This bill amends various sections of the Minnesota Statutes concerning children's mental health programs and nonemergency medical transportation (NEMT). Key changes include provisions that enable grant activities to assist families in accessing mental health services for caregiving. It mandates that NEMT providers offer assisted transport to clients aged 20 and younger who qualify for unassisted transport, unless declined by the client or their guardian. Additionally, a new reimbursement rate structure for NEMT services for clients under 21 is introduced, set at 125% of standard rates. The bill also addresses managed care plans and county-based purchasing plans, ensuring compliance with operating standards for special transportation services and establishing a fuel adjustment for NEMT rates when fuel prices exceed $3 per gallon. Certain provisions will expire if federal approval is not obtained, with an effective date of January 1, 2026.

Moreover, the bill introduces new definitions and service components related to children's therapeutic services and supports, including the definition of "transition to community living services," which focuses on maintaining contact between therapeutic service providers and clients, facilitating discharge from institutional settings, and supporting integration into family and community. It updates the list of covered service components to include "children's day treatment" and "transition to community living services," while removing the previous standalone mention of children's day treatment. The bill also allocates funds from the general fund for school-linked behavioral health grants for fiscal years 2026 and 2027, aiming to enhance access to mental health services in school settings and support the mental health and well-being of children and adolescents.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 245.4901, 256B.0625, 256B.0943