SF1811

SF1811 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Occupational therapy services, occupational therapists, and occupational assistants addition to mental health uniform service standards, mental health services, and children's mental health grants provision

Related bill: HF1044

AI Generated Summary

This bill proposes adding occupational therapy services, occupational therapists, and occupational therapy assistants to Minnesota's mental health uniform service standards. It seeks to integrate occupational therapy into behavioral health services, including mental health programs for children and adults.

Key provisions of the bill: - Occupational Therapy Inclusion: Adds occupational therapy to eligible services under children's mental health grants and expands its role in behavioral health settings. - Service Expansion: Occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants would be allowed to provide medically necessary services as part of mental health treatment plans, including in intensive residential treatment, mental health crisis stabilization, and psychiatric residential treatment facilities. - Definition and Scope: Establishes definitions for occupational therapists, occupational therapy assistants, and their services, which include sensory, motor, emotional, and cognitive skill development as well as activities for daily living, work participation, and community mobility. - Provider Qualifications: Requires occupational therapists and therapy assistants to be licensed and have supervised experience in behavioral health settings. - Assertive Community and Day Treatment: Includes occupational therapy in existing mental health programs such as Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) teams and adult day treatment. - Funding and Reimbursement: Expands Medicaid and county mental health grant eligibility to cover occupational therapy services.

The bill aims to integrate occupational therapy into mental health care, improving treatment options and accessibility for individuals with emotional and behavioral disorders, particularly children and young adults.

Bill text versions

Introduction PDF file

Actions

Date	Chamber	Where	Type	Name	Committee Name
February 23, 2025	House	Floor	Action	Introduction and first reading
February 23, 2025	Senate	Floor	Action	Introduction and first reading
February 23, 2025	House	Floor	Action	Referred to	Health and Human Services
February 23, 2025	Senate	Floor	Action	Referred to	Health and Human Services
March 02, 2025	Senate	Floor	Action	Author added

Citations

[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "The addition of occupational therapy services for children with emotional disturbances."
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "This section authorizes the commissioner to disburse grants for mental health services.",
      "modified": [
        "Expanded the list of services eligible for grants, including mobile response and stabilization services."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "245.4889",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 1"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        ""
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "Defines emotional disturbances applicable in various children’s mental health statutes.",
      "modified": [
        "Used within different sections for defining eligible children for mental health services."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "245.4871",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 15"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        ""
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "Referenced in defining functional assessments for adult day treatment providers.",
      "modified": [
        "Details requirements for adult day treatment service plans."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "245I.10",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 9"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        ""
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "Defines crisis stabilization services required for residential stabilization.",
      "modified": [
        "Described as part of the requirements for providing mental health services in residential crisis settings."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "256B.0624",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 7"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        ""
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "Part of the eligibility criteria for adult day treatment provider applications.",
      "modified": [
        "Referenced to clarify community mental health center roles."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "256B.0625",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 5"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Occupational therapy services as optional offerings by providers."
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "Describes adult day treatment services covered by medical assistance.",
      "modified": [
        "Updates to eligibility and service delivery requirements for adult day treatment."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "256B.0671",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 3"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        ""
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "This section generally details licensing requirements for occupational therapists in Minnesota.",
      "modified": [
        "Referenced throughout amendments adding occupational therapy services to mental health support services."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "158.6404",
    "subdivision": ""
  }
]