This bill establishes several initiatives aimed at enhancing mental health services for cultural and ethnic minority communities in Minnesota. It creates a new cultural and ethnic minority infrastructure grant program within the Department of Human Services, which will provide funding to licensed entities or providers from these communities to ensure that mental health and substance use disorder treatment services are culturally specific and responsive. The bill outlines eligible activities for grant recipients, including workforce development, outreach, and training on cultural competency. Additionally, it modifies existing medical assistance reimbursement policies to include mental health services provided in group settings and mandates the establishment of a mental health training program for community health workers.

The bill also includes appropriations to support these initiatives, allocating $10 million in fiscal year 2024 and $5 million in fiscal year 2025 for the cultural and ethnic infrastructure grant program. It further provides funding for interpreter services in treatment facilities to assist individuals with limited English proficiency and for culturally specific provider consultations to ensure that mental health services are tailored to the needs of diverse populations. Overall, the legislation aims to improve access to mental health services and reduce health disparities among cultural and ethnic minority communities in Minnesota.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 245.4889, 256B.0625