Purpose of the Bill

The bill aims to modify the licensing requirements and regulations for family adult foster care homes in Minnesota to enhance compliance, improve oversight, and adapt to the needs of individuals requiring care in such settings.

Main Provisions

• Definition of Terms: The bill adds new definitions for "primary residence" and "primary caregiver" to clarify the locations and responsibilities associated with adult foster care licenses.
• Mental Health Certification: The bill introduces voluntary mental health certification for adult foster care homes and community residential settings, which serve individuals with mental illness. It establishes training and support requirements for staff, such as crisis management plans and consultation with mental health professionals.
• Licensing Moratorium Exceptions: The bill amends the existing licensing moratorium for adult foster care homes, specifying conditions under which exemptions may be granted and detailing situations where licenses can be issued despite the moratorium.
• Notice and Investigation Procedures: The bill mandates clear written notice to adult foster care license holders of the criteria used during inspections and investigations. It also requires detailed investigation procedures before sanctions can be imposed on license holders suspected of violations.
• Service Definitions and Billing: Changes are made to the definitions and billing methods for various residential support services, such as customized living and family residential services, to align with Medicaid billing practices.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• The bill changes how "primary residence" is determined for licensing purposes, preventing quick changes in residence status from affecting the licensure without substantial evidence.
• It modifies the way mental health support and crisis planning is integrated into foster care services, emphasizing certification and ongoing compliance with training requirements.
• The bill implements stricter investigative processes and fair notice of compliance criteria for adult foster care providers, ensuring higher transparency and due process.

Relevant Terms

• Family adult foster care
• License holder
• Primary residence
• Primary caregiver
• Mental health certification
• Crisis management
• Licensing moratorium
• Medicaid billing
• Residential support services