wholesaler. new text end

new text begin "Medical gas wholesaler" means any person who sells a medical gas to another business or entity for the purpose of reselling or providing that medical gas to the ultimate consumer or patient. new text end

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 151.01, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 29c. new text end

new text begin Medical gas dispenser. new text end

new text begin "Medical gas dispenser" means any person, other than a licensed practitioner or pharmacy, who sells or provides a medical gas directly to the ultimate consumer or patient via a valid prescription. new text end

Sec. 5.

new text begin [151.191] LICENSING MEDICAL GAS FACILITIES; FEES; PROHIBITIONS. new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Medical gas manufacturers; requirements. new text end

new text begin (a) No person shall act as a medical gas manufacturer without first obtaining a license from the board and paying any applicable fee specified in section 151.065. new text end

new text begin (b) Application for a medical gas manufacturer license under this section must be made in a manner specified by the board. new text end

new text begin (c) A license must not be issued or renewed for a medical gas manufacturer unless the applicant agrees to operate in a manner prescribed by federal and state law and according to Minnesota Rules. new text end

new text begin (d) A license must not be issued or renewed for a medical gas manufacturer that is required to be licensed or registered by the state in which it is physically located unless the applicant supplies the board with proof of licensure or registration. The board may establish standards for the licensure of a medical gas manufacturer that is not required to be licensed or registered by the state in which it is physically located. new text end

new text begin (e) The board must require a separate license for each facility located within the state at which medical gas manufacturing occurs and for each facility located outside of the state at which medical gases that are shipped into the state are manufactured. new text end

new text begin (f) Prior to the issuance of an initial or renewed license for a medical gas manufacturing facility, the board may require the facility to pass an inspection conducted by an authorized representative of the board. In the case of a medical gas manufacturing facility located outside of the state, the board may require the applicant to pay the cost of the inspection, in addition to the license fee in section 151.065, unless the applicant furnishes the board with a report, issued by the appropriate regulatory agency of the state in which the facility is located, of an inspection that has occurred within the 24 months immediately preceding receipt of the license application by the board. The board may deny licensure unless the applicant submits documentation satisfactory to the board that any deficiencies noted in an inspection report have been corrected. new text end

new text begin (g) A duly licensed medical gas manufacturing facility may also wholesale or dispense any medical gas that is manufactured by the licensed facility, or manufactured or wholesaled by another properly licensed medical gas facility, without also obtaining a medical gas wholesaler license or medical gas dispenser registration. new text end

new text begin (h) The filling of a medical gas into a final use container, at the point of use and by liquid to liquid transfer, is permitted as long as the facility used as the base of operations is duly licensed as a medical gas manufacturer. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Medical gas wholesalers; requirements. new text end

new text begin (a) No person shall act as a medical gas wholesaler without first obtaining a license from the board and paying any applicable fee specified in section 151.065. new text end

new text begin (b) Application for a medical gas wholesaler license under this section must be made in a manner specified by the board. new text end

new text begin (c) A license must not be issued or renewed for a medical gas wholesaler unless the applicant agrees to operate in a manner prescribed by federal and state law and according to Minnesota Rules. new text end

new text begin (d) A license must not be issued or renewed for a medical gas wholesaler that is required to be licensed or registered by the state in which it is physically located unless the applicant supplies the board with proof of licensure or registration. The board may establish standards for the licensure of a medical gas wholesaler that is not required to be licensed or registered by the state in which it is physically located. new text end

new text begin (e) The board must require a separate license for each facility located within the state at which medical gas wholesaling occurs and for each facility located outside of the state from which medical gases that are shipped into the state are wholesaled. new text end

new text begin (f) Prior to the issuance of an initial or renewed license for a medical gas wholesaling facility, the board may require the facility to pass an inspection conducted by an authorized representative of the board. In the case of a medical gas wholesaling facility located outside of the state, the board may require the applicant to pay the cost of the inspection, in addition to the license fee in section 151.065, unless the applicant furnishes the board with a report, issued by the appropriate regulatory agency of the state in which the facility is located, of an inspection that has occurred within the 24 months immediately preceding receipt of the license application by the board. The board may deny licensure unless the applicant submits documentation satisfactory to the board that any deficiencies noted in an inspection report have been corrected. new text end

new text begin (g) A duly licensed medical gas wholesaling facility may also dispense any medical gas that is manufactured or wholesaled by another properly licensed medical gas facility. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Medical gas dispensers; requirements. new text end

new text begin (a) A person or establishment not licensed as a pharmacy, practitioner, medical gas manufacturer, or medical gas dispenser must not engage in the dispensing of medical gases without first obtaining a registration from the board and paying the applicable fee specified in section 151.065. The registration must be displayed in a conspicuous place in the business for which it is issued and expires on the date set by the board. new text end

new text begin (b) Application for a medical gas dispenser registration under this section must be made in a manner specified by the board. new text end

new text begin (c) A registration must not be issued or renewed for a medical gas dispenser located within the state unless the applicant agrees to operate in a manner prescribed by federal and state law and according to the rules adopted by the board. A license must not be issued for a medical gas dispenser located outside of the state unless the applicant agrees to operate in a manner prescribed by federal law and, when dispensing medical gases for residents of this state, the laws of this state and Minnesota Rules. new text end

new text begin (d) A registration must not be issued or renewed for a medical gas dispenser that is required to be licensed or registered by the state in which it is physically located unless the applicant supplies the board with proof of the licensure or registration. The board may establish standards for the registration of a medical gas dispenser that is not required to be licensed or registered by the state in which it is physically located. new text end

new text begin (e) The board must require a separate registration for each medical gas dispenser located within the state and for each facility located outside of the state from which medical gases are dispensed to residents of this state. new text end

new text begin (f) Prior to the issuance of an initial or renewed registration for a medical gas dispenser, the board may require the medical gas dispenser to pass an inspection conducted by an authorized representative of the board. In the case of a medical gas dispenser located outside of the state, the board may require the applicant to pay the cost of the inspection, in addition to the license fee in section 151.065, unless the applicant furnishes the board with a report, issued by the appropriate regulatory agency of the state in which the facility is located, of an inspection that has occurred within the 24 months immediately preceding receipt of the license application by the board. The board may deny licensure unless the applicant submits documentation satisfactory to the board that any deficiencies noted in an inspection report have been corrected. new text end

new text begin (g) A facility holding a medical gas dispenser registration must not engage in the manufacturing or wholesaling of medical gases, except that a medical gas dispenser may transfer medical gases from one of its duly registered facilities to other duly registered medical gas manufacturing, wholesaling, or dispensing facilities owned or operated by that same company, without requiring a medical gas wholesaler license. new text end

Sec. 6.

new text begin REPEALER. new text end

new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 151.19, subdivision 3, new text end new text begin is repealed. new text end

ARTICLE 5

PRESCRIPTION DRUGS

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 62W.11, is amended to read:

62W.11 GAG CLAUSE PROHIBITION.

(a) No contract between a pharmacy benefit manager or health carrier and a pharmacy or pharmacist shall prohibit, restrict, or penalize a pharmacy or pharmacist from disclosing to an enrollee any health care information that the pharmacy or pharmacist deems appropriate regarding the nature of treatment; the risks or alternatives; the availability of alternative therapies, consultations, or tests; the decision of utilization reviewers or similar persons to authorize or deny services; the process that is used to authorize or deny health care services or benefits; or information on financial incentives and structures used by the health carrier or pharmacy benefit manager.

(b) A pharmacy or pharmacist must provide to an enrollee information regarding the enrollee's total cost for each prescription drug dispensed where part or all of the cost of the prescription is being paid or reimbursed by the employer-sponsored plan or by a health carrier or pharmacy benefit manager, in accordance with section 151.214, subdivision 1.

(c) A pharmacy benefit manager or health carrier must not prohibit a pharmacist or pharmacy from discussing information regarding the total cost for pharmacy services for a prescription drug, including the patient's co-payment amount deleted text begin and deleted text end new text begin , new text end the pharmacy's own usual and customary price deleted text begin of deleted text end new text begin for new text end the prescription new text begin drug, the pharmacy's acquisition cost for the prescription drug, and the amount the pharmacy is being reimbursed by the pharmacy benefit manager or health carrier for the prescription drug new text end .

new text begin (d) A pharmacy benefit manager must not prohibit a pharmacist or pharmacy from discussing with a health carrier the amount the pharmacy is being paid or reimbursed for a prescription drug by the pharmacy benefit manager or the pharmacy's acquisition cost for a prescription drug. new text end

deleted text begin (d) deleted text end new text begin (e) new text end A pharmacy benefit manager or health carrier must not prohibit a pharmacist or pharmacy from discussing the availability of any therapeutically equivalent alternative prescription drugs or alternative methods for purchasing the prescription drug, including but not limited to paying out-of-pocket the pharmacy's usual and customary price when that amount is less expensive to the enrollee than the amount the enrollee is required to pay for the prescription drug under the enrollee's health plan.

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 151.555, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Definitions.

(a) For the purposes of this section, the terms defined in this subdivision have the meanings given.

(b) "Central repository" means a wholesale distributor that meets the requirements under subdivision 3 and enters into a contract with the Board of Pharmacy in accordance with this section.

(c) "Distribute" means to deliver, other than by administering or dispensing.

(d) "Donor" means:

(1) a health care facility as defined in this subdivision;

(2) a skilled nursing facility licensed under chapter 144A;

(3) an assisted living facility registered under chapter 144D where there is centralized storage of drugs and 24-hour on-site licensed nursing coverage provided seven days a week;

(4) a pharmacy licensed under section 151.19, and located either in the state or outside the state;

(5) a drug wholesaler licensed under section 151.47;

(6) a drug manufacturer licensed under section 151.252; or

(7) an individual at least 18 years of age, provided that the drug or medical supply that is donated was obtained legally and meets the requirements of this section for donation.

(e) "Drug" means any prescription drug that has been approved for medical use in the United States, is listed in the United States Pharmacopoeia or National Formulary, and meets the criteria established under this section for donation new text begin ; or any over-the-counter medication that meets the criteria established under this section for donation new text end . This definition includes cancer drugs and antirejection drugs, but does not include controlled substances, as defined in section 152.01, subdivision 4, or a prescription drug that can only be dispensed to a patient registered with the drug's manufacturer in accordance with federal Food and Drug Administration requirements.

(f) "Health care facility" means:

(1) a physician's office or health care clinic where licensed practitioners provide health care to patients;

(2) a hospital licensed under section 144.50;

(3) a pharmacy licensed under section 151.19 and located in Minnesota; or

(4) a nonprofit community clinic, including a federally qualified health center; a rural health clinic; public health clinic; or other community clinic that provides health care utilizing a sliding fee scale to patients who are low-income, uninsured, or underinsured.

(g) "Local repository" means a health care facility that elects to accept donated drugs and medical supplies and meets the requirements of subdivision 4.

(h) "Medical supplies" or "supplies" means any prescription and nonprescription medical supplies needed to administer a prescription drug.

(i) "Original, sealed, unopened, tamper-evident packaging" means packaging that is sealed, unopened, and tamper-evident, including a manufacturer's original unit dose or unit-of-use container, a repackager's original unit dose or unit-of-use container, or unit-dose packaging prepared by a licensed pharmacy according to the standards of Minnesota Rules, part 6800.3750.

(j) "Practitioner" has the meaning given in section 151.01, subdivision 23, except that it does not include a veterinarian.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

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

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 151.555, subdivision 7, is amended to read:

Subd. 7.

Standards and procedures for inspecting and storing donated prescription drugs and supplies.

(a) A pharmacist or authorized practitioner who is employed by or under contract with the central repository or a local repository shall inspect all donated prescription drugs and supplies before the drug or supply is dispensed to determine, to the extent reasonably possible in the professional judgment of the pharmacist or practitioner, that the drug or supply is not adulterated or misbranded, has not been tampered with, is safe and suitable for dispensing, has not been subject to a recall, and meets the requirements for donation. The pharmacist or practitioner who inspects the drugs or supplies shall sign an inspection record stating that the requirements for donation have been met. If a local repository receives drugs and supplies from the central repository, the local repository does not need to reinspect the drugs and supplies.

(b) The central repository and local repositories shall store donated drugs and supplies in a secure storage area under environmental conditions appropriate for the drug or supply being stored. Donated drugs and supplies may not be stored with nondonated inventory. deleted text begin If donated drugs or supplies are not inspected immediately upon receipt, a repository must quarantine the donated drugs or supplies separately from all dispensing stock until the donated drugs or supplies have been inspected and (1) approved for dispensing under the program; (2) disposed of pursuant to paragraph (c); or (3) returned to the donor pursuant to paragraph (d). deleted text end

(c) The central repository and local repositories shall dispose of all prescription drugs and medical supplies that are not suitable for donation in compliance with applicable federal and state statutes, regulations, and rules concerning hazardous waste.

(d) In the event that controlled substances or prescription drugs that can only be dispensed to a patient registered with the drug's manufacturer are shipped or delivered to a central or local repository for donation, the shipment delivery must be documented by the repository and returned immediately to the donor or the donor's representative that provided the drugs.

(e) Each repository must develop drug and medical supply recall policies and procedures. If a repository receives a recall notification, the repository shall destroy all of the drug or medical supply in its inventory that is the subject of the recall and complete a record of destruction form in accordance with paragraph (f). If a drug or medical supply that is the subject of a Class I or Class II recall has been dispensed, the repository shall immediately notify the recipient of the recalled drug or medical supply. A drug that potentially is subject to a recall need not be destroyed if its packaging bears a lot number and that lot of the drug is not subject to the recall. If no lot number is on the drug's packaging, it must be destroyed.

(f) A record of destruction of donated drugs and supplies that are not dispensed under subdivision 8, are subject to a recall under paragraph (e), or are not suitable for donation shall be maintained by the repository for at least deleted text begin five deleted text end new text begin two new text end years. For each drug or supply destroyed, the record shall include the following information:

(1) the date of destruction;

(2) the name, strength, and quantity of the drug destroyed; and

(3) the name of the person or firm that destroyed the drug.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

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

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 151.555, subdivision 11, is amended to read:

Subd. 11.

Forms and record-keeping requirements.

(a) The following forms developed for the administration of this program shall be utilized by the participants of the program and shall be available on the board's website:

(1) intake application form described under subdivision 5;

(2) local repository participation form described under subdivision 4;

(3) local repository withdrawal form described under subdivision 4;

(4) drug repository donor form described under subdivision 6;

(5) record of destruction form described under subdivision 7; and

(6) drug repository recipient form described under subdivision 8.

(b) All records, including drug inventory, inspection, and disposal of donated prescription drugs and medical supplies, must be maintained by a repository for a minimum of deleted text begin five deleted text end new text begin two new text end years. Records required as part of this program must be maintained pursuant to all applicable practice acts.

(c) Data collected by the drug repository program from all local repositories shall be submitted quarterly or upon request to the central repository. Data collected may consist of the information, records, and forms required to be collected under this section.

(d) The central repository shall submit reports to the board as required by the contract or upon request of the board.

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 2020, section 151.555, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 14. new text end

new text begin Cooperation. new text end

new text begin The central repository, as approved by the Board of Pharmacy, may enter into an agreement with another state that has an established drug repository or drug donation program if the other state's program includes regulations to ensure the purity, integrity, and safety of the drugs and supplies donated, to permit the central repository to offer to another state program inventory that is not needed by a Minnesota resident and to accept inventory from another state program to be distributed to local repositories and dispensed to Minnesota residents in accordance with this program. 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

ARTICLE 6

HEALTH INSURANCE

Section 1.

new text begin [62Q.097] REQUIREMENTS FOR TIMELY PROVIDER CREDENTIALING. new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Definitions. new text end

new text begin (a) The definitions in this subdivision apply to this section. new text end

new text begin (b) "Clean application for provider credentialing" or "clean application" means an application for provider credentialing submitted by a health care provider to a health plan company that is complete, is in the format required by the health plan company, and includes all information and substantiation required by the health plan company and does not require evaluation of any identified potential quality or safety concern. new text end

new text begin (c) "Provider credentialing" means the process undertaken by a health plan company to evaluate and approve a health care provider's education, training, residency, licenses, certifications, and history of significant quality or safety concerns in order to approve the health care provider to provide health care services to patients at a clinic or facility. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Time limit for credentialing determination. new text end

new text begin A health plan company that receives an application for provider credentialing must: new text end

new text begin (1) if the application is determined to be a clean application for provider credentialing and if the health care provider submitting the application or the clinic or facility at which the health care provider provides services requests the information, affirm that the health care provider's application is a clean application and notify the health care provider or clinic or facility of the date by which the health plan company will make a determination on the health care provider's application; new text end

new text begin (2) if the application is determined not to be a clean application, inform the health care provider of the application's deficiencies or missing information or substantiation within three business days after the health plan company determines the application is not a clean application; and new text end

new text begin (3) make a determination on the health care provider's clean application within 45 days after receiving the clean application unless the health plan company identifies a substantive quality or safety concern in the course of provider credentialing that requires further investigation. Upon notice to the health care provider, clinic, or facility, the health plan company is allowed 30 additional days to investigate any quality or safety concerns. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section applies to applications for provider credentialing submitted to a health plan company on or after January 1, 2022. new text end

ARTICLE 7

TELEHEALTH

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 256J.08, subdivision 21, is amended to read:

Subd. 21.

Date of application.

"Date of application" means the date on which the county agency receives an applicant's deleted text begin signed deleted text end application new text begin as a signed written application, an application submitted by telephone, or an application submitted through Internet telepresence new text end .

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 256J.09, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Submitting application form.

(a) A county agency must offer, in person or by mail, the application forms prescribed by the commissioner as soon as a person makes a written or oral inquiry. At that time, the county agency must:

(1) inform the person that assistance begins deleted text begin with deleted text end new text begin on new text end the date new text begin that new text end the deleted text begin signed deleted text end application is received by the county agency new text begin either as a signed written application; an application submitted by telephone; or an application submitted through Internet telepresence; new text end or new text begin on new text end the date new text begin that new text end all eligibility criteria are met, whichever is later;

new text begin (2) inform a person that the person may submit the application by telephone or through Internet telepresence; new text end

new text begin (3) inform a person that when the person submits the application by telephone or through Internet telepresence, the county agency must receive a signed written application within 30 days of the date that the person submitted the application by telephone or through Internet telepresence; new text end

deleted text begin (2) deleted text end new text begin (4) new text end inform the person that any delay in submitting the application will reduce the amount of assistance paid for the month of application;

deleted text begin (3) deleted text end new text begin (5) new text end inform a person that the person may submit the application before an interview;

deleted text begin (4) deleted text end new text begin (6) new text end explain the information that will be verified during the application process by the county agency as provided in section 256J.32;

deleted text begin (5) deleted text end new text begin (7) new text end inform a person about the county agency's average application processing time and explain how the application will be processed under subdivision 5;

deleted text begin (6) deleted text end new text begin (8) new text end explain how to contact the county agency if a person's application information changes and how to withdraw the application;

deleted text begin (7) deleted text end new text begin (9) new text end inform a person that the next step in the application process is an interview and what a person must do if the application is approved including, but not limited to, attending orientation under section 256J.45 and complying with employment and training services requirements in sections 256J.515 to 256J.57;

deleted text begin (8) deleted text end new text begin (10) new text end inform the person that deleted text begin the deleted text end new text begin an new text end interview must be conducted new text begin . The interview may be conducted new text end face-to-face in the county office new text begin or at a location mutually agreed upon new text end , through Internet telepresence, or deleted text begin at a location mutually agreed upon deleted text end new text begin by telephone new text end ;

deleted text begin (9) inform a person who has received MFIP or DWP in the past 12 months of the option to have a face-to-face, Internet telepresence, or telephone interview; deleted text end

deleted text begin (10) deleted text end new text begin (11) new text end explain the child care and transportation services that are available under paragraph (c) to enable caregivers to attend the interview, screening, and orientation; and

deleted text begin (11) deleted text end new text begin (12) new text end identify any language barriers and arrange for translation assistance during appointments, including, but not limited to, screening under subdivision 3a, orientation under section 256J.45, and assessment under section 256J.521.

(b) Upon receipt of a signed application, the county agency must stamp the date of receipt on the face of the application. The county agency must process the application within the time period required under subdivision 5. An applicant may withdraw the application at any time by giving written or oral notice to the county agency. The county agency must issue a written notice confirming the withdrawal. The notice must inform the applicant of the county agency's understanding that the applicant has withdrawn the application and no longer wants to pursue it. When, within ten days of the date of the agency's notice, an applicant informs a county agency, in writing, that the applicant does not wish to withdraw the application, the county agency must reinstate the application and finish processing the application.

(c) Upon a participant's request, the county agency must arrange for transportation and child care or reimburse the participant for transportation and child care expenses necessary to enable participants to attend the screening under subdivision 3a and orientation under section 256J.45.

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 256J.45, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

County agency to provide orientation.

A county agency must provide deleted text begin a face-to-face deleted text end new text begin an new text end orientation to each MFIP caregiver unless the caregiver is:

(1) a single parent, or one parent in a two-parent family, employed at least 35 hours per week; or

(2) a second parent in a two-parent family who is employed for 20 or more hours per week provided the first parent is employed at least 35 hours per week.

The county agency must inform caregivers who are not exempt under clause (1) or (2) that failure to attend the orientation is considered an occurrence of noncompliance with program requirements, and will result in the imposition of a sanction under section 256J.46. If the client complies with the orientation requirement prior to the first day of the month in which the grant reduction is proposed to occur, the orientation sanction shall be lifted.

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 256J.95, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5.

Submitting application form.

The eligibility date for the diversionary work program begins deleted text begin with deleted text end new text begin on new text end the date new text begin that new text end the deleted text begin signed deleted text end combined application form (CAF) is received by the county agency new text begin either as a signed written application; an application submitted by telephone; or an application submitted through Internet telepresence; new text end or new text begin on new text end the date new text begin that new text end diversionary work program eligibility criteria are met, whichever is later. new text begin The county agency must inform an applicant that when the applicant submits the application by telephone or through Internet telepresence, the county agency must receive a signed written application within 30 days of the date that the applicant submitted the application by telephone or through Internet telepresence. new text end The county agency must inform the applicant that any delay in submitting the application will reduce the benefits paid for the month of application. The county agency must inform a person that an application may be submitted before the person has an interview appointment. Upon receipt of a signed application, the county agency must stamp the date of receipt on the face of the application. The applicant may withdraw the application at any time prior to approval by giving written or oral notice to the county agency. The county agency must follow the notice requirements in section 256J.09, subdivision 3, when issuing a notice confirming the withdrawal.

ARTICLE 8

ECONOMIC SUPPORTS

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 256E.34, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Distribution of appropriation.

The commissioner must distribute funds appropriated to the commissioner by law for that purpose to Hunger Solutions, a statewide association of food shelves organized as a nonprofit corporation as defined under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, to distribute to qualifying food shelves. A food shelf qualifies under this section if:

(1) it is a nonprofit corporation, or is affiliated with a nonprofit corporation, as defined in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 new text begin or a federally recognized Tribal nation new text end ;

(2) it distributes standard food orders without charge to needy individuals. The standard food order must consist of at least a two-day supply or six pounds per person of nutritionally balanced food items;

(3) it does not limit food distributions to individuals of a particular religious affiliation, race, or other criteria unrelated to need or to requirements necessary to administration of a fair and orderly distribution system;

(4) it does not use the money received or the food distribution program to foster or advance religious or political views; and

(5) it has a stable address and directly serves individuals.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2021. new text end

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 256J.30, subdivision 8, is amended to read:

Subd. 8.

Late MFIP household report forms.

(a) Paragraphs (b) to (e) apply to the reporting requirements in subdivision 7.

(b) When the county agency receives an incomplete MFIP household report form, the county agency must immediately deleted text begin return the incomplete form and clearly state what the caregiver must do for the form to be complete deleted text end new text begin contact the caregiver by phone or in writing to acquire the necessary information to complete the form new text end .

(c) The automated eligibility system must send a notice of proposed termination of assistance to the assistance unit if a complete MFIP household report form is not received by a county agency. The automated notice must be mailed to the caregiver by approximately the 16th of the month. When a caregiver submits an incomplete form on or after the date a notice of proposed termination has been sent, the termination is valid unless the caregiver submits a complete form before the end of the month.

(d) An assistance unit required to submit an MFIP household report form is considered to have continued its application for assistance if a complete MFIP household report form is received within a calendar month after the month in which the form was due and assistance shall be paid for the period beginning with the first day of that calendar month.

(e) A county agency must allow good cause exemptions from the reporting requirements under subdivision 5 when any of the following factors cause a caregiver to fail to provide the county agency with a completed MFIP household report form before the end of the month in which the form is due:

(1) an employer delays completion of employment verification;

(2) a county agency does not help a caregiver complete the MFIP household report form when the caregiver asks for help;

(3) a caregiver does not receive an MFIP household report form due to mistake on the part of the department or the county agency or due to a reported change in address;

(4) a caregiver is ill, or physically or mentally incapacitated; or

(5) some other circumstance occurs that a caregiver could not avoid with reasonable care which prevents the caregiver from providing a completed MFIP household report form before the end of the month in which the form is due.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2021. new text end

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 256J.626, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Consolidated fund.

The consolidated fund is established to support counties and tribes in meeting their duties under this chapter. Counties and tribes must use funds from the consolidated fund to develop programs and services that are designed to improve participant outcomes as measured in section 256J.751, subdivision 2. Counties new text begin and tribes that administer MFIP eligibility new text end may use the funds for any allowable expenditures under subdivision 2, including case management. Tribes new text begin that do not administer MFIP eligibility new text end may use the funds for any allowable expenditures under subdivision 2, including case management, except those in subdivision 2, paragraph (a), clauses (1) and (6). new text begin All payments made through the MFIP consolidated fund to support a caregiver's pursuit of greater economic stability does not count when determining a family's available income. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2021. new text end

ARTICLE 9

CHILD PROTECTION

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 256N.02, subdivision 16, is amended to read:

Subd. 16.

Permanent legal and physical custody.

"Permanent legal and physical custody" means new text begin : (1) new text end a new text begin full new text end transfer of permanent legal and physical custody new text begin of a child ordered by a Minnesota juvenile court under section 260C.515, subdivision 4, new text end to a relative deleted text begin ordered by a Minnesota juvenile court under section 260C.515, subdivision 4, deleted text end new text begin who is not the child's parent as defined in section 260C.007, subdivision 25; new text end or new text begin (2) new text end for a child under jurisdiction of a tribal court, a judicial determination under a similar provision in tribal code which means that a relative will assume the duty and authority to provide care, control, and protection of a child who is residing in foster care, and to make decisions regarding the child's education, health care, and general welfare until adulthood. new text begin To establish eligibility for Northstar kinship assistance, permanent legal and physical custody does not include joint legal custody, joint physical custody, or joint legal and joint physical custody of a child shared by the child's parent and relative custodian. new text end

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 256N.02, subdivision 17, is amended to read:

Subd. 17.

Reassessment.

"Reassessment" means an update of a previous assessment through the process under section 256N.24 for a child who has been continuously eligible for Northstar Care for Children, or when a child identified as an at-risk child (Level A) under deleted text begin guardianship or deleted text end adoption assistance has manifested the disability upon which eligibility for the agreement was based according to section 256N.25, subdivision 3, paragraph (b). A reassessment may be used to update an initial assessment, a special assessment, or a previous reassessment.

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 256N.22, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

General eligibility requirements.

(a) To be eligible for Northstar kinship assistance under this section, there must be a judicial determination under section 260C.515, subdivision 4, that a transfer of permanent legal and physical custody to a relative new text begin who is not the child's parent new text end is in the child's best interest. For a child under jurisdiction of a tribal court, a judicial determination under a similar provision in tribal code indicating that a relative will assume the duty and authority to provide care, control, and protection of a child who is residing in foster care, and to make decisions regarding the child's education, health care, and general welfare until adulthood, and that this is in the child's best interest is considered equivalent. new text begin A child whose parent shares legal, physical, or legal and physical custody of the child with a relative custodian is not eligible for Northstar kinship assistance. new text end Additionally, a child must:

(1) have been removed from the child's home pursuant to a voluntary placement agreement or court order;

(2)(i) have resided with the prospective relative custodian who has been a licensed child foster parent for at least six consecutive months; or

(ii) have received from the commissioner an exemption from the requirement in item (i) that the prospective relative custodian has been a licensed child foster parent for at least six consecutive months, based on a determination that:

(A) an expedited move to permanency is in the child's best interest;

(B) expedited permanency cannot be completed without provision of Northstar kinship assistance;

(C) the prospective relative custodian is uniquely qualified to meet the child's needs, as defined in section 260C.212, subdivision 2, on a permanent basis;

(D) the child and prospective relative custodian meet the eligibility requirements of this section; and

(E) efforts were made by the legally responsible agency to place the child with the prospective relative custodian as a licensed child foster parent for six consecutive months before permanency, or an explanation why these efforts were not in the child's best interests;

(3) meet the agency determinations regarding permanency requirements in subdivision 2;

(4) meet the applicable citizenship and immigration requirements in subdivision 3;

(5) have been consulted regarding the proposed transfer of permanent legal and physical custody to a relative, if the child is at least 14 years of age or is expected to attain 14 years of age prior to the transfer of permanent legal and physical custody; and

(6) have a written, binding agreement under section 256N.25 among the caregiver or caregivers, the financially responsible agency, and the commissioner established prior to transfer of permanent legal and physical custody.

(b) In addition to the requirements in paragraph (a), the child's prospective relative custodian or custodians must meet the applicable background study requirements in subdivision 4.

(c) To be eligible for title IV-E Northstar kinship assistance, a child must also meet any additional criteria in section 473(d) of the Social Security Act. The sibling of a child who meets the criteria for title IV-E Northstar kinship assistance in section 473(d) of the Social Security Act is eligible for title IV-E Northstar kinship assistance if the child and sibling are placed with the same prospective relative custodian or custodians, and the legally responsible agency, relatives, and commissioner agree on the appropriateness of the arrangement for the sibling. A child who meets all eligibility criteria except those specific to title IV-E Northstar kinship assistance is entitled to Northstar kinship assistance paid through funds other than title IV-E.

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 256N.23, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Special needs determination.

(a) A child is considered a child with special needs under this section if the requirements in paragraphs (b) to (g) are met.

(b) There must be a determination that the child must not or should not be returned to the home of the child's parents as evidenced by:

(1) a court-ordered termination of parental rights;

(2) a petition to terminate parental rights;

(3) consent of new text begin the child's new text end parent to adoption accepted by the court under chapter 260C new text begin or, in the case of a child receiving Northstar kinship assistance payments under section 256N.22, consent of the child's parent to the child's adoption executed under chapter 259 new text end ;

(4) in circumstances when tribal law permits the child to be adopted without a termination of parental rights, a judicial determination by a tribal court indicating the valid reason why the child cannot or should not return home;

(5) a voluntary relinquishment under section 259.25 deleted text begin or 259.47 deleted text end or, if relinquishment occurred in another state, the applicable laws in that state; or

(6) the death of the legal parent or parents if the child has two legal parents.

(c) There exists a specific factor or condition of which it is reasonable to conclude that the child cannot be placed with adoptive parents without providing adoption assistance as evidenced by:

(1) a determination by the Social Security Administration that the child meets all medical or disability requirements of title XVI of the Social Security Act with respect to eligibility for Supplemental Security Income benefits;

(2) a documented physical, mental, emotional, or behavioral disability not covered under clause (1);

(3) a member of a sibling group being adopted at the same time by the same parent;

(4) an adoptive placement in the home of a parent who previously adopted a sibling for whom they receive adoption assistance; or

(5) documentation that the child is an at-risk child.

(d) A reasonable but unsuccessful effort must have been made to place the child with adoptive parents without providing adoption assistance as evidenced by:

(1) a documented search for an appropriate adoptive placement; or

(2) a determination by the commissioner that a search under clause (1) is not in the best interests of the child.

(e) The requirement for a documented search for an appropriate adoptive placement under paragraph (d), including the registration of the child with the state adoption exchange and other recruitment methods under paragraph (f), must be waived if:

(1) the child is being adopted by a relative and it is determined by the child-placing agency that adoption by the relative is in the best interests of the child;

(2) the child is being adopted by a foster parent with whom the child has developed significant emotional ties while in the foster parent's care as a foster child and it is determined by the child-placing agency that adoption by the foster parent is in the best interests of the child; or

(3) the child is being adopted by a parent that previously adopted a sibling of the child, and it is determined by the child-placing agency that adoption by this parent is in the best interests of the child.

For an Indian child covered by the Indian Child Welfare Act, a waiver must not be granted unless the child-placing agency has complied with the placement preferences required by the Indian Child Welfare Act, United States Code, title 25, section 1915(a).

(f) To meet the requirement of a documented search for an appropriate adoptive placement under paragraph (d), clause (1), the child-placing agency minimally must:

(1) conduct a relative search as required by section 260C.221 and give consideration to placement with a relative, as required by section 260C.212, subdivision 2;

(2) comply with the placement preferences required by the Indian Child Welfare Act when the Indian Child Welfare Act, United States Code, title 25, section 1915(a), applies;

(3) locate prospective adoptive families by registering the child on the state adoption exchange, as required under section 259.75; and

(4) if registration with the state adoption exchange does not result in the identification of an appropriate adoptive placement, the agency must employ additional recruitment methods prescribed by the commissioner.

(g) Once the legally responsible agency has determined that placement with an identified parent is in the child's best interests and made full written disclosure about the child's social and medical history, the agency must ask the prospective adoptive parent if the prospective adoptive parent is willing to adopt the child without receiving adoption assistance under this section. If the identified parent is either unwilling or unable to adopt the child without adoption assistance, the legally responsible agency must provide documentation as prescribed by the commissioner to fulfill the requirement to make a reasonable effort to place the child without adoption assistance. If the identified parent is willing to adopt the child without adoption assistance, the parent must provide a written statement to this effect to the legally responsible agency and the statement must be maintained in the permanent adoption record of the legally responsible agency. For children under guardianship of the commissioner, the legally responsible agency shall submit a copy of this statement to the commissioner to be maintained in the permanent adoption record.

Sec. 5.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 256N.23, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

Subd. 6.

Exclusions.

The commissioner must not enter into an adoption assistance agreement with the following individuals:

(1) a child's biological parent or stepparent;

(2) a child's relative under section 260C.007, subdivision 26b or 27, with whom the child resided immediately prior to child welfare involvement unless:

(i) the child was in the custody of a Minnesota county or tribal agency pursuant to an order under chapter 260C or equivalent provisions of tribal code and the agency had placement and care responsibility for permanency planning for the child; and

(ii) the child is under guardianship of the commissioner of human services according to the requirements of section 260C.325, subdivision 1 or 3, or is a ward of a Minnesota tribal court after termination of parental rights, suspension of parental rights, or a finding by the tribal court that the child cannot safely return to the care of the parent;

(3) an individual adopting a child who is the subject of a direct adoptive placement under section 259.47 or the equivalent in tribal code;

(4) a child's legal custodian or guardian who is now adopting the child new text begin , except for a relative custodian as defined in section 256N.02, subdivision 19, who is currently receiving Northstar kinship assistance benefits on behalf of the child new text end ; or

(5) an individual who is adopting a child who is not a citizen or resident of the United States and was either adopted in another country or brought to the United States for the purposes of adoption.

Sec. 6.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 256N.24, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Assessment.

(a) Each child eligible under sections 256N.21, 256N.22, and 256N.23, must be assessed to determine the benefits the child may receive under section 256N.26, in accordance with the assessment tool, process, and requirements specified in subdivision 2.

(b) If an agency applies the emergency foster care rate for initial placement under section 256N.26, the agency may wait up to 30 days to complete the initial assessment.

(c) Unless otherwise specified in paragraph (d), a child must be assessed at the basic level, level B, or one of ten supplemental difficulty of care levels, levels C to L.

(d) An assessment must not be completed for:

(1) a child eligible for Northstar deleted text begin kinship assistance under section 256N.22 or deleted text end adoption assistance under section 256N.23 who is determined to be an at-risk child. A child under this clause must be assigned level A under section 256N.26, subdivision 1; and

(2) a child transitioning into Northstar Care for Children under section 256N.28, subdivision 7, unless the commissioner determines an assessment is appropriate.

Sec. 7.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 256N.24, subdivision 8, is amended to read:

Subd. 8.

Completing the special assessment.

(a) The special assessment must be completed in consultation with the child's caregiver. Face-to-face contact with the caregiver is not required to complete the special assessment.

(b) If a new special assessment is required prior to the effective date of the Northstar kinship assistance agreement, it must be completed by the financially responsible agency, in consultation with the legally responsible agency if different. If the prospective relative custodian is unable or unwilling to cooperate with the special assessment process, the child shall be assigned the basic level, level B under section 256N.26, subdivision 3 deleted text begin , unless the child is known to be an at-risk child, in which case, the child shall be assigned level A under section 256N.26, subdivision 1 deleted text end .

(c) If a special assessment is required prior to the effective date of the adoption assistance agreement, it must be completed by the financially responsible agency, in consultation with the legally responsible agency if different. If there is no financially responsible agency, the special assessment must be completed by the agency designated by the commissioner. If the prospective adoptive parent is unable or unwilling to cooperate with the special assessment process, the child must be assigned the basic level, level B under section 256N.26, subdivision 3, unless the child is known to be an at-risk child, in which case, the child shall be assigned level A under section 256N.26, subdivision 1.

(d) Notice to the prospective relative custodians or prospective adoptive parents must be provided as specified in subdivision 13.

Sec. 8.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 256N.24, subdivision 11, is amended to read:

Subd. 11.

Completion of reassessment.

(a) The reassessment must be completed in consultation with the child's caregiver. Face-to-face contact with the caregiver is not required to complete the reassessment.

(b) For foster children eligible under section 256N.21, reassessments must be completed by the financially responsible agency, in consultation with the legally responsible agency if different.

(c) If reassessment is required after the effective date of the Northstar kinship assistance agreement, the reassessment must be completed by the financially responsible agency.

(d) If a reassessment is required after the effective date of the adoption assistance agreement, it must be completed by the financially responsible agency or, if there is no financially responsible agency, the agency designated by the commissioner.

(e) If the child's caregiver is unable or unwilling to cooperate with the reassessment, the child must be assessed at level B under section 256N.26, subdivision 3, unless the child has deleted text begin an deleted text end new text begin a Northstar new text end adoption assistance deleted text begin or Northstar kinship assistance deleted text end agreement deleted text begin in place deleted text end and is known to be an at-risk child, in which case the child must be assessed at level A under section 256N.26, subdivision 1.

Sec. 9.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 256N.24, subdivision 12, is amended to read:

Subd. 12.

Approval of initial assessments, special assessments, and reassessments.

(a) Any agency completing initial assessments, special assessments, or reassessments must designate one or more supervisors or other staff to examine and approve assessments completed by others in the agency under subdivision 2. The person approving an assessment must not be the case manager or staff member completing that assessment.

(b) In cases where a special assessment or reassessment for deleted text begin guardian deleted text end new text begin Northstar kinship new text end assistance and adoption assistance is required under subdivision 8 or 11, the commissioner shall review and approve the assessment as part of the eligibility determination process outlined in section 256N.22, subdivision 7, for Northstar kinship assistance, or section 256N.23, subdivision 7, for adoption assistance. The assessment determines the maximum deleted text begin for deleted text end new text begin of new text end the negotiated agreement amount under section 256N.25.

(c) The new rate is effective the calendar month that the assessment is approved, or the effective date of the agreement, whichever is later.

Sec. 10.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 256N.24, subdivision 14, is amended to read:

Subd. 14.

Assessment tool determines rate of benefits.

The assessment tool established by the commissioner in subdivision 2 determines the monthly benefit level for children in foster care. The monthly payment for deleted text begin guardian deleted text end new text begin Northstar kinship new text end assistance or adoption assistance may be negotiated up to the monthly benefit level under foster care for those children eligible for a payment under section 256N.26, subdivision 1.

Sec. 11.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 256N.25, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Agreement; Northstar kinship assistance; adoption assistance.

(a) In order to receive Northstar kinship assistance or adoption assistance benefits on behalf of an eligible child, a written, binding agreement between the caregiver or caregivers, the financially responsible agency, or, if there is no financially responsible agency, the agency designated by the commissioner, and the commissioner must be established prior to finalization of the adoption or a transfer of permanent legal and physical custody. The agreement must be negotiated with the caregiver or caregivers under subdivision 2 and renegotiated under subdivision 3, if applicable.

(b) The agreement must be on a form approved by the commissioner and must specify the following:

(1) duration of the agreement;

(2) the nature and amount of any payment, services, and assistance to be provided under such agreement;

(3) the child's eligibility for Medicaid services;

(4) the terms of the payment, including any child care portion as specified in section 256N.24, subdivision 3;

(5) eligibility for reimbursement of nonrecurring expenses associated with adopting or obtaining permanent legal and physical custody of the child, to the extent that the total cost does not exceed $2,000 per child new text begin pursuant to subdivision 1a new text end ;

(6) that the agreement must remain in effect regardless of the state of which the adoptive parents or relative custodians are residents at any given time;

(7) provisions for modification of the terms of the agreement, including renegotiation of the agreement;

(8) the effective date of the agreement; and

(9) the successor relative custodian or custodians for Northstar kinship assistance, when applicable. The successor relative custodian or custodians may be added or changed by mutual agreement under subdivision 3.

(c) The caregivers, the commissioner, and the financially responsible agency, or, if there is no financially responsible agency, the agency designated by the commissioner, must sign the agreement. A copy of the signed agreement must be given to each party. Once signed by all parties, the commissioner shall maintain the official record of the agreement.

(d) The effective date of the Northstar kinship assistance agreement must be the date of the court order that transfers permanent legal and physical custody to the relative. The effective date of the adoption assistance agreement is the date of the finalized adoption decree.

(e) Termination or disruption of the preadoptive placement or the foster care placement prior to assignment of custody makes the agreement with that caregiver void.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective August 1, 2021. new text end

Sec. 12.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 256N.25, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 1a. new text end

new text begin Reimbursement of nonrecurring expenses. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner of human services must reimburse a relative custodian with a fully executed Northstar kinship assistance benefit agreement for costs that the relative custodian incurs while seeking permanent legal and physical custody of a child who is the subject of a Northstar kinship assistance benefit agreement. The commissioner must reimburse a relative custodian for expenses that are reasonable and necessary that the relative incurs during the transfer of permanent legal and physical custody of a child to the relative custodian, subject to a maximum of $2,000. To be eligible for reimbursement, the expenses must directly relate to the legal transfer of permanent legal and physical custody of the child to the relative custodian, must not have been incurred by the relative custodian in violation of state or federal law, and must not have been reimbursed from other sources or funds. The relative custodian must submit reimbursement requests to the commissioner within 21 months of the date of the child's finalized transfer of permanent legal and physical custody, and the relative custodian must follow all requirements and procedures that the commissioner prescribes. new text end

new text begin (b) The commissioner of human services must reimburse an adoptive parent for costs that the adoptive parent incurs in an adoption of a child with special needs according to section 256N.23, subdivision 2. The commissioner must reimburse an adoptive parent for expenses that are reasonable and necessary for the adoption of the child to occur, subject to a maximum of $2,000. To be eligible for reimbursement, the expenses must directly relate to the legal adoption of the child, must not have been incurred by the adoptive parent in violation of state or federal law, and must not have been reimbursed from other sources or funds. new text end

new text begin (1) Children who have special needs but who are not citizens or residents of the United States and were either adopted in another country or brought to this country for the purposes of adoption are categorically ineligible for the reimbursement program in this section, except when the child meets the eligibility criteria in this section after the dissolution of the child's international adoption. new text end

new text begin (2) An adoptive parent, in consultation with the responsible child-placing agency, may request reimbursement of nonrecurring adoption expenses by submitting a complete application to the commissioner that follows the commissioner's requirements and procedures on forms that the commissioner prescribes. new text end

new text begin (3) The commissioner must determine a child's eligibility for adoption expense reimbursement under title IV-E of the Social Security Act, United States Code, title 42, sections 670 to 679c. If the commissioner determines that a child is eligible, the commissioner of human services must fully execute the agreement for nonrecurring adoption expense reimbursement by signing the agreement. For a child to be eligible, the commissioner must have fully executed the agreement for nonrecurring adoption expense reimbursement prior to finalizing a child's adoption. new text end

new text begin (4) An adoptive parent who has a fully executed Northstar adoption assistance agreement is not required to submit a separate application for reimbursement of nonrecurring adoption expenses for the child who is the subject of the Northstar adoption assistance agreement. new text end

new text begin (5) If the commissioner has determined the child to be eligible, the adoptive parent must submit reimbursement requests to the commissioner within 21 months of the date of the child's adoption decree, and the adoptive parent must follow requirements and procedures that the commissioner prescribes. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective August 1, 2021. new text end

Sec. 13.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 259.22, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Time for filing petition.

A petition shall be filed not later than 12 months after a child is placed in a prospective adoptive home. If a petition is not filed by that time, the agency that placed the child, or, in a direct adoptive placement, the agency that is supervising the placement shall file with the district court in the county where the prospective adoptive parent resides a motion for an order and a report recommending one of the following:

(1) that the time for filing a petition be extended because of the child's special needs as defined under title IV-E of the Social Security Act, United States Code, title 42, section 673;

(2) that, based on a written plan for completing filing of the petition, including a specific timeline, to which the prospective adoptive parents have agreed, the time for filing a petition be extended long enough to complete the plan because such an extension is in the best interests of the child and additional time is needed for the child to adjust to the adoptive home; or

(3) that the child be removed from the prospective adoptive home.

The prospective adoptive parent must reimburse an agency for the cost of preparing and filing the motion and report under this section, unless the costs are reimbursed by the commissioner under section 259.73 or deleted text begin 259A.70 deleted text end new text begin 256N.25, subdivision 1a new text end .

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective August 1, 2021. new text end

Sec. 14.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 259.35, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Parental responsibilities.

Prior to commencing an investigation of the suitability of proposed adoptive parents, a child-placing agency shall give the individuals the following written notice in all capital letters at least one-eighth inch high:

"Minnesota Statutes, section 259.59, provides that upon legally adopting a child, adoptive parents assume all the rights and responsibilities of birth parents. The responsibilities include providing for the child's financial support and caring for health, emotional, and behavioral problems. Except for subsidized adoptions under Minnesota Statutes, chapter deleted text begin 259A deleted text end new text begin 256N new text end , or any other provisions of law that expressly apply to adoptive parents and children, adoptive parents are not eligible for state or federal financial subsidies besides those that a birth parent would be eligible to receive for a child. Adoptive parents may not terminate their parental rights to a legally adopted child for a reason that would not apply to a birth parent seeking to terminate rights to a child. An individual who takes guardianship of a child for the purpose of adopting the child shall, upon taking guardianship from the child's country of origin, assume all the rights and responsibilities of birth and adoptive parents as stated in this paragraph."

Sec. 15.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 259.73, is amended to read:

259.73 REIMBURSEMENT OF NONRECURRING ADOPTION EXPENSES.

An individual may apply for reimbursement for costs incurred in an adoption of a child with special needs under section deleted text begin 259A.70 deleted text end new text begin 256N.25, subdivision 1a new text end .

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective August 1, 2021. new text end

ARTICLE 10

CHILD PROTECTION POLICY

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 245.4885, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Admission criteria.

(a) Prior to admission or placement, except in the case of an emergency, all children referred for treatment of severe emotional disturbance in a treatment foster care setting, residential treatment facility, or informally admitted to a regional treatment center shall undergo an assessment to determine the appropriate level of care if public funds are used to pay for the new text begin child's new text end services.

(b) The responsible social services agency shall determine the appropriate level of care for a child when county-controlled funds are used to pay for the child's services or placement in a qualified residential treatment facility under chapter 260C and licensed by the commissioner under chapter 245A. In accordance with section 260C.157, a juvenile treatment screening team shall conduct a screening new text begin of a child new text end before the team may recommend whether to place a child in a qualified residential treatment program as defined in section 260C.007, subdivision 26d. When a social services agency does not have responsibility for a child's placement and the child is enrolled in a prepaid health program under section 256B.69, the enrolled child's contracted health plan must determine the appropriate level of care new text begin for the child new text end . When Indian Health Services funds or funds of a tribally owned facility funded under the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act, Public Law 93-638, are to be used new text begin for a child new text end , the Indian Health Services or 638 tribal health facility must determine the appropriate level of care new text begin for the child new text end . When more than one entity bears responsibility for new text begin a child's new text end coverage, the entities shall coordinate level of care determination activities new text begin for the child new text end to the extent possible.

(c) The responsible social services agency must make the new text begin child's new text end level of care determination available to the new text begin child's new text end juvenile treatment screening team, as permitted under chapter 13. The level of care determination shall inform the juvenile treatment screening team process and the assessment in section 260C.704 when considering whether to place the child in a qualified residential treatment program. When the responsible social services agency is not involved in determining a child's placement, the child's level of care determination shall determine whether the proposed treatment:

(1) is necessary;

(2) is appropriate to the child's individual treatment needs;

(3) cannot be effectively provided in the child's home; and

(4) provides a length of stay as short as possible consistent with the individual child's deleted text begin need deleted text end new text begin needs new text end .

(d) When a level of care determination is conducted, the responsible social services agency or other entity may not determine that a screening new text begin of a child new text end under section 260C.157 or referral or admission to a treatment foster care setting or residential treatment facility is not appropriate solely because services were not first provided to the child in a less restrictive setting and the child failed to make progress toward or meet treatment goals in the less restrictive setting. The level of care determination must be based on a diagnostic assessment new text begin of a child new text end that includes a functional assessment which evaluates new text begin the child's new text end family, school, and community living situations; and an assessment of the child's need for care out of the home using a validated tool which assesses a child's functional status and assigns an appropriate level of care new text begin to the child new text end . The validated tool must be approved by the commissioner of human services new text begin and may be the validated tool approved for the child's assessment under section 260C.704 if the juvenile treatment screening team recommended placement of the child in a qualified residential treatment program new text end . If a diagnostic assessment including a functional assessment has been completed by a mental health professional within the past 180 days, a new diagnostic assessment need not be completed unless in the opinion of the current treating mental health professional the child's mental health status has changed markedly since the assessment was completed. The child's parent shall be notified if an assessment will not be completed and of the reasons. A copy of the notice shall be placed in the child's file. Recommendations developed as part of the level of care determination process shall include specific community services needed by the child and, if appropriate, the child's family, and shall indicate whether deleted text begin or not deleted text end these services are available and accessible to the child and new text begin the child's new text end family.

(e) During the level of care determination process, the child, child's family, or child's legal representative, as appropriate, must be informed of the child's eligibility for case management services and family community support services and that an individual family community support plan is being developed by the case manager, if assigned.

(f) When the responsible social services agency has authority, the agency must engage the child's parents in case planning under sections 260C.212 and 260C.708 new text begin and chapter 260D new text end unless a court terminates the parent's rights or court orders restrict the parent from participating in case planning, visitation, or parental responsibilities.

(g) The level of care determination, deleted text begin and deleted text end placement decision, and recommendations for mental health services must be documented in the child's record, as required in deleted text begin chapter deleted text end new text begin chapters new text end 260C new text begin and 260D new text end .

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective September 30, 2021. new text end

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 245A.02, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 3c. new text end

new text begin At risk of becoming a victim of sex trafficking or commercial sexual exploitation. new text end

new text begin For the purposes of section 245A.25, a youth who is "at risk of becoming a victim of sex trafficking or commercial sexual exploitation" means a youth who meets the criteria established by the commissioner of human services for this purpose. 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. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 245A.02, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 4a. new text end

new text begin Children's residential facility. new text end

new text begin "Children's residential facility" means a residential program licensed under this chapter or chapter 241 according to the applicable standards in Minnesota Rules, parts 2960.0010 to 2960.0710. 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. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 245A.02, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 6d. new text end

new text begin Foster family setting. new text end

new text begin "Foster family setting" has the meaning given in Minnesota Rules, part 2960.3010, subpart 23, and includes settings licensed by the commissioner of human services or the commissioner of corrections. 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. 5.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 245A.02, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 6e. new text end

new text begin Foster residence setting. new text end

new text begin "Foster residence setting" has the meaning given in Minnesota Rules, part 2960.3010, subpart 26, and includes settings licensed by the commissioner of human services or the commissioner of corrections. 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 2020, section 245A.02, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 18a. new text end

new text begin Trauma. new text end

new text begin For the purposes of section 245A.25, "trauma" means an event, series of events, or set of circumstances experienced by an individual as physically or emotionally harmful or life-threatening and has lasting adverse effects on the individual's functioning and mental, physical, social, emotional, or spiritual well-being. Trauma includes the cumulative emotional or psychological harm of group traumatic experiences transmitted across generations within a community that are often associated with racial and ethnic population groups that have suffered major intergenerational losses. 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. 7.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 245A.02, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 23. new text end

new text begin Victim of sex trafficking or commercial sexual exploitation. new text end

new text begin For the purposes of section 245A.25, "victim of sex trafficking or commercial sexual exploitation" means a person who meets the definitions in section 260C.007, subdivision 31, clauses (4) and (5). 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 2020, section 245A.02, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 24. new text end

new text begin Youth. new text end

new text begin For the purposes of section 245A.25, "youth" means a child as defined in section 260C.007, subdivision 4, and includes individuals under 21 years of age who are in foster care pursuant to section 260C.451. 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. 9.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 245A.041, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin First date of working in a facility or setting; documentation requirements. new text end

new text begin Children's residential facility and foster residence setting license holders must document the first date that a person who is a background study subject begins working in the license holder's facility or setting. If the license holder does not maintain documentation of each background study subject's first date of working in the facility or setting in the license holder's personnel files, the license holder must provide documentation to the commissioner that contains the first date that each background study subject began working in the license holder's program upon the commissioner's request. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective August 1, 2021. new text end

Sec. 10.

new text begin [245A.25] RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM CERTIFICATIONS FOR COMPLIANCE WITH THE FAMILY FIRST PREVENTION SERVICES ACT. new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Certification scope and applicability. new text end

new text begin (a) This section establishes the requirements that a children's residential facility or child foster residence setting must meet to be certified for the purposes of Title IV-E funding requirements as: new text end

new text begin (1) a qualified residential treatment program; new text end

new text begin (2) a residential setting specializing in providing care and supportive services for youth who have been or are at risk of becoming victims of sex trafficking or commercial sexual exploitation; new text end

new text begin (3) a residential setting specializing in providing prenatal, postpartum, or parenting support for youth; or new text end

new text begin (4) a supervised independent living setting for youth who are 18 years of age or older. new text end

new text begin (b) This section does not apply to a foster family setting in which the license holder resides in the foster home. new text end

new text begin (c) Children's residential facilities licensed as detention settings according to Minnesota Rules, parts 2960.0230 to 2960.0290, or secure programs according to Minnesota Rules, parts 2960.0300 to 2960.0420, may not be certified under this section. new text end

new text begin (d) For purposes of this section, "license holder" means an individual, organization, or government entity that was issued a children's residential facility or foster residence setting license by the commissioner of human services under this chapter or by the commissioner of corrections under chapter 241. new text end

new text begin (e) Certifications issued under this section for foster residence settings may only be issued by the commissioner of human services and are not delegated to county or private licensing agencies under section 245A.16. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Program certification types and requests for certification. new text end

new text begin (a) By July 1, 2021, the commissioner of human services must offer certifications to license holders for the following types of programs: new text end

new text begin (1) qualified residential treatment programs; new text end

new text begin (2) residential settings specializing in providing care and supportive services for youth who have been or are at risk of becoming victims of sex trafficking or commercial sexual exploitation; new text end

new text begin (3) residential settings specializing in providing prenatal, postpartum, or parenting support for youth; and new text end

new text begin (4) supervised independent living settings for youth who are 18 years of age or older. new text end

new text begin (b) An applicant or license holder must submit a request for certification under this section on a form and in a manner prescribed by the commissioner of human services. The decision of the commissioner of human services to grant or deny a certification request is final and not subject to appeal under chapter 14. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Trauma-informed care. new text end

new text begin (a) Programs certified under subdivision 4 or 5 must provide services to a person according to a trauma-informed model of care that meets the requirements of this subdivision, except that programs certified under subdivision 5 are not required to meet the requirements of paragraph (e). new text end

new text begin (b) For the purposes of this section, "trauma-informed care" means care that: new text end

new text begin (1) acknowledges the effects of trauma on a person receiving services and on the person's family; new text end

new text begin (2) modifies services to respond to the effects of trauma on the person receiving services; new text end

new text begin (3) emphasizes skill and strength-building rather than symptom management; and new text end

new text begin (4) focuses on the physical and psychological safety of the person receiving services and the person's family. new text end

new text begin (c) The license holder must have a process for identifying the signs and symptoms of trauma in a youth and must address the youth's needs related to trauma. This process must include: new text end

new text begin (1) screening for trauma by completing a trauma-specific screening tool with each youth upon the youth's admission or obtaining the results of a trauma-specific screening tool that was completed with the youth within 30 days prior to the youth's admission to the program; and new text end

new text begin (2) ensuring that trauma-based interventions targeting specific trauma-related symptoms are available to each youth when needed to assist the youth in obtaining services. For qualified residential treatment programs, this must include the provision of services in paragraph (e). new text end

new text begin (d) The license holder must develop and provide services to each youth according to the principles of trauma-informed care including: new text end

new text begin (1) recognizing the impact of trauma on a youth when determining the youth's service needs and providing services to the youth; new text end

new text begin (2) allowing each youth to participate in reviewing and developing the youth's individualized treatment or service plan; new text end

new text begin (3) providing services to each youth that are person-centered and culturally responsive; and new text end

new text begin (4) adjusting services for each youth to address additional needs of the youth. new text end

new text begin (e) In addition to the other requirements of this subdivision, qualified residential treatment programs must use a trauma-based treatment model that includes: new text end

new text begin (1) assessing each youth to determine if the youth needs trauma-specific treatment interventions; new text end

new text begin (2) identifying in each youth's treatment plan how the program will provide trauma-specific treatment interventions to the youth; new text end

new text begin (3) providing trauma-specific treatment interventions to a youth that target the youth's specific trauma-related symptoms; and new text end

new text begin (4) training all clinical staff of the program on trauma-specific treatment interventions. new text end

new text begin (f) At the license holder's program, the license holder must provide a physical, social, and emotional environment that: new text end

new text begin (1) promotes the physical and psychological safety of each youth; new text end

new text begin (2) avoids aspects that may be retraumatizing; new text end

new text begin (3) responds to trauma experienced by each youth and the youth's other needs; and new text end

new text begin (4) includes designated spaces that are available to each youth for engaging in sensory and self-soothing activities. new text end

new text begin (g) The license holder must base the program's policies and procedures on trauma-informed principles. In the program's policies and procedures, the license holder must: new text end

new text begin (1) describe how the program provides services according to a trauma-informed model of care; new text end

new text begin (2) describe how the program's environment fulfills the requirements of paragraph (f); new text end

new text begin (3) prohibit the use of aversive consequences for a youth's violation of program rules or any other reason; new text end

new text begin (4) describe the process for how the license holder incorporates trauma-informed principles and practices into the organizational culture of the license holder's program; and new text end

new text begin (5) if the program is certified to use restrictive procedures under Minnesota Rules, part 2960.0710, describe how the program uses restrictive procedures only when necessary for a youth in a manner that addresses the youth's history of trauma and avoids causing the youth additional trauma. new text end

new text begin (h) Prior to allowing a staff person to have direct contact, as defined in section 245C.02, subdivision 11, with a youth and annually thereafter, the license holder must train each staff person about: new text end

new text begin (1) concepts of trauma-informed care and how to provide services to each youth according to these concepts; and new text end

new text begin (2) impacts of each youth's culture, race, gender, and sexual orientation on the youth's behavioral health and traumatic experiences. new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Qualified residential treatment programs; certification requirements. new text end

new text begin (a) To be certified as a qualified residential treatment program, a license holder must meet: new text end

new text begin (1) the definition of a qualified residential treatment program in section 260C.007, subdivision 26d; new text end

new text begin (2) the requirements for providing trauma-informed care and using a trauma-based treatment model in subdivision 3; and new text end

new text begin (3) the requirements of this subdivision. new text end

new text begin (b) For each youth placed in the license holder's program, the license holder must collaborate with the responsible social services agency and other appropriate parties to implement the youth's out-of-home placement plan and the youth's short-term and long-term mental health and behavioral health goals in the assessment required by sections 260C.212, subdivision 1; 260C.704; and 260C.708. new text end

new text begin (c) A qualified residential treatment program must use a trauma-based treatment model that meets all of the requirements of subdivision 3 that is designed to address the needs, including clinical needs, of youth with serious emotional or behavioral disorders or disturbances. The license holder must develop, document, and review a treatment plan for each youth according to the requirements of Minnesota Rules, parts 2960.0180, subpart 2, item B; and 2960.0190, subpart 2. new text end

new text begin (d) The following types of staff must be on-site according to the program's treatment model and must be available 24 hours a day and seven days a week to provide care within the scope of their practice: new text end

new text begin (1) a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse licensed by the Minnesota Board of Nursing to practice professional nursing or practical nursing as defined in section 148.171, subdivisions 14 and 15; and new text end

new text begin (2) other licensed clinical staff to meet each youth's clinical needs. new text end

new text begin (e) A qualified residential treatment program must be accredited by one of the following independent, not-for-profit organizations: new text end

new text begin (1) the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF); new text end

new text begin (2) the Joint Commission; new text end

new text begin (3) the Council on Accreditation (COA); or new text end

new text begin (4) another independent, not-for-profit accrediting organization approved by the Secretary of the United States Department of Health and Human Services. new text end

new text begin (f) The license holder must facilitate participation of a youth's family members in the youth's treatment program, consistent with the youth's best interests and according to the youth's out-of-home placement plan required by sections 260C.212, subdivision 1; and 260C.708. new text end

new text begin (g) The license holder must contact and facilitate outreach to each youth's family members, including the youth's siblings, and must document outreach to the youth's family members in the youth's file, including the contact method and each family member's contact information. In the youth's file, the license holder must record and maintain the contact information for all known biological family members and fictive kin of the youth. new text end

new text begin (h) The license holder must document in the youth's file how the program integrates family members into the treatment process for the youth, including after the youth's discharge from the program, and how the program maintains the youth's connections to the youth's siblings. new text end

new text begin (i) The program must provide discharge planning and family-based aftercare support to each youth for at least six months after the youth's discharge from the program. When providing aftercare to a youth, the program must have monthly contact with the youth and the youth's caregivers to promote the youth's engagement in aftercare services and to regularly evaluate the family's needs. The program's monthly contact with the youth may be face-to-face, by telephone, or virtual. new text end

new text begin (j) The license holder must maintain a service delivery plan that describes how the program provides services according to the requirements in paragraphs (b) to (i). new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Residential settings specializing in providing care and supportive services for youth who have been or are at risk of becoming victims of sex trafficking or commercial sexual exploitation; certification requirements. new text end

new text begin (a) To be certified as a residential setting specializing in providing care and supportive services for youth who have been or are at risk of becoming victims of sex trafficking or commercial sexual exploitation, a license holder must meet the requirements of this subdivision. new text end

new text begin (b) Settings certified according to this subdivision are exempt from the requirements of section 245A.04, subdivision 11, paragraph (b). new text end

new text begin (c) The program must use a trauma-informed model of care that meets all of the applicable requirements of subdivision 3, and that is designed to address the needs, including emotional and mental health needs, of youth who have been or are at risk of becoming victims of sex trafficking or commercial sexual exploitation. new text end

new text begin (d) The program must provide high-quality care and supportive services for youth who have been or are at risk of becoming victims of sex trafficking or commercial sexual exploitation and must: new text end

new text begin (1) offer a safe setting to each youth designed to prevent ongoing and future trafficking of the youth; new text end

new text begin (2) provide equitable, culturally responsive, and individualized services to each youth; new text end

new text begin (3) assist each youth with accessing medical, mental health, legal, advocacy, and family services based on the youth's individual needs; new text end

new text begin (4) provide each youth with relevant educational, life skills, and employment supports based on the youth's individual needs; new text end

new text begin (5) offer a trafficking prevention education curriculum and provide support for each youth at risk of future sex trafficking or commercial sexual exploitation; and new text end

new text begin (6) engage with the discharge planning process for each youth and the youth's family. new text end

new text begin (e) The license holder must maintain a service delivery plan that describes how the program provides services according to the requirements in paragraphs (c) and (d). new text end

new text begin (f) The license holder must ensure that each staff person who has direct contact, as defined in section 245C.02, subdivision 11, with a youth served by the license holder's program completes a human trafficking training approved by the Department of Human Services' Children and Family Services Administration before the staff person has direct contact with a youth served by the program and annually thereafter. For programs certified prior to January 1, 2022, the license holder must ensure that each staff person at the license holder's program completes the initial training by January 1, 2022. new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Residential settings specializing in providing prenatal, postpartum, or parenting supports for youth; certification requirements. new text end

new text begin (a) To be certified as a residential setting specializing in providing prenatal, postpartum, or parenting supports for youth, a license holder must meet the requirements of this subdivision. new text end

new text begin (b) The license holder must collaborate with the responsible social services agency and other appropriate parties to implement each youth's out-of-home placement plan required by section 260C.212, subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin (c) The license holder must specialize in providing prenatal, postpartum, or parenting supports for youth and must: new text end

new text begin (1) provide equitable, culturally responsive, and individualized services to each youth; new text end

new text begin (2) assist each youth with accessing postpartum services during the same period of time that a woman is considered pregnant for the purposes of medical assistance eligibility under section 256B.055, subdivision 6, including providing each youth with: new text end

new text begin (i) sexual and reproductive health services and education; and new text end

new text begin (ii) a postpartum mental health assessment and follow-up services; and new text end

new text begin (3) discharge planning that includes the youth and the youth's family. new text end

new text begin (d) On or before the date of a child's initial physical presence at the facility, the license holder must provide education to the child's parent related to safe bathing and reducing the risk of sudden unexpected infant death and abusive head trauma from shaking infants and young children. The license holder must use the educational material developed by the commissioner of human services to comply with this requirement. At a minimum, the education must address: new text end

new text begin (1) instruction that: (i) a child or infant should never be left unattended around water; (ii) a tub should be filled with only two to four inches of water for infants; and (iii) an infant should never be put into a tub when the water is running; and new text end

new text begin (2) the risk factors related to sudden unexpected infant death and abusive head trauma from shaking infants and young children and means of reducing the risks, including the safety precautions identified in section 245A.1435 and the risks of co-sleeping. new text end

new text begin The license holder must document the parent's receipt of the education and keep the documentation in the parent's file. The documentation must indicate whether the parent agrees to comply with the safeguards described in this paragraph. If the parent refuses to comply, program staff must provide additional education to the parent as described in the parental supervision plan. The parental supervision plan must include the intervention, frequency, and staff responsible for the duration of the parent's participation in the program or until the parent agrees to comply with the safeguards described in this paragraph. new text end

new text begin (e) On or before the date of a child's initial physical presence at the facility, the license holder must document the parent's capacity to meet the health and safety needs of the child while on the facility premises considering the following factors: new text end

new text begin (1) the parent's physical and mental health; new text end

new text begin (2) the parent being under the influence of drugs, alcohol, medications, or other chemicals; new text end

new text begin (3) the child's physical and mental health; and new text end

new text begin (4) any other information available to the license holder indicating that the parent may not be able to adequately care for the child. new text end

new text begin (f) The license holder must have written procedures specifying the actions that staff shall take if a parent is or becomes unable to adequately care for the parent's child. new text end

new text begin (g) If the parent refuses to comply with the safeguards described in paragraph (d) or is unable to adequately care for the child, the license holder must develop a parental supervision plan in conjunction with the parent. The plan must account for any factors in paragraph (e) that contribute to the parent's inability to adequately care for the child. The plan must be dated and signed by the staff person who completed the plan. new text end

new text begin (h) The license holder must have written procedures addressing whether the program permits a parent to arrange for supervision of the parent's child by another youth in the program. If permitted, the facility must have a procedure that requires staff approval of the supervision arrangement before the supervision by the nonparental youth occurs. The procedure for approval must include an assessment of the nonparental youth's capacity to assume the supervisory responsibilities using the criteria in paragraph (e). The license holder must document the license holder's approval of the supervisory arrangement and the assessment of the nonparental youth's capacity to supervise the child and must keep this documentation in the file of the parent whose child is being supervised by the nonparental youth. new text end

new text begin (i) The license holder must maintain a service delivery plan that describes how the program provides services according to paragraphs (b) to (h). new text end

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Supervised independent living settings for youth 18 years of age or older; certification requirements. new text end

new text begin (a) To be certified as a supervised independent living setting for youth who are 18 years of age or older, a license holder must meet the requirements of this subdivision. new text end

new text begin (b) A license holder must provide training, counseling, instruction, supervision, and assistance for independent living, according to the needs of the youth being served. new text end

new text begin (c) A license holder may provide services to assist the youth with locating housing, money management, meal preparation, shopping, health care, transportation, and any other support services necessary to meet the youth's needs and improve the youth's ability to conduct such tasks independently. new text end

new text begin (d) The service plan for the youth must contain an objective of independent living skills. new text end

new text begin (e) The license holder must maintain a service delivery plan that describes how the program provides services according to paragraphs (b) to (d). new text end

new text begin Subd. 8. new text end

new text begin Monitoring and inspections. new text end

new text begin (a) For a program licensed by the commissioner of human services, the commissioner of human services may review a program's compliance with certification requirements by conducting an inspection, a licensing review, or an investigation of the program. The commissioner may issue a correction order to the license holder for a program's noncompliance with the certification requirements of this section. For a program licensed by the commissioner of human services, a license holder must make a request for reconsideration of a correction order according to section 245A.06, subdivision 2. new text end

new text begin (b) For a program licensed by the commissioner of corrections, the commissioner of human services may review the program's compliance with the requirements for a certification issued under this section biennially and may issue a correction order identifying the program's noncompliance with the requirements of this section. The correction order must state the following: new text end

new text begin (1) the conditions that constitute a violation of a law or rule; new text end

new text begin (2) the specific law or rule violated; and new text end

new text begin (3) the time allowed for the program to correct each violation. new text end

new text begin (c) For a program licensed by the commissioner of corrections, if a license holder believes that there are errors in the correction order of the commissioner of human services, the license holder may ask the Department of Human Services to reconsider the parts of the correction order that the license holder alleges are in error. To submit a request for reconsideration, the license holder must send a written request for reconsideration by United States mail to the commissioner of human services. The request for reconsideration must be postmarked within 20 calendar days of the date that the correction order was received by the license holder and must: new text end

new text begin (1) specify the parts of the correction order that are alleged to be in error; new text end

new text begin (2) explain why the parts of the correction order are in error; and new text end

new text begin (3) include documentation to support the allegation of error. new text end

new text begin A request for reconsideration does not stay any provisions or requirements of the correction order. The commissioner of human services' disposition of a request for reconsideration is final and not subject to appeal under chapter 14. new text end

new text begin (d) Nothing in this subdivision prohibits the commissioner of human services from decertifying a license holder according to subdivision 9 prior to issuing a correction order. new text end

new text begin Subd. 9. new text end

new text begin Decertification. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner of human services may rescind a certification issued under this section if a license holder fails to comply with the certification requirements in this section. new text end

new text begin (b) The license holder may request reconsideration of a decertification by notifying the commissioner of human services by certified mail or personal service. The license holder must request reconsideration of a decertification in writing. If the license holder sends the request for reconsideration of a decertification by certified mail, the license holder must send the request by United States mail to the commissioner of human services and the request must be postmarked within 20 calendar days after the license holder received the notice of decertification. If the license holder requests reconsideration of a decertification by personal service, the request for reconsideration must be received by the commissioner of human services within 20 calendar days after the license holder received the notice of decertification. When submitting a request for reconsideration of a decertification, the license holder must submit a written argument or evidence in support of the request for reconsideration. new text end

new text begin (c) The commissioner of human services' disposition of a request for reconsideration is final and not subject to appeal under chapter 14. new text end

new text begin Subd. 10. new text end

new text begin Variances. new text end

new text begin The commissioner of human services may grant variances to the requirements in this section that do not affect a youth's health or safety or compliance with federal requirements for Title IV-E funding if the conditions in section 245A.04, subdivision 9, are met. 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. 11.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 256.01, subdivision 14b, is amended to read:

Subd. 14b.

American Indian child welfare projects.

(a) The commissioner of human services may authorize projects to initiate tribal delivery of child welfare services to American Indian children and their parents and custodians living on the reservation. The commissioner has authority to solicit and determine which tribes may participate in a project. Grants may be issued to Minnesota Indian tribes to support the projects. The commissioner may waive existing state rules as needed to accomplish the projects. The commissioner may authorize projects to use alternative methods of (1) screening, investigating, and assessing reports of child maltreatment, and (2) administrative reconsideration, administrative appeal, and judicial appeal of maltreatment determinations, provided the alternative methods used by the projects comply with the provisions of section 256.045 and chapter 260E that deal with the rights of individuals who are the subjects of reports or investigations, including notice and appeal rights and data practices requirements. The commissioner shall only authorize alternative methods that comply with the public policy under section 260E.01. The commissioner may seek any federal approval necessary to carry out the projects as well as seek and use any funds available to the commissioner, including use of federal funds, foundation funds, existing grant funds, and other funds. The commissioner is authorized to advance state funds as necessary to operate the projects. Federal reimbursement applicable to the projects is appropriated to the commissioner for the purposes of the projects. The projects must be required to address responsibility for safety, permanency, and well-being of children.

(b) For the purposes of this section, "American Indian child" means a person under 21 years old and who is a tribal member or eligible for membership in one of the tribes chosen for a project under this subdivision and who is residing on the reservation of that tribe.

(c) In order to qualify for an American Indian child welfare project, a tribe must:

(1) be one of the existing tribes with reservation land in Minnesota;

(2) have a tribal court with jurisdiction over child custody proceedings;

(3) have a substantial number of children for whom determinations of maltreatment have occurred;

(4)(i) have capacity to respond to reports of abuse and neglect under chapter 260E; or (ii) have codified the tribe's screening, investigation, and assessment of reports of child maltreatment procedures, if authorized to use an alternative method by the commissioner under paragraph (a);

(5) provide a wide range of services to families in need of child welfare services; deleted text begin and deleted text end

(6) have a tribal-state title IV-E agreement in effect new text begin ; and new text end

new text begin (7) enter into host Tribal contracts pursuant to section 256.0112, subdivision 6 new text end .

(d) Grants awarded under this section may be used for the nonfederal costs of providing child welfare services to American Indian children on the tribe's reservation, including costs associated with:

(1) assessment and prevention of child abuse and neglect;

(2) family preservation;

(3) facilitative, supportive, and reunification services;

(4) out-of-home placement for children removed from the home for child protective purposes; and

(5) other activities and services approved by the commissioner that further the goals of providing safety, permanency, and well-being of American Indian children.

(e) When a tribe has initiated a project and has been approved by the commissioner to assume child welfare responsibilities for American Indian children of that tribe under this section, the affected county social service agency is relieved of responsibility for responding to reports of abuse and neglect under chapter 260E for those children during the time within which the tribal project is in effect and funded. The commissioner shall work with tribes and affected counties to develop procedures for data collection, evaluation, and clarification of ongoing role and financial responsibilities of the county and tribe for child welfare services prior to initiation of the project. Children who have not been identified by the tribe as participating in the project shall remain the responsibility of the county. Nothing in this section shall alter responsibilities of the county for law enforcement or court services.

(f) Participating tribes may conduct children's mental health screenings under section 245.4874, subdivision 1, paragraph (a), clause (12), for children who are eligible for the initiative and living on the reservation and who meet one of the following criteria:

(1) the child must be receiving child protective services;

(2) the child must be in foster care; or

(3) the child's parents must have had parental rights suspended or terminated.

Tribes may access reimbursement from available state funds for conducting the screenings. Nothing in this section shall alter responsibilities of the county for providing services under section 245.487.

(g) Participating tribes may establish a local child mortality review panel. In establishing a local child mortality review panel, the tribe agrees to conduct local child mortality reviews for child deaths or near-fatalities occurring on the reservation under subdivision 12. Tribes with established child mortality review panels shall have access to nonpublic data and shall protect nonpublic data under subdivision 12, paragraphs (c) to (e). The tribe shall provide written notice to the commissioner and affected counties when a local child mortality review panel has been established and shall provide data upon request of the commissioner for purposes of sharing nonpublic data with members of the state child mortality review panel in connection to an individual case.

(h) The commissioner shall collect information on outcomes relating to child safety, permanency, and well-being of American Indian children who are served in the projects. Participating tribes must provide information to the state in a format and completeness deemed acceptable by the state to meet state and federal reporting requirements.

(i) In consultation with the White Earth Band, the commissioner shall develop and submit to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over health and human services a plan to transfer legal responsibility for providing child protective services to White Earth Band member children residing in Hennepin County to the White Earth Band. The plan shall include a financing proposal, definitions of key terms, statutory amendments required, and other provisions required to implement the plan. The commissioner shall submit the plan by January 15, 2012.

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 2020, section 256.0112, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

Subd. 6.

Contracting within and across county lines; lead county contracts new text begin ; lead Tribal contracts new text end .

Paragraphs (a) to (e) govern contracting within and across county lines and lead county contracts. new text begin Paragraphs (a) to (e) govern contracting within and across reservation boundaries and lead Tribal contracts for initiative tribes under section 256.01, subdivision 14b. For purposes of this subdivision, "local agency" includes a tribe or a county agency. new text end

(a) Once a local agency and an approved vendor execute a contract that meets the requirements of this subdivision, the contract governs all other purchases of service from the vendor by all other local agencies for the term of the contract. The local agency that negotiated and entered into the contract becomes the lead new text begin tribe or new text end county for the contract.

(b) When the local agency in the county new text begin or reservation new text end where a vendor is located wants to purchase services from that vendor and the vendor has no contract with the local agency or any other new text begin tribe or new text end county, the local agency must negotiate and execute a contract with the vendor.

(c) When a local agency deleted text begin in one county deleted text end wants to purchase services from a vendor located in another county new text begin or reservation new text end , it must notify the local agency in the county new text begin or reservation new text end where the vendor is located. Within 30 days of being notified, the local agency in the vendor's county new text begin or reservation new text end must:

(1) if it has a contract with the vendor, send a copy to the inquiring new text begin local new text end agency;

(2) if there is a contract with the vendor for which another local agency is the lead new text begin tribe or new text end county, identify the lead new text begin tribe or new text end county to the inquiring agency; or

(3) if no local agency has a contract with the vendor, inform the inquiring agency whether it will negotiate a contract and become the lead new text begin tribe or new text end county. If the agency where the vendor is located will not negotiate a contract with the vendor because of concerns related to clients' health and safety, the agency must share those concerns with the inquiring new text begin local new text end agency.

(d) If the local agency in the county where the vendor is located declines to negotiate a contract with the vendor or fails to respond within 30 days of receiving the notification under paragraph (c), the inquiring agency is authorized to negotiate a contract and must notify the local agency that declined or failed to respond.

(e) When the inquiring deleted text begin county deleted text end new text begin local agency new text end under paragraph (d) becomes the lead new text begin tribe or new text end county for a contract and the contract expires and needs to be renegotiated, that new text begin tribe or new text end county must again follow the requirements under paragraph (c) and notify the local agency where the vendor is located. The local agency where the vendor is located has the option of becoming the lead new text begin tribe or new text end county for the new contract. If the local agency does not exercise the option, paragraph (d) applies.

(f) This subdivision does not affect the requirement to seek county concurrence under section 256B.092, subdivision 8a, when the services are to be purchased for a person with a developmental disability or under section 245.4711, subdivision 3, when the services to be purchased are for an adult with serious and persistent mental illness.

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 2020, section 256.741, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 12a. new text end

new text begin Appeals of good cause determinations. new text end

new text begin According to section 256.045, an individual may appeal the determination or redetermination of good cause under this section. To initiate an appeal of a good cause determination or redetermination, the individual must make a request for a state agency hearing in writing within 30 calendar days after the date that a notice of denial for good cause is mailed or otherwise transmitted to the individual. Until a human services judge issues a decision under section 256.0451, subdivision 22, the child support agency shall cease all child support enforcement efforts and shall not report the individual's noncooperation to public assistance agencies. new text end

Sec. 14.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 256.741, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 12b. new text end

new text begin Reporting noncooperation. new text end

new text begin The public authority may issue a notice of the individual's noncooperation to each public assistance agency providing public assistance to the individual if: new text end

new text begin (1) 30 calendar days have passed since the later of the initial county denial or the date of the denial following the state agency hearing; or new text end

new text begin (2) the individual has not cooperated with the child support agency as required in subdivision 5. new text end

Sec. 15.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 259.241, is amended to read:

259.241 ADULT ADOPTION.

(a) Any adult person may be adopted, regardless of the adult person's residence. A resident of Minnesota may petition the court of record having jurisdiction of adoption proceedings to adopt an individual who has reached the age of 18 years or older.

(b) The consent of the person to be adopted shall be the only consent necessary, according to section 259.24. The consent of an adult in the adult person's own adoption is invalid if the adult is considered to be a vulnerable adult under section 626.5572, subdivision 21, or if the person consenting to the adoption is determined not competent to give consent.

new text begin (c) Notwithstanding paragraph (b), a person in extended foster care under section 260C.451 may consent to the person's own adoption as long as the court with jurisdiction finds the person competent to give consent. new text end

deleted text begin (c) deleted text end new text begin (d) new text end The decree of adoption establishes a parent-child relationship between the adopting parent or parents and the person adopted, including the right to inherit, and also terminates the parental rights deleted text begin and sibling relationship deleted text end between the adopted person and the adopted person's birth parents deleted text begin and siblings deleted text end according to section 259.59.

deleted text begin (d) deleted text end new text begin (e) new text end If the adopted person requests a change of name, the adoption decree shall order the name change.

Sec. 16.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 259.53, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Preadoption residence.

No petition shall be granted new text begin under this chapter new text end until the child deleted text begin shall have deleted text end new text begin has new text end lived new text begin for new text end three months in the proposed new text begin adoptive new text end home, subject to a right of visitation by the commissioner or an agency or their authorized representatives.

Sec. 17.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 259.75, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5.

Withdrawal of registration.

A child's registration shall be withdrawn when the exchange service has been notified in writing by the local social service agency or the licensed child-placing agency that the child has been placed in an adoptive home deleted text begin or deleted text end new text begin , new text end has died new text begin , or is no longer under the guardianship of the commissioner and is no longer seeking an adoptive home new text end .

Sec. 18.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 259.75, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

Subd. 6.

Periodic review of status.

new text begin (a) new text end The deleted text begin exchange service deleted text end new text begin commissioner new text end shall deleted text begin semiannually check deleted text end new text begin review new text end the new text begin state adoption exchange new text end status of deleted text begin listed deleted text end children deleted text begin for whom inquiries have been received deleted text end new text begin identified under subdivision 2, including a child whose registration was withdrawn pursuant to subdivision 5. The commissioner may determine that a child who is unregistered, or whose registration has been deferred, must be registered and require the authorized child-placing agency to register the child with the state adoption exchange within ten working days of the commissioner's determination new text end .

new text begin (b) new text end Periodic deleted text begin checks deleted text end new text begin reviews new text end shall be made by the deleted text begin service deleted text end new text begin commissioner new text end to determine the progress toward adoption of deleted text begin those children and the status of deleted text end children registered deleted text begin but never listed deleted text end in the deleted text begin exchange book because of placement in an adoptive home prior to or at the time of registration deleted text end new text begin state adoption exchange new text end .

Sec. 19.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 259.75, subdivision 9, is amended to read:

Subd. 9.

Rules; staff.

The commissioner of human services shall make rules as necessary to administer this section and shall employ necessary staff to carry out the purposes of this section. new text begin The commissioner may contract for services to carry out the purposes of this section. new text end

Sec. 20.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 259.83, subdivision 1a, is amended to read:

Subd. 1a.

Social and medical history.

(a) If a person aged 19 years and over who was adopted on or after August 1, 1994, or the adoptive parent requests the detailed nonidentifying social and medical history of the adopted person's birth family that was provided at the time of the adoption, agencies must provide the information to the adopted person or adoptive parent on the new text begin applicable new text end form required under deleted text begin section deleted text end new text begin sections new text end 259.43 new text begin and 260C.212, subdivision 15 new text end .

(b) If an adopted person aged 19 years and over or the adoptive parent requests the agency to contact the adopted person's birth parents to request current nonidentifying social and medical history of the adopted person's birth family, agencies must use the new text begin applicable new text end form required under deleted text begin section deleted text end new text begin sections new text end 259.43 new text begin and 260C.212, subdivision 15, new text end when obtaining the information for the adopted person or adoptive parent.

Sec. 21.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 259A.75, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

General information.

(a) Subject to the procedures required by the commissioner and the provisions of this section, a Minnesota county new text begin or Tribal agency new text end shall receive a reimbursement from the commissioner equal to 100 percent of the reasonable and appropriate cost for contracted adoption placement services identified for a specific child that are not reimbursed under other federal or state funding sources.

(b) The commissioner may spend up to $16,000 for each purchase of service contract. Only one contract per child per adoptive placement is permitted. Funds encumbered and obligated under the contract for the child remain available until the terms of the contract are fulfilled or the contract is terminated.

(c) The commissioner shall set aside an amount not to exceed five percent of the total amount of the fiscal year appropriation from the state for the adoption assistance program to reimburse a Minnesota county or tribal social services placing agency for child-specific adoption placement services. When adoption assistance payments for children's needs exceed 95 percent of the total amount of the fiscal year appropriation from the state for the adoption assistance program, the amount of reimbursement available to placing agencies for adoption services is reduced correspondingly.

Sec. 22.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 259A.75, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Purchase of service contract child eligibility criteria.

deleted text begin (a) deleted text end A child who is the subject of a purchase of service contract must:

(1) have the goal of adoption, which may include an adoption in accordance with tribal law;

(2) be under the guardianship of the commissioner of human services or be a ward of tribal court pursuant to section 260.755, subdivision 20; and

(3) meet all of the special needs criteria according to section deleted text begin 259A.10, subdivision 2 deleted text end new text begin 256N.23, subdivision 2 new text end .

deleted text begin (b) A child under the guardianship of the commissioner must have an identified adoptive parent and a fully executed adoption placement agreement according to section 260C.613, subdivision 1, paragraph (a). deleted text end

Sec. 23.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 259A.75, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Agency eligibility criteria.

(a) A Minnesota county new text begin or Tribal new text end social services agency shall receive reimbursement for child-specific adoption placement services for an eligible child that it purchases from a private adoption agency licensed in Minnesota or any other state or tribal social services agency.

(b) Reimbursement for adoption services is available only for services provided prior to the date of the adoption decree.

Sec. 24.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 259A.75, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Application and eligibility determination.

(a) A new text begin Minnesota new text end county new text begin or Tribal new text end social services agency may request reimbursement of costs for adoption placement services by submitting a complete purchase of service application, according to the requirements and procedures and on forms prescribed by the commissioner.

(b) The commissioner shall determine eligibility for reimbursement of adoption placement services. If determined eligible, the commissioner of human services shall sign the purchase of service agreement, making this a fully executed contract. No reimbursement under this section shall be made to an agency for services provided prior to the fully executed contract.

(c) Separate purchase of service agreements shall be made, and separate records maintained, on each child. Only one agreement per child per adoptive placement is permitted. For siblings who are placed together, services shall be planned and provided to best maximize efficiency of the contracted hours.

Sec. 25.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 260C.007, subdivision 22a, is amended to read:

Subd. 22a.

Licensed residential family-based substance use disorder treatment program.

"Licensed residential family-based substance use disorder treatment program" means a residential treatment facility that provides the parent or guardian with parenting skills training, parent education, or individual and family counseling, under an organizational structure and treatment framework that involves understanding, recognizing, and responding to the effects of all types of trauma according to recognized principles of a trauma-informed approach and trauma-specific interventions to address the consequences of trauma and facilitate healing. The residential program must be licensed by the Department of Human Services under deleted text begin chapter deleted text end new text begin chapters new text end 245A and deleted text begin sections 245G.01 to 245G.16, 245G.19, and 245G.21 deleted text end new text begin 245G or Tribally licensed or approved new text end as a residential substance use disorder treatment program specializing in the treatment of clients with children.

Sec. 26.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 260C.007, subdivision 26c, is amended to read:

Subd. 26c.

Qualified individual.

new text begin (a) new text end "Qualified individual" means a trained culturally competent professional or licensed clinician, including a mental health professional under section 245.4871, subdivision 27, who is deleted text begin not deleted text end new text begin qualified to conduct the assessment approved by the commissioner. The qualified individual must not be new text end an employee of the responsible social services agency deleted text begin and who is not deleted text end new text begin or an individual new text end connected to or affiliated with any placement setting in which a responsible social services agency has placed children.

new text begin (b) When the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978, United States Code, title 25, sections 1901 to 1963, applies to a child, the county must contact the child's tribe without delay to give the tribe the option to designate a qualified individual who is a trained culturally competent professional or licensed clinician, including a mental health professional under section 245.4871, subdivision 27, who is not employed by the responsible social services agency and who is not connected to or affiliated with any placement setting in which a responsible social services agency has placed children. Only a federal waiver that demonstrates maintained objectivity may allow a responsible social services agency employee or Tribal employee affiliated with any placement setting in which the responsible social services agency has placed children to be designated the qualified individual. new text end

Sec. 27.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 260C.007, subdivision 31, is amended to read:

Subd. 31.

Sexually exploited youth.

"Sexually exploited youth" means an individual who:

(1) is alleged to have engaged in conduct which would, if committed by an adult, violate any federal, state, or local law relating to being hired, offering to be hired, or agreeing to be hired by another individual to engage in sexual penetration or sexual conduct;

(2) is a victim of a crime described in section 609.342, 609.343, 609.344, 609.345, 609.3451, 609.3453, 609.352, 617.246, or 617.247;

(3) is a victim of a crime described in United States Code, title 18, section 2260; 2421; 2422; 2423; 2425; 2425A; or 2256; deleted text begin or deleted text end

(4) is a sex trafficking victim as defined in section 609.321, subdivision 7b deleted text begin . deleted text end new text begin ; or new text end

new text begin (5) is a victim of commercial sexual exploitation as defined in United States Code, title 22, section 7102(11)(A) and (12). new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective September 30, 2021. new text end

Sec. 28.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 260C.157, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Juvenile treatment screening team.

(a) The responsible social services agency shall establish a juvenile treatment screening team to conduct screenings under this chapter new text begin and chapter 260D, new text end deleted text begin and section 245.487, subdivision 3, deleted text end for a child to receive treatment for an emotional disturbance, a developmental disability, or related condition in a residential treatment facility licensed by the commissioner of human services under chapter 245A, or licensed or approved by a tribe. A screening team is not required for a child to be in: (1) a residential facility specializing in prenatal, postpartum, or parenting support; (2) a facility specializing in high-quality residential care and supportive services to children and youth who deleted text begin are deleted text end new text begin have been or are at risk of becoming victims of new text end deleted text begin sex-trafficking deleted text end new text begin sex trafficking new text end deleted text begin victims or are at risk of becoming sex-trafficking victims deleted text end new text begin or commercial sexual exploitation new text end ; (3) supervised settings for youth new text begin who are new text end 18 years deleted text begin old deleted text end new text begin of age new text end or older new text begin and new text end living independently; or (4) a licensed residential family-based treatment facility for substance abuse consistent with section 260C.190. Screenings are also not required when a child must be placed in a facility due to an emotional crisis or other mental health emergency.

(b) The responsible social services agency shall conduct screenings within 15 days of a request for a screening, unless the screening is for the purpose of residential treatment and the child is enrolled in a prepaid health program under section 256B.69, in which case the agency shall conduct the screening within ten working days of a request. The responsible social services agency shall convene the new text begin juvenile treatment screening new text end team, which may be constituted under section 245.4885 or 256B.092 or Minnesota Rules, parts 9530.6600 to 9530.6655. The team shall consist of social workers; persons with expertise in the treatment of juveniles who are emotionally deleted text begin disabled deleted text end new text begin disturbed new text end , chemically dependent, or have a developmental disability; and the child's parent, guardian, or permanent legal custodian. The team may include the child's relatives as defined in section 260C.007, subdivisions 26b and 27, the child's foster care provider, and professionals who are a resource to the child's family such as teachers, medical or mental health providers, and clergy, as appropriate, consistent with the family and permanency team as defined in section 260C.007, subdivision 16a. Prior to forming the team, the responsible social services agency must consult with new text begin the child's parents, new text end the child if the child is age 14 or older, deleted text begin the child's parents, deleted text end and, if applicable, the child's tribe new text begin to obtain recommendations regarding which individuals to include on the team and new text end to ensure that the team is family-centered and will act in the child's best deleted text begin interest deleted text end new text begin interests new text end . If the child, child's parents, or legal guardians raise concerns about specific relatives or professionals, the team should not include those individuals. This provision does not apply to paragraph (c).

(c) If the agency provides notice to tribes under section 260.761, and the child screened is an Indian child, the responsible social services agency must make a rigorous and concerted effort to include a designated representative of the Indian child's tribe on the juvenile treatment screening team, unless the child's tribal authority declines to appoint a representative. The Indian child's tribe may delegate its authority to represent the child to any other federally recognized Indian tribe, as defined in section 260.755, subdivision 12. The provisions of the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978, United States Code, title 25, sections 1901 to 1963, and the Minnesota Indian Family Preservation Act, sections 260.751 to 260.835, apply to this section.

(d) If the court, prior to, or as part of, a final disposition or other court order, proposes to place a child with an emotional disturbance or developmental disability or related condition in residential treatment, the responsible social services agency must conduct a screening. If the team recommends treating the child in a qualified residential treatment program, the agency must follow the requirements of sections 260C.70 to 260C.714.

The court shall ascertain whether the child is an Indian child and shall notify the responsible social services agency and, if the child is an Indian child, shall notify the Indian child's tribe as paragraph (c) requires.

(e) When the responsible social services agency is responsible for placing and caring for the child and the screening team recommends placing a child in a qualified residential treatment program as defined in section 260C.007, subdivision 26d, the agency must: (1) begin the assessment and processes required in section 260C.704 without delay; and (2) conduct a relative search according to section 260C.221 to assemble the child's family and permanency team under section 260C.706. Prior to notifying relatives regarding the family and permanency team, the responsible social services agency must consult with new text begin the child's parent or legal guardian, new text end the child if the child is age 14 or older, deleted text begin the child's parents deleted text end and, if applicable, the child's tribe to ensure that the agency is providing notice to individuals who will act in the child's best deleted text begin interest deleted text end new text begin interests new text end . The child and the child's parents may identify a culturally competent qualified individual to complete the child's assessment. The agency shall make efforts to refer the assessment to the identified qualified individual. The assessment may not be delayed for the purpose of having the assessment completed by a specific qualified individual.

(f) When a screening team determines that a child does not need treatment in a qualified residential treatment program, the screening team must:

(1) document the services and supports that will prevent the child's foster care placement and will support the child remaining at home;

(2) document the services and supports that the agency will arrange to place the child in a family foster home; or

(3) document the services and supports that the agency has provided in any other setting.

(g) When the Indian child's tribe or tribal health care services provider or Indian Health Services provider proposes to place a child for the primary purpose of treatment for an emotional disturbance, a developmental disability, or co-occurring emotional disturbance and chemical dependency, the Indian child's tribe or the tribe delegated by the child's tribe shall submit necessary documentation to the county juvenile treatment screening team, which must invite the Indian child's tribe to designate a representative to the screening team.

(h) The responsible social services agency must conduct and document the screening in a format approved by the commissioner of human services.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective September 30, 2021. new text end

Sec. 29.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 260C.212, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Out-of-home placement; plan.

(a) An out-of-home placement plan shall be prepared within 30 days after any child is placed in foster care by court order or a voluntary placement agreement between the responsible social services agency and the child's parent pursuant to section 260C.227 or chapter 260D.

(b) An out-of-home placement plan means a written document which is prepared by the responsible social services agency jointly with the parent or parents or guardian of the child and in consultation with the child's guardian ad litem, the child's tribe, if the child is an Indian child, the child's foster parent or representative of the foster care facility, and, where appropriate, the child. When a child is age 14 or older, the child may include two other individuals on the team preparing the child's out-of-home placement plan. The child may select one member of the case planning team to be designated as the child's advisor and to advocate with respect to the application of the reasonable and prudent parenting standards. The responsible social services agency may reject an individual selected by the child if the agency has good cause to believe that the individual would not act in the best interest of the child. For a child in voluntary foster care for treatment under chapter 260D, preparation of the out-of-home placement plan shall additionally include the child's mental health treatment provider. For a child 18 years of age or older, the responsible social services agency shall involve the child and the child's parents as appropriate. As appropriate, the plan shall be:

(1) submitted to the court for approval under section 260C.178, subdivision 7;

(2) ordered by the court, either as presented or modified after hearing, under section 260C.178, subdivision 7, or 260C.201, subdivision 6; and

(3) signed by the parent or parents or guardian of the child, the child's guardian ad litem, a representative of the child's tribe, the responsible social services agency, and, if possible, the child.

(c) The out-of-home placement plan shall be explained to all persons involved in its implementation, including the child who has signed the plan, and shall set forth:

(1) a description of the foster care home or facility selected, including how the out-of-home placement plan is designed to achieve a safe placement for the child in the least restrictive, most family-like, setting available which is in close proximity to the home of the parent or parents or guardian of the child when the case plan goal is reunification, and how the placement is consistent with the best interests and special needs of the child according to the factors under subdivision 2, paragraph (b);

(2) the specific reasons for the placement of the child in foster care, and when reunification is the plan, a description of the problems or conditions in the home of the parent or parents which necessitated removal of the child from home and the changes the parent or parents must make for the child to safely return home;

(3) a description of the services offered and provided to prevent removal of the child from the home and to reunify the family including:

(i) the specific actions to be taken by the parent or parents of the child to eliminate or correct the problems or conditions identified in clause (2), and the time period during which the actions are to be taken; and

(ii) the reasonable efforts, or in the case of an Indian child, active efforts to be made to achieve a safe and stable home for the child including social and other supportive services to be provided or offered to the parent or parents or guardian of the child, the child, and the residential facility during the period the child is in the residential facility;

(4) a description of any services or resources that were requested by the child or the child's parent, guardian, foster parent, or custodian since the date of the child's placement in the residential facility, and whether those services or resources were provided and if not, the basis for the denial of the services or resources;

(5) the visitation plan for the parent or parents or guardian, other relatives as defined in section 260C.007, subdivision 26b or 27, and siblings of the child if the siblings are not placed together in foster care, and whether visitation is consistent with the best interest of the child, during the period the child is in foster care;

(6) when a child cannot return to or be in the care of either parent, documentation of steps to finalize adoption as the permanency plan for the child through reasonable efforts to place the child for adoption. At a minimum, the documentation must include consideration of whether adoption is in the best interests of the child, child-specific recruitment efforts such as relative search and the use of state, regional, and national adoption exchanges to facilitate orderly and timely placements in and outside of the state. A copy of this documentation shall be provided to the court in the review required under section 260C.317, subdivision 3, paragraph (b);

(7) when a child cannot return to or be in the care of either parent, documentation of steps to finalize the transfer of permanent legal and physical custody to a relative as the permanency plan for the child. This documentation must support the requirements of the kinship placement agreement under section 256N.22 and must include the reasonable efforts used to determine that it is not appropriate for the child to return home or be adopted, and reasons why permanent placement with a relative through a Northstar kinship assistance arrangement is in the child's best interest; how the child meets the eligibility requirements for Northstar kinship assistance payments; agency efforts to discuss adoption with the child's relative foster parent and reasons why the relative foster parent chose not to pursue adoption, if applicable; and agency efforts to discuss with the child's parent or parents the permanent transfer of permanent legal and physical custody or the reasons why these efforts were not made;

(8) efforts to ensure the child's educational stability while in foster care for a child who attained the minimum age for compulsory school attendance under state law and is enrolled full time in elementary or secondary school, or instructed in elementary or secondary education at home, or instructed in an independent study elementary or secondary program, or incapable of attending school on a full-time basis due to a medical condition that is documented and supported by regularly updated information in the child's case plan. Educational stability efforts include:

(i) efforts to ensure that the child remains in the same school in which the child was enrolled prior to placement or upon the child's move from one placement to another, including efforts to work with the local education authorities to ensure the child's educational stability and attendance; or

(ii) if it is not in the child's best interest to remain in the same school that the child was enrolled in prior to placement or move from one placement to another, efforts to ensure immediate and appropriate enrollment for the child in a new school;

(9) the educational records of the child including the most recent information available regarding:

(i) the names and addresses of the child's educational providers;

(ii) the child's grade level performance;

(iii) the child's school record;

(iv) a statement about how the child's placement in foster care takes into account proximity to the school in which the child is enrolled at the time of placement; and

(v) any other relevant educational information;

(10) the efforts by the responsible social services agency to ensure the oversight and continuity of health care services for the foster child, including:

(i) the plan to schedule the child's initial health screens;

(ii) how the child's known medical problems and identified needs from the screens, including any known communicable diseases, as defined in section 144.4172, subdivision 2, shall be monitored and treated while the child is in foster care;

(iii) how the child's medical information shall be updated and shared, including the child's immunizations;

(iv) who is responsible to coordinate and respond to the child's health care needs, including the role of the parent, the agency, and the foster parent;

(v) who is responsible for oversight of the child's prescription medications;

(vi) how physicians or other appropriate medical and nonmedical professionals shall be consulted and involved in assessing the health and well-being of the child and determine the appropriate medical treatment for the child; and

(vii) the responsibility to ensure that the child has access to medical care through either medical insurance or medical assistance;

(11) the health records of the child including information available regarding:

(i) the names and addresses of the child's health care and dental care providers;

(ii) a record of the child's immunizations;

(iii) the child's known medical problems, including any known communicable diseases as defined in section 144.4172, subdivision 2;

(iv) the child's medications; and

(v) any other relevant health care information such as the child's eligibility for medical insurance or medical assistance;

(12) an independent living plan for a child 14 years of age or older, developed in consultation with the child. The child may select one member of the case planning team to be designated as the child's advisor and to advocate with respect to the application of the reasonable and prudent parenting standards in subdivision 14. The plan should include, but not be limited to, the following objectives:

(i) educational, vocational, or employment planning;

(ii) health care planning and medical coverage;

(iii) transportation including, where appropriate, assisting the child in obtaining a driver's license;

(iv) money management, including the responsibility of the responsible social services agency to ensure that the child annually receives, at no cost to the child, a consumer report as defined under section 13C.001 and assistance in interpreting and resolving any inaccuracies in the report;

(v) planning for housing;

(vi) social and recreational skills;

(vii) establishing and maintaining connections with the child's family and community; and

(viii) regular opportunities to engage in age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate activities typical for the child's age group, taking into consideration the capacities of the individual child;

(13) for a child in voluntary foster care for treatment under chapter 260D, diagnostic and assessment information, specific services relating to meeting the mental health care needs of the child, and treatment outcomes;

(14) for a child 14 years of age or older, a signed acknowledgment that describes the child's rights regarding education, health care, visitation, safety and protection from exploitation, and court participation; receipt of the documents identified in section 260C.452; and receipt of an annual credit report. The acknowledgment shall state that the rights were explained in an age-appropriate manner to the child; and

(15) for a child placed in a qualified residential treatment program, the plan must include the requirements in section 260C.708.

(d) The parent or parents or guardian and the child each shall have the right to legal counsel in the preparation of the case plan and shall be informed of the right at the time of placement of the child. The child shall also have the right to a guardian ad litem. If unable to employ counsel from their own resources, the court shall appoint counsel upon the request of the parent or parents or the child or the child's legal guardian. The parent or parents may also receive assistance from any person or social services agency in preparation of the case plan.

After the plan has been agreed upon by the parties involved or approved or ordered by the court, the foster parents shall be fully informed of the provisions of the case plan and shall be provided a copy of the plan.

Upon new text begin the child's new text end discharge from foster care, the new text begin responsible social services agency must provide the child's new text end parent, adoptive parent, or permanent legal and physical custodian, deleted text begin as appropriate, deleted text end and the child, if deleted text begin appropriate, must be provided deleted text end new text begin the child is 14 years of age or older, new text end with a current copy of the child's health and education record. new text begin If a child meets the conditions in subdivision 15, paragraph (b), the agency must also provide the child with the child's social and medical history. The responsible social services agency may give a copy of the child's health and education record and social and medical history to a child who is younger than 14 years of age, if it is appropriate and if subdivision 15, paragraph (b), applies. new text end

Sec. 30.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 260C.212, subdivision 1a, is amended to read:

Subd. 1a.

Out-of-home placement plan update.

(a) Within 30 days of placing the child in foster care, the agency must file the new text begin child's new text end initial out-of-home placement plan with the court. After filing the new text begin child's new text end initial out-of-home placement plan, the agency shall update and file the new text begin child's new text end out-of-home placement plan with the court as follows:

(1) when the agency moves a child to a different foster care setting, the agency shall inform the court within 30 days of the new text begin child's new text end placement change or court-ordered trial home visit. The agency must file the new text begin child's new text end updated out-of-home placement plan with the court at the next required review hearing;

(2) when the agency places a child in a qualified residential treatment program as defined in section 260C.007, subdivision 26d, or moves a child from one qualified residential treatment program to a different qualified residential treatment program, the agency must update the new text begin child's new text end out-of-home placement plan within 60 days. To meet the requirements of section 260C.708, the agency must file the new text begin child's new text end out-of-home placement plan deleted text begin with the court as part of the 60-day hearing and deleted text end new text begin along with the agency's report seeking the court's approval of the child's placement at a qualified residential treatment program under section 260C.71. After the court issues an order, the agency new text end must update the new text begin child's out-of-home placement new text end plan deleted text begin after the court hearing deleted text end to document the court's approval or disapproval of the child's placement in a qualified residential treatment program;

(3) when the agency places a child with the child's parent in a licensed residential family-based substance use disorder treatment program under section 260C.190, the agency must identify the treatment program new text begin where the child will be placed new text end in the child's out-of-home placement plan prior to the child's placement. The agency must file the new text begin child's new text end out-of-home placement plan with the court at the next required review hearing; and

(4) under sections 260C.227 and 260C.521, the agency must update the new text begin child's new text end out-of-home placement plan and file the new text begin child's out-of-home placement new text end plan with the court.

(b) When none of the items in paragraph (a) apply, the agency must update the new text begin child's new text end out-of-home placement plan no later than 180 days after the child's initial placement and every six months thereafter, consistent with section 260C.203, paragraph (a).

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective September 30, 2021. new text end

Sec. 31.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 260C.212, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Placement decisions based on best interests of the child.

(a) The policy of the state of Minnesota is to ensure that the child's best interests are met by requiring an individualized determination of the needs of the child and of how the selected placement will serve the needs of the child being placed. The authorized child-placing agency shall place a child, released by court order or by voluntary release by the parent or parents, in a family foster home selected by considering placement with relatives and important friends in the following order:

(1) with an individual who is related to the child by blood, marriage, or adoption new text begin , including the legal parent, guardian, or custodian of the child's siblings new text end ; or

(2) with an individual who is an important friend with whom the child has resided or had significant contact.

For an Indian child, the agency shall follow the order of placement preferences in the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978, United States Code, title 25, section 1915.

(b) Among the factors the agency shall consider in determining the needs of the child are the following:

(1) the child's current functioning and behaviors;

(2) the medical needs of the child;

(3) the educational needs of the child;

(4) the developmental needs of the child;

(5) the child's history and past experience;

(6) the child's religious and cultural needs;

(7) the child's connection with a community, school, and faith community;

(8) the child's interests and talents;

(9) the child's relationship to current caretakers, parents, siblings, and relatives;

(10) the reasonable preference of the child, if the court, or the child-placing agency in the case of a voluntary placement, deems the child to be of sufficient age to express preferences; and

(11) for an Indian child, the best interests of an Indian child as defined in section 260.755, subdivision 2a.

(c) Placement of a child cannot be delayed or denied based on race, color, or national origin of the foster parent or the child.

(d) Siblings should be placed together for foster care and adoption at the earliest possible time unless it is documented that a joint placement would be contrary to the safety or well-being of any of the siblings or unless it is not possible after reasonable efforts by the responsible social services agency. In cases where siblings cannot be placed together, the agency is required to provide frequent visitation or other ongoing interaction between siblings unless the agency documents that the interaction would be contrary to the safety or well-being of any of the siblings.

(e) Except for emergency placement as provided for in section 245A.035, the following requirements must be satisfied before the approval of a foster or adoptive placement in a related or unrelated home: (1) a completed background study under section 245C.08; and (2) a completed review of the written home study required under section 260C.215, subdivision 4, clause (5), or 260C.611, to assess the capacity of the prospective foster or adoptive parent to ensure the placement will meet the needs of the individual child.

(f) The agency must determine whether colocation with a parent who is receiving services in a licensed residential family-based substance use disorder treatment program is in the child's best interests according to paragraph (b) and include that determination in the child's case plan under subdivision 1. The agency may consider additional factors not identified in paragraph (b). The agency's determination must be documented in the child's case plan before the child is colocated with a parent.

(g) The agency must establish a juvenile treatment screening team under section 260C.157 to determine whether it is necessary and appropriate to recommend placing a child in a qualified residential treatment program, as defined in section 260C.007, subdivision 26d.

Sec. 32.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 260C.212, subdivision 13, is amended to read:

Subd. 13.

Protecting missing and runaway children and youth at risk of sex trafficking new text begin or commercial sexual exploitation new text end .

(a) The local social services agency shall expeditiously locate any child missing from foster care.

(b) The local social services agency shall report immediately, but no later than 24 hours, after receiving information on a missing or abducted child to the local law enforcement agency for entry into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

(c) The local social services agency shall not discharge a child from foster care or close the social services case until diligent efforts have been exhausted to locate the child and the court terminates the agency's jurisdiction.

(d) The local social services agency shall determine the primary factors that contributed to the child's running away or otherwise being absent from care and, to the extent possible and appropriate, respond to those factors in current and subsequent placements.

(e) The local social services agency shall determine what the child experienced while absent from care, including screening the child to determine if the child is a possible sex trafficking new text begin or commercial sexual exploitation new text end victim as defined in section deleted text begin 609.321, subdivision 7b deleted text end new text begin 260C.007, subdivision 31 new text end .

(f) The local social services agency shall report immediately, but no later than 24 hours, to the local law enforcement agency any reasonable cause to believe a child is, or is at risk of being, a sex trafficking new text begin or commercial sexual exploitation new text end victim.

(g) The local social services agency shall determine appropriate services as described in section 145.4717 with respect to any child for whom the local social services agency has responsibility for placement, care, or supervision when the local social services agency has reasonable cause to believe new text begin that new text end the child is, or is at risk of being, a sex trafficking new text begin or commercial sexual exploitation new text end victim.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective September 30, 2021. new text end

Sec. 33.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 260C.212, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 15. new text end

new text begin Social and medical history. new text end

new text begin (a) The responsible social services agency must complete each child's social and medical history using forms developed by the commissioner. The responsible social services agency must work with each child's birth family, foster family, medical and treatment providers, and school to ensure that there is a detailed and up-to-date social and medical history of the child on forms provided by the commissioner. new text end

new text begin (b) If the child continues to be in placement out of the home of the parent or guardian from whom the child was removed, reasonable efforts by the responsible social services agency to complete the child's social and medical history must begin no later than the child's permanency progress review hearing required under section 260C.204 or six months after the child's placement in foster care, whichever occurs earlier. new text end

new text begin (c) In a child's social and medical history, the responsible social services agency must include background information and health history specific to the child, the child's birth parents, and the child's other birth relatives. Applicable background and health information about the child includes the child's current health condition, behavior, and demeanor; placement history; education history; sibling information; and birth, medical, dental, and immunization information. Redacted copies of pertinent records, assessments, and evaluations must be attached to the child's social and medical history. Applicable background information about the child's birth parents and other birth relatives includes general background information; education and employment history; physical health and mental health history; and reasons for the child's placement. new text end

Sec. 34.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 260C.219, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5.

Children reaching age of majority; copies of records.

new text begin Regardless of new text end whether new text begin a child is new text end under state guardianship deleted text begin or not deleted text end , if a child leaves foster care by reason of having attained the age of majority under state law, the child must be given at no cost a copy of the child's social and medical history, as deleted text begin defined deleted text end new text begin described new text end in section deleted text begin 259.43, deleted text end new text begin 260C.212, subdivision 15, including the child's health new text end and education report.

Sec. 35.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 260C.4412, is amended to read:

260C.4412 PAYMENT FOR RESIDENTIAL PLACEMENTS.

(a) When a child is placed in a foster care group residential setting under Minnesota Rules, parts 2960.0020 to 2960.0710, a foster residence licensed under chapter 245A that meets the standards of Minnesota Rules, parts 2960.3200 to 2960.3230, or a children's residential facility licensed or approved by a tribe, foster care maintenance payments must be made on behalf of the child to cover the cost of providing food, clothing, shelter, daily supervision, school supplies, child's personal incidentals and supports, reasonable travel for visitation, or other transportation needs associated with the items listed. Daily supervision in the group residential setting includes routine day-to-day direction and arrangements to ensure the well-being and safety of the child. It may also include reasonable costs of administration and operation of the facility.

(b) The commissioner of human services shall specify the title IV-E administrative procedures under section 256.82 for each of the following residential program settings:

(1) residential programs licensed under chapter 245A or licensed by a tribe, including:

(i) qualified residential treatment programs as defined in section 260C.007, subdivision 26d;

(ii) program settings specializing in providing prenatal, postpartum, or parenting supports for youth; and

(iii) program settings providing high-quality residential care and supportive services to children and youth who are, or are at risk of becoming, sex trafficking victims;

(2) licensed residential family-based substance use disorder treatment programs as defined in section 260C.007, subdivision 22a; and

(3) supervised settings in which a foster child age 18 or older may live independently, consistent with section 260C.451.

new text begin (c) A lead contract under section 256.0112, subdivision 6, is not required to establish the foster care maintenance payment in paragraph (a) for foster residence settings licensed under chapter 245A that meet the standards of Minnesota Rules, parts 2960.3200 to 2960.3230. The foster care maintenance payment for these settings must be consistent with section 256N.26, subdivision 3, and subject to the annual revision as specified in section 256N.26, subdivision 9. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective for placements made in licensed residential settings after September 30, 2021. new text end

Sec. 36.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 260C.452, is amended to read:

260C.452 SUCCESSFUL TRANSITION TO ADULTHOOD.

Subdivision 1.

Scope new text begin ; purpose new text end .

new text begin (a) For purposes of this section, "youth" means a person who is at least 14 years of age and under 23 years of age. new text end

new text begin (b) new text end This section pertains to a deleted text begin child deleted text end new text begin youth new text end who new text begin : new text end

new text begin (1) new text end is new text begin in foster care and is 14 years of age or older, including a youth who is new text end under the guardianship of the commissioner of human services deleted text begin , or who deleted text end new text begin ; new text end

new text begin (2) new text end has a permanency disposition of permanent custody to the agency deleted text begin , or who deleted text end new text begin ; new text end

new text begin (3) new text end will leave foster care deleted text begin at 18 to 21 years of age. deleted text end new text begin when the youth is 18 years of age or older and under 21 years of age; new text end

new text begin (4) has left foster care due to adoption when the youth was 16 years of age or older; new text end

new text begin (5) has left foster care due to a transfer of permanent legal and physical custody to a relative, or Tribal equivalent, when the youth was 16 years of age or older; or new text end

new text begin (6) was reunified with the youth's primary caretaker when the youth was 14 years of age or older and under 18 years of age. new text end

new text begin (c) The purpose of this section is to provide support to each youth who is transitioning to adulthood by providing services to the youth in the areas of: new text end

new text begin (1) education; new text end

new text begin (2) employment; new text end

new text begin (3) daily living skills such as financial literacy training and driving instruction, preventive health activities including promoting abstinence from substance use and smoking, and nutrition education and pregnancy prevention; new text end

new text begin (4) forming meaningful, permanent connections with caring adults; new text end

new text begin (5) engaging in age-appropriate and developmentally appropriate activities under section 260C.212, subdivision 14, and positive youth development; new text end

new text begin (6) financial, housing, counseling, and other services to assist a youth over 18 years of age in achieving self-sufficiency and accepting personal responsibility for the transition from adolescence to adulthood; and new text end

new text begin (7) making vouchers available for education and training. new text end

new text begin (d) The responsible social services agency may provide support and case management services to a youth as defined in paragraph (a) until the youth reaches 23 years of age. According to section 260C.451, a youth's placement in a foster care setting will end when the youth reaches 21 years of age. new text end

new text begin Subd. 1a. new text end

new text begin Case management services. new text end

new text begin Case management services include the responsibility for planning, coordinating, authorizing, monitoring, and evaluating services for a youth and shall be provided to a youth by the responsible social services agency or the contracted agency. Case management services include the out-of-home placement plan under section 260C.212, subdivision 1, when the youth is in out-of-home placement. new text end

Subd. 2.

Independent living plan.

When the deleted text begin child deleted text end new text begin youth new text end is 14 years of age or older new text begin and is receiving support from the responsible social services agency under this section new text end , the responsible social services agency, in consultation with the deleted text begin child deleted text end new text begin youth new text end , shall complete the new text begin youth's new text end independent living plan according to section 260C.212, subdivision 1, paragraph (c), clause (12) new text begin , regardless of the youth's current placement status new text end .

deleted text begin Subd. 3. deleted text end

deleted text begin Notification. deleted text end

deleted text begin Six months before the child is expected to be discharged from foster care, the responsible social services agency shall provide written notice to the child regarding the right to continued access to services for certain children in foster care past 18 years of age and of the right to appeal a denial of social services under section 256.045. deleted text end

Subd. 4.

Administrative or court review of placements.

(a) When the deleted text begin child deleted text end new text begin youth new text end is 14 years of age or older, the court, in consultation with the deleted text begin child deleted text end new text begin youth new text end , shall review the new text begin youth's new text end independent living plan according to section 260C.203, paragraph (d).

(b) The responsible social services agency shall file a copy of the notification deleted text begin required in subdivision 3 deleted text end new text begin of foster care benefits for a youth who is 18 years of age or older according to section 260C.451, subdivision 1, new text end with the court. If the responsible social services agency does not file the notice by the time the deleted text begin child deleted text end new text begin youth new text end is 17-1/2 years of age, the court shall require the responsible social services agency to file the notice.

(c) new text begin When a youth is 18 years of age or older, new text end the court shall ensure that the responsible social services agency assists the deleted text begin child deleted text end new text begin youth new text end in obtaining the following documents before the deleted text begin child deleted text end new text begin youth new text end leaves foster care: a Social Security card; an official or certified copy of the deleted text begin child's deleted text end new text begin youth's new text end birth certificate; a state identification card or driver's license, tribal enrollment identification card, green card, or school visa; health insurance information; the deleted text begin child's deleted text end new text begin youth's new text end school, medical, and dental records; a contact list of the deleted text begin child's deleted text end new text begin youth's new text end medical, dental, and mental health providers; and contact information for the deleted text begin child's deleted text end new text begin youth's new text end siblings, if the siblings are in foster care.

(d) For a deleted text begin child deleted text end new text begin youth new text end who will be discharged from foster care at 18 years of age or older new text begin because the youth is not eligible for extended foster care benefits or chooses to leave foster care new text end , the responsible social services agency must develop a personalized transition plan as directed by the deleted text begin child deleted text end new text begin youth new text end during the deleted text begin 90-day deleted text end new text begin 180-day new text end period immediately prior to the expected date of discharge. The transition plan must be as detailed as the deleted text begin child deleted text end new text begin youth new text end elects and include specific options, including but not limited to:

(1) affordable housing with necessary supports that does not include a homeless shelter;

(2) health insurance, including eligibility for medical assistance as defined in section 256B.055, subdivision 17;

(3) education, including application to the Education and Training Voucher Program;

(4) local opportunities for mentors and continuing support services deleted text begin , including the Healthy Transitions and Homeless Prevention program, if available deleted text end ;

(5) workforce supports and employment services;

(6) a copy of the deleted text begin child's deleted text end new text begin youth's new text end consumer credit report as defined in section 13C.001 and assistance in interpreting and resolving any inaccuracies in the report, at no cost to the deleted text begin child deleted text end new text begin youth new text end ;

(7) information on executing a health care directive under chapter 145C and on the importance of designating another individual to make health care decisions on behalf of the deleted text begin child deleted text end new text begin youth new text end if the deleted text begin child deleted text end new text begin youth new text end becomes unable to participate in decisions;

(8) appropriate contact information through 21 years of age if the deleted text begin child deleted text end new text begin youth new text end needs information or help dealing with a crisis situation; and

(9) official documentation that the youth was previously in foster care.

Subd. 5.

Notice of termination of deleted text begin foster care deleted text end new text begin social services new text end .

(a) deleted text begin When deleted text end new text begin Before new text end a deleted text begin child deleted text end new text begin youth who is 18 years of age or older new text end leaves foster care deleted text begin at 18 years of age or older deleted text end , the responsible social services agency shall give the deleted text begin child deleted text end new text begin youth new text end written notice that foster care shall terminate 30 days from the date new text begin that new text end the notice is sent new text begin by the agency according to section 260C.451, subdivision 8 new text end .

deleted text begin (b) The child or the child's guardian ad litem may file a motion asking the court to review the responsible social services agency's determination within 15 days of receiving the notice. The child shall not be discharged from foster care until the motion is heard. The responsible social services agency shall work with the child to transition out of foster care. deleted text end

deleted text begin (c) The written notice of termination of benefits shall be on a form prescribed by the commissioner and shall give notice of the right to have the responsible social services agency's determination reviewed by the court under this section or sections 260C.203, 260C.317, and 260C.515, subdivision 5 or 6. A copy of the termination notice shall be sent to the child and the child's attorney, if any, the foster care provider, the child's guardian ad litem, and the court. The responsible social services agency is not responsible for paying foster care benefits for any period of time after the child leaves foster care. deleted text end

new text begin (b) Before case management services will end for a youth who is at least 18 years of age and under 23 years of age, the responsible social services agency shall give the youth: (1) written notice that case management services for the youth shall terminate; and (2) written notice that the youth has the right to appeal the termination of case management services under section 256.045, subdivision 3, by responding in writing within ten days of the date that the agency mailed the notice. The termination notice must include information about services for which the youth is eligible and how to access the services. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2021. new text end

Sec. 37.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 260C.503, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Termination of parental rights.

(a) The responsible social services agency must ask the county attorney to immediately file a termination of parental rights petition when:

(1) the child has been subjected to egregious harm as defined in section 260C.007, subdivision 14;

(2) the child is determined to be the sibling of a child who was subjected to egregious harm;

(3) the child is an abandoned infant as defined in section 260C.301, subdivision 2, paragraph (a), clause (2);

(4) the child's parent has lost parental rights to another child through an order involuntarily terminating the parent's rights;

(5) the parent has committed sexual abuse as defined in section 260E.03, against the child or another child of the parent;

(6) the parent has committed an offense that requires registration as a predatory offender under section 243.166, subdivision 1b, paragraph (a) or (b); or

(7) another child of the parent is the subject of an order involuntarily transferring permanent legal and physical custody of the child to a relative under this chapter or a similar law of another jurisdiction;

The county attorney shall file a termination of parental rights petition unless the conditions of paragraph (d) are met.

(b) When the termination of parental rights petition is filed under this subdivision, the responsible social services agency shall identify, recruit, and approve an adoptive family for the child. If a termination of parental rights petition has been filed by another party, the responsible social services agency shall be joined as a party to the petition.

(c) If criminal charges have been filed against a parent arising out of the conduct alleged to constitute egregious harm, the county attorney shall determine which matter should proceed to trial first, consistent with the best interests of the child and subject to the defendant's right to a speedy trial.

(d) The requirement of paragraph (a) does not apply if the responsible social services agency and the county attorney determine and file with the court:

(1) a petition for transfer of permanent legal and physical custody to a relative under sections 260C.505 and 260C.515, subdivision deleted text begin 3 deleted text end new text begin 4 new text end , including a determination that adoption is not in the child's best interests and that transfer of permanent legal and physical custody is in the child's best interests; or

(2) a petition under section 260C.141 alleging the child, and where appropriate, the child's siblings, to be in need of protection or services accompanied by a case plan prepared by the responsible social services agency documenting a compelling reason why filing a termination of parental rights petition would not be in the best interests of the child.

Sec. 38.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 260C.515, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Guardianship; commissioner.

The court may new text begin issue an new text end order new text begin that the child is under the new text end guardianship deleted text begin to deleted text end new text begin of new text end the commissioner of human services under the following procedures and conditions:

(1) there is an identified prospective adoptive parent agreed to by the responsible social services agency deleted text begin having deleted text end new text begin that has new text end legal custody of the child pursuant to court order under this chapter and that prospective adoptive parent has agreed to adopt the child;

(2) the court accepts the parent's voluntary consent to adopt in writing on a form prescribed by the commissioner, executed before two competent witnesses and confirmed by the consenting parent before the court or executed before the court. The consent shall contain notice that consent given under this chapter:

(i) is irrevocable upon acceptance by the court unless fraud is established and an order is issued permitting revocation as stated in clause (9) unless the matter is governed by the Indian Child Welfare Act, United States Code, title 25, section 1913(c); and

(ii) will result in an order that the child is under the guardianship of the commissioner of human services;

(3) a consent executed and acknowledged outside of this state, either in accordance with the law of this state or in accordance with the law of the place where executed, is valid;

(4) the court must review the matter at least every 90 days under section 260C.317;

(5) a consent to adopt under this subdivision vests guardianship of the child with the commissioner of human services and makes the child a ward of the commissioner of human services under section 260C.325;

(6) the court must forward to the commissioner a copy of the consent to adopt, together with a certified copy of the order transferring guardianship to the commissioner;

(7) if an adoption is not finalized by the identified prospective adoptive parent within six months of the execution of the consent to adopt under this clause, the responsible social services agency shall pursue adoptive placement in another home unless the court finds in a hearing under section 260C.317 that the failure to finalize is not due to either an action or a failure to act by the prospective adoptive parent;

(8) notwithstanding clause (7), the responsible social services agency must pursue adoptive placement in another home as soon as the agency determines that finalization of the adoption with the identified prospective adoptive parent is not possible, that the identified prospective adoptive parent is not willing to adopt the child, or that the identified prospective adoptive parent is not cooperative in completing the steps necessary to finalize the adoption new text begin . The court may order a termination of parental rights under subdivision 2 new text end ; and

(9) unless otherwise required by the Indian Child Welfare Act, United States Code, title 25, section 1913(c), a consent to adopt executed under this section shall be irrevocable upon acceptance by the court except upon order permitting revocation issued by the same court after written findings that consent was obtained by fraud.

Sec. 39.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 260C.605, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Requirements.

(a) Reasonable efforts to finalize the adoption of a child under the guardianship of the commissioner shall be made by the responsible social services agency responsible for permanency planning for the child.

(b) Reasonable efforts to make a placement in a home according to the placement considerations under section 260C.212, subdivision 2, with a relative or foster parent who will commit to being the permanent resource for the child in the event the child cannot be reunified with a parent are required under section 260.012 and may be made concurrently with reasonable, or if the child is an Indian child, active efforts to reunify the child with the parent.

(c) Reasonable efforts under paragraph (b) must begin as soon as possible when the child is in foster care under this chapter, but not later than the hearing required under section 260C.204.

(d) Reasonable efforts to finalize the adoption of the child include:

(1) using age-appropriate engagement strategies to plan for adoption with the child;

(2) identifying an appropriate prospective adoptive parent for the child by updating the child's identified needs using the factors in section 260C.212, subdivision 2;

(3) making an adoptive placement that meets the child's needs by:

(i) completing or updating the relative search required under section 260C.221 and giving notice of the need for an adoptive home for the child to:

(A) relatives who have kept the agency or the court apprised of their whereabouts and who have indicated an interest in adopting the child; or

(B) relatives of the child who are located in an updated search;

(ii) an updated search is required whenever:

(A) there is no identified prospective adoptive placement for the child notwithstanding a finding by the court that the agency made diligent efforts under section 260C.221, in a hearing required under section 260C.202;

(B) the child is removed from the home of an adopting parent; or

(C) the court determines a relative search by the agency is in the best interests of the child;

(iii) engaging the child's foster parent and the child's relatives identified as an adoptive resource during the search conducted under section 260C.221, to commit to being the prospective adoptive parent of the child; or

(iv) when there is no identified prospective adoptive parent:

(A) registering the child on the state adoption exchange as required in section 259.75 unless the agency documents to the court an exception to placing the child on the state adoption exchange reported to the commissioner;

(B) reviewing all families with approved adoption home studies associated with the responsible social services agency;

(C) presenting the child to adoption agencies and adoption personnel who may assist with finding an adoptive home for the child;

(D) using newspapers and other media to promote the particular child;

(E) using a private agency under grant contract with the commissioner to provide adoption services for intensive child-specific recruitment efforts; and

(F) making any other efforts or using any other resources reasonably calculated to identify a prospective adoption parent for the child;

(4) updating and completing the social and medical history required under sections deleted text begin 259.43 deleted text end new text begin 260C.212, subdivision 15, new text end and 260C.609;

(5) making, and keeping updated, appropriate referrals required by section 260.851, the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children;

(6) giving notice regarding the responsibilities of an adoptive parent to any prospective adoptive parent as required under section 259.35;

(7) offering the adopting parent the opportunity to apply for or decline adoption assistance under chapter deleted text begin 259A deleted text end new text begin 256N new text end ;

(8) certifying the child for adoption assistance, assessing the amount of adoption assistance, and ascertaining the status of the commissioner's decision on the level of payment if the adopting parent has applied for adoption assistance;

(9) placing the child with siblings. If the child is not placed with siblings, the agency must document reasonable efforts to place the siblings together, as well as the reason for separation. The agency may not cease reasonable efforts to place siblings together for final adoption until the court finds further reasonable efforts would be futile or that placement together for purposes of adoption is not in the best interests of one of the siblings; and

(10) working with the adopting parent to file a petition to adopt the child and with the court administrator to obtain a timely hearing to finalize the adoption.

Sec. 40.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 260C.607, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

Subd. 6.

Motion and hearing to order adoptive placement.

(a) At any time after the district court orders the child under the guardianship of the commissioner of human services, but not later than 30 days after receiving notice required under section 260C.613, subdivision 1, paragraph (c), that the agency has made an adoptive placement, a relative or the child's foster parent may file a motion for an order for adoptive placement of a child who is under the guardianship of the commissioner if the relative or the child's foster parent:

(1) has an adoption home study under section 259.41 approving the relative or foster parent for adoption and has been a resident of Minnesota for at least six months before filing the motion; the court may waive the residency requirement for the moving party if there is a reasonable basis to do so; or

(2) is not a resident of Minnesota, but has an approved adoption home study by an agency licensed or approved to complete an adoption home study in the state of the individual's residence and the study is filed with the motion for adoptive placement.

(b) The motion shall be filed with the court conducting reviews of the child's progress toward adoption under this section. The motion and supporting documents must make a prima facie showing that the agency has been unreasonable in failing to make the requested adoptive placement. The motion must be served according to the requirements for motions under the Minnesota Rules of Juvenile Protection Procedure and shall be made on all individuals and entities listed in subdivision 2.

(c) If the motion and supporting documents do not make a prima facie showing for the court to determine whether the agency has been unreasonable in failing to make the requested adoptive placement, the court shall dismiss the motion. If the court determines a prima facie basis is made, the court shall set the matter for evidentiary hearing.

(d) At the evidentiary hearing, the responsible social services agency shall proceed first with evidence about the reason for not making the adoptive placement proposed by the moving party. The moving party then has the burden of proving by a preponderance of the evidence that the agency has been unreasonable in failing to make the adoptive placement.

(e) At the conclusion of the evidentiary hearing, if the court finds that the agency has been unreasonable in failing to make the adoptive placement and that the relative or the child's foster parent is the most suitable adoptive home to meet the child's needs using the factors in section 260C.212, subdivision 2, paragraph (b), the court may order the responsible social services agency to make an adoptive placement in the home of the relative or the child's foster parent.

(f) If, in order to ensure that a timely adoption may occur, the court orders the responsible social services agency to make an adoptive placement under this subdivision, the agency shall:

(1) make reasonable efforts to obtain a fully executed adoption placement agreement;

(2) work with the moving party regarding eligibility for adoption assistance as required under chapter deleted text begin 259A deleted text end new text begin 256N new text end ; and

(3) if the moving party is not a resident of Minnesota, timely refer the matter for approval of the adoptive placement through the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children.

(g) Denial or granting of a motion for an order for adoptive placement after an evidentiary hearing is an order which may be appealed by the responsible social services agency, the moving party, the child, when age ten or over, the child's guardian ad litem, and any individual who had a fully executed adoption placement agreement regarding the child at the time the motion was filed if the court's order has the effect of terminating the adoption placement agreement. An appeal shall be conducted according to the requirements of the Rules of Juvenile Protection Procedure.

Sec. 41.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 260C.609, is amended to read:

260C.609 SOCIAL AND MEDICAL HISTORY.

deleted text begin (a) The responsible social services agency shall work with the birth family of the child, foster family, medical and treatment providers, and the child's school to ensure there is a detailed, thorough, and currently up-to-date social and medical history of the child as required under section 259.43 on the forms required by the commissioner. deleted text end

deleted text begin (b) When the child continues in foster care, the agency's reasonable efforts to complete the history shall begin no later than the permanency progress review hearing required under section 260C.204 or six months after the child's placement in foster care. deleted text end

deleted text begin (c) deleted text end new text begin (a) new text end The new text begin responsible social services new text end agency shall thoroughly discuss the child's history with the deleted text begin adopting deleted text end new text begin prospective adoptive new text end parent of the child and shall give a new text begin redacted new text end copy of deleted text begin the report of deleted text end the child's social and medical history new text begin as described in section 260C.212, subdivision 15, including redacted attachments, new text end to the deleted text begin adopting deleted text end new text begin prospective adoptive new text end parent. new text begin If the prospective adoptive parent does not pursue adoption of the child, the prospective adoptive parent must return the child's social and medical history and redacted attachments to the agency. The responsible social services agency may give new text end a new text begin redacted new text end copy of the child's social and medical history deleted text begin may also be given deleted text end to the child deleted text begin , as appropriate deleted text end new text begin according to section 260C.212, subdivision 1 new text end .

deleted text begin (d) deleted text end new text begin (b) new text end The report shall not include information that identifies birth relatives. Redacted copies of all new text begin of new text end the child's relevant evaluations, assessments, and records must be attached to the social and medical history.

new text begin (c) The agency must submit the child's social and medical history to the Department of Human Services at the time that the agency submits the child's adoption placement agreement. Pursuant to section 260C.623, subdivision 4, the child's social and medical history must be submitted to the court at the time the adoption petition is filed with the court. new text end

Sec. 42.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 260C.615, is amended to read:

260C.615 DUTIES OF COMMISSIONER.

Subdivision 1.

Duties.

(a) For any child who is under the guardianship of the commissioner, the commissioner has the exclusive rights to consent to:

(1) the medical care plan for the treatment of a child who is at imminent risk of death or who has a chronic disease that, in a physician's judgment, will result in the child's death in the near future including a physician's order not to resuscitate or intubate the child; and

(2) the child donating a part of the child's body to another person while the child is living; the decision to donate a body part under this clause shall take into consideration the child's wishes and the child's culture.

(b) In addition to the exclusive rights under paragraph (a), the commissioner has a duty to:

(1) process any complete and accurate request for home study and placement through the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children under section 260.851;

(2) process any complete and accurate application for adoption assistance forwarded by the responsible social services agency according to chapter deleted text begin 259A deleted text end new text begin 256N new text end ;

(3) deleted text begin complete the execution of deleted text end new text begin review and process new text end an adoption placement agreement forwarded to the commissioner by the responsible social services agency and return it to the agency in a timely fashion; and

(4) maintain records as required in chapter 259.

Subd. 2.

Duties not reserved.

All duties, obligations, and consents not specifically reserved to the commissioner in this section are delegated to the responsible social services agency new text begin , subject to supervision by the commissioner under section 393.07 new text end .

Sec. 43.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 260C.704, is amended to read:

260C.704 REQUIREMENTS FOR THE QUALIFIED INDIVIDUAL'S ASSESSMENT OF THE CHILD FOR PLACEMENT IN A QUALIFIED RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT PROGRAM.

(a) A qualified individual must complete an assessment of the child prior to deleted text begin or within deleted text end deleted text begin 30 days of deleted text end the child's placement in a qualified residential treatment program in a format approved by the commissioner of human services deleted text begin , and deleted text end new text begin unless, due to a crisis, the child must immediately be placed in a qualified residential treatment program. When a child must immediately be placed in a qualified residential treatment program without an assessment, the qualified individual must complete the child's assessment within 30 days of the child's placement. The qualified individual new text end must:

(1) assess the child's needs and strengths, using an age-appropriate, evidence-based, validated, functional assessment approved by the commissioner of human services;

(2) determine whether the child's needs can be met by the child's family members or through placement in a family foster home; or, if not, determine which residential setting would provide the child with the most effective and appropriate level of care to the child in the least restrictive environment;

(3) develop a list of short- and long-term mental and behavioral health goals for the child; and

(4) work with the child's family and permanency team using culturally competent practices.

new text begin If a level of care determination was conducted under section 245.4885, that information must be shared with the qualified individual and the juvenile treatment screening team. new text end

(b) The child and the child's parents, when appropriate, may request that a specific culturally competent qualified individual complete the child's assessment. The agency shall make efforts to refer the child to the identified qualified individual to complete the assessment. The assessment must not be delayed for a specific qualified individual to complete the assessment.

(c) The qualified individual must provide the assessment, when complete, to the responsible social services agency deleted text begin , the child's parents or legal guardians, the guardian ad litem, and the court deleted text end new text begin . If the assessment recommends placement of the child in a qualified residential treatment facility, the agency must distribute the assessment to the child's parent or legal guardian and file the assessment with the court report new text end as required in section 260C.71 new text begin , subdivision 2. If the assessment does not recommend placement in a qualified residential treatment facility, the agency must provide a copy of the assessment to the parents or legal guardians and the guardian ad litem and file the assessment determination with the court at the next required hearing as required in section 260C.71, subdivision 5 new text end . If court rules and chapter 13 permit disclosure of the results of the child's assessment, the agency may share the results of the child's assessment with the child's foster care provider, other members of the child's family, and the family and permanency team. The agency must not share the child's private medical data with the family and permanency team unless: (1) chapter 13 permits the agency to disclose the child's private medical data to the family and permanency team; or (2) the child's parent has authorized the agency to disclose the child's private medical data to the family and permanency team.

(d) For an Indian child, the assessment of the child must follow the order of placement preferences in the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978, United States Code, title 25, section 1915.

(e) In the assessment determination, the qualified individual must specify in writing:

(1) the reasons why the child's needs cannot be met by the child's family or in a family foster home. A shortage of family foster homes is not an acceptable reason for determining that a family foster home cannot meet a child's needs;

(2) why the recommended placement in a qualified residential treatment program will provide the child with the most effective and appropriate level of care to meet the child's needs in the least restrictive environment possible and how placing the child at the treatment program is consistent with the short-term and long-term goals of the child's permanency plan; and

(3) if the qualified individual's placement recommendation is not the placement setting that the parent, family and permanency team, child, or tribe prefer, the qualified individual must identify the reasons why the qualified individual does not recommend the parent's, family and permanency team's, child's, or tribe's placement preferences. The out-of-home placement plan under section 260C.708 must also include reasons why the qualified individual did not recommend the preferences of the parents, family and permanency team, child, or tribe.

(f) If the qualified individual determines that the child's family or a family foster home or other less restrictive placement may meet the child's needs, the agency must move the child out of the qualified residential treatment program and transition the child to a less restrictive setting within 30 days of the determination. new text begin If the responsible social services agency has placement authority of the child, the agency must make a plan for the child's placement according to section 260C.212, subdivision 2. The agency must file the child's assessment determination with the court at the next required hearing. new text end

new text begin (g) If the qualified individual recommends placing the child in a qualified residential treatment program and if the responsible social services agency has placement authority of the child, the agency shall make referrals to appropriate qualified residential treatment programs and, upon acceptance by an appropriate program, place the child in an approved or certified qualified residential treatment program. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective September 30, 2021. new text end

Sec. 44.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 260C.706, is amended to read:

260C.706 FAMILY AND PERMANENCY TEAM REQUIREMENTS.

(a) When the responsible social services agency's juvenile treatment screening team, as defined in section 260C.157, recommends placing the child in a qualified residential treatment program, the agency must assemble a family and permanency team within ten days.

(1) The team must include all appropriate biological family members, the child's parents, legal guardians or custodians, foster care providers, and relatives as defined in section 260C.007, subdivisions deleted text begin 26c deleted text end new text begin 26b new text end and 27, and professionals, as appropriate, who are a resource to the child's family, such as teachers, medical or mental health providers, or clergy.

(2) When a child is placed in foster care prior to the qualified residential treatment program, the agency shall include relatives responding to the relative search notice as required under section 260C.221 on this team, unless the juvenile court finds that contacting a specific relative would deleted text begin endanger deleted text end new text begin present a safety or health risk to new text end the parent, guardian, child, sibling, or any other family member.

(3) When a qualified residential treatment program is the child's initial placement setting, the responsible social services agency must engage with the child and the child's parents to determine the appropriate family and permanency team members.

(4) When the permanency goal is to reunify the child with the child's parent or legal guardian, the purpose of the relative search and focus of the family and permanency team is to preserve family relationships and identify and develop supports for the child and parents.

(5) The responsible agency must make a good faith effort to identify and assemble all appropriate individuals to be part of the child's family and permanency team and request input from the parents regarding relative search efforts consistent with section 260C.221. The out-of-home placement plan in section 260C.708 must include all contact information for the team members, as well as contact information for family members or relatives who are not a part of the family and permanency team.

(6) If the child is age 14 or older, the team must include members of the family and permanency team that the child selects in accordance with section 260C.212, subdivision 1, paragraph (b).

(7) Consistent with section 260C.221, a responsible social services agency may disclose relevant and appropriate private data about the child to relatives in order for the relatives to participate in caring and planning for the child's placement.

(8) If the child is an Indian child under section 260.751, the responsible social services agency must make active efforts to include the child's tribal representative on the family and permanency team.

(b) The family and permanency team shall meet regarding the assessment required under section 260C.704 to determine whether it is necessary and appropriate to place the child in a qualified residential treatment program and to participate in case planning under section 260C.708.

(c) When reunification of the child with the child's parent or legal guardian is the permanency plan, the family and permanency team shall support the parent-child relationship by recognizing the parent's legal authority, consulting with the parent regarding ongoing planning for the child, and assisting the parent with visiting and contacting the child.

(d) When the agency's permanency plan is to transfer the child's permanent legal and physical custody to a relative or for the child's adoption, the team shall:

(1) coordinate with the proposed guardian to provide the child with educational services, medical care, and dental care;

(2) coordinate with the proposed guardian, the agency, and the foster care facility to meet the child's treatment needs after the child is placed in a permanent placement with the proposed guardian;

(3) plan to meet the child's need for safety, stability, and connection with the child's family and community after the child is placed in a permanent placement with the proposed guardian; and

(4) in the case of an Indian child, communicate with the child's tribe to identify necessary and appropriate services for the child, transition planning for the child, the child's treatment needs, and how to maintain the child's connections to the child's community, family, and tribe.

(e) The agency shall invite the family and permanency team to participate in case planning and the agency shall give the team notice of court reviews under sections 260C.152 and 260C.221 until: (1) the child is reunited with the child's parents; or (2) the child's foster care placement ends and the child is in a permanent placement.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective September 30, 2021. new text end

Sec. 45.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 260C.708, is amended to read:

260C.708 OUT-OF-HOME PLACEMENT PLAN FOR QUALIFIED RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT PROGRAM PLACEMENTS.

(a) When the responsible social services agency places a child in a qualified residential treatment program as defined in section 260C.007, subdivision 26d, the out-of-home placement plan must include:

(1) the case plan requirements in section deleted text begin 260.212, subdivision 1 deleted text end new text begin 260C.212 new text end ;

(2) the reasonable and good faith efforts of the responsible social services agency to identify and include all of the individuals required to be on the child's family and permanency team under section 260C.007;

(3) all contact information for members of the child's family and permanency team and for other relatives who are not part of the family and permanency team;

(4) evidence that the agency scheduled meetings of the family and permanency team, including meetings relating to the assessment required under section 260C.704, at a time and place convenient for the family;

new text begin (5) evidence that the family and permanency team is involved in the assessment required under section 260C.704 to determine the appropriateness of the child's placement in a qualified residential treatment program; new text end

new text begin (6) the family and permanency team's placement preferences for the child in the assessment required under section 260C.704. When making a decision about the child's placement preferences, the family and permanency team must recognize: new text end

new text begin (i) that the agency should place a child with the child's siblings unless a court finds that placing a child with the child's siblings is not possible due to a child's specialized placement needs or is otherwise contrary to the child's best interests; and new text end

new text begin (ii) that the agency should place an Indian child according to the requirements of the Indian Child Welfare Act, the Minnesota Family Preservation Act under sections 260.751 to 260.835, and section 260C.193, subdivision 3, paragraph (g); new text end

deleted text begin (5) deleted text end new text begin (7) new text end when reunification of the child with the child's parent or legal guardian is the agency's goal, evidence demonstrating that the parent or legal guardian provided input about the members of the family and permanency team under section 260C.706;

deleted text begin (6) deleted text end new text begin (8) new text end when the agency's permanency goal is to reunify the child with the child's parent or legal guardian, the out-of-home placement plan must identify services and supports that maintain the parent-child relationship and the parent's legal authority, decision-making, and responsibility for ongoing planning for the child. In addition, the agency must assist the parent with visiting and contacting the child;

deleted text begin (7) deleted text end new text begin (9) new text end when the agency's permanency goal is to transfer permanent legal and physical custody of the child to a proposed guardian or to finalize the child's adoption, the case plan must document the agency's steps to transfer permanent legal and physical custody of the child or finalize adoption, as required in section 260C.212, subdivision 1, paragraph (c), clauses (6) and (7); and

deleted text begin (8) deleted text end new text begin (10) new text end the qualified individual's recommendation regarding the child's placement in a qualified residential treatment program and the court approval or disapproval of the placement as required in section 260C.71.

(b) If the placement preferences of the family and permanency team, child, and tribe, if applicable, are not consistent with the placement setting that the qualified individual recommends, the case plan must include the reasons why the qualified individual did not recommend following the preferences of the family and permanency team, child, and the tribe.

(c) The agency must file the out-of-home placement plan with the court as part of the 60-day deleted text begin hearing deleted text end new text begin court order new text end under section 260C.71.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective September 30, 2021. new text end

Sec. 46.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 260C.71, is amended to read:

260C.71 COURT APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS.

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Judicial review. new text end

new text begin When the responsible social services agency has legal authority to place a child at a qualified residential treatment facility under section 260C.007, subdivision 21a, and the child's assessment under section 260C.704 recommends placing the child in a qualified residential treatment facility, the agency shall place the child at a qualified residential facility. Within 60 days of placing the child at a qualified residential treatment facility, the agency must obtain a court order finding that the child's placement is appropriate and meets the child's individualized needs. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Qualified residential treatment program; agency report to court. new text end

new text begin (a) The responsible social services agency shall file a written report with the court after receiving the qualified individual's assessment as specified in section 260C.704 prior to the child's placement or within 35 days of the date of the child's placement in a qualified residential treatment facility. The written report shall contain or have attached: new text end

new text begin (1) the child's name, date of birth, race, gender, and current address; new text end

new text begin (2) the names, races, dates of birth, residence, and post office address of the child's parents or legal custodian, or guardian; new text end

new text begin (3) the name and address of the qualified residential treatment program, including a chief administrator of the facility; new text end

new text begin (4) a statement of the facts that necessitated the child's foster care placement; new text end

new text begin (5) the child's out-of-home placement plan under section 260C.212, subdivision 1, including the requirements in section 260C.708; new text end

new text begin (6) if the child is placed in an out-of-state qualified residential treatment program, the compelling reasons why the child's needs cannot be met by an in-state placement; new text end

new text begin (7) the qualified individual's assessment of the child under section 260C.704, paragraph (c), in a format approved by the commissioner; new text end

new text begin (8) if, at the time required for the report under this subdivision, the child's parent or legal guardian, a child who is ten years of age or older, the family and permanency team, or a tribe disagrees with the recommended qualified residential treatment program placement, information regarding the disagreement and to the extent possible, the basis for the disagreement in the report; and new text end

new text begin (9) any other information that the responsible social services agency, child's parent, legal custodian or guardian, child, or, in the case of an Indian child, tribe would like the court to consider. new text end

new text begin (b) The agency shall file the written report under paragraph (a) with the court and serve on the parties a request for a hearing or a court order without a hearing. new text end

new text begin (c) The agency must inform the child's parent or legal guardian and a child who is ten years of age or older of the court review requirements of this section and the child and child's parent's or legal guardian's right to submit information to the court: new text end

new text begin (1) the agency must inform the child's parent or legal guardian and a child who is ten years of age or older of the reporting date and the date by which the agency must receive information from the child and child's parent so that the agency is able to submit the report required by this subdivision to the court; new text end

new text begin (2) the agency must inform the child's parent or legal guardian, and a child who is ten years of age or older that the court will hold a hearing upon the request of the child or the child's parent; and new text end

new text begin (3) the agency must inform the child's parent or legal guardian, and a child who is ten years of age or older that they have the right to request a hearing and the right to present information to the court for the court's review under this subdivision. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Court hearing. new text end

new text begin (a) The court shall hold a hearing when a party or a child who is ten years of age or older requests a hearing. new text end

new text begin (b) In all other circumstances, the court has the discretion to hold a hearing or issue an order without a hearing. new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Court findings and order. new text end

(a) Within 60 days from the beginning of each placement in a qualified residential treatment program new text begin when the qualified individual's assessment of the child recommends placing the child in a qualified residential treatment program new text end , the court must new text begin consider the qualified individual's assessment of the child under section 260C.704 and issue an order to new text end :

deleted text begin (1) consider the qualified individual's assessment of whether it is necessary and appropriate to place the child in a qualified residential treatment program under section 260C.704; deleted text end

deleted text begin (2) deleted text end new text begin (1) new text end determine whether a family foster home can meet the child's needs, whether it is necessary and appropriate to place a child in a qualified residential treatment program that is the least restrictive environment possible, and whether the child's placement is consistent with the child's short and long term goals as specified in the permanency plan; and

deleted text begin (3) deleted text end new text begin (2) new text end approve or disapprove of the child's placement.

(b) deleted text begin In the out-of-home placement plan, the agency must document the court's approval or disapproval of the placement, as specified in section 260C.708. deleted text end new text begin If the court disapproves of the child's placement in a qualified residential treatment program, the responsible social services agency shall: (1) remove the child from the qualified residential treatment program within 30 days of the court's order; and (2) make a plan for the child's placement that is consistent with the child's best interests under section 260C.212, subdivision 2. new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Court review and approval not required. new text end

new text begin When the responsible social services agency has legal authority to place a child under section 260C.007, subdivision 21a, and the qualified individual's assessment of the child does not recommend placing the child in a qualified residential treatment program, the court is not required to hold a hearing and the court is not required to issue an order. Pursuant to section 260C.704, paragraph (f), the responsible social services agency shall make a plan for the child's placement consistent with the child's best interests under section 260C.212, subdivision 2. The agency must file the agency's assessment determination for the child with the court at the next required hearing. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective September 30, 2021. new text end

Sec. 47.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 260C.712, is amended to read:

260C.712 ONGOING REVIEWS AND PERMANENCY HEARING REQUIREMENTS.

As long as a child remains placed in a qualified residential treatment program, the responsible social services agency shall submit evidence at each administrative review under section 260C.203; each court review under sections 260C.202, 260C.203, deleted text begin and deleted text end 260C.204 new text begin , 260D.06, 260D.07, and 260D.08 new text end ; and each permanency hearing under section 260C.515, 260C.519, deleted text begin or deleted text end 260C.521, new text begin or 260D.07 new text end that:

(1) demonstrates that an ongoing assessment of the strengths and needs of the child continues to support the determination that the child's needs cannot be met through placement in a family foster home;

(2) demonstrates that the placement of the child in a qualified residential treatment program provides the most effective and appropriate level of care for the child in the least restrictive environment;

(3) demonstrates how the placement is consistent with the short-term and long-term goals for the child, as specified in the child's permanency plan;

(4) documents how the child's specific treatment or service needs will be met in the placement;

(5) documents the length of time that the agency expects the child to need treatment or services; deleted text begin and deleted text end

(6) documents the responsible social services agency's efforts to prepare the child to return home or to be placed with a fit and willing relative, legal guardian, adoptive parent, or foster family deleted text begin . deleted text end new text begin ; and new text end

new text begin (7) if the child is placed in a qualified residential treatment program out-of-state, documents the compelling reasons for placing the child out-of-state, and the reasons that the child's needs cannot be met by an in-state placement. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective September 30, 2021. new text end

Sec. 48.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 260C.714, is amended to read:

260C.714 REVIEW OF EXTENDED QUALIFIED RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT PROGRAM PLACEMENTS.

(a) When a responsible social services agency places a child in a qualified residential treatment program for more than 12 consecutive months or 18 nonconsecutive months or, in the case of a child who is under 13 years of age, for more than six consecutive or nonconsecutive months, the agency must submit: (1) the signed approval by the county social services director of the responsible social services agency; and (2) the evidence supporting the child's placement at the most recent court review or permanency hearing under section 260C.712 deleted text begin , paragraph (b) deleted text end .

(b) The commissioner shall specify the procedures and requirements for the agency's review and approval of a child's extended qualified residential treatment program placement. The commissioner may consult with counties, tribes, child-placing agencies, mental health providers, licensed facilities, the child, the child's parents, and the family and permanency team members to develop case plan requirements and engage in periodic reviews of the case plan.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective September 30, 2021. new text end

Sec. 49.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 260D.01, is amended to read:

260D.01 CHILD IN VOLUNTARY FOSTER CARE FOR TREATMENT.

(a) Sections 260D.01 to 260D.10, may be cited as the "child in voluntary foster care for treatment" provisions of the Juvenile Court Act.

(b) The juvenile court has original and exclusive jurisdiction over a child in voluntary foster care for treatment upon the filing of a report or petition required under this chapter. All obligations of the new text begin responsible social services new text end agency to a child and family in foster care contained in chapter 260C not inconsistent with this chapter are also obligations of the agency with regard to a child in foster care for treatment under this chapter.

(c) This chapter shall be construed consistently with the mission of the children's mental health service system as set out in section 245.487, subdivision 3, and the duties of an agency under sections 256B.092 and 260C.157 and Minnesota Rules, parts 9525.0004 to 9525.0016, to meet the needs of a child with a developmental disability or related condition. This chapter:

(1) establishes voluntary foster care through a voluntary foster care agreement as the means for an agency and a parent to provide needed treatment when the child must be in foster care to receive necessary treatment for an emotional disturbance or developmental disability or related condition;

(2) establishes court review requirements for a child in voluntary foster care for treatment due to emotional disturbance or developmental disability or a related condition;

(3) establishes the ongoing responsibility of the parent as legal custodian to visit the child, to plan together with the agency for the child's treatment needs, to be available and accessible to the agency to make treatment decisions, and to obtain necessary medical, dental, and other care for the child; deleted text begin and deleted text end

(4) applies to voluntary foster care when the child's parent and the agency agree that the child's treatment needs require foster care either:

(i) due to a level of care determination by the agency's screening team informed by the new text begin child's new text end diagnostic and functional assessment under section 245.4885; or

(ii) due to a determination regarding the level of services needed by new text begin the child by new text end the responsible social deleted text begin services' deleted text end new text begin services agency's new text end screening team under section 256B.092, and Minnesota Rules, parts 9525.0004 to 9525.0016 deleted text begin . deleted text end new text begin ; and new text end

new text begin (5) includes the requirements for a child's placement in sections 260C.70 to 260C.714, when the juvenile treatment screening team recommends placing a child in a qualified residential treatment program, except as modified by this chapter. new text end

(d) This chapter does not apply when there is a current determination under chapter 260E that the child requires child protective services or when the child is in foster care for any reason other than treatment for the child's emotional disturbance or developmental disability or related condition. When there is a determination under chapter 260E that the child requires child protective services based on an assessment that there are safety and risk issues for the child that have not been mitigated through the parent's engagement in services or otherwise, or when the child is in foster care for any reason other than the child's emotional disturbance or developmental disability or related condition, the provisions of chapter 260C apply.

(e) The paramount consideration in all proceedings concerning a child in voluntary foster care for treatment is the safety, health, and the best interests of the child. The purpose of this chapter is:

(1) to ensure new text begin that new text end a child with a disability is provided the services necessary to treat or ameliorate the symptoms of the child's disability;

(2) to preserve and strengthen the child's family ties whenever possible and in the child's best interests, approving the child's placement away from the child's parents only when the child's need for care or treatment requires deleted text begin it deleted text end new text begin out-of-home placement new text end and the child cannot be maintained in the home of the parent; and

(3) to ensure new text begin that new text end the child's parent retains legal custody of the child and associated decision-making authority unless the child's parent willfully fails or is unable to make decisions that meet the child's safety, health, and best interests. The court may not find that the parent willfully fails or is unable to make decisions that meet the child's needs solely because the parent disagrees with the agency's choice of foster care facility, unless the agency files a petition under chapter 260C, and establishes by clear and convincing evidence that the child is in need of protection or services.

(f) The legal parent-child relationship shall be supported under this chapter by maintaining the parent's legal authority and responsibility for ongoing planning for the child and by the agency's assisting the parent, deleted text begin where deleted text end new text begin when new text end necessary, to exercise the parent's ongoing right and obligation to visit or to have reasonable contact with the child. Ongoing planning means:

(1) actively participating in the planning and provision of educational services, medical, and dental care for the child;

(2) actively planning and participating with the agency and the foster care facility for the child's treatment needs; deleted text begin and deleted text end

(3) planning to meet the child's need for safety, stability, and permanency, and the child's need to stay connected to the child's family and community deleted text begin . deleted text end new text begin ; new text end

new text begin (4) engaging with the responsible social services agency to ensure that the family and permanency team under section 260C.706 consists of appropriate family members. For purposes of voluntary placement of a child in foster care for treatment under chapter 260D, prior to forming the child's family and permanency team, the responsible social services agency must consult with the child's parent or legal guardian, the child if the child is 14 years of age or older, and, if applicable, the child's tribe to obtain recommendations regarding which individuals to include on the team and to ensure that the team is family-centered and will act in the child's best interests. If the child, child's parents, or legal guardians raise concerns about specific relatives or professionals, the team should not include those individuals unless the individual is a treating professional or an important connection to the youth as outlined in the case or crisis plan; and new text end

new text begin (5) for a voluntary placement under this chapter in a qualified residential treatment program, as defined in section 260C.007, subdivision 26d, for purposes of engaging in a relative search as provided in section 260C.221, the county agency must consult with the child's parent or legal guardian, the child if the child is 14 years of age or older, and, if applicable, the child's tribe to obtain recommendations regarding which adult relatives the county agency should notify. If the child, child's parents, or legal guardians raise concerns about specific relatives, the county agency should not notify those relatives. new text end

(g) The provisions of section 260.012 to ensure placement prevention, family reunification, and all active and reasonable effort requirements of that section apply. This chapter shall be construed consistently with the requirements of the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978, United States Code, title 25, section 1901, et al., and the provisions of the Minnesota Indian Family Preservation Act, sections 260.751 to 260.835.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective September 30, 2021. new text end

Sec. 50.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 260D.05, is amended to read:

260D.05 ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW OF CHILD IN VOLUNTARY FOSTER CARE FOR TREATMENT.

The administrative reviews required under section 260C.203 must be conducted for a child in voluntary foster care for treatment, except that the initial administrative review must take place prior to the submission of the report to the court required under section 260D.06, subdivision 2. new text begin When a child is placed in a qualified residential treatment program as defined in section 260C.007, subdivision 26d, the responsible social services agency must submit evidence to the court as specified in section 260C.712. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective September 30, 2021. new text end

Sec. 51.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 260D.06, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Agency report to court; court review.

The agency shall obtain judicial review by reporting to the court according to the following procedures:

(a) A written report shall be forwarded to the court within 165 days of the date of the voluntary placement agreement. The written report shall contain or have attached:

(1) a statement of facts that necessitate the child's foster care placement;

(2) the child's name, date of birth, race, gender, and current address;

(3) the names, race, date of birth, residence, and post office addresses of the child's parents or legal custodian;

(4) a statement regarding the child's eligibility for membership or enrollment in an Indian tribe and the agency's compliance with applicable provisions of sections 260.751 to 260.835;

(5) the names and addresses of the foster parents or chief administrator of the facility in which the child is placed, if the child is not in a family foster home or group home;

(6) a copy of the out-of-home placement plan required under section 260C.212, subdivision 1;

(7) a written summary of the proceedings of any administrative review required under section 260C.203; deleted text begin and deleted text end

(8) new text begin evidence as specified in section 260C.712 when a child is placed in a qualified residential treatment program as defined in section 260C.007, subdivision 26d; and new text end

new text begin (9) new text end any other information the agency, parent or legal custodian, the child or the foster parent, or other residential facility wants the court to consider.

(b) In the case of a child in placement due to emotional disturbance, the written report shall include as an attachment, the child's individual treatment plan developed by the child's treatment professional, as provided in section 245.4871, subdivision 21, or the child's standard written plan, as provided in section 125A.023, subdivision 3, paragraph (e).

(c) In the case of a child in placement due to developmental disability or a related condition, the written report shall include as an attachment, the child's individual service plan, as provided in section 256B.092, subdivision 1b; the child's individual program plan, as provided in Minnesota Rules, part 9525.0004, subpart 11; the child's waiver care plan; or the child's standard written plan, as provided in section 125A.023, subdivision 3, paragraph (e).

(d) The agency must inform the child, age 12 or older, the child's parent, and the foster parent or foster care facility of the reporting and court review requirements of this section and of their right to submit information to the court:

(1) if the child or the child's parent or the foster care provider wants to send information to the court, the agency shall advise those persons of the reporting date and the date by which the agency must receive the information they want forwarded to the court so the agency is timely able submit it with the agency's report required under this subdivision;

(2) the agency must also inform the child, age 12 or older, the child's parent, and the foster care facility that they have the right to be heard in person by the court and how to exercise that right;

(3) the agency must also inform the child, age 12 or older, the child's parent, and the foster care provider that an in-court hearing will be held if requested by the child, the parent, or the foster care provider; and

(4) if, at the time required for the report under this section, a child, age 12 or older, disagrees about the foster care facility or services provided under the out-of-home placement plan required under section 260C.212, subdivision 1, the agency shall include information regarding the child's disagreement, and to the extent possible, the basis for the child's disagreement in the report required under this section.

(e) After receiving the required report, the court has jurisdiction to make the following determinations and must do so within ten days of receiving the forwarded report, whether a hearing is requested:

(1) whether the voluntary foster care arrangement is in the child's best interests;

(2) whether the parent and agency are appropriately planning for the child; and

(3) in the case of a child age 12 or older, who disagrees with the foster care facility or services provided under the out-of-home placement plan, whether it is appropriate to appoint counsel and a guardian ad litem for the child using standards and procedures under section 260C.163.

(f) Unless requested by a parent, representative of the foster care facility, or the child, no in-court hearing is required in order for the court to make findings and issue an order as required in paragraph (e).

(g) If the court finds the voluntary foster care arrangement is in the child's best interests and that the agency and parent are appropriately planning for the child, the court shall issue an order containing explicit, individualized findings to support its determination. The individualized findings shall be based on the agency's written report and other materials submitted to the court. The court may make this determination notwithstanding the child's disagreement, if any, reported under paragraph (d).

(h) The court shall send a copy of the order to the county attorney, the agency, parent, child, age 12 or older, and the foster parent or foster care facility.

(i) The court shall also send the parent, the child, age 12 or older, the foster parent, or representative of the foster care facility notice of the permanency review hearing required under section 260D.07, paragraph (e).

(j) If the court finds continuing the voluntary foster care arrangement is not in the child's best interests or that the agency or the parent are not appropriately planning for the child, the court shall notify the agency, the parent, the foster parent or foster care facility, the child, age 12 or older, and the county attorney of the court's determinations and the basis for the court's determinations. In this case, the court shall set the matter for hearing and appoint a guardian ad litem for the child under section 260C.163, subdivision 5.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective September 30, 2021. new text end

Sec. 52.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 260D.07, is amended to read:

260D.07 REQUIRED PERMANENCY REVIEW HEARING.

(a) When the court has found that the voluntary arrangement is in the child's best interests and that the agency and parent are appropriately planning for the child pursuant to the report submitted under section 260D.06, and the child continues in voluntary foster care as defined in section 260D.02, subdivision 10, for 13 months from the date of the voluntary foster care agreement, or has been in placement for 15 of the last 22 months, the agency must:

(1) terminate the voluntary foster care agreement and return the child home; or

(2) determine whether there are compelling reasons to continue the voluntary foster care arrangement and, if the agency determines there are compelling reasons, seek judicial approval of its determination; or

(3) file a petition for the termination of parental rights.

(b) When the agency is asking for the court's approval of its determination that there are compelling reasons to continue the child in the voluntary foster care arrangement, the agency shall file a "Petition for Permanency Review Regarding a Child in Voluntary Foster Care for Treatment" and ask the court to proceed under this section.

(c) The "Petition for Permanency Review Regarding a Child in Voluntary Foster Care for Treatment" shall be drafted or approved by the county attorney and be under oath. The petition shall include:

(1) the date of the voluntary placement agreement;

(2) whether the petition is due to the child's developmental disability or emotional disturbance;

(3) the plan for the ongoing care of the child and the parent's participation in the plan;

(4) a description of the parent's visitation and contact with the child;

(5) the date of the court finding that the foster care placement was in the best interests of the child, if required under section 260D.06, or the date the agency filed the motion under section 260D.09, paragraph (b);

(6) the agency's reasonable efforts to finalize the permanent plan for the child, including returning the child to the care of the child's family; deleted text begin and deleted text end

(7) a citation to this chapter as the basis for the petition deleted text begin . deleted text end new text begin ; and new text end

new text begin (8) evidence as specified in section 260C.712 when a child is placed in a qualified residential treatment program as defined in section 260C.007, subdivision 26d. new text end

(d) An updated copy of the out-of-home placement plan required under section 260C.212, subdivision 1, shall be filed with the petition.

(e) The court shall set the date for the permanency review hearing no later than 14 months after the child has been in placement or within 30 days of the petition filing date when the child has been in placement 15 of the last 22 months. The court shall serve the petition together with a notice of hearing by United States mail on the parent, the child age 12 or older, the child's guardian ad litem, if one has been appointed, the agency, the county attorney, and counsel for any party.

(f) The court shall conduct the permanency review hearing on the petition no later than 14 months after the date of the voluntary placement agreement, within 30 days of the filing of the petition when the child has been in placement 15 of the last 22 months, or within 15 days of a motion to terminate jurisdiction and to dismiss an order for foster care under chapter 260C, as provided in section 260D.09, paragraph (b).

(g) At the permanency review hearing, the court shall:

(1) inquire of the parent if the parent has reviewed the "Petition for Permanency Review Regarding a Child in Voluntary Foster Care for Treatment," whether the petition is accurate, and whether the parent agrees to the continued voluntary foster care arrangement as being in the child's best interests;

(2) inquire of the parent if the parent is satisfied with the agency's reasonable efforts to finalize the permanent plan for the child, including whether there are services available and accessible to the parent that might allow the child to safely be with the child's family;

(3) inquire of the parent if the parent consents to the court entering an order that:

(i) approves the responsible agency's reasonable efforts to finalize the permanent plan for the child, which includes ongoing future planning for the safety, health, and best interests of the child; and

(ii) approves the responsible agency's determination that there are compelling reasons why the continued voluntary foster care arrangement is in the child's best interests; and

(4) inquire of the child's guardian ad litem and any other party whether the guardian or the party agrees that:

(i) the court should approve the responsible agency's reasonable efforts to finalize the permanent plan for the child, which includes ongoing and future planning for the safety, health, and best interests of the child; and

(ii) the court should approve of the responsible agency's determination that there are compelling reasons why the continued voluntary foster care arrangement is in the child's best interests.

(h) At a permanency review hearing under this section, the court may take the following actions based on the contents of the sworn petition and the consent of the parent:

(1) approve the agency's compelling reasons that the voluntary foster care arrangement is in the best interests of the child; and

(2) find that the agency has made reasonable efforts to finalize the permanent plan for the child.

(i) A child, age 12 or older, may object to the agency's request that the court approve its compelling reasons for the continued voluntary arrangement and may be heard on the reasons for the objection. Notwithstanding the child's objection, the court may approve the agency's compelling reasons and the voluntary arrangement.

(j) If the court does not approve the voluntary arrangement after hearing from the child or the child's guardian ad litem, the court shall dismiss the petition. In this case, either:

(1) the child must be returned to the care of the parent; or

(2) the agency must file a petition under section 260C.141, asking for appropriate relief under sections 260C.301 or 260C.503 to 260C.521.

(k) When the court approves the agency's compelling reasons for the child to continue in voluntary foster care for treatment, and finds that the agency has made reasonable efforts to finalize a permanent plan for the child, the court shall approve the continued voluntary foster care arrangement, and continue the matter under the court's jurisdiction for the purposes of reviewing the child's placement every 12 months while the child is in foster care.

(l) A finding that the court approves the continued voluntary placement means the agency has continued legal authority to place the child while a voluntary placement agreement remains in effect. The parent or the agency may terminate a voluntary agreement as provided in section 260D.10. Termination of a voluntary foster care placement of an Indian child is governed by section 260.765, subdivision 4.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective September 30, 2021. new text end

Sec. 53.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 260D.08, is amended to read:

260D.08 ANNUAL REVIEW.

(a) After the court conducts a permanency review hearing under section 260D.07, the matter must be returned to the court for further review of the responsible social services reasonable efforts to finalize the permanent plan for the child and the child's foster care placement at least every 12 months while the child is in foster care. The court shall give notice to the parent and child, age 12 or older, and the foster parents of the continued review requirements under this section at the permanency review hearing.

(b) Every 12 months, the court shall determine whether the agency made reasonable efforts to finalize the permanency plan for the child, which means the exercise of due diligence by the agency to:

(1) ensure that the agreement for voluntary foster care is the most appropriate legal arrangement to meet the child's safety, health, and best interests and to conduct a genuine examination of whether there is another permanency disposition order under chapter 260C, including returning the child home, that would better serve the child's need for a stable and permanent home;

(2) engage and support the parent in continued involvement in planning and decision making for the needs of the child;

(3) strengthen the child's ties to the parent, relatives, and community;

(4) implement the out-of-home placement plan required under section 260C.212, subdivision 1, and ensure that the plan requires the provision of appropriate services to address the physical health, mental health, and educational needs of the child; deleted text begin and deleted text end

new text begin (5) submit evidence to the court as specified in section 260C.712 when a child is placed in a qualified residential treatment program setting as defined in section 260C.007, subdivision 26d; and new text end

deleted text begin (5) deleted text end new text begin (6) new text end ensure appropriate planning for the child's safe, permanent, and independent living arrangement after the child's 18th birthday.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective September 30, 2021. new text end

Sec. 54.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 260D.14, is amended to read:

260D.14 SUCCESSFUL TRANSITION TO ADULTHOOD FOR deleted text begin CHILDREN deleted text end new text begin YOUTH new text end IN VOLUNTARY PLACEMENT.

Subdivision 1.

Case planning.

When deleted text begin the child deleted text end new text begin a youth new text end is 14 years of age or older, the responsible social services agency shall ensure new text begin that new text end a deleted text begin child deleted text end new text begin youth new text end in foster care under this chapter is provided with the case plan requirements in section 260C.212, subdivisions 1 and 14.

Subd. 2.

Notification.

The responsible social services agency shall provide new text begin a youth with new text end written notice of deleted text begin the right to continued access to services for certain children in foster care past 18 years of age under section 260C.452, subdivision 3 deleted text end new text begin foster care benefits that a youth who is 18 years of age or older may continue to receive according to section 260C.451, subdivision 1 new text end , and of the right to appeal a denial of social services under section 256.045. The notice must be provided to the deleted text begin child deleted text end new text begin youth new text end six months before the deleted text begin child's deleted text end new text begin youth's new text end 18th birthday.

Subd. 3.

Administrative or court reviews.

When deleted text begin the child deleted text end new text begin a youth new text end is deleted text begin 17 deleted text end new text begin 14 new text end years of age or older, the administrative review or court hearing must include a review of the responsible social services agency's support for the deleted text begin child's deleted text end new text begin youth's new text end successful transition to adulthood as required in section 260C.452, subdivision 4.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2021. new text end

Sec. 55.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 260E.20, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Face-to-face contact.

(a) Upon receipt of a screened in report, the local welfare agency shall conduct a face-to-face contact with the child reported to be maltreated and with the child's primary caregiver sufficient to complete a safety assessment and ensure the immediate safety of the child.

(b) The face-to-face contact with the child and primary caregiver shall occur immediately if sexual abuse or substantial child endangerment is alleged and within five calendar days for all other reports. If the alleged offender was not already interviewed as the primary caregiver, the local welfare agency shall also conduct a face-to-face interview with the alleged offender in the early stages of the assessment or investigation. new text begin Face-to-face contact with the child and primary caregiver in response to a report alleging sexual abuse or substantial child endangerment may be postponed for no more than five calendar days if the child is residing in a location that is confirmed to restrict contact with the alleged offender as established in guidelines issued by the commissioner, or if the local welfare agency is pursuing a court order for the child's caregiver to produce the child for questioning under section 260E.22, subdivision 5. new text end

(c) At the initial contact with the alleged offender, the local welfare agency or the agency responsible for assessing or investigating the report must inform the alleged offender of the complaints or allegations made against the individual in a manner consistent with laws protecting the rights of the person who made the report. The interview with the alleged offender may be postponed if it would jeopardize an active law enforcement investigation.

(d) The local welfare agency or the agency responsible for assessing or investigating the report must provide the alleged offender with an opportunity to make a statement. The alleged offender may submit supporting documentation relevant to the assessment or investigation.

Sec. 56.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 260E.31, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Reports required.

(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b), a person mandated to report under this chapter shall immediately report to the local welfare agency if the person knows or has reason to believe that a woman is pregnant and has used a controlled substance for a nonmedical purpose during the pregnancy, including but not limited to tetrahydrocannabinol, or has consumed alcoholic beverages during the pregnancy in any way that is habitual or excessive.

(b) A health care professional or a social service professional who is mandated to report under this chapter is exempt from reporting under paragraph (a) deleted text begin a woman's use or consumption of tetrahydrocannabinol or alcoholic beverages during pregnancy deleted text end if the professional is providing new text begin or collaborating with other professionals to provide new text end the woman with prenatal care new text begin , postpartum care, new text end or other health care services new text begin , including care of the woman's infant new text end . new text begin If the woman does not continue to receive regular prenatal or postpartum care, after the woman's health care professional has made attempts to contact the woman, then the professional is required to report under paragraph (a). new text end

(c) Any person may make a voluntary report if the person knows or has reason to believe that a woman is pregnant and has used a controlled substance for a nonmedical purpose during the pregnancy, including but not limited to tetrahydrocannabinol, or has consumed alcoholic beverages during the pregnancy in any way that is habitual or excessive.

(d) An oral report shall be made immediately by telephone or otherwise. An oral report made by a person required to report shall be followed within 72 hours, exclusive of weekends and holidays, by a report in writing to the local welfare agency. Any report shall be of sufficient content to identify the pregnant woman, the nature and extent of the use, if known, and the name and address of the reporter. The local welfare agency shall accept a report made under paragraph (c) notwithstanding refusal by a voluntary reporter to provide the reporter's name or address as long as the report is otherwise sufficient.

(e) For purposes of this section, "prenatal care" means the comprehensive package of medical and psychological support provided throughout the pregnancy.

Sec. 57.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 260E.33, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 6a. new text end

new text begin Notification of contested case hearing. new text end

new text begin When an appeal of a lead investigative agency determination results in a contested case hearing under chapter 245A or 245C, the administrative law judge shall notify the parent, legal custodian, or guardian of the child who is the subject of the maltreatment determination. The notice must be sent by certified mail and inform the parent, legal custodian, or guardian of the child of the right to file a signed written statement in the proceedings and the right to attend and participate in the hearing. The parent, legal custodian, or guardian of the child may file a written statement with the administrative law judge hearing the case no later than five business days before commencement of the hearing. The administrative law judge shall include the written statement in the hearing record and consider the statement in deciding the appeal. The lead investigative agency shall provide to the administrative law judge the address of the parent, legal custodian, or guardian of the child. If the lead investigative agency is not reasonably able to determine the address of the parent, legal custodian, or guardian of the child, the administrative law judge is not required to send a hearing notice under this subdivision. new text end

Sec. 58.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 260E.36, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 1a. new text end

new text begin Sex trafficking and sexual exploitation training requirement. new text end

new text begin As required by the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act amendments through Public Law 114-22 and to implement Public Law 115-123, all child protection social workers and social services staff who have responsibility for child protective duties under this chapter or chapter 260C shall complete training implemented by the commissioner of human services regarding sex trafficking and sexual exploitation of children and youth. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2021. new text end

Sec. 59.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 518.157, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Implementation; administration.

new text begin (a) new text end By January 1, 1998, the chief judge of each judicial district or a designee shall implement one or more parent education programs within the judicial district for the purpose of educating parents about the impact that divorce, the restructuring of families, and judicial proceedings have upon children and families; methods for preventing parenting time conflicts; and dispute resolution options. The chief judge of each judicial district or a designee may require that children attend a separate education program designed to deal with the impact of divorce upon children as part of the parent education program. Each parent education program must enable persons to have timely and reasonable access to education sessions.

new text begin (b) The chief judge of each judicial district shall ensure that the judicial district's website includes information on the parent education program or programs required under this section. new text end

Sec. 60.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 518.157, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Attendance.

new text begin (a) new text end In a proceeding under this chapter where new text begin the parties have not agreed to new text end custody or new text begin a new text end parenting time deleted text begin is contested deleted text end new text begin schedule new text end , new text begin the court shall order new text end the parents of a minor child deleted text begin shall attend deleted text end new text begin to attend or take online new text end a minimum of eight hours in an orientation and education program that meets the minimum standards promulgated by the Minnesota Supreme Court.

new text begin (b) new text end In all other proceedings involving custody, support, or parenting time the court may order the parents of a minor child to attend a parent education program.

new text begin (c) new text end The program shall provide the court with names of persons who fail to attend the parent education program as ordered by the court. Persons who are separated or contemplating involvement in a dissolution, paternity, custody, or parenting time proceeding may attend a parent education program without a court order.

new text begin (d) new text end Unless otherwise ordered by the court, participation in a parent education program must begin new text begin before an initial case management conference and new text end within 30 days after the first filing with the court or as soon as practicable after that time based on the reasonable availability of classes for the program for the parent. Parent education programs must offer an opportunity to participate at all phases of a pending or postdecree proceeding.

new text begin (e) new text end Upon request of a party and a showing of good cause, the court may excuse the party from attending the program. If past or present domestic abuse, as defined in chapter 518B, is alleged, the court shall not require the parties to attend the same parent education sessions and shall enter an order setting forth the manner in which the parties may safely participate in the program.

new text begin (f) Before an initial case management conference for a proceeding under this chapter where the parties have not agreed to custody or parenting time, the court shall notify the parties of their option to resolve disagreements, including the development of a parenting plan, through the use of private mediation. new text end

Sec. 61.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 518.68, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Contents.

The required notices must be substantially as follows:

IMPORTANT NOTICE

1. PAYMENTS TO PUBLIC AGENCY

According to Minnesota Statutes, section 518A.50, payments ordered for maintenance and support must be paid to the public agency responsible for child support enforcement as long as the person entitled to receive the payments is receiving or has applied for public assistance or has applied for support and maintenance collection services. MAIL PAYMENTS TO:

2. DEPRIVING ANOTHER OF CUSTODIAL OR PARENTAL RIGHTS -- A FELONY

A person may be charged with a felony who conceals a minor child or takes, obtains, retains, or fails to return a minor child from or to the child's parent (or person with custodial or visitation rights), according to Minnesota Statutes, section 609.26. A copy of that section is available from any district court clerk.

3. NONSUPPORT OF A SPOUSE OR CHILD -- CRIMINAL PENALTIES

A person who fails to pay court-ordered child support or maintenance may be charged with a crime, which may include misdemeanor, gross misdemeanor, or felony charges, according to Minnesota Statutes, section 609.375. A copy of that section is available from any district court clerk.

4. RULES OF SUPPORT, MAINTENANCE, PARENTING TIME

(a) Payment of support or spousal maintenance is to be as ordered, and the giving of gifts or making purchases of food, clothing, and the like will not fulfill the obligation.

(b) Payment of support must be made as it becomes due, and failure to secure or denial of parenting time is NOT an excuse for nonpayment, but the aggrieved party must seek relief through a proper motion filed with the court.

(c) Nonpayment of support is not grounds to deny parenting time. The party entitled to receive support may apply for support and collection services, file a contempt motion, or obtain a judgment as provided in Minnesota Statutes, section 548.091.

(d) The payment of support or spousal maintenance takes priority over payment of debts and other obligations.

(e) A party who accepts additional obligations of support does so with the full knowledge of the party's prior obligation under this proceeding.

(f) Child support or maintenance is based on annual income, and it is the responsibility of a person with seasonal employment to budget income so that payments are made throughout the year as ordered.

(g) Reasonable parenting time guidelines are contained in Appendix B, which is available from the court administrator.

(h) The nonpayment of support may be enforced through the denial of student grants; interception of state and federal tax refunds; suspension of driver's, recreational, and occupational licenses; referral to the department of revenue or private collection agencies; seizure of assets, including bank accounts and other assets held by financial institutions; reporting to credit bureaus; deleted text begin interest charging, deleted text end income withholding deleted text begin , deleted text end and contempt proceedings; and other enforcement methods allowed by law.

(i) The public authority may suspend or resume collection of the amount allocated for child care expenses if the conditions of Minnesota Statutes, section 518A.40, subdivision 4, are met.

(j) The public authority may remove or resume a medical support offset if the conditions of Minnesota Statutes, section 518A.41, subdivision 16, are met.

deleted text begin (k) The public authority may suspend or resume interest charging on child support judgments if the conditions of Minnesota Statutes, section 548.091, subdivision 1a, are met. deleted text end

5. MODIFYING CHILD SUPPORT

If either the obligor or obligee is laid off from employment or receives a pay reduction, child support may be modified, increased, or decreased. Any modification will only take effect when it is ordered by the court, and will only relate back to the time that a motion is filed. Either the obligor or obligee may file a motion to modify child support, and may request the public agency for help. UNTIL A MOTION IS FILED, THE CHILD SUPPORT OBLIGATION WILL CONTINUE AT THE CURRENT LEVEL. THE COURT IS NOT PERMITTED TO REDUCE SUPPORT RETROACTIVELY.

6. PARENTAL RIGHTS FROM MINNESOTA STATUTES, SECTION 518.17, SUBDIVISION 3

Unless otherwise provided by the Court:

(a) Each party has the right of access to, and to receive copies of, school, medical, dental, religious training, and other important records and information about the minor children. Each party has the right of access to information regarding health or dental insurance available to the minor children. Presentation of a copy of this order to the custodian of a record or other information about the minor children constitutes sufficient authorization for the release of the record or information to the requesting party.

(b) Each party shall keep the other informed as to the name and address of the school of attendance of the minor children. Each party has the right to be informed by school officials about the children's welfare, educational progress and status, and to attend school and parent teacher conferences. The school is not required to hold a separate conference for each party.

(c) In case of an accident or serious illness of a minor child, each party shall notify the other party of the accident or illness, and the name of the health care provider and the place of treatment.

(d) Each party has the right of reasonable access and telephone contact with the minor children.

7. WAGE AND INCOME DEDUCTION OF SUPPORT AND MAINTENANCE

Child support and/or spousal maintenance may be withheld from income, with or without notice to the person obligated to pay, when the conditions of Minnesota Statutes, section 518A.53 have been met. A copy of those sections is available from any district court clerk.

8. CHANGE OF ADDRESS OR RESIDENCE

Unless otherwise ordered, each party shall notify the other party, the court, and the public authority responsible for collection, if applicable, of the following information within ten days of any change: the residential and mailing address, telephone number, driver's license number, Social Security number, and name, address, and telephone number of the employer.

9. COST OF LIVING INCREASE OF SUPPORT AND MAINTENANCE

Basic support and/or spousal maintenance may be adjusted every two years based upon a change in the cost of living (using Department of Labor Consumer Price Index .........., unless otherwise specified in this order) when the conditions of Minnesota Statutes, section 518A.75, are met. Cost of living increases are compounded. A copy of Minnesota Statutes, section 518A.75, and forms necessary to request or contest a cost of living increase are available from any district court clerk.

10. JUDGMENTS FOR UNPAID SUPPORT

If a person fails to make a child support payment, the payment owed becomes a judgment against the person responsible to make the payment by operation of law on or after the date the payment is due, and the person entitled to receive the payment or the public agency may obtain entry and docketing of the judgment WITHOUT NOTICE to the person responsible to make the payment under Minnesota Statutes, section 548.091. deleted text begin Interest begins to accrue on a payment or installment of child support whenever the unpaid amount due is greater than the current support due, according to Minnesota Statutes, section 548.091, subdivision 1a. deleted text end

11. JUDGMENTS FOR UNPAID MAINTENANCE

new text begin (a) new text end A judgment for unpaid spousal maintenance may be entered when the conditions of Minnesota Statutes, section 548.091, are met. A copy of that section is available from any district court clerk.

new text begin (b) The public authority is not responsible for calculating interest on any judgment for unpaid spousal maintenance. When providing services in IV-D cases, as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 518A.26, subdivision 10, the public authority will only collect interest on spousal maintenance if spousal maintenance is reduced to a sum certain judgment. new text end

12. ATTORNEY FEES AND COLLECTION COSTS FOR ENFORCEMENT OF CHILD SUPPORT

A judgment for attorney fees and other collection costs incurred in enforcing a child support order will be entered against the person responsible to pay support when the conditions of Minnesota Statutes, section 518A.735, are met. A copy of Minnesota Statutes, sections 518.14 and 518A.735 and forms necessary to request or contest these attorney fees and collection costs are available from any district court clerk.

13. PARENTING TIME EXPEDITOR PROCESS

On request of either party or on its own motion, the court may appoint a parenting time expeditor to resolve parenting time disputes under Minnesota Statutes, section 518.1751. A copy of that section and a description of the expeditor process is available from any district court clerk.

14. PARENTING TIME REMEDIES AND PENALTIES

Remedies and penalties for the wrongful denial of parenting time are available under Minnesota Statutes, section 518.175, subdivision 6. These include compensatory parenting time; civil penalties; bond requirements; contempt; and reversal of custody. A copy of that subdivision and forms for requesting relief are available from any district court clerk.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective August 1, 2022. new text end

Sec. 62.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 518A.29, is amended to read:

518A.29 CALCULATION OF GROSS INCOME.

(a) Subject to the exclusions and deductions in this section, gross income includes any form of periodic payment to an individual, including, but not limited to, salaries, wages, commissions, self-employment income under section 518A.30, workers' compensation, unemployment benefits, annuity payments, military and naval retirement, pension and disability payments, spousal maintenance received under a previous order or the current proceeding, Social Security or veterans benefits provided for a joint child under section 518A.31, and potential income under section 518A.32. Salaries, wages, commissions, or other compensation paid by third parties shall be based upon gross income before participation in an employer-sponsored benefit plan that allows an employee to pay for a benefit or expense using pretax dollars, such as flexible spending plans and health savings accounts. No deductions shall be allowed for contributions to pensions, 401-K, IRA, or other retirement benefits.

(b) Gross income does not include compensation received by a party for employment in excess of a 40-hour work week, provided that:

(1) child support is ordered in an amount at least equal to the guideline amount based on gross income not excluded under this clause; and

(2) the party demonstrates, and the court finds, that:

(i) the excess employment began after the filing of the petition for dissolution or legal separation or a petition related to custody, parenting time, or support;

(ii) the excess employment reflects an increase in the work schedule or hours worked over that of the two years immediately preceding the filing of the petition;

(iii) the excess employment is voluntary and not a condition of employment;

(iv) the excess employment is in the nature of additional, part-time or overtime employment compensable by the hour or fraction of an hour; and

(v) the party's compensation structure has not been changed for the purpose of affecting a support or maintenance obligation.

(c) Expense reimbursements or in-kind payments received by a parent in the course of employment, self-employment, or operation of a business shall be counted as income if they reduce personal living expenses.

(d) Gross income may be calculated on either an annual or monthly basis. Weekly income shall be translated to monthly income by multiplying the weekly income by 4.33.

(e) Gross income does not include a child support payment received by a party. It is a rebuttable presumption that adoption assistance payments, Northstar kinship assistance payments, and foster care subsidies are not gross income.

(f) Gross income does not include the income of the obligor's spouse and the obligee's spouse.

(g) deleted text begin Child support or deleted text end Spousal maintenance payments ordered by a court for a deleted text begin nonjoint child or deleted text end former spouse or ordered payable to the other party as part of the current proceeding are deducted from other periodic payments received by a party for purposes of determining gross income.

(h) Gross income does not include public assistance benefits received under section 256.741 or other forms of public assistance based on need.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective January 1, 2023. new text end

Sec. 63.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 518A.33, is amended to read:

518A.33 DEDUCTION FROM INCOME FOR NONJOINT CHILDREN.

(a) When either or both parents are legally responsible for a nonjoint child, a deduction for this obligation shall be calculated under this section deleted text begin if: deleted text end new text begin . new text end

deleted text begin (1) the nonjoint child primarily resides in the parent's household; and deleted text end

deleted text begin (2) the parent is not obligated to pay basic child support for the nonjoint child to the other parent or a legal custodian of the child under an existing child support order. deleted text end

(b) deleted text begin The court shall use the guidelines under section 518A.35 to determine the basic child support obligation for the nonjoint child or children by using the gross income of the parent for whom the deduction is being calculated and the number of nonjoint children primarily residing in the parent's household. If the number of nonjoint children to be used for the determination is greater than two, the determination must be made using the number two instead of the greater number. deleted text end new text begin Court-ordered child support for a nonjoint child shall be deducted from the payor's gross income. new text end

(c) deleted text begin The deduction for nonjoint children is 50 percent of the guideline amount determined under paragraph (b). deleted text end new text begin When a parent is legally responsible for a nonjoint child and the parent is not obligated to pay basic child support for the nonjoint child to the other parent or a legal custodian under an existing child support order, a deduction shall be calculated. The court shall use the basic support guideline table under section 518A.35 to determine this deduction by using the gross income of the parent for whom the deduction is being calculated, minus any deduction under paragraph (b) and the number of eligible nonjoint children, up to six children. The deduction for nonjoint children is 75 percent of the guideline amount determined under this paragraph. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective January 1, 2023. new text end

Sec. 64.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 518A.35, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Determination of support obligation.

(a) The guideline in this section is a rebuttable presumption and shall be used in any judicial or administrative proceeding to establish or modify a support obligation under this chapter.

(b) The basic child support obligation shall be determined by referencing the guideline for the appropriate number of joint children and the combined parental income for determining child support of the parents.

(c) If a child is not in the custody of either parent and a support order is sought against one or both parents, the basic child support obligation shall be determined by referencing the guideline for the appropriate number of joint children, and the parent's individual parental income for determining child support, not the combined parental incomes for determining child support of the parents. Unless a parent has court-ordered parenting time, the parenting expense adjustment formula under section 518A.34 must not be applied.

(d) If a child is deleted text begin in custody of either parent deleted text end new text begin not residing with the parent that has court-ordered or statutory custody new text end and a support order is sought deleted text begin by the public authority deleted text end under section 256.87 new text begin against one or both parents new text end , deleted text begin unless the parent against whom the support order is sought has court-ordered parenting time, deleted text end the new text begin basic new text end support obligation must be determined by referencing the guideline for the appropriate number of joint children and the parent's individual income without application of the parenting expense adjustment formula under section 518A.34.

(e) For combined parental incomes for determining child support exceeding deleted text begin $15,000 deleted text end new text begin $20,000 new text end per month, the presumed basic child support obligations shall be as for parents with combined parental income for determining child support of deleted text begin $15,000 deleted text end new text begin $20,000 new text end per month. A basic child support obligation in excess of this level may be demonstrated for those reasons set forth in section 518A.43.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective January 1, 2023. new text end

Sec. 65.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 518A.35, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Basic support; guideline.

Unless otherwise agreed to by the parents and approved by the court, when establishing basic support, the court must order that basic support be divided between the parents based on their proportionate share of the parents' combined monthly parental income for determining child support (PICS). Basic support must be computed using the following guideline:

Combined Parental	Number of Children
Income for Determining Child Support	One	Two	Three	Four	Five	Six
$0- deleted text begin $799 deleted text end new text begin $1,399 new text end	$50	deleted text begin $50 deleted text end new text begin $60 new text end	deleted text begin $75 deleted text end new text begin $70 new text end	deleted text begin $75 deleted text end new text begin $80 new text end	deleted text begin $100 deleted text end new text begin $90 new text end	$100
deleted text begin 800- 899 deleted text end	deleted text begin 80 deleted text end	deleted text begin 129 deleted text end	deleted text begin 149 deleted text end	deleted text begin 173 deleted text end	deleted text begin 201 deleted text end	deleted text begin 233 deleted text end
deleted text begin 900- 999 deleted text end	deleted text begin 90 deleted text end	deleted text begin 145 deleted text end	deleted text begin 167 deleted text end	deleted text begin 194 deleted text end	deleted text begin 226 deleted text end	deleted text begin 262 deleted text end <