This bill seeks to improve the quality and oversight of case management services for home and community-based waiver recipients in Minnesota. It mandates that counties develop culturally responsive case management programs and prohibits them from entering into new contracts or renewing existing ones for these services starting July 1, 2029. The bill also requires a competitive proposal process for contracted services at least every two years. To facilitate these changes, a waiver case management quality working group will be established, comprising various stakeholders, including service recipients and county representatives. This group will focus on enhancing service delivery through measures such as documentation of client visits, annual training for case managers, and a grievance process for clients, with an effective date of January 1, 2027.

Additionally, the bill outlines the working group's responsibilities in transitioning from a contract-based system to one where counties directly provide case management services. The group will evaluate current funding and administrative structures, explore alternative accountability models, and recommend legislative or administrative changes to improve the waiver case management system. The commissioner of human services is also tasked with analyzing the current rate-setting methodology for these services, with a request for proposals due by January 1, 2027, and initial findings to be reported by January 15, 2028. A final report, including legislative language for necessary modifications and a fiscal analysis, is expected by January 15, 2029.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 256S.07