NAMI Minnesota Legislative Update
April 2, 2017
Third Deadline Done - Omnibus Bills Completed
With the passing of the third deadline, all the House and the Senate committees have
passed their omnibus bills. This means that all the smaller bills you were watching during
the session may (or may not) have been included in one of the omnibus bills. To learn more
about omnibus bills, click here to read an article on the topic from MinnPost.
Here is a summary of each of them. First up are the Health and Human Services
omnibus bills. In the table below, you can see the funding increases that both bills include
for mental health care.
House Funding
$4.159 million the first biennium and
$4.150 the second biennium in additional
funding for school-linked mental health
grants. Funds can be used for
transportation when school is not in
session.
$750,000 a year for new First Psychotic
Episode Programs
$4,000,000 for the biennium for Mental
Health Innovation Grants. Same as the
Senate language except it does allow
funds to be used for supportive housing.
Senate Funding
Allows funding to be used for
transportation
$4.17 million for the first biennium
and $5.162 million for the second
biennium for the Mental Health
innovation grants. Grants can be to a
county, Indian tribe, mental health
service provider, hospital, or
community partnership. The goal is
to reduce the number of people going
to state operated programs by
increasing the capacity in the
community for programs such
as intensive residential treatment
services, the creation of stand-alone
urgent care centers for mental health
and psychiatric consultation services,
crisis residential services or
collaboration between crisis teams
and critical access hospitals or
establishing new community mental
health services or expanding the
capacity of existing services.
$896,000 the first biennium and $982,000 $896,000 for the first biennium for
the second biennium for the Child and
the CABHS facility in Willmar. No
Adolescent Behavioral Health Services
funding after that.
(CABHS) facility in Willmar
$3 million a biennium to increase MERC $1.052 million a biennium to
funds for physician training and $2
increase clinical training sites for
million the first and second biennium for physician assistants and advance
clinical training sites for mental health
practice nurses (mental health
professionals, physician assistants,
professionals not included)
pharmacy, dental therapy and advance
practice nurses.
$657,000 in 2018 for Grants to the Text 4
Life Program.
$6.064 for the biennium to fund
supportive housing for people with
mental illnesses, ACT teams, respite care
and crisis services. Crisis services include
mobile, residential, co-location at urgent
cares and co-responder models
$6.745 million the first biennium and
$6.745 million the first biennium and
$8.267 million the second biennium to
$8.267 million the second biennium
replace lost federal funding for children's to replace lost federal funding for
residential treatment. Also funds a
children's residential treatment. Also
children's mental health study to
funds a children's mental health
recommend other levels of services.
study to recommend other levels of
services.
$1,200,000 for the biennium for
PACT4 to carry out an evidencebased transitions program for youth
with mental illnesses.
$500,000 a biennium for an upgrade to
the security system at state operated
programs
$100,000 planning funds for peer respite
services in Wadena County
Delays the rebasing system for paying
hospitals until 2021 which could impact
inpatient psychiatric units
Dental rates are increased under Medicaid
$614,000 the first biennium and $1.161 million $614,000 the first biennium and $1.36
the second biennium to pay for evidence-based million the second to pay for evidencenurse home visiting under Medicaid
based nurse home visiting under Medicaid
and then an additional $4 million a
biennium for grants
The MFIP monthly payment was increased
$1 million for the biennium for opioid disposal
grants and $1 million for the opioid abuse
prevention pilot projects.
$3.250 million for long term homelessness,
housing supports, transitional housing and
emergency shelters.
$1 million for the biennium for a Fetal Alcohol
project to serve pregnant women using alcohol
or other drugs
Allows for the presumptive eligibility for Group
Residential Housing (GRH) for crisis residential
services if the client is on Medical Assistance
and allows a person to receive GRH while in
the crisis bed and at their home.
by $13 a month
Establishes a legislative workforce
commission to look at a number of factors
related to health care professionals,
including shortages, and focused on oral
health, mental health and primary care.
$2.028 million for the first year for
community pilot projects for opioid abuse
and $1.070 for each biennium for opioid
prevention projects that are more
substantive, including prescriber
education programs.
Allows for the presumptive eligibility for
Group Residential Housing (GRH) for crisis
residential services if the client is on
Medical Assistance and allows a person to
receive GRH while in the crisis bed and at
their home.
In addition to these investments, the HHS omnibus bills from the House and Senate also
include a number of changes to policy:
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Creates eligibility for and standards for Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facilities
(PRTF). Children must be younger than age 21, meet medical necessity, have
severe aggression or be in danger of hurting themselves or others, etc. A PRTF
must provide active treatment seven days a week, hold groups, engage families,
have 24 hour nursing and coordinate with education.
Allows case managers to use interactive video instead of face-to-face visits under
certain circumstances.
Allows youth in foster care to remain or come back until the age of 21
TEFRA fees are reduced slightly
Includes language to transform Minnesota's substance use disorder (SUD)
treatment system by streamlining the process for accessing treatment by allowing
individuals to go directly to providers to receive an assessment, allowing licensed
providers to be directly reimbursed for services and provide services outside of sitebased treatment programs. Three new services are created - care coordination,
peer recovery support and withdrawal management - to the continuum of care.
Allows start-up funds to be used for new children's programs (like PRTFs)
Requires a study on the barriers to using transportation and how to increase access
for people who receive services through a home and community-based waiver.
Requires the Dept of Human Services to create a program for adoptive, foster and
kinship families to create stability and to provide training and support for these
families, especially around trauma.
Has the Department of Human Services investigate maltreatment in juvenile
facilities licensed by the Department of Corrections.
Makes changes to the Office of the Ombudsman for Mental Health and
Developmental Disabilities by expanding the programs they monitor, expanding the
definition of serious injury to include head injuries and attempted suicide.
There are some policy changes that have only been made in the House omnibus bill:
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Allows mental health practitioners to bill for services using telemedicine. NAMI
anticipates that this provision will be added to the Senate HHS omnibus bill during
a floor session.
diagnostic assessment requirements to ensure that these assessments are brief.
Doesn't reduce the amount for Nonemergency Medical Transportation providers
when driving more than one person and includes the use of child seats as
something that would be included under "driver assisted."
Creates a statewide tobacco quitline service
Updates the language around the licensing of psychologists
Allows mental health providers that are not deemed essential community providers
to receive the enhanced rate if they have a sliding fee schedule and don't turn
people away who do not have insurance or money to pay for services.
Limits the number of opioids that can be prescribed
Increases premiums under MinnesotaCare
Defines a brief diagnostic assessment and allows it to be used in order to allow
mental health professionals to provide three psychotherapy or family education
sessions (or combination) before having to do a full blown diagnostic assessment.
This will help with people who need language interpreters, or when a mental health
professional is embedded in a primary care office.
The senate only provisions include:
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Makes numerous changes to the MNChoice assessment and reassessment process
used for determining eligibility and amount of services.
Expand eligibility for MSA Housing Assistance to include people moving out of GRH
settings and increase benefits so that more people can live in the community.
Establishes two new Medical Assistance (MA) benefit services: Housing Transition
Services to help people get housing and Tenancy Support Services to help people
maintain stable housing. Develops local infrastructure to provide housing outreach,
technical assistance and resources to people who are homeless, unstably housed or
who want to relocate from facilities into their own home.
Allows the Dept of Human Services to manage the number of corporate foster care
settings and residential treatment with a financial push to close them for more
appropriate community settings.
Increases rates 15% effective after January 1, 2022, for the elderly waiver
payment for customized living services in order to address cognitive and behavioral
needs for a person.
Requires the Legislative Auditor to conduct an audit of managed care plans to
determine if a managed care organization used the public money in compliance
with federal and state laws, rules, and in accordance with provisions in the
managed care organization's contract with the commissioner of human services.
Allows Medical Assistance to cover post-arrest community-based service
coordination for an individual who: (1) has been identified as having a mental
illness or substance use disorder (2) does not require the security of a public
detention facility and is not considered an inmate (3) meets the eligibility
requirements and (4) has agreed to participate in post-arrest community-based
service coordination through a diversion contract in lieu of incarceration. Post-arrest
community-based service coordination means navigating services to address a
client's mental health, chemical health, social, economic, and housing needs, or any
other activity targeted at reducing the incidence of jail utilization and connecting
individuals with existing covered services available to them, including, targeted
case management, waiver case management, or care coordination. This is for the
Yellow Line project in Blue Earth County.
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Creates a legislative commission to study and make recommendations to the
legislature on issues relating to the competitive bidding program and procurement
process for the medical assistance and MinnesotaCare contracts with managed care
organizations for nonelderly, nondisabled adults and children enrollees.
Makes a change to the 48 hour rule by stateing that regardless of when the 48hour time period expires, a regional treatment center is not required to admit a
patient after 12:00 p.m. on Friday and before 8:00 a.m. on Monday.
Requires the Dept of Human Services to look at alternatives to the state operated
group homes for one person.
Allows county personnel in the welfare system to request access to education data
in order to coordinate services for a student or family. The request must include the
basis for the request and a description of the information that is requested. Consent
is required.
Allows PrairieCare to add 21 beds to its current children's psychiatric hospital.
The Public Safety/Judiciary Omnibus Bills have little in it that is of concern to NAMI. In
the house bill:
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$14 million a biennium for police training including 16 continuing education credits
in the three year period that covers crisis intervention training, mental illness crisis,
conflict management, mediation, community diversity and cultural awareness.
$100,000 a year for descalation, especially for veterans
Establishes a project to use community options, including CD treatment, for
nonviolent substance use offenders who violate their parole.
Makes it a felony to assault any staff in a hospital, including on the psychiatric
unit.
Creates standards and reviews of the use of solitary confinement (or restrictive
housing) in the prisons. Requires data to be provided to the legislature on the use
of solitary.
The senate bill includes:
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$360,000 each year for peace officer training costs. No other requirements.
The Education Omnibus bills only have a few items. In the house bill:
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Allows transportation to and from a shelter to be reimbursable under special ed
Defines Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports
Requires schools to provide cultural competency training to paraprofessionals who
work with special ed students
Allows districts to bill Medicaid for evaluations
$2.450 million a year to the Dept of Human Services for grants to mental health
providers to collaborate with Intermediate School Districts and Cooperatives to
provide mental health treatment and services.
In the senate bill:
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Additional funding for the new recovery schools, including language that permits
transportation costs as a permissible use.
Defines Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports
Allows districts to bill Medicaid for evaluations
Establishes a pilot project for collaboration between districts and counties to keep
foster children in their home schools
The House and Senate Jobs and Housing bills have nothing of interest to NAMI. There
were no changes in the amount of funding for Bridges Housing and IPS Employment.
Committee Hearings
House Public Safety Committee
The House Public Safety Committee met on Tuesday the 28th to hear amendments to the
committee's omnibus bill. Rep. Pinto offered the first significant amendment of the day. The
amendment would divert MINNCOR funding to support the public defender program.
MINNCOR is the Department of Corrections program that provides work skills training to
inmates and sells these produced goods to government agencies and other third parties.
A roll call vote was taken and the Amendment was rejected on party lines.
The most important moment on Tuesday came when the committee heard Rep. Zerwas'
amendment on solitary confinement. After facing numerous hurdles in the search for
funding, this amendment represented a compromise that minimizes expenses as much as
possible. Rep. Zerwas and NAMI worked closely with the Department of Corrections to
develop this bill's language. The amendment would:
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set out the conditions in segregated housing (including dimmed lighting at night),
require reviews every 15 days by the warden and by the commissioner at the 60th
day and every 30 days after
require the commissioner to design a graduated set of responses to infractions so
that only the most serious land people in segregation
not allow people to be released to the community directly from segregated housing
unless there is a compelling safety reason
provide data to the legislature every year on the number placed in segregation,
ages, nature of infractions, length of terms served in segregation and any incidents
where an inmate didn't receive at least five hours a week out of the cell
Representative Hillstrom said the amendment was lip service and didn't do anything since
there wasn't any funding. NAMI will continue to fight for funding for the department to hire
more mental health professionals and staff, but strongly believes this is an important step
forward. Rep. Zerwas stated that this bill is the "beginning" of what will be a long process
of reforming the use of solitary confinement.
Commissioner Roy provided a neutral testimony on the amendment. The commissioner
pointed to the Governor's more bill that had additional funding as a model for what the
committee should be doing if they are interested in making changes to solitary
confinement, but he also declared that the amendment language is a "step in the right
direction."
Rep. Zerwas concluded the discussion of his solitary confinement amendment by
committing to work on related legislation "every year." NAMI would like to thank Rep.
Zerwas for his passion and dedication as we work together to bring needed changes to
Minnesota prisons. The amendment was passed unanimously by the committee on a roll
call vote.
Read the article in the Star Tribune on solitary confinement, a personal account of it, and
police training.
House Health and Human Services Finance Committee
The House Health and Human Services Finance Committee began hearings on their
omnibus bill by taking public testimony.
NAMI's executive director testified and thanked members for including many items in the
bill that will allow us to continue to build our mental health system. She mentioned that
they paid attention to early intervention, the core services, workforce issues and
prevention.
Commissioner Emily Piper testified on behalf of the Department of Human Services and the
grave concerns she has with the House omnibus bill, which she claimed does not provide
the tools do the job "we have been charged to perform." The lack of funding for state
operated programs was one of primary shortcomings that Commissioner Piper focused on,
especially no staffing increases for the Anoka Regional Metro Treatment Center and
Minnesota Security Hospital.
While Commissioner Piper was grateful the House omnibus bill provides some funding for
the CABHS facility in Willmar, she cautioned the committee that the across the board
operational reductions made by the omnibus bill will make it very challenging for the
CABHS facility to deliver adequate services.
Commissioner Ehlinger from the Department of Health was the next to testify.
Commissioner Ehlinger made the case for early interventions, arguing that "focusing on
prevention is the only rational strategy to bend the cost curve." Additionally, Commissioner
Ehlinger of the failure of the omnibus bill to fund operating costs and fees.
Mary Regan of Aspire Minnesota thanked the committee for investing in services for
children and youth, especially residential treatment services, foster care for young adults
aged 18-21, and expanded mental health services including school-linked mental health
grants and first episode psychosis programs.
Mental Health Minnesota also praised the omnibus bill's support for the mental health
community. Shannah Mulvihill especially appreciated the mental health innovation grants
which will provide more and better access for those who need help but not necessarily
hospital level care. Ms. Mulvihill was also grateful for the committees focus on early
intervention. For Mental Health Minnesota, "life changing" programs like first episode
psychosis programs and school-linked mental health grants are an excellent investment in
Minnesota's mental health system. Shannah Mulvihill concluded her testimony by
supporting new funding for suicide prevention and more housing opportunities.
Lorna Schmidt of the Local Public Health Association of Minnesota also supported the
mental health innovation grants included in the omnibus bill, as did Ben Gustafson from
Fraser. Mr. Gustafson also touted school-linked mental health grants and first episode
psychosis programs. Fraser concluded with testimony on the serious workforce shortage for
mental health professionals.
Laura Sayles and the Minnesota Nurses Association came out in support of school-linked
mental health grants and first episode psychosis programs. However, the MN Nurses
Association was very critical of the decision to remove Medical Assistance inflation from the
forecast. Ms. Sayles was also disappointed that the House omnibus bill does not provide
additional funding for the Minnesota Security Hospital. Ann Mehltretter, another
representative from the MN Nurses Association, was concerned about the lack of an
operating adjustment for the Minnesota Security Hospital, which is likely to lead to the loss
of 51 positions for an already understaffed program.
Mary Krinkie of the Minnesota Hospital Association also thanked the committee for
continuing to prioritize mental health with programs like the new mental health innovation
grants, school linked mental health grants and the text 4 life suicide prevention program.
Krista Goettl, a patient advocate for the Department of Human Services, testified about the
challenges that the Minnesota Security Hospital is facing. With the loss of employees and
difficulty attracting replacements, Goettle claimed that the St. Peter facility has a 2-1
staffing ratio when comparable facilities have a 3-1 ratio. This has led to an environment
that is not therapeutic and is dangerous to staff and patients alike. Goettl concluded with
the statement that "we can expect more of the same without increases." Rachel Weiers,
another employee at the Security Hospital, agreed and said that "we can't do it anymore."
The testimony on the Minnesota security Hospital continued with Tim Headlee, president of
AFSCME Local 404. Focusing on the MSH, AMRTC, and the Willmar facility, Headlee claimed
that the current investments are like doing "surgery with Band-Aids." All the testimony on
the Minnesota Security Hospital speaks clearly to the unacceptable situation in state
operated inpatient facilities.
The president and CEO of Nexus Youth and Family Services testified about the importance
of funding youth mental health services. Noting that there are "more demands for services
then we've experienced before," Brock Wolff thanked the committee for replacing the
federal match for children's residential treatment with state dollars.
Mark Sizer testified as a representative of Stearns County and the Minnesota Inter-County
Association. In this capacity, Mr. Sizer spoke in support of the mental health innovation
grants, school-linked grants, new first episode psychosis programs, and replacing the
federal match for children's residential programs. Kelly Harder of Dakota County also spoke
and echoed the sentiments of Mr. Sizer, while also mentioning the importance of the new
interactive video opportunities the HHS omnibus bill supports.
Jinny Palen of the Minnesota Association of Community Mental Health Programs praised the
committee's decision to fund mental health innovation grants, early intervention programs
like school-linked mental health grants, and the continued support of children's residential
mental health treatment.
The final relevant speaker for the day was Ethan Vogel, who testified as a representative
for AFSCME Council 5. Mr. Vogel's testimony focused on the need for safer workplaces at
Anoka and the Minnesota Security Hospital. In addition to requesting more resources for
these facilities, Mr. Vogel thanked the committee for at least partially funding the
Governor's request for the CABHS facility in Willmar.
On Wednesday afternoon, the House Health and Human Services Finance committee met
once again to discuss H.F. 945, the HHS Committee Omnibus Bill. The hearing began with
an overview of the provisions of the bill. As House research staff read through the
proposals, House members asked questions. Representative Murphy asked for clarification
on Article 1, Section 35, which referred to premium increases for MNCare, and Section 36,
which requires enrollees in MNCare to submit a form authorizing the plan. Chair Dean
explained that these proposals were necessary to "stabilize the market" and ensure fraud
was not occurring.
Representative Murphy argued that this provision could inadvertently disenroll those
without a permanent address. Representative Liebling echoed this sentiment, as well as
pointing out that Section 36 does little to stabilize this fund and doesn't help the budget,
and is unnecessary. Representative Dean countered that because of uncertainty on the
federal level, this was a necessary precaution.
Representative Zerwas then introduced amendment which defined a brief diagnostic
assessment and allows it to be used to provide three sessions by mental health
professionals. Representative Zerwas stated that the proposal had been vetted by DHS and
advocacy groups, including NAMI. The amendment passed and was included in H.F. 945.
Representative Hamilton then submitted an amendment to allow mental health
practitioners to use telemedicine services, it passed. Representative Schomaker introduced
amendment A25, which establishes a grant program for to assist providers to purchase the
first dose of a nonnarcotic injectable or implantable medication to treat substance use
disorder for medical assistance enrollees. The amendment was adopted.
H.F. 945 was then considered as amended. The committee passed the bill, and it was
referred to Committee on Ways and Means.
Senate Health and Human Services Committee
After releasing their omnibus bill over the weekend, the Senate Health and Human Services
convened on Monday the 27th to review the bill. This bill contained a number of provisions
that will benefit the mental health community (see summary above).
The Senate Committee on Health and Human Services Finance reconvened in the afternoon
to take public testimony on the omnibus bill, where a number of individuals and
organizations spoke about the needs of the mental health community. NAMI testified
thanking the committee for including funding for the mental health innovation grants, filling
in the federal share for residential treatment and looking more closely at other innovative
intensive models, ITV for case management, allowing foster youth to stay in the system
until age 21, GRH automatic eligibility when in a crisis home, and the TIP transition
program. She mentioned that NAMI was disappointed that neither school-linked mental
health grants nor first episode psychosis programs received funding or funding for
workforce shortages. She also mentioned the study that is included to look at managed
care and asked that they also look at the rates they are paying mental health providers.
Hennepin County Commissioner Linda Higgins discussed the significant role that the
Hennepin County Medical Center (HCMC) plays in the health care system, especially when it
comes to mental health treatment. Given this central role, Commissioner Higgins was
critical of the committee for failing to include the funding requests made for HCMC.
Ben Gustafson of Fraser spoke about the mental health workforce shortages across the
state of Minnesota. While the omnibus bill continued to fund Sen. Clausen's workforce
commission, Fraser lamented the lack of resources dedicated to this crucial issue.
Mary Regan, executive director of AspireMN, praised the work of Sen. Relph to fill the
funding gap for residential treatment for children with a mental illness, arguing that these
vital services are an "anchor" for Minnesota's mental health system. While Regan was
careful to note that this funding is not sufficient to meet all the needs for children's mental
health services, she cited the need to develop more intensive treatment models to prevent
residential treatment.
Shannah Mulvihill of Mental Health Minnesota testified in support of the mental health
innovation grants carried by Sen. Rosen. These grants will help meet the need of
individuals living with mental illness who need assistance but not hospital level care. Ms.
Mulvihill was also critical of the lack of funding for school-linked mental health grants, crisis
intervention programs, and supportive housing.
A representative from the Minnesota Nurses Association questioned the lack of funding for
the increased staffing at Anoka and the Minnesota Security Hospital.
Mary Krinkie of the Minnesota Hospital Association also voiced her organization's support
for mental health innovation grants. This was a very popular portion of the omnibus bill
that will broaden and deepen the continuum of care for mental health.
Sue Sirek and Senta Leff of the MN coalition of the homeless testified about the urgent
needs of Minnesotans experiencing homelessness or housing instability. Sue Sirek's
testimony focused on the needs for greater investment in housing support services in
greater Minnesota, especially when these services are combined with employment
programming to re-integrate individuals experiencing homelessness into their community.
Stearns County Human Services sent Mark Sizer to testify on the senate omnibus bill. Mr.
Sizer thanked the committee for their continued investment in the mental health system.
However, Stearns County was critical about the cost shifts to counties due to commitment
policy at the Anoka Metro Regional Treatment Center (AMRTC). Szier argued that, moving
forward, the committee needs to recognize the "significant county dollars" that are being
lost.
Dr. John Pryor of the Hennepin County Medical Center articulated the significant role that
HCMC plays as a state-wide safety net hospital, including their important work providing
mental health care. Dr. Pryor focused on missing legislation that would provide additional
financial support to HCMC, which is currently losing money.
The next speaker was Lori Olson, who came as a representative for the Minnesota Security
Hospital (MSH). Ms. Olson contended that the historically underfunded security hospital is
in crisis and needs more financial support. The MSH continues to face sever staffing
shortages and poor retention rates. Without funding increases, the MSH will not be able to
provide a safe and therapeutic environment for the patients and staff.
Christi Furnas gave a very moving testimony regarding her experience living with
schizophrenia. As an individual on MA-EPD, Ms. Furnas could speak first hand to the
significance of the support she received and the difference it has made in her life. Her
testimony concluded with the statement, "Each person has a right to be a contributing
member of society." NAMI couldn't agree more and was glad that Ms. Furnas made her
voice heard at the capitol.
Jin Lee Palen of the MN Association of Community Mental Health Programs spoke in support
of the mental health innovation grants as a great investment in community treatment. Like
many other advocates, Ms. Palen was disappointed that school-linked grants, first episode
psychosis programs, and a rate increase for mental health providers were all unfunded.
Finally, Ms. Palen concluded her testimony on the need for more telemedicine resources to
better serve mental health needs in greater Minnesota.
Lynn Butcher was another representative from the Minnesota Security Hospital. She voiced
her disappointment that additional funding was not included for their program, specifically
citing the new challenges produced by the 48 Hour Law. This controversial change to
commitment law, according to the testifier, has placed a huge strain on our system. Ethan
Vogel spoke for AFSCME Council 5 and also noted the needs of the MSH. He also requested
that the Senate match the CABHS request in the Governor's budget.
The testimony of Erick Dick of the Minnesota Medical Association included support for Prior
Authorization. Mr. Dick argued that this bipartisan bill was "warmly received" and would
remove inconsistent and unnecessary requirements for physicians and patients.
The final relevant testifier was James Franklin, who is the executive director of the MN
Sheriffs' Association. Mr. Franklin testified in support of leaving the current 48 Hour Law as
is, arguing that a prison or detention facility is not a therapeutic environment for inmates
or detainees living with a serious mental illness.
Following the public testimony, the Senators debated the merits of the HHS omnibus bill.
Sen. Lourey was very critical of the payment deferrals made by the HHS committee to
balance their budget and meet spending targets. For Sen. Lourey, this risks Minnesota's
strong financial standing and "makes promises we're not going to be able to keep." Sen.
Isaacson was critical of the budget target this committee was given for Health and Human
Services spending, especially when these budget cuts were made in order to fund a large
tax break.
On Tuesday March 28, the Health and Human Services Joint Committee reconvened to take
action on the omnibus bill S.F.800. To begin, Sen. Relph introduced an amendment that
expands the grant for targeted home visit programs to allow for more programs to be
eligible. Sen. Relph stated that this expansion would increase access for families that are
considered high-risk and have parents that are dealing with a mental illness or substance
abuse. The amendment was adopted.
Sen. Hoffman introduced an amendment that makes changes to the Ombudsman. Sen.
Abeler testified that judiciary language had been removed from this bill and that it will be a
"good idea to pass this". The amendment was adopted.
Sen. Rosen introduced an amendment that made changes to omnibus language on mental
health innovation grants. This amendment was developed with NAMI Minnesota and allows
funds to be used for "crisis homes and for crisis teams to co-locate at critical act at
hospitals."
The entire omnibus bill was passed in a 10 to 7 vote on party lines. The bill was referred to
the Senate Finance Committee.
SENATE E-12 Finance Committee
On Tuesday March 28, the E-12 Finance Committee convened to take action on the
education omnibus bill S.F.718. Unfortunately, there were not many provisions in the
omnibus bill that support increased mental health supports for Minnesota students.
Representative Wiklund introduced the A18 amendment that would extend the educational
grant to allow school districts to expand their support personnel, including school
counselors and school psychologists. Rep. Nelson opposed the amendment because it
would cost an additional $4 million and put the committee beyond its budget target. Rep.
Dahms offered to include Wiklund's proposed changes on another amendment that
appropriates money for non-licensed community staff in school districts, thereby
maintaining the integrity of the budget. This amendment was adopted. The amended
amendment was adopted in a 6 to 4 vote on party lines.
The E-12 omnibus bill passed and was re-referred to Taxes.
Senate Finance Committee
The Senate Finance Committee convened on Wednesday to consider the Health and Human
Services omnibus bill. Sen. Benson began by offering a technical amendment as well as
some funding cuts to appropriations in the bill. Most notably, there was a $1 million dollar
cut to the mental health innovating grant funding. While this cut is disappointing, especially
when other important measures like school-linked grants were not included, NAMI still
appreciates that some funding has been dedicated to mental health services.
Senator Eaton offered an amendment to pay for increased staffing at St Peter. It was
amended by Sen. Benson to take the money from the central office of the department. This
passed but then the full amendment was defeated.
The primary source of controversy during the committee hearing was the cost-saving
payment deferrals and waiver changes implemented by Senators Benson and Abeler to
meet their budget target. Sen. Lourey continued to be very critical of the long-term
financial repercussions of this decision.
Sen. Benson offered an amendment to minimize the long-term fiscal implications of the
elderly waiver modifications. While there was some initial confusion about what this
amendment would do, the fundamental premise was to freeze the rates for the elderly
waiver to cut costs. On a party line vote, the bill was recommended to pass and referred to
the Senate floor.
What's Happening Next Week
The House and Senate will continue to take up the omnibus bills and pass them. After that,
conference committees will be appointed. We will provide that information as soon as it is
available along with the points that need to be made during the Easter/Passover break.
Bill Introductions
House Bill Introductions
HF 2518 (Lee, Moran, Kunesh-Podein, Maye Quade, Becker-Finn, Olson, Davnie, Rosenthal,
Bernardy, Bly, Nelson, Youakim, Liebling, Dehn) Referred to Public Safety and Finance
Committee. Requires in-service training in crisis intervention, mental illness crises, conflict
management and mediation, and recognizing and valuing community diversity and cultural
diversity for every full time and part time police officer. Also allows POST Board to collect
racial data of police officers to determine the aggregate racial composition of the police
force.
HF 2520 (Kunesh-Podein, Omar, Maye Quade, Becker-Finn, Davnie, Lien, Dehn, Rosenthal,
Bernardy, Bly, Nelson, Youakim, Liebling, Mahoney, Clark, Carlson, Moran, Pinto, Hilstrom,
Lee, Loeffler, Schultz) Referred to Job Growth and Energy Affordability Policy and Finance
Committee. Expands rental assistance for housing to include families with children eligible
to enroll in a Pre-K through grade 12 academic program. Provides for support and case
management services to improve housing stability including housing navigation and family
outreach.
HF 2552 (Koegel, Pryor, Olson, Mariani, Davnie, Bly, Lee, Maye Quade, Thissen) Referred
to Education Finance Committee. Funds mental health programs at intermediate school
districts.
Senate Bill Introductions
SF 2276 (Torres Ray, Hawj, Franzen, Champion) Referred to Committee on Judiciary and
Public Safety Security Finance and Policy. Requires in-service training in crisis intervention,
mental illness crises, conflict management and mediation, and recognizing and valuing
community diversity and cultural diversity for every full time and part time police officer.
Also allows POST Board to collect racial data of police officers to determine the aggregate
racial composition of the police force.
SF 2282 (Hawj, Franzen, Torres Ray, Hayden) Referred to Agriculture, Rural Development,
and Housing Policy Committee. Expands rental assistance for housing to include families
with children eligible to enroll in a Pre-K through grade 12 academic program. Provides for
support and case management services to improve housing stability including housing
navigation and family outreach.
SF 2293 (Newton) Referred to E-12 Policy Committee. Funds mental health programs at
intermediate school districts.
Updates from NAMI Minnesota
NAMI Legislative Committee
Meetings are generally held the second Tuesday of every month. To be added to the email
list contact [email protected]
Thursdays on the Hill
NAMI will meet at the capitol every Thursday to lobby MN legislators on our legislation. If
you would like to join us, contact [email protected] We typically meet around 3:15 pm.
Stay Connected
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