Senate Counsel, Research
and Fiscal Analysis
Minnesota Senate Bldg.
95 University Avenue W. Suite 3300
St. Paul, MN 55155
(651) 296-4791
Alexis C. Stangl
Director
   Senate   
State of Minnesota
 
 
 
 
 
S.F. No. 928 - Group Residential Housing Payments for Employed Persons (First Engrossment with A-2 Technical Amendment)
 
Author: Senator Jeff Hayden
 
Prepared By: Joan White, Senate Counsel (651/296-3814)
 
Date: April 13, 2015



 

SF No. 928 improves GRH program integrity through standardizing contracts between agencies and GRH providers, giving the commissioner the authority to terminate contracts or impose sanctions if the health and safety of the recipients are in danger, and requiring background studies and minimum staff qualifications.  

Sections 1 and 2 (245C.03, subd. 10 and 245C.10, subd. 11) amend the background study chapter of law to require background studies for providers of group residential housing (GRH) and supplementary services, and allows the commissioner to recover $20 per study.

Section 3 (256.017, subd. 1) adds GRH to the Department of Human Services (DHS) compliance system, which permits the commissioner to supervise the administration of public assistance programs.

Section 4 (256I.03, subd. 3) amends the definition of GRH to strike obsolete language, and updates references to the staffing and background study requirements.

Section 5 (256I.03, subd. 7) modifies the definition of “countable income” to clarify what is counted as income under the GRH program. 

Section 6 (256I.03, subd. 9) defines the term “direct contact.” 

Section 7 (256I.03, subd. 10) defines the term “habitability inspection.”

Section 8 (256I.03, subd. 11) defines the term “long-term homelessness.”

Section 9 (256I.03, subd. 12) defines the term “professional statement of need.”

Section 10 (256I.03, subd. 13) defines the term “prospective budgeting.”

Section 11 (256I.03, subd. 14) defines the term “qualified professional.”

Section 12 (256I.03, subd. 15) defines the term “supportive housing.”

Section 13 (256I.04, subd. 1) clarifies eligibility for the GRH program.

 Subdivision 1a provides that the county cannot approve a payment in excess of the MSA equivalent payment unless the individual has a professional certification, as defined in this chapter. Also, in order to be eligible for supplementary service payments, providers must enroll in the provider enrollment system, which is part of the MMIS system.

Subdivision 2a exempts supportive housing establishments from the licensure requirements and imposes staffing qualifications on GRH providers.

Subdivision 2b clarifies that agreements between agencies and providers must be in writing, and specifies the minimum requirements that the provider must verify in the agreement.  Agreements may be terminated with or without cause by the commissioner, agency, or provider with two calendar months prior notice.

Subdivision 2c imposes background study requirements.

Subdivision 2d provides that the GRH or supplementary services must be provided to the satisfaction of the commissioner, and the commissioner has the right to suspend or terminate the agreement immediately if the health or welfare of the recipients is endangered, or when the commissioner has reasonable cause to believe that the provider has breached a material term of the agreement.

Subdivision 2e clarifies staffing and background study requirements when there are multiple licenses.

Subdivision 2f specifies the minimum requirements for licensed or registered settings, which include food preparation, housekeeping, and maintenance of the building.

Subdivision 2g is existing language that was moved from a previous subdivision.

Section 14 (256I.05, subd. 1c) changes the term “county” to “agency.”

Section 15 (256I.05, subd. 1g) allows an agency to negotiate a supplemental services rate for individuals who have experienced long-term homelessness and who live in a supportive housing establishment.

Section 16 (256I.06, subd. 2) strikes references to countable income.

Section 17 (256I.06, subd. 6) requires recipients to report changes in income every six months, instead of every month under current law.

Section 18 (256I.06, subd. 7) makes technical conforming changes.

Section 19 (256I.06, subd. 8) provides that for an individual with earned income, prospective budgeting must be used to determine the individual’s payment for the following six-month period.  An increase in income must not affect eligibility until the month following the reporting month.  A decrease in income is effective the first day of the month after the decrease.

 

 
Check on the status of this bill
 
Back to Senate Counsel and Research Bill Summaries page
 

 
This page is maintained by the Office of Senate Counsel, Research, and Fiscal Analysis for the Minnesota Senate.
 
Last review or update: 04/13/2015
 
If you see any errors on this page, please e-mail us at webmaster@senate.mn