2026 Minnesota Statutes

256B.046 COMPLEX TRANSITIONS.

Subdivision 1.Complex transition identification.

(a) The lead agency must work with the provider and commissioner to identify each recipient whose transition is a complex transition. The lead agency and provider must submit to the commissioner a complex transition plan as described in subdivision 2 for each recipient identified under this paragraph.

(b) The commissioner may establish objective thresholds to create a presumption of complex transition based on the number of recipients affected by a serious operational event or administrative action, recipient acuity, service type, or unresolved discharge or placement barriers.

Subd. 2.Complex transition plan.

(a) The commissioner must develop guidance on effective complex transition planning and make a complex transition plan template available to providers and lead agencies. The plan template must include data fields to collect at least the following information:

(1) recipient's name and acuity level;

(2) stabilization actions to be taken to prevent gaps in care and housing;

(3) names, contact information, and known capacity of alternative providers;

(4) transition timelines, transportation, and handoff procedures;

(5) a communication plan for each recipient, the recipient's family, and the recipient's guardian, if applicable, including language access; and

(6) steps to be taken to coordinate with lead agencies, case managers, and ombudsperson offices, when applicable.

(b) Providers and lead agencies must use the plan template described in paragraph (a) to develop a complex transition plan for each recipient whose transition is identified as a complex transition.

Subd. 3.Complex transition planning.

(a) A lead agency that receives notice from a provider of a serious operational event must assist a recipient with an identified complex transition to develop a complex transition plan through a person-centered process. The complex transition plan must include alternative service options, service settings, service providers with known service capacity, and safe and stable housing options. Within 14 days of receiving notice from a provider of a serious operational event, the lead agency must ensure completion and approval of the complex transition plan by the recipient or the recipient's representative.

(b) A lead agency that receives notice from the commissioner of an administrative action must assist a recipient with an identified complex transition to develop a complex transition plan through a person-centered process. The complex transition plan must include alternative service options, service settings, service providers with known service capacity, and safe and stable housing options. Within 14 days of receiving notice from the commissioner of an administrative action, other than notice of actions necessary to protect the health and safety of a recipient, the lead agency must ensure completion and approval of the complex transition plan by the recipient or the recipient's representative. For any administrative action necessary to protect the health and safety of a recipient, the lead agency must immediately take all necessary actions to ensure the health and safety of the recipient.

(c) Lead agencies must, as soon as possible, convene a meeting of representatives of the recipient; the recipient's representative, if appropriate; the lead agency; the provider, if the commissioner determines the provider's participation is appropriate; and the commissioner to discuss implementation of the complex transition plan.

(d) While a complex transition plan is active, lead agencies must convene every 14 days for a status meeting to provide a progress report to the commissioner on implementation of the complex transition plan.

Subd. 4.No alternative services notification.

(a) If the lead agency does not identify an alternative service option, service setting, service provider, or safe and stable housing option, the lead agency must notify the commissioner and the commissioner of health, if applicable.

(b) Upon receiving a notification from the lead agency that the lead agency has failed to arrange for an alternative service option, service setting, service provider, or safe and stable housing option as required under the complex transition plan, the commissioner must determine if:

(1) there exists a good cause under Code of Federal Regulations, title 42, section 455.23(e) or (f), to not suspend payments under section 256B.064, subdivision 2;

(2) a delay in the implementation date of an administrative action is needed to support complex transition planning under this section; or

(3) there is cause to petition the district court in Ramsey County under section 245A.13 to be appointed receiver to operate a residential program.

Subd. 5.Publishing data on continuity of care planning and complex transitions.

(a) The commissioner must maintain on the Department of Human Services' website a dashboard sharing data on the:

(1) number of active continuity of care plans;

(2) number of recipients included in an active continuity of care plan;

(3) average time between approval of a continuity of care plan and closure of that plan;

(4) number of active complex transition plans;

(5) number of complex transition plans completed before the provider ceases providing services or closes a setting, on an annual basis;

(6) number of complex transition plans completed after the provider ceases providing services or closes a setting, on an annual basis;

(7) number of complex transition plans that were not successfully completed, on an annual basis;

(8) number of notifications received by lead agencies under subdivision 3, paragraph (a); and

(9) number of notifications received by lead agencies under subdivision 3, paragraph (b).

(b) The commissioner must include functionality within the dashboard to filter data by region or county, provided the filtering functionalities comply with federal or state laws regarding the protection of personal health information and personally identifiable information.

History:

2026 c 121 art 1 s 2