Senate bill would expand access to positive support services, create competency pathway

Senators heard testimony on Senate File 2596, a bill to expand access to positive support services — formerly known as behavioral supports — by restoring pre‑2019 experience standards, creating a competency‑based training pathway, and funding a statewide competency program.

Sponsor Senator Fata said positive supports are evidence‑based, person‑centered interventions intended to reduce behaviors that interfere with community stability. Donna Cobb of Affinity Care Minnesota and Rachel Freeman of the University of Minnesota’s Institute on Community Integration said the service is underutilized: only a small number of providers statewide currently offer it, and communities outside the Twin Cities often lack access.

Witnesses told the committee that rigid qualification rules and a shortage of trained analysts and specialists have created a workforce bottleneck. The bill would allow a competency‑based pathway and one‑time funds to build free training modules, mentoring networks, and evaluation tools to expand the pool of qualified staff, particularly in Greater Minnesota.

Supporters argued the change also helps hospitals find resources for people with complex needs who otherwise remain in acute settings. Doctor Rachel Freeman cited evidence from other states showing competency approaches can expand access while preserving quality. Board‑certified behavior analyst Heather Wilford told senators competency‑based assessment would provide clear career pathways and improve retention.

Senators laid the bill over for possible inclusion in an omnibus package; supporters requested modest one‑time funding to build the training infrastructure and emphasized the proposal is designed to increase equitable access rather than lower standards.