A bill for an act
relating to human services; modifying community services and supports
requirements for support workers to qualify for an enhanced rate; amending
Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 256B.85, subdivision 16.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 256B.85, subdivision 16, is amended to read:


Subd. 16.

Support workers requirements.

(a) Support workers shall:

(1) enroll with the department as a support worker after a background study under chapter
245C has been completed and the support worker has received a notice from the
commissioner that the support worker:

(i) is not disqualified under section 245C.14; or

(ii) is disqualified, but has received a set-aside of the disqualification under section
245C.22;

(2) have the ability to effectively communicate with the participant or the participant's
representative;

(3) have the skills and ability to provide the services and supports according to the
participant's CFSS service delivery plan and respond appropriately to the participant's needs;

(4) complete the basic standardized CFSS training as determined by the commissioner
before completing enrollment. The training must be available in languages other than English
and to those who need accommodations due to disabilities. CFSS support worker training
must include successful completion of the following training components: basic first aid,
vulnerable adult, child maltreatment, OSHA universal precautions, basic roles and
responsibilities of support workers including information about basic body mechanics,
emergency preparedness, orientation to positive behavioral practices, orientation to
responding to a mental health crisis, fraud issues, time cards and documentation, and an
overview of person-centered planning and self-direction. Upon completion of the training
components, the support worker must pass the certification test to provide assistance to
participants;

(5) complete employer-directed training and orientation on the participant's individual
needs;

(6) maintain the privacy and confidentiality of the participant; and

(7) not independently determine the medication dose or time for medications for the
participant.

(b) The commissioner may deny or terminate a support worker's provider enrollment
and provider number if the support worker:

(1) does not meet the requirements in paragraph (a);

(2) fails to provide the authorized services required by the employer;

(3) has been intoxicated by alcohol or drugs while providing authorized services to the
participant or while in the participant's home;

(4) has manufactured or distributed drugs while providing authorized services to the
participant or while in the participant's home; or

(5) has been excluded as a provider by the commissioner of human services, or by the
United States Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, from
participation in Medicaid, Medicare, or any other federal health care program.

(c) A support worker may appeal in writing to the commissioner to contest the decision
to terminate the support worker's provider enrollment and provider number.

(d) A support worker must not provide or be paid for more than 310 hours of CFSS per
month, regardless of the number of participants the support worker serves or the number
of agency-providers or participant employers by which the support worker is employed.
The department shall not disallow the number of hours per day a support worker works
unless it violates other law.

(e) CFSS qualify for an enhanced rate if the support worker providing the services:

(1) provides services, within the scope of CFSS described in subdivision 7, to a participant
who qualifies for ten or more hours per day of CFSS; and

(2) satisfies the current requirements of Medicare for training and competency or
competency evaluation of home health aides or nursing assistants, as provided in the Code
of Federal Regulations, title 42, section 483.151 or 484.36deleted text begin , ordeleted text end new text begin ;new text end alternative state-approved
training or competency requirementsnew text begin ; or individualized training provided by the participant's
personal health care provider, the participant's worker training and development professional,
or the participant's responsible party on their individualized needs
new text end .

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2024, or upon federal approval,
whichever is later. The commissioner of human services shall notify the revisor of statutes
when federal approval is obtained.
new text end

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 256B.85