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

CHAPTER 1--S.F.No. 1

An act

relating to human services; modifying customized living quality improvement grants; extending portions of a COVID-19 peacetime emergency modification to economic assistance program application requirements; establishing retention and public health grants; appropriating money;

amending Laws 2019, First Special Session chapter 9, article 4, section 28; article 14, section 2, subdivision 27; Laws 2020, First Special Session chapter 7, section 1, subdivision 2.

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

Section 1.

Laws 2019, First Special Session chapter 9, article 4, section 28, is amended to read:

Sec. 28.

deleted text begin DIRECTION TO COMMISSIONER; ELDERLY WAIVERdeleted text end CUSTOMIZED LIVING deleted text begin SERVICE PROVIDERSdeleted text end new text begin QUALITY IMPROVEMENT GRANTSnew text end .

(a) The commissioner of human services shall develop incentive-based grants to deleted text begin be available during fiscal years 2020 and 2021 only for elderly waiverdeleted text end new text begin providers of new text end customized living deleted text begin service providersdeleted text end new text begin services under the brain injury, community access for disability inclusion, and elderly waivers new text end for achieving outcomes specified in a contract. The commissioner may solicit proposals from providers and implement those that, on a competitive basis, best meet the state's policy objectivesdeleted text begin , givingdeleted text end new text begin . Until June 30, 2021, the commissioner shall givenew text end preference to providers that serve at least 75 percent elderly waiver participants.

new text begin (b) Effective July 1, 2021, to be eligible for a grant under this section, a provider must serve at least 75 waiver participants, and at least 75 percent of the clients served by the provider must be waiver participants. For providers of customized living services under the brain injury or community access for disability inclusion, the required 75 waiver participants must reside at multiple locations each with six or more residents. The commissioner shall give greater preference to those providers serving a higher percentage of waiver participants. new text end

new text begin (c) new text end The commissioner shall limit expenditures under this subdivision to the amount appropriated for this purpose.

deleted text begin (b)deleted text end new text begin (d)new text end In establishing the specified outcomes and related criteria, the commissioner shall consider the following state policy objectives:

(1) provide more efficient, higher quality services;

(2) encourage home and community-based services providers to innovate;

(3) equip home and community-based services providers with organizational tools and expertise to improve their quality;

(4) incentivize home and community-based services providers to invest in better services; and

(5) disseminate successful performance improvement strategies statewide.

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.

Laws 2019, First Special Session chapter 9, article 14, section 2, subdivision 27, is amended to read:

Subd. 27.

Grant Programs; Aging and Adult Services Grants

32,311,000 32,495,000

Incentive-Based Grants for Customized Living Service Providers. $500,000 in fiscal year 2020 and $500,000 in fiscal year 2021 are for incentive-based grants to new text begin brain injury, community access for disability inclusion, and new text end elderly waiver customized living service providers under deleted text begin article 4, section 28deleted text end new text begin Minnesota Statutes, section 256.479new 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.

Laws 2020, First Special Session chapter 7, section 1, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Waivers and modifications; extension to June 30, 2021.

When the peacetime emergency declared by the governor in response to the COVID-19 outbreak expires, is terminated, or is rescinded by the proper authority, the following waivers and modifications to human services programs issued by the commissioner of human services pursuant to Executive Orders 20-11 and 20-12, including any amendments to the waivers or modifications issued before the peacetime emergency expires, shall remain in effect until June 30, 2021, unless necessary federal approval is not received at any time for a waiver or modification:

(1) CV15: allowing phone or video visits for waiver programs;

(2) CV16: expanding access to telemedicine services for Children's Health Insurance Program, Medical Assistance, and MinnesotaCare enrollees;

(3) CV21: allowing telemedicine alternative for school-linked mental health services and intermediate school district mental health services;

(4) CV24: allowing phone or video use for targeted case management visits;

(5) CV30: expanding telemedicine in health care, mental health, and substance use disorder settings;

(6) CV31: allowing partial waiver of county cost when COVID-19 delays discharges from DHS-operated psychiatric hospitals;

(7) CV38: allowing flexibility in housing licensing requirements;

(8) CV43: expanding remote home and community-based services waiver services;

(9) CV44: allowing remote delivery of adult day services;

(10) CV45: modifying certain licensing requirements for substance use disorder treatment, except that the extension shall be limited to the portions of this modification requiring programs to become and remain familiar with Minnesota Department of Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance on COVID-19; requiring programs to follow Minnesota Department of Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance specific to the situation and program capabilities if a person receiving services or a staff person tests positive for COVID-19; permitting programs to temporarily suspend group counseling or limit attendance at sessions when unable to accommodate requirements for social distancing and community mitigation; permitting comprehensive assessments to be completed by telephone or video communication; permitting a counselor, recovery peer, or treatment coordinator to provide treatment services from their home by telephone or video communication to a client in their home; permitting programs to follow the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration guidelines as directed by the State Opioid Treatment Authority within the Department of Human Services Behavioral Health division to allow for an increased number of take-home doses in accordance with an assessment conducted under Minnesota Statutes, section 245G.22, subdivision 6; removing the requirement for opioid treatment programs to conduct outreach activities in the community; and permitting programs to document a client's verbal approval of a treatment plan instead of requiring the client's signature;

(11) CV49: modifying certain license requirements for adult day services;

(12) CV50: modifying certain requirements for early intensive developmental and behavioral intervention (EIDBI) services;

(13) CV53: allowing flexibility for personal care assistance service oversight, except that the portion of this modification permitting personal care assistance workers to bill 310 hours per month shall expire upon the expiration of the peacetime emergency; deleted text begin anddeleted text end

(14) CV64: modifying certain certification requirements for mental health centers, except that the extension shall be limited to the portions of this modification requiring programs to become and remain familiar with Minnesota Department of Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance on COVID-19; requiring programs to follow Minnesota Department of Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance specific to the situation and program capabilities if a person receiving services or a staff person tests positive for COVID-19; permitting alternative mental health professional supervision of clinical services at satellite locations; permitting an alternative process for case consultation meetings; and permitting mental health professionals to provide required client-specific supervisory contact by telephone or video communication instead of face-to-face supervisionnew text begin ; andnew text end

new text begin (15) CV03: suspending application requirements for economic assistance programs, except that the extension shall be limited to the portions of this modification allowing remote interviews for the Minnesota family investment program, and allowing the use of electronic signatures for enrollment verification. Verbal signatures shall not be permitted for enrollment verificationnew 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.

new text begin APPROPRIATION; COVID-19-RELATED RETENTION GRANTS FOR HOME AND COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICE PROVIDERS. new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Appropriation. new text end

new text begin (a) $20,305,000 in fiscal year 2021 is appropriated from the coronavirus relief fund to the commissioner of human services for retention grants to eligible providers as defined in subdivision 2 to assist providers: (1) with the costs of business interruptions caused by required closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic; and (2) to help ensure access to eligible services during or following the COVID-19 pandemic. new text end

new text begin (b) The commissioner may use up to $125,000 of this appropriation to administer this grant. new text end

new text begin (c) Beginning October 31, 2020, any unencumbered appropriations may be used for disability services provider COVID-19-related public health grants. new text end

new text begin (d) This is a onetime appropriation and is available until December 5, 2020. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Definitions. new text end

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

new text begin (b) "Eligible provider" means either an enrolled provider who provides either eligible services, as defined in paragraph (c), clauses (1) or (2), and meets the attestation and agreement requirements in subdivisions 5 and 6; or an agency, as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 256B.0949, subdivision 2, paragraph (b), who provides eligible services as defined in paragraph (c), clause (3), and meets the attestation and agreement requirements in subdivisions 5 and 6. new text end

new text begin (c) "Eligible services" means the following services: new text end

new text begin (1) adult day services, day training and habilitation, day support services, prevocational services, and structured day services provided by the home and community-based waiver programs under Minnesota Statutes, sections 256B.0913, 256B.092, and 256B.49, and Minnesota Statutes, chapter 256S; new text end

new text begin (2) employment exploration services, employment development services, and employment support services provided by the home and community-based waiver programs under Minnesota Statutes, sections 256B.092 and 256B.49; and new text end

new text begin (3) early intensive developmental and behavioral interventions under Minnesota Statutes, section 256B.0949. new text end

new text begin (d) "Fixed costs" means costs determined by the commissioner that do not fluctuate with changes in service provision. Eligible fixed costs under this section are costs similar to costs considered in the rate methodology component values under Minnesota Statutes, section 256B.4914, subdivision 5, paragraph (d), clauses (7) and (8); paragraph (e), clauses (7) and (8); paragraph (f), clauses (7) and (8); and subdivision 7, clause (11). new text end

new text begin (e) "Total revenue from medical assistance" includes both fee-for-service revenue and revenue from managed care organizations. The commissioner shall determine each provider's total revenue from medical assistance for eligible services provided during January 2020, based on data for service claims paid as of August 1, 2020. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Allowable uses of funds. new text end

new text begin Grantees must use funds awarded under this section for fixed costs incurred due to the COVID-19 pandemic from March 1, 2020, through December 30, 2020, associated with maintaining the provider's capacity to provide services. new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Grant request. new text end

new text begin Eligible providers must request a grant under this section no later than September 15, 2020. The commissioner shall develop an expedited request process that includes a form allowing providers to meet the requirements of subdivisions 5 and 6 in as timely a manner as possible. The commissioner shall allow the use of electronic submission of request forms and accept electronic signatures. new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Attestation. new text end

new text begin As a condition of obtaining funds under this section, an eligible provider must attest to the following on the grant request form: new text end

new text begin (1) the intent to provide eligible services under this section through December 30, 2020; new text end

new text begin (2) unreimbursed costs incurred between March 1, 2020, and December 30, 2020, related to COVID-19-related business interruptions caused by required closures, reduced capacity to promote social distancing measures, or reduced demand for services; new text end

new text begin (3) revenue losses experienced between March 1, 2020, and August 31, 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic that resulted in monthly fixed costs incurred exceeding monthly revenue; and new text end

new text begin (4) without additional funds, the provider will be unable to maintain the continuity of the services provided. new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Agreement. new text end

new text begin As a condition of obtaining funds under this section, an eligible provider must agree to the following on the grant request form: new text end

new text begin (1) cooperate with the commissioner of human services to deliver services according to the program and service waivers and modifications issued under the commissioner's authority; new text end

new text begin (2) maintain documentation sufficient to demonstrate the unreimbursed costs required in order to receive a grant under this section; and new text end

new text begin (3) acknowledge that retention grants may be subject to a special recoupment under this section if a state audit performed under this section determines that the provider used awarded funds for purposes not authorized under this section. new text end

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Retention grants. new text end

new text begin (a) No later than September 30, 2020, the commissioner shall begin issuing retention grants to eligible providers in an amount equal to 66 percent of the provider's total revenue from medical assistance for eligible services provided during January 2020. new text end

new text begin (b) The commissioner shall implement retention grants and the process of making grants under this subdivision without compliance with time-consuming procedures and formalities prescribed in law such as the following statutes and related policies: Minnesota Statutes, sections 16A.15, subdivision 3; 16B.97; 16B.98, subdivisions 5 and 7; and 16B.98, subdivision 8, the express audit clause requirement. new text end

new text begin (c) By accepting a grant under this subdivision, the grantee attests to the conditions specified in subdivisions 5 and 6. new text end

new text begin (d) The commissioner's determination of the grant amount determined under this subdivision is final and is not subject to appeal. This paragraph does not apply to recoupment by the commissioner under subdivision 9. new text end

new text begin Subd. 8. new text end

new text begin Payments for services provided. new text end

new text begin Providers who receive grants under this section may continue to bill for services provided. new text end

new text begin Subd. 9. new text end

new text begin Recoupment. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner may perform an audit under this section up to six years after the grant is awarded to ensure the funds are utilized solely for the purposes stated in subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin (b) If the commissioner determines that a provider used awarded funds for purposes not authorized under this section, the commissioner shall treat any amount used for a purpose not authorized under this section as an overpayment. The commissioner shall recover any overpayment. new text end

new text begin Subd. 10. new text end

new text begin Expiration. new text end

new text begin This section expires December 30, 2020, except for subdivision 9. 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.

new text begin APPROPRIATION; DISABILITY SERVICES PROVIDER COVID-19-RELATED PUBLIC HEALTH GRANTS. new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Appropriation. new text end

new text begin (a) $10,125,000 in fiscal year 2021 is appropriated from the coronavirus relief fund to the commissioner of human services for COVID-19-related public health grants to eligible providers under subdivision 3 who have implemented or intend to implement COVID-19-related public health measures that facilitate social distancing practices that align with the most current social distancing guidelines issued by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and are in accordance with the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, Public Law 116-136, and related guidance. new text end

new text begin (b) The commissioner may use up to $125,000 of this appropriation to administer this grant. new text end

new text begin (c) This is a onetime appropriation. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Purpose. new text end

new text begin Grants under this section are established to reduce the risk of exposure to and transmission of COVID-19 to people with disabilities and staff who support them by maintaining or increasing utilization of individualized day or employment services and reducing utilization of congregate and sheltered workshop settings. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Definitions. new text end

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

new text begin (b) "Eligible provider" means an enrolled provider who provides eligible services and who meets the attestation and application requirements in subdivisions 5 and 6. new text end

new text begin (c) "Eligible services" means the following services: new text end

new text begin (1) day training and habilitation, day support services, prevocational services, and structured day services provided by the home and community-based waiver programs under Minnesota Statutes, sections 256B.092 and 256B.49; and new text end

new text begin (2) employment exploration services, employment development services, and employment support services provided by the home and community-based waiver programs under Minnesota Statutes, sections 256B.092 and 256B.49. new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Allowable uses of funds. new text end

new text begin Grants must be used to reduce the risk of exposure to and transmission of COVID-19 to people with disabilities and staff who support them by maintaining or increasing access to individualized employment services and reducing the use of congregate and sheltered workshop service settings. Funds must be used in accordance with the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, Public Law 116-136, and guidance from the United States Department of the Treasury. Funds may be used for: new text end

new text begin (1) expenses incurred as a result of actions to facilitate compliance with COVID-19-related public health measures, such as the provision of services in settings that optimize social distancing and health and safety precautions for people with disabilities and staff who support them; new text end

new text begin (2) expenses to facilitate and ensure the availability of individualized services to enable compliance with COVID-19 public health precautions; and new text end

new text begin (3) other activities as determined by the commissioner that align with the purpose in subdivision 2 and are in accordance with the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, Public Law 116-136, and related guidance. new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Attestation. new text end

new text begin As a condition of applying for and accepting public health grants under this section, each provider must attest in writing that the provider: new text end

new text begin (1) has or will have unreimbursed costs that are greater than or equal to grant awards under this section related to actions to facilitate compliance with COVID-19-related public health measures, such as the provision of services in settings that optimize social distancing and health and safety precautions for people with disabilities and staff who support them; new text end

new text begin (2) agrees to return any funds determined by the commissioner to be ineligible uses according to the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, Public Law 116-136, and related guidance; and new text end

new text begin (3) will maintain documentation sufficient to demonstrate the unreimbursed costs required in order to receive a grant under this section. new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Application. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner shall develop an expedited application process and process for issuing grants under this section notwithstanding time-consuming procedures and formalities prescribed in law such as the following statutes and related policies: Minnesota Statutes, sections 16A.15, subdivision 3; 16B.97; 16B.98, subdivisions 5 and 7; and 16B.98, subdivision 8, the express audit clause requirement. The application and related processes must be consistent with allowable uses of funds under subdivision 4. The commissioner shall allow applicants to submit applications electronically and shall accept electronic signatures. new text end

new text begin (b) Eligible providers must apply for a grant under this section no later than November 15, 2020. new text end

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Allocation. new text end

new text begin (a) Beginning October 31, 2020, the commissioner shall award grants under this section to eligible providers who meet the attestation and application requirements under subdivisions 5 and 6. new text end

new text begin (b) The commissioner may make public health grants in an amount determined by the commissioner and based on each grantee's application, up to a maximum grant amount of $200,000. new text end

new text begin (c) Notwithstanding paragraph (b), if funds are available after all eligible providers have received a grant, the commissioner may award additional grant funds to providers who have already received the $200,000 maximum grant amount. new text end

new text begin (d) If applications for grants exceed the available appropriations, the commissioner shall give priority to grant applications from providers whose applications demonstrate the most need or the most robust plan to ensure people have opportunities to participate in day or employment services that are not provided in a facility or sheltered or work crew setting. new text end

new text begin (e) The commissioner's determination of the grant amount is final and not subject to appeal. This paragraph does not apply to recoupment by the commissioner under subdivision 8. new text end

new text begin Subd. 8. new text end

new text begin Recoupment. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner may perform an audit under this section up to six years after the grant contract expires to ensure the funds are utilized solely for the purposes stated in subdivision 4. new text end

new text begin (b) If the commissioner determines that a provider used awarded funds for purposes not authorized under this section, the commissioner shall treat any amount used for a purpose not authorized under this section as an overpayment. The commissioner shall recover any overpayment. All money recovered by the commissioner under this subdivision must be deposited in the federal fund. new text end

new text begin Subd. 9. new text end

new text begin Reporting. new text end

new text begin The commissioner shall develop a reporting process for public health grants under this section. Each provider receiving funds under this section shall report to the commissioner by March 1, 2021, with a description of how the funds were utilized. By August 1, 2021, the commissioner shall report to the legislative committees with jurisdiction over human services policy and finance the total funds allocated to providers, uses of the funds, outcomes measured, people impacted, and other measures determined by the commissioner. new text end

new text begin Subd. 10. new text end

new text begin Expiration. new text end

new text begin Subdivisions 1 to 7 expire December 30, 2020, or on a date determined by the United States Department of Treasury, whichever is later. Subdivision 9 expires August 1, 2021, or on the date the commissioner submits the report required under subdivision 9, whichever is later. 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.

new text begin REVISOR INSTRUCTION. new text end

new text begin The revisor of statutes shall codify Laws 2019, First Special Session chapter 9, article 4, section 28, as amended in this act, as Minnesota Statutes, section 256.479. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

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

Presented to the governor August 12, 2020

Signed by the governor August 14, 2020, 9:52 a.m.

Official Publication of the State of Minnesota
Revisor of Statutes