Purpose

This bill aims to modernize Minnesota’s human services information systems by creating pilot projects that test new technology and data approaches. It seeks to improve system efficiency, reduce errors, strengthen program integrity and fraud prevention, and make it easier for counties, Tribes, and state agencies to share and use information related to health and human services.

Key Provisions

• Establish a Systems Modernization Pilot Projects program. The commissioner of Information Technology Services (ITS) and a pilot project advisory group will fund pilot projects to modernize state human services IT systems.
• Create a pilot project advisory group. Members include:
  • Three from the Association of Minnesota Counties
  • Three from the Minnesota Association of County Social Services Administrators
  • The commissioners of Human Services, Children Youth and Families, and Information Technology Services or their designees
  • Two representatives from the Legislature (one from the House, one from the Senate, from both major parties)
  • ITS provides administrative support and meeting space
• Prioritize modernization efforts around major systems: MAXIS, PRISM, MMIS, ISDS, and METS. Projects may include:
  • Establishing a state data warehouse access collaboration to coordinate data across counties
  • Evaluating and using AI tools to help recipients access benefits and eligibility information
  • Expanding income verification services and data sources for asset verification
  • Developing automated case notes within current systems
  • Testing a third-party product that overlays a web application on state mainframes to simplify navigation and improve accuracy
• Reporting and evaluation timeline. By January 15, 2028, ITS and the advisory group must report to legislative chairs and ranking minority members on:
  • The number of pilot projects funded and the amounts allocated
  • Recipients and purposes of the funds
  • Findings, results, and outcomes
  • Recommendations on implementing and funding further systems modernization, focusing on:
  • Automated eligibility confirmation in MAXIS for all enrollees (including seniors, the blind, people with disabilities, and those on Medicare Savings Programs)
  • Reducing duplicate data entry and enabling electronic updates
  • Requiring MAXIS to update shelter and utility information when addresses change
  • Simplifying SNAP case change reporting to a single six-month cycle
  • Updating MAXIS and coding for changes in federal SNAP policies
  • Eliminating the need for county workers to override or force changes in the systems
  • Modernizing client notices in MAXIS and METS for clarity and efficiency
  • Consolidating and centralizing policy manuals in the state data warehouse

Funding and Account

• Creation of the Human Services Systems Modernization Pilot Project Account in the state government Special Revenue Fund. Money appropriated for eligible pilot projects will go to the ITS for administration and implementation, with funds available until expended.
• In fiscal year 2027, money is transferred from the General Fund to the pilot project account.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Establishes a dedicated funding account and formal pilot project framework for modernizing state human services IT systems.
• Introduces an advisory group that includes a broad mix of county, legislative, and state agency representation to guide modernization efforts.
• Sets a concrete reporting deadline and detailed expectations for how modernization efforts should be measured and reported back to the Legislature.
• Promotes modernization goals such as automated eligibility, data sharing across counties, and streamlined benefit administration through MAXIS, as well as potential new tools like AI and third-party overlays to improve user experience and accuracy.

Terminology Emphasis (Key terms from the bill)

• systems modernization pilot projects
• MAXIS
• PRISM
• MMIS
• ISDS
• METS
• state data warehouse
• data access collaboration
• artificial intelligence tools (AI)
• income verification
• asset verification
• automated case notes
• third-party overlay on mainframes
• public benefits
• eligibility
• SNAP
• shelter information
• utility information
• six-month reporting
• automated eligibility confirmation
• county eligibility workers
• client notices
• policy manuals
• state government Special Revenue Fund
• human services systems modernization pilot project account
• general fund transfer
• advisory group

Relevant Terms - systems modernization pilot projects - MAXIS, PRISM, MMIS, ISDS, METS - state data warehouse - income verification - asset verification - automated case notes - AI tools - third-party overlay - SNAP - shelter and utility data - six-month reporting - automated eligibility confirmation - policy manuals - state government Special Revenue Fund - General Fund transfer - advisory group - counties and Tribes - eligibility and benefits administration