1998 Minnesota Statutes

     256B.0955 Duties of the commissioner of human services. 

    (a) Effective July 1, 1998, the commissioner of human 
 services shall delegate authority to perform licensing functions 
 and activities, in accordance with section 245A.16, to counties 
 participating in the alternative licensing system.  The 
 commissioner shall not license or reimburse a facility, program, 
 or service for persons with developmental disabilities in a 
 county that participates in the alternative licensing system if 
 the commissioner has received from the appropriate county 
 notification that the facility, program, or service has been 
 reviewed by a quality assurance team and has failed to qualify 
 for licensure. 

    (b) The commissioner may conduct random licensing 
 inspections based on outcomes adopted under section 256B.0951 at 
 facilities, programs, and services governed by the alternative 
 licensing system.  The role of such random inspections shall be 
 to verify that the alternative licensing system protects the 
 safety and well-being of consumers and maintains the 
 availability of high-quality services for persons with 
 developmental disabilities.  

    (c) The commissioner shall provide technical assistance and 
 support or training to the alternative licensing system pilot 
 project. 

    (d) The commissioner and the commission shall establish an 
 ongoing evaluation process for the alternative licensing system. 

    (e) The commissioner shall contract with an independent 
 entity to conduct a financial review of the alternative 
 licensing system, including an evaluation of possible budgetary 
 savings within the department of human services and the 
 department of health as a result of implementation of the 
 alternative quality assurance licensing system.  This review 
 must be completed by December 15, 2000.  

    (f) The commissioner and the commission shall submit a 
 report to the legislature by January 15, 2001, on the results of 
 the evaluation process of the alternative licensing system, a 
 summary of the results of the independent financial review, and 
 a recommendation on whether the pilot project should be extended 
 beyond June 30, 2001. 

    HIST: 1997 c 203 art 7 s 23