Purpose of the Bill

The bill aims to modify current human services policies by adjusting the reimbursement rates for community first services and supports. It also intends to boost budgets for consumer-directed community supports and establish a new retirement fund trust for caregivers.

Main Provisions

• Reimbursement Rate Modification: The bill seeks to change the existing reimbursement rates for community first services and supports, which are programs that offer assistance to individuals needing care in community settings rather than institutional ones.

• Budget Increase: There's a plan to increase budgets specifically for consumer-directed community supports. This gives consumers more control over the services they need, allowing them to choose who provides their care and how it is delivered.

• Retirement Fund Trust: The bill proposes the creation of the Minnesota Caregiver Defined Contribution Retirement Fund Trust. This is intended to provide a retirement plan specifically for individual providers of direct support services.

• Administration of the Trust: The trust will be jointly managed by a board of trustees, with members appointed equally by the governor and an exclusive representative. This ensures fair oversight and management of the fund.

• Financial Contributions: The state will contribute financially to this trust as part of collective bargaining agreements. Funds are held in trust for the purpose of covering the costs associated with setting up and running the retirement plan for eligible caregivers.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This bill amends multiple sections of the Minnesota Statutes, including provisions for financial management of retirement funds and support service reimbursement rates, specifically aimed at bolstering community services and caregiver benefits.

Relevant Terms

• Community first services
• Consumer-directed supports
• Minnesota Caregiver Defined Contribution Retirement Fund Trust
• Direct support services
• Collective bargaining agreement
• Retirement plan