On Tuesday, March 14^th, the Senate Health and Human Services committee heard S.F. 1747, a onetime appropriation to establish a community behavioral health center and training clinic at Minnesota State University, Mankato. This would help support the greater Minnesota area, which needs more mental health professionals. Metropolitan counties have 50% of the population but 80% of mental health providers, though farmers in rural Minnesota face a suicide rate twice as high as the general population. Thad Shunkwiler, a professor at MSU Mankato and Founding Director of the Center for Rural Behavioral Health reports that mental health training institutions in Minnesota turn away more than 100 qualified students every year. NAMI wrote a letter of support for the House hearing.

The bill was laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus bill. 

On Thursday, the Senate Health and Human Services committee heard the MHLN’s 988 bill, SF 2588. Mental Health Legislative Network Co-Chair and Mental Health MN Executive Director Shannah Mulvihill testified for the bill. “Our mental health system is far behind any emergency response for a physical health condition, and we need to respond to mental health crises with the appropriate expertise and resources,” said Mulvihill. The bill establishes 988 in state law and creates a telecom fee to pay for the service similar to how we pay for 911. Sen. Utke asked about the range of the telecom fee of 12 to 25 cents and how the price is decided on. Shannah explained that the range allows for meeting increased needs as the system develops. The bill also includes onetime funding to sustain the service until the telecom fee goes into effect. Shannah mentioned that the telecom providers are working with the MHLN to clarify some policy language. The bill was laid over for inclusion in the omnibus bill.

On Thursday March 16^th, House Human Services heard H.F. 1436 the MHLN’s Workforce Bill, H.F. 2544 (SUD Treatment Services), and HF 1845 funding for Wellness in the Woods.

Rep. Vang provided information on what HF 1436 would fund and the reasons for the investments to increase our workforce and its diversity. Sue Abderholden from NAMI shared two important provisions in the bill, creating the center focused on the MH workforce and the grants to help BIPOC mental health professionals become supervisors. Dr. Abigail Schnaith, chief pediatric resident at Masonic Children's Hospital, testified in support of the bill, particularly the training of pediatricians in mental health. Lisa Xiong, a licensed marriage and family therapist, MN board approved supervisor for practitioners on the marriage and family therapy and professional counseling licensure tracks and works at Change Inc. as the clinical director testified in support of the bill.

"People feel discouraged to enter and stay in the field. With the lack of BIPOC providers, members from cultural and ethnic communities are not seeking mental health care. We need support and resources during practitioners’ licensure process and professional career to encourage people to make mental health care their career and not a stepping stone. It should be their destination." The bill passed and was rereferred to House Health Care Policy and Finance Committee.

H.F. 2544 seeks to match the payment rate system for Substance Use Disorder treatment services with the Medicare bundled rate system. The benefit of matching this will help DHS be more efficient and allows an expansion of the services as it will match the Medicare system already in place. Brian Sowada, Regional Director of the Behavioral Health Group, testified in support of the bill. Brian Sowada stated that the bill will bring structural alignment on how services are billed under the Minnesota medical assistance opioid treatment program and Medicare and how it will reduce billing confusion and administrative burden costs by bringing it under one structure. The bill was laid over for possible inclusion in omnibus.

H.F 1845 (Funding for Wellness in the Woods), was presented in committee, noting the increasing crisis in mental health substance use and Minnesota lacks access to care. Victor Obisakin, Director of Peer Programs and Legislative Liaison for Wellness in the Woods, spoke about the bill, that will allow Wellness in the Woods to provide daily peer support and special sessions for individuals who are in substance use recovery, are transitioning out of incarceration, or have experienced trauma. Monica Yeadon, Operations and Communications Coordinator for Wellness in the Woods, also spoke in support of the bill stating the urgent need to increase funding to to continue providing the services by Wellness in the Woods. The bill was laid over for possible inclusion.

On Monday the Senate Human Services committee heard SF 2139 to create a Task Force on Pregnancy Health and Substance Use Disorders. The task force would develop standards for when healthcare practitioners should test for prenatal exposure to substances and make recommendations on increasing access to family-centered substance use disorder treatment. One of the main purposes of the bill is to reduce racial disparities in negative impacts when pregnant people screen positive for substances. For many substances, any exposure triggers a mandated report to child protective services. Indigenous people in Hennepin County are 37 times more likely to be reported on than white people said Liz Young, a Public Policy Manager with Hennepin County. “Drug enforcement policies that deter women from seeking prenatal care are detrimental to the welfare of the mother and baby. The more punitive the laws, the worse health outcomes are for both moms and babies,” said chief author Sen. Morrison. This bill builds on a law from last session that allows discretion for prenatal healthcare providers to not report a parent if they are engaging in their prenatal care. The task force would begin its work in October of this year. The bill was passed to the Health and Human Services committee.

On Tuesday the House Human Services Policy heard HF 1494 to fund workplace safety grants for human service workers. Rep. Luke Frederick is authoring the bill and shared some of his experience working at the Minnesota Security Hospital in St. Peter. We appreciate Rep. Frederick’s careful words on not associating mental illnesses with violence, “In the spectrum of mental health services across the state, the overwhelming majority of people who are receiving services of some type on that spectrum are very peaceful, just trying to live their best life, and not a source of violence or harm in any way, shape, or form,” said Rep. Frederick. The bill appropriates $20 million over the biennium for grants for human service agencies to provide training, facility improvements, technology, mental health support, and prevention and mitigation measures relating to worker safety. Minnesota Social Service Association Director of Public Policy and Advocacy Michelle SanCartier, and Executive Director Beth Ringer testified in support of the bill and shared experiences from the field. “The reality is unsafe situations in human services exist and won’t go away by ignoring them,” said SanCartier. Mason Schlief testified as a provider and social work student and shared several experiences of being unsafe at work, “I want to do the very best for my clients and in order to do that I need to be safe on the job,” said Schlief. The bill passed unanimously to the House Human Services Finance committee. You can read more here.

On Tuesday, March 14^th, the House Higher Education Finance and Policy committee heard HF 1339, which would appropriate money for the addiction medicine fellowship program at Hennepin County Medical Center. NAMI submitted a letter of support. Dr.Gavin Bart, Addiction Specialist at Hennepin Healthcare, and the Director of Division of Addiction Medicine expressed the need for access to specialists in addiction care. Graduating physicians typically receive between 6 and 8 hours of clinical addiction training in medical school, while substance use disorder impacts tens of millions of Americans and their families.

On Wednesday March 15^th, House Education Finance heard H.F. 2497, the Governor’s Education Finance bill, and the H.F. 2097, active shooter drills. Stephanie Graff, Department of Education, discussed the purpose of the bill to provide a world class education and to provide world class education to all. The governor proposes $6.9 billion to fund a range of initiatives, including academic excellence, early childhood and education, American Indian Education, reimagining the secondary experience, PreK-12 workforce, and much more.

On Wednesday March 15^th, Senate Education Finance heard S.F. 2684, the Governor’s Education Bill, which focuses on early childhood, creating a more welcoming teaching environment, reimagining the secondary experience, Native American education, supporting the educator workforce, and increasing education agency capacity. The bill is the Senate version of H.F. 2497 and mirrors the budget proposals in that bill which is composed of a total $6.9 billion education funding as proposed by the Governor’s office. There was a question asked to clarify the difference between schools that have the resources to write grants and then those who may not have enough resources and whether the education department has considered providing resources for those schools to write grants. The Department has looked at the grant making process and seeing an ask for resources to engage in higher level grant services and overall resources for the department to provide additional assistance to more districts to get more access to these grants. The concerns also were about non exclusionary discipline and assuring that students have the supports they need in the instances that the student is suspended or expelled including funding for those resources and supports. The bill was considered for further conversation.

On Thursday March 16^th, Senate Education Finance heard S.F. 2010, active shooter drills, where concerns were brought up about the bill not being clear on how the drills were going to be conducted without causing further harm to student’s mental health. Currently, Minnesota Statute requires 5 lockdown active shooter drills and can be done in various ways. Simulations however are noted to further traumatize children and students and so the bill works to clarify what to consider when conducting the drills. The bill restricts the simulation to off hours and requirement of parental notification with the opportunity to opt out or even participate in the simulation if they would like. There is also criteria for active shooter drills- that they are accessible and developmentally aware, trauma informed, and inclusive along with requiring a post drill debrief. The bill was laid over for further conversation.

On Friday the House Workforce Development committee heard HF 1697, the MHLN’s employment bill. The bill increases ongoing funding for Individual Placement and Support (IPS) programs which provide integrated job supports with mental health services for people with serious mental illnesses. The bill also creates a task force in the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) to engage people with mental illnesses and make recommendations to the legislature to remove barriers to employment. Thank you to our two testifiers from Rise, the Senior Director of Vocational Services and Danial Dooley who has used IPS services for their powerful testimony. “Work works. SAMHSA recognizes that employment is an essential part of recovery from mental illness. This is something we see everyday at rise,” said Reedy, “Without the funding in this legislation, current projects will be cut 27% including projects at Rise. At our organization that means that we will serve 73 fewer individuals in the next year. In addition to preserving services, the increased funding in this bill would allow the program to serve 325 more Minnesotans with mental illness.” Reedy went on to share his personal story of how work helped him maintain stability after the loss of his son to fentanyl poisoning.

Danial Dooley spoke about his experience getting a job as part of his recovery, “That employment has allowed me to purchase a car, live on my own, and work part time,” said Danial Dolley, “Rise and IPS have played a big part… in the process of me becoming a productive member of society which has had profound effect on my mental health, quality of life, and wellbeing.” Rep. Dave Baker recommended that employers be included on the task force proposed in the bill and we will look into making that change. Thank you Rep. Samantha Sencer-Mura for carrying this bill and for her advocacy for people with mental illnesses! The bill was laid over for inclusion in the omnibus bill.

On Tuesday March 14^th, House Housing Finance and Policy heard H.F. 917, the Landlord & Tenant Omnibus bill. The bill prohibits discrimination based on the use of public assistance, reforms to the eviction court process, no longer a fee required to be paid by tenants who want to state their counter claims and defenses in court, and a 14 day eviction notice so tenants have time to negotiate or mediate with their landlords before things escalate to the courtroom. The bill also deals with expungements of eviction records, and the bill keeps court records private until there has been an adjudication in favor of the landlord. The bill was referred to the House Judiciary and Civil Law Finance and Policy.

SF 2399: On Wednesday, the Senate Committee on Education Finance heard SF 2399 a bill that would make modifications to the children’s cabinet for establishing the Department of Children, Youth, and Families. Senator Wiklund began by introducing an amendment to the committee with new language, exclusions, and more. Senator Wiklund then turned it over to Erin Bailey the Children’s Cabinet Executive Director who began by explaining the proposal to members emphasizing how a department that is child focused would be a step towards providing support to youth and family stating “children are Minnesota's priority and they’re the future.” Bobby Burnham, the Assistant Commissioner of the Office of Teaching and Learning in the Minnesota Department of Education also testified on behalf of SF 2399. Burnham clarified in her testimony that there would be no changes in how current services work at the district or local level, only transitioning to a different department to better align programs stating “we must act boldly in this moment because our state depends on the success of Minnesota's children, youth, and families”. Discussion began with various questions including whether the transition of four different agencies into one would affect jurisdiction. Senator Wiklund the better alignment would help budget work and committees. Another question was if the use of money for the appropriation would be reported to the state and public. Erin Bailey stated that they would be more than open to sharing spending information to committee and use of funds. SF 2399 was laid over for possible inclusion.

On Wednesday, the House Committee on Public Safety Finance and Policy heard HF 2322. Through a short hearing Representative Pinto shortly went over the purpose of HF 2322 and the committee heard a common testimony from Assistant commissioner of the Children’s Cabinet Erin Bailey. Who briefly ran through the transition proposal and wanted to highlight the centered youth voice that have been heard in the community but also members of the committee who would also like to see

youth program strategies. We also heard from Bob Jacobson from the Department of Public Safety who spoke in favor of HF 2322 speaking on the work within the Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee to reduce racial and ethnic disparities. Also the benefits of the cross collaboration with the help of the Children’s Cabinet that would better support children, youth and families with increased access to services that would come with the transfer. In discussion a concern was raised regarding data sharing that

would make information available whereas currently information wouldn't be accessible. Representative Pinto let members know that there will be an amendment coming that would make changes to the language used for the expressed concern. HF 2322 was rereferred to the Committee on Children and Families.

On Friday, the House Committee on Education Finance heard HF 2320 modifying the

Children’s Cabinet. Representative Pinto briefly introduced a new A7 amendment changing language regarding previous concerns for data practices and specific to the committee reassuring employees of the departments that will be transitioning that there will be no changes to their job classifications. The committee heard from several testimonies from Erin Bailey Assistant Commissioner of the Children’s Cabinet, Bobby Burnham Assistant Commissioner of the Office of Teaching and Learning in the

Minnesota Department of Education, and testimony from the public. Erin Bailey and Bobby Burnham gave a presentation to the committee going over the key components of the proposal for the children focused state department. A parent testifier shared their experience struggling to find help and adequate child care for their foster new baby stating “the reality is the DHS compensation was not slated to cover everything lying ahead” expressing her full support for the government working with and for families. Member discussion began with questions regarding budget numbers the asked $5 million appropriation and if there will be a fiscal note laying out costs. Representative Pinto let members know that the governor came out with a supplemental budget so the numbers will be changing. Another recurring question is whether there will be changes for providers or families regarding services locally. Bobby Burnham clarified that the goal is to improve local services and there will be no change. Several members expressed support for the proposal and the long time need for a child focused department because DHS is too large. HF 2320 was rereferred to the Committee on Children and Families

On Tuesday the House Public Safety committee heard HF 1234 to create regulations around mental health disability benefits for first responders. The bill requires first responders to undergo up to 24 weeks of consecutive mental health treatment before applying for disability benefits for a mental illness. First responders would maintain their employment status and all salary and benefits during the treatment period and agencies would be reimbursed by a new special revenue fund. The bill also requires agencies to provide an annual wellness training, an employee assistance program, or peer support program in order to qualify for reimbursement. “There’s so much more we’re learning about mental health,” said Rep. Mark Wiens (Lake Elmo). “Those of us that are in the service or have been in the service have seen things and witnessed things… we had to destigmatize this whole thing. I think groups like NAMI and legislators that have a willingness to step out, step into that gray zone… get good things done for people,” said Rep. Wiens. Several members applauded the data privacy provisions in the bill, “There’s always that fear in these first responders, if they come forward with an issue that is mental health related, that it won’t be a secret, it won’t be held in confidence. So, I’m hoping that that language will help tear down that barrier so that people will get the help they need,” said Rep. Peggy Scott (Andover). The bill was passed unanimously to the State and Local Government committee which also passed the bill to Ways and Means on Thursday morning.

On Friday the House Public Safety committee heard HF 1838 to reform the funding formula and standards for probation throughout the state. NAMI submitted a letter of support. A delete-all amendment was adopted that included further provisions for looking for community treatment options before sending people to jail or prison on smaller technical violations. A number of testifiers spoke in support of the bill including county probation providers, Paul Schnell the Commissioner of Corrections, and people who have been under probation. The bill was laid over for inclusion in the omnibus bill.

Monday March 20^th

10:30am - House Ways and Means will hear HF 2286 (DHS Commissioner procedures established, continuous MA eligibility for children)

12:30pm - House Judiciary and Public Safety will hear HF 688 (Grants addressing racial disparities in youth using shelter services) and SF 928 on Heroes Helping Heroes

1:00pm – House Commerce will hear an amendment for HF 100 (Cannabis)

3:00pm- Senate Human Services will hear SF 2934 (Governor's Human Services Budget Bill)

5:30pm- Senate Jobs and Economic Development will hear SF 1779 the MHLN's employment bill

Tuesday March 21^st

8:30am – Senate Health and Human Services will hear SF 2485 the MHLN's PRTF bill and SF 2464 on foster children benefits and fees.

10:30am- House Education Finance will hear HF 1269 (MDE Policy Bill)

10:30am- House Health Finance and Policy will hear HF346 the MHLN's Rates Bill and HF 1771 the MHLN's collaborative care bill and HF402 on the Fairview Sanford merger.

10:30am- House Public Safety Finance and Policy HF46 (Office of Juvenile Restorative Justice established)

12:30pm - Senate Commerce will hear SF 2382 on mental health parity.

12:30pm – Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention will hear HF2566 including MHLN’s Housing pieces in Governor’s budget.

1:00pm - House Human Services Finance will hear HF 1494 on human services workplace safety grants.

6pm- House Health Finance and Policy will hear HF2930 (MDH Budget Bill)

6:30pm- House State and Local Government Finance and Policy will hear HF2321 (Children’s Cabinet, Dept. of Children established)

Wednesday March 22^nd

8:30 - Senate Health and Human Services is hearing SF 1490 the MHLN's collaborative care bill, SF 1615 the MHLN's rates bill, the SF 2449 MHLN's regulations bill, SF 926 the MHLN's rates bridging bill, and SF 1174 the MHLN's children's bill.

10:30am- House Education Finance HF2398 (Schools required to maintain supply of opiate antagonist administration)

12:30pm- Senate Judiciary and Public Safety will hear SF 1972 banning strip searches and disciplinary room in juvenile facilities, SF 412 to fund the violence prevention project, SF 2380 to reform probation funding and standards, and SF 1087 to train therapists to work with first responders.

1pm – House Commerce HF1540 on mental health parity.

1pm – House Human Services Finance will hear an amendment to add voluntary engagement services to HF 1298, HF2553 the MHLN Regulations bill, and HF1434 (Parental contribution fees eliminated for services for children for disabilities)

3pm- Senate Human Services will mark up the of DHS Policy Bill

6pm - House Public Safety will hear HF 2295 to study pretrial release practices

Thursday March 23^rd 

1pm – Human Services Finance HF 2847 DHS Human Services Budget Bill

Friday March 24^th

1pm- Education Finance HF58 (Dismissal of K-3 prohibited) and HF1175 (Medical assistance coverage school social workers services)

TBA - Senate Judiciary and Public Safety will hear SF 2909 the Public Safety budget bill

Leading up to the end of the Medicaid continuous enrollment provision, CMS has issued guidance and granted states certain flexibilities designed to promote continued coverage during the unwinding period. We have identified ten key policies and actions that could affect continued enrollment in Medicaid. These policies include taking 12-14 months to complete renewals following the end of the continuous enrollment; taking steps to increase the share of ex parte renewals and completing more than 50% of renewals using ex parte processes; following up with enrollees when action is needed to complete a renewal, attempting to contact enrollees when mail is returned; and publishing comprehensive unwinding data on the state’s website. In addition, states have other policy levers, such as adopting the Medicaid expansion, extending 12-months postpartum coverage, and providing 12-months continuous eligibility for children that can also increase the number of people who will be able to retain coverage. State adoption of these policies varies. In states that are planning to move more quickly to complete renewals, have lower ex parte renewal rates, do not follow up with enrollees who have not responded to a renewal request, are less transparent with unwinding data, and have not adopted the Medicaid expansion or 12-month postpartum coverage or continuous eligibility for children, the risk of coverage loss during the unwinding period is higher, though budgetary costs from continued enrollment will likely be lower.

CNN released an article discussing lawmakers and the struggles around mental health while in either running for office or while in office, especially during the turmoil’s of the pandemic and specifically the January 6^th event that occurred on Capitol Hill in 2021. Minnesota Senator Tina Smith opened about carrying a bill that sought to expand mental health care access for kids in schools and the personal connection she had with it. In 2019, Senator Smith gave a speech on the Senate Floor opening about her personal experience with mental health and although nervous, the power she felt in telling her story while being a strong lawmaker in the country. She found it incredibly important to open up about her mental health and bringing to the forefront that “somebody who supposedly has everything all together all the time […]” – Doesn’t.

Senator Smith was glad to share her story with mental health, even more so now after hearing Senator John Fetterman (PA) announced that he was going to seek inpatient treatment for clinical depression. Lawmakers all around applauded his transparency and celebrated his strength in taking action to take care of himself.

There is a risk involved in lawmakers who share personal stories about mental health, some withdrawing from campaigns and some having mental health crises while in office that made others think differently of them once they came back to work.

On January 6^th, 2021, the aftermath of the event drew mental health conversations to the forefront of conversations in the legislature and many lawmakers who experienced the traumatic event banded together to encourage therapy and other mental health treatments to those who felt they needed it. The event left unexpected consequences for lawmakers who went through the day hiding under desks, hearing gunshots and hearing gas masks being deployed in the hallways. Discussions about mental health after the day revealed the generational divide and gender divide among those talking about it openly and getting therapy.

“It doesn’t take a statistician to tell you that of the 100 of us in the United States Senate, mental health issues are going to have touched every single one of us in one way or another. I think it gives people some permission to maybe speak a little bit more openly about it.” -Senator Tina Smith (MN)

H.F. 1706 (Edelson, Fischer, Kiel, Mann)/S.F. 1826 (Morrison): MHLN’s Adult Bill. Increases funding for housing support grants for people with mental illnesses (HSASMI), Increases funding for First Episode of Psychosis and Emerging Mood Disorder grant programs, increases rates for protected transport, expands telephonic care (audio only) past July 1, 2023, require providers using telehealth or telephonic care to be reimbursed at the same rate as in-person, and funds voluntary engagement services as a pilot project. The bill passed the House Commerce Finance and Policy Committee and was rereferred to House Health Finance. Awaiting hearing in the Senate Health and Human Services Committee.

HF 1198 (Hanson, J.; Olson, L.; Fischer; Frederick; Hicks; Coulter; Kotyza-Witthuhn; Berg; Hassan; Edelson; Noor and Curran, Agbaje, Freiberg, Lee, F., Acomb, Zeleznikar)/SF 1174 (Morrison, Hoffman, Boldon, Coleman, Mann): MHLN’s Children’s Bill.

The bill was re-referred to the House Committee on Children and Families Finance and Policy, passed and rereferred to the House Human Services Finance and is still waiting hearing in Senate Committee on Health and Human Services.

HF 770 (Tabke, Stephenson, Greenman)/S.F. 1871 (Xiong T. and Klein): MHLN’s Life Insurance Bill. Updates language and eliminates the two-year waiting period for life insurance (Families of people who take their own life cannot access life insurance benefits if the policy has been in place less than two years). The bill is waiting for a floor vote in both bodies.

S.F. 1491 (Xiong)/ H.F. 1677 (Kraft, Stephenson, Kotyza-Witthuhn, Tabke, Kozlowski, Acomb, Hicks, Pursell, Pinto, Freiberg): MHLN’s Network Adequacy Bill. Defines network adequacy standards beyond 30 miles 30 minutes. Requires PMAP to use timely filing timelines and prior authorization processes consistent with fee-for-service. Requires health plan companies to credential with any provider meeting their eligibility criteria. The bill was laid over in House Health Finance and Policy. It passed out of Senate Health and Human Services and was rereferred to Senate Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection.

H.F. 1771 (Bierman, Stephenson, Koegel, Clardy)/S.F. 1490 (Xiong): MHLN’s Collaborative Care Model Bill. Requires Medical Assistance (MA) to cover services delivered through the psychiatric collaborative care model. The bill has passed two committees and is now in the House Health Finance and Policy committee. The bill also has a clone: S.F. 1219 (Boldon, Abeler, Hoffman).

HF 824 (Curran, Becker-Finn, Huot, Tabke and Moller, Feist, Pinto)/S.F. 1921 (Westlin): MHLN’s Criminal Justice bill. Requires free mental-health-related phone calls from jails. Requires the Department of Corrections to update a model policy for jail discharge plans. Creates and funds jail reentry programs. Laid over in House Public Safety and awaiting a hearing in the Senate Judiciary and Public Safety.

HF 2822 (Clardy)/SF 2760 (Westlin): MHLN's teacher suicide prevention training bill. Funds an online evidence-based suicide prevention training for teachers. Referred to House Health Finance and Policy and Senate Education Finance.

H.F. 1697 (Sencer-Mura)/S.F. 1779 (Mohamed): MHLN’s Employment Bill. Increases funding for Individual Placement and Support programs and creates a task force at DEED to identify barriers and solutions to employment for people with mental illnesses who don’t need IPS. The bill was laid over in the House Workforce Development Finance and Policy Committee and is awaiting a hearing in the Senate Jobs and Economic Development Committee.

H.F. 2058 (Hassan, Her, Edelson, Richardson, Frazier, Perez-Vega, Hanson J., Noor, Xiong)/ S.F. 1891 (Maye Quade, Oumou Verbeten, Fateh, Xiong, Hawj): MHLN’s Equity Bill. Funds the Cultural and Ethnic Minority Infrastructure Grant program and put it in statute, funds culturally specific provider consultation, funds cultural healers from different communities, creates fund to provide interpreters in child or adult residential settings, and creates a program to train community health care workers in mental health. Heard and passed out of House Human Services Policy and heard in the House Human Services Finance Committee. Still waiting hearing in the Senate Health and Human Services Committee.

H.F. 2692 (Hanson)/SF2629 (Fateh): MHLN’s Higher Education Bill. Fund college-linked mental health services for community colleges. The bill was referred to House Committee on Higher Education Finance and Senate Committee on Higher Education. 

H.F. 1696 (Norris, Hassan)/S.F. 1603 (Port, Boldon): MHLN’s Housing Bill. Increases funding for the Bridges Rental Assistance Program and funds landlord risk mitigation. The bill was laid over for possible inclusion in housing omnibus bill. Waiting hearing in Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention Committee.

H.F. 1683 (Bierman, Fischer, Kiel, Edelson, Engen, Freiberg)/S.F. 1615 (Gustafson, Abeler, Hoffman, Mann): MHLN’s Long Term Rates Bill. Increases rates for Intensive Residential Treatment Services (IRTS), Assertive Community Treatment (ACT), and Residential Crisis Services, establishes a single statewide reimbursement rate for behavioral health home services, allows MN Care enrollees to have room and board through IRTS and Residential Crisis Services, and adjusts PRTF per diem rates to reflect changes in the CMS Psychiatric Facility Market Basket. The bill was rereferred to House Human Services Finance Committee and was rereferred to Senate Health and Human Services Committee.

H.F. 2553 (Fischer, Kiel)/S.F. 2449 (Boldon, Abeler, Kupec): MHLN Regulations Bill. Changes BHH staffing regulations from registered nurse to licensed nurse, establishes a provider entity application and certification process, adds definition of children’s care coordination to CTSS, simplifies some documentation requirements, simplifies diagnostic assessments updates, eliminates the CASII and ECSII early childhood assessments, eliminates case reviews under treatment supervision, eliminates host county contract for ARMHS, ensures MCO process consistency, and no longer requires additional training for clinical trainees within the first 90 days of providing direct contact services. The bill was passed from House Human Services Policy to House Human Services Finance and needs a hearing in Senate Health and Human Services.

H.F. 1436 (Vang, Norris, Sencer-Mura)/S.F. 1679 (Wiklund, Morrison): MHLN’s Workforce bill.

The bill passed out of House Human Services and the Committee on Human Services Finance. It is still awaiting a Senate Health and Human Services Hearing.

H.F. 1566 (Hanson J., Curran, Lee F.)/SF 2588 (Wiklund): MHLN’s 988 bill. Provides more funding for 988 and establishes a telecommunication fee. The bill passed House Human Services Policy and referred to House Human Services Finance. It was heard in the Senate Health and Human Services Committee.

SF 926 (Boldon, Abeler)/H.F. 346 (Reyer, Her, Kiel, Fischer, Hicks, Acomb, Smith, Curran, Olson L., Elkins, Baker, Moller): MHLN’s Rates Bridging bill. Raises certain mental health service rates in 2024 and 2025 while DHS completes its rate study. Referred and awaiting hearings in the House Committee on Health Finance and Policy and Senate Committee on Health and Human Services.

H.F. 2371 (Bierman)/ S.F. 2485 (Gustafson, Mann, Morrison, Seeberger, Abeler): MHLNs mandated coverage of PRTFs Bill. Requires health plans to cover treatment at psychiatric residential treatment facilities (PRTFs) for children. The bill passed the House Commerce and was rereferred to House Health Care Finance and will heard this week in the Senate Health and Human Services.

S.F 2806 (Hoffman and Abeler) increasing the approved recovery program grant amounts from $125,000 to $325,000 and including student and family recovery support staff. The bill was referred to the Committee on Education Finance.

S.F. 2832 (Mohamed, McEwen, Seeberger, Latz, Oumou Verbeten) establishing a right for juveniles to consult with an attorney before an interrogation and requiring parents to be notified. A report is required and includes the result of the interrogation and the clear attempt to contact the parent or guardian if the peace officer or officer was unable to. The child’s consultation is confidential and any information obtained by the peace officer in the consultation can not be used as admissible evidence in court proceedings against the child. The bill was referred to the Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety.

S.F. 2879 (Port) establishes an ombudsperson for shelter residents. All contacts made by residents seeking assistance from the ombudsperson for shelter residents is classified as private data. The ombudsperson will be an independent office within the Department of Human Services. Appropriations will be to support the position and its operations. The bill was referred to the Committee on Housing and Homelessness Prevention.

S.F. 2880 (Port) creates a shelter inhabitants’ bill of rights and appropriates money. The bill of rights includes the right to be treated with dignity and respect, right to adequate facilities, right to reasonable accommodations, right to privacy and confidential records, right to know shelter rules and resources, right to meet with attorneys and other advocates, and right to complain. The appropriation of money is for the commissioner to develop a list of resources to distribute to meet these rights. The bill was referred to the Committee on Housing and Homelessness Prevention.

S.F. 2944 (Miller, Hoffman, Abeler, Fateh, and Mann) establishing a Direct Care Service Corps, a pilot program to attract postsecondary students to work as personal care assistants or direct support professionals. A report should be done to evaluate the pilot project’s effectiveness and appropriations given for a grant to perform the report and project start up. The bill was referred to the Committee on Human Services.

S.F. 2960 (Hoffman, Draheim, Pappas, Xiong, Abeler) appropriating money to Ramsey County for a youth mental health urgency room. The bill was referred to Committee on Health and Human Services.

H.F. 2396 (Keeler, Kozlowski, Frazier) establishes an ombudsperson for shelter residents. All contacts made by residents seeking assistance from the ombudsperson for shelter residents is classified as private data. The ombudsperson will be an independent office within the Department of Human Services. Appropriations will be to support the position and its operations. The bill was referred to Judiciary Finance and Civil Law.

H.F. 2636 (Fischer and Keeler) creates a shelter inhabitants’ bill of rights and appropriates money. The bill of rights includes the right to be treated with dignity and respect, right to adequate facilities, right to reasonable accommodations, right to privacy and confidential records, right to know shelter rules and resources, right to meet with attorneys and other advocates, and right to complain. The appropriation of money is for the commissioner to develop a list of resources to distribute to meet these rights. The bill was referred to the Committee on Human Services Policy.

H.F. 2764 (Norris, Frazier, Newton, Hill, and Sencer-Mura) increasing the approved recovery program grant amounts from $125,000 to $325,000 and including student and family recovery support staff. The bill was referred to the Committee on Education.

H.F. 2859 (Feist, Fraizer, Finke, Kozlowski, Becker-Finn) establishing a right for juveniles to consult with an attorney before an interrogation and requiring parents to be notified. A report is required and includes the result of the interrogation and the clear attempt to contact the parent or guardian if the peace officer or officer was unable to. The child’s consultation is confidential, and any information obtained by the peace officer in the consultation cannot be used as admissible evidence in court proceedings against the child. The bill was referred to the Committee on Public Safety Finance and Policy.

HF 2886 (Hanson, J.; Pursell): Modifications to protect the title of ‘social worker’ in Minnesota. Social workers employed by a city, county, or state agency must possess a bachelor's or graduate degree in social work and be licensed as a social worker. Individuals without these qualifications may not be represented to the public by any title that includes the terms ‘social work’ or ‘social worker’. The bill was referred to House Health Finance and Policy.

HF 2916 (Hanson, J.): Establishment of a grant program for social work students. Applicants must meet certain criteria, such as enrollment in an accredited social work program, and completion of an internship or practicum in the academic term when the grant is awarded. Grants may be up to $10,000 in an academic year, and awards preference will be needs based. The bill was referred to Higher Education Finance and Policy.

H.F. 2926 (Urdahl) establishing a legislative group on school safety. The group would consist of various legislative officials that would make recommendations to address school safety. The group must also provide a report with school recommendations by January 2024. The bill was referred to the Committee on Education Policy.

HF 2914 (Hanson, J) Establishes a Last-dollar scholarship program from the general fund in 2024 and 2025 for students who are going to become licensed social workers in Minnesota. Students who are enrolled in a social work bachelors or graduate degree program and submit a FAFSA will be eligible for this scholarship. This scholarship requires recipients within six months after completion of their degree to

be licensed and employed as a full time social worker in Minnesota. Referred to the Committee on Higher Education Finance and Policy.

Meetings are held on the second Tuesday of every month at 6 PM. To be added to the email list, email us at policycoordinator@namimn.org