Senate committee advances SF 626 with amendment creating Direct Care and Treatment advisory council

Senator Jordan moved that Senate File 626 be recommended to pass and be re‑referred to the committee on state and local government, and the panel approved the bill as amended.

The bill, as amended by the A2 author's amendment, makes a technical correction and establishes a capped, 15‑member advisory council on Direct Care and Treatment (DCT). "The A2 does two things. One is it makes a technical correction ... the second ... establishes an advisory council on direct care and treatment," Senator Jordan said, describing the new membership mix that includes licensed health professionals, a physician with behavioral‑health experience, a union representative, a counties association designee and a National Alliance on Mental Illness Minnesota appointee.

Why it matters: the measure changes governance for DCT — the state agency that operates state‑run treatment and care programs — and determines whether oversight will rest with an executive board, a single appointed commissioner, or a governance/configuration that includes stakeholder advisory input. That governance choice affects accountability, how leaders are selected and when authority transfers from the commissioner of Human Services to a board or commissioner under current statute.

Debate and concerns

Senators split over the direction of the governance change. Senator Wicklund said she would not support the bill in its current form, arguing for the executive‑board model with a chief executive officer. "I think the executive board with a CEO that is running a system like that is more appropriate and has a better chance of succeeding," Wicklund said, expressing concern that an appointed commissioner could change more frequently and destabilize care.

Senator Mohammed, Senator Abler and other members echoed requests for further discussion and for fiscal information. Senator Mohammed asked whether the executive board had already hired an executive director; Senator Jordan and Mr. Dan Storkamp, a staff member involved in implementation, responded that a CEO is expected to be empowered when the board formally assumes authority on July 1 under current statute, and that some board appointments and organizing work have already occurred.

Department perspective

Dan Storkamp, who the committee invited to comment, said the department had received the amendment at the same time as legislators and was still digesting it. "As we look through it ... it's the best of all put together into one advisory group here. That's a very extensive advisory group," Storkamp said, noting the council would approach 15 members and raising concerns about the practical difficulty of operating a very large advisory body.

Storkamp and other staff described current status: six gubernatorial appointees had been named, the board held an initial meeting in January, a chair has been appointed per statute, five site tours and orientation meetings are planned, and the statutory transfer of authority is scheduled for July 1. He also said one appointee had resigned and the governor's office was filling that seat.

Procedural outcome

Senator Jordan moved the A2 amendment, the committee approved it by voice vote, and then the committee voted to recommend SF 626 as amended be referred to the Committee on State and Local Government. The chair called the voice vote "Aye" and announced the bill passed as amended. The committee discussed that the bill will likely need a fiscal note and further work in state government and finance committees before final action.

What remains unresolved

Lawmakers repeatedly told staff they want more detail on costs and implementation timelines. Several senators asked for additional stakeholder input and for the department to work with the committee as the bill proceeds. Multiple members said the committee was evenly divided on structure and that conversations would continue in State & Local Government and in finance if a fiscal note is required.

Ending

The committee forwarded SF 626, as amended by the A2 advisory‑council language, to the Committee on State and Local Government with a voice vote. Members said they expect the bill to return for further consideration after additional review, fiscal analysis and stakeholder engagement.