This bill proposes significant modifications to Minnesota's laws concerning disability services, aging services, behavioral health, and opioid response. A notable provision is the prohibition on hiring employees with disabilities at wages below the highest applicable minimum wage, effective August 1, 2026, with a requirement for all employees with disabilities to be paid at least this wage starting August 1, 2028. The bill also establishes the Home Care Orientation Trust to provide voluntary training for direct support service providers, funded through state contributions. Additionally, it introduces new regulations for community residential settings, allowing for remote overnight supervision using technology under specific conditions, and mandates that license holders notify the commissioner when utilizing such technology.

Further amendments include the establishment of various grant programs aimed at enhancing support for individuals with disabilities and older adults, as well as addressing the opioid crisis. The bill allocates funding for initiatives targeting culturally specific services and harm reduction strategies, particularly in communities disproportionately affected by opioid addiction. It also emphasizes the importance of maintaining resident safety in community settings and outlines new requirements for the management of licensed capacity in response to community needs. Overall, the legislation seeks to improve the quality and accessibility of services for vulnerable populations while ensuring fair compensation for workers in these sectors.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 177.24, 245D.03, 252.44, 256B.0911, 256B.0913, 256B.092, 256B.0949, 256B.49, 256B.4905, 256B.4912, 256B.4914, 256B.5012, 256B.85, 256B.851, 256D.425, 256R.25, 256B.436, 256R.47, 256S.15, 256S.18, 256S.19, 256S.203, 256S.21, 256S.2101, 256S.211, 256S.212, 256S.213, 256S.214, 256S.215, 268.19, 245A.10, 256B.056, 256B.057, 256B.0625, 256M.42, 256R.17, 245G.01, 245G.05, 245G.06, 245G.07, 245G.22, 245I.04, 245I.10, 254B.01, 254B.05, 256.042, 256.045, 256.478, 256B.0615, 256B.0759, 15.01, 15.06, 43A.08
1st Engrossment: 177.24, 179A.54, 245A.03, 245A.10, 245A.11, 245D.03, 252.44, 256.482, 256B.056, 256B.057, 256B.0659, 256B.0911, 256B.092, 256B.0949, 256B.49, 256B.4905, 256B.4914, 256B.5012, 256B.851, 256D.425, 268.19, 256.975, 256.9754, 256B.0917, 256M.42, 256R.17, 256R.25, 256B.436, 256R.47, 256S.211, 256S.214, 256S.215, 256S.2101, 4.046, 245.91, 245G.01, 245G.02, 245G.05, 245G.06, 245G.09, 245G.22, 245I.10, 253B.10, 254B.01, 254B.04, 254B.05, 256B.0759, 246.18, 16A.151, 151.065, 241.021, 241.31, 241.415, 245G.08, 256.042, 256.043, 256B.0638, 256B.064, 15.01, 15.06, 43A.08, 245A.04, 245A.07, 245A.13
1st Engrossment: 177.24, 179A.54, 245A.03, 245A.10, 245A.11, 245D.03, 252.44, 256.482, 256B.056, 256B.057, 256B.0659, 256B.0911, 256B.092, 256B.0949, 256B.49, 256B.4905, 256B.4914, 256B.5012, 256B.851, 256D.425, 268.19, 256.975, 256.9754, 256B.0917, 256M.42, 256R.17, 256R.25, 256B.436, 256R.47, 256S.211, 256S.214, 256S.215, 256S.2101, 4.046, 245.91, 245G.01, 245G.02, 245G.05, 245G.06, 245G.09, 245G.22, 245I.10, 253B.10, 254B.01, 254B.04, 254B.05, 256B.0759, 246.18, 16A.151, 151.065, 241.021, 241.31, 241.415, 245G.08, 256.042, 256.043, 256B.0638, 256B.064, 15.01, 15.06, 43A.08, 245A.04, 245A.07, 245A.13