SF2651 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))
Long-term care consultation services provisions modifications
Related bill: HF2373
AI Generated Summary
Purpose of the Bill
The purpose of the bill is to update and improve the provisions surrounding long-term care consultation services in Minnesota. These services are aimed at helping individuals with long-term or chronic care needs make informed decisions about their care and prevent unnecessary institutional placements.
Main Provisions
Long-term Care Consultation Services: The bill mandates that these services be available to all individuals, regardless of their eligibility for public programs. The services aim to aid in making care decisions, accessing support options, and facilitating transitions post-placement.
Coordination and Cost Control: The services should be coordinated with other care programs to maximize federal and state funding and contain costs related to institutional admissions.
Use of MnCHOICES Assessors: Specifies that assessments must be conducted by certified assessors who abide by uniform standards and receive ongoing training. It also introduces penalties for agencies failing to meet assessment timelines.
Certification and Training of Assessors: The commissioner will develop a curriculum for certifying assessors, ensuring they are trained in best practices, including person-centered planning, and they must be recertified every three years.
Significant Changes
Definitions and Implementations: Updates multiple definitions related to long-term care options, competitive employment, independent living, and other key terms to align with contemporary standards.
Penalties for Delayed Assessments: Introduces a fine for lead agencies that do not complete assessments within the required timeline. The fines can be waived if staffing issues justify the delay.
Creation of a State Assessor Pool: Establishes a pool of state-employed assessors to perform assessments when local agencies fail to meet their obligations.
Public Reporting Requirements: Requires the commissioner to publish a bi-annual report on assessment completions, including various metrics to evaluate lead agencies’ performance.
Relevant Terms
long-term care, consultation services, MnCHOICES, certified assessors, person-centered planning, institutional placements, cost-effective, competitive employment, independent living, public programs, penalties, state-employed assessors, reporting requirements, lead agencies, waiver programs.
Bill text versions
- Introduction PDF file
Actions
| Date | Chamber | Where | Type | Name | Committee Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 16, 2025 | Senate | Floor | Action | Introduction and first reading | |
| March 16, 2025 | Senate | Floor | Action | Referred to | Human Services |
Citations
[
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Community-based service encouragement using volunteers."
],
"removed": [
""
],
"summary": "This bill modifies the purpose and goals of long-term care consultation services under section 256B.0911.",
"modified": [
"Clarifies coordination with long-term care options counseling and preadmission screening."
]
},
"citation": "256B.0911",
"subdivision": "subdivision 1"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"New definitions including 'competitive employment' and 'person-centered planning'."
],
"removed": [
""
],
"summary": "This section updates definitions relevant to long-term care consultation services.",
"modified": [
"Updated the meaning of 'cost-effective' based on federally approved waiver plans."
]
},
"citation": "256B.0911",
"subdivision": "subdivision 10"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Requirement for certified assessors to demonstrate best practices and be recertified every three years."
],
"removed": [
""
],
"summary": "Modifications to MnCHOICES assessor qualifications, training, and certification are provided.",
"modified": [
"Adjusts required educational background for MnCHOICES assessors."
]
},
"citation": "256B.0911",
"subdivision": "subdivision 13"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Provisions for agencies to contract with certified assessors and hospitals."
],
"removed": [
""
],
"summary": "This section mandates the use of MnCHOICES certified assessors by lead agencies.",
"modified": [
"Defines agency obligations to employ sufficient certified assessors."
]
},
"citation": "256B.0911",
"subdivision": "subdivision 14"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Introduces fines for lead agencies failing timeline obligations for assessments."
],
"removed": [
""
],
"summary": "Additional requirements for MnCHOICES assessments are set out.",
"modified": [
"Describes the role of public health or registered nurses in assessments for complex health care needs."
]
},
"citation": "256B.0911",
"subdivision": "subdivision 17"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Clarification on the scope of long-term care options counseling."
],
"removed": [
""
],
"summary": "Includes a reference to section 256.01 to describe the inclusion of telephone assistance and follow-up in long-term care options counseling.",
"modified": [
""
]
},
"citation": "256.01",
"subdivision": "subdivision 24"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Description of services provided under these subdivisions for critical care transitions."
],
"removed": [
""
],
"summary": "The bill references section 256.975 subdivisions for critical care transitions in long-term care options counseling.",
"modified": [
""
]
},
"citation": "256.975",
"subdivision": "subdivisions 7e to 7g"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Specifies services under these subdivisions for preadmission screening."
],
"removed": [
""
],
"summary": "Includes a reference to subdivisions under 256.975 for preadmission screening services.",
"modified": [
""
]
},
"citation": "256.975",
"subdivision": "subdivisions 7a to 7c"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Details on appealing fines imposed due to missed assessment timelines."
],
"removed": [
""
],
"summary": "Mentions section 256.045 with regard to appeals related to long-term care consultation services.",
"modified": [
""
]
},
"citation": "256.045",
"subdivision": "subdivision 7"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Clarification provided in conjunction with chapter 256S and section 256B.49."
],
"removed": [
""
],
"summary": "References section 256B.092 in defining available service and setting options under home and community-based waivers.",
"modified": [
""
]
},
"citation": "256B.092",
"subdivision": ""
}
]