HF2367

Purpose of the Bill

The bill aims to improve support for community-based direct care workers in Minnesota by establishing a retirement plan trust and adjusting support reimbursement rates and budgets.

Main Provisions

• Minnesota Caregiver Defined Contribution Retirement Fund Trust: The bill proposes the creation of a new retirement fund specifically for individual providers of direct support services. The fund is a joint effort between the state and labor representatives.
• State Contributions: The state will financially contribute to the fund based on collective bargaining agreements, with these contributions used solely to manage and implement the retirement plan.
• Management Structure: A board of trustees, with equal representation from the governor's appointees and labor representatives, will manage the trust. The board will oversee the administration, legal, and financial services related to the fund.
• Liability Insurance: The state is authorized to buy liability insurance for board members appointed by the governor to protect them in their duties.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Modifications to Community Support Programs: The bill introduces changes to existing statutes, specifically related to how community support services are reimbursed and the budgeting process for consumer-directed support.
• Legal Adjustments: The participation and contributions to the new retirement trust are explicitly not considered unfair labor practices under Minnesota law, ensuring legal compliance and safeguarding the trust's operations.

Relevant Terms

• Caregiver retirement fund
• Direct support services
• Collective bargaining
• Community first services
• Reimbursement rates
• Consumer-directed supports