[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6638148,"mediaKeyId","2574248-2922755cce7265f7c469c7cd4ae0a690","parentId",2574248,"title","Bill to allow alternative background checks for shelter and supportive housing staff laid over","audioSeconds",4179,"startMs",4185000,"endMs",5227,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2574248-2922755cce7265f7c469c7cd4ae0a690&start=4185&end=5","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2574248-2922755cce7265f7c469c7cd4ae0a690/thumbnail_4185000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6638148/Minnesota/Bill-to-allow-alternative-background-checks-for-shelter-and-supportive-housing-staff-laid-over","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6638148-9c0959413574815b9c3e6014ad55740b/orig.mp4?Expires=1776550729&Signature=dg4rzPGXVcWHtfo6XHrPsVGm2j3-L-loI4FwBDfW3fhGY0pFzX21ctkxq7o06E7re9QmL0UKbRk5Tlh3YtNlvHJIwoixaxGP2rQIOKEu7NwtWLFDGBe9FGlQAVEBdqk-KTGQ~M1~9lT7O7kAy-Qj9ZEe-Z7gv-1yinpNeCTQYiSBupI0gQaw2RFAgA19RyeU9jSxITOtTCBiR9C77kaWAECjYcnwBvS89R~sr3yBl4yQmG4xPagHokvIsm61sAjaibBD7jVi6btNCHye5U3Y~PPtyVelER0JM5LqQ6cD9dfa9dAfvVbJARXk5ZNA9ipnjGHsgSh3CvCqvCrgDscNRQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Minnesota Legislature","date","2025-03-12T16:53:56.477Z","article","Representative Zalen Zalenslakar introduced House File 18‑31 and an A1 amendment that would allow specified supportive housing and emergency shelter programs to use alternative, authorized background check vendors or local law enforcement checks in lieu of the DHS fingerprint‑based study. The committee adopted the A1 amendment and laid the bill over for further work.

Proponents, including Christina Jacobson, director of equity and human resources at Simpson Housing Services, and Marcus Schmidt, executive director at Hearth Connection, told the committee that DHS fingerprint background studies can be slow, costly and logistically burdensome for applicants and providers. Jacobson said it sometimes takes weeks or more than a month for DHS processing and that the administrative burden consumes staff time; she testified that “it takes over 50 hours of staff time to hire 1 person” and described missed hires and lost candidates because of the delay.

Supporters argued alternative checks (for example, Bureau of Criminal Apprehension records, private vendor checks or checks done through local law enforcement) are faster and cheaper, and that several jurisdictions already use comparable methods. Marcus Schmidt said the change would improve hiring speed for organizations serving people experiencing homelessness and that the alternatives are “cheaper, they're faster, and they're just as effective.”

Committee members pressed for clarification about standardization and portability of checks across programs and raised federal background study requirements that may apply to some funding streams. Representative Zelenslakar said she is meeting with DHS to work out implementation details; Representative Lehi Le Carre urged follow‑up with DHS and with members across the aisle to ensure the change protects vulnerable people while addressing workforce shortages.

Representative Zelenslakar moved adoption of the A1 amendment (adopted by voice vote) and then moved that House File 18‑31 be laid over for possible inclusion; the motion carried.

Votes at a glance: House File 18‑31 — A1 amendment adopted (voice vote); motion to lay over made by Representative Zelenslakar; outcome: laid over for possible inclusion.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Human Services Finance and Policy Committee 3/12/25","oneSentenceSummary","Representative Zalen Zalenslakar introduced House File 18‑31 and an A1 amendment that would allow specified supportive housing and emergency shelter programs to use alternative, authorized background check vendors or local law enforcement checks in lieu of the DHS fingerprint‑based study. The committee adopted the A1 amendment and laid the bill over for further work.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature MN, Minnesota","taxId",77817,"location","Minnesota","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6638157,"Committee hears five‑part provider package to speed authorizations, cover housing and property damage",1138,2320000,3458000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2574248-2922755cce7265f7c469c7cd4ae0a690&start=2320&end=3458","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2574248-2922755cce7265f7c469c7cd4ae0a690/thumbnail_2320000.jpg","/articles/6638157/Minnesota/Committee-hears-fivepart-provider-package-to-speed-authorizations-cover-housing-and-property-damage","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6638157-1c7805a67e5b5a5a07dc0c14ca1c2935/orig.mp4?Expires=1776550729&Signature=KEbtS6MEQ4nzLFLzLiKYArbJtDsCEIzi8BJCT27wNNqKHcN2~QGeLiXQHDTa-elXqq~zAffO0mHyslyOBJlGEG2CftWqoK1hP9igG5jPft5NYMYbkSbC7OAfoH4cUUQyJbcsN0tUnCMP2vKiFC2k3-f1ZI1MYBWXX~NE7812v-Us6938k3ijswQ2NXTzWx2CE9v49kdbwV0JEUvEeU09QEZYQNLX00CpO2moavRECDo0C9eRUDXpoCjBHBqX3y-SyeVXNNAUtC~398o-HTubXie2wj1z2ATL~2Y9MWjflBRZXS3rLUbd6-yCOWINOZ1Fec~NfU6loEf2NHZZ6SmskA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Jo Curran presented House File 3‑81, a five‑section package from provider groups (ARM) that would alter administrative timelines, provider payment tools and allowable uses of waiver funds to address service‑access and funding problems in the disability waiver system. The committee adopted an A1 amendment and laid the bill over for further work.

The bill's five main proposals are: (1) require lead agencies to review and process service authorizations within 30 business days; (2) allow an approved rate exception to remain in place if the individual's support team determines removal would harm the person's well‑being; (3) create stakeholder consultation to review forms and processes for rate exception requests; (4) allow a negotiated monthly housing support room‑and‑board add‑on (not to exceed $1,000) for individuals who cannot live with roommates; and (5) direct the commissioner of human services to seek a CMS waiver so Environmental Accessibility Adaptation (EAA) funds may be used to reimburse property damage caused by individuals receiving waiver services.

Why it matters: providers described growing delays in service authorization processing (some reporting many months), cash‑flow impacts when authorizations lag renewals, and unreimbursed property damage that leaves some providers unwilling to serve individuals with frequent damaging behaviors. Sarah Grafstrom, senior director of state and federal policy at ARM, said providers are seeing service authorization timelines of “6 to 8 months past the renewal date” in some cases and that the bill seeks to address that operational backlog.

The housing support add‑on would attempt to close a room‑and‑board gap where the current housing support rate is insufficient for individuals who live alone; the bill sets an upper negotiation cap of $1,000 per month above the standard housing support rate. Grafstrom said the current housing support rate is “$11.70 dollars a month” as stated in testimony; committee members and staff noted apparent rate calculation complexity and requested further fiscal analysis.

On property damage, witnesses described insurance deductibles and program rules that make existing reimbursement impractical; the bill would ask DHS to pursue a CMS waiver to allow EAA funds (which can be up to $40,000 annually for eligible participants) to be used to address property damage costs in some cases.

Representative Kern offered and the committee adopted an A1 amendment that removed language imposing a penalty and reduced costs included in the bill text. Representative Kern moved to lay the bill over and the committee approved the motion.

Votes at a glance: House File 3‑81 (as amended) — A1 amendment adopted (voice vote). Motion to lay over made by Representative Kern; outcome: laid over for possible inclusion.","Representative Jo Curran presented House File 3‑81, a five‑section package from provider groups (ARM) that would alter administrative timelines, provider payment tools and allowable uses of waiver funds to address service‑access and funding problems in the disability waiver system. The committee adopted an A1 amendment and laid the bill over for further work.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6638163,"Panel advances bill to prevent charges for mobile crisis services, bolster 988-linked response",1582,748000,2330000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2574248-2922755cce7265f7c469c7cd4ae0a690&start=748&end=2330","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2574248-2922755cce7265f7c469c7cd4ae0a690/thumbnail_748000.jpg","/articles/6638163/Minnesota/Panel-advances-bill-to-prevent-charges-for-mobile-crisis-services-bolster-988-linked-response","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6638163-f09cc852363c8ed7e069bceef059a48b/orig.mp4?Expires=1776550729&Signature=VEPKB4-iWhC7uN5RYb3XcnuMrgPhqgDZKoiqmHXD1zdwnLQGxAZDenzvkcr5XECSWH-IpkR89BeY9sdMQF1stjEG0TvMiNdDloe39L-BJiAVY0ejgha~MBNjeCk7iEKM1-0sVCahwO~jRS7Ps2SyDZj2L8uDaSrM1-teLNhKNEQK56n-BEVMRmy0QGhfw-maRPVoNOgD2T~XbDbPGbieSHVusrKVcaT3H7zZnaItfnMyGLw7z8ix5tafU3IhsUEAz2W2QebwpaJgO45osEYxRBq0Mc22SEIfrDVfzGm0rK6ovgKavvwO-PX~c~Sry3lmN3D8Q3npyQU4n~TI1sgf8w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Nolan Backer presented House File 9‑73 to the committee, asking members to make mobile mental health crisis teams universally available without out‑of‑pocket charges and to stabilize funding. The committee moved the bill and laid it over for further work.

The bill would prohibit mobile crisis teams supported by state grants or MinnesotaCare from charging individuals for services and would make crisis services exempt from co‑payments, coinsurance and deductibles under MinnesotaCare. Backer told the panel he envisions ongoing funding and asked for $4 million per year in the draft to sustain teams and to expand protected transport options as an alternative to police or EMS transport.

Why it matters: mobile crisis teams provide a non‑law‑enforcement response to mental health emergencies. Supporters said the teams reduce law enforcement involvement, emergency room use and jail bookings and that stable base funding is needed to maintain 24/7 availability.

Sue Abercalden, Executive Director of NAAMI Minnesota, said the goal is to ensure a mental‑health response rather than a law‑enforcement response and that charging individuals creates a perverse incentive to call police. She said a FOX9 report showed Ramsey County had charged people for crisis services and later changed the policy; Abercalden testified that in at least some cases the charge was “the entire cost of the service.”

Eric Sievers, executive director of Hiawatha Valley Mental Health Center, described a large increase in demand after 988 implementation and said mobile teams in rural southeastern Minnesota saw assessments grow substantially; he urged sustained funding, noting grant and billable revenue alone do not cover operating costs.

Committee members asked about 988 promotion and coordination with 911 dispatch; witnesses said 988 call centers can connect to local responders and most crises are resolved by phone or by the crisis team without needing emergent transport.

Representative Backer moved that House File 9‑73 be laid over for possible inclusion; the motion was approved and the bill was filed for further consideration.

Key provisions discussed included: prohibition on charging individuals for crisis team response; Medicare/MinnesotaCare billing alignment and the removal of co‑payments for crisis services; directing state support for protected transport vehicles; and designating 988 as the central access number for mental health crisis response where statutory cross‑references apply.

Votes at a glance: House File 9‑73 — motion to lay over made by Representative Backer; outcome: laid over for possible inclusion.","House File 9‑73 would bar providers from charging individuals for mobile mental health crisis responses, remove MinnesotaCare co‑payments for crisis services, and seek ongoing funding; the committee laid the bill over after testimony from providers, counties and advocates.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6638164,"Committee reviews bill to standardize housing support contracts across counties",0,2109000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2574248-2922755cce7265f7c469c7cd4ae0a690&start=2109&end=2109","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2574248-2922755cce7265f7c469c7cd4ae0a690/thumbnail_2109000.jpg","/articles/6638164/Minnesota/Committee-reviews-bill-to-standardize-housing-support-contracts-across-counties","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6638164-6fb564cc4ef01a62b50956d4555c50cb/orig.mp4?Expires=1776550729&Signature=d2YElgjFdxfY6kJlv2U~uAZaYU5p28WOu7hQUUjgdD5hMtFHNBza5A~mquUKu7LQEHULFqfPX~22ZcPl973AkKJ6hrNxiB6HqFx0OYGCmCSt0XS76-jP5sjA4tMO8AEscJLy-VS0ZZ9xfVxzjbe3V6eFr90YYwr7fGqUv2fcuNHDiTs9VOYvpBT7VWJhxZdSnZYsSK8v-yASBlPiCJwQPw4EsJtLKIjqCrph~7M87q7TVrIHvfILY1asRhtXSbUg8~VKP6zjyYr6FeqVenixaIidFDjuIsqLTW7rm38UUSgmHB432KEkhLvt9rzgkQTM72DYnsp9ZAarm31oiWVnQg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Isaac Noor introduced House File 13‑37 to the House Human Services Committee, asking the panel to consider changes to the statewide housing support program (formerly GRH) so eligible Minnesotans are not denied assistance because of the type of residential setting where they live. The committee moved the bill and laid it over for possible inclusion.

The measure would require counties to contract for housing support for people who meet eligibility criteria, irrespective of whether they live in assisted living, a customized living provider (CRS), or other licensed settings. Noor told the committee the program serves “over 20,000 individuals” and “spends over $200,000,000,” and said the current county‑by‑county administration produces uneven access.

Why it matters: housing support helps people at risk of institutional placement or long‑term homelessness remain in community settings. Witnesses described operational gaps that result from county discretion over contracting and said the result can be that some providers or settings cannot access state housing dollars even when the resident is otherwise eligible.

Matthew Bergeron, speaking for the Residential Providers Association of Minnesota, told the committee that although the funds are state dollars, “that individual can only access those funds if they are residing at a setting that has a contract with the local county.” Bergeron described barriers for small providers in metropolitan counties, where volume, administrative workload or blanket exclusions (for example, excluding single‑family homes) can block access to contracts.

Matt Freeman, human services policy analyst for the Association of Minnesota Counties, said counties are concerned about administrative capacity and oversight responsibilities. “Counties don't currently have, or all counties don't currently have staff capacity for all the housing support agreements that would be a result of this bill,” Freeman said, and he urged consideration of resources for counties to implement any change.

Marcus Klimenko, Hennepin County area manager for housing stability, described Hennepin County''s approach as a managed growth model that uses requests for proposals to evaluate provider qualifications, transportation access and experience serving specific populations. Klimenko said counties sometimes decline new providers because of quality or logistical concerns.

The committee did not vote on policy language. Representative Knorr moved that House File 13‑37 be laid over for possible inclusion; the motion was approved and the item was filed for further consideration.

The bill drew bipartisan interest and several members urged continued stakeholder work to balance statewide eligibility rules with counties' responsibility for oversight and contract management. Committee members and witnesses repeatedly raised two implementation issues that remain unresolved: (1) how counties would be resourced for expanded contract administration, and (2) how to write statutory language that preserves beneficiary eligibility without compelling counties to accept providers that do not meet local standards.

Votes at a glance: House File 13‑37 — motion to lay over made by Representative Knorr; outcome: laid over for possible inclusion.","Legislators heard testimony on House File 13‑37, a proposal to align access to Minnesota'funded housing support for eligible people regardless of the residential setting; the committee laid the bill over for further work.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6638152,"Committee advances Best Life Alliance bill to raise wage factors for disability services",795,3401000,4196000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2574248-2922755cce7265f7c469c7cd4ae0a690&start=3401&end=4196","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2574248-2922755cce7265f7c469c7cd4ae0a690/thumbnail_3401000.jpg","/articles/6638152/Minnesota/Committee-advances-Best-Life-Alliance-bill-to-raise-wage-factors-for-disability-services","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6638152-84c2cf5e378ffb88de06b603feab9e9c/orig.mp4?Expires=1776550729&Signature=j3-Laa4PTq3tSYYqSLSRkeVA4u7mdwilh1HgT61lHXqbp1q9eJLCcIp0mNyKkfdtoPe4W-EZRWBoA9bdB0sGb88x7mG7rPu19HHZysLSVCwK-9VAtf2HSyBh-Dm-UrrS~nhwHn01ANXQn~mzxGYMbr5NbMudfHcURPQHy2x~7TxiNbBPnuN61Hj3g2arrEFUPL66IWTn4hsW5EGELgnhbyXFwUL5Mk67yhtwoaMaqWYDKJV09SoVKKSR2giUfzngOrvzKCRrXKN-xgdysfM8ougquwkPL3FZPicszkKNAfjRxVwUojLI73XVvbga3pti0jMs5X-iUe35EqAT2VFNjA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Jo Curran presented House File 3‑82, the Best Life Alliance bill, asking lawmakers to increase reimbursement factors used to set wages in waiver‑funded disability services. The committee adopted a technical A1 amendment and laid the bill over for further consideration.

The bill contains two targeted reforms: update the competitive workforce factor in the Disability Waiver Rate System (DWRS) to reflect the most recent Department of Human Services analysis (testimony cited a recommended adjustment to about 16.76%) and revise the occupational wage mix used to set a supervisor wage so supervisory pay better reflects management responsibilities. Ken Bence, director of research and policy for ARM, explained that the competitive workforce factor was initially set at 4.7% and raised to 6.7% in 2023, but DHS analysis shows a larger current gap (16.76%) between direct support wages and comparable occupations.

Julie Johnson, president of MSS and government affairs chair of MORE, testified the workforce shortage leaves about 150 people on her organization's wait list and that higher, competitive wages are essential to serve more people and prevent skill loss after high school.

Ken Bence explained the supervisory wage change: rather than using a single occupational median that in some frameworks produced supervisory wages lower than direct support wages, the bill would calculate a supervisory wage as 40% community and social services specialist median plus 60% community and social services manager median. Bence said that change would raise a supervisory wage to roughly $30 per hour in the example provided.

Representative Curran noted the bill had multiple signers and urged colleagues to support it. The A1 technical amendment was adopted and Representative Curran moved the bill be laid over; the motion was approved.

Votes at a glance: House File 3‑82 — A1 amendment adopted (voice vote); motion to lay over made by Representative Curran; outcome: laid over for possible inclusion.","House File 3‑82, the Best Life Alliance bill, would increase the competitive workforce factor and adjust supervisory wage calculations in the disability waiver rate system to help providers recruit and retain staff; the committee adopted a technical amendment and laid the bill over.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Bill to allow alternative background checks for shelter and supportive housing staff laid over

Committee hears five‑part provider package to speed authorizations, cover housing and property damage

Panel advances bill to prevent charges for mobile crisis services, bolster 988-linked response

Committee reviews bill to standardize housing support contracts across counties

Committee advances Best Life Alliance bill to raise wage factors for disability services