MINUTES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES STATE OF MINNESOTA
EIGHTY-FIFTH SESSION TWENTY-SEVENTH MEETING
HEALTH CARE AND HUMAN SERVICES FINANCE DIVISION
Thomas E. Huntley, Chair
Vice Chair Hosch began the twenty-seventh meeting at 12:16 p.m. on Tuesday, March 20, 2007, in Room 200 of the State Office Building. A quorum was not present.
HF 1071 (Huntley) - Hearing aid and instrument loan bank established for infants and children who are deaf or who have a hearing loss, and money appropriated.
Rep. Huntley introduced Kirsten Coverstone, Coordinator, Infant Hearing Instrument Loaner Bank, University of Minnesota, who testified to the bill. Also testifying was:
Nicole Brown, parent of children who needed hearing assistance
A quorum present at 12:23 p.m., Vice Chair Hosch formally called the meeting to order. The clerk noted the roll:
Members present:
Huntley, Thomas, Chair
Hosch, Larry, Vice-Chair
Abeler, Jim
Anderson, Bruce
Brod, Laura
Bunn, Julie
Dean, Matt
Erickson, Sondra
Fritz, Patti
Gottwalt, Steve
Liebling, Tina
Loeffler, Diane
Murphy, Erin
Otremba, Mary Ellen
Peppin, Joyce
Peterson, Sandra
Ruud, Maria
Slawik, Nora
Thao, Cy
Thissen, Paul
Walker, Neva
Rep. Huntley moved HF 1071 before the Division for consideration and discussion followed.
Upon no further discussion, Vice Chair Hosch moved HF 1071 be laid over for possible inclusion in the final omnibus bill.
Chair Huntley resumed the gavel.
HF 1361 (Fritz) - Deaf and hard-of-hearing mentor program funding provided for families of infants and children that have a hearing loss, and money appropriated.
Rep. Fritz moved HF 1361 before the Division for consideration and gave a brief presentation of the bill followed by testimony from the following:
Toni Fairbanks, Deaf Mentor, Ogema, Minnesota, on behalf of MN Communities
Serving Deaf and Hard of Hearing People
Mary Hartnett, MN Communities Serving Deaf and Hard of Hearing People
Discussion followed. Also coming to the table to respond to questions was:
Bruce Hoduc, Director, Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services Division, DHS
Upon no further discussion, Rep. Huntley moved HF 1361 be laid over for possible inclusion in the final omnibus bill.
HF 842 - The Governor's Human Services bill. Although not included on the agenda, Mary Hartnett introduced John Clark of St. Paul, a blind and deaf individual, who wished to testify on HF 842 but would not be available on Thursday, March 22, when the bill will be heard by the Division.
Following Mr. Clark's testimony, Rep. Gottwalt moved approval of the March 15 minutes. The motion prevailed.
HF 707 (Thao) - Dental access for persons with disabilities study required.
Rep. Thao moved HF 707 before the Division for consideration and introduced John Tschida of Courage Center who testified on the bill. Discussion followed and the Chair moved HF 707 be laid over for possible inclusion in the final omnibus bill.
At 1:04 Vice Chair Hosch assumed the gavel.
HF 1297 (Huntley) - Intermediate care facilities for persons with developmental disabilities, community service providers, and nursing facilities rate increase provided.
Rep. Huntley moved the bill and gave a brief presentation. Testifying was:
Bruce Nelson of AARM, providers of people with disabilities
Discussion followed and Vice Chair Hosch moved HF 1297 be laid over for possible inclusion in the final omnibus bill.
At 1:15 Chair Huntley resumed the gavel.
HF 1583 (Nelson) - Intermediate care facilities for persons with developmental disabilities licensure authorized to replace one larger facility, transition period rate established, payment rate for new facilities provided, and money appropriated.
Rep. Abeler moved HF 1583 before the Division and Rep. Nelson gave a brief presentation of his bill. Testifying with Rep. Nelson was:
Don Priebe, CEO, Homeward Bound, Plymouth
Discussion followed and the Chair moved HF 1583 be laid over for possible inclusion in the final omnibus bill.
HF 911 (Thissen) - Self-directed personal supports option established, supplemental aid standard modified, youth with disabilities programs licensed, and money appropriated.
Rep. Thissen moved the bill before the Division and introduced Anne Henry, Attorney, MN Disability Law Center, who testified to the bill.
Steve Larson, Executive Director of ARC of Minnesota, also testified. Discussion followed. Upon no further discussion, the Chair moved HF 911 be laid over for possible inclusion in the final omnibus bill.
HF 781 (Loeffler) - Intermediate care facilities for persons with developmental disabilities facilities replacement authorized, payment rate for new facilities established, and money appropriated.
Rep. Loeffler moved the bill before the Division. Testifying on behalf of the bill:
Nita Hayes, State Director, REM Hennepin (Pleasant)
Discussion followed. Upon no further discussion, Chair Huntley moved HF 781 be laid over for possible inclusion in the final omnibus bill and adjourned the meeting at 1:52 p.m.
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Thomas E. Huntley, Chair
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Jan Horner, Committee Legislative Assistant