The bill seeks to enhance behavioral health services in Minnesota by integrating occupational therapy services into the state's mental health uniform service standards and children's mental health grants. Key amendments include the addition of occupational therapy services for children with emotional disturbances as an eligible service for grants, along with the establishment of qualifications and scope of practice for occupational therapists and assistants, who must be licensed and have completed a specified amount of supervised work experience in a behavioral health setting. The bill also expands the definition of treatment teams to include these professionals, enabling them to provide necessary occupational therapy services in intensive residential treatment and crisis stabilization settings.

Furthermore, the bill amends various sections of Minnesota Statutes to improve the qualifications and roles of staff within Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) teams and adult day treatment services. It introduces a co-occurring disorder specialist and sets experience requirements for vocational specialists, while also allowing occupational therapists and assistants to be part of the ACT team. The bill modifies adult day treatment services to include skilled occupational therapy services and emphasizes a multidisciplinary approach to care. It also clarifies the qualifications for providers of children's therapeutic services and establishes new definitions for intensive nonresidential rehabilitative mental health services, ultimately aiming to improve access to and the quality of mental health care for children and adolescents in Minnesota.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 245.4889, 245I.02, 245I.04, 245I.23, 256B.0622, 256B.0671, 256B.0941, 256B.0943, 256B.0947