The House of Representatives convened at 10:00 a.m. and was called to order by Phil Carruthers, Speaker of the House.
Prayer was offered by the Reverend Ronald A. Smith, House Chaplain, St. Paul, Minnesota.
The members of the House gave the pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.
The roll was called and the following members were present:
Abrams | Evans | Kalis | McCollum | Peterson | Tingelstad |
Anderson, B. | Farrell | Kelso | McElroy | Pugh | Tomassoni |
Anderson, I. | Finseth | Kielkucki | McGuire | Rest | Tompkins |
Bakk | Folliard | Kinkel | Milbert | Reuter | Trimble |
Bettermann | Garcia | Knight | Molnau | Rhodes | Tuma |
Biernat | Goodno | Knoblach | Mulder | Rifenberg | Tunheim |
Bishop | Greenfield | Koppendrayer | Mullery | Rostberg | Van Dellen |
Boudreau | Greiling | Koskinen | Munger | Rukavina | Vickerman |
Bradley | Gunther | Kraus | Murphy | Schumacher | Wagenius |
Broecker | Haas | Krinkie | Ness | Seagren | Weaver |
Carlson | Harder | Kuisle | Nornes | Seifert | Wejcman |
Chaudhary | Hasskamp | Larsen | Olson, E. | Sekhon | Wenzel |
Clark | Hausman | Leighton | Olson, M. | Skare | Westfall |
Commers | Hilty | Leppik | Opatz | Skoglund | Westrom |
Daggett | Holsten | Lieder | Orfield | Slawik | Winter |
Davids | Huntley | Lindner | Osskopp | Smith | Wolf |
Dawkins | Jaros | Long | Osthoff | Solberg | Workman |
Dehler | Jefferson | Luther | Otremba | Stanek | Spk. Carruthers |
Delmont | Jennings | Macklin | Ozment | Stang | |
Dempsey | Johnson, A. | Mahon | Paulsen | Sviggum | |
Dorn | Johnson, R. | Mares | Pawlenty | Swenson, D. | |
Entenza | Juhnke | Mariani | Paymar | Swenson, H. | |
Erhardt | Kahn | Marko | Pelowski | Sykora | |
A quorum was present.
Kubly was excused until 10:30 a.m.
The Chief Clerk proceeded to read the Journal of the preceding day. Reuter moved that further reading of the Journal be suspended and that the Journal be approved as corrected by the Chief Clerk. The motion prevailed.
S. F. No. 91 and H. F. No. 22, which had been referred to the Chief Clerk for comparison, were examined and found to be identical.
Rukavina moved that S. F. No. 91 be substituted for H. F. No. 22 and that the House File be indefinitely postponed. The motion prevailed.
S. F. No. 156 and H. F. No. 1287, which had been referred to the Chief Clerk for comparison, were examined and found to be identical with certain exceptions.
Delmont moved that the rules be so far suspended that S. F. No. 156 be substituted for H. F. No. 1287 and that the House File be indefinitely postponed. The motion prevailed.
S. F. No. 166 and H. F. No. 342, which had been referred to the Chief Clerk for comparison, were examined and found to be identical with certain exceptions.
Farrell moved that the rules be so far suspended that S. F. No. 166 be substituted for H. F. No. 342 and that the House File be indefinitely postponed. The motion prevailed.
S. F. No. 294 and H. F. No. 606, which had been referred to the Chief Clerk for comparison, were examined and found to be identical with certain exceptions.
Stanek moved that the rules be so far suspended that S. F. No. 294 be substituted for H. F. No. 606 and that the House File be indefinitely postponed. The motion prevailed.
S. F. No. 435 and H. F. No. 242, which had been referred to the Chief Clerk for comparison, were examined and found to be identical with certain exceptions.
Juhnke moved that the rules be so far suspended that S. F. No. 435 be substituted for H. F. No. 242 and that the House File be indefinitely postponed. The motion prevailed.
S. F. No. 442 and H. F. No. 322, which had been referred to the Chief Clerk for comparison, were examined and found to be identical with certain exceptions.
Jennings moved that the rules be so far suspended that S. F. No. 442 be substituted for
H. F. No. 322 and that the House File be indefinitely postponed. The motion prevailed.
S. F. No. 473 and H. F. No. 1057, which had been referred to the Chief Clerk for
comparison, were examined and found to be identical with certain exceptions.
Greenfield moved that the rules be so far suspended that S. F. No. 473 be substituted for
H. F. No. 1057 and that the House File be indefinitely postponed. The motion prevailed.
S. F. No. 627 and H. F. No. 832, which had been referred to the Chief Clerk for comparison,
were examined and found to be identical with certain exceptions.
Pugh moved that the rules be so far suspended that S. F. No. 627 be substituted for
H. F. No. 832 and that the House File be indefinitely postponed. The motion prevailed.
S. F. No. 662 and H. F. No. 861, which had been referred to the Chief Clerk for comparison,
were examined and found to be identical with certain exceptions.
Delmont moved that the rules be so far suspended that S. F. No. 662 be substituted for
H. F. No. 861 and that the House File be indefinitely postponed. The motion prevailed.
S. F. No. 735 and H. F. No. 857, which had been referred to the Chief Clerk for comparison,
were examined and found to be identical with certain exceptions.
Rhodes moved that the rules be so far suspended that S. F. No. 735 be substituted for
H. F. No. 857 and that the House File be indefinitely postponed. The motion prevailed.
S. F. No. 816 and H. F. No. 2065, which had been referred to the Chief Clerk for
comparison, were examined and found to be identical with certain exceptions.
Winter moved that the rules be so far suspended that S. F. No. 816 be substituted for
H. F. No. 2065 and that the House File be indefinitely postponed. The motion prevailed.
S. F. No. 1074 and H. F. No. 1693, which had been referred to the Chief Clerk for
comparison, were examined and found to be identical with certain exceptions.
Pugh moved that the rules be so far suspended that S. F. No. 1074 be substituted for
H. F. No. 1693 and that the House File be indefinitely postponed. The motion prevailed.
S. F. No. 1097 and H. F. No. 723, which had been referred to the Chief Clerk for
comparison, were examined and found to be identical with certain exceptions.
Marko moved that the rules be so far suspended that S. F. No. 1097 be substituted for
H. F. No. 723 and that the House File be indefinitely postponed. The motion prevailed.
S. F. No. 1165 and H. F. No. 1908, which had been referred to the Chief Clerk for
comparison, were examined and found to be identical with certain exceptions.
Finseth moved that the rules be so far suspended that S. F. No. 1165 be substituted for
H. F. No. 1908 and that the House File be indefinitely postponed. The motion prevailed.
S. F. No. 1316 and H. F. No. 1618, which had been referred to the Chief Clerk for
comparison, were examined and found to be identical with certain exceptions.
Greiling moved that the rules be so far suspended that S. F. No. 1316 be substituted for
H. F. No. 1618 and that the House File be indefinitely postponed. The motion prevailed.
S. F. No. 1487 and H. F. No. 959, which had been referred to the Chief Clerk for
comparison, were examined and found to be identical with certain exceptions.
Anderson, I., moved that the rules be so far suspended that S. F. No. 1487 be substituted
for H. F. No. 959 and that the House File be indefinitely postponed. The motion prevailed.
S. F. No. 1693 and H. F. No. 1106, which had been referred to the Chief Clerk for
comparison, were examined and found to be identical with certain exceptions.
Leighton moved that the rules be so far suspended that S. F. No. 1693 be substituted for
H. F. No. 1106 and that the House File be indefinitely postponed. The motion prevailed.
S. F. Nos. 91, 156, 166, 294, 435, 442, 473, 627, 662, 735, 816, 1074, 1097, 1165, 1316, 1487 and
1693 were read for the second time.
The following House Files were introduced:
Long; Bakk; Anderson, I.; Dawkins and Goodno introduced:
H. F. No. 2177, A bill for an act relating to taxation; providing an additional individual income tax
subtraction for dependents; amending Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 290.01, subdivision 19b.
The bill was read for the first time and referred to the Committee on Taxes.
Long; Bakk; Anderson, I.; Dawkins and Goodno introduced:
H. F. No. 2178, A bill for an act relating to taxation; increasing the Minnesota working family credit;
amending Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 290.0671, subdivision 1.
The bill was read for the first time and referred to the Committee on Taxes.
Opatz, Kelso and Koppendrayer introduced:
H. F. No. 2179, A bill for an act relating to education; formulating statewide testing and reporting
system; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 121.
The bill was read for the first time and referred to the Committee on Education.
The following messages were received from the Senate:
Mr. Speaker:
I hereby announce the passage by the Senate of the following House File, herewith returned:
H. F. No. 1880, A bill for an act relating to reemployment compensation; providing less frequent payment schedules for
certain employers; providing for noncharging of benefits in certain situations; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota
Statutes, chapter 268.
Patrick E. Flahaven, Secretary of the Senate
Mr. Speaker:
I hereby announce that the Senate refuses to concur in the House amendments to the following Senate File:
S. F. No. 526, A bill for an act relating to agriculture; providing for food handler certification; proposing coding for new
law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 31.
The Senate respectfully requests that a Conference Committee be appointed thereon. The Senate has appointed as such
committee:
Mrs. Pariseau; Messrs. Scheevel and Murphy.
Said Senate File is herewith transmitted to the House with the request that the House appoint a like committee.
INTRODUCTION AND FIRST READING OF HOUSE BILLS
Abrams | Erhardt | Juhnke | Mariani | Peterson | Sykora |
Anderson, B. | Evans | Kahn | Marko | Pugh | Tingelstad |
Anderson, I. | Farrell | Kalis | McCollum | Rest | Tomassoni |
Bakk | Finseth | Kelso | McGuire | Reuter | Tompkins |
Bettermann | Folliard | Kielkucki | Milbert | Rhodes | Trimble |
Biernat | Garcia | Kinkel | Molnau | Rifenberg | Tuma |
Bishop | Goodno | Knight | Mulder | Rostberg | Tunheim |
Boudreau | Greenfield | Knoblach | Mullery | Rukavina | Van Dellen |
Bradley | Greiling | Koppendrayer | Munger | Schumacher | Vickerman |
Broecker | Gunther | Koskinen | Ness | Seagren | Wagenius |
Carlson | Haas | Kraus | Nornes | Seifert | Weaver |
Chaudhary | Harder | Kuisle | Olson, E. | Sekhon | Wejcman |
Clark | Hasskamp | Larsen | Olson, M. | Skare | Wenzel |
Commers | Hausman | Leighton | Opatz | Skoglund | Westfall |
Daggett | Hilty | Leppik | Orfield | Slawik | Westrom |
Davids | Holsten | Lieder | Osskopp | Smith | Winter |
Dawkins | Huntley | Lindner | Osthoff | Solberg | Wolf |
Dehler | Jaros | Long | Otremba | Stanek | Workman |
Delmont | Jefferson | Luther | Ozment | Stang | Spk. Carruthers |
Dempsey | Jennings | Macklin | Paulsen | Sviggum | |
Journal of the House - 48th Day - Top of Page 3222 |
|||||
Dorn | Johnson, A. | Mahon | Paymar | Swenson, D. | |
Entenza | Johnson, R. | Mares | Pelowski | Swenson, H. | |
The bill was repassed, as amended by the Senate, and its title agreed to.
Mr. Speaker:
I hereby announce the passage by the Senate of the following House File, herewith returned, as amended by the Senate, in which amendments the concurrence of the House is respectfully requested:
H. F. No. 317, A bill for an act relating to capital improvements; authorizing towns to exercise eminent domain and other powers for purposes of wastewater infrastructure; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 444.
Patrick E. Flahaven, Secretary of the Senate
Huntley moved that the House concur in the Senate amendments to H. F. No. 317 and that the bill be repassed as amended by the Senate. The motion prevailed.
H. F. No. 317, A bill for an act relating to capital improvements; authorizing towns to exercise eminent domain and other powers for purposes of wastewater infrastructure; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 444.
The bill was read for the third time, as amended by the Senate, and placed upon its repassage.
The question was taken on the repassage of the bill and the roll was called. There were 128 yeas and 0 nays as follows:
Those who voted in the affirmative were:
Abrams | Erhardt | Juhnke | Marko | Pugh | Tingelstad |
Anderson, B. | Evans | Kahn | McCollum | Rest | Tomassoni |
Anderson, I. | Farrell | Kalis | Milbert | Reuter | Tompkins |
Bakk | Finseth | Kelso | Molnau | Rhodes | Trimble |
Bettermann | Folliard | Kielkucki | Mulder | Rifenberg | Tuma |
Biernat | Garcia | Kinkel | Mullery | Rostberg | Tunheim |
Bishop | Goodno | Knight | Munger | Rukavina | Van Dellen |
Boudreau | Greenfield | Knoblach | Ness | Schumacher | Vickerman |
Bradley | Greiling | Koppendrayer | Nornes | Seagren | Wagenius |
Broecker | Gunther | Kraus | Olson, E. | Seifert | Weaver |
Carlson | Haas | Kuisle | Olson, M. | Sekhon | Wejcman |
Chaudhary | Harder | Larsen | Opatz | Skare | Wenzel |
Clark | Hasskamp | Leighton | Orfield | Skoglund | Westfall |
Commers | Hausman | Leppik | Osskopp | Slawik | Westrom |
Daggett | Hilty | Lieder | Osthoff | Smith | Winter |
Davids | Holsten | Lindner | Otremba | Solberg | Wolf |
Journal of the House - 48th Day - Top of Page 3223 |
|||||
Dawkins | Huntley | Long | Ozment | Stanek | Workman |
Dehler | Jaros | Luther | Paulsen | Stang | Spk. Carruthers |
Delmont | Jefferson | Macklin | Pawlenty | Sviggum | |
Dempsey | Jennings | Mahon | Paymar | Swenson, D. | |
Dorn | Johnson, A. | Mares | Pelowski | Swenson, H. | |
Entenza | Johnson, R. | Mariani | Peterson | Sykora | |
The bill was repassed, as amended by the Senate, and its title agreed to.
Mr. Speaker:
I hereby announce the passage by the Senate of the following House File, herewith returned, as amended by the Senate, in which amendments the concurrence of the House is respectfully requested:
H. F. No. 966, A bill for an act relating to employment; modifying provisions governing payment of wages; including the state in the definition of employer for certain purposes; amending Minnesota Statutes 1996, sections 181.02; 181.03; 181.063; 181.10; 181.13; and 181.171, by adding a subdivision.
Patrick E. Flahaven, Secretary of the Senate
Garcia moved that the House concur in the Senate amendments to H. F. No. 966 and that the bill be repassed as amended by the Senate. The motion prevailed.
H. F. No. 966, A bill for an act relating to employment; modifying provisions governing payment of wages; including the state in the definition of employer for certain purposes; amending Minnesota Statutes 1996, sections 181.02; 181.03; 181.063; 181.10; 181.13; 181.14; and 181.171, by adding a subdivision.
The bill was read for the third time, as amended by the Senate, and placed upon its repassage.
The question was taken on the repassage of the bill and the roll was called. There were 132 yeas and 0 nays as follows:
Those who voted in the affirmative were:
Abrams | Erhardt | Juhnke | Mariani | Pawlenty | Sviggum |
Anderson, B. | Evans | Kahn | Marko | Paymar | Swenson, D. |
Anderson, I. | Farrell | Kalis | McCollum | Pelowski | Swenson, H. |
Bakk | Finseth | Kelso | McElroy | Peterson | Sykora |
Bettermann | Folliard | Kielkucki | McGuire | Pugh | Tingelstad |
Biernat | Garcia | Kinkel | Milbert | Rest | Tomassoni |
Bishop | Goodno | Knight | Molnau | Reuter | Tompkins |
Boudreau | Greenfield | Knoblach | Mulder | Rhodes | Trimble |
Bradley | Greiling | Koppendrayer | Mullery | Rifenberg | Tuma |
Broecker | Gunther | Kraus | Munger | Rostberg | Tunheim |
Carlson | Haas | Kubly | Murphy | Rukavina | Van Dellen |
Chaudhary | Harder | Kuisle | Ness | Schumacher | Vickerman |
Clark | Hasskamp | Larsen | Nornes | Seagren | Wagenius |
Commers | Hausman | Leighton | Olson, E. | Seifert | Weaver |
Daggett | Hilty | Leppik | Olson, M. | Sekhon | Wejcman |
Davids | Holsten | Lieder | Opatz | Skare | Wenzel |
Journal of the House - 48th Day - Top of Page 3224 |
|||||
Dawkins | Huntley | Lindner | Orfield | Skoglund | Westfall |
Dehler | Jaros | Long | Osskopp | Slawik | Westrom |
Delmont | Jefferson | Luther | Osthoff | Smith | Winter |
Dempsey | Jennings | Macklin | Otremba | Solberg | Wolf |
Dorn | Johnson, A. | Mahon | Ozment | Stanek | Workman |
Entenza | Johnson, R. | Mares | Paulsen | Stang | Spk. Carruthers |
The bill was repassed, as amended by the Senate, and its title agreed to.
Mr. Speaker:
I hereby announce the passage by the Senate of the following Senate Files, herewith transmitted:
S. F. Nos. 445, 256, 173, 741, 740, 1383 and 738.
Patrick E. Flahaven, Secretary of the Senate
S. F. No. 445, A bill for an act relating to veterans; establishing a program to pay a monetary bonus to veterans of the Persian Gulf War; imposing a criminal penalty for false application; appropriating money; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 197.
The bill was read for the first time and referred to the Committee on Governmental Operations.
S. F. No. 256, A bill for an act relating to commerce; regulating building and construction contracts; regulating payments and retainages; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 337.
The bill was read for the first time.
Jennings moved that S. F. No. 256 and H. F. No. 335, now on General Orders, be referred to the Chief Clerk for comparison. The motion prevailed.
S. F. No. 173, A bill for an act relating to commerce; providing for the use, validity, and security of electronic signatures and messages transmitted in commerce; prescribing penalties; proposing coding for new law as Minnesota Statutes, chapter 325K.
The bill was read for the first time.
Kahn moved that S. F. No. 173 and H. F. No. 56, now on
General Orders, be referred to the Chief Clerk for comparison. The motion
prevailed.
S. F. No. 741, A bill for an act relating to health;
regulating the practice of respiratory care; establishing the requirements for
registration and regulation of respiratory care practitioners; providing for
continuing education, fees, reporting obligations, disciplinary actions, and for
an advisory council; providing criminal penalties; proposing coding for new law
as Minnesota Statutes, chapter 147C; repealing Minnesota Rules, parts 4762.0010;
4762.0020; 4762.0030; 4762.0040; 4762.0050; 4762.0060; 4762.0065; 4762.0070;
4762.0080; 4762.0090; 4762.0100; 4762.0200; and 4762.0300.
The bill was read for the first time.
McCollum moved that S. F. No. 741 and H. F. No. 1702,
now on General Orders, be referred to the Chief Clerk for comparison. The motion
prevailed.
S. F. No. 740, A bill for an act relating to utilities;
expanding the telephone assistance program to provide assistance to low-income
families with children; amending Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 237.70,
subdivisions 4a, 6, and 7.
The bill was read for the first time and referred to the
Committee on Regulated Industries and Energy.
S. F. No. 1383, A bill for an act relating to the
legislature; increasing membership on the legislative audit commission and the
commission advisory council; prescribing procedures for rotation of the chair;
amending Minnesota Statutes 1996, sections 3.97, subdivision 2; and 3.971,
subdivision 4.
The bill was read for the first time.
Rest moved that S. F. No. 1383 and H. F. No. 450, now on
General Orders, be referred to the Chief Clerk for comparison. The motion
prevailed.
S. F. No. 738, A bill for an act relating to
community-based land use planning; establishing goals; establishing a county
community-based planning process; establishing a municipal community-based
planning process; sunsetting the municipal board; establishing an alternative
dispute resolution process; appropriating money; amending Minnesota Statutes
1996, sections 115.49, by adding a subdivision; 394.23; 394.24, subdivision 1;
414.0325, subdivision 1; 414.033, subdivisions 2b, 11, and 12; 462.352,
subdivisions 5, 6, and by adding a subdivision; and 462.357, subdivision 2;
proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapters 4A; 394; 414; 462;
473; and 572A; repealing Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 414.033, subdivision
2a.
The bill was read for the first time and referred to the
Committee on Governmental Operations.
Winter moved that the House recess subject to the call
of the Chair. The motion prevailed.
RECONVENED
The House reconvened and was called to order by Speaker
pro tempore Opatz.
There being no objection, the order of business reverted
to Reports of Standing Committees.
Long from the Committee on Taxes to which was referred:
H. F. No. 456, A bill for an act relating to taxation;
providing for the service of certain real estate tax redemption notices;
amending Minnesota Statutes 1996, sections 281.13; 281.23, subdivision 6;
281.273; and 281.276.
Reported the same back with the recommendation that the
bill pass.
The report was adopted.
Long from the Committee on Taxes to which was referred:
H. F. No. 758, A bill for an act relating to local
government; regulating the development, imposition, and management of state
mandates upon local political subdivisions; amending Minnesota Statutes 1996,
section 477A.014, subdivision 4; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota
Statutes, chapters 3; and 14; repealing Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 3.982.
Reported the same back with the recommendation that the
bill pass.
The report was adopted.
Long from the Committee on Taxes to which was referred:
H. F. No. 1336, A bill for an act relating to
metropolitan government; providing a sales tax exemption; amending Minnesota
Statutes 1996, section 297A.25, by adding a subdivision.
Reported the same back with the recommendation that the
bill pass and be re-referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.
The report was adopted.
Long from the Committee on Taxes to which was referred:
H. F. No. 1390, A bill for an act relating to the
Floodwood joint recreation board; regulating its tax levies.
Reported the same back with the recommendation that the
bill pass and be re-referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.
The report was adopted.
Long from the Committee on Taxes to which was referred:
H. F. No. 1441, A bill for an act relating to health;
modifying provisions relating to MinnesotaCare and general assistance medical
care; providing for health care reform; modifying MinnesotaCare tax provisions;
establishing a senior citizen drug program; modifying provisions relating to the
Minnesota comprehensive health association; providing for rural health care;
providing civil and criminal penalties; appropriating money; amending Minnesota
Statutes 1996, sections 60A.15, subdivision 1; 60A.951, subdivision 5; 62A.021,
by adding a subdivision; 62A.61; 62A.65, subdivision 3; 62D.02, subdivision 5;
62D.09, subdivision 3; 62E.02, subdivisions 13 and 18; 62E.11, by adding a
subdivision; 62E.13, subdivision 2; 62J.017; 62J.04, subdivisions 1, 1a, and 9;
62J.041; 62J.06; 62J.07, subdivisions 1 and 3; 62J.09, subdivision 1; 62J.15,
subdivision 1; 62J.152, subdivisions 1, 2, 4, and 5; 62J.17, subdivision 6a;
62J.22; 62J.25; 62J.2914, subdivision 1; 62J.2915; 62J.2916, subdivision 1;
62J.2917, subdivision 2; 62J.2921, subdivision 2; 62J.451, subdivision 6b;
62L.08, subdivision 8; 62M.02, subdivision 21; 62N.01, subdivision 1; 62N.22;
62N.23; 62N.25, subdivision 5; 62N.26; 62N.40; 62Q.01, subdivisions 3, 4, and 5;
62Q.03, subdivision 5a; 62Q.106; 62Q.19, subdivision 1; 62Q.33, subdivision 2;
62Q.45, subdivision 2; 144.1465; 144.147, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, and 4; 144.1484,
subdivision 1; 256.9352, subdivision 3; 256.9353, subdivisions 1, 3, and 7;
256.9354, subdivisions 4, 5, 6, 7, and by adding a subdivision; 256.9355,
subdivisions 1, 2, 4, and by adding a subdivision; 256.9357, subdivisions 1 and
3; 256.9358, subdivision 4; 256.9359, subdivision 2; 256.9363, subdivisions 1
and 5; 256.9657, subdivision 3; 256B.04, by adding a subdivision; 256B.056,
subdivision 8; 256B.0625, subdivision 15; 256D.03, subdivisions 3 and 3b;
295.50, subdivisions 3, 4, 6, 7, 13, and 14; 295.51, subdivision 1; 295.52,
subdivisions 1, 1a, 2, 3, 4, and by adding a subdivision; 295.53, subdivisions
1, 3, and 4; 295.54, subdivisions 1 and 2; 295.55, subdivision 2; 295.58; and
295.582; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapters 16A; 62Q;
144; and 256; repealing Minnesota Statutes 1996, sections 62J.03, subdivision 3;
62J.04, subdivisions 4 and 7; 62J.041, subdivision 7; 62J.042; 62J.05; 62J.051;
62J.09, subdivision 3a; 62J.37; 62N.01, subdivision 2; 62N.02, subdivisions 2,
3, 4b, 4c, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 12; 62N.03; 62N.04; 62N.05; 62N.06; 62N.065;
62N.071; 62N.072; 62N.073; 62N.074; 62N.076; 62N.077;
62N.078; 62N.10; 62N.11; 62N.12; 62N.13; 62N.14; 62N.15; 62N.17; 62N.18; 62N.24;
62N.38; 62Q.165, subdivision 3; 62Q.25; 62Q.29; 62Q.41; 295.52, subdivision 1b;
and 295.53, subdivision 5; Laws 1993, chapter 247, article 4, section 8; Laws
1994, chapter 625, article 5, section 5, as amended; Laws 1995, chapter 96,
section 2; and Laws 1995, First Special Session chapter 3, article 13, section
2.
Reported the same back with the recommendation that the
bill pass and be re-referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.
The report was adopted.
H. F. Nos. 456 and 758 were read for the second time.
Pursuant to rule 1.10, Solberg requested immediate
consideration of S. F. No. 1908.
S. F. No. 1908 was reported to the House.
Greenfield moved to amend S. F. No. 1908, the second
unofficial engrossment, as follows:
Page 3, line 11, delete "2,550,299,000" and insert
"2,548,012,000, and delete 2,738,314,000" and insert "2,739,095,000", and delete
"5,288,613,000" and insert "5,287,107,000"
Page 3, line 13, delete "-0- -0- -0-" and insert
"13,700,000 -0- 13,700,000"
Page 3, line 15, delete "32,412,000" and insert
"32,535,000, and delete "34,251,000" and insert "34,414,000", and delete
"66,663,000" and insert "66,949,000"
Page 3, line 20, delete "3,300,000" and insert
"3,330,000"
Page 3, line 21, delete "2,584,706,000" and insert
"2,596,242,000", and delete "2,774,436,000" and insert "2,775,380,000", and
delete "5,359,142,000" and insert "5,371,622,000"
Page 3, line 29, delete "2,466,382,000" and insert
"2,479,087,000", and delete "2,654,862,000" and insert "2,656,517,000"
Page 3, line 31, delete "2,465,929,000" and insert "2,
464,934,000", and delete "2,654,400,000" and insert "2,656,055,000"
Page 3, line 33, delete the first "-0-" and insert
"13,700,000"
Page 6, line 52, delete "819,924,000" and insert
"820,289,000", and delete "938,440,000" and insert "938,836,000"
Page 7, line 6, delete "335,659,000" and insert
"335,999,000", and delete "404,346,000" and insert "404,717,000"
Page 7, line 39, delete "168,967,000" and insert
"168,992,000", and delete "168,792,000" and insert "168,817,000"
Page 17, line 9, delete "20,855,000" and insert
"20,515,000", and delete "21,654,000" and insert "21,283,000"
Page 19, line 11, delete "213,790,000" and insert
"211,090,000"
Page 21, delete lines 12 to 36
Page 21, line 52, delete "57,466,000" and insert
"54,766,000"
Page 22, line 4, delete "33,808,000" and insert
"35,488,000", and delete "31,739,000" and insert "33,369,000"
Page 22, line 12, delete "10,731,000" and insert
"10,781,000"
Page 22, before line 42, insert:
"[COOPERATION FOR CHILDREN, PARENT EDUCATION.] Of this
appropriation the commissioner shall transfer to the state court administrator
$100,000 in fiscal year 1998 and $100,000 in fiscal year 1999 for the
implementation of the cooperation for the children program and the parent
education program. The commissioner shall also request all federal funds
available for visitation access grants under the authority of the Personal
Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act of 1996. The commissioner may accept on
behalf of the state any federal funding for the purpose of financing visitation
access programs and shall transfer any funds received for this purpose to the
state court administrator for implementation of the parent education program and
the cooperation for the children program. The state court administrator shall
monitor, evaluate and report on such programs in accordance with any applicable
federal regulations."
Page 22, delete lines 42 to 55
Page 23, before line 57, insert:
"NEW CHANCE PROGRAM.] Of this appropriation, $140,000
each year is for a grant to the new chance program. The new chance program shall
provide comprehensive services through a private, nonprofit agency to young
parents in Hennepin county who have dropped out of school and are receiving
public assistance. The program administrator shall report annually to the
commissioner on skills development, education, job training, and job placement
outcomes for program participants."
Page 23, after line 60, insert:
"[FEDERAL TANF FUNDS.] Federal Temporary Assistance for
Needy Families block grant funds authorized under title I of Public Law Number
104-193, the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of
1996, are appropriated to the commissioner in amounts up to $278,621,000 in
fiscal year 1998 and $267,792,000 in fiscal year 1999."
Page 23, line 62, delete "5,400,000 in fiscal year 1998"
and insert "3,770,000 each year"
Page 24, line 1, delete everything after "grant"
Page 24, delete line 2
Abrams | Erhardt | Kalis | Mariani | Paymar | Swenson, H. |
Anderson, B. | Evans | Kelso | Marko | Pelowski | Sykora |
Anderson, I. | Finseth | Kielkucki | McCollum | Peterson | Tingelstad |
Bakk | Folliard | Kinkel | McElroy | Pugh | Tomassoni |
Bettermann | Garcia | Knight | McGuire | Reuter | Tompkins |
Biernat | Goodno | Knoblach | Milbert | Rhodes | Tuma |
Bishop | Greenfield | Koppendrayer | Molnau | Rifenberg | Tunheim |
Boudreau | Greiling | Koskinen | Mulder | Rostberg | Van Dellen |
Bradley | Gunther | Kraus | Mullery | Rukavina | Vickerman |
Broecker | Haas | Krinkie | Murphy | Schumacher | Wagenius |
Carlson | Hasskamp | Kubly | Ness | Seagren | Weaver |
Chaudhary | Hausman | Kuisle | Nornes | Seifert | Wejcman |
Clark | Hilty | Larsen | Olson, E. | Sekhon | Wenzel |
Commers | Holsten | Leighton | Olson, M. | Skare | Westfall |
Daggett | Huntley | Leppik | Opatz | Skoglund | Westrom |
Davids | Jaros | Lieder | Orfield | Slawik | Winter |
Dawkins | Jefferson | Lindner | Osskopp | Smith | Wolf |
Dehler | Jennings | Long | Osthoff | Solberg | Workman |
Delmont | Johnson, A. | Luther | Otremba | Stanek | Spk. Carruthers |
Dempsey | Johnson, R. | Macklin | Ozment | Stang | |
Dorn | Juhnke | Mahon | Paulsen | Sviggum | |
Entenza | Kahn | Mares | Pawlenty | Swenson, D. | |
Winter moved that further proceedings of the roll call be suspended and that the Sergeant at Arms be instructed to bring in the absentees. The motion prevailed and it was so ordered.
Tingelstad moved to amend S. F. No. 1908, the second unofficial engrossment, as amended, as follows:
Page 33, after line 60, insert:
"Sec. 15. [REDUCTION IN GENERAL FUND APPROPRIATIONS.]
All general fund appropriations in sections 1 to 9 are reduced by one percent. The resulting savings are intended to be returned to the taxpayers of this state."
A roll call was requested and properly seconded.
The question was taken on the Tingelstad amendment and
the roll was called.
Winter moved that those not voting be excused from
voting. The motion prevailed.
There were 50 yeas and 81 nays as follows:
Those who voted in the affirmative were:
Abrams | Dempsey | Koppendrayer | Mulder | Stanek | Weaver |
Anderson, B. | Erhardt | Kraus | Nornes | Sviggum | Westfall |
Bettermann | Goodno | Krinkie | Ozment | Swenson, D. | Westrom |
Bishop | Gunther | Kuisle | Paulsen | Sykora | Wolf |
Boudreau | Haas | Larsen | Pawlenty | Tingelstad | Workman |
Bradley | Holsten | Lindner | Reuter | Tompkins | |
Broecker | Jaros | Mares | Rifenberg | Tuma | |
Commers | Kielkucki | McElroy | Rostberg | Van Dellen | |
Daggett | Knight | Molnau | Seagren | Vickerman | |
Those who voted in the negative were:
Anderson, I. | Finseth | Kahn | Marko | Otremba | Smith |
Bakk | Folliard | Kalis | McCollum | Paymar | Solberg |
Biernat | Garcia | Kelso | McGuire | Pelowski | Stang |
Carlson | Greenfield | Kinkel | Milbert | Peterson | Swenson, H. |
Chaudhary | Greiling | Knoblach | Mullery | Pugh | Tomassoni |
Clark | Hasskamp | Koskinen | Munger | Rest | Trimble |
Davids | Hausman | Kubly | Murphy | Rhodes | Tunheim |
Dawkins | Hilty | Leighton | Ness | Rukavina | Wagenius |
Dehler | Huntley | Leppik | Olson, E. | Schumacher | Wejcman |
Delmont | Jefferson | Long | Olson, M. | Seifert | Wenzel |
Dorn | Jennings | Luther | Opatz | Sekhon | Winter |
Entenza | Johnson, A. | Macklin | Orfield | Skare | |
Evans | Johnson, R. | Mahon | Osskopp | Skoglund | |
Farrell | Juhnke | Mariani | Osthoff | Slawik | |
The motion did not prevail and the amendment was not adopted.
Tompkins moved to amend S. F. No. 1908, the second unofficial engrossment, as amended, as follows:
Page 45, line 31, delete "UNIVERSALLY OFFERED"
Page 45, line 34, delete "universally offered"
Page 45, line 36, delete everything after "births" and insert "to eligible families throughout the state. This grant program is one of statewide application, and home visiting programs serving any geographic area of the state are eligible to apply for grants."
Page 46, delete lines 1-4
Page 46, line 5, delete everything before "The purpose"
Page 46, after line 7, insert:
"Subd. 2. [ELIGIBLE FAMILY.] For purposes of this section, a family eligible for home visiting services is a family whose annual income does not exceed 175 percent of federal poverty guidelines."
Renumber subdivisions in section 145A.16 in sequence
Abrams | Entenza | Kielkucki | McCollum | Peterson | Swenson, H. |
Anderson, B. | Erhardt | Knight | McElroy | Reuter | Sykora |
Anderson, I. | Finseth | Knoblach | Molnau | Rhodes | Tingelstad |
Bakk | Garcia | Koppendrayer | Mulder | Rifenberg | Tomassoni |
Bettermann | Goodno | Kraus | Munger | Rostberg | Tompkins |
Bishop | Greiling | Krinkie | Ness | Rukavina | Tuma |
Boudreau | Gunther | Kuisle | Nornes | Schumacher | Van Dellen |
Bradley | Haas | Larsen | Olson, E. | Seagren | Vickerman |
Broecker | Harder | Leighton | Olson, M. | Seifert | Weaver |
Commers | Hasskamp | Leppik | Opatz | Sekhon | Westfall |
Daggett | Hausman | Lieder | Osskopp | Skare | Westrom |
Davids | Holsten | Lindner | Otremba | Smith | Winter |
Dawkins | Jaros | Luther | Ozment | Stanek | Wolf |
Dehler | Johnson, A. | Macklin | Paulsen | Stang | Workman |
Dempsey | Johnson, R. | Mares | Pawlenty | Sviggum | |
Dorn | Juhnke | Marko | Pelowski | Swenson, D. | |
Those who voted in the negative were:
Biernat | Folliard | Kahn | Long | Murphy | Slawik |
Carlson | Greenfield | Kalis | Mahon | Orfield | Solberg |
Chaudhary | Hilty | Kelso | Mariani | Osthoff | Tunheim |
Clark | Huntley | Kinkel | McGuire | Paymar | Wagenius |
Delmont | Jefferson | Koskinen | Milbert | Pugh | Wejcman |
Evans | Jennings | Kubly | Mullery | Skoglund | Wenzel |
The motion prevailed.
The Tompkins amendment to S. F. No. 1908, the second unofficial engrossment, as amended, was again reported to the House as follows:
Page 45, line 31, delete "UNIVERSALLY OFFERED"
Page 45, line 34, delete "universally offered"
Page 45, line 36, delete everything after "births" and insert "to eligible families throughout the state. This grant program is one of statewide application, and home visiting programs serving any geographic area of the state are eligible to apply for grants."
Page 46, delete lines 1-4
Page 46, line 5, delete everything before "The purpose"
Page 46, after line 7, insert:
"Subd. 2. [ELIGIBLE FAMILY.] For purposes of this section, a family eligible for home visiting services is a family whose annual income does not exceed 175 percent of federal poverty guidelines."
Renumber subdivisions in section 145A.16 in sequence
Page 46, line 10, delete "universally offered"
Page 46, line 20, after "programs" insert "throughout the state"
Page 46, line 23, after "all" insert "eligible" and delete " need or"
Page 46, line 28, after "infants" insert "in eligible families"
Page 47, line 10, delete "designated" and after "areas" insert "served by the programs"
Page 48, line 12, delete "universally"
Page 48, line 13, delete "offered"
Page 48, line 16, delete "universally offered"
Page 48, line 17, delete everything after the period
Page 48, delete lines 18 and 19
Correct internal references
A roll call was requested and properly seconded.
The question was taken on the Tompkins amendment and the
roll was called.
Winter moved that those not voting be excused from
voting. The motion prevailed.
There were 66 yeas and 67 nays as follows:
Those who voted in the affirmative were:
Abrams | Dehler | Knoblach | Molnau | Rifenberg | Tingelstad |
Anderson, B. | Dempsey | Koppendrayer | Mulder | Rostberg | Tompkins |
Anderson, I. | Erhardt | Kraus | Ness | Seagren | Tuma |
Bettermann | Finseth | Krinkie | Nornes | Seifert | Van Dellen |
Bishop | Goodno | Kuisle | Olson, M. | Smith | Vickerman |
Boudreau | Gunther | Larsen | Osskopp | Stanek | Weaver |
Bradley | Haas | Leppik | Otremba | Stang | Wenzel |
Broecker | Harder | Lindner | Ozment | Sviggum | Westfall |
Commers | Holsten | Macklin | Paulsen | Swenson, D. | Westrom |
Daggett | Kielkucki | Mares | Pawlenty | Swenson, H. | Wolf |
Davids | Knight | McElroy | Reuter | Sykora | Workman |
Those who voted in the negative were:
Bakk | Garcia | Kahn | Marko | Pelowski | Tomassoni |
Biernat | Greenfield | Kalis | McCollum | Peterson | Trimble |
Carlson | Greiling | Kelso | McGuire | Pugh | Tunheim |
Chaudhary | Hausman | Kinkel | Milbert | Rest | Wagenius |
Clark | Hilty | Koskinen | Mullery | Rhodes | Wejcman |
Dawkins | Huntley | Kubly | Munger | Rukavina | Winter |
Delmont | Jaros | Leighton | Murphy | Schumacher | Spk. Carruthers |
Dorn | Jefferson | Lieder | Olson, E. | Sekhon | |
Entenza | Jennings | Long | Opatz | Skare | |
Evans | Johnson, A. | Luther | Orfield | Skoglund | |
Farrell | Johnson, R. | Mahon | Osthoff | Slawik | |
Folliard | Juhnke | Mariani | Paymar | Solberg | |
The motion did not prevail and the amendment was not adopted.
Boudreau moved to amend S. F. No. 1908, the second unofficial engrossment, as amended, as follows:
Page 163, delete line 32
Page 163, line 33, delete everything before "Minnesota"
A roll call was requested and properly seconded.
The question was taken on the Boudreau amendment and the roll was called.
Winter moved that those not voting be excused from voting. The motion prevailed.
There were 80 yeas and 54 nays as follows:
Those who voted in the affirmative were:
Abrams | Dempsey | Knight | Mulder | Rostberg | Tomassoni |
Anderson, B. | Erhardt | Knoblach | Nornes | Rukavina | Tompkins |
Anderson, I. | Finseth | Koppendrayer | Olson, E. | Schumacher | Tuma |
Bakk | Goodno | Kraus | Olson, M. | Seagren | Van Dellen |
Journal of the House - 48th Day - Top of Page 3235 |
|||||
Bettermann | Gunther | Krinkie | Osskopp | Seifert | Weaver |
Bishop | Haas | Kubly | Otremba | Slawik | Wenzel |
Boudreau | Harder | Kuisle | Ozment | Smith | Westfall |
Bradley | Hasskamp | Larsen | Paulsen | Stanek | Westrom |
Broecker | Holsten | Leppik | Pawlenty | Stang | Wolf |
Commers | Jennings | Lindner | Pelowski | Sviggum | Workman |
Daggett | Johnson, A. | Macklin | Peterson | Swenson, D. | |
Davids | Juhnke | Mares | Reuter | Swenson, H. | |
Dehler | Kielkucki | McElroy | Rhodes | Sykora | |
Delmont | Kinkel | Molnau | Rifenberg | Tingelstad | |
Those who voted in the negative were:
Biernat | Folliard | Johnson, R. | Mahon | Ness | Skoglund |
Carlson | Garcia | Kahn | Mariani | Opatz | Solberg |
Chaudhary | Greenfield | Kalis | Marko | Orfield | Trimble |
Clark | Greiling | Kelso | McCollum | Osthoff | Tunheim |
Dawkins | Hausman | Koskinen | McGuire | Paymar | Vickerman |
Dorn | Hilty | Leighton | Milbert | Pugh | Wagenius |
Entenza | Huntley | Lieder | Mullery | Rest | Wejcman |
Evans | Jaros | Long | Munger | Sekhon | Winter |
Farrell | Jefferson | Luther | Murphy | Skare | Spk. Carruthers |
The motion prevailed and the amendment was adopted.
Slawik, Delmont, Rukavina, Schumacher, Juhnke, Koskinen, Chaudhary, Biernat, Mahon, Mullery, Folliard, Hilty, Paymar, Skare and Johnson, R., moved to amend S. F. No. 1908, the second unofficial engrossment, as amended, as follows:
Page 15, after line 35, insert:
"[REIMBURSEMENT INCREASES.] Effective for services
rendered on or after July 1, 1997, the commissioner shall increase reimbursement
rates by five percent for home- and community-based waiver services for persons
with mental retardation or related conditions under Minnesota Statutes, section
256B.501; home- and community-based waiver services for the elderly under
Minnesota Statutes, section 256B.0915; community alternatives for disabled
individuals waiver services under Minnesota Statutes, section 256B.49; community
alternative care waiver services under Minnesota Statutes, section 256B.49;
traumatic brain injury waiver services under Minnesota Statutes, section
256B.49; nursing services and home health services under Minnesota Statutes,
section 256B.0625, subdivision 6a; personal care services and nursing
supervision of personal care services under Minnesota Statutes, section
256B.0625, subdivision 19a; private duty nursing services under Minnesota
Statutes, section 256B.0625, subdivision 7; day training and habilitation
services for adults with mental retardation or related conditions under
Minnesota Statutes, sections 252.40 to 252.47; physical therapy services under
Minnesota Statutes, sections 256B.0625, subdivision 8, and 256D.03, subdivision
4; occupational therapy services under Minnesota Statutes, sections 256B.0625,
subdivision 8a, and 256D.03, subdivision 4; speech-language therapy services
under Minnesota Statutes, section
256D.03, subdivision 4, and Minnesota Rules, part
9505.0390; respiratory therapy services under Minnesota Statutes, section
256D.03, subdivision 4, and Minnesota Rules, part 9505.0295; dental services
under Minnesota Statutes, sections 256B.0625, subdivision 9, and 256D.03,
subdivision 4; alternative care services under Minnesota Statutes, section
256B.0913; and semi-independent living services under Minnesota Statutes,
section 252.275. The commissioner shall also increase prepaid medical assistance
program capitation rates as appropriate to reflect the rate increases in this
paragraph. These funds are to be used solely for salary increases to direct care
staff."
Adjust totals accordingly
A roll call was requested and properly seconded.
Slawik moved to amend the Slawik amendment to S. F. No.
1908, the second unofficial engrossment, as amended, as follows:
Page 2, line 15, after the period, insert "The money for
the reimbursement increases under this paragraph shall be appropriated from the
budget reserve account in the general fund."
A roll call was requested and properly seconded.
The question was taken on the amendment to the amendment
and the roll was called.
Winter moved that those not voting be excused from
voting. The motion prevailed.
There were 98 yeas and 36 nays as follows:
Those who voted in the affirmative were:
Anderson, I. | Folliard | Kalis | Marko | Pelowski | Swenson, D. |
Bakk | Garcia | Kelso | McCollum | Peterson | Tingelstad |
Biernat | Greenfield | Kielkucki | McElroy | Pugh | Tomassoni |
Bishop | Greiling | Kinkel | McGuire | Rest | Trimble |
Carlson | Harder | Koskinen | Milbert | Rhodes | Tunheim |
Chaudhary | Hasskamp | Kraus | Mullery | Rifenberg | Wagenius |
Clark | Hausman | Krinkie | Munger | Rostberg | Weaver |
Davids | Hilty | Kubly | Murphy | Rukavina | Wejcman |
Dawkins | Holsten | Leighton | Nornes | Schumacher | Wenzel |
Dehler | Huntley | Lieder | Olson, E. | Seagren | Westrom |
Delmont | Jaros | Lindner | Opatz | Seifert | Winter |
Dempsey | Jefferson | Long | Orfield | Sekhon | Wolf |
Dorn | Jennings | Luther | Osskopp | Skare | Spk. Carruthers |
Entenza | Johnson, A. | Macklin | Osthoff | Skoglund | |
Evans | Johnson, R. | Mahon | Otremba | Slawik | |
Farrell | Juhnke | Mares | Ozment | Smith | |
Finseth | Kahn | Mariani | Paymar | Stanek | |
Those who voted in the negative were:
Journal of the House - 48th Day - Top of Page 3237 |
|||||
Abrams | Commers | Knight | Molnau | Reuter | Tompkins |
Anderson, B. | Daggett | Knoblach | Mulder | Solberg | Tuma |
Bettermann | Erhardt | Koppendrayer | Ness | Stang | Van Dellen |
Boudreau | Goodno | Kuisle | Olson, M. | Sviggum | Vickerman |
Bradley | Gunther | Larsen | Paulsen | Swenson, H. | Westfall |
Broecker | Haas | Leppik | Pawlenty | Sykora | Workman |
The motion prevailed and the amendment to the amendment was adopted.
Bradley moved to amend the Slawik amendment, as amended, to S. F. No. 1908, the second unofficial engrossment, as amended, as follows:
Remove the amendment to page 2, line 15, of the Slawik amendment to the amendment and insert after page 2, line 17:
"Page 33, after line 60, insert:
Sec. 15. [REDUCTION TO FUND CERTAIN REIMURSEMENT ADJUSTMENTS.]
The general fund appropriations made in this article shall be reduced by 0.5 percent each year, except the appropriation to fund the reimbursement increases for waivered, home care and other noninstitutional services in section 2, subdivision 8, paragraph (g), shall not be reduced under this section.
Renumber the sections in sequence and correct internal references
Amend the title accordingly"
A roll call was requested and properly seconded.
The question was taken on the amendment to the amendment and the roll was called. There were 60 yeas and 74 nays as follows:
Those who voted in the affirmative were:
Abrams | Dempsey | Koppendrayer | Molnau | Rhodes | Tingelstad |
Anderson, B. | Erhardt | Kraus | Mulder | Rostberg | Tompkins |
Bettermann | Goodno | Krinkie | Ness | Seagren | Tuma |
Bishop | Gunther | Kuisle | Nornes | Seifert | Van Dellen |
Boudreau | Haas | Larsen | Olson, M. | Smith | Vickerman |
Bradley | Harder | Leppik | Osskopp | Stanek | Weaver |
Broecker | Holsten | Lindner | Ozment | Sviggum | Westfall |
Commers | Kielkucki | Macklin | Paulsen | Swenson, D. | Westrom |
Daggett | Knight | Mares | Pawlenty | Swenson, H. | Wolf |
Dehler | Knoblach | McElroy | Reuter | Sykora | Workman |
Those who voted in the negative were:
Anderson, I. | Finseth | Johnson, R. | Mariani | Paymar | Stang |
Bakk | Folliard | Juhnke | Marko | Pelowski | Tomassoni |
Biernat | Garcia | Kahn | McCollum | Peterson | Trimble |
Carlson | Greenfield | Kalis | McGuire | Pugh | Tunheim |
Chaudhary | Greiling | Kelso | Milbert | Rest | Wagenius |
Clark | Hasskamp | Kinkel | Mullery | Rifenberg | Wejcman |
Davids | Hausman | Koskinen | Munger | Rukavina | Wenzel |
Dawkins | Hilty | Kubly | Murphy | Schumacher | Winter |
Journal of the House - 48th Day - Top of Page 3238 |
|||||
Delmont | Huntley | Leighton | Olson, E. | Sekhon | Spk. Carruthers |
Dorn | Jaros | Lieder | Opatz | Skare | |
Entenza | Jefferson | Long | Orfield | Skoglund | |
Evans | Jennings | Luther | Osthoff | Slawik | |
Farrell | Johnson, A. | Mahon | Otremba | Solberg | |
The motion did not prevail and the amendment to the amendment was not adopted.
Bradley moved to amend the Slawik amendment, as amended, to S. F. No. 1908, the second unofficial engrossment, as amended, as follows:
Page 2,line 8, after the semicolon insert:
"adult residential program grants under Minnesota Rules, parts 9535.2000 to 9535.3000; adult and family community support grants under Minnesota Rules, parts 9535.1700 to 9535.1760"
Page 2, line 11, before the period insert:
", and including SILS funding under county social services grants formerly funded under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 256I"
The motion prevailed and the amendment to the amendment was adopted.
The question recurred on the Slawik amendment, as amended, and the roll was called. There were 134 yeas and 0 nays as follows:
Those who voted in the affirmative were:
Abrams | Evans | Kalis | Marko | Pelowski | Sykora |
Anderson, B. | Farrell | Kelso | McCollum | Peterson | Tingelstad |
Anderson, I. | Finseth | Kielkucki | McElroy | Pugh | Tomassoni |
Bakk | Folliard | Kinkel | McGuire | Rest | Tompkins |
Bettermann | Garcia | Knight | Milbert | Reuter | Trimble |
Biernat | Goodno | Knoblach | Molnau | Rhodes | Tuma |
Bishop | Greenfield | Koppendrayer | Mulder | Rifenberg | Tunheim |
Boudreau | Greiling | Koskinen | Mullery | Rostberg | Van Dellen |
Bradley | Gunther | Kraus | Munger | Rukavina | Vickerman |
Broecker | Haas | Krinkie | Murphy | Schumacher | Wagenius |
Carlson | Harder | Kubly | Ness | Seagren | Weaver |
Chaudhary | Hasskamp | Kuisle | Nornes | Seifert | Wejcman |
Clark | Hausman | Larsen | Olson, E. | Sekhon | Wenzel |
Commers | Hilty | Leighton | Olson, M. | Skare | Westfall |
Daggett | Holsten | Leppik | Opatz | Skoglund | Westrom |
Davids | Huntley | Lieder | Orfield | Slawik | Winter |
Dawkins | Jaros | Lindner | Osskopp | Smith | Wolf |
Dehler | Jefferson | Long | Osthoff | Solberg | Workman |
Delmont | Jennings | Luther | Otremba | Stanek | Spk. Carruthers |
Dempsey | Johnson, A. | Macklin | Ozment | Stang | |
Dorn | Johnson, R. | Mahon | Paulsen | Sviggum | |
Entenza | Juhnke | Mares | Pawlenty | Swenson, D. | |
Erhardt | Kahn | Mariani | Paymar | Swenson, H. | |
The motion prevailed and the amendment, as amended, was
adopted.
Hasskamp, Davids, Schumacher, Smith, Sykora, Juhnke and
Winter moved to amend S. F. No. 1908, the second unofficial engrossment, as
amended, as follows:
Page 44, after line 32, insert:
"Sec. 16. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 145.411, is
amended by adding a subdivision to read:
Subd. 6. [COMMISSIONER.] "Commissioner" means the commissioner of health.
Sec. 17. [145.4131] [RECORDING AND REPORTING ABORTION
DATA.]
Subdivision 1. [FORMS.] (a) Within 90 days of the effective date of this section,
the commissioner shall revise the reporting form HE-01160-03 for physicians
performing abortions. A copy of this section shall be sent to each facility
where abortions are performed, and to each physician who performs abortions. A
facility where abortions are performed or a physician performing an abortion
shall obtain a form from the commissioner.
(b) The revised form shall
require the following additional information:
(1) information on the method
used for each abortion including whether the dilation and extraction procedure
was used;
(2) the approximate gestational
age of each child subject to abortion;
(3) unless the patient objects,
the stated specific reason for the abortion, including, but not limited to, the
following:
(i) the life of the mother;
(ii) rape;
(iii) incest;
(iv) unwanted pregnancy;
(v) financial hardship;
(vi) the mother's emotional
health is at stake;
(vii) substantial and
irreversible impairment of a major bodily function if the pregnancy
continues;
(viii) other; or
(ix) information indicating that
the patient objected to providing a reason and the reason for the objection.
(4) whether the abortion was
paid for by public or private funds and whether payment was:
(i) fee-for-service
insurance;
(ii) an HMO; or
(iii) other form of payment;
(5) the fee schedule of the
physician or facility, for the procedure;
(6) the type of anesthetic used,
if any, for each abortion;
(7) the protocol used by the
facility to dispose of fetal tissue and remains;
(8) for abortions performed
during the 16th week of gestation or after, the medical specialty of the
physician performing the abortion; and
(9) whether the physician
performing the abortion has had a physician's license suspended or revoked or
has had other professional sanctions in this or another state.
With the form required by this
subdivision, the department shall provide the facility and physician performing
an abortion with a notice stating the requirements of sections 145.4131 to
145.4135 and shall list on the form the penalties specified in section 145.4135
for failure to submit the required forms.
Subd. 2. [SUBMISSION.] A physician performing an abortion shall complete and
submit the individual patient forms to the commissioner within 90 days of
performing an abortion.
Subd. 3. [ADDITIONAL
REPORTING.] Nothing in this section shall be construed
to preclude the voluntary or required submission of other reports or forms
regarding abortions.
Sec. 18. [145.4132] [RECORDING AND REPORTING ABORTION
COMPLICATION DATA.]
Subdivision 1. [REPORTS BY
HOSPITALS.] Beginning October 1, 1997, hospital
emergency rooms shall be required to report to the commissioner of health within
90 days of service, on forms supplied by the commissioner, on all patient
admissions for complications arising from abortions.
Subd. 2. [FORMS.] (a) Beginning January 1, 1998, the commissioner shall
prepare an abortion complication reporting form for all physicians licensed and
practicing in the state. A copy of this section shall be attached to the
form.
(b) The board of medical
practice shall ensure that the abortion complication reporting form is
distributed:
(1) to all physicians licensed
to practice in the state, within 120 days after the effective date of this
section and by December 1 of each subsequent year; and
(2) to a physician who is newly
licensed to practice in the state, at the same time as official notification to
the physician that the physician is so licensed.
Subd. 3. [REQUIRED REPORTING
BY PHYSICIANS.] A physician licensed and practicing in
the state who encounters an illness or injury that is related to an induced
abortion shall complete and submit an abortion complication reporting form to
the commissioner.
Subd. 4. [SUBMISSION.] A physician required to submit an abortion complication
reporting form to the commissioner shall do so as soon as practicable after the
encounter with the abortion related illness or injury, but in no case more than
60 days after the encounter.
Subd. 5. [ADDITIONAL
REPORTING.] Nothing in this section shall be construed
to preclude the voluntary or required submission of other reports or forms
regarding abortion complications.
Sec. 19. [145.4134] [COMMISSIONER'S PUBLIC REPORT.]
By January 1, 1998, the
commissioner shall issue a public report providing statistics compiled under
sections 145.4131, 145.4132, and 256.010, from those months in 1997 for which
information is available. By July 1 of each subsequent year, the commissioner
shall issue a public report providing statistics for the previous calendar year
compiled from the data submitted under sections 145.4131, 145.4132 and 256.010.
The report shall include data on the number of abortions performed by physicians
in the previous calendar year, reported by month. Each report shall also provide
the statistics for all previous calendar years, adjusted to reflect any
additional information from late or corrected reports. The commissioner shall
ensure that none of the information included in the public reports can
reasonably lead to identification of an individual having performed or having
had an abortion. All data included on the forms under sections 145.4131,
145.4132, and 256.010 must be included in the public report. The commissioner
shall submit the report to the senate health care committee and the house health
and human services committee.
Sec. 20. [145.4135] [ENFORCEMENT; PENALTIES.]
(a) A physician or emergency
room that fails to submit the required individual patient forms under sections
145.4131 and 145.4132 within 30 days following the due date is subject to a late
fee of $500 for each 30-day period, or portion thereof, that the forms are
overdue. A physician required to report under this section who does not submit a
report, or submits only an incomplete report, more than one year following the
due date, may be fined and, in an action brought by the commissioner, be
directed by a court of competent jurisdiction to submit a complete report within
a period stated by court order or be subject to sanctions for civil
contempt.
(b) If the commissioner fails to
issue the public report required under section 145.4134, or fails in any way to
enforce this section, a citizen of the state may seek an injunction in a court
of competent jurisdiction against the commissioner requiring that a complete
report be issued within a period stated by court order or requiring that
enforcement action be taken. Failure to abide by an injunction shall subject the
commissioner to sanctions for civil contempt.
(c) A physician who knowingly or
recklessly submits a false report under this section is guilty of a
misdemeanor.
(d) The commissioner may take
reasonable steps to ensure compliance with sections 145.4131, 145.4132 and
256.010 and to verify data provided, including but not limited to inspection of
places where abortions are performed in accordance with chapter 14."
Page 94, after line 31, insert:
"Sec. 8. [256.010] [REPORTING OUT-OF-STATE ABORTIONS.]
(a) The commissioner of human
services shall report to the commissioner by April 1 each year the following
information regarding abortions paid for with state funds and performed out of
state in the previous calendar year:
(1) the total number of
abortions performed out of state and partially or fully paid for with state
funds through the medical assistance, general assistance medical care, or
MinnesotaCare program or any other program;
(2) the total amount of state
funds used to pay for the abortions and expenses incidental to the abortions;
and
(3) the gestational age of each
unborn child at the time of abortion.
(b) The commissioner of human
services shall revise DHS form 2327-795 as necessary to ensure that the
information required by paragraph (a) is obtained."
Renumber the sections in sequence and correct internal
references
Amend the title accordingly
A roll call was requested and properly seconded.
Sviggum moved to amend the Hasskamp et al amendment to
S. F. No. 1908, the second unofficial engrossment, as amended, as follows:
Page 1, delete lines 10 to 24 and insert:
"Subdivision 1. [FORMS.] (a) Within 90 days of the effective date of this section,
the commissioner shall prepare a reporting form for physicians performing
abortions. A copy of this section shall be attached to the form. A physician
performing an abortion shall obtain a form from the commissioner.
(b) The form shall require the
following information:
(1) the number of abortions
performed by the physician in the previous calendar year, reported by month;
(2) the method used for each
abortion;
(3) the approximate gestational
age of each child subject to abortion, expressed in one of the following
increments:
(i) less than nine weeks;
(ii) nine to ten weeks;
(iii) 11 to 12 weeks;
(iv) 13 to 15 weeks;
(v) 16 to 20 weeks;
(vi) 21 to 24 weeks;
(vii) 25 to 30 weeks;
(viii) 31 to 36 weeks; or
(ix) 37 weeks to term;
(4) the age of the mother on
whom the abortion was performed at the time the abortion was performed;
(5) the specific reason for the
abortion, including, but not limited to, the following:
(i) the pregnancy was a result
of rape;
(ii) the pregnancy was a result
of incest;
(iii) the mother cannot afford
the child;
(iv) the mother does not want
the child;
(v) the mother's emotional
health is at stake;
(vi) the mother will suffer
substantial and irreversible impairment of a major bodily function if the
pregnancy continues; or
(vii) other;
(6) whether the abortion was
paid for by:
(i) private insurance;
(ii) a public health plan;
or
(iii) another form of
payment;
(7) whether coverage was
under:
(i) a fee-for-service insurance
company;
(ii) a managed care company;
or
Anderson, B. | Goodno | Krinkie | Ness | Rifenberg | Tingelstad |
Anderson, I. | Gunther | Kubly | Nornes | Rostberg | Tompkins |
Bettermann | Haas | Kuisle | Olson, E. | Schumacher | Tuma |
Bishop | Harder | Larsen | Olson, M. | Seagren | Tunheim |
Boudreau | Hasskamp | Lieder | Osskopp | Seifert | Van Dellen |
Journal of the House - 48th Day - Top of Page 3245 |
|||||
Bradley | Juhnke | Lindner | Otremba | Smith | Vickerman |
Broecker | Kalis | Macklin | Ozment | Solberg | Weaver |
Commers | Kelso | Mares | Paulsen | Stanek | Wenzel |
Daggett | Kielkucki | McElroy | Pawlenty | Stang | Westfall |
Davids | Knight | Milbert | Pelowski | Sviggum | Westrom |
Dehler | Knoblach | Molnau | Peterson | Swenson, D. | Winter |
Dempsey | Koppendrayer | Mulder | Pugh | Swenson, H. | Wolf |
Finseth | Kraus | Murphy | Reuter | Sykora | Workman |
Those who voted in the negative were:
Abrams | Erhardt | Huntley | Leppik | Opatz | Slawik |
Bakk | Evans | Jaros | Long | Orfield | Tomassoni |
Biernat | Farrell | Jefferson | Luther | Osthoff | Trimble |
Carlson | Folliard | Jennings | Mahon | Paymar | Wagenius |
Chaudhary | Garcia | Johnson, A. | Mariani | Rest | Wejcman |
Clark | Greenfield | Johnson, R. | Marko | Rhodes | Spk. Carruthers |
Dawkins | Greiling | Kahn | McCollum | Rukavina | |
Delmont | Hausman | Kinkel | McGuire | Sekhon | |
Dorn | Hilty | Koskinen | Mullery | Skare | |
Entenza | Holsten | Leighton | Munger | Skoglund | |
The motion prevailed and the amendment to the amendment was adopted.
The question recurred on the Hasskamp et al amendment, as amended, and the roll was called. There were 81 yeas and 53 nays as follows:
Those who voted in the affirmative were:
Anderson, B. | Haas | Kubly | Nornes | Rostberg | Tuma |
Anderson, I. | Harder | Kuisle | Olson, E. | Schumacher | Tunheim |
Bettermann | Hasskamp | Larsen | Olson, M. | Seagren | Van Dellen |
Boudreau | Holsten | Lieder | Opatz | Seifert | Vickerman |
Bradley | Juhnke | Lindner | Osskopp | Smith | Weaver |
Broecker | Kalis | Macklin | Otremba | Solberg | Wenzel |
Commers | Kelso | Mares | Ozment | Stanek | Westfall |
Daggett | Kielkucki | McElroy | Paulsen | Stang | Westrom |
Davids | Kinkel | Milbert | Pawlenty | Sviggum | Winter |
Dehler | Knight | Molnau | Pelowski | Swenson, D. | Wolf |
Dempsey | Knoblach | Mulder | Peterson | Swenson, H. | Workman |
Finseth | Koppendrayer | Mullery | Pugh | Sykora | |
Goodno | Kraus | Murphy | Reuter | Tingelstad | |
Gunther | Krinkie | Ness | Rifenberg | Tompkins | |
Those who voted in the negative were:
Abrams | Dorn | Hausman | Koskinen | McGuire | Skare |
Bakk | Entenza | Hilty | Leighton | Munger | Skoglund |
Biernat | Erhardt | Huntley | Leppik | Orfield | Slawik |
Bishop | Evans | Jaros | Long | Osthoff | Tomassoni |
Carlson | Farrell | Jefferson | Luther | Paymar | Trimble |
Chaudhary | Folliard | Jennings | Mahon | Rest | Wagenius |
Clark | Garcia | Johnson, A. | Mariani | Rhodes | Wejcman |
Dawkins | Greenfield | Johnson, R. | Marko | Rukavina | Spk. Carruthers |
Delmont | Greiling | Kahn | McCollum | Sekhon | |
Abrams | Finseth | Knight | McGuire | Pugh | Sykora |
Anderson, B. | Folliard | Knoblach | Molnau | Rest | Tingelstad |
Anderson, I. | Garcia | Koppendrayer | Mulder | Reuter | Tomassoni |
Bettermann | Goodno | Kraus | Mullery | Rhodes | Tompkins |
Biernat | Greiling | Krinkie | Munger | Rifenberg | Trimble |
Bishop | Gunther | Kubly | Murphy | Rostberg | Tuma |
Journal of the House - 48th Day - Top of Page 3247 |
|||||
Boudreau | Haas | Kuisle | Ness | Rukavina | Tunheim |
Bradley | Harder | Larsen | Nornes | Schumacher | Van Dellen |
Broecker | Hasskamp | Leighton | Olson, E. | Seagren | Vickerman |
Carlson | Hilty | Leppik | Olson, M. | Seifert | Wagenius |
Chaudhary | Holsten | Lieder | Opatz | Sekhon | Weaver |
Commers | Huntley | Lindner | Orfield | Skare | Wenzel |
Daggett | Jefferson | Long | Osskopp | Skoglund | Westfall |
Davids | Jennings | Luther | Osthoff | Slawik | Westrom |
Dehler | Johnson, A. | Macklin | Otremba | Smith | Winter |
Delmont | Johnson, R. | Mahon | Ozment | Solberg | Wolf |
Dempsey | Juhnke | Mares | Paulsen | Stanek | Workman |
Dorn | Kalis | Mariani | Pawlenty | Stang | Spk. Carruthers |
Erhardt | Kelso | Marko | Paymar | Sviggum | |
Evans | Kielkucki | McCollum | Pelowski | Swenson, D. | |
Farrell | Kinkel | McElroy | Peterson | Swenson, H. | |
Those who voted in the negative were:
Bakk | Dawkins | Greenfield | Jaros | Koskinen |
Clark | Entenza | Hausman | Kahn | Wejcman |
The motion prevailed and the amendment was adopted.
Vickerman moved to amend S. F. No. 1908, the second unofficial engrossment, as amended, as follows:
Page 6, line 26, after "provide" insert "appropriate personnel and"
Page 6, line 30, after "developed" insert ", evaluated, and changed where needed,"
Page 6, line 33, after "empowerment" insert ", best interests and outcomes which strengthens and supports children and their families"
The motion prevailed and the amendment was adopted.
Boudreau moved to amend S. F. No. 1908, the second unofficial engrossment, as amended, as follows:
Page 45, line 31, delete "UNIVERSALLY OFFERED"
Page 45, line 34, delete "universally offered" and insert "existing"
Page 45, line 35, delete everything after "programs"
Page 45, delete line 36
Page 46, delete lines 1 to 4
Page 46, line 5, delete everything before "The purpose"
Page 46, delete lines 8 to 17
Page 46, line 19, after the period insert "Only"
Abrams | Dempsey | Koppendrayer | Mulder | Seagren | Tuma |
Anderson, B. | Erhardt | Kraus | Nornes | Seifert | Van Dellen |
Bettermann | Finseth | Krinkie | Olson, M. | Smith | Vickerman |
Bishop | Goodno | Kuisle | Osskopp | Stanek | Weaver |
Boudreau | Gunther | Larsen | Ozment | Stang | Westfall |
Bradley | Haas | Leppik | Paulsen | Sviggum | Westrom |
Broecker | Harder | Lindner | Pawlenty | Swenson, D. | Wolf |
Commers | Holsten | Macklin | Reuter | Swenson, H. | Workman |
Daggett | Kielkucki | Mares | Rhodes | Sykora | |
Davids | Knight | McElroy | Rifenberg | Tingelstad | |
Dehler | Knoblach | Molnau | Rostberg | Tompkins | |
Those who voted in the negative were:
Journal of the House - 48th Day - Top of Page 3249 |
|||||
Anderson, I. | Folliard | Johnson, R. | Mahon | Orfield | Skoglund |
Bakk | Garcia | Juhnke | Mariani | Osthoff | Slawik |
Biernat | Greenfield | Kahn | Marko | Otremba | Solberg |
Carlson | Greiling | Kalis | McCollum | Paymar | Tomassoni |
Chaudhary | Hasskamp | Kelso | McGuire | Pelowski | Trimble |
Clark | Hausman | Kinkel | Milbert | Peterson | Tunheim |
Dawkins | Hilty | Koskinen | Mullery | Pugh | Wagenius |
Delmont | Huntley | Kubly | Munger | Rest | Wejcman |
Dorn | Jaros | Leighton | Murphy | Rukavina | Wenzel |
Entenza | Jefferson | Lieder | Ness | Schumacher | Winter |
Evans | Jennings | Long | Olson, E. | Sekhon | Spk. Carruthers |
Farrell | Johnson, A. | Luther | Opatz | Skare | |
The motion did not prevail and the amendment was not adopted.
Seifert, Harder, Hasskamp and Wenzel moved to amend S. F. No. 1908, the second unofficial engrossment, as amended, as follows:
Pages 84 to 87, delete section 11
Renumber the sections in sequence and correct internal references
Amend the title accordingly
A roll call was requested and properly seconded.
The question was taken on the Seifert et al amendment and the roll was called. There were 44 yeas and 90 nays as follows:
Those who voted in the affirmative were:
Anderson, B. | Finseth | Kraus | Nornes | Seifert | Van Dellen |
Anderson, I. | Goodno | Krinkie | Olson, M. | Stanek | Weaver |
Bettermann | Harder | Kuisle | Osskopp | Stang | Westfall |
Broecker | Hasskamp | Larsen | Reuter | Sviggum | Westrom |
Daggett | Holsten | Lindner | Rhodes | Swenson, D. | |
Davids | Kielkucki | Molnau | Rifenberg | Tingelstad | |
Dehler | Knight | Mulder | Rostberg | Tompkins | |
Dempsey | Koppendrayer | Ness | Seagren | Tuma | |
Those who voted in the negative were:
Abrams | Evans | Johnson, R. | Mahon | Otremba | Smith |
Bakk | Farrell | Juhnke | Mares | Ozment | Solberg |
Biernat | Folliard | Kahn | Mariani | Paulsen | Swenson, H. |
Bishop | Garcia | Kalis | Marko | Pawlenty | Sykora |
Boudreau | Greenfield | Kelso | McCollum | Paymar | Tomassoni |
Bradley | Greiling | Kinkel | McElroy | Pelowski | Trimble |
Carlson | Gunther | Knoblach | McGuire | Peterson | Tunheim |
Chaudhary | Haas | Koskinen | Milbert | Pugh | Vickerman |
Clark | Hausman | Kubly | Mullery | Rest | Wagenius |
Commers | Hilty | Leighton | Munger | Rukavina | Wejcman |
Dawkins | Huntley | Leppik | Murphy | Schumacher | Wenzel |
Delmont | Jaros | Lieder | Olson, E. | Sekhon | Winter |
Dorn | Jefferson | Long | Opatz | Skare | Wolf |
Entenza | Jennings | Luther | Orfield | Skoglund | Workman |
Erhardt | Johnson, A. | Macklin | Osthoff | Slawik | Spk. Carruthers |
Anderson, B. | Kielkucki | Krinkie | Lindner | Osskopp | Workman |
Dehler | Knight | Kuisle | Olson, M. | Rukavina | |
Those who voted in the negative were:
Abrams | Evans | Kahn | McElroy | Pugh | Tingelstad |
Anderson, I. | Farrell | Kalis | McGuire | Rest | Tomassoni |
Bakk | Finseth | Kelso | Milbert | Reuter | Tompkins |
Bettermann | Folliard | Kinkel | Molnau | Rhodes | Trimble |
Biernat | Garcia | Knoblach | Mulder | Rifenberg | Tuma |
Bishop | Goodno | Koppendrayer | Mullery | Rostberg | Tunheim |
Boudreau | Greenfield | Koskinen | Munger | Schumacher | Van Dellen |
Bradley | Greiling | Kraus | Murphy | Seagren | Vickerman |
Broecker | Gunther | Kubly | Ness | Seifert | Wagenius |
Carlson | Haas | Larsen | Nornes | Sekhon | Weaver |
Chaudhary | Harder | Leighton | Olson, E. | Skare | Wejcman |
Clark | Hasskamp | Leppik | Opatz | Skoglund | Wenzel |
Commers | Hausman | Lieder | Orfield | Slawik | Westfall |
Daggett | Hilty | Long | Osthoff | Smith | Westrom |
Davids | Huntley | Luther | Otremba | Solberg | Winter |
Dawkins | Jaros | Macklin | Ozment | Stanek | Wolf |
Delmont | Jefferson | Mahon | Paulsen | Stang | Spk. Carruthers |
Dempsey | Jennings | Mares | Pawlenty | Sviggum | |
Dorn | Johnson, A. | Mariani | Paymar | Swenson, D. | |
Entenza | Johnson, R. | Marko | Pelowski | Swenson, H. | |
Erhardt | Juhnke | McCollum | Peterson | Sykora | |
The motion did not prevail and the amendment was not adopted.
Winter moved that the House recess subject to the call of the Chair. The motion prevailed.
RECONVENED
The House reconvened and was called to order by the Speaker.
Slawik was excused between the hours of 5:00 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.
Tompkins moved to amend S. F. No. 1908, the second unofficial engrossment, as amended, as follows:
Page 45, lines 6 to 30, delete section 17
A roll call was requested and properly seconded.
The question was taken on the Tompkins amendment and the roll was called.
Winter moved that those not voting be excused from voting. The motion prevailed.
There were 72 yeas and 60 nays as follows:
Those who voted in the affirmative were:
Anderson, B. | Goodno | Koppendrayer | Ness | Rostberg | Tingelstad |
Anderson, I. | Gunther | Kraus | Nornes | Schumacher | Tompkins |
Bettermann | Haas | Krinkie | Olson, M. | Seagren | Tuma |
Boudreau | Harder | Kubly | Osskopp | Seifert | Tunheim |
Bradley | Hasskamp | Kuisle | Otremba | Smith | Van Dellen |
Broecker | Juhnke | Larsen | Ozment | Solberg | Weaver |
Commers | Kalis | Lindner | Paulsen | Stanek | Wenzel |
Daggett | Kelso | Macklin | Pawlenty | Stang | Westfall |
Davids | Kielkucki | Mares | Pelowski | Sviggum | Westrom |
Dehler | Kinkel | Molnau | Peterson | Swenson, D. | Winter |
Dempsey | Knight | Mulder | Reuter | Swenson, H. | Wolf |
Finseth | Knoblach | Murphy | Rifenberg | Sykora | Workman |
Those who voted in the negative were:
Abrams | Entenza | Holsten | Leppik | Milbert | Rukavina |
Bakk | Erhardt | Huntley | Lieder | Munger | Sekhon |
Biernat | Evans | Jaros | Long | Olson, E. | Skare |
Bishop | Farrell | Jefferson | Luther | Opatz | Skoglund |
Carlson | Folliard | Jennings | Mahon | Orfield | Tomassoni |
Chaudhary | Garcia | Johnson, A. | Mariani | Osthoff | Trimble |
Clark | Greenfield | Johnson, R. | Marko | Paymar | Vickerman |
Dawkins | Greiling | Kahn | McCollum | Pugh | Wagenius |
Delmont | Hausman | Koskinen | McElroy | Rest | Wejcman |
Dorn | Hilty | Leighton | McGuire | Rhodes | Spk. Carruthers |
The motion prevailed and the amendment was adopted.
Bradley, Kalis and Jennings moved to amend S. F. No. 1908, the second unofficial engrossment, as amended, as follows:
Page 22, line 58, delete "28,477,000" and insert
"28,602,000"
Page 23, after line 22, insert:
"[EBT TRANSACTION COSTS.] (a) Of the amount appropriated
for the statewide expansion of electronic benefit transfer (EBT), $350,000 for
the biennium is to reimburse participating retailers at the rate of eight cents
per transaction for the new costs associated with the change from paper food
stamp coupons to electronic food stamp benefits. This reimbursement is only
available to retailers utilizing their own EBT equipment; it is not available to
retailers utilizing EBT equipment that is supplied by the commissioner of human
services. Any balance remaining in the first year does not cancel, but is
available in the second year. This appropriation shall not be added to the base
for this activity in the 2000-2001 biennial budget.
(b) The commissioner, in consultation with retailers
participating in the food stamp program in counties that have implemented EBT,
retailers in counties that have not implemented EBT, representatives of the
Minnesota grocers association, and an independent party that has a demonstrated
capacity to become knowledgeable about food stamp transactions and EBT
transactions, shall conduct a study of the statewide expansion of EBT. The study
shall examine and quantify the savings to the state of implementing EBT
statewide and the true EBT-related costs of participating retailers. The
commissioner shall report the results of the study to the legislature by January
15, 1998. The report must include, at a minimum, a recommendation of whether a
transaction fee for participating retailers is necessary, and the amount of the
transaction fee if one is recommended."
Adjust the totals accordingly
The motion prevailed and the amendment was adopted.
Haas moved to amend S. F. No. 1908, the second
unofficial engrossment, as amended, as follows:
Page 7, line 3, delete "315,298,000" and insert
"314,587,000" and delete "365,302,000" and insert "364,152,000"
Page 7, line 6, delete "335,659,000" and insert
"335,493,000" and delete "404,346,000" and insert "403,053,000"
Page 7, line 39, delete "168,967,000" and insert
"168,737,000" and delete "168,792,000" and insert "168,444,000"
Adjust the totals accordingly
Page 108, line 26 to page 109, line 23, delete sections
18 and 19
Renumber the sections in sequence and correct internal
references
Amend the title accordingly
The motion prevailed and the amendment was adopted.
Knight moved to amend S. F. No. 1908, the second
unofficial engrossment, as amended, as follows:
Page 41, line 3, after "their" insert "consciences
or"
Abrams | Erhardt | Kelso | Mares | Paulsen | Sviggum |
Anderson, B. | Evans | Kielkucki | Mariani | Pawlenty | Swenson, D. |
Anderson, I. | Farrell | Kinkel | Marko | Pelowski | Swenson, H. |
Bakk | Finseth | Knight | McCollum | Peterson | Sykora |
Bettermann | Folliard | Knoblach | McElroy | Pugh | Tingelstad |
Biernat | Garcia | Koppendrayer | McGuire | Rest | Tomassoni |
Bishop | Goodno | Koskinen | Milbert | Reuter | Tompkins |
Boudreau | Greiling | Kraus | Molnau | Rhodes | Tuma |
Bradley | Gunther | Krinkie | Mulder | Rifenberg | Tunheim |
Broecker | Haas | Kubly | Mullery | Rostberg | Van Dellen |
Carlson | Harder | Kuisle | Murphy | Schumacher | Vickerman |
Chaudhary | Hasskamp | Larsen | Ness | Seagren | Wagenius |
Commers | Hilty | Leighton | Nornes | Seifert | Weaver |
Daggett | Holsten | Leppik | Olson, E. | Skare | Wenzel |
Davids | Jefferson | Lieder | Olson, M. | Skoglund | Westfall |
Dehler | Jennings | Lindner | Opatz | Slawik | Westrom |
Delmont | Johnson, A. | Long | Orfield | Smith | Winter |
Dempsey | Johnson, R. | Luther | Osskopp | Solberg | Wolf |
Journal of the House - 48th Day - Top of Page 3255 |
|||||
Dorn | Juhnke | Macklin | Otremba | Stanek | Workman |
Entenza | Kalis | Mahon | Ozment | Stang | Spk. Carruthers |
Those who voted in the negative were:
Dawkins | Hausman | Jaros | Osthoff | Sekhon |
Greenfield | Huntley | Kahn | Paymar | Trimble |
The motion prevailed and the second portion of the Tompkins amendment was adopted.
The first portion of the Tompkins amendment to S. F. No. 1908, the unofficial engrossment, as amended, reads as follows:
Page 27, after line 31, insert:
"[EXPANSION TARGETED TO ABSTINENCE.] Of this appropriation, $600,000 for each year is from the increased appropriation to expand family planning services for family planning grants to fund abstinence education and counseling programs for minors under section 145.925."
Renumber the sections in sequence and correct internal references
Amend the title accordingly
A roll call was requested and properly seconded.
The question was taken on the first portion of the Tompkins amendment and the roll was called.
Marko moved that those not voting be excused from voting. The motion prevailed.
There were 69 yeas and 64 nays as follows:
Those who voted in the affirmative were:
Anderson, B. | Goodno | Kraus | Nornes | Schumacher | Tuma |
Anderson, I. | Gunther | Krinkie | Olson, M. | Seagren | Van Dellen |
Bettermann | Haas | Kubly | Osskopp | Seifert | Vickerman |
Boudreau | Harder | Kuisle | Otremba | Smith | Weaver |
Bradley | Holsten | Larsen | Ozment | Stanek | Wenzel |
Broecker | Juhnke | Lindner | Paulsen | Stang | Westfall |
Journal of the House - 48th Day - Top of Page 3256 |
|||||
Commers | Kalis | Macklin | Pawlenty | Sviggum | Westrom |
Daggett | Kelso | Mares | Pelowski | Swenson, D. | Wolf |
Davids | Kielkucki | McElroy | Peterson | Swenson, H. | Workman |
Dehler | Knight | Molnau | Reuter | Sykora | |
Dempsey | Knoblach | Mulder | Rifenberg | Tingelstad | |
Finseth | Koppendrayer | Ness | Rostberg | Tompkins | |
Those who voted in the negative were:
Abrams | Erhardt | Jefferson | Luther | Opatz | Slawik |
Bakk | Evans | Jennings | Mahon | Orfield | Solberg |
Biernat | Farrell | Johnson, A. | Mariani | Osthoff | Tomassoni |
Bishop | Folliard | Johnson, R. | Marko | Paymar | Trimble |
Carlson | Garcia | Kahn | McCollum | Pugh | Tunheim |
Chaudhary | Greenfield | Kinkel | McGuire | Rest | Wagenius |
Clark | Greiling | Koskinen | Milbert | Rhodes | Wejcman |
Dawkins | Hausman | Leighton | Mullery | Rukavina | Winter |
Delmont | Hilty | Leppik | Munger | Sekhon | Spk. Carruthers |
Dorn | Huntley | Lieder | Murphy | Skare | |
Entenza | Jaros | Long | Olson, E. | Skoglund | |
The motion prevailed and the first portion of the Tompkins amendment was adopted.
Seagren and Mulder moved to amend S. F. No. 1908, the second unofficial engrossment, as amended, as follows:
Pages 42 to 43, delete section 11
Renumber the sections in sequence and correct internal references
Amend the title accordingly
A roll call was requested and properly seconded.
The question was taken on the Seagren and Mulder amendment and the roll was called.
Winter moved that those not voting be excused from voting. The motion prevailed.
There were 63 yeas and 70 nays as follows:
Those who voted in the affirmative were:
Abrams | Dempsey | Kraus | Mulder | Seagren | Tuma |
Anderson, B. | Erhardt | Krinkie | Nornes | Seifert | Van Dellen |
Bettermann | Finseth | Kubly | Olson, M. | Smith | Vickerman |
Bishop | Gunther | Kuisle | Osskopp | Stanek | Weaver |
Boudreau | Haas | Larsen | Ozment | Stang | Westfall |
Bradley | Harder | Leppik | Paulsen | Sviggum | Westrom |
Broecker | Holsten | Lindner | Pawlenty | Swenson, D. | Wolf |
Commers | Kielkucki | Macklin | Reuter | Swenson, H. | Workman |
Daggett | Knight | Mares | Rhodes | Sykora | |
Davids | Knoblach | McElroy | Rifenberg | Tingelstad | |
Dehler | Koppendrayer | Molnau | Rostberg | Tompkins | |
Those who voted in the negative were:
Anderson, I. | Folliard | Johnson, A. | Mahon | Osthoff | Slawik |
Bakk | Garcia | Johnson, R. | Mariani | Otremba | Solberg |
Biernat | Goodno | Juhnke | Marko | Paymar | Tomassoni |
Carlson | Greenfield | Kahn | McCollum | Pelowski | Trimble |
Chaudhary | Greiling | Kalis | Milbert | Peterson | Tunheim |
Clark | Hasskamp | Kelso | Mullery | Pugh | Wagenius |
Dawkins | Hausman | Kinkel | Munger | Rest | Wejcman |
Delmont | Hilty | Koskinen | Murphy | Rukavina | Wenzel |
Dorn | Huntley | Leighton | Ness | Schumacher | Winter |
Entenza | Jaros | Lieder | Olson, E. | Sekhon | Spk. Carruthers |
Evans | Jefferson | Long | Opatz | Skare | |
Farrell | Jennings | Luther | Orfield | Skoglund | |
The motion did not prevail and the amendment was not adopted.
Sviggum moved to amend S. F. No. 1908, the second unofficial engrossment, as amended, as follows:
Pages 375 to 378, delete article 10
Amend the title accordingly
A roll call was requested and properly seconded.
The question was taken on the Sviggum amendment and the roll was called.
Winter moved that those not voting be excused from voting. The motion prevailed.
There were 24 yeas and 105 nays as follows:
Those who voted in the affirmative were:
Biernat | Entenza | Hilty | Long | Orfield | Sekhon |
Clark | Greenfield | Jaros | Mariani | Osthoff | Skoglund |
Dawkins | Greiling | Jefferson | McGuire | Paymar | Wagenius |
Delmont | Hausman | Kahn | Munger | Rukavina | Wejcman |
Those who voted in the negative were:
Abrams | Finseth | Koppendrayer | Milbert | Rest | Tingelstad |
Anderson, B. | Garcia | Koskinen | Molnau | Reuter | Tomassoni |
Anderson, I. | Goodno | Kraus | Mulder | Rhodes | Tompkins |
Bettermann | Gunther | Krinkie | Mullery | Rifenberg | Tuma |
Bishop | Haas | Kubly | Murphy | Rostberg | Tunheim |
Boudreau | Harder | Kuisle | Ness | Schumacher | Van Dellen |
Bradley | Hasskamp | Larsen | Nornes | Seagren | Vickerman |
Broecker | Holsten | Leighton | Olson, E. | Seifert | Weaver |
Carlson | Huntley | Leppik | Olson, M. | Skare | Wenzel |
Chaudhary | Jennings | Lieder | Opatz | Slawik | Westfall |
Commers | Johnson, A. | Lindner | Osskopp | Smith | Westrom |
Daggett | Juhnke | Luther | Otremba | Solberg | Winter |
Journal of the House - 48th Day - Top of Page 3258 |
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Davids | Kalis | Macklin | Ozment | Stanek | Wolf |
Dehler | Kelso | Mahon | Paulsen | Stang | Workman |
Dempsey | Kielkucki | Mares | Pawlenty | Sviggum | Spk. Carruthers |
Dorn | Kinkel | Marko | Pelowski | Swenson, D. | |
Erhardt | Knight | McCollum | Peterson | Swenson, H. | |
Evans | Knoblach | McElroy | Pugh | Sykora | |
The motion did not prevail and the amendment was not adopted.
Leppik and Greenfield moved to amend S. F. No. 1908, the second unofficial engrossment, as amended, as follows:
Page 49, line 27, after "that" insert:
"the pharmacy or pharmacist require the purchaser to return for disposal an equal or greater number of used hypodermic needles and syringes as is purchased, and"
The motion prevailed and the amendment was adopted.
Haas moved to amend S. F. No. 1908, the second unofficial engrossment, as amended, as follows:
Page 21, delete lines 45 and 46
Page 21, line 47, delete everything before "Any" and insert "$25,000 to the commissioner of human services to separately publish once each year the names and last known addresses of the 25 persons who are in arrears on child support obligations by the largest dollar amounts, as determined from the list compiled under Minnesota Statutes, section 518.575. This duty is in addition to the publication duties imposed on the commissioner under Minnesota Statutes, section 518.575. The protections provided to obligors under Minnesota Statutes, section 518.575 apply to obligors identified under this section."
Correct the totals accordingly
A roll call was requested and properly seconded.
The question was taken on the Haas amendment and the roll was called.
Marko moved that those not voting be excused from voting. The motion prevailed.
There were 60 yeas and 71 nays as follows:
Those who voted in the affirmative were:
Abrams | Dehler | Knight | McElroy | Rifenberg | Tingelstad |
Anderson, B. | Dempsey | Koppendrayer | Molnau | Rostberg | Tompkins |
Bettermann | Erhardt | Kraus | Mulder | Seagren | Tuma |
Bishop | Finseth | Krinkie | Nornes | Seifert | Van Dellen |
Boudreau | Goodno | Kuisle | Olson, M. | Smith | Vickerman |
Bradley | Gunther | Larsen | Osskopp | Stanek | Weaver |
Broecker | Haas | Leppik | Paulsen | Sviggum | Westfall |
Commers | Harder | Lindner | Pawlenty | Swenson, D. | Westrom |
Daggett | Holsten | Macklin | Reuter | Swenson, H. | Wolf |
Davids | Kielkucki | Mares | Rhodes | Sykora | Workman |
Those who voted in the negative were:
Anderson, I. | Garcia | Kahn | Mariani | Osthoff | Skoglund |
Bakk | Greenfield | Kalis | Marko | Otremba | Solberg |
Biernat | Greiling | Kelso | McCollum | Ozment | Stang |
Carlson | Hasskamp | Kinkel | McGuire | Paymar | Tomassoni |
Chaudhary | Hausman | Knoblach | Milbert | Pelowski | Trimble |
Clark | Hilty | Koskinen | Mullery | Peterson | Tunheim |
Journal of the House - 48th Day - Top of Page 3259 |
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Dawkins | Huntley | Kubly | Munger | Pugh | Wagenius |
Dorn | Jaros | Leighton | Murphy | Rest | Wejcman |
Entenza | Jefferson | Lieder | Ness | Rukavina | Wenzel |
Evans | Jennings | Long | Olson, E. | Schumacher | Winter |
Farrell | Johnson, A. | Luther | Opatz | Sekhon | Spk. Carruthers |
Folliard | Johnson, R. | Mahon | Orfield | Skare | |
The motion did not prevail and the amendment was not adopted.
Knight moved to amend S. F. No. 1908, the second unofficial engrossment, as amended, as follows:
Page 109, line 33, before the semicolon, insert "in public programs"
Page 110, line 5, after "all" insert "public"
A roll call was requested and properly seconded.
The question was taken on the Knight amendment and the roll was called.
Winter moved that those not voting be excused from voting. The motion prevailed.
There were 30 yeas and 101 nays as follows:
Those who voted in the affirmative were:
Abrams | Kielkucki | Kuisle | Olson, M. | Seagren | Tompkins |
Anderson, B. | Knight | Lindner | Osskopp | Sviggum | Tuma |
Bishop | Koppendrayer | McElroy | Paulsen | Swenson, D. | Van Dellen |
Bradley | Kraus | Molnau | Pawlenty | Swenson, H. | Westrom |
Dehler | Krinkie | Mulder | Rifenberg | Tingelstad | Workman |
Those who voted in the negative were:
Anderson, I. | Farrell | Jennings | Macklin | Otremba | Solberg |
Bakk | Finseth | Johnson, A. | Mahon | Ozment | Stanek |
Biernat | Folliard | Johnson, R. | Mares | Paymar | Stang |
Boudreau | Garcia | Juhnke | Mariani | Pelowski | Sykora |
Broecker | Goodno | Kahn | Marko | Peterson | Tomassoni |
Carlson | Greenfield | Kalis | McCollum | Pugh | Trimble |
Chaudhary | Greiling | Kelso | McGuire | Rest | Tunheim |
Clark | Gunther | Kinkel | Milbert | Reuter | Vickerman |
Commers | Haas | Knoblach | Mullery | Rhodes | Wagenius |
Daggett | Harder | Koskinen | Munger | Rostberg | Weaver |
Davids | Hasskamp | Kubly | Murphy | Rukavina | Wejcman |
Dawkins | Hausman | Larsen | Ness | Schumacher | Wenzel |
Dempsey | Hilty | Leighton | Nornes | Seifert | Westfall |
Dorn | Holsten | Leppik | Olson, E. | Sekhon | Winter |
Entenza | Huntley | Lieder | Opatz | Skare | Wolf |
Erhardt | Jaros | Long | Orfield | Skoglund | Spk. Carruthers |
Evans | Jefferson | Luther | Osthoff | Smith | |
Abrams | Dehler | Knoblach | Molnau | Rifenberg | Tingelstad |
Anderson, B. | Erhardt | Koppendrayer | Mulder | Seagren | Tompkins |
Bishop | Finseth | Kraus | Ness | Seifert | Tuma |
Boudreau | Gunther | Krinkie | Nornes | Stanek | Van Dellen |
Bradley | Haas | Kuisle | Olson, M. | Stang | Vickerman |
Broecker | Harder | Leppik | Osskopp | Sviggum | Weaver |
Commers | Holsten | Lindner | Paulsen | Swenson, D. | Westrom |
Daggett | Kielkucki | Macklin | Pawlenty | Swenson, H. | Wolf |
Davids | Knight | McElroy | Reuter | Sykora | Workman |
Those who voted in the negative were:
Anderson, I. | Garcia | Juhnke | Mares | Ozment | Slawik |
Bakk | Goodno | Kahn | Mariani | Paymar | Smith |
Biernat | Greenfield | Kalis | Marko | Pelowski | Solberg |
Carlson | Greiling | Kelso | McGuire | Peterson | Tomassoni |
Chaudhary | Hasskamp | Kinkel | Milbert | Pugh | Trimble |
Clark | Hausman | Koskinen | Mullery | Rest | Tunheim |
Dawkins | Hilty | Kubly | Munger | Rhodes | Wagenius |
Dempsey | Huntley | Larsen | Murphy | Rostberg | Wejcman |
Dorn | Jaros | Leighton | Olson, E. | Rukavina | Wenzel |
Entenza | Jefferson | Lieder | Opatz | Schumacher | Westfall |
Evans | Jennings | Long | Orfield | Sekhon | Winter |
Farrell | Johnson, A. | Luther | Osthoff | Skare | Spk. Carruthers |
Folliard | Johnson, R. | Mahon | Otremba | Skoglund | |
The motion did not prevail and the amendment was not adopted.
Clark, Jaros, Dawkins, Rukavina and Hausman moved to amend S. F. No. 1908, the second unofficial engrossment, as amended, as follows:
Page 24, after line 6, insert:
"Subd. 13. Poverty Elimination Supplement 55,000,000 215,000,000
This appropriation is intended to represent ten percent
of the expected budgetary surplus and is to fully fund department of human
services programs to accomplish the following policies.
[STATE GRANTS FOR NONCITIZENS AND CHILDREN.] Provide
state grants for noncitizens and children who have lost their eligibility for
SSI as a result of Public Law Number 104-193. The amount of each individual
grant shall be the amount necessary to replace the lost SSI grant.
[STATE GRANTS FOR NONCITIZENS AND ADULTS WITHOUT
CHILDREN.] Provide state grants for noncitizens and adults without children who
have lost their eligibility for food stamps as a result of Public Law Number
104-193. The amount of each individual grant shall be the amount necessary to
replace the lost food stamp grant.
[TRANSPORTATION AND CHILD CARE EXPENSES.] Provide
transportation and child care expenses, not otherwise provided, in sufficient
amounts to assist individuals seeking to pursue educational opportunities as a
means of achieving self-suffiency.
[RENTAL HOUSING SUBSIDIES.] Notwithstanding any contrary
provision of law, rental housing subsidies provided by the department of housing
and urban development through state or local housing authorities shall not be
counted as unearned income to the family for the individuals applying for or
receiving public assistance. The provision in this paragraph prevails over any
contrary provision enacted.
[MAINTAIN THE CHILD SUPPORT PASS-THROUGH PAYMENTS.]
Notwithstanding any contrary provision of law enacted, the child support
pass-though under existing law remains valid. This provision prevails over any
contrary provision enacted.
The department of finance shall prepare a report to the
legislature due on January 15, 1998, to propose legislation which would direct
$160,000,000 for the purposes of ending poverty in Minnesota, creating living
wage jobs, and establishing a system of affordable housing, education, and
health care."
Adjust totals accordingly
Renumber or reletter in sequence and correct internal
references
Amend the title accordingly
The motion did not prevail and the amendment was not
adopted.
Abrams raised a point of order pursuant to rule 3.12
relating to amendments to appropriation and tax bills. The Speaker ruled the
point of order not well taken.
Tompkins offered an amendment to S. F. No. 1908, the
second unofficial engrossment, as amended.
Greenfield requested a division of the Tompkins
amendment to S. F. No. 1908, the second unofficial engrossment, as amended.
The first portion of the Tompkins amendment to S. F. No.
1908, the second unofficial engrossment, as amended, reads as follows:
Page 5, line 64, delete "38,027,000" and insert
"36,567,000"
Adjust the totals accordingly
A roll call was requested and properly seconded.
The question was taken on the first portion of the
Tompkins amendment and the roll was called. There were 3 yeas and 131 nays as
follows:
Those who voted in the affirmative were:
McElroy | Tompkins | Wolf |
Those who voted in the negative were:
Abrams | Erhardt | Juhnke | Mahon | Paulsen | Stang |
Anderson, B. | Evans | Kahn | Mares | Pawlenty | Sviggum |
Anderson, I. | Farrell | Kalis | Mariani | Paymar | Swenson, D. |
Bakk | Finseth | Kelso | Marko | Pelowski | Swenson, H. |
Bettermann | Folliard | Kielkucki | McCollum | Peterson | Sykora |
Biernat | Garcia | Kinkel | McGuire | Pugh | Tingelstad |
Bishop | Goodno | Knight | Milbert | Rest | Tomassoni |
Boudreau | Greenfield | Knoblach | Molnau | Reuter | Trimble |
Bradley | Greiling | Koppendrayer | Mulder | Rhodes | Tuma |
Broecker | Gunther | Koskinen | Mullery | Rifenberg | Tunheim |
Carlson | Haas | Kraus | Munger | Rostberg | Van Dellen |
Chaudhary | Harder | Krinkie | Murphy | Rukavina | Vickerman |
Clark | Hasskamp | Kubly | Ness | Schumacher | Wagenius |
Commers | Hausman | Kuisle | Nornes | Seagren | Weaver |
Daggett | Hilty | Larsen | Olson, E. | Seifert | Wejcman |
Davids | Holsten | Leighton | Olson, M. | Sekhon | Wenzel |
Dawkins | Huntley | Leppik | Opatz | Skare | Westfall |
Dehler | Jaros | Lieder | Orfield | Skoglund | Westrom |
Delmont | Jefferson | Lindner | Osskopp | Slawik | Winter |
Dempsey | Jennings | Long | Osthoff | Smith | Workman |
Dorn | Johnson, A. | Luther | Otremba | Solberg | Spk. Carruthers |
Entenza | Johnson, R. | Macklin | Ozment | Stanek | |
The motion did not prevail and the first portion of the Tompkins amendment was not adopted.
The second portion of the Tompkins amendment to S. F. No. 1908, the second engrossment, as amended, reads as follows:
Page 117, after line 11, insert:
"Subd. 17. [TRANSPORTATION COSTS.] (a) Medical
assistance covers transportation costs incurred solely for obtaining emergency
medical care or transportation costs incurred by nonambulatory persons in
obtaining emergency or nonemergency medical care when paid directly to an
ambulance company, common carrier, or other recognized providers of
transportation services. For the purpose of this subdivision, a person who is
incapable of transport by taxicab or bus shall be considered to be
nonambulatory.
(b) Medical assistance covers special transportation, as
defined in Minnesota Rules, part 9505.0315, subpart 1, item F, if the provider
receives and maintains a current physician's order by the recipient's attending
physician certifying that the recipient has a physical or mental impairment that
would prohibit the recipient from safely accessing and using a bus, taxi, other
commercial transportation, or private automobile. Special transportation
includes driver-assisted service to eligible individuals. Driver-assisted
service includes passenger pickup at and return to the individual's residence or
place of business, assistance with admittance of the individual to the medical
facility, and assistance in passenger securement or in securing of wheelchairs
or stretchers in the vehicle. The commissioner shall establish maximum medical
assistance reimbursement rates for special transportation services for persons
who need a wheelchair lift van or stretcher-equipped vehicle and for those who
do not need a wheelchair lift van or stretcher-equipped vehicle. The average of
these two rates must not exceed Adjust the totals accordingly
A roll call was requested and properly seconded.
The question was taken on the second portion of the
Tompkins amendment and the roll was called.
Winter moved that those not voting be excused from
voting. The motion prevailed.
There were 49 yeas and 84 nays as follows:
Those who voted in the affirmative were:
$14 $15 for the base rate and $1.10 $1.20 per mile.
Special transportation provided to nonambulatory persons who do not need a
wheelchair lift van or stretcher-equipped vehicle, may be reimbursed at a lower
rate than special transportation provided to persons who need a wheelchair lift
van or stretcher-equipped vehicle."
Anderson, B. | Dempsey | Koppendrayer | Olson, M. | Stanek | Westfall |
Bettermann | Goodno | Kraus | Ozment | Stang | Westrom |
Boudreau | Gunther | Krinkie | Paulsen | Sviggum | Wolf |
Bradley | Haas | Larsen | Pawlenty | Swenson, D. | Workman |
Broecker | Harder | Lindner | Reuter | Swenson, H. | |
Commers | Holsten | McElroy | Rifenberg | Tingelstad | |
Daggett | Kielkucki | Molnau | Rostberg | Tompkins | |
Davids | Knight | Mulder | Seagren | Van Dellen | |
Dehler | Knoblach | Nornes | Seifert | Weaver | |
Those who voted in the negative were:
Abrams | Farrell | Juhnke | Mahon | Osskopp | Slawik |
Anderson, I. | Folliard | Kahn | Mares | Osthoff | Smith |
Bakk | Garcia | Kalis | Mariani | Otremba | Solberg |
Biernat | Greenfield | Kelso | Marko | Paymar | Sykora |
Bishop | Greiling | Kinkel | McCollum | Pelowski | Tomassoni |
Carlson | Hasskamp | Koskinen | McGuire | Peterson | Trimble |
Chaudhary | Hausman | Kubly | Milbert | Pugh | Tuma |
Clark | Hilty | Kuisle | Mullery | Rest | Tunheim |
Dawkins | Huntley | Leighton | Munger | Rhodes | Vickerman |
Delmont | Jaros | Leppik | Murphy | Rukavina | Wagenius |
Dorn | Jefferson | Lieder | Ness | Schumacher | Wejcman |
Entenza | Jennings | Long | Olson, E. | Sekhon | Wenzel |
Erhardt | Johnson, A. | Luther | Opatz | Skare | Winter |
Evans | Johnson, R. | Macklin | Orfield | Skoglund | Spk. Carruthers |
Abrams | Dempsey | Knoblach | Molnau | Rifenberg | Swenson, H. |
Anderson, B. | Erhardt | Koppendrayer | Mulder | Rostberg | Sykora |
Bakk | Farrell | Kraus | Ness | Rukavina | Tingelstad |
Bettermann | Finseth | Krinkie | Nornes | Schumacher | Tompkins |
Bishop | Folliard | Kuisle | Olson, E. | Seagren | Trimble |
Boudreau | Goodno | Larsen | Olson, M. | Seifert | Tuma |
Bradley | Gunther | Leppik | Osskopp | Smith | Van Dellen |
Broecker | Haas | Lindner | Ozment | Solberg | Weaver |
Commers | Harder | Macklin | Paulsen | Stanek | Westfall |
Daggett | Holsten | Mares | Pawlenty | Stang | Westrom |
Davids | Kielkucki | McElroy | Reuter | Sviggum | Wolf |
Dehler | Knight | Milbert | Rhodes | Swenson, D. | Workman |
Those who voted in the negative were:
Anderson, I. | Greenfield | Juhnke | Mahon | Otremba | Tunheim |
Biernat | Greiling | Kahn | Mariani | Paymar | Vickerman |
Carlson | Hasskamp | Kalis | Marko | Pelowski | Wagenius |
Journal of the House - 48th Day - Top of Page 3265 |
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Chaudhary | Hausman | Kelso | McCollum | Peterson | Wejcman |
Clark | Hilty | Kinkel | McGuire | Pugh | Wenzel |
Dawkins | Huntley | Koskinen | Mullery | Rest | Winter |
Delmont | Jaros | Kubly | Munger | Sekhon | Spk. Carruthers |
Dorn | Jefferson | Leighton | Murphy | Skare | |
Entenza | Jennings | Lieder | Opatz | Skoglund | |
Evans | Johnson, A. | Long | Orfield | Slawik | |
Garcia | Johnson, R. | Luther | Osthoff | Tomassoni | |
The motion prevailed and the amendment was adopted.
Seagren moved to amend S. F. No. 1908, the second unofficial engrossment, as amended, as follows:
Page 25, line 39, after the period, insert:
"If any portion of this appropriation for community health services subsidies and technical assistance is used to support, expand, or create community immunization registries or birth defects registries, consent must be obtained from the individual to be enrolled in the registry, or from the individual's parent or guardian if the individual is a minor or lacks capacity to consent. The individual must consent to enrollment in the registry and to the release of medical records and data to governmental entities, officials, and representatives and other entities and individuals."
A roll call was requested and properly seconded.
The question was taken on the Seagren amendment and the roll was called.
Winter moved that those not voting be excused from voting. The motion prevailed.
There were 61 yeas and 70 nays as follows:
Those who voted in the affirmative were:
Anderson, B. | Farrell | Krinkie | Osskopp | Smith | Vickerman |
Bettermann | Finseth | Kuisle | Osthoff | Stanek | Weaver |
Boudreau | Gunther | Larsen | Otremba | Stang | Westfall |
Bradley | Haas | Lindner | Ozment | Sviggum | Westrom |
Broecker | Harder | Luther | Paulsen | Swenson, D. | Wolf |
Commers | Holsten | Mares | Pawlenty | Swenson, H. | Workman |
Daggett | Kielkucki | McElroy | Reuter | Sykora | |
Davids | Knight | Molnau | Rifenberg | Tingelstad | |
Dehler | Knoblach | Mulder | Rostberg | Tompkins | |
Dempsey | Koppendrayer | Nornes | Seagren | Tuma | |
Erhardt | Kraus | Olson, M. | Seifert | Van Dellen | |
Those who voted in the negative were:
Anderson, I. | Folliard | Johnson, R. | Macklin | Opatz | Skoglund |
Bakk | Garcia | Juhnke | Mahon | Orfield | Slawik |
Biernat | Goodno | Kahn | Mariani | Paymar | Solberg |
Bishop | Greenfield | Kalis | Marko | Pelowski | Tomassoni |
Carlson | Greiling | Kelso | McCollum | Peterson | Trimble |
Chaudhary | Hausman | Kinkel | McGuire | Pugh | Tunheim |
Journal of the House - 48th Day - Top of Page 3266 |
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Clark | Hilty | Koskinen | Milbert | Rest | Wagenius |
Dawkins | Huntley | Kubly | Mullery | Rhodes | Wejcman |
Delmont | Jaros | Leighton | Munger | Rukavina | Wenzel |
Dorn | Jefferson | Leppik | Murphy | Schumacher | Winter |
Entenza | Jennings | Lieder | Ness | Sekhon | |
Evans | Johnson, A. | Long | Olson, E. | Skare | |
The motion did not prevail and the amendment was not adopted.
S. F. No. 1908, A bill for an act relating to the operation of state government services; appropriating money for the operation of the departments of human services and health, the veterans home board, the health related boards, the disability council, the ombudsman for families, and the ombudsman for mental health and mental retardation; including provisions for agency management; children's programs; basic health care programs; medical assistance and general assistance medical care; long-term care; state-operated services; mental health and developmentally disabled; MinnesotaCare; child support enforcement; assistance to families; health department; amending Minnesota Statutes 1996, sections 13.99, by adding a subdivision; 16A.124, subdivision 4b; 62D.04, subdivision 5; 62E.02, subdivision 13; 62E.14, by adding a subdivision; 103I.101, subdivision 6; 103I.208; 103I.401, subdivision 1; 144.0721, subdivision 3; 144.121, subdivision 1, and by adding subdivisions; 144.125; 144.2215; 144.226, subdivision 1, and by adding a subdivision; 144.3351; 144.394; 144A.071, subdivisions 1, 2, and 4a; 144A.073, subdivision 2; 145.925, subdivision 9; 153A.17; 157.15, by adding subdivisions; 157.16, subdivision 3; 245.03, subdivision 2; 245.4882, subdivision 5; 245.493, subdivision 1, and by adding a subdivision; 245.652, subdivisions 1 and 2; 245.98, by adding a subdivision; 246.02, subdivision 2; 252.025, subdivisions 1, 4, and by adding a subdivision; 252.28, by adding a subdivision; 252.32, subdivisions 1a, 3, 3a, 3c, and 5; 254.04; 254B.02, subdivisions 1 and 3; 254B.04, subdivision 1; 254B.09, subdivisions 4, 5, and 7; 256.01, subdivision 2, and by adding a subdivision; 256.025, subdivisions 2 and 4; 256.045, subdivisions 3, 3b, 4, 5, 7, 8, and 10; 256.476, subdivisions 2, 3, 4, and 5; 256.82, subdivision 1, and by adding a subdivision; 256.871, subdivision 6; 256.935; 256.969, subdivision 1; 256.9695, subdivision 1; 256B.037, subdivision 1a; 256B.04, by adding a subdivision; 256B.056, subdivisions 4, 5, and 8; 256B.0625, subdivisions 13 and 15; 256B.0626; 256B.0627, subdivision 5, and by adding a subdivision; 256B.064, subdivisions 1a, 1c, and 2; 256B.0911, subdivisions 2 and 7; 256B.0912, by adding a subdivision; 256B.0913, subdivisions 10, 14, 15, and by adding a subdivision; 256B.0915, subdivision 3, and by adding a subdivision; 256B.19, subdivisions 1, 2a, and 2b; 256B.421, subdivision 1; 256B.431, subdivision 25, and by adding a subdivision; 256B.433, by adding a subdivision; 256B.434, subdivisions 2, 3, 4, 9, and 10; 256B.48, subdivision 6; 256B.49, subdivision 1, and by adding a subdivision; 256B.69, subdivisions 2, 3a, 5, 5b, and by adding subdivisions; 256D.03, subdivisions 2, 2a, 3b, and 6; 256D.36; 256F.11, subdivision 2; 256G.02, subdivision 6; 256G.05, subdivision 2; 256I.05, subdivision 1a, and by adding a subdivision; 256J.50, by adding a subdivision; 326.37, subdivision 1; 393.07, subdivision 2; 466.01, subdivision 1; 469.155, subdivision 4; 471.59, subdivision 11; 626.556, subdivisions 10b, 10d, 10e, 10f, 11c, and by adding a subdivision; 626.558, subdivisions 1 and 2; and 626.559, subdivision 5; Laws 1995, chapter 207, articles 6, section 115; and 8, section 41, subdivision 2; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapters 144; 145A; 157; 252; 256B; and 257; repealing Minnesota Statutes 1996, sections 145.9256; 256.026; 256.82, subdivision 1; 256B.041, subdivision 5; 256B.0625, subdivision 13b; 256B.19, subdivision 1a; and 469.154, subdivision 6; Minnesota Rules, part 9505.1000.
The bill was read for the third time, as amended, and placed upon its final passage.
The question was taken on the passage of the bill and the roll was called. There were 123 yeas and 11 nays as follows:
Those who voted in the affirmative were:
Abrams | Evans | Kielkucki | McGuire | Rest | Tingelstad |
Anderson, B. | Farrell | Kinkel | Milbert | Reuter | Tomassoni |
Anderson, I. | Finseth | Knoblach | Molnau | Rhodes | Tompkins |
Bakk | Folliard | Koppendrayer | Mulder | Rifenberg | Trimble |
Bettermann | Garcia | Koskinen | Mullery | Rostberg | Tuma |
Biernat | Goodno | Kraus | Munger | Rukavina | Tunheim |
Bishop | Greenfield | Kubly | Murphy | Schumacher | Van Dellen |
Boudreau | Greiling | Kuisle | Ness | Seagren | Vickerman |
Bradley | Gunther | Larsen | Nornes | Seifert | Wagenius |
Broecker | Haas | Leighton | Olson, E. | Sekhon | Weaver |
Carlson | Harder | Leppik | Olson, M. | Skare | Wejcman |
Chaudhary | Hasskamp | Lieder | Opatz | Skoglund | Wenzel |
Journal of the House - 48th Day - Top of Page 3267 |
|||||
Commers | Holsten | Lindner | Orfield | Slawik | Westfall |
Daggett | Huntley | Long | Osskopp | Smith | Westrom |
Davids | Jefferson | Luther | Otremba | Solberg | Winter |
Dehler | Jennings | Macklin | Ozment | Stanek | Wolf |
Delmont | Johnson, A. | Mahon | Paulsen | Stang | Workman |
Dempsey | Johnson, R. | Mares | Pawlenty | Sviggum | Spk. Carruthers |
Dorn | Juhnke | Marko | Pelowski | Swenson, D. | |
Entenza | Kalis | McCollum | Peterson | Swenson, H. | |
Erhardt | Kelso | McElroy | Pugh | Sykora | |
Those who voted in the negative were:
Clark | Hausman | Jaros | Knight | Mariani | Paymar |
Dawkins | Hilty | Kahn | Krinkie | Osthoff | |
The bill was passed, as amended, and its title agreed to.
There being no objection, the order of business reverted to Messages from the Senate.
The following messages were received from the Senate:
Mr. Speaker:
I hereby announce the passage by the Senate of the following House File, herewith returned, as amended by the Senate, in which amendments the concurrence of the House is respectfully requested:
H. F. No. 2163, A bill for an act relating to the
financing and operation of state and local government; providing for property
tax reform; providing for education financing; limiting education revenue
referenda for 1997; changing property tax refunds for homeowners and renters;
changing truth-in-taxation requirements; providing for joint truth-in-taxation
hearings; imposing levy limits on cities and counties; changing fiscal note
requirements for state mandates; providing for reimbursement for costs of state
mandates; providing for certain property tax exemptions; establishing a property
tax reform account; providing a refundable credit for 1997 property taxes;
making miscellaneous property tax changes; providing a senior citizens property
tax deferral program; changing aids to local governments; changing tax increment
financing provisions; authorizing certain tax increment districts; exempting
certain tax increment districts from certain requirements; authorizing local
taxes, levies, and abatements; conforming certain income tax laws with changes
in federal law; providing income tax credits; modifying the application of sales
and excise taxes; exempting certain purchases from the sales tax; modifying
waste management tax and taconite tax provisions; increasing the budget reserve;
revising the law governing regional development commissions; providing for
certain payments to counties; making miscellaneous technical changes and
corrections; requiring studies; appropriating money; amending Minnesota Statutes
1996, sections 6.76; 16A.152, subdivision 2; 69.021, subdivision 7; 93.41;
103D.905, subdivisions 4, 5, and by adding a subdivision; 115A.554; 116.07,
subdivision 10; 117.155; 121.15, by adding a subdivision; 122.247, subdivision
3; 122.45, subdivision 3a; 122.531, subdivisions 4a and 9; 122.533; 122.535,
subdivision 6; 124.2131, subdivision 1; 124.239, subdivision 5, and by adding
subdivisions; 124.2601, subdivisions 2 and 3; 124.2711, subdivisions 1 and 5;
124.2713, subdivision 1; 124.2714; 124.2715, subdivision 1; 124.2716,
subdivision 2; 124.2725, subdivisions 2, 6, 13, and 14; 124.2726, subdivisions 1
and 3; 124.2727, subdivision 6a; 124.312, subdivision 5; 124.313; 124.4945;
124.83, subdivision 3; 124.91, subdivisions 1, 2, 5, and 7; 124.912,
subdivisions 1, 3, 6, and 7; 124.914, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, and 4; 124.916,
subdivisions 1, 3, and 4; 124.918, subdivision 8; 124.95, subdivision 1;
124A.03, subdivision 1g; 124A.23, subdivision 1; 124A.292, subdivision 2;
161.45, by adding a subdivision; 216B.16, by adding
subdivisions; 270.60, by adding a subdivision; 270B.02, by adding a subdivision;
270B.12, by adding a subdivision; 271.01, subdivision 5; 271.19; 272.02,
subdivision 1, and by adding a subdivision; 272.115; 273.11, subdivisions 1a,
16, and by adding a subdivision; 273.111, subdivisions 3 and 6; 273.112, by
adding a subdivision; 273.121; 273.124, subdivisions 1, 14, and by adding a
subdivision; 273.13, subdivisions 1, 22, 23, 24, 25, 31, and by adding
subdivisions; 273.135, subdivision 2; 273.1391, subdivision 2; 273.1398,
subdivisions 1, 1a, 6, 8, and by adding subdivisions; 273.18; 274.01; 274.13, by
adding subdivisions; 275.065, subdivisions 1, 3, 5a, 6, 8, and by adding
subdivisions; 275.07, subdivision 4; 275.08, subdivision 1b; 276.04, subdivision
2; 276A.04; 276A.05, subdivisions 1 and 5; 276A.06, subdivisions 2, 3, 5, and 9;
278.07; 281.13; 281.23, subdivision 6; 281.273; 281.276; 282.01, subdivision 8;
282.04, subdivision 1; 287.22; 289A.02, subdivision 7; 289A.26, subdivisions 2,
3, 6, and 7; 289A.56, subdivision 4; 290.01, subdivisions 19, 19a, 19b, 19c,
19d, 19g, and 31; 290.014, subdivisions 2 and 3; 290.015, subdivision 5; 290.06,
subdivision 22, and by adding subdivisions; 290.067, subdivision 1; 290.068,
subdivision 1; 290.0922, subdivision 1; 290.17, subdivision 1; 290.371,
subdivision 2; 290.92, by adding a subdivision; 290.9725; 290.9727, subdivision
1; 290.9728, subdivision 1; 290A.03, subdivisions 6, 7, 11, and 13; 290A.04,
subdivisions 1, 2, 6, and by adding a subdivision; 290A.19; 291.005, subdivision
1; 295.50, subdivision 6; 295.58; 296.141, subdivision 4; 296.18, subdivision 1;
297A.01, subdivisions 3, 4, 7, 11, 15, and 16; 297A.02, subdivision 2; 297A.14,
subdivision 4; 297A.211, subdivision 1; 297A.25, subdivisions 2, 3, 7, 11, 56,
59, and by adding subdivisions; 297A.45; 297B.01, subdivisions 7 and 8; 297E.02,
subdivision 6; 297E.04, subdivision 3; 298.24, subdivision 1; 298.28,
subdivisions 2, 3, 4, 5, 9a, and by adding subdivisions; 298.2961, subdivision
1; 298.75, subdivisions 1, 4, and by adding a subdivision; 325D.33, subdivision
3; 349.12, subdivision 26a; 349.154, subdivision 2; 349.163, subdivision 8;
349.19, subdivision 2a; 349.191, subdivision 1b; 373.40, subdivision 7; 398A.04,
subdivision 1; 462.381; 462.383; 462.384, subdivision 5; 462.385; 462.386,
subdivision 1; 462.387; 462.388; 462.389, subdivisions 1, 3, and 4; 462.39,
subdivisions 2 and 3; 462.391, subdivision 5, and by adding subdivisions;
462.393; 462.394; 462.396; 462.398; 469.012, subdivision 1; 469.033, subdivision
6; 469.040, subdivision 3, and by adding a subdivision; 469.174, subdivisions
10, 19, and by adding subdivisions; 469.175, subdivision 3, and by adding
subdivisions; 469.176, subdivisions 1b, 2, 4c, 4g, 4j, and 6; 469.177,
subdivisions 1, 3, and 4; 473F.06; 473F.07, subdivisions 1 and 5; 473F.08,
subdivisions 2, 3, 5, and 8a; 477A.011, subdivisions 20, 34, 35, 36, 37, and by
adding subdivisions; 477A.013, subdivisions 1 and 9; 477A.03, subdivision 2; and
477A.05; Laws 1992, chapter 511, article 2, section 52; Laws 1993, chapter 375,
article 9, section 45, subdivisions 2, 3, 4, and by adding a subdivision; Laws
1995, chapter 264, article 5, sections 44, subdivision 4, as amended; and 45,
subdivision 1, as amended; Laws 1997, chapter 34, section 2; proposing coding
for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapters 3; 14; 16A; 124; 124A; 270; 273;
275; 290; 297A; 383A; 383B; 458D; 462A; 469; 477A; proposing coding for new law
as Minnesota Statutes, chapter 290B; repealing Minnesota Statutes 1996, sections
3.982; 124.2131, subdivision 3a; 124.2134; 124.225, subdivisions 1, 3a, 7a, 7b,
7d, 7e, 7f, 8a, 8k, 8l, 8m, 9, 10, 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17; 124.226; 124.2442;
124.2601, subdivisions 4, 5, and 6; 124.2711, subdivisions 2a and 3; 124.2713,
subdivisions 6, 6a, 6b, and 7; 124.2715, subdivisions 2 and 3; 124.2716,
subdivisions 3 and 4; 124.2725, subdivisions 3, 4, 5, and 7; 124.2727,
subdivisions 6b, 6c, and 9; 124.314, subdivision 2; 124.321; 124.91,
subdivisions 2, 4, and 7; 124.912, subdivision 2; 124A.029; 124A.03,
subdivisions 2a and 3b; 124A.0311; 124A.22, subdivisions 4a, 4b, 8a, 8b, 13d,
and 13e; 124A.23, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, and 4; 124A.26, subdivisions 2 and 3;
124A.292, subdivisions 3 and 4; 270B.12, subdivision 11; 273.13, subdivisions
21a and 32; 273.1315; 273.1317; 273.1318; 273.1398, subdivisions 2, 2c, 2d, 3,
and 3a; 273.1399; 273.166; 275.08, subdivisions 1c and 1d; 275.61; 276.012;
276A.06, subdivision 9; 290A.03, subdivisions 12a and 14; 290A.055; 290A.26;
297A.01, subdivisions 20 and 21; 297A.02, subdivision 5; 297A.25, subdivision
29; 462.384, subdivision 7; 462.385, subdivision 2; 462.389, subdivision 5;
462.391, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, and 9; 462.392; 469.176, subdivisions
1a and 5; 469.1782, subdivision 1; 469.181; 473F.08, subdivision 8a; and 645.34;
Laws 1995, chapter 264, article 4, as amended.
Patrick E. Flahaven, Secretary of the Senate
Long moved that the House refuse to concur in the Senate
amendments to H. F. No. 2163, that the Speaker appoint a Conference Committee of
5 members of the House, and that the House requests that a like committee be
appointed by the Senate to confer on the disagreeing votes of the two houses.
The motion prevailed.
Mr. Speaker:
I hereby announce that the Senate has concurred in and
adopted the report of the Conference Committee on:
S. F. No. 1.
The Senate has repassed said bill in accordance with the
recommendation and report of the Conference Committee. Said Senate File is
herewith returned to the House.
Patrick E. Flahaven, Secretary of the Senate
A bill for an act relating to human services; replacing
the aid to families with dependent children program with the Minnesota family
investment program-statewide; amending Minnesota Statutes 1996, sections 13.46,
subdivisions 1 and 2; 84.98, subdivision 3; 124.17, subdivisions 1d and 1e;
124.175; 124A.02, subdivision 16; 124A.22, subdivision 3; 136A.125, subdivision
2; 196.27; 237.70, subdivision 4a; 254B.02, subdivision 1; 256.01, subdivisions
2 and 4a; 256.017, subdivisions 1 and 4; 256.019; 256.031, subdivision 5, and by
adding subdivisions; 256.033, subdivisions 1 and 1a; 256.046, subdivision 1;
256.736, subdivision 3a; 256.74, subdivision 1; 256.82, subdivision 2; 256.935,
subdivision 1; 256.9354, by adding a subdivision; 256.98, subdivision 8;
256.981; 256.983, subdivisions 1 and 4; 256.9861, subdivision 5; 256B.055,
subdivisions 3, 5, and by adding subdivisions; 256B.056, subdivisions 1a, 3, and
4; 256B.057, subdivisions 1, 1b, and 2b; 256B.06, subdivision 4; 256B.062;
256D.01, subdivisions 1, 1a, and 1e; 256D.02, subdivisions 6 and 12a; 256D.03,
subdivision 3; 256D.05, subdivisions 1, 2, 5, 7, and 8; 256D.051, subdivisions
1a, 2a, 3a, and by adding a subdivision; 256D.055; 256D.06, subdivisions 2 and
5; 256D.08, subdivisions 1 and 2; 256D.09, by adding a subdivision; 256D.435,
subdivision 3; 256D.44, subdivision 5; 256E.03, subdivision 2; 256E.06,
subdivisions 1 and 3; 256E.07, subdivision 1; 256E.08, subdivision 3; 256F.04,
subdivisions 1 and 2; 256F.05, subdivisions 2, 3, 4, 5, and 8; 256F.06,
subdivisions 1 and 2; 256G.01, subdivision 4; 256G.02, subdivision 6; 257.3573,
subdivision 2; 259.67, subdivision 4; 260.38; 268.0111, subdivisions 5 and 7;
268.0122, subdivision 3; 268.552, subdivision 5; 268.6751, subdivision 1;
268.676, subdivision 1; 268.86, subdivision 2; 268.871, subdivision 1; 268.90,
subdivision 2; 268.916; 268.95, subdivision 4; 393.07, subdivision 6; and
477A.0122, subdivision 2; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes,
chapters 256B; and 256D; proposing coding for new law as Minnesota Statutes,
chapters 256J; and 256K; repealing Minnesota Statutes 1996, sections 256.12,
subdivisions 9, 10, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22, and 23; 256.72; 256.73; 256.7341;
256.7351; 256.7352; 256.7353; 256.7354; 256.7355; 256.7356; 256.7357; 256.7358;
256.7359; 256.736, subdivision 19; 256.7365; 256.7366; 256.7381; 256.7382;
256.7383; 256.7384; 256.7385; 256.7386; 256.7387; 256.7388; 256.74, subdivisions
1, 1a, 1b, 2, and 6; 256.745; 256.75; 256.76; 256.78; 256.80; 256.81; 256.82;
256.84; 256.85; 256.86; 256.863; 256.871; 256.8711; 256.879; 256D.02,
subdivision 5; 256D.05, subdivisions 3 and 3a; 256D.0511; 256D.065; 256F.05,
subdivisions 5 and 7; and 256G.05, subdivision 2.
April 27, 1997
The Honorable Allan H. Spear
President of the Senate
The Honorable Phil Carruthers
Speaker of the House of Representatives
We, the undersigned conferees for S. F. No. 1, report
that we have agreed upon the items in dispute and recommend as follows:
That the House recede from its amendments and that S. F.
No. 1 be further amended as follows:
Delete everything after the enacting clause and insert:
Section 1. [256J.01] [ESTABLISHING MINNESOTA FAMILY
INVESTMENT PROGRAM-STATEWIDE.]
Subdivision 1.
[IMPLEMENTATION OF MINNESOTA FAMILY INVESTMENT PROGRAM-STATEWIDE (MFIP-S).] This chapter and chapter 256K may be cited as the Minnesota
family investment program-statewide (MFIP-S). MFIP-S is the statewide
implementation of components of the Minnesota family investment plan (MFIP)
authorized under section 256.031 and Minnesota family investment plan-Ramsey
county (MFIP-R) in section 256.047.
Subd. 2. [IMPLEMENTATION OF
TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES (TANF).] The
Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, Public
Law Number 104-193, eliminates the entitlement program of aid to families with
dependent children (AFDC) and replaces it with block grants to states for
temporary assistance for needy families (TANF). TANF provides cash assistance
for a limited time to families with children and to pregnant women. Minnesota's
TANF assistance will be provided through a statewide expansion of MFIP. The
modifications specified in this chapter are necessary to comply with the new
federal law and to improve MFIP. Eligible applicants and recipients of AFDC,
family general assistance, and food stamps will be converted to the MFIP-S
program. Effective January 1, 1998, any new application received for family cash
assistance will be processed under the rules of chapter 256J. Case maintenance
conversion for existing AFDC and FGA cases to MFIP-S as described in chapter
256J will begin January 1, 1998, and continue through March 31, 1998.
Subd. 3. [RELATIONSHIP TO
OTHER STATUTES AND RULES.] MFIP-S replaces eligibility
for families with children and pregnant women under the general assistance
program, governed by sections 256D.01 to 256D.21 and Minnesota Rules, parts
9500.1200 to 9500.1270.
Subd. 4. [CHANGES TO
WAIVERS.] The commissioner of human services may
negotiate and obtain changes in the federal waivers and terms and conditions
contained in MFIP, MFIP-R, and MFIP-S. The commissioner may also terminate
federal waivers by directing so in the applicable state plan.
Subd. 5. [COMPLIANCE
SYSTEM.] The commissioner shall administer a compliance
system for the state's temporary assistance for needy families (TANF) program,
the food stamp program, emergency assistance, general assistance, medical
assistance, general assistance medical care, emergency general assistance,
Minnesota supplemental aid, preadmission screening, child support program, and
alternative care grants under the powers and authorities named in section
256.01, subdivision 2. The purpose of the compliance system is to permit the
commissioner to supervise the administration of public assistance programs and
to enforce timely and accurate distribution of benefits, completeness of service
and efficient and effective program management and operations, to increase
uniformity and consistency in the administration and delivery of public
assistance programs throughout the state, and to reduce the possibility of
sanction and fiscal disallowances for noncompliance with federal regulations and
state statutes.
Sec. 2. [256J.02] [FEDERAL TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR
NEEDY FAMILIES BLOCK GRANT.]
Subdivision 1.
[COMMISSIONER'S AUTHORITY TO ADMINISTER BLOCK GRANT FUNDS.] The commissioner of human services is authorized to
receive, administer, and expend funds available under the TANF block grant
authorized under title I of Public Law Number 104-193, the Personal
Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996.
Subd. 2. [USE OF MONEY.] State money appropriated for purposes of this section and
TANF block grant money must be used for:
(1) financial assistance to or
on behalf of any minor child who is a resident of this state under section
256J.12;
(2) employment and training
services under this chapter or chapter 256K;
(3) emergency financial
assistance and services under section 256J.48;
(4) diversionary assistance
under section 256J.47; and
(5) program administration under
this chapter.
Subd. 3. [CARRY FORWARD OF
FEDERAL MONEY.] Temporary assistance for needy families
block grant money must be appropriated for the purposes in this section and is
available until expended.
Subd. 4. [AUTHORITY TO
TRANSFER.] Subject to limitations of title I of Public
Law Number 104-193, the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity
Reconciliation Act of 1996, the legislature may transfer money from the TANF
block grant to the child care fund under chapter 119B, or the Title XX block
grant under section 256E.07.
Subd. 5. [INDIRECT COST
LIABILITY.] Notwithstanding the provisions of section
16A.127, the statewide and agency indirect cost liability identified as part of
the TANF grant for any current fiscal year shall be limited to no more than the
amount received in fiscal year 1996.
Sec. 3. [256J.06] [COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT.]
The MFIP-S program must be
administered in a way that, in addition to the county agency, other sectors in
the community such as employers from the public and private sectors,
not-for-profit organizations, educational and social service agencies, program
participants, labor unions, and neighborhood associations are involved.
Sec. 4. [256J.08] [DEFINITIONS.]
Subdivision 1. [SCOPE OF
DEFINITIONS.] The terms used in this chapter have the
following meanings unless otherwise provided for by text.
Subd. 2. [ABSENT PARENT.] "Absent parent" means a minor child's parent who does not
live in the same home as the child.
Subd. 3. [AGENCY ERROR.] "Agency error" means an error that results in an
overpayment or underpayment to an assistance unit and is not caused by an
applicant's or participant's failure to provide adequate, correct, or timely
information about income, property, household composition, or other
circumstances.
Subd. 4. [APPEAL.] "Appeal" means a written statement from an applicant or
participant who requests a hearing under section 256J.31.
Subd. 5. [APPLICANT.] "Applicant" means a person who has submitted to a county
agency an application and whose application has not been acted upon, denied, or
voluntarily withdrawn.
Subd. 6. [APPLICATION.] "Application" means the submission by or on behalf of a
family to a county agency of a completed, signed, and dated form, prescribed by
the commissioner, that indicates the desire to receive assistance.
Subd. 7. [ASSISTANCE UNIT OR
MFIP-S ASSISTANCE UNIT.] "Assistance unit" or "MFIP-S
assistance unit" means a group of mandatory or optional people receiving or
applying for MFIP-S benefits together.
Subd. 8. [AUTHORIZED
REPRESENTATIVE.] "Authorized representative" means a
person who is authorized, in writing, by an applicant or participant to act on
the applicant's or participant's behalf in matters involving the application for
assistance or participation in MFIP-S.
Subd. 9. [BASIC NEEDS.] "Basic needs" means the minimum personal requirements of
subsistence and is restricted to food, clothing, shelter, utilities, and other
items for which the loss, or lack of basic needs, is determined by the county
agency to pose a direct, immediate threat to the physical health or safety of
the applicant or participant.
Subd. 10. [BUDGET MONTH.] "Budget month" means the calendar month which the county
agency uses to determine the income or circumstances of an assistance unit to
calculate the amount of the assistance payment in the payment month.
Subd. 11. [CAREGIVER.] "Caregiver" means a minor child's natural or adoptive
parent or parents who live in the home with the minor child. For purposes of
determining eligibility for this program, caregiver also means any of the
following individuals, if adults, who live with and provide care and support to
a minor child when the minor child's natural or adoptive parent or parents do
not reside in the same home: legal custodians, grandfather, grandmother,
brother, sister, stepfather, stepmother, stepbrother, stepsister, uncle, aunt,
first cousin, nephew, niece, person of preceding generation as denoted by
prefixes of "great," "great-great," or "great-great-great," or a spouse of any
person named in the above groups even after the marriage ends by death or
divorce.
Subd. 12. [CLIENT ERROR.] "Client error" means an error that results in an
overpayment or underpayment and is due to an applicant's or participant's
failure to provide adequate, correct, or timely information concerning income,
property, household composition, or other circumstances.
Subd. 13. [COMMISSIONER.] "Commissioner" means the commissioner of human services or
the commissioner's designated representative.
Subd. 14. [CORRECTIVE
PAYMENT.] "Corrective payment" means an assistance
payment that is made to correct an underpayment.
Subd. 15. [COUNTABLE
INCOME.] "Countable income" means earned and unearned
income that is not excluded under section 256J.21, subdivision 2, or disregarded
under section 256J.21, subdivision 3.
Subd. 16. [COUNTED
EARNINGS.] "Counted earnings" means the earned income
that remains after applicable disregards under section 256J.21, subdivision 4,
have been subtracted from gross earned income.
Subd. 17. [COUNTY AGENCY.]
"County agency" means the agency designated by the
county board to implement financial assistance for current programs and for
MFIP-S and the agency responsible for enforcement of child support collection,
and a county or multicounty agency that is authorized under sections 393.01,
subdivision 7, and 393.07, subdivision 2, to administer MFIP-S.
Subd. 18. [COUNTY BOARD.] "County board" means a board of commissioners, a local
services agency as defined in chapter 393, a board established under the Joint
Powers Act, section 471.59, or a human services board under chapter 402.
Subd. 19. [COUNTY OF
FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY.] "County of financial
responsibility" means the county that has financial responsibility for providing
public assistance as specified in chapter 256G.
Subd. 20. [COUNTY OF
RESIDENCE.] "County of residence" means the county where
the caregiver has established a home.
Subd. 21. [DATE OF
APPLICATION.] "Date of application" means the date on
which the county agency receives an applicant's signed application.
Subd. 22. [DEEM.] "Deem" means to treat all or part of the income of an
individual who is not in the assistance unit, but who is financially responsible
for members of the assistance unit, as if it were income available to the
assistance unit.
Subd. 23. [DEPARTMENT.] "Department" means the Minnesota department of human
services.
Subd. 24. [DISREGARD.] "Disregard" means earned income that is not counted when
determining initial eligibility or ongoing eligibility and calculating the
amount of the assistance payment for participants.
Subd. 25. [DOCUMENTATION.]
"Documentation" means a written statement or record that
substantiates or validates an assertion made by a person or an action taken by a
person, agency, or entity.
Subd. 26. [EARNED INCOME.]
"Earned income" means cash or in-kind income earned
through the receipt of wages, salary, commissions, profit from employment
activities, net profit from self-employment activities, payments made by an
employer for regularly accrued vacation or sick leave, and any other profit from
activity earned through effort or labor.
Subd. 27. [EARNED INCOME TAX
CREDIT.] "Earned income tax credit" means the payment
which can be obtained by a qualified person from an employer or from the
Internal Revenue Service as provided by section 290.0671 and United States Code,
title 26, subtitle A, chapter 1, subchapter A, part 4, subpart C, section
32.
Subd. 28. [EMERGENCY.] "Emergency" means a situation or a set of circumstances
that causes or threatens to cause destitution to a minor child.
Subd. 29. [EQUITY VALUE.] "Equity value" means the amount of equity in real or
personal property owned by a person and is determined by subtracting any
outstanding encumbrances from the fair market value.
Subd. 30. [EXCLUDED TIME.]
"Excluded time" has the meaning given in section
256G.02.
Subd. 31. [EXPEDITED
ISSUANCE OF THE FOOD STAMP PORTION.] "Expedited issuance
of the food stamp portion" means the issuance of the food stamp portion to
eligible assistance units on the day of application as provided in section
393.07, subdivision 10a.
Subd. 32. [FAIR HEARING OR
HEARING.] "Fair hearing" or "hearing" means the
evidentiary hearing conducted by the department appeals referee to resolve
disputes as specified in section 256J.40, or if not applicable, section
256.045.
Subd. 33. [FAIR MARKET
VALUE.] "Fair market value" means the price that an item
of a particular make, model, size, material, or condition would sell for on the
open market in the particular geographic area.
Subd. 34. [FAMILY.] "Family" includes:
(1) the following individuals
who live together: a minor child or a group of minor children related to each
other as siblings, half siblings, stepsiblings, or adoptive siblings, together
with their natural, adoptive parents, stepparents, or caregiver as defined in
subdivision 11; and
(2) a pregnant woman with no
other children.
Subd. 35. [FAMILY WAGE
LEVEL.] "Family wage level" means 110 percent of the
transitional standard.
Subd. 36. [FEDERAL INSURANCE
CONTRIBUTION ACT OR FICA.] "Federal Insurance
Contribution Act" or "FICA" means the federal law under United States Code,
title 26, subtitle C, chapter 21, subchapter A, sections 3101 to 3126, that
requires withholding or direct payment from earned income.
Subd. 37. [FINANCIAL CASE
RECORD.] "Financial case record" means an assistance
unit's financial eligibility file.
Subd. 38. [FULL-TIME
STUDENT.] "Full-time student" means a person who is
enrolled in a graded or ungraded primary, intermediate, secondary, GED
preparatory, trade, technical, vocational, or post-secondary school, and who
meets the school's standard for full-time attendance.
Subd. 39. [GENERAL
EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT OR GED.] "General educational
development" or "GED" means the general educational development certification
issued by the Minnesota board of education as an equivalent to a secondary
school diploma under Minnesota Rules, part 3500.3100, subpart 4.
Subd. 40. [GROSS EARNED
INCOME.] "Gross earned income" means earned income from
employment before mandatory and voluntary payroll deductions. Gross earned
income includes salaries, wages, tips, gratuities, commissions, incentive
payments from work or training programs, payments made by an employer for
regularly accrued vacation or sick leave, and profits from other activity earned
by an individual's effort or labor. Gross earned income includes uniform and
meal allowances if federal income tax is deducted from the allowance. Gross
earned income includes flexible work benefits received from an employer if the
employee has the option of receiving the benefit or benefits in cash.
Subd. 41. [GROSS INCOME.] "Gross income" is the sum of gross earned income and
unearned income.
Subd. 42. [GROSS RECEIPTS.]
"Gross receipts" means the money received by a business
before the expenses of the business are deducted.
Subd. 43. [HALF-TIME
STUDENT.] "Half-time student" means a person who is
enrolled in a graded or ungraded primary, intermediate, secondary, GED
preparatory, trade, technical, vocational, or post-secondary school, and who
meets the school's standard of half-time attendance.
Subd. 44. [HOME.] "Home" means the primary place of residence used by a
person as the base for day-to-day living and does not include locations used as
mail drops.
Subd. 45. [HOMESTEAD.] "Homestead" means the home that is owned by, and is the
usual residence of, the assistance unit together with the surrounding property
which is not separated from the home by intervening property owned by others.
Public rights-of-way, such as roads which run through the surrounding property
and separate it from the home, do not affect the exemption of the property.
Homestead includes an asset that is not real property that the assistance unit
uses as a home, such as a vehicle.
Subd. 46. [HOUSEHOLD.] "Household" means a group of persons who live together.
Subd. 47. [INCOME.] "Income" means cash or in-kind benefit, whether earned or
unearned, received by or available to an applicant or participant that is not an
asset under section 256J.20.
Subd. 48. [INITIAL
ELIGIBILITY.] "Initial eligibility" means the
determination of eligibility for an MFIP-S applicant.
Subd. 49. [IN-KIND INCOME.]
"In-kind income" means income, benefits, or payments
which are provided in a form other than money or liquid assets, including the
forms of goods, produce, services, privileges, or payments made on behalf of an
applicant or participant by a third party.
Subd. 50. [INQUIRY.] "Inquiry" means a communication to a county agency through
mail, telephone, or in person, by which a person or authorized representative
requests information about public assistance. The county agency shall also treat
as an inquiry any communication in which a person requesting assistance offers
information about the person's family circumstances that indicates that
eligibility for public assistance may exist.
Subd. 51. [LEGALLY
AVAILABLE.] "Legally available" means a person's right
under the law to secure, possess, dispose of, or control income or property.
Subd. 52. [LOW-INCOME HOME
ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM OR LIHEAP.] "Low-income home
energy assistance program" or "LIHEAP" means the program authorized under United
States Code, title 42, chapter 94, subchapter II, sections 8621 to 8629, and
administered by the Minnesota department of economic security.
Subd. 53. [LUMP SUM.] "Lump sum" means nonrecurring income that is not excluded
in section 256J.21.
Subd. 54. [MEDICAL
ASSISTANCE.] "Medical assistance" means the program
established under chapter 256B and Title XIX of the Social Security Act.
Subd. 55. [MFIP-S HOUSEHOLD
REPORT FORM.] "MFIP-S household report form" means a
form prescribed by the commissioner that a participant uses to report
information to a county agency about changes in income and other
circumstances.
Subd. 56. [MIGRANT WORKER.]
"Migrant worker" means a person who travels away from
home on a regular basis, usually with a group of other laborers, to seek
employment in an agriculturally related activity.
Subd. 57. [MINNESOTA FAMILY
INVESTMENT PROGRAM-STATEWIDE OR MFIP-S.] "Minnesota
family investment program-statewide" or "MFIP-S" means the assistance program
authorized in this chapter and chapter 256K.
Subd. 58. [MINNESOTA
SUPPLEMENTAL AID OR MSA.] "Minnesota supplemental aid"
or "MSA" means the program established under sections 256D.33 to 256D.54.
Subd. 59. [MINOR CAREGIVER.]
"Minor caregiver" means a person who:
(1) is under the age of 18;
(2) has never been married or
otherwise legally emancipated; and
(3) is either the natural parent
of a minor child living in the same household or is eligible for assistance paid
to a pregnant woman.
Subd. 60. [MINOR CHILD.] "Minor child" means a child who is living in the same home
of a parent or other caregiver, is either less than 18 years of age or is under
the age of 19 years and is regularly attending as a full-time student and is
expected to complete a high school or a secondary level course of vocational or
technical training designed to fit students for gainful employment before
reaching age 19.
Subd. 61. [MONTHLY INCOME
TEST.] "Monthly income test" means the test used to
determine ongoing eligibility and the assistance payment amount according to
section 256J.21.
Subd. 62. [NONRECURRING
INCOME.] "Nonrecurring income" means a form of income
which is received:
(1) only one time or is not of a
continuous nature; or
(2) in a prospective payment
month but is no longer received in the corresponding retrospective payment
month.
Subd. 63. [OVERPAYMENT.] "Overpayment" means the portion of an assistance payment
issued by the county agency that is greater than the amount for which the
assistance unit is eligible.
Subd. 64. [PARENT.] "Parent" means a child's biological or adoptive parent who
is legally obligated to support that child.
Subd. 65. [PARTICIPANT.] "Participant" means a person who is currently receiving
cash assistance and the food portion available through MFIP-S as funded by TANF
and the food stamp program. A person who fails to withdraw or access
electronically any portion of his or her cash assistance payment by the end of
the payment month or who returns any uncashed assistance check and withdraws
from the program is not a participant. A person who withdraws a cash assistance
payment by electronic transfer or receives and cashes a cash assistance check
and is subsequently determined to be ineligible for assistance for that period
of time is a participant, regardless whether that assistance is repaid. The term
"participant" includes the caregiver relative and the minor child whose needs
are included in the assistance payment. A person in an assistance unit who does
not receive a cash assistance payment because he or she has been suspended from
MFIP-S or because his or her need falls below the $10 minimum payment level is a
participant.
Subd. 66. [PAYEE.] "Payee" means a person to whom an assistance payment is
made payable.
Subd. 67. [PAYMENT MONTH.]
"Payment month" means the calendar month for which the
assistance payment is paid.
Subd. 68. [PERSONAL
PROPERTY.] "Personal property" means an item of value
that is not real property, including the value of a contract for deed held by a
seller, assets held in trust on behalf of members of an assistance unit, cash
surrender value of life insurance, value of a prepaid burial, savings account,
value of stocks and bonds, and value of retirement accounts.
Subd. 69. [PROBABLE FRAUD.]
"Probable fraud" means the level of evidence that, if
proven as fact, would establish that assistance has been wrongfully
obtained.
Subd. 70. [PROFESSIONAL
CERTIFICATION.] "Professional certification" means:
(1) a statement about a person's
illness, injury, or incapacity that is signed by a licensed physician,
psychological practitioner, or licensed psychologist, qualified by professional
training and experience to diagnose and certify the person's condition; or
(2) a statement about an
incapacity involving a spinal subluxation condition that is signed by a licensed
chiropractor qualified by professional training and experience to diagnose and
certify the condition.
Subd. 71. [PROSPECTIVE
BUDGETING.] "Prospective budgeting" means a method of
determining the amount of the assistance payment in which the budget month and
payment month are the same.
Subd. 72. [PROTECTIVE
PAYEE.] "Protective payee" means a person other than the
caregiver of an assistance unit who receives the monthly assistance payment on
behalf of an assistance unit and is responsible to provide for the basic needs
of the assistance unit to the extent of that payment.
Subd. 73. [QUALIFIED
NONCITIZEN.] "Qualified noncitizen" means a person:
(1) who was lawfully admitted
for permanent residence pursuant to United States Code, title 8;
(2) who was admitted to the
United States as a refugee pursuant to United States Code, title 8; section
1157;
(3) whose deportation is being
withheld pursuant to United States Code, title 8, section 1253(h);
(4) who was paroled for a period
of at least one year pursuant to United States Code, title 8, section
1182(d)(5);
(5) who was granted conditional
entry pursuant to United State Code, title 8, section 1153(a)(7);
(6) who was granted asylum
pursuant to United States Code, title 8, section 1158; or
(7) determined to be a battered
noncitizen by the United States Attorney General according to the Illegal
Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996, Title V of the
Omnibus Consolidated Appropriations Bill, Public Law Number 104-208.
Subd. 74. [REAL PROPERTY.]
"Real property" means land and all buildings,
structures, and improvements, or other fixtures on the land, belonging or
appertaining to the land, and all mines, minerals, fossils, and trees on or
under the land.
Subd. 75. [REASONABLE
COMPENSATION.] "Reasonable compensation" means the value
received in exchange for property transferred to another owner that is
consistent with fair market value and equals or exceeds the seller's equity in
the property, reduced by costs incurred in the sale.
Subd. 76. [RECERTIFICATION.]
"Recertification" means the periodic review of
eligibility factors to determine an assistance unit's continued eligibility.
Subd. 77. [RECOUPMENT.] "Recoupment" means the action of the county agency to
reduce a family's monthly assistance payment to recover overpayments caused by
client or agency error and overpayments received while an appeal is pending.
Subd. 78. [RECOVERY.] "Recovery" means actions taken by a county agency to
reclaim the value of overpayments through voluntary repayment, recoupment from
the assistance payment, court action, revenue recapture, or federal tax refund
offset program (FTROP).
Subd. 79. [RECURRING
INCOME.] "Recurring income" means a form of income which
is:
(1) received periodically, and
may be received irregularly when receipt can be anticipated even though the date
of receipt cannot be predicted; and
(2) from the same source or of
the same type that is received and budgeted in a prospective month and is
received in one or both of the first two retrospective months.
Subd. 80. [REEMPLOYMENT
INSURANCE.] "Reemployment insurance" means the insurance
benefit paid to an unemployed worker under sections 268.03 to 268.23.
Subd. 81. [RETROSPECTIVE
BUDGETING.] "Retrospective budgeting" means a method of
determining the amount of the assistance payment in which the payment month is
the second month after the budget month.
Subd. 82. [SANCTION.] "Sanction" means the reduction of a family's assistance
payment by a specified percentage of the applicable transitional standard
because: a nonexempt participant fails to comply with the requirements of
sections 256J.52 to 256J.55; a parental caregiver fails without good cause to
cooperate with the child support enforcement requirements; or a participant
fails to comply with the insurance, tort liability, or other requirements of
this chapter.
Subd. 83. [SIGNIFICANT
CHANGE.] "Significant change" means a decline in gross
income of 35 percent or more from the income used to determine the grant for the
current month.
Subd. 84. [SUPPLEMENTAL
SECURITY INCOME OR SSI.] "Supplemental Security Income"
or "SSI" means the program authorized under title XVI of the Social Security
Act.
Subd. 85. [TRANSITIONAL
STANDARD.] "Transitional standard" means the basic
standard for a family with no other income or a nonworking family and is a
combination of the cash assistance needs and food assistance needs for a family
of that size.
Subd. 86. [UNEARNED INCOME.]
"Unearned income" means income received by a person that
does not meet the definition of earned income. Unearned income includes income
from a contract for deed, interest, dividends, reemployment insurance,
disability insurance payments, veterans benefits, pension payments, return on
capital investment, insurance payments or settlements, severance payments, and
payments for illness or disability whether the premium payments are made in
whole or in part by an employer or participant.
Subd. 87. [VENDOR.] "Vendor" means a provider of goods or services.
Subd. 88. [VENDOR PAYMENT.]
"Vendor payment" means a payment authorized by a county
agency to a vendor.
Subd. 89. [VERIFICATION.] "Verification" means the process a county agency uses to
establish the accuracy or completeness of information from an applicant,
participant, third party, or other source as that information relates to program
eligibility or an assistance payment.
Sec. 5. [256J.09] [APPLYING FOR ASSISTANCE.]
Subdivision 1. [WHERE TO
APPLY.] A person must apply for assistance at the county
agency in the county where that person lives.
Subd. 2. [COUNTY AGENCY
RESPONSIBILITY TO PROVIDE INFORMATION.] A county agency
must inform a person who inquires about assistance about eligibility
requirements for assistance and how to apply for assistance, including
diversionary assistance and emergency assistance. A county agency must offer the
person brochures developed or approved by the commissioner that describe how to
apply for assistance.
Subd. 3. [SUBMITTING THE
APPLICATION FORM.] A county agency must offer, in person
or by mail, the application forms prescribed by the commissioner as soon as a
person makes a written or oral inquiry. At that time, the county agency must
inform the person that assistance begins with the date the signed application is
received by the county agency or the date all eligibility criteria are met,
whichever is later. The county agency must inform the applicant that any delay
in submitting the application will reduce the amount of assistance paid for the
month of application. A county agency must inform a person that the person may
submit the application before an interview appointment. To apply for assistance,
a person must submit a signed application to the county agency. Upon receipt of
a signed application, the county agency must stamp the date of receipt on the
face of the application. The county agency must process the application within
the time period required under subdivision 5. An applicant may withdraw the
application at any time by giving written or oral notice to the county agency.
The county agency must issue a written notice confirming the withdrawal. The
notice must inform the applicant of the county agency's understanding that the
applicant has withdrawn the application and no longer wants to pursue it. When,
within ten days of the date of the agency's notice, an applicant informs a
county agency, in writing, that the applicant does not wish to withdraw the
application, the county agency must reinstate the application and finish
processing the application.
Subd. 4. [VERIFICATION OF
INFORMATION ON APPLICATION.] A county agency must verify
information provided by an applicant as required in section 256J.32.
Subd. 5. [PROCESSING
APPLICATIONS.] Upon receiving an application, a county
agency must determine the applicant's eligibility, approve or deny the
application, inform the applicant of its decision according to the notice
provisions in section 256J.31, and, if eligible, issue the assistance payment to
the applicant. When a county agency is unable to
processan application within 30 days, the county agency
must inform the applicant of the reason for the delay in writing. When an
applicant establishes the inability to provide required verification within the
30-day processing period, the county agency may not use the expiration of that
period as the basis for denial. Subd. 6. [INVALID REASON FOR
DELAY.] A county agency must not delay a decision on
eligibility or delay issuing the assistance payment except to establish state
residence by:
(1) treating the 30-day
processing period as a waiting period;
(2) delaying approval or
issuance of the assistance payment pending the decision of the county board;
or
(3) awaiting the result of a
referral to a county agency in another county when the county receiving the
application does not believe it is the county of financial responsibility.
Subd. 7. [CHANGES IN
RESIDENCE DURING APPLICATION.] The requirements in
subdivisions 5 and 6 apply without regard to the length of time that an
applicant remains, or intends to remain, a resident of the county in which the
application is made. When an applicant leaves the county where application was
made but remains in the state, section 256J.75 applies and the county agency may
request additional information from the applicant about changes in circumstances
related to the move.
Subd. 8. [ADDITIONAL
APPLICATIONS.] Until a county agency issues notice of
approval or denial, additional applications submitted by an applicant are void.
However, an application for monthly assistance and an application for emergency
assistance or emergency general assistance may exist concurrently. More than one
application for monthly assistance, emergency assistance, or emergency general
assistance may exist concurrently when the county agency decisions on one or
more earlier applications have been appealed to the commissioner, and the
applicant asserts that a change in circumstances has occurred that would allow
eligibility. A county agency must require additional application forms or
supplemental forms as prescribed by the commissioner when a payee's name
changes, or when a caregiver requests the addition of another person to the
assistance unit.
Subd. 9. [ADDENDUM TO AN
EXISTING APPLICATION.] An addendum to an existing
application must be used to add persons to an assistance unit regardless of
whether the persons being added are required to be in the assistance unit. When
a person is added by addendum to an assistance unit, eligibility for that person
begins on the first of the month the addendum was filed except as provided in
section 256J.74, subdivision 2, clause (1).
Subd. 10. [APPLICANTS WHO DO
NOT MEET ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR MFIP-S.] When an
applicant is not eligible for MFIP-S because the applicant does not meet
eligibility requirements, the county agency must determine whether the applicant
is eligible for food stamps, medical assistance, diversionary assistance, or has
a need for emergency assistance when the applicant meets the eligibility
requirements for those programs.
Sec. 6. [256J.10] [MFIP-S ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS.]
To be eligible for MFIP-S,
applicants must meet the general eligibility requirements in sections 256J.11 to
256J.15, the property limitations in section 256J.20, and the income limitations
in section 256J.21.
Sec. 7. [256J.11] [CITIZENSHIP.]
Subdivision 1. [GENERAL
CITIZENSHIP REQUIREMENTS.] (a) To be eligible for AFDC
or MFIP-S, whichever is in effect, a member of the assistance unit must be a
citizen of the United States, a qualified noncitizen as defined in section
256J.08, or a noncitizen who is otherwise residing lawfully in the United
States.
(b) A qualified noncitizen who
entered the United States on or after August 22, 1996, is eligible for MFIP-S.
However, TANF dollars cannot be used to fund the MFIP-S benefits for an
individual under this paragraph for a period of five years after the date of
entry unless the qualified noncitizen meets one of the following criteria:
(1) was admitted to the United
States as a refugee under United States Code, title 8, section 1157;
(2) was granted asylum under
United States Code, title 8, section 1158;
(3) was granted withholding of
deportation under the United States Code, title 8, section 1253(h);
(4) is a veteran of the United
States Armed Forces with an honorable discharge for a reason other than
noncitizen status, or is a spouse or unmarried minor dependent child of the
same; or
(5) is an individual on active
duty in the United States Armed Forces, other than for training, or is a spouse
or unmarried minor dependent child of the same.
(c) A person who is not a
qualified noncitizen but who is otherwise residing lawfully in the United States
is eligible for MFIP-S. However, TANF dollars cannot be used to fund the MFIP-S
benefits for an individual under this paragraph.
(d) For purposes of this
subdivision, a nonimmigrant in one or more of the classes listed in United
States Code, title 8, section 1101(a)(15), or an undocumented immigrant who
resides in the United States without the approval or acquiescence of the
Immigration and Naturalization Service, is not eligible for MFIP-S.
Subd. 2. [NONCITIZENS;
MFIP-S FOOD PORTION.] For the period January 1, 1998, to
June 30, 1998, noncitizens who do not meet one of the exemptions in section 412
of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996,
but were residing in this state as of July 1, 1997, are eligible for the food
portion of MFIP-S. However, federal food stamp dollars cannot be used to fund
the food portion of MFIP-S benefits for an individual under this
subdivision.
Subd. 3. [BENEFITS FUNDED
WITH STATE MONEY.] Legal adult noncitizens who have
resided in the country for four years or more, whose benefits are funded
entirely with state money, and who are under 70 years of age, must, as a
condition of eligibility:
(1) be enrolled in a literacy
class, English as a second language class, or a citizen class;
(2) be applying for admission to
a literacy class, English as a second language class, and is on a waiting
list;
(3) be in the process of
applying for a waiver from the Immigration and Naturalization Service of the
English language or civics requirements of the citizenship test;
(4) have submitted an
application for citizenship to the Immigration and Naturalization Service and is
waiting for a testing date or a subsequent swearing in ceremony; or
(5) have been denied citizenship
due to a failure to pass the test after two attempts or because of an inability
to understand the rights and responsibilities of becoming a United States
citizen, as documented by the Immigration and Naturalization Service or the
county.
If the county social service
agency determines that a legal noncitizen subject to the requirements of this
subdivision will require more than one year of English language training, then
the requirements of clause (1) or (2) shall be imposed after the legal
noncitizen has resided in the country for three years. Individuals who reside in
a facility licensed under chapter 144A, 144D, 245A, or 256I are exempt from the
requirements of this subdivision.
Sec. 8. [256J.12] [MINNESOTA RESIDENCE.]
Subdivision 1. [SIMPLE
RESIDENCY.] To be eligible for AFDC or MFIP-S, whichever
is in effect, a family must have established residency in this state which means
the family is present in the state and intends to remain here.
Subd. 1a. [30-DAY RESIDENCY
REQUIREMENT.] A family is considered to have established
residency in this state only when a child or caregiver has resided in this state
for at least 30 days with the intention of making the person's home here and not
for any temporary purpose. Time spent in a shelter for battered women shall
count toward satisfying the 30 day residency requirement.
Subd. 2. [EXCEPTIONS.] (a) A county shall waive the 30-day residency requirement
where unusual hardship would result from denial of assistance.
(b) For purposes of this
section, unusual hardship means a family:
(1) is without alternative
shelter; or
(2) is without available
resources for food.
(c) For purposes of this
subdivision, the following definitions apply (1) "metropolitan statistical area"
is as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau; (2) "alternative shelter" includes any
shelter that is located within the metropolitan statistical area containing the
county and for which the family is eligible, provided the family does not have
to travel more than 20 miles to reach the shelter and has access to
transportation to the shelter. Clause (2) does not apply to counties in the
Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan statistical area.
(d) Migrant workers, as defined
in section 256J.08, and their immediate families are exempt from the 30-day
residency requirement, provided the migrant worker provides verification that
the migrant family worked in this state within the last 12 months and earned at
least $1,000 in gross wages during the time the migrant worker worked in this
state.
Subd. 3. [PAYMENT PLAN FOR
NEW RESIDENTS.] Assistance paid to an eligible family in
which all members have resided in this state for fewer than 12 consecutive
calendar months immediately preceding the date of application shall be at the
standard and in the form specified in section 256J.43.
Subd. 4. [SEVERABILITY
CLAUSE.] If any subdivision in this section is enjoined
from implementation or found unconstitutional by any court of competent
jurisdiction, the remaining subdivisions shall remain valid and shall be given
full effect.
Sec. 9. [256J.13] [MINOR CHILD IN ASSISTANCE UNIT;
PHYSICAL PRESENCE.]
Subdivision 1. [MINOR CHILD
OR PREGNANT WOMAN.] The assistance unit must include at
least one minor child or a pregnant woman. If a minor child is a recipient of
Supplemental Security Income or Minnesota supplemental aid, the assistance unit
is eligible for MFIP-S, but the needs of the minor child receiving Supplemental
Security Income or Minnesota supplemental aid must not be taken into account
when the county agency determines the amount of the assistance payment to be
paid to the assistance unit.
Subd. 2. [PHYSICAL
PRESENCE.] A minor child and a caregiver must live
together except as provided in the following paragraphs.
(a) The physical presence
requirement is met when a minor child is required to live away from the
caregiver's home to meet the need for educational curricula that cannot be met
by, but is approved by, the local public school district, the home is maintained
for the minor child's return during periodic school vacations, and the caregiver
continues to maintain responsibility for the support and care of the minor
child.
(b) The physical presence
requirement is met when an applicant caregiver or applicant minor child is away
from the home due to illness or hospitalization, when the home is maintained for
the return of the absent family member, the absence is not expected to last more
than six months beyond the month of departure, and the conditions of clause (1),
(2), or (3) apply:
(1) when the minor child and
caregiver lived together immediately prior to the absence, the caregiver
continues to maintain responsibility for the support and care of the minor
child, and the absence is reported at the time of application;
(2) when the pregnant mother is
hospitalized or out of the home due to the pregnancy; or
(3) when the newborn child and
mother are hospitalized at the time of birth.
(c) The absence of a caregiver
or minor child does not affect eligibility for the month of departure when the
caregiver or minor child received assistance for that month and lived together
immediately prior to the absence. Eligibility also exists in the following month
when the absence ends on or before the tenth day of that month. A temporary
absence of a caregiver or a minor child which continues beyond the month of
departure must not affect eligibility when the home is maintained for the return
of the absent family member, the caregiver continues to maintain responsibility
for the support and care of the minor child, and one of clauses (1) to (7)
applies:
(1) a participant caregiver or
participant child is absent due to illness or hospitalization, and the absence
is expected to last no more than six months beyond the month of departure;
(2) a participant child is out
of the home due to placement in foster care as defined in section 260.015,
subdivision 7, when the placement will not be paid under title IV-E of the
Social Security Act, and when the absence is expected to last no more than six
months beyond the month of departure;
(3) a participant minor child is
out of the home for a vacation, the vacation is not with an absent parent, and
the absence is expected to last no more than two months beyond the month of
departure;
(4) a participant minor child is
out of the home due to a visit or vacation with an absent parent, the home of
the minor child remains with the caregiver, the absence meets the conditions of
this paragraph and the absence is expected to last no more than two months
beyond the month of departure;
(5) a participant caregiver is
out of the home due to a death or illness of a relative, incarceration,
training, or employment search and suitable arrangements have been made for the
care of the minor child, or a participant minor child is out of the home due to
incarceration, and the absence is expected to last no more than two months
beyond the month of departure;
(6) a participant caregiver and
a participant minor child are both absent from Minnesota due to a situation
described in clause (5), except for incarceration, and the absence is expected
to last no more than one month beyond the month of the departure; or
(7) a participant minor child
has run away from home, and another person has not made application for that
minor child, assistance must continue for no more than two months following the
month of departure.
Sec. 10. [256J.14] [ELIGIBILITY FOR PARENTING OR
PREGNANT MINORS.]
(a) The definitions in this
paragraph only apply to this subdivision.
(1) "Household of a parent,
legal guardian, or other adult relative" means the place of residence of:
(i) a natural or adoptive
parent;
(ii) a legal guardian according
to appointment or acceptance under section 260.242, 525.615, or 525.6165, and
related laws; or
(iii) a caregiver.
(2) "Adult-supervised supportive
living arrangement" means a private family setting which assumes responsibility
for the care and control of the minor parent and minor child, or other living
arrangement, not including a public institution, licensed by the commissioner of
human services which ensures that the minor parent receives adult supervision
and supportive services, such as counseling, guidance, independent living skills
training, or supervision.
(b) A minor parent and the minor
child who is in the care of the minor parent must reside in the household of a
parent, legal guardian, other appropriate adult relative, or other caregiver, or
in an adult-supervised supportive living arrangement in order to receive MFIP-S
unless:
(1) the minor parent has no
living parent, other appropriate adult relative, or legal guardian whose
whereabouts is known;
(2) no living parent, other
appropriate adult relative, or legal guardian of the minor parent allows the
minor parent to live in the parent's, appropriate adult relative's, or legal
guardian's home;
(3) the minor parent lived apart
from the minor parent's own parent or legal guardian for a period of at least
one year before either the birth of the minor child or the minor parent's
application for MFIP-S;
(4) the physical or emotional
health or safety of the minor parent or minor child would be jeopardized if the
minor parent and the minor child resided in the same residence with the minor
parent's parent, other appropriate adult relative, or legal guardian; or
(5) an adult supervised
supportive living arrangement is not available for the minor parent and the
dependent child in the county in which the minor currently resides. If an adult
supervised supportive living arrangement becomes available within the county,
the minor parent and child must reside in that arrangement.
(c) Minor applicants must be
informed orally and in writing about the eligibility requirements and their
rights and obligations under the MFIP-S program. The county must advise the
minor of the possible exemptions and specifically ask whether one or more of
these exemptions is applicable. If the minor alleges one or more of these
exemptions, then the county must assist the minor in obtaining the necessary
verifications to determine whether or not these exemptions apply.
(d) If the county worker has
reason to suspect that the physical or emotional health or safety of the minor
parent or minor child would be jeopardized if they resided with the minor
parent's parent or legal guardian, then the county worker must make a referral
to child protective services to determine if paragraph (b), clause (4), applies.
A new determination by the county worker is not necessary if one has been made
within the last six months, unless there has been a significant change in
circumstances which justifies a new referral and determination.
(e) If a minor parent is not
living with a parent or legal guardian due to paragraph (b), clause (1), (2), or
(4), the minor parent must reside, when possible, in a living arrangement that
meets the standards of paragraph (a), clause (2).
(f) When a minor parent and
minor child live with another adult relative, or in an adult-supervised
supportive living arrangement, MFIP-S must be paid, when possible, in the form
of a protective payment on behalf of the minor parent and minor child in
accordance with section 256J.39, subdivisions 2 to 4.
Sec. 11. [256J.15] [OTHER ELIGIBILITY CONDITIONS.]
Subdivision 1. [ELIGIBILITY
WHEN THERE IS SHARED, COURT ORDERED, AND OTHER CUSTODY ARRANGEMENTS.] The language of a court order that specifies joint legal or
physical custody does not preclude a determination that a parent is absent.
Absence must be determined based on the actual facts of the absence according to
paragraphs (a) to (c).
(a) When a minor child spends
time in each of the parents' homes within a payment month, the minor child's
home shall be considered the home in which the majority of the minor child's
time is spent. When this time is exactly equal within a payment month, or when
the parents alternately live in the minor child's home within a payment month,
the minor child's home shall be with that parent who is applying for MFIP-S,
unless the minor child's needs for the full payment month have already been met
through the provision of assistance to the other parent for that month.
(b) When the physical custody of
a minor child alternates between parents for periods of at least one payment
month, each parent shall be eligible for assistance for any full payment months
the minor child's home is with that parent, except under the conditions in
paragraph (c).
(c) When a minor child's home is
with one parent for the majority of time in each month for at least nine
consecutive calendar months, and that minor child visits or vacations with the
other parent under section 256J.13, the minor child's home remains with the
first parent even when the stay with the second parent is for all or the
majority of the months in the period of the temporary absence.
Subd. 2. [ELIGIBILITY DURING
LABOR DISPUTES.] To receive assistance under MFIP-S, a
member of an assistance unit who is on strike must have been an MFIP-S
participant on the day before the strike, or have been eligible for MFIP-S on
the day before the strike.
The county agency must count the
striker's prestrike earnings as current earnings. When a member of an assistance
unit who is not in the bargaining unit that voted for the strike does not cross
the picket line for fear of personal injury, the assistance unit member is not a
striker. Except for a member of an assistance unit who is not in the bargaining
unit that voted for the strike and who does not cross the picket line for fear
of personal injury, a significant change cannot be invoked as a result of a
labor dispute.
Sec. 12. [256J.20] [PROPERTY LIMITATIONS.]
Subdivision 1. [PROPERTY
OWNERSHIP PROVISIONS.] The county agency must apply
paragraphs (a) to (d) to real and personal property. The county agency must use
the equity value of legally available real and personal property, except
property excluded in subdivisions 2 and 3, to determine whether an applicant or
participant is eligible for assistance.
(a) When real or personal
property is jointly owned by two or more persons, the county agency shall assume
that each person owns an equal share, except that either person owns the entire
sum of a joint personal checking or savings account. When an applicant or
participant documents greater or lesser ownership, the county agency must use
that greater or lesser share to determine the equity value held by the applicant
or participant. Other types of ownership must be evaluated according to law.
(b) Real or personal property
owned by the applicant or participant must be presumed legally available to the
applicant or participant unless the applicant or participant documents that the
property is not legally available to the applicant or participant. When real or
personal property is not legally available, its equity value must not be applied
against the limits of subdivisions 2 and 3.
(c) An applicant must disclose
whether the applicant has transferred real or personal property valued in excess
of the property limits in subdivisions 2 and 3 for which reasonable compensation
was not received within one year prior to application. A participant must
disclose all transfers of property valued in excess of these limits, according
to the reporting requirements in section 256J.30, subdivision 9. When a transfer
of real or personal property without reasonable compensation has occurred:
(1) the person who transferred
the property must provide the property's description, information needed to
determine the property's equity value, the names of the persons who received the
property, and the circumstances of and reasons for the transfer; and
(2) when the transferred
property can be reasonably reacquired, or when reasonable compensation can be
secured, the property is presumed legally available to the applicant or
participant.
(d) A participant may build the
equity value of real and personal property to the limits in subdivisions 2 and
3.
Subd. 2. [REAL PROPERTY
LIMITATIONS.] Ownership of real property by an applicant
or participant is subject to the limitations in paragraphs (a) and (b).
(a) A county agency shall
exclude the homestead of an applicant or participant according to clauses (1) to
(4):
(1) an applicant or participant
who is purchasing real property through a contract for deed and using that
property as a home is considered the owner of real property;
(2) the total amount of land
that can be excluded under this subdivision is limited to surrounding property
which is not separated from the home by intervening property owned by others.
Additional property must be assessed as to its legal and actual availability
according to subdivision 1;
(3) when real property that has
been used as a home by a participant is sold, the county agency must treat the
cash proceeds from the sale as excluded property for six months when the
participant intends to reinvest the proceeds in another home and maintains those
proceeds, unused for other purposes, in a separate account; and
(4) when the homestead is
jointly owned, but the client does not reside in it because of legal separation,
pending divorce, or battering or abuse by the spouse or partner, the homestead
is excluded.
(b) The equity value of real
property that is not excluded under paragraph (a) and which is legally available
must be applied against the limits in subdivision 3. When the equity value of
the real property exceeds the limits under subdivision 3, the applicant or
participant may qualify to receive assistance when the applicant or participant
continues to make a good faith effort to sell the property and signs a legally
binding agreement to repay the amount of assistance, less child support
collected by the agency. Repayment must be made within five working days after
the property is sold. Repayment to the county agency must be in the amount of
assistance received or the proceeds of the sale, whichever is less.
Subd. 3. [OTHER PROPERTY
LIMITATIONS.] To be eligible for MFIP-S, the equity
value of all nonexcluded real and personal property of the assistance unit must
not exceed $2,000 for applicants and $5,000 for ongoing recipients. The value of
clauses (1) to (18) must be excluded when determining the equity value of real
and personal property:
(1) licensed vehicles up to a
total market value of less than or equal to $7,500. The county agency shall
apply any excess market value to the asset limit described in this section. If
the assistance unit owns more than one licensed vehicle, the county agency shall
determine the vehicle with the highest market value and count only the market
value over $7,500. The county agency shall count the market value of all other
vehicles and apply this amount to the asset limit described in this section. The
value of special equipment for a handicapped member of the assistance unit is
excluded. To establish the market value of vehicles, a county agency must use
the N.A.D.A. Official Used Car Guide, Midwest Edition, for newer model cars. The
N.A.D.A. Official Used Car Guide, Midwest Edition, is incorporated by reference.
When a vehicle is not listed in the guidebook, or when the applicant or
participant disputes the value listed in the guidebook as unreasonable given the
condition of the particular vehicle, the county agency may require the applicant
or participant to document the value by securing a written statement from a
motor vehicle dealer licensed under section 168.27, stating the amount that the
dealer would pay to purchase the vehicle. The county agency shall reimburse the
applicant or participant for the cost of a written statement that documents a
lower value;
(2) the value of life insurance
policies for members of the assistance unit;
(3) one burial plot per member
of an assistance unit;
(4) the value of personal
property needed to produce earned income, including tools, implements, farm
animals, inventory, business loans, business checking and savings accounts used
exclusively for the operation of a self-employment business, and any motor
vehicles if the vehicles are essential for the self-employment business;
(5) the value of personal
property not otherwise specified which is commonly used by household members in
day-to-day living such as clothing, necessary household furniture, equipment,
and other basic maintenance items essential for daily living;
(6) the value of real and
personal property owned by a recipient of Social Security Income or Minnesota
supplemental aid;
(7) the value of corrective
payments, but only for the month in which the payment is received and for the
following month;
(8) a mobile home used by an
applicant or participant as the applicant's or participant's home;
(9) money in a separate escrow
account that is needed to pay real estate taxes or insurance and that is used
for this purpose;
(10) money held in escrow to
cover employee FICA, employee tax withholding, sales tax withholding, employee
worker compensation, business insurance, property rental, property taxes, and
other costs that are paid at least annually, but less often than monthly;
(11) monthly assistance and
emergency assistance payments for the current month's needs;
(12) the value of school loans,
grants, or scholarships for the period they are intended to cover;
(13) payments listed in section
256J.21, subdivision 2, clause (9), which are held in escrow for a period not to
exceed three months to replace or repair personal or real property;
(14) income received in a budget
month through the end of the budget month;
(15) savings of a minor child or
a minor parent that are set aside in a separate account designated specifically
for future education or employment costs;
(16) the earned income tax
credit and Minnesota working family credit in the month received and the
following month;
(17) payments excluded under
federal law as long as those payments are held in a separate account from any
nonexcluded funds; and
(18) money received by a
participant of the corps to career program under section 84.0887, subdivision 2,
paragraph (b), as a postservice benefit under the federal Americorps Act.
Sec. 13. [256J.21] [INCOME LIMITATIONS.]
Subdivision 1. [INCOME
INCLUSIONS.] To determine MFIP-S eligibility, the county
agency must evaluate income received by members of an assistance unit, or by
other persons whose income is considered available to the assistance unit. All
payments, unless specifically excluded in subdivision 2, must be counted as
income.
Subd. 2. [INCOME
EXCLUSIONS.] (a) The following must be excluded in
determining a family's available income:
(1) payments for basic care,
difficulty of care, and clothing allowances received for providing family foster
care to children or adults under Minnesota Rules, parts 9545.0010 to 9545.0260
and 9555.5050 to 9555.6265, and payments received and used for care and
maintenance of a third-party beneficiary who is not a household member;
(2) reimbursements for
employment training received through the Job Training Partnership Act, United
States Code, title 29, chapter 19, sections 1501 to 1792b;
(3) reimbursement for
out-of-pocket expenses incurred while performing volunteer services, jury duty,
or employment;
(4) all educational assistance,
except the county agency must count graduate student teaching assistantships,
fellowships, and other similar paid work as earned income and, after allowing
deductions for any unmet and necessary educational expenses, shall count
scholarships or grants awarded to graduate students that do not require teaching
or research as unearned income;
(5) loans, regardless of
purpose, from public or private lending institutions, governmental lending
institutions, or governmental agencies;
(6) loans from private
individuals, regardless of purpose, provided an applicant or participant
documents that the lender expects repayment;
(7) state and federal income tax
refunds;
(8) state and federal earned
income credits;
(9) funds received for
reimbursement, replacement, or rebate of personal or real property when these
payments are made by public agencies, awarded by a court, solicited through
public appeal, or made as a grant by a federal agency, state or local
government, or disaster assistance organizations, subsequent to a presidential
declaration of disaster;
(10) the portion of an insurance
settlement that is used to pay medical, funeral, and burial expenses, or to
repair or replace insured property;
(11) reimbursements for medical
expenses that cannot be paid by medical assistance;
(12) payments by a vocational
rehabilitation program administered by the state under chapter 268A, except
those payments that are for current living expenses;
(13) in-kind income, including
any payments directly made by a third party to a provider of goods and
services;
(14) assistance payments to
correct underpayments, but only for the month in which the payment is
received;
(15) emergency assistance
payments;
(16) funeral and cemetery
payments as provided by section 256.935;
(17) nonrecurring cash gifts of
$30 or less, not exceeding $30 per participant in a calendar month;
(18) any form of energy
assistance payment made through Public Law Number 97-35, Low-Income Home Energy
Assistance Act of 1981, payments made directly to energy providers by other
public and private agencies, and any form of credit or rebate payment issued by
energy providers;
(19) Supplemental Security
Income, including retroactive payments;
(20) Minnesota supplemental aid,
including retroactive payments;
(21) proceeds from the sale of
real or personal property;
(22) adoption assistance
payments under section 259.67;
(23) state-funded family subsidy
program payments made under section 252.32 to help families care for children
with mental retardation or related conditions;
(24) interest payments and
dividends from property that is not excluded from and that does not exceed the
asset limit;
(25) rent rebates;
(26) income earned by a minor
caregiver or minor child who is at least a half-time student;
(27) income earned by a
caregiver under age 20 who is at least a half-time student in an approved
secondary education program;
(28) MFIP-S child care payments
under section 119B.05;
(29) all other payments made
through MFIP-S to support a caregiver's pursuit of greater self-support;
(30) income a participant
receives related to shared living expenses;
(31) reverse mortgages;
(32) benefits provided by the
Child Nutrition Act of 1966, United States Code, title 42, chapter 13A, sections
1771 to 1790;
(33) benefits provided by the
women, infants, and children (WIC) nutrition program, United States Code, title
42, chapter 13A, section 1786;
(34) benefits from the National
School Lunch Act, United States Code, title 42, chapter 13, sections 1751 to
1769e;
(35) relocation assistance for
displaced persons under the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property
Acquisition Policies Act of 1970, United States Code, title 42, chapter 61,
subchapter II, section 4636, or the National Housing Act, United States Code,
title 12, chapter 13, sections 1701 to 1750jj;
(36) benefits from the Trade Act
of 1974, United States Code, title 19, chapter 12, part 2, sections 2271 to
2322;
(37) war reparations payments to
Japanese Americans and Aleuts under United States Code, title 50, sections 1989
to 1989d;
(38) payments to veterans or
their dependents as a result of legal settlements regarding Agent Orange or
other chemical exposure under Public Law Number 101-239, section 10405,
paragraph (a)(2)(E);
(39) income that is otherwise
specifically excluded from the MFIP-S program consideration in federal law,
state law, or federal regulation;
(40) security and utility
deposit refunds;
(41) American Indian tribal land
settlements excluded under Public Law Numbers 98-123, 98-124, and 99-377 to the
Mississippi Band Chippewa Indians of White Earth, Leech Lake, and Mille Lacs
reservations and payments to members of the White Earth Band, under United
States Code, title 25, chapter 9, section 331, and chapter 16, section 1407;
(42) all income of the minor
parent's parent when determining the grant for the minor parent in households
that include a minor parent living with a parent on MFIP-S with other dependent
children; and
(43) income of the minor
parent's parent equal to 200 percent of the federal poverty guideline for a
family size not including the minor parent and the minor parent's child in
households that include a minor parent living with a parent not on MFIP-S when
determining the grant for the minor parent. The remainder of income is deemed as
specified in section 256J.37, subdivision 1.
Subd. 3. [INITIAL INCOME
TEST.] The county agency shall determine initial
eligibility by considering all earned and unearned income that is not excluded
under subdivision 2. To be eligible for MFIP-S, the assistance unit's countable
income minus the disregards in paragraphs (a) and (b) must be below the
transitional standard of assistance according to section 256J.24 for that size
assistance unit.
(a) The initial eligibility
determination must disregard the following items:
(1) the employment disregard is
18 percent of the gross earned income whether or not the member is working full
time or part time;
(2) dependent care costs must be
deducted from gross earned income for the actual amount paid for dependent care
up to the maximum disregard allowed under this chapter and chapter 119B; and
(3) all payments made according
to a court order for the support of children not living in the assistance unit's
household shall be disregarded from the income of the person with the legal
obligation to pay support, provided that, if there has been a change in the
financial circumstances of the person with the legal obligation to pay support
since the support order was entered, the person with the legal obligation to pay
support has petitioned for a modification of the support order.
(b) Notwithstanding paragraph
(a), when determining initial eligibility for applicants who have received AFDC,
family general assistance, MFIP, MFIP-R, work first, or MFIP-S in this state
within four months of the most recent application for MFIP-S, the employment
disregard is 36 percent of the gross earned income.
After initial eligibility is
established, the assistance payment calculation is based on the monthly income
test.
Subd. 4. [MONTHLY INCOME
TEST AND DETERMINATION OF ASSISTANCE PAYMENT.] The
county agency shall determine ongoing eligibility and the assistance payment
amount according to the monthly income test. To be eligible for MFIP-S, the
result of the computations in paragraphs (a) to (e) must be at least $1.
(a) Apply a 36 percent income
disregard to gross earnings and subtract this amount from the family wage level.
If the difference is equal to or greater than the transitional standard, the
assistance payment is equal to the transitional standard. If the difference is
less than the transitional standard, the assistance payment is equal to the
difference. The employment disregard in this paragraph must be deducted every
month there is earned income.
(b) All payments made according
to a court order for the support of children not living in the assistance unit's
household must be disregarded from the income of the person with the legal
obligation to pay support, provided that, if there has been a change in the
financial circumstances of the person with the legal obligation to pay support
since the support order was entered, the person with the legal obligation to pay
support has petitioned for a modification of the court order.
(c) Subtract unearned income
dollar for dollar from the transitional standard to determine the assistance
payment amount.
(d) When income is both earned
and unearned, the amount of the assistance payment must be determined by first
treating gross earned income as specified in paragraph (a). After determining
the amount of the assistance payment under paragraph (a), unearned income must
be subtracted from that amount dollar for dollar to determine the assistance
payment amount.
(e) When the monthly income is
greater than the transitional or family wage level standard after applicable
deductions and the income will only exceed the standard for one month, the
county agency must suspend the assistance payment for the payment month.
Subd. 5. [DISTRIBUTION OF
INCOME.] The income of all members of the assistance
unit must be counted. Income may also be deemed from ineligible persons to the
assistance unit. Income must be attributed to the person who earns it or to the
assistance unit according to paragraphs (a) to (c).
(a) Funds distributed from a
trust, whether from the principal holdings or sale of trust property or from the
interest and other earnings of the trust holdings, must be considered income
when the income is legally available to an applicant or participant. Trusts are
presumed legally available unless an applicant or participant can document that
the trust is not legally available.
(b) Income from jointly owned
property must be divided equally among property owners unless the terms of
ownership provide for a different distribution.
(c) Deductions are not allowed
from the gross income of a financially responsible household member or by the
members of an assistance unit to meet a current or prior debt.
Sec. 14. [256J.24] [FAMILY COMPOSITION AND ASSISTANCE
STANDARDS.]
Subdivision 1. [MFIP-S
ASSISTANCE UNIT.] An MFIP-S assistance unit is either a
group of individuals with at least one minor child who live together whose
needs, assets, and income are considered together and who receive MFIP-S
assistance, or a pregnant woman who receives MFIP-S assistance. Individuals
identified in subdivision 2 must be included in the MFIP-S assistance unit.
Individuals identified in subdivision 3 must be excluded from the assistance
unit. Individuals identified in subdivision 4 may be included in the assistance
unit at their option. Individuals not included in the assistance unit who are
identified in section 256J.37, subdivision 1 or 2, must have their income
considered when determining eligibility and benefits for an MFIP-S assistance
unit. All assistance unit members, whether mandatory or elective, who live
together and for whom one caregiver or two caregivers apply must be included in
a single assistance unit.
Subd. 2. [MANDATORY
ASSISTANCE UNIT COMPOSITION.] Except for minor
caregivers who are in a separate assistance unit, when the following individuals
live together, they must be included in the assistance unit:
(1) a minor child;
(2) the minor child's siblings,
half-siblings, and step-siblings; and
(3) the minor child's natural,
adoptive parents, and stepparents.
Subd. 3. [INDIVIDUALS WHO
MUST BE EXCLUDED FROM AN ASSISTANCE UNIT.] The following
individuals must be excluded from an assistance unit:
(1) individuals receiving
Supplemental Security Income or Minnesota supplemental aid;
(2) individuals living at home
while performing court-imposed, unpaid community service work due to a criminal
conviction;
(3) individuals disqualified
from the food stamp program or MFIP-S, until the disqualification ends;
(4) children on whose behalf
foster care payments under title IV-E of the Social Security Act are made,
except as provided in section 256J.74, subdivision 2; and
(5) children receiving ongoing
monthly adoption assistance payments under section 269.67.
Subd. 4. [INDIVIDUALS WHO
MAY ELECT TO BE INCLUDED IN THE ASSISTANCE UNIT.] The
minor child's eligible caregiver may choose to be in the assistance unit, if the
caregiver is not required to be in the assistance unit under subdivision 2. If
the relative caregiver chooses to be in the assistance unit, that person's
spouse must also be in the unit.
Subd. 5. [MFIP-S
TRANSITIONAL STANDARD.] The following table represents
the MFIP-S transitional standard table when all members of the assistance unit
are eligible for both food and cash assistance.
Number of Eligible People Standard
1 $351
2 $609
3 $763
4 $903
5 $1,025
6 $1,165
7 $1,273
8 $1,403
9 $1,530
10 $1,653
over 10add $121 per additional
member.
The commissioner shall annually
publish in the State Register the transitional standard for an assistance unit
sizes 1 to 10.
Subd. 6. [APPLICATION OF
ASSISTANCE STANDARDS.] The standards apply to the number
of eligible persons in the assistance unit.
Subd. 7. [FAMILY WAGE LEVEL
STANDARD.] The family wage level standard is 110 percent
of the transitional standard under subdivision 5 and is the standard used when
there is earned income in the assistance unit. As specified in section 256J.21,
earned income is subtracted from the family wage level to determine the amount
of the assistance payment. Assistance payments may not exceed the transitional
standard for the assistance unit.
Sec. 15. [256J.25] [RETURN OF UTILITY DEPOSIT.]
A county may require that
assistance paid under MFIP-S in the form of a utility deposit less any amount
retained to satisfy outstanding utility costs be returned to the county when the
person vacates the premises or be paid for the person's new housing unit as a
vendor payment.
Sec. 16. [256J.26] [PERSONS INELIGIBLE; VENDOR
PAYMENTS.]
Subdivision 1. [PERSON
CONVICTED OF DRUG OFFENSES.] (a) Applicants who have
been convicted of a drug offense after July 1, 1997, may, if otherwise eligible,
receive AFDC or MFIP-S benefits subject to the following conditions:
(1) benefits for the entire
assistance unit must be paid in vendor form for shelter and utilities during any
time the applicant is part of the assistance unit;
(2) the convicted applicant
shall be subject to random drug testing as a condition of continued eligibility
and is subject to sanctions under section 256J.46 following any positive test
for an illegal controlled substance.
This subdivision also applies to
persons who receive food stamps under section 115 of the Personal Responsibility
and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996.
(b) For the purposes of this
subdivision, "drug offense" means a conviction that occurred after July 1, 1997,
of sections 152.021 to 152.025, 152.0261, or 152.096. Drug offense also means a
conviction in another jurisdiction of the possession, use, or distribution of a
controlled substance, or conspiracy to commit any of these offenses, if the
offense occurred after July 1, 1997, and the conviction is a felony offense in
that jurisdiction, or in the case of New Jersey, a high misdemeanor.
Subd. 2. [PAROLE VIOLATORS.]
An individual violating a condition of probation or
parole or supervised release imposed under federal law or the law of any state
is ineligible to receive AFDC or MFIP-S.
Subd. 3. [FLEEING FELONS.]
An individual who is fleeing to avoid prosecution, or
custody, or confinement after conviction for a crime that is a felony under the
laws of the jurisdiction from which the individual flees, or in the case of New
Jersey, is a high misdemeanor, is ineligible to receive AFDC or MFIP-S.
Subd. 4. [DENIAL OF
ASSISTANCE FOR TEN YEARS TO A PERSON FOUND TO HAVE FRAUDULENTLY MISREPRESENTED
RESIDENCY.] An individual who is convicted in federal or
state court of having made a fraudulent statement or representation with respect
to the place of residence of the individual in order to receive assistance
simultaneously from two or more states is ineligible to receive AFDC or MFIP-S
for ten years beginning on the date of the conviction.
Sec. 17. [256J.28] [PROVISIONS RELATED SPECIFICALLY TO
FOOD STAMP ASSISTANCE.]
Subdivision 1. [EXPEDITED
ISSUANCE OF FOOD STAMP ASSISTANCE.] The following
households are entitled to expedited issuance of food stamp assistance:
(1) households with less than
$150 in monthly gross income provided their liquid assets do not exceed
$100;
(2) migrant or seasonal farm
worker households who are destitute as defined in Code of Federal Regulations,
title 7, subtitle B, chapter 2, subchapter C, part 273, section 273.10,
paragraph (e)(3), provided their liquid assets do not exceed $100; and
(3) eligible households whose
combined monthly gross income and liquid resources are less than the household's
monthly rent or mortgage and utilities.
The benefits issued through
expedited issuance of food stamp assistance must be deducted from the amount of
the full monthly MFIP-S assistance payment and a supplemental payment for the
difference must be issued.
Subd. 2. [FOOD STAMPS FOR
HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS NOT IN THE ASSISTANCE UNIT.] (a) For
household members who purchase and prepare food with the MFIP-S assistance unit
but are not part of the assistance unit, the county agency must determine a
separate food stamp benefit based on regulations agreed upon with the United
States department of agriculture.
(b) This subdivision does not
apply to optional members who have chosen not to be in the assistance unit.
(c) Fair hearing requirements
for persons who receive food stamps under this subdivision are governed by
section 256.045, and Code of Federal Regulations, title 7, subtitle B, chapter
II, part 273, section 273.15.
Subd. 3. [INCOME DISREGARD
FOR CERTAIN PROGRAMS, FOOD ASSISTANCE PORTION OF ASSISTANCE PAYMENT.] The portion of the MFIP-S assistance payment that is
designated by the commissioner as the food assistance portion of the assistance
payment must be disregarded as income in the following programs:
(1) housing subsidy
programs;
(2) low-income home energy
assistance program;
(3) Supplemental Security
Income, when determining interim assistance amount; and
(4) other programs that do not
count food stamps as income.
For the purposes of this
subdivision, the food assistance portion of the assistance payment means a
predetermined portion of the MFIP-S assistance payment that may be received in
point-of-purchase sites or as food stamps. The predetermined portion of the
assistance payment will vary by family profile, which is based on family
size.
Subd. 4. [FOOD PORTION OF
MFIP-S ASSISTANCE GRANT.] (a) The MFIP-S assistance
grant must be reduced in an amount equal to the food portion of the transitional
standard for an assistance unit when a relative caregiver chooses not to be part
of the assistance unit and is exempt from work activities under this
chapter.
(b) The food portion of the
MFIP-S grant must be reduced by $30 for MFIP-S recipients who are also
recipients of public housing subsidies.
Sec. 18. [256J.30] [APPLICANT AND PARTICIPANT
REQUIREMENTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES.]
Subdivision 1. [APPLICANT
REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.] An applicant must provide
information on an application form and supplemental forms about the applicant's
circumstances which affect MFIP-S eligibility or the assistance payment. An
applicant must report changes identified in subdivision 9 while the application
is pending. When an applicant does not accurately report information on an
application, both an overpayment and a referral for a fraud investigation may
result. When an applicant does not provide information or documentation, the
receipt of the assistance payment may be delayed or the application may be
denied depending on the type of information required and its effect on
eligibility.
Subd. 2. [REQUIREMENT TO
APPLY FOR OTHER BENEFITS.] An applicant or participant
must apply for and follow through with appealing any denials of eligibility for
benefits from other programs for which the applicant or participant is
potentially eligible and which would, if received, offset assistance payments.
An applicant's or participant's failure to complete application for these
benefits without good cause results in denial or termination of assistance. Good
cause for failure to apply for these benefits is allowed when circumstances
beyond the control of the applicant or participant prevent the applicant or
participant from making an application.
Subd. 3. [RESPONSIBILITY TO
INQUIRE.] An applicant or participant who does not know
or is unsure whether a given change in circumstances will affect the applicant's
or participant's MFIP-S eligibility or assistance payment must contact the
county agency for information.
Subd. 4. [PARTICIPANT'S
COMPLETION OF RECERTIFICATION OF ELIGIBILITY FORM.] A
participant must complete forms prescribed by the commissioner which are
required for recertification of eligibility according to section 256J.32,
subdivision 6.
Subd. 5. [MONTHLY MFIP-S
HOUSEHOLD REPORTS.] Each assistance unit with a member
who has earned income or a recent work history, and each assistance unit that
has income deemed to it from a financially responsible person must complete a
monthly MFIP-S household report form. "Recent work history" means the individual
received earned income in the report month or any of the previous three calendar
months even if the earnings are excluded. To be complete, the MFIP-S household
report form must be signed and dated by the caregivers no earlier than the last
day of the reporting period. All questions required to determine assistance
payment eligibility must be answered, and documentation of earned income must be
included.
Subd. 6. [SIX-MONTH MFIP-S
HOUSEHOLD REPORT.] Assistance units that are not
required to report monthly under subdivision 5 must complete an MFIP-S household
report form every six months. To be complete, the MFIP-S household report form
must be signed and dated by the caregiver or caregivers no earlier than the last
day of the reporting period. All questions required to determine assistance
payment eligibility must be answered and documentation of earned income must be
included.
Subd. 7. [DUE DATE OF MFIP-S
HOUSEHOLD REPORT.] An MFIP-S household report form must
be received by the county agency by the eighth calendar day of the month
following the reporting period covered by the form. When the eighth calendar day
of the month falls on a weekend or holiday, the MFIP-S household report form
must be received by the county agency the first working day that follows the
eighth calendar day. The county agency must send a notice of termination because
of a late or incomplete MFIP-S household report form.
Subd. 8. [LATE MFIP-S
HOUSEHOLD REPORT FORMS.] Paragraphs (a) to (d) apply to
the reporting requirements in subdivision 7.
(a) When a caregiver submits an
incomplete MFIP-S household report form before the last working day of the month
on which a ten-day notice of termination can be issued, the county agency must
return the incomplete form on or before the ten-day notice deadline or any
previously sent ten-day notice of termination is invalid.
(b) When a complete MFIP-S
household report form is not received by a county agency before the last ten
days of the month in which the form is due, the county agency must send a notice
of proposed termination of assistance. When a caregiver submits an incomplete
form on or after the date a notice of proposed termination has been sent, the
termination is valid unless the caregiver submits a complete form before the end
of the month.
(c) An assistance unit required
to submit an MFIP-S household report form is considered to have continued its
application for assistance if a complete MFIP-S household report form is
received within a calendar month after the month in which assistance was
received and assistance shall be paid for the period beginning with the first
day of the month in which the report was due.
(d) A county agency must allow
good cause exemptions from the reporting requirements under subdivisions 5 and 6
when any of the following factors cause a caregiver to fail to provide the
county agency with a completed MFIP-S household report form before the end of
the month in which the form is due:
(1) an employer delays
completion of employment verification;
(2) a county agency does not
help a caregiver complete the MFIP-S household report form when the caregiver
asks for help;
(3) a caregiver does not receive
an MFIP-S household report form due to mistake on the part of the department or
the county agency or due to a reported change in address;
(4) a caregiver is ill, or
physically or mentally incapacitated; or
(5) some other circumstance
occurs that a caregiver could not avoid with reasonable care which prevents the
caregiver from providing a completed MFIP-S household report form before the end
of the month in which the form is due.
Subd. 9. [CHANGES THAT MUST
BE REPORTED.] A caregiver must report the changes or
anticipated changes specified in clauses (1) to (16) within ten days of the date
they occur, within ten days of the date the caregiver learns that the change
will occur, at the time of the periodic recertification of eligibility under
section 256J.32, subdivision 6, or within eight calendar days of a reporting
period as in subdivision 5 or 6, whichever occurs first. A caregiver must report
other changes at the time of the periodic recertification of eligibility under
section 256J.32, subdivision 6, or at the end of a reporting period under
subdivision 5 or 6, as applicable. A caregiver must make these reports in
writing to the county agency. When a county agency could have reduced or
terminated assistance for one or more payment months if a delay in reporting a
change specified under clauses (1) to (16) had not occurred, the county agency
must determine whether a timely notice under section 256J.31, subdivision 4,
could have been issued on the day that the change occurred. When a timely notice
could have been issued, each month's overpayment subsequent to that notice must
be considered a client error overpayment under section 256J.38. Changes in
circumstances which must be reported within ten days must also be reported on
the MFIP-S household report form for the reporting period in which those changes
occurred. Within ten days, a caregiver must report:
(1) a change in initial
employment;
(2) a change in initial receipt
of unearned income;
(3) a recurring change in
unearned income;
(4) a nonrecurring change of
unearned income that exceeds $30;
(5) the receipt of a lump
sum;
(6) an increase in assets that
may cause the assistance unit to exceed asset limits;
(7) a change in the physical or
mental status of an incapacitated member of the assistance unit if the physical
or mental status is the basis of exemption from an MFIP-S work and training
program;
(8) a change in employment
status;
(9) a change in household
composition, including births, returns to and departures from the home of
assistance unit members and financially responsible persons, or a change in the
custody of a minor child;
(10) a change in health
insurance coverage;
(11) the marriage or divorce of
an assistance unit member;
(12) the death of a parent,
minor child, or financially responsible person;
(13) a change in address or
living quarters of the assistance unit;
(14) the sale, purchase, or
other transfer of property;
(15) a change in school
attendance of a custodial parent or an employed child; and
(16) filing a lawsuit, a
workers' compensation claim, or a monetary claim against a third party.
Subd. 10. [COOPERATION WITH
HEALTH CARE BENEFITS.] (a) The caregiver of a minor
child must cooperate with the county agency to identify and provide information
to assist the county agency in pursuing third-party liability for medical
services.
(b) A caregiver must assign to
the department any rights to health insurance policy benefits the caregiver has
during the period of MFIP-S eligibility.
(c) A caregiver must identify
any third party who may be liable for care and services available under the
medical assistance program on behalf of the applicant or participant and all
other assistance unit members.
(d) When a participant refuses
to identify any third party who may be liable for care and services, the
recipient must be sanctioned as provided in section 256J.46, subdivision 1. The
recipient is also ineligible for medical assistance for a minimum of one month
and until the recipient cooperates with the requirements of this
subdivision.
Subd. 11. [REQUIREMENT TO
ASSIGN SUPPORT AND MAINTENANCE RIGHTS.] To be eligible
for MFIP-S, the caregiver must assign all rights to child support and spousal
maintenance benefits according to section 256.74, subdivision 5, and section
256.741, if enacted.
Subd. 12. [REQUIREMENT TO
PROVIDE SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS.] Each member of the
assistance unit must provide the member's social security number to the county
agency, except for members in the assistance unit who are qualified noncitizens
who are victims of domestic violence as defined under section 256J.08,
subdivision 73, clause (7). When a social security number is not provided to the
county agency for verification, this requirement is satisfied when each member
of the assistance unit cooperates with the procedures for verification of
numbers, issuance of duplicate cards, and issuance of new numbers which have
been established jointly between the Social Security Administration and the
commissioner.
Sec. 19. [256J.31] [APPLICANT AND PARTICIPANT RIGHTS AND
COUNTY AGENCY RESPONSIBILITIES.]
Subdivision 1. [RIGHT TO
INFORMATION.] An applicant or participant has the right
to obtain from the county agency information about the benefits, requirements,
restrictions, and appeal provisions of public assistance programs.
Subd. 2. [RIGHT TO
AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE.] An applicant or participant
has the right to designate an authorized representative to act on the
applicant's or participant's behalf. An applicant or participant has the right
to be assisted or represented by an authorized representative in eligibility
determinations, recertification, conciliation conferences, the fair hearing
process, and any other contacts with the county agency or the department. When a
county agency determines that it is necessary for a person to assist an
applicant or participant, the county agency must designate a staff member to
assist the applicant or participant. Upon a request from an applicant or
participant, a county agency must provide addresses and telephone numbers of
organizations that provide legal services at low cost or no cost to low-income
persons.
Subd. 3. [RIGHT OF APPLICANT
TO NOTICE.] A county agency must notify an applicant of
the disposition of the applicant's application. The notice must be in writing
and on forms prescribed by the commissioner. The county agency must mail the
notice to the last known mailing address provided by the applicant. When an
application is denied, the county agency must notify the applicant in writing of
the reasons for the denial, of the right to appeal, and of the right to reapply
for assistance.
Subd. 4. [PARTICIPANT'S
RIGHT TO NOTICE.] A county agency must give a
participant written notice of all adverse actions affecting the participant
including payment reductions, suspensions, terminations, and use of protective,
vendor, or two-party payments. The notice of adverse action must be on a form
prescribed or approved by the commissioner and must be mailed to the last known
mailing address provided by the participant. The county agency must state on the
notice of adverse action the action it intends to take, the reasons for the
action, the participant's right to appeal the action, the conditions under which
assistance can be continued pending an appeal decision, and the related
consequences of the action.
Subd. 5. [MAILING OF
NOTICE.] The notice of adverse action shall be issued
according to paragraphs (a) to (c).
(a) A county agency shall mail a
notice of adverse action at least ten days before the effective date of the
adverse action, except as provided in paragraphs (b) and (c).
(b) A county agency must mail a
notice of adverse action at least five days before the effective date of the
adverse action when the county agency has factual information that requires an
action to reduce, suspend, or terminate assistance based on probable fraud.
(c) A county agency shall mail a
notice of adverse action before or on the effective date of the adverse action
when the county agency:
(1) receives the caregiver's
signed monthly MFIP-S household report form that includes information that
requires payment reduction, suspension, or termination;
(2) is informed of the death of
a participant or the payee;
(3) receives a signed statement
from the caregiver that assistance is no longer wanted;
(4) receives a signed statement
from the caregiver that provides information that requires the termination or
reduction of assistance;
(5) verifies that a member of
the assistance unit is absent from the home and does not meet temporary absence
provisions in section 256J.13;
(6) verifies that a member of
the assistance unit has entered a regional treatment center or a licensed
residential facility for medical or psychological treatment or
rehabilitation;
(7) verifies that a member of an
assistance unit has been placed in foster care, and the provisions of section
256J.13, subdivision 2, paragraph (b), do not apply;
(8) verifies that a member of an
assistance unit has been approved to receive assistance by another state; or
(9) cannot locate a
caregiver.
Subd. 6. [APPEAL RIGHTS.] An applicant, participant, or former participant has the
right to request a fair hearing when aggrieved by an action or inaction of a
county agency. A request for a fair hearing and rights pending a fair hearing
are set as specified in section 256J.40.
Subd. 7. [CASE RECORDS
AVAILABLE.] A county agency must make financial case
records available to the participant or former participant as soon as possible
but no later than the fifth business day following the date of the request. When
the participant or former participant asks for photocopies of material from the
financial case record, the county agency must provide one copy of each page at
no cost.
Subd. 8. [RIGHT TO MANAGE
AFFAIRS.] Except for protective payment provisions
authorized under section 256J.39, participants have the right to manage their
own affairs.
Subd. 9. [RIGHT TO
PROTECTION.] Minor caregivers have the right to
protection. The county agency must refer a minor caregiver to the social service
unit within 30 days of the date the application is approved. The social service
unit must assist the caregiver who is less than 18 years of age to develop a
plan as specified in section 256J.54.
Subd. 10. [PROTECTION FROM
GARNISHMENT.] MFIP-S grants or earnings of a caregiver
while participating in full or part-time employment or training shall be
protected from garnishment. This protection for earnings shall extend for a
period of six months from the date of termination from MFIP-S.
Subd. 11. [RESPONSIBILITY TO
RETAIN CASE RECORDS.] The county agency must retain
financial case records and employment and training service records for MFIP-S
cases according to chapter 13.
Sec. 20. [256J.315] [COUNTY AND TRIBAL COOPERATION.]
The county agency must cooperate
with tribal governments in the implementation of MFIP-S to ensure that the
program meets the special needs of persons living on Indian reservations. This
cooperation must include, but is not limited to, the sharing of MFIP-S duties
including initial screening, orientation, assessments, and provision of
employment and training services. The county agency shall encourage tribal
governments to assume duties related to MFIP-S and shall work cooperatively with
tribes that have assumed responsibility for a portion of the MFIP-S program to
expand tribal responsibilities, if that expansion is requested by the tribe.
Sec. 21. [256J.32] [DOCUMENTING, VERIFYING, AND
RECERTIFYING ELIGIBILITY.]
Subdivision 1. [VERIFICATION
OF INFORMATION.] A county agency must only require
verification of information necessary to determine MFIP-S eligibility and the
amount of the assistance payment.
Subd. 2. [DOCUMENTATION.] The applicant or participant must document the information
required under subdivisions 4 to 6 or authorize the county agency to verify the
information. The applicant or participant has the burden of providing
documentary evidence to verify eligibility. The county agency shall assist the
applicant or participant in obtaining required documents when the applicant or
participant is unable to do so. When an applicant or participant and the county
agency are unable to obtain documents needed to verify information, the county
agency may accept an affidavit from an applicant or participant as sufficient
documentation.
Subd. 3. [CONTACTING THIRD
PARTIES.] A county agency must not request information
about an applicant or participant that is not of public record from a source
other than county agencies, the department, or the United States Department of
Health and Human Services without the person's prior written consent. An
applicant's signature on an application form constitutes consent for contact
with the sources specified on the application. A county agency may use a single
consent form to contact a group of similar sources, such as banks or insurance
agencies, but the sources to be contacted must be identified by the county
agency prior to requesting an applicant's consent.
Subd. 4. [FACTORS TO BE
VERIFIED.] The county agency shall verify the following
at application:
(1) identity of adults;
(2) presence of the minor child
in the home, if questionable;
(3) relationship of a minor
child to caregivers in the assistance unit;
(4) age, if necessary to
determine MFIP-S eligibility;
(5) immigration status;
(6) social security number in
accordance with the requirements of section 256J.30, subdivision 12;
(7) income;
(8) self-employment expenses
used as a deduction;
(9) source and purpose of
deposits and withdrawals from business accounts;
(10) spousal support and child
support payments made to persons outside the household;
(11) real property;
(12) vehicles;
(13) checking and savings
accounts;
(14) savings certificates,
savings bonds, stocks, and individual retirement accounts;
(15) pregnancy, if related to
eligibility;
(16) inconsistent information,
if related to eligibility;
(17) medical insurance;
(18) anticipated graduation date
of an 18-year-old;
(19) burial accounts;
(20) school attendance, if
related to eligibility; and
(21) residence.
Subd. 5. [VERIFICATION OF
IMMIGRATION STATUS.] An applicant's written
authorization is required before the county agency contacts the Immigration and
Naturalization Service to verify immigration status under subdivision 4, clause
(5). However, refusal to provide such authorization is grounds for a finding of
ineligibility if the applicant fails to produce proof of eligible immigration
status.
Subd. 5a. [INCONSISTENT
INFORMATION.] When the county agency verifies
inconsistent information under subdivision 4, clause (16), or under subdivision
6, clause (4), the reason for verifying the information must be documented in
the financial case record.
Subd. 6. [RECERTIFICATION.]
The county agency shall recertify eligibility in an
annual face-to-face interview with the participant and verify the following:
(1) presence of the minor child
in the home, if questionable;
(2) income, including
self-employment expenses used as a deduction or deposits or withdrawals from
business accounts;
(3) assets when the value is
within $200 of the asset limit; and
(4) inconsistent information, if
related to eligibility.
Sec. 22. [256J.33] [PROSPECTIVE AND RETROSPECTIVE
DETERMINATION OF MFIP-S ELIGIBILITY.]
Subdivision 1.
[DETERMINATION OF ELIGIBILITY.] A county agency must
determine MFIP-S eligibility prospectively for a payment month based on
retrospectively assessing income and the county agency's best estimate of the
circumstances that will exist in the payment month.
Except as described in section
256J.34, subdivision 1, when prospective eligibility exists, a county agency
must calculate the amount of the assistance payment using retrospective
budgeting. To determine MFIP-S eligibility and the assistance payment amount, a
county agency must apply countable income, described in section 256J.37,
subdivisions 3 to 10, received by members of an assistance unit or by other
persons whose income is counted for the assistance unit, described under
sections 256J.21 and 256J.37, subdivisions 1 and 2.
This income must be applied to
the transitional standard or family wage standard subject to this section and
sections 256J.34 to 256J.36. Income received in a calendar month and not
otherwise excluded under section 256J.21, subdivision 2, must be applied to the
needs of an assistance unit.
Subd. 2. [PROSPECTIVE
ELIGIBILITY.] A county agency must determine whether the
eligibility requirements that pertain to an assistance unit, including those in
sections 256J.11 to 256J.15 and 256J.20, will be met prospectively for the
payment month. Except for the provisions in section 256J.34, subdivision 1, the
income test will be applied retrospectively.
Subd. 3. [RETROSPECTIVE
ELIGIBILITY.] After the first two months of MFIP-S
eligibility, a county agency must continue to determine whether an assistance
unit is prospectively eligible for the payment month by looking at all factors
other than income and then determine whether the assistance unit is
retrospectively income eligible by applying the monthly income test to the
income from the budget month. When the monthly income test is not satisfied, the
assistance payment must be suspended when ineligibility exists for one month or
ended when ineligibility exists for more than one month.
Subd. 4. [MONTHLY INCOME
TEST.] A county agency must apply the monthly income
test retrospectively for each month of MFIP-S eligibility. An assistance unit is
not eligible when the countable income equals or exceeds the transitional
standard or the family wage level for the assistance unit. The income applied
against the monthly income test must include:
(1) gross earned income from
employment, prior to mandatory payroll deductions, voluntary payroll deductions,
wage authorizations, and after the disregards in section 256J.21, subdivision 3,
and the allocations in section 256J.36, unless the employment income is
specifically excluded under section 256J.21, subdivision 2;
(2) gross earned income from
self-employment less deductions for self-employment expenses in section 256J.37,
subdivision 5, but prior to any reductions for personal or business state and
federal income taxes, personal FICA, personal health and life insurance, and
after the disregards in section 256J.21, subdivision 3, and the allocations in
section 256J.36;
(3) unearned income after
deductions for allowable expenses in section 256J.37, subdivision 9, and
allocations in section 256J.36, unless the income has been specifically excluded
in section 256J.21, subdivision 2;
(4) gross earned income from
employment as determined under clause (1) which is received by a member of an
assistance unit who is a minor child or minor caregiver and less than a
half-time student;
(5) child support and spousal
support received or anticipated to be received by an assistance unit;
(6) the income of a parent when
that parent is not included in the assistance unit;
(7) the income of an eligible
relative and spouse who seek to be included in the assistance unit; and
(8) the unearned income of a
minor child included in the assistance unit.
Subd. 5. [WHEN TO TERMINATE
ASSISTANCE.] When an assistance unit is ineligible for
MFIP-S assistance for two consecutive months, the county agency must terminate
MFIP-S assistance.
Sec. 23. [256J.34] [CALCULATING PAYMENTS; SIGNIFICANT
CHANGE; INCOME AVERAGING.]
Subdivision 1. [PROSPECTIVE
BUDGETING.] A county agency must use prospective
budgeting to calculate the assistance payment amount for the first two months
for an applicant who has not received assistance in this state for at least one
payment month preceding the first month of payment under a current application.
Prospective budgeting is not subject to overpayments or underpayments unless
fraud is determined under section 256.98.
(a) The county agency must apply
the income received or anticipated in the first month of MFIP-S eligibility
against the need of the first month. The county agency must apply the income
received or anticipated in the second month against the need of the second
month.
(b) When the assistance payment
for any part of the first two months is based on anticipated income, the county
agency must base the initial assistance payment amount on the information
available at the time the initial assistance payment is made.
(c) The county agency must
determine the assistance payment amount for the first two months of MFIP-S
eligibility by budgeting both recurring and nonrecurring income for those two
months.
(d) The county agency must
budget the child support income received or anticipated to be received by an
assistance unit to determine the assistance payment amount from the month of
application through the date in which MFIP-S eligibility is determined and
assistance is authorized. Child support income which has been budgeted to
determine the assistance payment in the initial two months is considered
nonrecurring income. An assistance unit must forward any payment of child
support to the child support enforcement unit of the county agency following the
date in which assistance is authorized.
Subd. 2. [RETROSPECTIVE
BUDGETING.] The county agency must use retrospective
budgeting to calculate the monthly assistance payment amount after the payment
for the first two months has been made under subdivision 1.
Subd. 3. [ADDITIONAL USES OF
RETROSPECTIVE BUDGETING.] Notwithstanding subdivision 1,
the county agency must use retrospective budgeting to calculate the monthly
assistance payment amount for the first two months under paragraphs (a) and
(b).
(a) The county agency must use
retrospective budgeting to determine the amount of the assistance payment in the
first two months of MFIP-S eligibility:
(1) when an assistance unit
applies for assistance for the same month for which assistance has been
interrupted, the interruption in eligibility is less than one payment month, the
assistance payment for the preceding month was issued in this state, and the
assistance payment for the immediately preceding month was determined
retrospectively; or
(2) when a person applies in
order to be added to an assistance unit, that assistance unit has received
assistance in this state for at least the two preceding months, and that person
has been living with and has been financially responsible for one or more
members of that assistance unit for at least the two preceding months.
(b) Except as provided in
clauses (1) to (4), the county agency must use retrospective budgeting and apply
income received in the budget month by an assistance unit and by a financially
responsible household member who is not included in the assistance unit against
the appropriate transitional or family wage level standard to determine the
assistance payment to be issued for the payment month.
(1) When a source of income ends
prior to the third payment month, that income is not considered in calculating
the assistance payment for that month. When a source of income ends prior to the
fourth payment month, that income is not considered when determining the
assistance payment for that month.
(2) When a member of an
assistance unit or a financially responsible household member leaves the
household of the assistance unit, the income of that departed household member
is not budgeted retrospectively for any full payment month in which that
household member does not live with that household and is not included in the
assistance unit.
(3) When an individual is
removed from an assistance unit because the individual is no longer a minor
child, the income of that individual is not budgeted retrospectively for payment
months in which that individual is not a member of the assistance unit, except
that income of an ineligible child in the household must continue to be budgeted
retrospectively against the child's needs when the parent or parents of that
child request allocation of their income against any unmet needs of that
ineligible child.
(4) When a person ceases to have
financial responsibility for one or more members of an assistance unit, the
income of that person is not budgeted retrospectively for the payment months
which follow the month in which financial responsibility ends.
Subd. 4. [SIGNIFICANT CHANGE
IN GROSS INCOME.] The county agency must recalculate the
assistance payment when an assistance unit experiences a significant change, as
defined in section 256J.08, resulting in a reduction in the gross income
received in the payment month from the gross income received in the budget
month. The county agency must issue a supplemental assistance payment based on
the county agency's best estimate of the assistance unit's income and
circumstances for the payment month. Budget adjustments that result from
significant changes are limited to two in a 12-month period regardless of the
reason for the change. Budget adjustments due to a significant change in the
amount of direct support received must not be made after the date the assistance
unit is required to forward support to the child support enforcement unit under
subdivision 1, paragraph (d).
Subd. 5. [INCOME AVERAGING
FOR PARTICIPANTS PAID WEEKLY OR BIWEEKLY.] For the
purposes of stabilizing assistance payments, the county agency may average
income for participants paid weekly or biweekly. Monthly income may be computed
by adding income from all paychecks, dividing the sum by the number of
paychecks, and multiplying the results by 4.3 if paychecks are weekly or 2.16 if
paychecks are biweekly. The county agency may not use income averaging unless
discussed with the participant and requested by the participant.
Sec. 24. [256J.35] [AMOUNT OF ASSISTANCE PAYMENT.]
Except as provided in paragraphs
(a) to (c), the amount of an assistance payment is equal to the difference
between the transitional standard or the family wage level in section 256J.24
and countable income.
(a) When MFIP-S eligibility
exists for the month of application, the amount of the assistance payment for
the month of application must be prorated from the date of application or the
date all other eligibility factors are met for that applicant, whichever is
later. This provision applies when an applicant loses at least one day of MFIP-S
eligibility.
(b) MFIP-S overpayments to an
assistance unit must be recouped according to section 256J.38, subdivision
4.
(c) An initial assistance
payment must not be made to an applicant who is not eligible on the date payment
is made.
Sec. 25. [256J.36] [ALLOCATION FOR UNMET NEED OF OTHER
HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS.]
Except as prohibited in
paragraphs (a) and (b), an allocation of income is allowed to meet the unmet
need of an ineligible spouse or an ineligible child under the age of 21 for whom
the caregiver is financially responsible who also lives with the caregiver. An
allocation is allowed from the caregiver's income to meet the need of an
ineligible or excluded person. That allocation is allowed in an amount up to the
difference between the MFIP-S family allowance for the assistance unit when that
excluded or ineligible person is included in the assistance unit and the MFIP-S
family allowance for the assistance unit when the excluded or ineligible person
is not included in the assistance unit. These allocations must be deducted from
the caregiver's counted earnings and from unearned income subject to paragraphs
(a) and (b).
(a) Income of a minor child in
the assistance unit must not be allocated to meet the need of a person who is
not a member of the assistance unit, including the child's parent, even when
that parent is the payee of the child's income.
(b) Income of an assistance unit
must not be allocated to meet the needs of a person ineligible for failure to
cooperate with program requirements including child support requirements, a
person ineligible due to fraud, or a relative caregiver and the caregiver's
spouse who opt out of the assistance unit.
Sec. 26. [256J.37] [TREATMENT OF INCOME AND LUMP SUMS.]
Subdivision 1. [DEEMED
INCOME FROM INELIGIBLE HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS.] The income of
ineligible household members must be deemed after allowing the following
disregards:
(1) the first 18 percent of the
excluded family member's gross earned income;
(2) amounts the ineligible
person actually paid to individuals not living in the same household but whom
the ineligible person claims as dependents for determining federal personal
income tax liability;
(3) child or spousal support
paid to a person who lives outside of the household; and
(4) an amount for the needs of
other persons who live in the household but are not included in the assistance
unit and are or could be claimed by an ineligible person as dependents for
determining federal personal income tax liability. This amount is equal to the
difference between the MFIP-S need standard when the excluded person is included
in the assistance unit and the MFIP-S need standard when the excluded person is
not included in the assistance unit.
Subd. 2. [DEEMED INCOME AND
ASSETS OF SPONSOR OF NONCITIZENS.] All income and assets
of a sponsor, or sponsor's spouse, who executed an affidavit of support for a
noncitizen must be deemed to be unearned income of the noncitizen as specified
in the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996
and subsequently set out in federal rules.
Subd. 3. [EARNED INCOME OF
WAGE, SALARY, AND CONTRACTUAL EMPLOYEES.] The county
agency must include gross earned income less any disregards in the initial and
monthly income test. Gross earned income received by persons employed on a
contractual basis must be prorated over the period covered by the contract even
when payments are received over a lesser period of time.
Subd. 4. [SELF-EMPLOYMENT.]
Self-employed individuals are those who are responsible
for their own work schedule and do not have coverage under an employer's
liability insurance or workers' compensation. Self-employed individuals
generally work for themselves rather than an employer. However, individuals
employed in some types of services may be self-employed even if they have an
employer or work out of another's business location. For example, real estate
sales people, individuals who work for commission sales, manufacturer's
representatives, and independent contractors may be self-employed. Self-employed
individuals may or may not have FICA deducted from the check issued to them by
an employer or another party.
Self-employed individuals may
own a business singularly or in partnership. Individuals operating more than one
self-employment business may use the loss from one business to offset
self-employment income from another business. A loss from a self-employment
business may not offset income earned under subdivision 3.
Subd. 5. [SELF-EMPLOYMENT
EARNINGS.] The county agency must determine
self-employment income according to the following:
(a) Subtract allowable business
expenses from total gross receipts. Allowable business expenses include:
(1) interest on mortgages and
loans;
(2) employee wages, except for
persons who are part of the assistance unit or whose income is deemed to the
participant;
(3) FICA funds paid on
employees' wages, payment of employee workers' compensation, and reemployment
insurance;
(4) livestock and veterinary or
breeding fees;
(5) raw material;
(6) seed and fertilizer;
(7) maintenance and repairs that
are not capital expenditures;
(8) tax return preparation
fees;
(9) license fees, professional
fees, franchise fees, and professional dues;
(10) tools and supplies that are
not capital expenditures;
(11) fuel and transportation
expenses other than fuel costs covered by the flat rate transportation
deduction;
(12) advertising costs;
(13) meals eaten when required
to be away from the local work site;
(14) property expenses such as
rent, insurance, taxes, and utilities;
(15) postage;
(16) purchase cost of inventory
at time of sale;
(17) loss from another
self-employment business;
(18) attorney fees allowed by
the Internal Revenue Service; and
(19) tuition for classes
necessary to maintain or improve job skills or required by law to maintain job
status or salary as allowed by the Internal Revenue Service.
(b) The county agency shall not
allow a deduction for the following expenses:
(1) purchases of capital
assets;
(2) payments on the principals
of loans for capital assets;
(3) depreciation;
(4) amortization;
(5) the wholesale costs of items
purchased, processed, or manufactured which are unsold inventory;
(6) transportation costs that
exceed the maximum standard mileage rate allowed for use of a personal car in
the Internal Revenue Code;
(7) costs, in any amount, for
mileage between an applicant's or participant's home and place of
employment;
(8) salaries and other
employment deductions made for members of an assistance unit or persons who live
in the household for whom an employer is legally responsible;
(9) monthly expenses in excess
of $71 for each roomer;
(10) monthly expenses in excess
of the Thrifty Food Plan amount for one person for each boarder. For purposes of
this clause and clause (11), "Thrifty Food Plan" has the meaning given it in
Code of Federal Regulations;
(11) monthly expenses in excess
of the roomer rate plus the Thrifty Food Plan amount for one person for each
roomer-boarder. If there is more than one boarder or roomer-boarder, use the
total number of boarders as the unit size to determine the Thrifty Food Plan
amount;
(12) an amount greater than
actual expenses or two percent of the estimated market value on a county tax
assessment form, whichever is greater, as a deduction for upkeep and repair
against rental income;
(13) expenses not allowed by the
Internal Revenue Code;
(14) expenses in excess of 60
percent of gross receipts for in-home child care unless a higher amount can be
documented; and
(15) expenses that are
reimbursed under the child and adult care food program as authorized under the
National School Lunch Act, United States Code, title 42.
Subd. 6. [SELF-EMPLOYMENT
BUDGET PERIOD.] The self-employment budget period begins
in the month of application or in the first month of self-employment. Gross
receipts must be budgeted in the month received. Expenses must be budgeted
against gross receipts in the month the expenses are paid, except for paragraphs
(a) to (c).
(a) The purchase cost of
inventory items, including materials which are processed or manufactured, must
be deducted as an expense at the time payment is received for the sale of the
inventory items.
(b) A 12-month rolling average
based on clauses (1) to (3) must be used to budget monthly income.
(1) For a business in operation
for at least 12 months, the county agency shall use the average monthly
self-employment income from the most current income tax report for the 12 months
before the month of application. The county agency shall determine a new monthly
average by adding in the actual self-employment income and expenses from the
previous month and dropping the first month from the averaging period.
(2) For a business in operation
for less than 12 months, the county agency shall compute the average for the
number of months the business has been in operation to determine a monthly
average. When data are available for 12 or more months, average monthly
self-employment income is determined under clause (1).
(3) If the business undergoes a
major change, the county agency shall compute a new rolling average beginning
with the first month of the major change. For the purpose of this clause, major
change means a change that affects the nature and scale of the business and is
not merely the result of normal business fluctuations.
(c) For seasonal
self-employment, the caregiver may choose whether to use actual income in the
month of receipt and expenses in the month incurred or the rolling average
method of computation. The choice must be made once per year at the time of
application or recertification. For the purpose of this paragraph, seasonal
means working six or less months per year.
Subd. 7. [FARM INCOME.] Farm income is the difference between gross receipts and
operating expenses. The county agency must not allow a deduction for expenses
listed in subdivision 5, paragraph (b). Gross receipts include sales, rents,
subsidies, soil conservation payments, production derived from livestock, and
income from home-produced food.
Subd. 8. [RENTAL INCOME.] The county agency must treat income from rental property as
earned or unearned income. Income from rental property is unearned income unless
the assistance unit spends an average of ten hours per week on maintenance or
management of the property. When the owner spends more than ten hours per week
on maintenance or repairs, the earnings are considered self-employment earnings.
An amount must be deducted for upkeep and repairs, as specified in subdivision
5, paragraph (b), clause (12), real estate taxes, insurance, utilities, and
interest on principal payments. When the applicant or participant lives on the
rental property, expenses for upkeep, taxes, insurance, utilities, and interest
must be divided by the number of rooms to determine expense per room and
expenses deducted must be deducted only for the number of rooms rented.
Subd. 9. [UNEARNED INCOME.]
(a) The county agency must apply unearned income,
including housing subsidies as in paragraph (b), to the transitional standard.
When determining the amount of unearned income, the county agency must deduct
the costs necessary to secure payments of unearned income. These costs include
legal fees, medical fees, and mandatory deductions such as federal and state
income taxes.
(b) Effective July 1, 1998, the
county agency shall count $100 of the value of public and assisted rental
subsidies provided through the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
as unearned income. The full amount of the subsidy must be counted as unearned
income when the subsidy is less than $100.
Subd. 10. [TREATMENT OF LUMP
SUMS.] (a) The county agency must treat lump-sum
payments as earned or unearned income. If the lump-sum payment is included in
the category of income identified in subdivision 9, it must be treated as
unearned income. A lump sum is counted as income in the month received and
budgeted either prospectively or retrospectively depending on the budget cycle
at the time of receipt. When an individual receives a lump-sum payment, that
lump sum must be combined with all other earned and unearned income received in
the same budget month, and it must be applied according to paragraphs (a) to
(c). A lump sum may not be carried over into subsequent months. Any funds that
remain in the third month after the month of receipt are counted in the asset
limit.
(b) For a lump sum received by
an applicant during the first two months, prospective budgeting is used to
determine the payment and the lump sum must be combined with other earned or
unearned income received and budgeted in that prospective month.
(c) For a lump sum received by a
participant after the first two months of MFIP-S eligibility, the lump sum must
be combined with other income received in that budget month, and the combined
amount must be applied retrospectively against the applicable payment month.
(d) When a lump sum, combined
with other income under paragraphs (b) and (c), is less than the transitional
standard for the applicable payment month, the assistance payment must be
reduced according to the amount of the countable income. When the countable
income is greater than the transitional standard or the family wage standard,
the assistance payment must be suspended for the payment month.
Sec. 27. [256J.38] [CORRECTION OF OVERPAYMENTS AND
UNDERPAYMENTS.]
Subdivision 1. [SCOPE OF
OVERPAYMENT.] When a participant or former participant
receives an overpayment due to agency, client, or ATM error, or due to
assistance received while an appeal is pending and the participant or former
participant is determined ineligible for assistance or for less assistance than
was received, the county agency must recoup or recover the overpayment under the
conditions of this section.
Subd. 2. [NOTICE OF
OVERPAYMENT.] When a county agency discovers that a
participant or former participant has received an overpayment for one or more
months, the county agency must notify the participant or former participant of
the overpayment in writing. A notice of overpayment must specify the reason for
the overpayment, the authority for citing the overpayment, the time period in
which the overpayment occurred, the amount of the overpayment, and the
participant's or former participant's right to appeal. No limit applies to the
period in which the county agency is required to recoup or recover an
overpayment according to subdivisions 3 and 4.
Subd. 3. [RECOVERING
OVERPAYMENTS FROM FORMER PARTICIPANTS.] A county agency
must initiate efforts to recover overpayments paid to a former participant.
Adults and minor caregivers of an assistance unit at the time an overpayment
occurs, whether receiving assistance or not, are jointly and individually liable
for repayment of the overpayment. The county agency must request repayment from
the former participants. When an agreement for repayment is not completed within
six months of the date of discovery or when there is a default on an agreement
for repayment after six months, the county agency must initiate recovery
consistent with chapter 270A, or section 541.05. When a person has been
convicted of fraud under section 256.98, recovery must be sought regardless of
the amount of overpayment. When an overpayment is less than $35, and is not the
result of a fraud conviction under section 256.98, the county agency must not
seek recovery under this subdivision. The county agency must retain information
about all overpayments regardless of the amount. When an adult or minor
caregiver reapplies for assistance, the overpayment must be recouped under
subdivision 4.
Subd. 4. [RECOUPING
OVERPAYMENTS FROM PARTICIPANTS.] A participant may
voluntarily repay, in part or in full, an overpayment even if assistance is
reduced under this subdivision, until the total amount of the overpayment is
repaid. When an overpayment occurs due to fraud, the county agency must recover
ten percent of the transitional standard or the amount of the monthly assistance
payment, whichever is less. When a nonfraud overpayment occurs, the county
agency must recover three percent of the transitional standard or the amount of
the monthly assistance payment, whichever is less.
Subd. 5. [RECOVERING
AUTOMATIC TELLER MACHINE ERRORS.] For recipients
receiving benefits via electronic benefit transfer, if the overpayment is a
result of an ATM dispensing funds in error to the recipient, the agency may
recover the ATM error by immediately withdrawing funds from the recipient's
electronic benefit transfer account, up to the amount of the error.
Subd. 6. [SCOPE OF
UNDERPAYMENTS.] A county agency must issue a corrective
payment for underpayments made to a participant or to a person who would be a
participant if an agency or client error causing the underpayment had not
occurred. The county agency must issue the corrective payment according to
subdivision 8.
Subd. 7. [IDENTIFYING THE
UNDERPAYMENT.] An underpayment may be identified by a
county agency, by a participant, by a former participant, or by a person who
would be a participant except for agency or client error.
Subd. 8. [ISSUING CORRECTIVE
PAYMENTS.] A county agency must correct an underpayment
within seven calendar days after the underpayment has been identified, by adding
the corrective payment amount to the monthly assistance payment of the
participant or by issuing a separate payment to a participant or former
participant, or by reducing an existing overpayment balance. When an
underpayment occurs in a payment month and is not identified until the next
payment month or later, the county agency must first subtract the underpayment
from any overpayment balance before issuing the corrective payment. The county
agency must not apply an underpayment in a current payment month against an
overpayment balance. When an underpayment in the current payment month is
identified, the corrective payment must be issued within seven calendar days
after the underpayment is identified.
Subd. 9. [APPEALS.] A participant may appeal an underpayment, an overpayment,
and a reduction in an assistance payment made to recoup the overpayment under
subdivision 4. The participant's appeal of each issue must be timely under
section 256.045. When an appeal based on the notice issued under subdivision 2
is not timely, the fact or the amount of that overpayment must not be considered
as a part of a later appeal, including an appeal of a reduction in an assistance
payment to recoup that overpayment.
Sec. 28. [256J.39] [PAYMENT PROVISIONS; VENDOR
PAYMENTS.]
Subdivision 1. [PAYMENT
POLICY.] The following policies apply to monthly
assistance payments and corrective payments:
(1) Grant payments may be issued
in the form of warrants immediately redeemable in cash, electronic benefits
transfer, or by direct deposit into the recipient's account in a financial
institution.
(2) The commissioner shall mail
assistance payment checks to the address where a caregiver lives unless the
county agency approves an alternate arrangement.
(3) The commissioner shall mail
monthly assistance payment checks within time to allow postal service delivery
to occur no later than the first day of each month. Monthly assistance payment
checks must be dated the first day of the month. The commissioner shall issue
electronic benefits transfer payments so that caregivers have access to the
payments no later than the first of the month.
(4) The commissioner shall issue
replacement checks promptly, but no later than seven calendar days after the
provisions of sections 16A.46; 256.01, subdivision 11; and 471.415 have been
met.
Subd. 2. [PROTECTIVE AND
VENDOR PAYMENTS.] Alternatives to paying assistance
directly to a participant may be used when:
(1) a county agency determines
that a vendor payment is the most effective way to resolve an emergency
situation pertaining to basic needs;
(2) a caregiver makes a written
request to the county agency asking that part or all of the assistance payment
be issued by protective or vendor payments for shelter and utility service only.
The caregiver may withdraw this request in writing at any time;
(3) a caregiver has exhibited a
continuing pattern of mismanaging funds as determined by the county agency;
(4) the vendor payment is part
of a sanction under section 256J.46, subdivision 2; or
(5) the vendor payment is
required under section 256J.24 or 256J.43.
The director of a county agency
must approve a proposal for protective or vendor payment for money
mismanagement. During the time a protective or vendor payment is being made, the
county agency must provide services designed to alleviate the causes of the
mismanagement.
The continuing need for and
method of payment must be documented and reviewed every 12 months. The director
of a county agency must approve the continuation of protective or vendor
payments.
When it appears that the need
for protective or vendor payments will continue or is likely to continue beyond
two years because the county agency's efforts have not resulted in sufficiently
improved use of assistance on behalf of the minor child, judicial appointment of
a legal guardian or other legal representative must be sought by the county
agency.
Subd. 3. [CHOOSING PAYEES
FOR PROTECTIVE OR VENDOR PAYMENTS.] A county agency
shall consult with a caregiver regarding the selection of the form of payment,
the selection of a protective payee, and the distribution of the assistance
payment to meet the various costs incurred by the assistance unit. When choosing
a protective payee, the county agency shall notify the caregiver of a
consultation date. If the caregiver fails to respond to the county agency's
request for consultation by the effective date on the notice, the county agency
must choose a protective payee for that payment month and subsequent payment
months until the caregiver responds to the agency's request for consultation.
The county agency must notify the caregiver of the right to appeal the
determination that a protective or vendor payment should be made or continued
and to appeal the selection of the payee. If a county agency is not able to find
another protective payee, a county agency staff member may serve as a protective
payee. The following persons may not serve as protective payees: a member of the
county board of commissioners; the county agency staff member determining
financial eligibility for the family; special investigative or resource staff;
the staff member handling accounting or fiscal processes related to the
participant; or a landlord, grocer, or other vendor dealing directly with the
participant.
Subd. 4. [DISCONTINUING
PROTECTIVE OR VENDOR PAYMENTS.] A county agency shall
discontinue protective or vendor payments in two years or in the month following
the county agency's failure to grant six-month approval to a money management
plan, whichever occurs first. At least once every 12 months, a county agency
shall review the performance of a protective payee acting under subdivision 2,
clause (3), to determine whether a new payee should be selected. When a
participant complains about the performance of a protective payee, a review
shall occur within 30 calendar days.
Sec. 29. [256J.395] [VENDOR PAYMENT OF RENT AND
UTILITIES.]
(a) Effective July 1, 1997, when
a county is required to provide assistance to a recipient in vendor form for
rent and utilities under chapter 256, 256D, 256J, or 256K, the cost of utilities
for a given family may be assumed to be:
(1) the average of the actual
monthly cost of utilities for that family for the prior 12 months at the
family's current residence, if applicable;
(2) the monthly plan amount, if
any, set by the local utilities for that family at the family's current
residence; or
(3) the estimated monthly
utility costs for the dwelling in which the family currently resides.
(b) For purposes of this
section, "utility" means any of the following: municipal water and sewer
service; electric, gas, or heating fuel service; or wood, if that is the heating
source.
(c) In any instance where a
vendor payment for rent is directed to a landlord not legally entitled to the
payment, the county social services agency shall immediately institute
proceedings to collect the amount of the vendored rent payment, which shall be
considered a debt under section 270A.03, subdivision 5.
Sec. 30. [256J.396] [SUPPORT FROM PARENTS OF MINOR
CAREGIVERS LIVING APART.]
Subdivision 1. [GENERAL
PROVISIONS.] A minor caregiver and the minor's dependent
child living outside of the home of the adult parent must meet the criteria in
section 256J.14, to be eligible for assistance in the MFIP-S program. A parent
who lives outside the home of a minor child who is an unemancipated minor
caregiver of an assistance unit is financially responsible for that minor
caregiver unless the parent is a recipient of public assistance, SSI, MSA,
medical assistance, general assistance, or general assistance medical care, and
a court order does not otherwise provide a support obligation.
Subd. 2. [AMOUNT OF SUPPORT
PAYMENT.] The amount of support to be paid by a parent,
except a parent specified in subdivision 4, must be determined according to
paragraphs (a) to (f).
(a) A minor caregiver must
provide information required by the county agency to identify the whereabouts of
the minor caregiver's absent parent or parents.
(b) A county agency must notify
an absent parent of the parent's legal responsibility to support a minor
caregiver and shall request that the absent parent provide the following:
(1) the amount of the parent's
earned and unearned income for the previous tax year;
(2) the amount of the parent's
earned and unearned income for the current month;
(3) the number and names of
dependents who are claimed or could be claimed by the parent on federal income
tax forms;
(4) the amount of annual medical
bills paid by the parent;
(5) the amount of annual housing
costs paid by the parent;
(6) the costs for utilities and
repairs to the home which are paid by the parent; and
(7) the amount of annual
educational costs for family members paid by the parent.
(c) When a parent of a minor
caregiver does not provide the information requested under paragraph (b), the
county agency must refer the matter to the county attorney. Assistance to the
minor caregiver must not be denied, delayed, reduced, or ended because of the
lack of cooperation of the minor caregiver's parent.
(d) When the information
requested under paragraph (b) is received by a county agency, the county agency
must compare the parent's income against the scale set forth below using the
conditions and procedures specified in paragraph (e).
Size of Family Federal Poverty Guideline
1 $
9,288
2 12,432
3 15,576
4 18,720
5 21,864
For each additional family
member add $3,144.
(e) The parent's income is the
parent's gross earned income plus unearned income, determined by the methods in
section 256J.21. To determine family size, each person claimed or who could be
claimed by a parent as a dependent on federal income tax forms, exclusive of the
minor caregiver, must be included. A deduction from income must be allowed for
the amount that medical, educational, and housing costs together exceed 30
percent of the parent's income. When the amount of income, after the allowable
deduction, exceeds the annual income level in paragraph (d), a parent is liable
to pay one-third of the excess for the annual support of the minor caregiver.
These payments must be paid monthly to the minor caregiver or to the county
agency on behalf of the minor caregiver.
(f) A county agency must notify
the parents of the minor caregiver that they are liable for the amount of
support determined by the county agency as specified in paragraph (e). When the
support payment is received by the minor caregiver, it must be treated as
unearned income of the assistance unit. When the support payment is not
received, or a lesser amount is received in any payment month, the county agency
must refer the matter to the county attorney.
Subd. 3. [REVIEWS.] A county agency must review financial responsibility every
12 months until minor caregivers reach the age of 18 or are otherwise
emancipated. When a parent reports a change in circumstances, the county agency
must review the required amount of payment within ten calendar days.
Subd. 4. [PARENTS UNDER
COURT ORDER FOR SUPPORT.] A parent who is required under
an existing court order issued under some other authority in state or federal
law to pay child support for a minor caregiver is subject to the conditions of
that order in lieu of the requirements and contribution levels in subdivision
2.
Sec. 31. [256J.40] [FAIR HEARINGS.]
Caregivers receiving a notice of
intent to sanction or a notice of adverse action that includes a sanction,
reduction in benefits, suspension of benefits, denial of benefits, or
termination of benefits may request a fair hearing. A request for a fair hearing
must be submitted in writing to the county agency or to the commissioner and
must be mailed within 30 days after a participant or former participant receives
written notice of the agency's action or within 90 days when a participant or
former participant shows good cause for not submitting the request within 30
days. A former participant who receives a notice of adverse action due to an
overpayment may appeal the adverse action according to the requirements in this
section. Issues that may be appealed are:
(1) the amount of the assistance
payment;
(2) a suspension, reduction,
denial, or termination of assistance;
(3) the basis for an
overpayment, the calculated amount of an overpayment, and the level of
recoupment;
(4) the eligibility for an
assistance payment; and
(5) the use of protective or
vendor payments under section 256J.39, subdivision 2, clauses (1) to (3).
A county agency must not reduce,
suspend, or terminate payment when an aggrieved participant requests a fair
hearing prior to the effective date of the adverse action or within ten days of
the mailing of the notice of adverse action, whichever is later, unless the
participant requests in writing not to receive continued assistance pending a
hearing decision. Assistance issued pending a fair hearing is subject to
recovery under section 256J.38 when as a result of the fair hearing decision the
participant is determined ineligible for assistance or the amount of the
assistance received. A county agency may increase or reduce an assistance
payment while an appeal is pending when the circumstances of the participant
change and are not related to the issue on appeal. The commissioner's order is
binding on a county agency. No additional notice is required to enforce the
commissioner's order.
A county agency shall reimburse
appellants for reasonable and necessary expenses of attendance at the hearing,
such as child care and transportation costs and for the transportation expenses
of the appellant's witnesses and representatives to and from the hearing.
Reasonable and necessary expenses do not include legal fees. Fair hearings must
be conducted at a reasonable time and date by an impartial referee employed by
the department. The hearing may be conducted by telephone or at a site that is
readily accessible to persons with disabilities.
The appellant may introduce new
or additional evidence relevant to the issues on appeal. Recommendations of the
appeals referee and decisions of the commissioner must be based on evidence in
the hearing record and are not limited to a review of the county agency
action.
Sec. 32. [256J.42] [60-MONTH TIME LIMIT.]
Subdivision 1. [TIME LIMIT.]
(a) An assistance unit in which any adult caregiver has
received 60 months of cash assistance funded in whole or in part by the TANF
block grant, MFIP-S, AFDC, or family general assistance, funded in whole or in
part by state appropriations, is ineligible to receive MFIP-S. Any cash
assistance funded with TANF dollars,or
MFIP-S assistance funded in whole or in part by state
appropriations, that was received by the unit on or after the date TANF was
implemented, including any assistance received in states of prior residence,
counts toward the 60-month limitation. The 60-month limit applies to a minor who
is the head of a household or who is married to the head of a household. The
60-month time period does not need to be consecutive months for this provision
to apply. (b) Months before July 1998 in
which individuals receive assistance as part of an MFIP, MFIP-R, or MFIP or
MFIP-R comparison group family under sections 256.031 to 256.0361 or sections
256.047 to 256.048 are not included in the 60-month time limit.
Subd. 2. [ASSISTANCE FROM
ANOTHER STATE.] An individual whose needs have been
otherwise provided for in another state, in whole or in part by the TANF block
grant during a month, is ineligible to receive MFIP-S for the month.
Subd. 3. [ADULTS LIVING ON
AN INDIAN RESERVATION.] In determining the number of
months for which an adult has received assistance under MFIP-S, the county
agency must disregard any month during which the adult lived on an Indian
reservation if, during the month:
(1) at least 1,000 individuals
were living on the reservation; and
(2) at least 50 percent of the
adults living on the reservation were unemployed.
Subd. 4. [VICTIMS OF
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.] Any cash assistance received by an
assistance unit in a month when a caregiver is complying with a safety plan
under the MFIP-S employment and training component does not count toward the
60-month limitation on assistance.
Subd. 5. [EXEMPTION FOR
CERTAIN FAMILIES.] (a) Any cash assistance received by
an assistance unit does not count toward the 60-month limit on assistance during
a month in which the parental caregiver is in the category in section 256J.56,
clause (1). The exemption applies for the period of time the caregiver belongs
to one of the categories specified in this subdivision.
(b) Any cash assistance received
by a caregiver who is complying with the requirements of sections 256J.14 and
256J.54, if applicable, does not count towards the 60-month limit on
assistance.
Sec. 33. [256J.43] [INTERSTATE PAYMENT STANDARDS.]
(a) Effective July 1, 1997, the
amount of assistance paid to an eligible family in which all members have
resided in this state for fewer than 12 calendar months immediately preceding
the date of application shall be the lesser of either the payment standard that
would have been received by the family from the state of immediate prior
residence, or the amount calculated in accordance with AFDC or MFIP-S standards.
The lesser payment must continue until the family meets the 12-month
requirement. Payment must be calculated by applying this state's budgeting
policies, and the unit's net income must be deducted from the payment standard
in the other state or in this state, whichever is lower. Payment shall be made
in vendor form for rent and utilities, up to the limit of the grant amount, and
residual amounts, if any, shall be paid directly to the assistance unit.
(b) During the first 12 months a
family resides in this state, the number of months that a family is eligible to
receive AFDC or MFIP-S benefits is limited to the number of months the family
would have been eligible to receive similar benefits in the state of immediate
prior residence.
(c) This policy applies whether
or not the family received similar benefits while residing in the state of
previous residence.
(d) When a family moves to this
state from another state where the family has exhausted that state's time limit
for receiving benefits under that state's TANF program, the family will not be
eligible to receive any AFDC or MFIP-S benefits in this state for 12 months from
the date the family moves here.
(e) For the purposes of this
section, "state of immediate prior residence" means:
(1) the state in which the
applicant declares the applicant spent the most time in the 30 days prior to
moving to this state; or
(2) the state in which an
applicant who is a migrant worker maintains a home.
(f) The commissioner shall
annually verify and update all other states' payment standards as they are to be
in effect in July of each year.
(g) Applicants must provide
verification of their state of immediate prior residence, in the form of tax
statements, a driver's license, automobile registration, rent receipts, or other
forms of verification approved by the commissioner.
(h) Migrant workers, as defined
in section 256J.08, and their immediate families are exempt from this section,
provided the migrant worker provides verification that the migrant family worked
in this state within the last 12 months and earned at least $1,000 in gross
wages during the time the migrant worker worked in this state.
Sec. 34. [256J.44] [INITIAL SCREENING OF MFIP-S
APPLICANT.]
Subdivision 1. [SCREENING.]
The county agency, or at county option, the county's
employment and training service provider as defined in section 256J.49, must
screen each applicant to determine immediate needs and to determine if the
applicant may be eligible for:
(1) another program that is not
partially funded through the federal temporary assistance to needy families
block grant under title I of Public Law Number 104-193, including the expedited
issuance of food stamps under section 256J.28, subdivision 1. If the applicant
may be eligible for another program, a county caseworker must provide the
appropriate referral to the program;
(2) the diversionary assistance
program under section 256J.47; or
(3) the emergency assistance
program under section 256J.48.
The applicant is required to
attend the screening. If the applicant is not diverted from applying for MFIP-S
under clauses (1) to (3), and if the applicant meets the MFIP-S eligibility
requirements, then an orientation under section 256J.45 and an initial
assessment under section 256J.52 must be completed; or, in the case of
caregivers who are under the age of 20, a plan under section 256J.54 must be
completed.
Subd. 2. [SUPPORT SERVICES
TO ATTEND SCREENING AND ORIENTATION.] Upon a caregiver's
request, the county agency must arrange for transportation and child care or
reimburse caregivers for transportation and child care expenses necessary to
enable caregivers to attend the initial screening under this section and
orientation under section 256J.51 if scheduled on a day other than when the
caregiver makes application for assistance.
Sec. 35. [256J.45] [ORIENTATION.]
Subdivision 1. [COUNTY
AGENCY TO PROVIDE ORIENTATION.] A county agency must
provide each MFIP-S caregiver with a face-to-face orientation. The caregiver
must attend the orientation. The county agency must inform the caregiver that
failure to attend the orientation is considered a first occurrence of
noncompliance with program requirements, and will result in the imposition of a
sanction under section 256J.46.
Subd. 2. [GENERAL
INFORMATION.] The MFIP-S orientation must consist of a
presentation that informs caregivers of:
(1) the necessity to obtain
immediate employment;
(2) the work incentives under
MFIP-S;
(3) the requirement to comply
with the employment plan and other requirements of the employment and training
services component of MFIP-S;
(4) the consequences for failing
to comply with the employment plan and other program requirements;
(5) the rights,
responsibilities, and obligations of participants;
(6) the types and locations of
child care services available through the county agency;
(7) the availability and the
benefits of the early childhood health and developmental screening under
sections 123.701 to 123.74;
(8) the caregiver's eligibility
for transition year child care assistance under section 119B.05;
(9) the caregiver's eligibility
for extended medical assistance when the caregiver loses eligibility for MFIP-S
due to increased earnings or increased child or spousal support; and
(10) the caregiver's option to
choose an employment and training provider and information about each provider,
including but not limited to, services offered, program components, job
placement rates, job placement wages, and job retention rates.
Sec. 36. [256J.46] [SANCTIONS.]
Subdivision 1. [SANCTIONS
FOR PARTICIPANTS NOT COMPLYING WITH PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS.] (a) A participant who fails without good cause to comply
with the requirements of this chapter, and who is not subject to sanction under
subdivision 2, shall be subject to a sanction as provided in this subdivision. A
sanction under this subdivision becomes effective ten days after the required
notice is given. For purposes of this subdivision, each month that a participant
fails to comply with a requirement of this chapter shall be considered a
separate occurrence of noncompliance. A participant who has had one or more
sanctions imposed must remain in compliance with the provisions of this chapter
for six months in order for a subsequent occurrence of noncompliance to be
considered a first occurrence.
(b) Sanctions for noncompliance
shall be imposed as follows:
(1) For the first occurrence of
noncompliance, the participant's grant shall be reduced by ten percent of the
applicable transitional standard. The reduction in the grant amount must be in
effect for a minimum of one month, and shall be removed in the month following
the month that the participant returns to compliance.
(2) For a second or subsequent
occurrence of noncompliance, the participant's rent shall be vendor paid up to
the amount of the MFIP-S grant for which the participant's assistance unit is
eligible. At county option, the participant's utilities may also be vendor paid
up to the amount of the MFIP-S grant remaining after vendor payment of the
participant's rent. The vendor payment of rent and, if in effect, utilities,
must be in effect for six months from the date that a sanction is imposed under
this clause. The residual amount of the grant after vendor payment, if any, must
be reduced by an amount equal to 30 percent of the applicable transitional
standard before the residual is paid to the participant. The reduction in the
grant amount must be in effect for a minimum of one month, and shall be removed
in the month following the month that the participant returns to compliance. The
vendor payment of rent and, if applicable, utilities, shall be removed six
months after the month in which the participant returns to compliance.
(c) No later than during the
second month that a sanction under paragraph (b), clause (2) is in effect, the
participant's case file must be reviewed to determine if:
(i) the continued noncompliance
can be explained and mitigated by providing a needed preemployment activity, as
defined in section 256J.49, subdivision 13, clause 16;
(ii) the participant qualifies
for a good cause exception under 256J.57; or
(iii) the participant qualifies
for an exemption under 256J.56.
If the lack of an identified
activity can explain the noncompliance, the county must work with the
participant to provide the identified activity, and the county must restore the
participant's grant amount to the full amount for which the assistance unit is
eligible. The grant must be restored retroactively to the first day of the month
in which the participant was found to lack preemployment activities, or to
qualify for an exemption or good cause exception.
If the participant is found to
qualify for a good cause exception or an exemption, the county must restore the
participant's grant to the full amount for which the assistance unit is
eligible. If the participant's grant is restored under this paragraph, the
vendor payment of rent and if applicable, utilities, shall be removed six months
after the month in which the sanction was imposed and the county must consider a
subsequent occurrence of noncompliance to be a first occurrence.
Subd. 1a. [TRANSITIONAL
RULE; SANCTIONS FOR AFDC, FAMILY GA, STRIDE, ACCESS, MFIP, OR MFIP-R
RECIPIENTS.] For purposes of determining a sanction
under subdivision 1, for the first occurrence of noncompliance with a provision
of this chapter or with section 256.741, if enacted, a recipient of assistance
under AFDC, family general assistance, STRIDE, ACCESS, MFIP, or MFIP-R who was
under a sanction in the month immediately preceding the receipt of assistance
under MFIP-S shall be subject to sanction as provided in subdivision 1,
paragraph (b), clause (1). The reduction in grant amount must be in effect for a
minimum of one month. For a second or subsequent occurrence of noncompliance,
the sanction shall be as provided in subdivision 1, paragraph (b), clause
(2).
Subd. 2. [SANCTIONS FOR
REFUSAL TO COOPERATE WITH SUPPORT REQUIREMENTS.] The
grant of an MFIP-S caregiver who refuses to cooperate, as determined by the
child support enforcement agency, with support requirements under section
256.741, if enacted, shall be subject to sanction as specified in this
subdivision. The assistance unit's grant must be reduced by 25 percent of the
applicable transitional standard. The residual amount of the grant, if any, must
be paid to the caregiver. A sanction under this subdivision becomes effective
ten days after the required notice is given. The sanction must be in effect for
a minimum of one month, and shall be removed only when the caregiver cooperates
with the support requirements.
Subd. 2a. [DUAL SANCTIONS.]
(a) Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivisions 1 and
2, for a participant subject to a sanction for refusal to comply with child
support requirements under subdivision 2 and subject to a concurrent sanction
for refusal to cooperate with other program requirements under subdivision 1,
sanctions shall be imposed in the manner prescribed in this subdivision.
A participant who has had one or
more sanctions imposed under this subdivision must remain in compliance with the
provisions of this chapter for six months in order for a subsequent occurrence
of noncompliance to be considered a first occurrence. Any vendor payment of rent
or utilities under this subdivision must remain in effect for six months after
the month in which the participant is no longer subject to sanction under
subdivision 1.
(b) If the participant was
subject to sanction for:
(i) noncompliance under
subdivision 1 before being subject to sanction for noncooperation under
subdivision 2; or
(ii) noncooperation under
subdivision 2 before being subject to sanction for noncompliance under
subdivision 1;
the participant shall be
sanctioned as provided in subdivision 1, paragraph (b), clause (2), and the
requirement that the county conduct a review as specified in subdivision 1,
paragraph (c), remains in effect.
(c) A participant who first
becomes subject to sanction under both subdivisions 1 and 2 in the same month is
subject to sanction as follows:
(i) in the first month of
noncompliance and noncooperation, the participant's grant must be reduced by 25
percent of the applicable transitional standard, with any residual amount paid
to the participant;
(ii) in the second and
subsequent months of noncompliance and noncooperation, the participant shall be
sanctioned as provided in subdivision 1, paragraph (b), clause (2).
The requirement that the county
conduct a review as specified in subdivision 1, paragraph (c), remains in
effect.
(d) A participant remains
subject to sanction under subdivision 2 if the participant:
(i) returns to compliance and is
no longer subject to sanction under subdivision 1; or
(ii) has the sanction under
subdivision 1, paragraph (b), removed upon completion of the review under
subdivision 1, paragraph (c).
A participant remains subject to
sanction under subdivision 1, paragraph (b), if the participant cooperates and
is no longer subject to sanction under subdivision 2.
Sec. 37. [256J.47] [DIVERSIONARY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.]
Subdivision 1.
[ELIGIBILITY.] A family is eligible to receive
diversionary assistance once every 36 months if:
(1) a family member has resided
in this state for at least 30 days;
(2) the caregiver provides
verification that the caregiver has either experienced an unexpected occurrence
that makes it impossible to retain or obtain employment or the caregiver has a
temporary loss of income, which is not due to refusing to accept or terminating
suitable employment as defined in section 256J.49, without good cause under
section 256J.57, resulting in an emergency;
(3) the caregiver is at risk of
MFIP-S eligibility if diversionary assistance is not provided and household
income is below 140 percent of the federal poverty guidelines; and
(4) the diversionary assistance
will resolve the emergency and divert the family from applying for MFIP-S.
For purposes of this section,
diversionary assistance means a one-time lump-sum payment to an individual or
third-party vendor to prevent long-term receipt of public assistance.
Subd. 2. [COUNTY AGENCY
DUTIES.] County agencies shall:
(1) thoroughly explain to the
caregiver the consequences of receiving diversionary assistance, specifically
the resulting period of ineligibility under subdivision 4 for other assistance
programs; and
(2) determine eligibility for
diversionary assistance within five working days of the receipt of the
verification that substantiates eligibility or ineligibility. Verification means
client declaration and the best determination of the county agency.
Subd. 3. [MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF
ASSISTANCE.] The maximum amount of diversionary
assistance that may be provided to a family is equal to the amount of the MFIP-S
transitional standard for the same family size and composition for four months.
The assistance provided under this program must be based on the immediate needs
of the family. Counties must strive to provide the most cost-effective solution
to the one-time emergency. Diversionary assistance is not cost effective if the
family's anticipated income added to the diversion payment will not be
sufficient to cover the family's immediate needs for the period of ineligibility
under subdivision 4, beginning with the month of application, or another
emergency can reasonably be anticipated within the period of ineligibility.
Subd. 4. [INELIGIBILITY FOR
MFIP-S; EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE; AND EMERGENCY GENERAL ASSISTANCE.] Upon receipt of diversionary assistance, the family is
ineligible for MFIP-S, emergency assistance, and emergency general assistance
for a period of time. To determine the period of ineligibility, the county shall
use the following formula: regardless of household changes, the county agency
must calculate the number of days of ineligibility by dividing the diversionary
assistance issued by the transitional standard a family of the same size and
composition would have received under MFIP-S, multiplied by 30, truncating the
result. The ineligibility period begins the date the diversionary assistance is
issued.
Subd. 5. [DIVERSIONARY
ASSISTANCE GRANT; FUNDING] The commissioner shall
distribute diversionary assistance grants to counties. The commissioner may use
federal block grant funding or state funding for the grants.
Sec. 38. [256J.48] [EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE (EA).]
Subdivision 1. [EMERGENCY
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.] County human service agencies
shall grant emergency financial assistance to any needy pregnant woman or needy
family with a child under the age of 21 who is or was within six months prior to
application living with an eligible caregiver relative specified in section
256J.08.
Except for ongoing special
diets, emergency assistance is available to a family during one 30-day period in
a consecutive 12-month period. A county shall issue assistance for needs that
accrue before that 30-day period only when it is necessary to resolve
emergencies arising or continuing during the 30-day period of eligibility. When
emergency needs continue, a county may issue assistance for up to 30 days beyond
the initial 30-day period of eligibility, but only when assistance is authorized
during the initial period.
Subd. 2. [ELIGIBILITY.] Notwithstanding other eligibility provisions of this
chapter, any family without resources immediately available to meet emergency
needs identified in subdivision 3 shall be eligible for an emergency grant under
the following conditions:
(1) a family member has resided
in this state for at least 30 days;
(2) the family is without
resources immediately available to meet emergency needs;
(3) assistance is necessary to
avoid destitution or provide emergency shelter arrangements; and
(4) the family's destitution or
need for shelter or utilities did not arise because the child or relative
caregiver refused without good cause under section 256J.57 to accept employment
or training for employment in this state or another state.
Subd. 3. [EMERGENCY NEEDS.]
Emergency needs are limited to the following:
(a) [RENT.] A county agency may deny assistance to prevent eviction
from rented or leased shelter of an otherwise eligible applicant when the county
agency determines that an applicant's anticipated income will not cover
continued payment for shelter, subject to conditions in clauses (1) to (3):
(1) a county agency must not
deny assistance when an applicant can document that the applicant is unable to
locate habitable shelter, unless the county agency can document that one or more
habitable shelters are available in the community that will result in at least a
20 percent reduction in monthly expense for shelter and that this shelter will
be cost-effective for the applicant;
(2) when no alternative shelter
can be identified by either the applicant or the county agency, the county
agency shall not deny assistance because anticipated income will not cover
rental obligation; and
(3) when cost-effective
alternative shelter is identified, the county agency shall issue assistance for
moving expenses as provided in paragraph (d).
(b) [DEFINITIONS.] For purposes of paragraph (a), the following definitions
apply (1) "metropolitan statistical area" is as defined by the U.S. Census
Bureau; (2) "alternative shelter" includes any shelter that is located within
the metropolitan statistical area containing the county and for which the
applicant is eligible, provided the applicant does not have to travel more than
20 miles to reach the shelter and has access to transportation to the shelter.
Clause (2) does not apply to counties in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan
statistical area.
(c) [MORTGAGE AND CONTRACT
FOR DEED ARREARAGES.] A county agency shall issue
assistance for mortgage or contract for deed arrearages on behalf of an
otherwise eligible applicant according to clauses (1) to (4):
(1) assistance for arrearages
must be issued only when a home is owned, occupied, and maintained by the
applicant;
(2) assistance for arrearages
must be issued only when no subsequent foreclosure action is expected within the
12 months following the issuance;
(3) assistance for arrearages
must be issued only when an applicant has been refused refinancing through a
bank or other lending institution and the amount payable, when combined with any
payments made by the applicant, will be accepted by the creditor as full payment
of the arrearage;
(4) costs paid by a family which
are counted toward the payment requirements in this clause are: principle and
interest payments on mortgages or contracts for deed, balloon payments,
homeowner's insurance payments, manufactured home lot rental payments, and tax
or special assessment payments related to the homestead. Costs which are not
counted include closing costs related to the sale or purchase of real
property.
To be eligible for assistance
for costs specified in clause (4) which are outstanding at the time of
foreclosure, an applicant must have paid at least 40 percent of the family's
gross income toward these costs in the month of application and the 11-month
period immediately preceding the month of application.
When an applicant is eligible
under clause (4), a county agency shall issue assistance up to a maximum of four
times the MFIP-S transitional standard for a comparable assistance unit.
(d) [DAMAGE OR UTILITY
DEPOSITS.] A county agency shall issue assistance for
damage or utility deposits when necessary to alleviate the emergency. The county
may require that assistance paid in the form of a damage deposit or a utility
deposit, less any amount retained by the landlord to remedy a tenant's default
in payment of rent or other funds due to the landlord under a rental agreement,
or to restore the premises to the condition at the commencement of the tenancy,
ordinary wear and tear excepted, be returned to the county when the individual
vacates the premises or be paid to the recipient's new landlord as a vendor
payment. The vendor payment of returned funds shall not be considered a new use
of emergency assistance.
(e) [MOVING EXPENSES.] A county agency shall issue assistance for expenses
incurred when a family must move to a different shelter according to clauses (1)
to (4):
(1) moving expenses include the
cost to transport personal property belonging to a family, the cost for utility
connection, and the cost for securing different shelter;
(2) moving expenses must be paid
only when the county agency determines that a move is cost-effective;
(3) moving expenses must be paid
at the request of an applicant, but only when destitution or threatened
destitution exists; and
(4) moving expenses must be paid
when a county agency denies assistance to prevent an eviction because the county
agency has determined that an applicant's anticipated income will not cover
continued shelter obligation in paragraph (a).
(f) [HOME REPAIRS.] A county agency shall pay for repairs to the roof,
foundation, wiring, heating system, chimney, and water and sewer system of a
home that is owned and lived in by an applicant.
The applicant shall document,
and the county agency shall verify the need for and method of repair.
The payment must be
cost-effective in relation to the overall condition of the home and in relation
to the cost and availability of alternative housing.
(g) [UTILITY COSTS.] Assistance for utility costs must be made when an otherwise
eligible family has had a termination or is threatened with a termination of
municipal water and sewer service, electric, gas or heating fuel service, or
lacks wood when that is the heating source, subject to the conditions in clauses
(1) and (2):
(1) a county agency must not
issue assistance unless the county agency receives confirmation from the utility
provider that assistance combined with payment by the applicant will continue or
restore the utility; and
(2) a county agency shall not
issue assistance for utility costs unless a family paid at least eight percent
of the family's gross income toward utility costs due during the preceding 12
months.
Clauses (1) and (2) must not be
construed to prevent the issuance of assistance when a county agency must take
immediate and temporary action necessary to protect the life or health of a
child.
(h) [SPECIAL DIETS.] A county shall pay for special diets or dietary items. The
need for special diets or dietary items must be prescribed by a licensed
physician. Costs for special diets shall be determined as percentages of the
allotment for a one-person household under the Thrifty Food Plan as defined by
the United States Department of Agriculture. The types of diets and the
percentages of the Thrifty Food Plan that are covered are as follows:
(1) high protein diet, at least
80 grams daily, 25 percent of Thrifty Food Plan;
(2) controlled protein diet, 40
to 60 grams and requires special products, 100 percent of Thrifty Food Plan;
(3) controlled protein diet,
less than 40 grams and requires special products, 125 percent of Thrifty Food
Plan;
(4) low cholesterol diet, 25
percent of Thrifty Food Plan;
(5) high residue diet, 20
percent of Thrifty Food Plan;
(6) pregnancy and lactation
diet, 35 percent of Thrifty Food Plan;
(7) gluten-free diet, 25 percent
of Thrifty Food Plan;
(8) lactose-free diet, 25
percent of Thrifty Food Plan;
(9) antidumping diet, 15 percent
of Thrifty Food Plan;
(10) hypoglycemic diet, 15
percent of Thrifty Food Plan; or
(11) ketogenic diet, 25 percent
of Thrifty Food Plan.
Subd. 4. [VENDOR PAYMENTS
FOR SHELTER OR UTILITY COSTS.] An ongoing MFIP-S grant
may, at county board option, be in the form of vendor payments if application
for emergency assistance is for shelter or utility costs.
Sec. 39. [256J.49] [EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING SERVICES;
DEFINITIONS.]
Subdivision 1. [SCOPE.] The terms used in sections 256J.50 to 256J.72 have the
meanings given them in this section.
Subd. 2. [DOMESTIC
VIOLENCE.] "Domestic violence" means:
(1) physical acts that result,
or threaten to result in, physical injury to an individual;
(2) sexual abuse;
(3) sexual activity involving a
minor child;
(4) being forced as the
caregiver of a minor child to engage in nonconsensual sexual acts or
activities;
(5) threats of, or attempts at,
physical or sexual abuse;
(6) mental abuse; or
(7) neglect or deprivation of
medical care.
Subd. 3. [EMPLOYMENT AND
TRAINING SERVICES.] "Employment and training services"
means programs, activities and services that are designed to assist participants
in obtaining and retaining employment.
Subd. 4. [EMPLOYMENT AND
TRAINING SERVICE PROVIDER.] "Employment and training
service provider" means:
(1) a public, private, or
nonprofit employment and training agency certified by the commissioner of
economic security under sections 268.0122, subdivision 3, and 268.871,
subdivision 1, or is approved under section 256J.51 and is included in the
county plan submitted under section 256J.50, subdivision 7;
(2) a public, private, or
nonprofit agency that is not certified by the commissioner under clause (1), but
with which a county has contracted to provide employment and training services
and which is included in the county's plan submitted under section 256J.50,
subdivision 7; or
(3) a county agency, if the
county has opted to provide employment and training services and the county has
indicated that fact in the plan submitted under section 256J.50, subdivision
7.
Notwithstanding section 268.871,
an employment and training services provider meeting this definition may deliver
employment and training services under this chapter.
Subd. 5. [EMPLOYMENT PLAN.]
"Employment plan" means a plan developed by the job
counselor and the participant which identifies the participant's most direct
path to unsubsidized employment, lists the specific steps that the caregiver
will take on that path, and includes a timetable for the completion of each
step.
Subd. 6. [FEDERAL
PARTICIPATION STANDARDS.] "Federal participation
standards" means the work participation standards as specified in title I of
Public Law No. 104-193, the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity
Reconciliation Act of 1996.
Subd. 7. [INTENSIVE ENGLISH
AS A SECOND LANGUAGE PROGRAM.] "Intensive English as a
second language program" means an English as a second language program that
offers at least 20 hours of class per week.
Subd. 8. [JOB COUNSELOR.] "Job counselor" means a staff person employed by or under
contract with the employment and training services provider who delivers
services as specified in sections 256J.50 to 256J.55.
Subd. 9. [PARTICIPANT.] "Participant" means a recipient of MFIP-S assistance who
participates or is required to participate in employment and training
services.
Subd. 10. [PROVIDER.] "Provider" means an employment and training service
provider.
Subd. 11. [SAFETY PLAN.] "Safety plan" means a plan developed by a victim of
domestic violence or a person continuing to be at risk of domestic violence with
the assistance of a public agency or a private nonprofit agency, including
agencies that receive designation by the department of corrections to provide
emergency shelter services or support services under section 611A.32. A safety
plan shall not include a provision that automatically requires a domestic
violence victim to seek an order of protection, or to attend counseling, as part
of the safety plan.
Subd. 12. [SUITABLE
EMPLOYMENT.] "Suitable employment" means employment
that:
(1) is within the participant's
physical and mental abilities;
(2) pays hourly gross wages of
not less than the applicable state or federal minimum wage;
(3) meets health and safety
standards set by federal, state and county agencies; and
(4) complies with federal,
state, and local antidiscrimination laws.
Subd. 13. [WORK ACTIVITY.]
"Work activity" means any activity in a participant's
approved employment plan that is tied to the participant's employment goal . For
purposes of the MFIP-S program, any activity that is included in a participant's
approved employment plan meets the definition of work activity as counted under
the federal participation standards. Work activity includes, but is not limited
to:
(1) unsubsidized employment;
(2) subsidized private sector or
public sector employment, including grant diversion as specified in section
256J.69;
(3) work experience, including
CWEP as specified in section 256J.67, and including work associated with the
refurbishing of publicly assisted housing if sufficient private sector
employment is not available;
(4) on-the-job training as
specified in section 256J.66;
(5) job search, either
supervised or unsupervised;
(6) job readiness
assistance;
(7) job clubs, including job
search workshops;
(8) job placement;
(9) job development;
(10) job-related counseling;
(11) job coaching;
(12) job retention services;
(13) job-specific training or
education ;
(14) job skills training
directly related to employment;
(15) the self-employment
investment demonstration (SEID), as specified in section 256J.65;
(16) preemployment activities,
based on availability and resources, such as volunteer work, literacy programs
and related activities, citizenship and English as a second language classes, or
participation in dislocated worker services, chemical dependency treatment,
mental health services, peer group networks, displaced homemaker programs,
strength-based resiliency training, parenting education, or other programs
designed to help families reach their employment goals and enhance their ability
to care for their children;
(17) community service
programs;
(18) vocational educational
training or educational programs that can reasonably be expected to lead to
employment, as limited by the provisions of section 256J.53;
(19) apprenticeships;
(20) satisfactory attendance in
general educational development diploma classes or an adult diploma program;
(21) satisfactory attendance at
secondary school, if the participant has not received a high school diploma;
(22) adult basic education
classes;
(23) internships;
(24) bilingual employment and
training services;
(25) providing child care
services to a participant who is working in a community service program; and
(26) activities included in a
safety plan that is developed under section 256J.52, subdivision 6.
Sec. 40. [256J.50] [COUNTY DUTIES.]
Subdivision 1. [EMPLOYMENT
AND TRAINING SERVICES COMPONENT OF MFIP-S.] (a) By
January 1, 1998, each county must develop and implement an employment and
training services component of MFIP-S which is designed to put participants on
the most direct path to unsubsidized employment. Participation in these services
is mandatory for all MFIP-S caregivers, unless the caregiver is exempt under
section 256J.56.
(b) A county may provide
employment and training services to MFIP-S caregivers who are exempt from the
employment and training services component but volunteer for the services.
Subd. 2. [PILOT PROGRAMS.]
In counties selected for the work first or work focused
pilot programs, first-time applicants for assistance must meet the requirements
of those programs in place of the requirements of the MFIP-S program. A county
may, at its option, discontinue a work first or work focused pilot program.
Subd. 3. [TRANSITIONAL RULE;
MFIP OR MFIP-R PARTICIPANT.] A caregiver who was
enrolled in MFIP or MFIP-R on the date the county implements the employment and
training services component of MFIP-S and was making satisfactory progress
toward the objectives specified in the caregiver's employment plan, may continue
with the existing employment plan for up to two years with the approval of a job
counselor. The job counselor may require changes to the plan in order to be
consistent with this two-year time limit.
Subd. 3a. [TRANSITIONAL
RULE; STRIDE, ACCESS.] (a) A county agency that is not a
participant in the MFIP or MFIP-R field trials under sections 256.031 to
256.0361 shall not enroll a recipient into project STRIDE or ACCESS after the
date that MFIP-S is implemented in the county.
(b) A caregiver who:
(i) was enrolled in project
STRIDE or ACCESS continuously since March 1, 1997;
(ii) is not a part of an MFIP or
MFIP-R comparison group; and
(iii) who is making satisfactory
progress toward the objectives specified in the caregiver's employment plan,
may, with the approval of the job counselor, continue with the existing
employment plan for up to two years after the caregiver is enrolled in MFIP-S.
For purposes of the federal participation standards, the activities in the
caregiver's employment plan are work activities, as that term is defined in
section 256J.49, subdivision 13.
(c) Notwithstanding contrary
provisions of section 256.736, the employability plan of a caregiver who is
enrolled in project STRIDE or ACCESS on or after July 1, 1997, must meet the
requirements of section 256J.53.
Subd. 4. [SERVICE PROVIDING
AGENCIES.] Unless the provisions of subdivision 8 apply,
a county must select at least two employment and training service providers. A
county may opt to provide services on its own as one of these providers.
Subd. 5. [PARTICIPATION
REQUIREMENTS FOR SINGLE-PARENT AND TWO-PARENT CASES.] A
county must establish a uniform schedule for requiring participation by single
parents. Mandatory participation must be required within six months of
eligibility for cash assistance. For two-parent cases, participation is required
concurrent with the receipt of MFIP-S cash assistance.
Subd. 6. [EXPLANATORY
MATERIALS REQUIRED.] The county must:
(1) explain to applicants and
recipients and provide explanatory materials regarding the relationship between
the 60-month time limit on assistance funded with TANF dollars and the receipt
of various benefits, including cash assistance, food stamps, medical assistance,
and child care assistance; and
(2) provide assistance to
applicants and recipients to enable them to minimize the use of their 60
allowable months of TANF-funded assistance.
Subd. 7. [LOCAL SERVICE UNIT
PLAN.] Each local or county service unit shall prepare
and submit a plan as specified in section 268.88.
Subd. 8. [COUNTY DUTY TO
ENSURE EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING CHOICES FOR PARTICIPANTS.] Each county, or group of counties working cooperatively,
shall make available to participants the choice of at least two employment and
training service providers as defined under section 256J.49, subdivision 4,
except in counties utilizing
workforce centers that use multiple employment and
training services, offer multiple services options under a collaborative effort
and can document that participants have choice among employment and training
services designed to meet specialized needs. Subd. 9. [EXCEPTION;
FINANCIAL HARDSHIP.] Notwithstanding subdivision 8, a
county that explains in the plan required under subdivision 7 that the provision
of alternative employment and training service providers would result in
financial hardship for the county is not required to make available more than
one employment and training provider.
Sec. 41. [256J.51] [EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING SERVICE
PROVIDER; ALTERNATE APPROVAL PROCESS.]
Subdivision 1. [PROVIDER
APPLICATION.] An employment and training service
provider that is not included in a county's plan under section 256J.50,
subdivision 7, because the county has demonstrated financial hardship under
subdivision 9 of that section, may appeal its exclusion to the commissioner of
economic security under this section.
Subd. 2. [APPEAL; ALTERNATE
APPROVAL.] (a) An employment and training service
provider that is not included by a county agency in the plan under section
256J.50, subdivision 7, and that meets the criteria in paragraph (b), may appeal
its exclusion to the commissioner of economic security, and may request
alternative approval by the commissioner of economic security to provide
services in the county.
(b) An employment and training
services provider that is requesting alternative approval must demonstrate to
the commissioner that the provider meets the standards specified in section
268.871, subdivision 1, paragraph (b), except that the provider's past
experience may be in services and programs similar to those specified in section
268.871, subdivision 1, paragraph (b).
Subd. 3. [COMMISSIONER'S
REVIEW.] (a) The commissioner must act on a request for
alternative approval under this section within 30 days of the receipt of the
request. If after reviewing the provider's request, and the county's plan
submitted under section 256J.50, subdivision 7, the commissioner determines that
the provider meets the criteria under subdivision 2, paragraph (b), and that
approval of the provider would not cause financial hardship to the county, the
county must submit a revised plan under subdivision 4 that includes the approved
provider.
(b) If the commissioner
determines that the approval of the provider would cause financial hardship to
the county, the commissioner must notify the provider and the county of this
determination. The alternate approval process under this section shall be closed
to other requests for alternate approval to provide employment and training
services in the county for up to 12 months from the date that the commissioner
makes a determination under this paragraph.
Subd. 4. [REVISED PLAN
REQUIRED.] The commissioner of economic security must
notify the county agency when the commissioner grants an alternative approval to
an employment and training service provider under subdivision 2. Upon receipt of
the notice, the county agency must submit a revised plan under section 256J.50,
subdivision 7, that includes the approved provider. The county has 90 days from
the receipt of the commissioner's notice to submit the revised plan.
Subd. 5. [REVIEW NOT
REQUIRED.] Notwithstanding subdivision 3, once a county
meets the requirements of section 256J.50, subdivision 8, the commissioner may,
but is not required to, act on a request by an employment and training services
provider for alternative approval in that county.
Sec. 42. [256J.515] [OVERVIEW OF EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING
SERVICES.]
During the first meeting with
participants, job counselors must ensure that an overview of employment and
training services is provided that stresses the necessity and opportunity of
immediate employment, outlines the job search resources offered, explains the
requirements to comply with an employment plan and the consequences for failing
to comply, and explains the services that are available to support job search
and work.
Sec. 43. [256J.52] [ASSESSMENTS; PLANS.]
Subdivision 1. [APPLICATION
LIMITED TO CERTAIN PARTICIPANTS.] This section applies
to participants receiving MFIP-S assistance who are not exempt under section
256J.56, and to caregivers who volunteer for employment and training services
under section 256J.50.
Subd. 2. [INITIAL
ASSESSMENT.] (a) The job counselor must, with the
cooperation of the participant, assess the participant's ability to obtain and
retain employment. This initial assessment must include a review of the
participant's education level, prior employment or work experience, transferable
work skills, and existing job markets.
(b) In assessing the
participant, the job counselor must determine if the participant needs refresher
courses for professional certification or licensure, in which case, the job
search plan under subdivision 3 must include the courses necessary to obtain the
certification or licensure, in addition to other work activities, provided the
combination of the courses and other work activities are at least for 40 hours
per week.
(c) If a participant can
demonstrate to the satisfaction of the county agency that lack of proficiency in
English is a barrier to obtaining suitable employment, the job counselor must
include participation in an intensive English as a second language program if
available or otherwise a regular English as a second language program in the
individual's employment plan under subdivision 5. Lack of proficiency in English
is not necessarily a barrier to employment.
(d) The job counselor may
approve an education or training plan, and postpone the job search requirement,
if the participant has a proposal for an education program which:
(1) can be completed within 12
months;
(2) meets the criteria of
section 256J.53, subdivisions 2, 3, and 5; and
(3) is likely, without
additional training, to lead to monthly employment earnings which, after
subtraction of the earnings disregard under section 256J.21, equal or exceed the
family wage level for the participant's assistance unit.
(e) A participant who, at the
time of the initial assessment, presents a plan that includes farming as a
self-employed work activity must have an employment plan developed under
subdivision 5 that includes the farming as an approved work activity.
Subd. 3. [JOB SEARCH; JOB
SEARCH SUPPORT PLAN.] (a) If, after the initial
assessment, the job counselor determines that the participant possesses
sufficient skills that the participant is likely to succeed in obtaining
suitable employment, the participant must conduct job search for a period of up
to eight weeks, for at least 30 hours per week. The participant must accept any
offer of suitable employment. The job counselor and participant must develop a
job search support plan which specifies, at a minimum: whether the job search is
to be supervised or unsupervised; support services that will be provided while
the participant conducts job search activities; the courses necessary to obtain
certification or licensure, if applicable, and after obtaining the license or
certificate, the client must comply with subdivision 5; and how frequently the
participant must report to the job counselor on the status of the participant's
job search activities.
(b) During the eight-week job
search period, either the job counselor or the participant may request a review
of the participant's job search plan and progress towards obtaining suitable
employment. If a review is requested by the participant, the job counselor must
concur that the review is appropriate for the participant at that time. If a
review is conducted, the job counselor may make a determination to conduct a
secondary assessment prior to the conclusion of the job search.
(c) Failure to conduct the
required job search, to accept any offer of suitable employment, to develop or
comply with a job search support plan, or voluntarily quitting suitable
employment without good cause results in the imposition of a sanction under
section 256J.46. If at the end of eight weeks the participant has not obtained
suitable employment, the job counselor must conduct a secondary assessment of
the participant under subdivision 3.
Subd. 4. [SECONDARY
ASSESSMENT.] (a) The job counselor must conduct a
secondary assessment for those participants who:
(1) in the judgment of the job
counselor, have barriers to obtaining employment that will not be overcome with
a job search support plan under subdivision 3;
(2) have completed eight weeks
of job search under subdivision 3 without obtaining suitable employment; or
(3) have not received a
secondary assessment, are working at least 20 hours per week, and the
participant, job counselor, or county agency requests a secondary
assessment.
(b) In the secondary assessment
the job counselor must evaluate the participant's skills and prior work
experience, family circumstances, interests and abilities, need for
preemployment activities, supportive, or educational services, and the extent of
any barriers to employment. The job counselor must use the information gathered
through the secondary assessment to develop an employment plan under subdivision
5.
Subd. 5. [EMPLOYMENT PLAN;
CONTENTS.] Based on the secondary assessment under
subdivision 4, the job counselor and the participant must develop an employment
plan for the participant that includes specific activities that are tied to an
employment goal and a plan for long-term self-sufficiency, and that is designed
to move the participant along the most direct path to unsubsidized employment.
The employment plan must list the specific steps that will be taken to obtain
employment and a timetable for completion of each of the steps. The job
counselor and the participant must sign the developed plan to indicate agreement
between the job counselor and the participant on the contents of the plan.
Subd. 6. [SAFETY PLAN.] Notwithstanding subdivisions 1 to 5, a participant who is a
victim of domestic violence and who agrees to develop or has developed a safety
plan meeting the definition under section 256J.49, subdivision 11, is deferred
from the requirements of this section, section 256J.54, and section 256J.55 for
a period of three months from the date the safety plan is approved. A
participant deferred under this subdivision must submit a safety plan status
report to the county agency on a quarterly basis. Based on a review of the
status report, the county agency may approve or renew the participant's deferral
each quarter, provided the personal safety of the participant is still at risk
and the participant is complying with the plan. A participant who is deferred
under this subdivision may be deferred for a total of 12 months under a safety
plan, provided the individual is complying with the terms of the plan.
Subd. 7. [REVISION OF PLAN.]
If the employee has lost or quit a job with good cause,
the job counselor must ascertain the reason for the job loss and work with the
participant to amend the job search support plan or employment plan, whichever
is in effect, as necessary to address the problem. If a job search support plan
is in effect, the participant, county agency, or job counselor may request a
secondary assessment at this time.
Sec. 44. [256J.53] [POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION;
LIMITATIONS ON APPROVAL, JOB SEARCH REQUIREMENT.]
Subdivision 1. [LENGTH OF
PROGRAM.] In order for a post-secondary education or
training program to be approved work activity as defined in section 256J.49,
subdivision 13, clause (18), it must be a program lasting 12 months or less, and
the participant must meet the requirements of subdivisions 2 and 3. A program
lasting up to 24 months may be approved on an exception basis if the conditions
specified in subdivisions 2 to 4 are met. A participant may not be approved for
more than a total of 24 months of post-secondary education or training.
Subd. 2. [DOCUMENTATION
SUPPORTING PROGRAM.] In order for a post-secondary
education or training program to be an approved activity in a participant's
employment plan, the participant or the employment and training service provider
must provide documentation that:
(1) the participant's employment
plan identifies specific goals that can only be met with the additional
education or training;
(2) there are suitable
employment opportunities that requires the specific education or training in the
area in which the participant resides or is willing to reside;
(3) the education or training
will result in significantly higher wages for the participant than the
participant could earn without the education or training;
(4) the participant can meet the
requirements for admission into the program; and
(5) there is a reasonable
expectation that the participant will complete the training program based on
such factors as the participant's MFIP-S assessment, previous education,
training, and work history; current motivation; and changes in previous
circumstances.
Subd. 3. [SATISFACTORY
PROGRESS REQUIRED.] In order for a post-secondary
education or training program to be an approved activity in a participant's
employment plan, the participant must maintain satisfactory progress in the
program. "Satisfactory progress" in an education or training program means (1)
the participant remains in good standing while the participant is enrolled in
the program, as defined by the education or training institution, or (2) the
participant makes satisfactory progress as the term is defined in the
participant's employment plan.
Subd. 4. [REPAYMENT OF
EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING ASSISTANCE.] In order for a
post-secondary education or training program lasting between 13 and 24 months to
be an approved activity in a participant's employment plan, the participant must
agree to repay the amount of employment and training funds paid by the county to
support the individual's participation in each month of an education or training
program after the 12th month of the program. Assistance obtained by the
participant through the federal Pell grant program or other federal or state
programs of higher education assistance must be excluded from the amount to be
repaid by the participant. The participant and the county agency must develop a
mutually acceptable repayment plan. The repayment plan must not assess any
interest charges on the cost of the funds to be repaid. The loan is considered
to be in repayment status when:
(1) the participant completes
the program and obtains suitable employment that pays annual gross wages of at
least 150 percent of the federal poverty level; or
(2) the participant leaves the
program before completion of the program and obtains suitable employment that
pays annual gross wages of at least 150 percent of the federal poverty
level.
Subd. 5. [JOB SEARCH AFTER
COMPLETION OF WORK ACTIVITY.] If a participant's
employment plan includes a post-secondary educational or training program, the
plan must include an anticipated completion date for those activities. At the
time the education or training is completed, the participant must participate in
job search. If, after three months of job search, the participant does not find
a job that is consistent with the participant's employment goal, the participant
must accept any offer of suitable employment.
Sec. 45. [256J.54] [MINOR PARENTS; EMPLOYMENT PLAN.]
Subdivision 1. [ASSESSMENT
OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRESS AND NEEDS.] The county agency
must document the educational level of each MFIP-S caregiver who is under the
age of 20 and determine if the caregiver has obtained a high school diploma or
its equivalent. If the caregiver has not obtained a high school diploma or its
equivalent, and is not exempt from the requirement to attend school under
subdivision 5, the county agency must complete an individual assessment for the
caregiver. The assessment must be performed as soon as possible but within 30
days of determining MFIP-S eligibility for the caregiver. The assessment must
provide an initial examination of the caregiver's educational progress and
needs, literacy level, child care and supportive service needs, family
circumstances, skills, and work experience. In the case of a caregiver under the
age of 18, the assessment must also consider the results of either the
caregiver's or the caregiver's minor child's child and teen checkup under
Minnesota Rules, parts 9505.0275 and 9505.1693 to 9505.1748, if available, and
the effect of a child's development and educational needs on the caregiver's
ability to participate in the program. The county agency must advise the
caregiver that the caregiver's first goal must be to complete an appropriate
educational option if one is identified for the caregiver through the assessment
and, in consultation with educational agencies, must review the various school
completion options with the caregiver and assist in selecting the most
appropriate option.
Subd. 2. [RESPONSIBILITY FOR
ASSESSMENT AND EMPLOYMENT PLAN.] For caregivers who are
under age 18, the assessment under subdivision 1 and the employment plan under
subdivision 3 must be completed by the social services agency under section
257.33. For caregivers who are age 18 or 19, the assessment under subdivision 1
and the employment plan under subdivision 3 must be completed by the job
counselor. The social services agency or the job counselor shall consult with
representatives of educational agencies that are required to assist in
developing educational plans under section 126.235.
Subd. 3. [EDUCATIONAL OPTION
DEVELOPED.] If the job counselor or county social
services agency identifies an appropriate educational option, it must develop an
employment plan which reflects the identified option. The plan must specify that
participation in an educational activity is required, what school or educational
program is most appropriate, the services that will be provided, the activities
the caregiver will take part in, including child care and supportive services,
the consequences to the caregiver for failing to participate or comply with the
specified requirements, and the right to appeal any adverse action. The
employment plan must, to the extent possible, reflect the preferences of the
caregiver.
Subd. 4. [NO APPROPRIATE
EDUCATIONAL OPTION.] If the job counselor determines
that there is no appropriate educational option for a caregiver who is age 18 or
19, the job counselor must develop an employment plan, as defined in section
256J.49, subdivision 5, for the caregiver. If the county social services agency
determines that school attendance is not appropriate for a caregiver under age
18, the county agency shall refer the caregiver to social services for services
as provided in section 257.33.
Subd. 5. [SCHOOL ATTENDANCE
REQUIRED.] (a) Notwithstanding the provisions of section
256J.56, minor parents, or 18- or 19-year-old parents without a high school
diploma or its equivalent must attend school unless:
(1) transportation services
needed to enable the caregiver to attend school are not available;
(2) appropriate child care
services needed to enable the caregiver to attend school are not available;
(3) the caregiver is ill or
incapacitated seriously enough to prevent attendance at school; or
(4) the caregiver is needed in
the home because of the illness or incapacity of another member of the
household. This includes a caregiver of a child who is younger than six weeks of
age.
(b) The caregiver must be
enrolled in a secondary school and meeting the school's attendance requirements.
An enrolled caregiver is considered to be meeting the attendance requirements
when the school is not in regular session, including during holiday and summer
breaks.
Sec. 46. [256J.55] [PARTICIPANT REQUIREMENTS, RIGHTS,
AND EXPECTATIONS.]
Subdivision 1. [COMPLIANCE
WITH JOB SEARCH OR EMPLOYMENT PLAN; SUITABLE EMPLOYMENT.] (a) Each MFIP-S participant must comply with the terms of
the participant's job search support plan or employment plan. When the
participant has completed the steps listed in the employment plan, the
participant must comply with section 256J.53, subdivision 5, if applicable, and
then the participant must not refuse any offer of suitable employment. The
participant may choose to accept an offer of suitable employment before the
participant has completed the steps of the employment plan.
(b) For a participant under the
age of 20 who is without a high school diploma or general educational
development diploma, the requirement to comply with the terms of the employment
plan means the participant must meet the requirements of section 256J.54.
(c) Failure to develop or comply
with a job search support plan or an employment plan, or quitting suitable
employment without good cause, shall result in the imposition of a sanction as
specified in sections 256J.57 and 256J.46.
Subd. 2. [DUTY TO REPORT.]
The participant must inform the job counselor within
three working days regarding any changes related to the participant's employment
status.
Subd. 3. [MOVE TO A
DIFFERENT COUNTY.] MFIP-S applicants or recipients who
move to a different county in Minnesota and are required to participate in
employment and training services are subject to the requirements of the
destination county. An employment plan that was developed in the county of
origin may be continued in the destination county if both the destination county
and the participant agree to do so.
Subd. 4. [CHOICE OF
PROVIDER.] A participant must be able to choose from at
least two employment and training service providers, unless the county has
demonstrated to the commissioner that the provision of multiple employment and
training service providers would result in financial hardship for the county, or
the county is utilizing a workforce center as specified in section 256J.50,
subdivision 8.
Subd. 5. [OPTION TO UTILIZE
EXISTING PLAN.] With job counselor approval, if a
participant is already complying with a job search support or employment plan
that was developed for a different program, the participant may utilize that
plan and that program's services, subject to the requirements of subdivision 3,
to be in compliance with sections 256J.52 to 256J.57 so long as the plan meets,
or is modified to meet, the requirements of those sections.
Sec. 47. [256J.56] [EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING SERVICES
COMPONENT; EXEMPTIONS.]
An MFIP-S caregiver is exempt
from the requirements of sections 256J.52 to 256J.55 if the caregiver belongs to
any of the following groups:
(1) individuals who are age 60
or older;
(2) individuals who are
suffering from a professionally certified permanent or temporary illness,
injury, or incapacity which is expected to continue for more than 30 days and
which prevents the person from obtaining or retaining employment. Persons in
this category with a temporary illness, injury, or incapacity must be
reevaluated at least quarterly;
(3) caregivers whose presence in
the home is required because of the professionally certified illness or
incapacity of another member in the household;
(4) women who are pregnant, if
the pregnancy has resulted in a professionally certified incapacity that
prevents the woman from obtaining or retaining employment;
(5) caregivers of a child under
the age of one year who personally provide full-time care for the child. This
exemption may be used for only 12 months in a lifetime. In two-parent
households, only one parent or other relative may qualify for this
exemption;
(6) individuals employed at
least 40 hours per week or at least 30 hours per week and engaged in job search
for at least an additional ten hours per week;
(7) individuals experiencing a
personal or family crisis that makes them incapable of participating in the
program, as determined by the county agency. If the participant does not agree
with the county agency's determination, the participant may seek professional
certification, as defined in section 256J.08, that the participant is incapable
of participating in the program.
Persons in this exemption
category must be reevaluated every 60 days; or
(8) second parents in two-parent
families, provided the second parent is employed for 20 or more hours per
week.
A caregiver who is exempt under
clause (5) must enroll in and attend an early childhood and family education
class, a parenting class, or some similar activity, if available, during the
period of time the caregiver is exempt under this section. Notwithstanding
section 256J.46, failure to attend the required activity shall not result in the
imposition of a sanction.
Sec. 48. [256J.57] [GOOD CAUSE; FAILURE TO COMPLY;
NOTICE; CONCILIATION CONFERENCE.]
Subdivision 1. [GOOD CAUSE
FOR FAILURE TO COMPLY.] The county agency shall not
impose the sanction under section 256J.46 if it determines that the participant
has good cause for failing to comply with the requirements of section 256J.45 or
sections 256J.52 to 256J.55. Good cause exists when:
(1) appropriate child care is
not available;
(2) the job does not meet the
definition of suitable employment;
(3) the participant is ill or
injured;
(4) a family member is ill and
needs care by the participant that prevents the participant from complying with
the job search support plan or employment plan;
(5) the parental caregiver is
unable to secure necessary transportation;
(6) the parental caregiver is in
an emergency situation that prevents compliance with the job search support plan
or employment plan;
(7) the schedule of compliance
with the job search support plan or employment plan conflicts with judicial
proceedings;
(8) the parental caregiver is
already participating in acceptable work activities;
(9) the employment plan requires
an educational program for a caregiver under age 20, but the educational program
is not available;
(10) activities identified in
the job search support plan or employment plan are not available;
(11) the parental caregiver is
willing to accept suitable employment, but suitable employment is not available;
or
(12) the parental caregiver
documents other verifiable impediments to compliance with the job search support
plan or employment plan beyond the parental caregiver's control.
Subd. 2. [NOTICE OF INTENT
TO SANCTION.] (a) When a participant fails without good
cause to comply with the requirements of sections 256J.52 to 256J.55, the job
counselor or the county agency must provide a notice of intent to sanction to
the participant specifying the program requirements that were not complied with,
informing the participant that the county agency will impose the sanctions
specified in section 256J.46, and informing the participant of the opportunity
to request a conciliation conference as specified in paragraph (b). The notice
must also state that the participant's continuing noncompliance with the
specified requirements will result in additional sanctions under section
256J.46, without the need for additional notices or conciliation conferences
under this subdivision. If the participant does not request a conciliation
conference within ten calendar days of the mailing of the notice of intent to
sanction, the job counselor must notify the county agency that the assistance
payment should be reduced. The county must then send a notice of adverse action
to the participant informing the participant of the sanction that will be
imposed, the reasons for the sanction, the effective date of the sanction, and
the participant's right to have a fair hearing under section 256J.40.
(b) The participant may request
a conciliation conference by sending a written request, by making a telephone
request, or by making an in-person request. The request must be received within
ten calendar days of the date the county agency mailed the ten-day notice of
intent to sanction. If a timely request for a conciliation is received, the
county agency's service provider must conduct the conference within five days of
the request. The job counselor's supervisor, or a designee of the supervisor,
must review the outcome of the conciliation conference. If the conciliation
conference resolves the noncompliance, the job counselor must promptly inform
the county agency and request withdrawal of the sanction notice.
(c) Upon receiving a sanction
notice, the participant may request a fair hearing under section 256J.40,
without exercising the option of a conciliation conference. In such cases, the
county agency shall not require the participant to engage in a conciliation
conference prior to the fair hearing.
(d) If the participant requests
a fair hearing or a conciliation conference, sanctions will not be imposed until
there is a determination of noncompliance. Sanctions must be imposed as provided
in section 256J.46.
Sec. 49. [256J.61] [REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.]
The commissioner of human
services, in cooperation with the commissioner of economic security, shall
develop reporting requirements for county agencies and employment and training
service providers according to section 256.01, subdivision 2, paragraph (17).
Reporting requirements must, to the extent possible, use existing client
tracking systems and must be within the limits of funds available. The
requirements must include summary information necessary for state agencies and
the legislature to evaluate the effectiveness of the services.
Sec. 50. [256J.62] [ALLOCATION OF COUNTY EMPLOYMENT AND
TRAINING SERVICES BLOCK GRANT.]
Subdivision 1. [ALLOCATION.]
Money appropriated for MFIP-S employment and training
services must be allocated to counties as specified in this section.
Subd. 2. [GUARANTEED FLOOR.]
Money shall be allocated to counties in an amount equal
to the county's guaranteed floor. The county's guaranteed allocation floor shall
be calculated as follows:
(1) for fiscal 1998, the
guaranteed allocation floor shall be calculated by multiplying the county's
STRIDE allocation received for state fiscal year 1997 by 90 percent;
(2) for each subsequent fiscal
year, the guaranteed allocation floor shall be calculated by multiplying the
county's MFIP-S employment and training services allocation received the
previous state fiscal year by 90 percent; and
(3) if the amount of funds
available for allocation is less than the amount allocated to all counties for
the previous fiscal year, each county's previous year allocation shall be
reduced in proportion to the reduction in statewide funding for the purpose of
establishing the guaranteed floor.
Subd. 3. [ALLOCATION OF
BALANCE OF FUNDS.] If there remain funds to allocate
after establishing each county's guaranteed floor under the provisions in
subdivision 2, the balance of funds shall be allocated as follows:
(1) for state fiscal year 1998,
the remaining funds shall be allocated based on the county's average number of
AFDC and family general assistance cases as compared to the statewide total
number of cases. The average number of cases shall be based on counts of AFDC
and family general assistance cases as of March 31, June 30, September 30, and
December 31 of calendar year 1996;
(2) for state fiscal year 1999,
the remaining funds shall be allocated based on the county's average number of
AFDC, family general assistance, MFIP-R, MFIP, and MFIP-S cases as compared to
the statewide total number of cases. The average number of cases shall be based
on counts of AFDC, family general assistance, MFIP-R, MFIP, and MFIP-S cases as
of March 31, June 30, September 30, and December 31 of calendar year 1997;
and
(3) for all subsequent state
fiscal years, the remaining funds shall be allocated based on the county's
average number of MFIP-S cases as compared to the statewide total number of
cases. The average number of cases must be based on counts of MFIP-S cases as of
March 31, June 30, September 30, and December 31 of the previous calendar
year.
Subd. 4. [ADMINISTRATIVE
ACTIVITIES LIMIT.] No more than 15 percent of the money
allocated under this section may be used for administrative activities.
Subd. 4a. [STRIDE
ALLOCATION.] Funds allocated for STRIDE services for
state fiscal year 1998 are allocated to county agencies based on the provisions
of statute in effect on June 30, 1997. At the time that the AFDC program is
replaced by the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program under title I of
Public Law Number 104-193 of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity
Reconciliation Act of 1996, any unexpended balance of a county's STRIDE
allocation for that fiscal year remains available to the county for operation of
MFIP-S employment and training services and for the operation of the STRIDE
program for the MFIP and MFIP-R field trial counties for the balance of the
fiscal year. These STRIDE funds shall be included in the calculation of the next
year's MFIP-S employment and training allocation under the provisions of
subdivision 2.
Subd. 5. [BILINGUAL
EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING SERVICES TO REFUGEES.] Funds
appropriated to cover the costs of bilingual employment and training services to
refugees shall be allocated to county agencies as follows:
(1) for state fiscal year 1998,
the allocation shall be based on the county's proportion of the total statewide
number of AFDC refugee cases in the previous fiscal year. Counties with less
than one percent of the statewide number of AFDC, MFIP-R, or MFIP refugee cases
shall not receive an allocation of bilingual employment and training services
funds; and
(2) for each subsequent fiscal
year, the allocation shall be based on the county's proportion of the total
statewide number of MFIP-S refugee cases in the previous fiscal year. Counties
with less than one percent of the statewide number of MFIP-S refugee cases shall
not receive an allocation of bilingual employment and training services
funds.
Subd. 6. [WORK LITERACY
LANGUAGE PROGRAMS.] Funds appropriated to cover the
costs of work literacy language programs to non-English speaking recipients
shall be allocated to county agencies as follows:
(1) for state fiscal year 1998,
the allocation shall be based on the county's proportion of the total statewide
number of AFDC or MFIP cases in the previous fiscal year where the lack of
English is a barrier to employment. Counties with less than two percent of the
statewide number of AFDC or MFIP cases where the lack of English is a barrier to
employment shall not receive an allocation of the work literacy language program
funds; and
(2) for each subsequent fiscal
year, the allocation shall be based on the county's proportion of the total
statewide number of MFIP-S cases in the previous fiscal year where the lack of
English is a barrier to employment. Counties with less than two percent of the
statewide number of MFIP-S cases where the lack of English is a barrier to
employment shall not receive an allocation of the work literacy language program
funds.
Subd. 7. [REALLOCATION.] The commissioner of human services shall review county
agency expenditures of MFIP-S employment and training services funds at the end
of the third quarter of the first year of the biennium and each quarter after
that and may reallocate unencumbered or unexpended money appropriated under this
section to those county agencies that can demonstrate a need for additional
money.
Subd. 8. [CONTINUATION OF
CERTAIN SERVICES.] At the request of the caregiver, the
county may continue to provide case management, counseling or other support
services to a participant following the participant's achievement of the
employment goal, for up to six months following termination of the participant's
eligibility for MFIP-S.
A county may expend funds for a
specific employment and training service for the duration of that service to a
participant if the funds are obligated or expended prior to the participant
losing MFIP-S eligibility.
Sec. 51. [256J.645] [INDIAN TRIBE MFIP-S EMPLOYMENT AND
TRAINING.]
Subdivision 1.
[AUTHORIZATION TO ENTER INTO AGREEMENTS.] Effective July
1, 1997, the commissioner may enter into agreements with federally recognized
Indian tribes with a reservation in the state to provide MFIP-S employment and
training services to members of the Indian tribe and to other caregivers who are
a part of the tribal member's MFIP-S assistance unit. For purposes of this
section, "Indian tribe" means a tribe, band, nation, or other federally
recognized group or community of Indians. The commissioner may also enter into
an agreement with a consortium of Indian tribes providing the governing body of
each Indian tribe in the consortium complies with the provisions of this
section.
Subd. 2. [TRIBAL
REQUIREMENTS.] The Indian tribe must:
(1) agree to fulfill the
responsibilities provided under the employment and training component of MFIP-S
regarding operation of MFIP-S employment and training services, as designated by
the commissioner;
(2) operate its employment and
training services program within a geographic service area not to exceed the
counties within which a border of the reservation falls;
(3) operate its program in
conformity with section 13.46 and any applicable federal regulations in the use
of data about MFIP-S recipients;
(4) coordinate operation of its
program with the county agency, Job Training Partnership Act programs, and other
support services or employment-related programs in the counties in which the
tribal unit's program operates;
(5) provide financial and
program participant activity recordkeeping and reporting in the manner and using
the forms and procedures specified by the commissioner and permit inspection of
its program and records by representatives of the state; and
(6) have the Indian tribe's
employment and training service provider certified by the commissioner of
economic security, or approved by the county.
Subd. 3. [FUNDING.] If the commissioner and an Indian tribe are parties to an
agreement under this subdivision, the agreement may annually provide to the
Indian tribe the funding amount in clause (1) or (2):
(1) if the Indian tribe operated
a tribal STRIDE program during state fiscal year 1997, the amount to be provided
is the amount the Indian tribe received from the state for operation of its
tribal STRIDE program in state fiscal year 1997, except that the amount provided
for a fiscal year may increase or decrease in the same proportion that the total
amount of state funds available for MFIP-S employment and training services
increased or decreased that fiscal year; or
(2) if the Indian tribe did not
operate a tribal STRIDE program during state fiscal year 1997, the commissioner
may provide to the Indian tribe for the first year of operations the amount
determined by multiplying the state allocation for MFIP-S employment and
training services to each county agency in the Indian tribe's service delivery
area by the percentage of MFIP-S recipients in that county who were members of
the Indian tribe during the previous state fiscal year. The resulting amount
shall also be the amount that the commissioner may provide to the Indian tribe
annually thereafter through an agreement under this subdivision, except that the
amount provided for a fiscal year may increase or decrease in the same
proportion that the total amount of state funds available for MFIP-S employment
and training services increased or decreased that fiscal year.
Subd. 4. [COUNTY AGENCY
REQUIREMENT.] Indian tribal members receiving MFIP-S
benefits and residing in the service area of an Indian tribe operating
employment and training services under an agreement with the commissioner must
be referred by county agencies in the service area to the Indian tribe for
employment and training services.
Sec. 52. [256J.65] [THE SELF-EMPLOYMENT INVESTMENT
DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM (SEID).]
(a) A caregiver who enrolls and
participates in the SEID program as specified in section 268.95, may, at county
option, be exempted from other employment and training participation
requirements for a period of up to 24 months, except for the school attendance
requirements as specified in section 256J.54.
(b) The following income and
resource considerations apply to SEID participants:
(1) an unencumbered cash reserve
fund, composed of proceeds from a SEID business, is not counted against the
grant if those funds are reinvested in the business and the value of the
business does not exceed $3,000. The value of the business is determined by
deducting outstanding encumbrances from retained business profit; and
(2) the purchase of capital
equipment and durable goods of an amount up to $3,000 during a 24-month project
period is allowed as a business expense.
(c) SEID participants with a
county-approved employment plan are also eligible for employment and training
services, including child care and transportation.
Sec. 53. [256J.66] [ON-THE-JOB TRAINING.]
Subdivision 1. [ESTABLISHING
THE ON-THE-JOB TRAINING PROGRAM.] (a) County agencies
may develop on-the-job training programs for MFIP-S caregivers who are
participating in employment and training services. A county agency that chooses
to provide on-the-job training may make payments to employers for on-the-job
training costs that, during the period of the training, must not exceed 50
percent of the wages paid by the employer to the participant. The payments are
deemed to be in compensation for the extraordinary costs associated with
training participants under this section and in compensation for the costs
associated with the lower productivity of the participants during training.
(b) Provision of an on-the-job
training program under the Job Training Partnership Act, in and of itself, does
not qualify as an on-the-job training program under this section.
(c) Participants in on-the-job
training shall be compensated by the employer at the same rates, including
periodic increases, as similarly situated employees or trainees and in
accordance with applicable law, but in no event less than the federal or
applicable state minimum wage, whichever is higher.
Subd. 2. [TRAINING AND
PLACEMENT.] (a) County agencies shall limit the length
of training based on the complexity of the job and the caregiver's previous
experience and training. Placement in an on-the-job training position with an
employer is for the purpose of training and employment with the same employer
who has agreed to retain the person upon satisfactory completion of
training.
(b) Placement of any participant
in an on-the-job training position must be compatible with the participant's
assessment and employment plan under section 256J.52.
Sec. 54. [256J.67] [COMMUNITY WORK EXPERIENCE.]
Subdivision 1. [ESTABLISHING
THE COMMUNITY WORK EXPERIENCE PROGRAM.] To the extent of
available resources, each county agency may establish and operate a work
experience component for MFIP-S caregivers who are participating in employment
and training services. This option for county agencies supersedes the
requirement in section 402(a)(1)(B)(iv) of the Social Security Act that
caregivers who have received assistance for two months and who are not exempt
from work requirements must participate in a work experience program. The
purpose of the work experience component is to enhance the caregiver's
employability and self-sufficiency and to provide meaningful, productive work
activities. The county shall use this program for an individual after exhausting
all other employment opportunities. The county agency shall not require a
caregiver to participate in the community work experience program unless the
caregiver has been given an opportunity to participate in other work
activities.
Subd. 2. [COMMISSIONER'S
DUTIES.] The commissioner shall assist counties in the
design and implementation of these components.
Subd. 3. [EMPLOYMENT
OPTIONS.] (a) Work sites developed under this section
are limited to projects that serve a useful public service such as: health,
social service, environmental protection, education, urban and rural development
and redevelopment, welfare, recreation, public facilities, public safety,
community service, services to aged or disabled citizens, and child care. To the
extent possible, the prior training, skills, and experience of a caregiver must
be considered in making appropriate work experience assignments.
(b) Structured, supervised
volunteer work with an agency or organization, which is monitored by the county
service provider, may, with the approval of the county agency, be used as a work
experience placement.
(c) As a condition of placing a
caregiver in a program under this section, the county agency shall first provide
the caregiver the opportunity:
(1) for placement in suitable
subsidized or unsubsidized employment through participation in a job search;
or
(2) for placement in suitable
employment through participation in on-the-job training, if such employment is
available.
Subd. 4. [EMPLOYMENT PLAN.]
(a) The caretaker's employment plan must include the
length of time needed in the work experience program, the need to continue
job-seeking activities while participating in work experience, and the
caregiver's employment goals.
(b) After each six months of a
caregiver's participation in a work experience job placement, and at the
conclusion of each work experience assignment under this section, the county
agency shall reassess and revise, as appropriate, the caregiver's employment
plan.
(c) A caregiver may claim good
cause under section 256J.57, subdivision 1, for failure to cooperate with a work
experience job placement.
(d) The county agency shall
limit the maximum number of hours any participant may work under this section to
the amount of the transitional standard divided by the federal or applicable
state minimum wage, whichever is higher. After a participant has been assigned
to a position for nine months, the participant may not continue in that
assignment unless the maximum number of hours a participant works is no greater
than the amount of the transitional standard divided by the rate of pay for
individuals employed in the same or similar occupations by the same employer at
the same site. This limit does not apply if it would prevent a participant from
counting toward the federal work participation rate.
Sec. 55. [256J.68] [INJURY PROTECTION FOR WORK
EXPERIENCE PARTICIPANTS.]
Subdivision 1.
[APPLICABILITY.] (a) This section must be used to
determine payment of any claims resulting from an alleged injury or death of a
person participating in a county or a tribal community work experience program
that is approved by the commissioner and is operated by:
(i) the county agency;
(ii) the tribe;
(iii) a department of the state;
or
(iv) a community-based
organization under contract, prior to April 1, 1997, with a county agency to
provide a community work experience program or a food stamp community work
experience program, provided the organization has not experienced any individual
injury loss or claim greater than $1,000.
(b) This determination method is
available to the community-based organization under clause (iv) only for claims
incurred by participants in the community work experience program or the food
stamp community work experience program.
(c) This determination method
applies to work experience programs authorized by the commissioner for persons
applying for or receiving cash assistance and food stamps, and to the Minnesota
parent's fair share program and the community service program under section
518.551, subdivision 5a, in a county with an approved community investment
program for obligors.
Subd. 2. [INVESTIGATION OF
THE CLAIM.] Claims that are subject to this section must
be investigated by the county agency or the tribal program responsible for
supervising the work to determine whether the claimed injury occurred, whether
the claimed medical expenses are reasonable, and whether the loss is covered by
the claimant's insurance. If insurance coverage is established, the county
agency or tribal program shall submit the claim to the appropriate insurance
entity for payment. The investigating county agency or tribal program shall
submit all valid claims, in the amount net of any insurance payments, to the
department of human services.
Subd. 3. [SUBMISSION OF
CLAIM.] The commissioner shall submit all claims for
permanent partial disability compensation to the commissioner of labor and
industry. The commissioner of labor and industry shall review all submitted
claims and recommend to the department of human services an amount of
compensation comparable to that which would be provided under the permanent
partial disability compensation schedule of section 176.101, subdivision 2a.
Subd. 4. [CLAIMS LESS THAN
$1,000.] The commissioner shall approve a claim of
$1,000 or less for payment if appropriated funds are available, if the county
agency or tribal program responsible for supervising the work has made the
determinations required by this section, and if the work program was operated in
compliance with the safety provisions of this section. The commissioner shall
pay the portion of an approved claim of $1,000 or less that is not covered by
the claimant's insurance within three months of the date of submission. On or
before February 1 of each year, the commissioner shall submit to the appropriate
committees of the senate and the house of representatives a list of claims of
$1,000 or less paid during the preceding calendar year and shall be reimbursed
by legislative appropriation for any claims that exceed the original
appropriation provided to the commissioner to operate this program. Any unspent
money from this appropriation shall carry over to the second year of the
biennium, and any unspent money remaining at the end of the second year shall be
returned to the state general fund.
Subd. 5. [CLAIMS MORE THAN
$1,000.] On or before February 1 of each year, the
commissioner shall submit to the appropriate committees of the senate and the
house of representatives a list of claims in excess of $1,000 and a list of
claims of $1,000 or less that were submitted to but not paid by the
commissioner, together with any recommendations of appropriate compensation.
These claims shall be heard and determined by the appropriate committees of the
senate and house of representatives and, if approved, must be paid under the
legislative claims procedure.
Subd. 6. [COMPENSATION FOR
CERTAIN COSTS.] Compensation paid under this section is
limited to reimbursement for reasonable medical expenses and permanent partial
disability compensation for disability in like amounts as allowed in section
176.101, subdivision 2a. Compensation for injuries resulting in death shall
include reasonable medical expenses and burial expenses in addition to payment
to the participant's estate in an amount up to $200,000. No compensation shall
be paid under this section for pain and suffering, lost wages, or other benefits
provided in chapter 176. Payments made under this section shall be reduced by
any proceeds received by the claimant from any insurance policy covering the
loss. For the purposes of this section, "insurance policy" does not include the
medical assistance program authorized under chapter 256B or the general
assistance medical care program authorized under chapter 256D.
Subd. 7. [EXCLUSIVE
PROCEDURE.] The procedure established by this section is
exclusive of all other legal, equitable, and statutory remedies against the
state, its political subdivisions, or employees of the state or its political
subdivisions. The claimant shall not be entitled to seek damages from any state,
county, tribal, or reservation insurance policy or self-insurance program.
Subd. 8. [INVALID CLAIMS.]
A claim is not valid for purposes of this section if the
county agency responsible for supervising the work cannot verify to the
commissioner:
(1) that appropriate safety
training and information is provided to all persons being supervised by the
agency under this section; and
(2) that all programs involving
work by those persons comply with federal Occupational Safety and Health
Administration and state department of labor and industry safety standards. A
claim that is not valid because of failure to verify safety training or
compliance with safety standards will not be paid by the department of human
services or through the legislative claims process and must be heard, decided,
and paid, if appropriate, by the local government unit or tribal program
responsible for supervising the work of the claimant.
Sec. 56. [256J.69] [GRANT DIVERSION.]
Subdivision 1. [ESTABLISHING
THE GRANT DIVERSION PROGRAM.] (a) County agencies may
develop grant diversion programs for MFIP-S participants participating in
employment and training services. A county agency that chooses to provide grant
diversion may divert to an employer part or all of the MFIP-S cash payment for
the participant's assistance unit, in compliance with federal regulations and
laws. Such payments to an employer are to subsidize employment for MFIP-S
participants as an alternative to public assistance payments.
(b) In addition to diverting the
MFIP-S grant to the employer, employment and training funds may be used to
subsidize the grant diversion placement.
(c) Participants in grant
diversion shall be compensated by the employer at the same rates, including
periodic increases, as similarly situated employees or trainees and in
accordance with applicable law, but in no event less than the federal or
applicable state minimum wage, whichever is higher.
Subd. 2. [TRAINING AND
PLACEMENT.] (a) County agencies shall limit the length
of training to nine months. Placement in a grant diversion training position
with an employer is for the purpose of training and employment with the same
employer who has agreed to retain the person upon satisfactory completion of
training.
(b) Placement of any participant
in a grant diversion subsidized training position must be compatible with the
assessment and employment plan or employability development plan established for
the recipient under section 256J.52 or 256K.03, subdivision 8.
Sec. 57. [256J.72] [NONDISPLACEMENT IN WORK ACTIVITIES.]
Subdivision 1.
[NONDISPLACEMENT PROTECTION.] For job assignments under
jobs programs established under this chapter or chapter 256, 256D, or 256K, the
county agency must provide written notification to and obtain the written
concurrence of the appropriate exclusive bargaining representatives with respect
to job duties covered under collective bargaining agreements and ensure that no
work assignment under this chapter or chapter 256, 256D, or 256K results in:
(1) termination, layoff, or
reduction of the work hours of an employee for the purpose of hiring an
individual under this section;
(2) the hiring of an individual
if any other person is on layoff, including seasonal layoff, from the same or a
substantially equivalent job;
(3) any infringement of the
promotional opportunities of any currently employed individual;
(4) the impairment of existing
contract for services of collective bargaining agreements; or
(5) a participant filling an
established unfilled position vacancy, except for on-the-job training.
The written notification must be
provided to the appropriate exclusive bargaining representatives at least 14
days in advance of placing recipients in temporary public service employment.
The notice must include the number of individuals involved, their work locations
and anticipated hours of work, a summary of the tasks to be performed, and a
description of how the individuals will be trained and supervised.
Subd. 2. [DISPUTE
RESOLUTION.] (a) If there is a dispute between an
exclusive bargaining representative and a county provider or employer over
whether job duties are within the scope of a collective bargaining unit, the
exclusive bargaining representative, the county, the provider, or the employer
may petition the bureau of mediation services to determine if the job duties are
within the scope of a collective bargaining unit, and the bureau shall render a
binding decision.
(b) In the event of a dispute
under this section, the parties may:
(1) use a grievance and
arbitration procedure of an existing collective bargaining agreement to process
a dispute over whether a violation of the nondisplacement provisions has
occurred; or
(2) if no grievance and
arbitration procedure is in place, either party may submit the dispute to the
bureau. The commissioner of the bureau of mediation services shall establish a
procedure for a neutral, binding resolution of the dispute.
Subd. 3. [STATUS OF
PARTICIPANT.] A participant may not work in a temporary
public service or community service job for a public employer for more than 67
working days or 536 hours, whichever is greater, as part of a work program
established under chapter 256, 256D, 256J, or 256K. A participant who exceeds
the time limits in this subdivision is a public employee, as that term is used
in chapter 179A. Upon the written request of the exclusive bargaining
representative, a county or public service employer shall make available to the
affected exclusive bargaining representative a report of hours worked by
participants in temporary public service or community service jobs.
Sec. 58. [256J.74] [RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER PROGRAMS.]
Subdivision 1. [SOCIAL
SERVICES.] The county agency shall refer a participant
for social services that are offered in the county of financial responsibility
according to the criteria established by that county agency under Minnesota
Rules, parts 9550.0010 to 9550.0092. A payment issued from federal funds under
title XX of the Social Security Act, state funds under the Community Social
Services Act, federal or state child welfare funds, or county funds in a payment
month must not restrict MFIP-S eligibility or reduce the monthly assistance
payment for that participant.
Subd. 2. [CONCURRENT
ELIGIBILITY, LIMITATIONS.] A county agency must not
count an applicant or participant as a member of more than one assistance unit
in a given payment month, except as provided in clauses (1) and (2).
(1) A participant who is a
member of an assistance unit in this state is eligible to be included in a
second assistance unit in the first full month that the participant leaves the
first assistance unit and lives with a second assistance unit.
(2) An applicant whose needs are
met through foster care that is reimbursed under title IV-E of the Social
Security Act for the first part of an application month is eligible to receive
assistance for the remaining part of the month in which the applicant returns
home. Title IV-E payments and adoption assistance payments must be considered
prorated payments rather than a duplication of MFIP-S need.
Subd. 3. [EMERGENCY
ASSISTANCE, ASSISTANCE UNIT WITH A MINOR CHILD.] An
MFIP-S assistance unit with a minor child or a pregnant woman without a minor
child is eligible for emergency assistance when the assistance unit meets the
requirements in section 256J.48, subdivision 2.
Subd. 4. [MEDICAL
ASSISTANCE.] Medical assistance eligibility for MFIP-S
participants shall be determined as described in chapter 256B.
Sec. 59. [256J.75] [COUNTY OF FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
POLICIES.]
Subdivision 1. [COUNTY OF
FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY.] The county of financial
responsibility is the county in which a minor child or pregnant woman lives on
the date the application is signed, unless subdivision 4 applies. When more than
one county is financially responsible for the members of an assistance unit,
financial responsibility must be
assigned to a single county beginning the first day of
the calendar month after the assistance unit members are required to be in a
single assistance unit. Financial responsibility must be assigned to the county
that was initially responsible for the assistance unit member with the earliest
date of application. The county in which the assistance unit is currently
residing becomes financially responsible for the entire assistance unit
beginning two full calendar months after the month in which financial
responsibility was consolidated in one county. Subd. 2. [CHANGE IN
RESIDENCE.] (a) When an assistance unit moves from one
county to another and continues to receive assistance, the new county of
residence becomes the county of financial responsibility when that assistance
unit has lived in that county in nonexcluded status for two full calendar
months. "Nonexcluded status" means the period of residence that is not
considered excluded time under section 256G.02, subdivision 6. When a minor
child moves from one county to another to reside with a different caregiver, the
caregiver in the former county is eligible to receive assistance for that child
only through the last day of the month of the move. The caregiver in the new
county becomes eligible to receive assistance for the child the first day of the
month following the move or the date of application, whichever is later.
(b) When an applicant moves from
one county to another while the application is pending, the county where
application first occurred is the county of financial responsibility until the
applicant has lived in the new county for two full calendar months, unless the
applicant's move is covered under section 256G.02, subdivision 6.
Subd. 3. [RESPONSIBILITY FOR
INCORRECT ASSISTANCE PAYMENTS.] A county of residence,
when different from the county of financial responsibility, will be charged by
the commissioner for the value of incorrect assistance payments and medical
assistance paid to or on behalf of a person who was not eligible to receive that
amount. Incorrect payments include payments to an ineligible person or family
resulting from decisions, failures to act, miscalculations, or overdue
recertification. However, financial responsibility does not accrue for a county
when the recertification is overdue at the time the referral is received by the
county of residence or when the county of financial responsibility does not act
on the recommendation of the county of residence. When federal or state law
requires that medical assistance continue after assistance ends, this
subdivision also governs financial responsibility for the extended medical
assistance.
Subd. 4. [EXCLUDED TIME.] When an applicant or participant resides in an excluded
time facility as described in section 256G.02, subdivision 6, the county that is
financially responsible for the applicant or participant is the county in which
the applicant or participant last resided outside such a facility immediately
before entering the facility. When an applicant or participant has not resided
in this state for any time other than excluded time as defined in section
256G.02, subdivision 6, the county that is financially responsible for the
applicant or participant is the county in which the applicant or participant
resides on the date the application is signed.
Sec. 60. [256J.76] [COUNTY ADMINISTRATIVE AID.]
Subdivision 1.
[ADMINISTRATIVE FUNCTIONS.] Beginning July 1, 1997,
counties will receive federal funds from the TANF block grant for use in
supporting eligibility, fraud control, and other related administrative
functions. The federal funds available for distribution, as determined by the
commissioner, must be an amount equal to federal administrative aid distributed
for fiscal year 1996 under titles IV-A and IV-F of the Social Security Act in
effect prior to October 1, 1996. This amount must include the amount paid for
local collaboratives under sections 245.4932 and 256F.13, but must not include
administrative aid associated with child care under section 119B.05, with
emergency assistance intensive family preservation services under section
256.8711, with administrative activities as part of the employment and training
services under section 256.736, or with fraud prevention investigation
activities under section 256.983.
Subd. 2. [ALLOCATION OF
COUNTY FUNDS.] The commissioner shall determine and
allocate the funds available to each county, on a calendar year basis,
proportional to the amount paid to each county for fiscal year 1996, excluding
the amount paid for local collaboratives under sections 245.4932 and 256F.13.
For the period beginning July 1, 1997, and ending December 31, 1998, each county
shall receive 150 percent of its base year allocation.
Subd. 3. [MONTHLY PAYMENTS
TO COUNTIES.] The commissioner shall pay counties
monthly as federal funds are available. The commissioner may certify the
payments for the first three months of a calendar year.
Subd. 4. [REPORTING
REQUIREMENT.] The commissioner shall specify
requirements for reporting according to section 256.01, subdivision 2, paragraph
(17). Each county shall be reimbursed at a rate of 50 percent of eligible
expenditures up to the limit of its allocation.
Sec. 61. [NOTICE AND REFERRAL PROCEDURES FOR DOMESTIC
VIOLENCE VICTIMS.]
The commissioner of human
services shall develop procedures for the county agencies and their contractors
to identify victims of domestic violence. The procedures must provide, at a
minimum, universal notification to all applicants and recipients of MFIP-S
that:
(1) referrals to counseling and
supportive services are available for victims of domestic violence;
(2) nonpermanent resident
battered individuals married to U.S. citizens or permanent residents may be
eligible to petition for permanent residency under the Violence Against Women
Act, and that referrals to appropriate legal services are available; and
(3) victims of domestic violence
are exempt from the 60-month limit on assistance while the individual is
complying with an approved safety plan, as defined in section 256J.49,
subdivision 11.
Notification must be in writing
and orally at the time of application and recertification, when the individual
is referred to the title IV-D child support agency, and at the beginning of any
job training or work placement assistance program.
Sec. 62. [DISCONTINUATION OF WAIVERS.]
If the federal government
refuses to continue waivers granted on or before August 11, 1996, or if the
federal government refuses to modify such waivers as requested by the department
of human services, then the department of human services may implement the
MFIP-S program in compliance with the federal mandate until the end of the next
legislative session. The department of human services shall publish its decision
to implement the federal mandate in the State Register and propose legislation
to address the conflict in the next legislative session.
Sec. 63. [COUNTY PERFORMANCE STANDARDS.]
(a) Beginning July 1, 1998, and
each quarter thereafter, the commissioner of human services shall inform all
counties of each county's performance on the following measures:
(1) MFIP-S caseload
reduction;
(2) average placement wage
rate;
(3) rate of job retention after
three months;
(4) placement rate into
unsubsidized jobs;
(5) federal participation
requirements as specified in title 1 of Public Law Number 104-193 of the
Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act of 1996;
(6) the average length of time
an individual receives public assistance, beginning with new MFIP-S applicants,
and the rate of recidivism; and
(7) the cost per placement of an
individual in unsubsidized employment.
(b) By January 1, 1998, the
counties and the commissioner shall establish performance standards for each of
the measures in paragraph (a).
(c) By July 1, 1998, the
counties and the commissioner shall develop a plan to allocate, if such
sanctions occur, federal sanctions between the state and counties resulting from
a failure to meet the performance standards specified in title 1 of Public Law
Number 104-193 of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act of
1996.
(d) The commissioner shall
report the plan to the legislature by October 1, 1998.
Sec. 64. [FINDINGS; CONTINGENT BENEFIT STANDARDS.]
Subdivision 1. [FINDINGS.]
For purposes of Minnesota Statutes, sections 256J.12 and
256J.43, the legislature makes the following findings:
(1) the legislature is
statutorily required to balance the state budget, and, in balancing the state
budget, faces competing funding priorities with limited resources;
(2) the legislature expects that
federal financial support for state-administered welfare programs, including the
Minnesota family investment program, will decrease in the wake of the federal
welfare reform legislation;
(3) many states are using the
flexibility given to them under the federal welfare reform legislation to enact
more restrictive welfare programs than Minnesota;
(4) despite likely weaker
federal financial support and the trend in other states toward more restrictive
welfare programs, the legislature wishes to continue to reform the state's
welfare system and manage funds appropriated for the Minnesota family investment
program so that the state may provide meaningful assistance for all needy
Minnesota families and their children;
(5) the legislature intends to
provide a safety net for recent interstate migrants and to encourage their
self-sufficiency;
(6) Minnesota county human
service agencies have reported to the commissioner of human services verified
cases of individuals from other states to this state at least in part because
this state has higher cash assistance benefits;
(7) the legislature anticipates
that, as other states further restrict their welfare programs, migration to this
state by families seeking higher welfare benefits will increase significantly
and may cause expenditures in excess of the funds appropriated for this
program;
(8) the policy of the state of
Minnesota is to make welfare benefits a neutral factor in a family's decision to
move to Minnesota, which is required for the state to continue its commitment to
reform its welfare system and to provide meaningful assistance for needy
Minnesota families and their children;
(9) if new residents experience
any harm under Minnesota Statutes, sections 256J.12 and 256J.43, such harm is
mitigated, since new residents, if eligible, can receive benefits immediately
under a hardship exemption; and in all cases, if eligible, can receive cash
assistance after 30 days; if eligible, they will receive the cash assistance
based on the assistance standard they would have received in their previous
state of residence for families of the same size;
(10) without Minnesota Statutes,
sections 256J.12 and 256J.43, the hardship to the state and its needy families
and children would be great because significant reductions in welfare benefits
will likely occur; and
(11) Minnesota Statutes,
sections 256J.12 and 256J.43, advance the public interest of continuing to
provide meaningful assistance to needy Minnesota families and their children
while providing a safety net for recent interstate migrants.
Subd. 2. [REDUCTION IF COURT
ENJOINMENT.] In the event a court enjoins enforcement of
Minnesota Statutes, section 256J.12 or 256J.43, this subdivision shall apply.
Beginning July 1, 1997, the commissioner of human services shall monitor the
number of individual applicants for AFDC under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 256,
and for public assistance under this chapter who have lived in this state for
less than 12 consecutive months and shall implement clauses (1) to (3) when the
commissioner determines that the cumulative number of such applicants since July
1, 1997, has reached at least 1,500. The commissioner shall:
(1) reduce the assistance
standards for the AFDC program and the transitional standards for the MFIP-S
program under this chapter for all recipients but only in an amount sufficient
to remain within the forecasted budgets for those programs; reductions shall
take effect beginning with payments made at the start of the second calendar
month following the commissioner's determination that the conditions specified
in this paragraph have occurred; make caregivers who have lived in this state
for less than 12 consecutive months ineligible for child care assistance
provided through the AFDC, MFIP-S,
MFIP-R, and MFIP programs, and the basic sliding fee
child care program. Education and training are not work activities for purposes
of caregivers who have lived in this state for less than 12 months. These
caregivers shall immediately comply with job search requirements until there is
an offer of suitable employment, and the caregiver shall accept any offer of
suitable employment; (2) notify the fiscal and policy
chairs of the house and senate human services committees that the reductions
have taken place; and
(3) formulate a plan to be
presented to the next legislative session.
Sec. 65. [TRANSFER FUNDING.]
Effective July 1, 1997, all
funding related to the child care assistance programs under Minnesota Statutes,
section 256.035, subdivision 8, is transferred to the commissioner of children,
families, and learning.
Sec. 66. [TRIBAL EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING PROGRAM;
REPORT.]
Subdivision 1. [AUTHORITY.]
Effective July 1, 1997, the commissioner of human
services, in conjunction with Indian tribes in the state, shall develop and
present to the legislature a plan for providing state funds in support of a
family assistance program administered by Indian tribes that have a reservation
in this state and have federal approval to operate a tribal program. This plan
must identify the primary arrangements needed to effect tribal administration
and needed funding, including agreements with a consortium of tribes, that
accurately reflect the state funding levels for Indian people as would otherwise
be available to MFIP-S program recipients. This plan must be developed
consistent with the requirements set forth in the Personal Responsibility and
Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, Public Law Number 104-193, section
412(b)(1)(B). For purposes of this section, "Indian tribe" means a tribe, band,
nation, or other federally recognized group or community of Indians.
Subd. 2. [REPORT TO THE
LEGISLATURE.] The plan referred to in subdivision 1 and
any resulting proposal for legislation must be presented to the legislature by
December 15, 1997.
Subd. 3. [TRIBAL
AGREEMENTS.] Once the plan in subdivision 1 is presented
to and approved by the legislature and signed into law, the commissioner is
authorized to enter into agreements with Indian tribes or consortia of tribes
consistent with the plan.
Subd. 4. [TRIBAL AND STATE
COORDINATION.] The commissioner shall consult with
Indian tribes in the state when formulating general policies regarding the
implementation of the state's public assistance program operated under title
IV-A of the Social Security Act. The commissioner shall take into consideration
circumstances affecting Indians, including circumstances identified by Indian
tribes, when designing the state's program. The state shall provide Indians with
equitable access to assistance as provided in the Personal Responsibility and
Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, Public Law Number 104-193, section
402(a)(5).
Subd. 5. [EMPLOYMENT
TRAINING.] Nothing in this section precludes any Indian
tribe in this state from participating in employment and training or child care
programs otherwise available by law to Indian tribes under:
(1) the MFIP program under
Minnesota Statutes, sections 256.031 to 256.0361, or its successor program;
(2) project STRIDE under
Minnesota Statutes, section 256.736, or its successor program;
(3) child care programs for
tribal program participants; and
(4) the Minnesota injury
protection program.
Subd. 6. [TRIBAL SOVEREIGN
STATUS.] Nothing in this section shall be construed to
waive, modify, expand, or diminish the sovereignty of federally recognized
Indian tribes, nor shall any Indian tribes be required in any way to deny their
sovereignty or waive their immunities except as mandated by federal law as a
requirement of entering into an agreement with the state under this section.
Subd. 7. [PLANNING.] The commissioner of human services shall assist tribes, in
a collaborative effort, with the development of the plan under subdivision 1 and
efforts associated with such development. Such efforts shall include, but not be
limited to, data collection regarding: receipt of public assistance by Indians,
unemployment rates within tribal service delivery areas, and dissemination of
information and research. The commissioner shall provide technical assistance to
tribal welfare reform task force members and tribes regarding the implementation
and operation of public assistance programs and assistance to tribes to develop
the plan under subdivision 1.
Sec. 67. [FORECASTING FUNDS.]
The MFIP-S program is not an
entitlement. For the assistance to families grants part of the budget, the
commissioner of human services shall not expend more funds than the
appropriations made available by the legislature. Appropriations made available
must include the state appropriated funds and federal funds specified for this
purpose and other available funds transferred from other accounts as allowed by
Minnesota law. Regardless of this limitation on expenditures, the total
projected costs of this program must be forecasted and recognized in the fund
balance.
Sec. 68. [STUDY; NONCUSTODIAL MINOR PARENTS.]
The commissioner shall study and
report back to the legislature by February 1, 1998, with recommendations for
legislative changes related to minor parents and the obligations of noncustodial
minor parents and their parents to cover the cost of caring for the custodial
parent and child who are living in households specified in Minnesota Statutes,
section 256J.14, subdivision 1, paragraph (a), or in other adult-supervised
living arrangements.
Sec. 69. [ADMINISTRATIVE RULES.]
The commissioner of human
services may adopt rules to implement Minnesota Statutes, chapters 256J and
256K. Because of the need for flexible and swift means of implementing this
program statewide, the rules adopted by the commissioner to implement this
program are exempted from Minnesota Statutes, chapter 14, until February 28,
1999. The commissioner shall prepare legislation for submission to the
legislature in 1998 incorporating the substance of any rules adopted under this
section and repealing those rules.
Sec. 70. [STUDY OF WORKING FAMILIES EXCEPTION TO
60-MONTH LIMIT.]
The commissioner of human
services shall report to the legislature by January 15, 1998, on the feasibility
of establishing an exception to the 60-month lifetime limit on TANF-funded
assistance for families in which the caregiver or caregivers are employed for a
substantial number of hours each week or are both employed and attending an
educational program.
Sec. 71. [TOTAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME COUNTED.]
Effective January 1, 1999,
notwithstanding any provision of Minnesota Statutes, chapter 256J, to the
contrary, eligibility for assistance under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 256J, the
Minnesota family investment program-statewide, must count income from all
unrelated individuals living in the household in order to qualify for MFIP-S
assistance.
Sec. 72. [REPAYMENT OF POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION FUNDS;
PROPOSAL REQUIRED.]
By February 15, 1998, the
commissioner of human services, in consultation with representatives of county
agencies, must develop and submit to the legislature a proposal that specifies a
methodology for the repayment of funds under Minnesota Statutes 1996, section
256J.53, subdivision 4. The commissioner's proposal must not apply the
methodology retroactively to participants who had a post-secondary education or
training program approved under that section before the date that the
commissioner's proposal, if enacted, becomes effective.
Sec. 73. [SEVERABILITY CLAUSE.]
If any provision of this act is
enjoined from implementation or found unconstitutional by any court of competent
jurisdiction, the remaining provisions shall remain valid and shall be given
full effect.
Sec. 74. [REPEALER.]
(a) Minnesota Statutes 1996,
sections 256.12, subdivisions 9, 10, 14, 15, 19, 20, 21, 22, and 23; 256.72;
256.73, subdivisions 1, 1a, 1b, 2, 3a, 3b, 5, 5a, 6, 8, 8a, 9, 10, and 11;
256.7341; 256.7365, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 9; 256.7366; 256.737;
256.738; 256.7381; 256.7382; 256.7383; 256.7384; 256.7385; 256.7386; 256.7387;
256.7388; 256.739; 256.74, subdivisions 1, 1a, 1b, 2, and 6; 256.745; 256.75;
256.76, subdivision 1; 256.78; 256.80; 256.81; 256.84; 256.85; 256.86; 256.863;
256.871; and 256.879, are repealed effective July 1, 1998.
(b) Minnesota Statutes 1996,
section 256.736, subdivisions 16 and 18, are repealed effective June 30,
1997.
(c) From January 1, 1998, to
March 31, 1998, the statutory sections listed in paragraph (a) apply only in
counties that operate an MFIP field trial and that continue to provide project
STRIDE services to members of the MFIP comparison group, and in those counties
that have not completed conversion to MFIP-S employment and training
services.
(d) From April 1, 1998, through
June 30, 1998, the sections listed in paragraph (a) are effective only in
counties that operate an MFIP field trial and that continue to provide project
STRIDE services to members of the comparison group.
Sec. 75. [EFFECTIVE DATE.]
(a) Sections 2, 7, 8, 16, 32,
33, 60, 61, and 64 are effective July 1, 1997.
(b) The remaining provisions of
this article are effective January 1, 1998, unless otherwise specified in the
section.
Section 1. [256K.01] [WORK FIRST PROGRAM.]
Subdivision 1. [CITATION.]
Sections 256K.01 to 256K.09 may be cited as the work
first program.
Subd. 2. [DEFINITIONS.] As used in sections 256K.01 to 256K.09, the following words
have the meanings given them.
(a) "Applicant" means an
individual who has submitted a request for assistance and has never received an
AFDC, MFIP-S or a family general assistance grant through the MAXIS computer
system as a caregiver, or an applicant whose AFDC, MFIP-S or family general
assistance application was denied or benefits were terminated due to
noncompliance with work first requirements.
(b) "Application date" means the
date any Minnesota county agency receives a signed and dated combined
application form Part I.
(c) "CAF" means a combined
application form on which people apply for multiple assistance programs,
including: cash assistance, refugee cash assistance, Minnesota supplemental aid,
food stamps, medical assistance, general assistance medical care, emergency
assistance, emergency medical assistance, and emergency general assistance
medical care.
(d) "Caregiver" means a parent
or eligible adult, including a pregnant woman, who is part of the assistance
unit that has applied for or is receiving an AFDC, MFIP-S, or family general
assistance grant. In a two-parent family, both parents are caregivers.
(e) "Child support" means a
voluntary or court-ordered payment by absent parents in an assistance unit.
(f) "Commissioner" means the
commissioner of human services.
(g) "Department" means the
department of human services.
(h) "Employability development
plan" or "EDP" means a plan developed by the applicant, with advice from the
employment advisor, for the purposes of identifying an employment goal,
improving work skills through certification or education, training or skills
recertification, and which addresses barriers to employment.
(i) "EDP status report form"
means a program form on which deferred participants indicate what has been
achieved in the participant's employability development plan and the types of
problems encountered.
(j) "Employment advisor" means a
program staff member who is qualified to assist the participant to develop a job
search or employability development plan, match the participant with existing
job openings, refer the participant to employers, and has an extensive knowledge
of employers in the area.
(k) "Financial specialist" means
a program staff member who is trained to explain the benefits offered under the
program, determine eligibility for different assistance programs, and broker
other resources from employers and the community.
(l) "Job network" means
individuals that a person may contact to learn more about particular companies,
inquire about job leads, or discuss occupational interests and expertise.
(m) "Job search allowance" means
the amount of financial assistance needed to support job search.
(n) "Job search plan" or "JSP"
means the specific plan developed by the applicant, with advice from the
employment advisor, to secure a job as soon as possible, and focus the scope of
the job search process and other activities.
(o) "JSP status report form"
means a program form on which participants indicate the number of submitted job
applications, job interviews held, jobs offered, other outcomes achieved,
problems encountered, and the total number of hours spent on job search per
week.
(p) "Participant" means a
recipient who is required to participate in the work first program.
(q) "Program" means the work
first program.
(r) "Provider" means an
employment and training agency certified by the commissioner of economic
security under section 268.871, subdivision 1.
(s) "Self-employment" means
employment where people work for themselves rather than an employer, are
responsible for their own work schedule, and do not have taxes or FICA withheld
by an employer.
(t) "Self-sufficiency agreement"
means the agreement between the county or its representative and the applicant
that describes the activities that the applicant must conduct and the necessary
services and aid to be furnished by the county to enable the individual to meet
the purpose of either the job search plan or employability development plan.
(u) "Subsidized job" means a job
that is partly reimbursed by the provider for cost of wages for participants in
the program.
Subd. 3. [ESTABLISHING WORK
FIRST PROGRAM.] The commissioners of human services and
economic security may develop and establish pilot projects which require
applicants for aid under AFDC, MFIP-S or family general assistance to meet the
requirements of the work first program. The purpose of the program is to:
(1) ensure that the participant
is working as early as possible;
(2) promote greater opportunity
for economic self-support, participation, and mobility in the work force;
and
(3) minimize the risk for
long-term welfare dependency.
Subd. 4. [PROGRAM
ADMINISTRATION.] The program must be administered in a
way that, in addition to the county agency, other sectors in the community such
as employers from the public and private sectors, not-for-profit organizations,
educational and social service agencies, labor unions, and neighborhood
associations are involved.
Subd. 5. [PROGRAM DESIGN.]
The program shall meet the following principles:
(1) work is the primary means of
economic support;
(2) the individual's potential
is reviewed during the application process to determine how to approach the job
market aggressively;
(3) public aid such as cash and
medical assistance, child care, child support assurance, and other cash benefits
are used to support intensive job search and immediate work; and
(4) maximum use is made of tax
credits to supplement income.
Subd. 6. [DUTIES OF
COMMISSIONER.] In addition to any other duties imposed
by law, the commissioner shall:
(1) establish the program
according to sections 256K.01 to 256K.09 and allocate money as appropriate to
pilot counties participating in the program;
(2) provide systems development
and staff training;
(3) accept and supervise the
disbursement of any funds that may be provided from other sources for use in the
demonstration program; and
(4) direct a study to safeguard
the interests of children.
Subd. 7. [DUTIES OF COUNTY
AGENCY.] The county agency shall:
(1) collaborate with the
commissioners of human services and economic security and other agencies to
develop, implement, and evaluate the demonstration of the work first
program;
(2) operate the work first
program in partnership with private and public employers, local industry
councils, labor unions, and employment, educational, and social service
agencies, according to subdivision 4; and
(3) ensure that program
components such as client orientation, immediate job search, job development,
creation of temporary public service jobs, job placements, and postplacement
follow-up are implemented according to the work first program.
Subd. 8. [DUTIES OF
PARTICIPANT.] To be eligible for an AFDC, MFIP-S or
family general assistance benefit, a participant shall cooperate with the county
agency, the provider, and the participant's employer in all aspects of the
program.
Sec. 2. [256K.015] [ELIGIBILITY FOR WORK FIRST.]
To be eligible for work first,
an applicant must meet the eligibility requirements of AFDC or MFIP-S, whichever
is in effect in the county, to the extent that those requirements are not
inconsistent with this chapter.
Sec. 3. [256K.02] [PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS; PROGRAM
EXPECTATIONS.]
All applicants selected for
participation are expected to meet the requirements under the work first
program. Payments for rent and utilities up to the AFDC, MFIP-S, or family
general assistance program benefits to which the assistance unit is entitled
will be vendor paid for as many months as the applicant is eligible or six
months, whichever comes first. The residual amount after vendor payment, if any,
will be paid to the recipient, unless it is used as a wage subsidy under section
256K.04, subdivision 2.
Sec. 4. [256K.03] [PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS.]
Subdivision 1. [NOTIFICATION
OF PROGRAM.] Except for the provisions in this section,
the provisions for the AFDC, MFIP-S, and family general assistance application
process shall be followed. Within two days after receipt of a
completed combined application form, the county agency
must refer to the provider the applicant who meets the conditions under section
256K.02, and notify the applicant in writing of the program including the
following provisions: (1) notification that, as part
of the application process, applicants are required to attend orientation, to be
followed immediately by a job search;
(2) the program provider, the
date, time, and location of the scheduled program orientation;
(3) the procedures for
qualifying for and receiving benefits under the program;
(4) the immediate availability
of supportive services, including, but not limited to, child care,
transportation, medical assistance, and other work-related aid; and
(5) the rights,
responsibilities, and obligations of participants in the program, including, but
not limited to, the grounds for exemptions and deferrals, the consequences for
refusing or failing to participate fully, and the appeal process.
Subd. 2. [PROGRAM
ORIENTATION.] The county must give a face-to-face
orientation regarding the program to the applicant within five days after the
date of application. The orientation must be designed to inform the applicant
of:
(1) the importance of locating
and obtaining a job as soon as possible;
(2) benefits to be provided to
support work;
(3) the manner by which benefits
shall be paid;
(4) how other supportive
services such as medical assistance, child care, transportation, and other
work-related aid shall be available to support job search and work;
(5) the consequences for failure
without good cause to comply with program requirements; and
(6) the appeal process.
Subd. 3. [JOB SEARCH PLAN;
EMPLOYMENT ADVISOR; FINANCIAL SPECIALIST.] At the end of
orientation, the provider must assign an employment advisor and a financial
specialist to the applicant. With advice from the employment advisor, the
applicant must develop a job search plan based on existing job markets, prior
employment, work experience, and transferable work skills, unless exempt under
subdivision 5. A job search must be planned and conducted for a period of up to
eight consecutive weeks from the date of application and for at least 32 hours
per week. The types of and target number of job openings to be pursued per week
must be written in the job search plan. The following activities may be included
in the job search plan:
(1) motivational counseling;
(2) job networking or training
on how to locate job openings;
(3) development of a personal
resume; and
(4) information on how to
conduct job interviews and establish a personal job network.
Following the development of the
job search plan or the employability development plan under subdivision 8, the
financial specialist must interview the applicant to determine eligibility for
and the extent of benefits under sections 256K.06 and 256K.07 to support the job
search or employability development plan. The provider must attach to the
appropriate plan the summary of the necessary enabling services and benefits to
be furnished by the provider. The provider or its representative and the
applicant must sign the plan, with its attachment, to indicate a
self-sufficiency agreement between the provider and the participant.
Subd. 4. [IMMEDIATE JOB
SEARCH.] An applicant must be required to begin job
search within seven days after the date of application for at least 32 hours per
week for up to eight weeks, unless exempt under subdivision 5 or deferred under
subdivision 8. For an applicant who is working at least 20 hours per week, job
search shall consist of 12 hours per week for up to eight weeks. Within the
first five days of job search, the applicant is required to initiate
informational contacts with prospective employers, generate additional job leads
from the job network, review references and experiences from previous
employment, and carry out the other activities under the job search plan
developed under subdivision 3.
Subd. 5. [EXEMPTION
CATEGORIES.] (a) The applicant will be exempt from the
job search requirements and development of a job search plan and an
employability development plan under subdivisions 3, 4, and 8 if the applicant
belongs to any of the following groups:
(1) caregivers under age 20 who
have not completed a high school education and are attending high school on a
full-time basis;
(2) individuals who are age 60
or older;
(3) individuals who are
suffering from a professionally certified permanent or temporary illness,
injury, or incapacity which is expected to continue for more than 30 days and
which prevents the person from obtaining or retaining employment;
(4) caregivers whose presence in
the home is needed because of illness or incapacity of another member in the
household;
(5) women who are pregnant, if
it has been medically verified that the child is expected to be born within the
next six months;
(6) caregivers or other
caregiver relatives of a child under the age of three who personally provide
full-time care for the child;
(7) individuals employed at
least 30 hours per week;
(8) individuals for whom
participation would require a round trip commuting time by available
transportation of more than two hours, excluding transporting of children for
child care;
(9) individuals for whom lack of
proficiency in English is a barrier to employment, provided such individuals are
participating in an intensive program which lasts no longer than six months and
is designed to remedy their language deficiency;
(10) individuals who, because of
advanced age or lack of ability, are incapable of gaining proficiency in
English, as determined by the county social worker, shall continue to be exempt
under this subdivision and are not subject to the requirement that they be
participating in a language program;
(11) individuals under such
duress that they are incapable of participating in the program, as determined by
the county social worker; or
(12) individuals in need of
refresher courses for purposes of obtaining professional certification or
licensure.
(b) In a two-parent family, only
one caregiver may be exempted under paragraph (a), clauses (4) and (6).
Subd. 6. [COUNTY DUTIES.] The county must act on the application within 30 days of
the application date. If the applicant is not eligible, the application will be
denied and the county must notify the applicant of the denial in writing. An
applicant whose application has been denied may be allowed to complete the job
search plan; however, supportive services will not be provided.
Subd. 7. [JOB SEARCH PLAN
STATUS REPORT.] The applicant or participant must submit
a completed job search plan status report form to the employment advisor every
two weeks during the job search process, with the first completed form due 21
days after the date of application.
Subd. 8. [EMPLOYABILITY
DEVELOPMENT PLAN.] At the discretion and approval of the
employment advisor, the applicant may be deferred from the requirement to
conduct at least 32 hours of job search per week for up to eight consecutive
weeks, if during the development of the job search plan, the applicant is
determined to:
(1) not have worked within the
past 12 months and not have a high school or a general equivalency diploma
provided the applicant agrees to develop and carry out an employability
development plan instead of job search, and concurrently work for at least 16
hours per week in a temporary public service job. The employability development
plan must include the employment goals and specific outcomes the participant
must achieve;
(2) be within six months of
completing any post-secondary training program, provided that the applicant
agrees to develop and carry out an employability development plan instead of a
job search, and concurrently work for a minimum number of hours per week in a
temporary public service job. The employability development plan must include
the employment goal and specific outcomes that the participant must achieve. The
applicant that is deferred under this subdivision may choose to work in a job
other than a public service job for a minimum number of hours per week rather
than in a temporary public service job. For individuals who are participating in
an educational program under this clause, and who are attending school full time
as determined by the institution, there is no work requirement. For individuals
participating in an educational program on a part-time basis as determined by
the institution, the minimum number of hours that a participant must work shall
be decreased as the participant increases the number of credit hours taken,
except that the participant shall not be required to work more than eight hours
per week.
During vacation periods of one
month or more, the 16-hour per week minimum work requirement shall apply. The
applicant may be deferred for up to six months. At the end of the deferment
period, the participant must develop a job search plan and conduct at least 32
hours of job search per week for up to eight consecutive weeks, and submit
reports as required under subdivisions 3 and 4; or
(3) be in treatment for chemical
dependency, be a victim of domestic abuse, or be homeless, provided that the
applicant agrees to develop an employability development plan instead of a job
search plan, and immediately follow through with the activities in the
employability development plan. The employability development plan must include
specific outcomes that the applicant must achieve for the duration of the
employability development plan and activities which are needed to address the
issues identified. Under this clause, the applicant may be deferred for up to
eight weeks.
Subd. 9. [EDP STATUS
REPORT.] The participant who is deferred from job search
under subdivision 8 must submit a completed employability development plan
status report form to the employment advisor every 14 days as long as the
participant continues to be deferred, with the first completed form due 21 days
after the date of application.
Subd. 10. [JOB OFFER.] The participant must not refuse any job offer, provided
that the job is within the participant's physical and mental abilities, pays
hourly gross wages of not less than the applicable state or federal minimum
wage, and meets health and safety standards set by federal, state, and county
agencies. If a job is offered, the participant must inform the provider
immediately to redetermine eligibility for and extent of benefits and services
to support work. To enhance job retention, the provider may provide services
such as motivational counseling or on-site problem solving for up to six months.
The participant who has completed at least six months of work in a nonsubsidized
job shall be encouraged to participate in a training program that would improve
the participant's ability to obtain a job that pays a higher wage.
Subd. 11. [DUTY TO REPORT.]
The participant must immediately inform the provider
regarding any changes related to the participant's employment status.
Subd. 12. [REQUIREMENT TO
WORK IN A TEMPORARY PUBLIC SERVICE JOB.] (a) If after
the completion of the maximum eight weeks of job search the participant has
failed to secure a nonsubsidized or a subsidized job for at least 32 hours per
week, or does not earn a net income from self-employment that is equal to at
least the AFDC, MFIP-S or family general assistance monthly grant for the
household size, whichever is applicable, the participant is required to work in
a temporary public service job for up to 67 working days for (1) at least 32
hours per week, or (2) a period equivalent to the result of dividing the monthly
grant amount which the participant would otherwise receive, by the federal
hourly minimum wage, or applicable hourly state minimum wage, or the hourly rate
of pay for individuals employed in the same occupation at the site, whichever is
highest. If the result is more than 128 hours per month, the participant's
requirement to work in a temporary public service job shall not be more than 32
hours per week.
(b) Within seven days from the
date of application, the participant who is deferred under subdivision 8, clause
(1) or (2), and is participating in an educational program on a part-time basis
must work in a temporary public service job as required under subdivision 8,
clause (2).
(c) The provider shall strive to
match the profile of the participant with the needs of the employers that are
participating in a temporary jobs program under section 256K.05.
Sec. 5. [256K.04] [JOB DEVELOPMENT AND SUBSIDY.]
Subdivision 1. [JOB
INVENTORY.] The provider must develop an inventory of
job openings including full-time, part-time, permanent, temporary or seasonal,
and training positions in partnership with private and public employers, local
industry councils, and employment agencies. To the extent possible, the
inventory must include specific information regarding job openings, must be
updated on a weekly basis, and must be available to all participants on a daily
basis.
Subd. 2. [JOB SUBSIDY.] The county may use all or part of the AFDC, MFIP-S or
family general assistance benefit as a subsidy to employers for the purpose of
providing work experience or training to the participant who has completed the
job search plan, provided that:
(1) the job to be subsidized is
permanent and full time, and pays an hourly rate of at least $6 per hour;
(2) the employer agrees to
retain the participant after satisfactory completion of the work experience or
training period; and
(3) the participant has first
tried to secure a nonsubsidized job by following the job search plan.
The subsidy may be available for
up to six months.
Sec. 6. [256K.05] [TEMPORARY JOBS PROGRAM.]
Subdivision 1. [PROGRAM
ESTABLISHED.] The provider must establish and operate a
program to provide temporary jobs to participants who, after eight weeks of job
search, are not hired into a nonsubsidized or a subsidized job, or are deferred
under section 256K.03, subdivision 8. The temporary jobs to be created under
this section must be public service jobs that serve a useful public service such
as: health, social service, environmental protection, education, urban and rural
development and redevelopment, welfare, recreation, public facilities, public
safety, community service, services to the aged or disabled citizens, and child
care.
Subd. 2. [ASSIGNMENT TO
TEMPORARY PUBLIC SERVICE JOBS.] The provider must assign
the participant who (1) is within completion of the required eight weeks of job
search and has failed to secure a nonsubsidized or a subsidized job for at least
32 hours per week, or (2) does not earn a net income from self-employment that
is equal to at least the AFDC, MFIP-S or family general assistance monthly grant
for the household size, whichever is applicable, to a temporary public service
job. The assignment must be made seven days before the end of the job search and
be based on section 256K.03, subdivision 12. The participant that is deferred
under section 256K.03, subdivision 8, will be assigned by the provider to a
temporary public service job within seven days after the application.
Subd. 3. [PARTICIPANT'S
STATUS.] The participant who is working in a temporary
public service job under this section is not considered an employee for the
purposes of unemployment insurance compensation, retirement, or civil service
laws, and shall not perform work ordinarily performed by a public employee.
Subd. 4. [CONTINUOUS JOB
SEARCH REQUIREMENT.] At the discretion of the provider,
the participant who is working in a temporary public service job under section
256K.03, subdivision 12, may be required to continue to look for a job for up to
eight hours per week in addition to working. The participant who is working at
least 20 hours per week but less than 32 hours per week in a nonsubsidized or
subsidized job may be required to look for a job for up to 20 hours per week in
lieu of work in the temporary public service job so that the total hours of work
and job search is not more than 40 hours per week.
Subd. 5. [EXCUSED ABSENCES.]
The participant who is working in a temporary public
service job may be allowed excused absences from the assigned temporary job site
up to eight hours per month. For purposes of this subdivision, "excused absence"
means absence due to temporary illness or injury of the caregiver or a member of
the caregiver's family, the unavailability of appropriate child care or
unavailability of transportation needed to go to and from the work site, a job
interview, or a nonmedical emergency. For purposes of this subdivision,
"emergency" means a sudden, unexpected occurrence or situation of a serious or
urgent nature that requires action.
Subd. 6. [MOVE TO A
DIFFERENT COUNTY.] If the applicant or recipient who is
required to participate in the work first program moves to a different county in
this state, the benefits and enabling services agreed upon in the
self-sufficiency agreement shall be provided by the pilot county where the
applicant or recipient originated, provided the move was part of the job search
or employability development plan. If the applicant or recipient is moving to a
different county for failure to comply with the requirements of the work first
program, the applicant or recipient will not be eligible for MFIP-S in this
state for at least six months from the date of the move.
Sec. 7. [256K.06] [TRANSITIONAL BENEFITS TO SUPPORT
WORK; RENT AND UTILITIES VENDOR PAYMENT.]
Payments for rent and utilities
up to the amount of AFDC, MFIP-S, or family general assistance benefits to which
the assistance unit is entitled shall be provided in the form of vendor payments
for as many months as the applicant is eligible or six months, whichever comes
first. The residual amount after vendor payment, if any, will be paid to the
AFDC, MFIP-S, or family general assistance recipient, unless it is used as a
wage subsidy under section 256K.04, subdivision 2. This provision shall apply to
all applicants including those meeting the exemption categories under section
256K.03, subdivision 5, or deferral categories under section 256K.03,
subdivision 8. To the extent needed, a job search allowance shall be provided
for up to eight weeks to cover expenses related to the job search. Before the
job search allowance is issued, it must be approved by the employment advisor
and financial specialist, and clearly described in the job search plan.
Sec. 8. [256K.07] [ELIGIBILITY FOR FOOD STAMPS, MEDICAL
ASSISTANCE, AND CHILD CARE.]
The participant shall be treated
as an AFDC, MFIP-S or family general assistance recipient, whichever is
applicable, for food stamps, medical assistance, and child care eligibility
purposes. The participant who leaves the program as a result of increased
earnings from employment shall be eligible for transitional Medical Assistance
and child care without regard to AFDC, MFIP-S or family general assistance
receipt in three of the six months preceding ineligibility.
Sec. 9. [256K.08] [SANCTIONS AND APPEAL PROCESS.]
Subdivision 1. [GOOD CAUSE.]
(a) For purposes of this subdivision, "good cause" means
absence due to temporary illness or injury of the participant or a member of the
participant's family, the unavailability of appropriate child care or
unavailability of transportation needed to attend orientation or conduct job
search, or a nonmedical emergency as defined under section 256K.05, subdivision
5.
(b) The applicant who is
required, but fails, without good cause, to participate in orientation, complete
the job search plan or employability development plan, and comply with the job
search requirements under section 256K.03, prior to being eligible for AFDC,
MFIP-S or family general assistance shall be denied benefits. The applicant will
not be eligible for benefits in this state for at least six months.
(c) If, after receiving a
written warning from the county, the participant fails, without good cause, to
conduct at least 32 hours of job search per week in any given two-week period,
the participant will be immediately required to work for at least 16 hours per
week in a temporary public service job. The required 32 hours per week of job
search will be reduced to 16 hours.
(d) If the participant who is
deferred under section 256K.03, subdivision 8, fails to comply with the
activities described in the employability development plan, the participant will
lose the deferment status, provided that the participant has received at least
two written warnings from the provider.
(e) If the participant refuses
to work in a temporary public service job, or is terminated from a temporary
public service job for failure to work, benefits to the assistance unit shall be
terminated and the participant shall not be eligible for aid under the MFIP-S
program for at least six months from the date of refusal or termination. If the
participant, before completing at least four consecutive months of employment,
voluntarily quits or is terminated from a nonsubsidized or a subsidized job, the
participant shall immediately be assigned to work in a temporary public service
job for at least 32 hours per week for up to 67 working days unless the
participant is hired or rehired into a nonsubsidized or subsidized job.
Subd. 2. [NOTICE OF
SANCTIONS.] If the county determines that the
participant has failed or refused without good cause, as defined in subdivision
1, to cooperate with the program requirements, the county shall inform the
participant in writing of its intent to impose an applicable sanction listed
under subdivision 1 and the opportunity to have a conciliation conference upon
request and within five days of the notice before a sanction is imposed.
Sec. 10. [256K.09] [FUNDING.]
Subdivision 1. [LEVERAGING
GRANT AMOUNT TO SECURE OTHER FUNDS.] The county agency
or the provider, in cooperation with the department, may leverage the grant
amount to secure other funds from employers, foundations, and the community for
the purpose of developing additional components to benefit children and improve
the program.
Subd. 2. [EMPLOYER
REIMBURSEMENT.] The employer shall be reimbursed for
wages paid to participants under Minnesota Statutes, section 256K.04,
subdivision 2.
Sec. 11. [REPEALER.]
Minnesota Statutes 1996,
sections 256.7351; 256.7352; 256.7353; 256.7354; 256.7355; 256.7356; 256.7357;
256.7358; and 256.7359, are repealed.
Sec. 12. [EFFECTIVE DATE.]
Article 2 is effective July 1,
1997.
Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 256.031, is
amended by adding a subdivision to read:
Subd. 6. [END OF FIELD
TRIALS.] Upon agreement with the federal government, the
field trials of the Minnesota family investment plan will end June 30, 1998.
Families in the comparison group under subdivision 3, paragraph (d), clause (i),
receiving aid to families with dependent children under sections 256.72 to
256.87, and STRIDE services under section 256.736 will continue in those
programs until June 30, 1998. After June 30, 1998, families who cease receiving
assistance under the Minnesota family investment plan and comparison group
families who cease receiving assistance under AFDC and STRIDE who are eligible
for the Minnesota family investment program-statewide (MFIP-S), medical
assistance, general assistance medical care, or the food stamp program shall be
placed with their consent on the programs for which they are eligible.
Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 256.033,
subdivision 1, is amended to read:
Subdivision 1. [ELIGIBILITY CONDITIONS.] (a) A family is
entitled to assistance under the Minnesota family investment plan if the family
is assigned to a test group in the evaluation as provided in section 256.031,
subdivision 3, paragraph (d), and:
(1) the family meets the definition of assistance unit
under section 256.032, subdivision 1a;
(2) the family's resources not excluded under
subdivision 3 do not exceed $2,000;
(3) the family can verify citizenship or lawful resident
alien status; and
(4) the family provides or applies for a social security
number for each member of the family receiving assistance under the family
investment plan.
(b) A family is eligible for the family investment plan
if the net income is less than the transitional standard as defined in section
256.032, subdivision 13, for that size and composition of family. In determining
available net income, the provisions in subdivision 2 shall apply.
(c) Upon application, a family is initially eligible for
the family investment plan if the family's gross income does not exceed the
applicable transitional standard of assistance for that family as defined under
section 256.032, subdivision 13, after deducting:
(1) 18 percent to cover taxes; and
(2) actual dependent care costs up to the maximum
disregarded under United States Code, title 42, section 602(a)(8)(A)(iii) (d) A family can remain eligible for the program if:
(1) it meets the conditions in subdivision 1a; and
(2) its income is below the transitional standard in
section 256.032, subdivision 13, allowing for income exclusions in subdivision 2
and after applying the family investment plan treatment of earnings under
subdivision 1a.
Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 256.033,
subdivision 1a, is amended to read:
Subd. 1a. [TREATMENT OF INCOME FOR THE PURPOSES OF
CONTINUED ELIGIBILITY.] To help families during their transition from the
Minnesota family investment plan to self-sufficiency, the following income
supports are available:
(a) The $30 and one-third and $90 disregards allowed
under section 256.74, subdivision 1, and the 20 percent earned income deduction
allowed under the federal Food Stamp Act of 1977, as amended, are replaced with
a single disregard of not less than 35 percent of gross earned income to cover
taxes and other work-related expenses and to reward the earning of income. This
single disregard is available for the entire time a family receives assistance
through the Minnesota family investment plan.
(b) The dependent care deduction, as prescribed under
section 256.74, subdivision 1, and United States Code, title 7, section 2014(e),
is replaced for families with earned income who need assistance with dependent
care with an entitlement to a dependent care subsidy from money appropriated for
the Minnesota family investment plan.
(c) The family wage level, as defined in section
256.032, subdivision 8, allows families to supplement earned income with
assistance received through the Minnesota family investment plan. If, after
earnings are adjusted according to the disregard described in paragraph (a),
earnings have raised family income to a level equal to or greater than the
family wage level, the amount of assistance received through the Minnesota
family investment plan must be reduced.
Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 256.736,
subdivision 3a, is amended to read:
Subd. 3a. [PARTICIPATION.] (a) (1) caretakers who are required to participate in a job
search under subdivision 14;
(2) custodial parents who are subject to the school
attendance or case management participation requirements under subdivision 3b;
(3) after the county agency
assures the availability of employment and training services for recipients
identified under clauses (1) and (2), and to the extent of available resources,
any other AFDC recipient.
(b) Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 256.74,
subdivision 1, is amended to read:
Subdivision 1. [AMOUNT.] The amount of assistance which
shall be granted to or on behalf of any dependent child and parent or other
needy eligible relative caring for the dependent child shall be determined by
the county agency (1) a parent or relative caretaker's spouse and
stepchildren; or
(2) blood or legally adopted relatives who are under the
age of 18 or under the age of 19 years who are regularly attending as a
full-time student, and are expected to complete before or during the month of
their 19th birthday, a high school or secondary level course of vocational or
technical training designed to prepare students for gainful employment. The
amount shall be based on the method of budgeting required in Public Law Number
97-35, section 2315, United States Code, title 42, section 602, as amended and
federal regulations at Code of Federal Regulations, title 45, section 233.
Nonrecurring lump sum income received by an AFDC family must be budgeted in the
normal retrospective cycle. When the family's income, after application of the
applicable disregards, exceeds the need standard for the family because of
receipt of earned or unearned lump sum income, the family will be ineligible for
the full number of months derived by dividing the sum of the lump sum income and
other income by the monthly need standard for a family of that size. Any income
remaining from this calculation is income in the first month following the
period of ineligibility. The first month of ineligibility is the payment month
that corresponds with the budget month in which the lump sum income was
received. For purposes of applying the lump sum provision, family includes those
persons defined in the Code of Federal Regulations, title 45, section
233.20(a)(3)(ii)(F). A period of ineligibility must be shortened when the
standard of need increases and the amount the family would have received also
changes, an amount is documented as stolen, an amount is unavailable because a
member of the family left the household with that amount and has not returned,
an amount is paid by the family during the period of ineligibility to cover a
cost that would otherwise qualify for emergency assistance, or the family incurs
and pays for medical expenses which would have been covered by medical
assistance if eligibility existed. In making its determination the county agency
shall disregard the following from family income:
(1) all the earned income of each dependent child
applying for AFDC if the child is a full-time student and all of the earned
income of each dependent child receiving AFDC who is a full-time student or is a
part-time student who is not a full-time employee. A student is one who is
attending a school, college, or university, or a course of vocational or
technical training designed to fit students for gainful employment and includes
a participant in the Job Corps program under the Job Training Partnership Act
(JTPA). The county agency shall also disregard all income of each dependent
child applying for or receiving AFDC when the income is derived from a program
carried out under JTPA, except that disregard of earned income may not exceed
six months per calendar year;
(2) all educational assistance, except the county agency
shall count graduate student teaching assistantships, fellowships, and other
similar paid work as earned income and, after allowing deductions for any unmet
and necessary educational expenses, shall count scholarships or grants awarded
to graduate students that do not require teaching or research as unearned
income;
(3) the first $90 of each individual's earned income.
For self-employed persons, the expenses directly related to producing goods and
services and without which the goods and services could not be produced shall be
disregarded (4) thirty dollars plus one-third of each individual's
earned income for individuals found otherwise eligible to receive aid or who
have received aid in one of the four months before the month of application.
With respect to any month, the county welfare agency shall not disregard under
this clause any earned income of any person who has: (a) reduced earned income
without good cause within 30 days preceding any month in which an assistance
payment is made; (b) refused without good cause to accept an offer of suitable
employment; commissioner of human services. Persons who are already
employed and who apply for assistance shall have their needs computed with full
account taken of their earned and other income. If earned and other income of
the family is less than need, as determined on the basis of public assistance
standards, the county agency shall determine the amount of the grant by applying
the disregard of income provisions. The county agency shall not disregard earned
income for persons in a family if the total monthly earned and other income
exceeds their needs, unless for any one of the four preceding months their needs
were met in whole or in part by a grant payment (5) an amount equal to the actual expenditures for the
care of each dependent child or incapacitated individual living in the same home
and receiving aid, not to exceed: (a) $175 for each individual age two and
older, and $200 for each individual under the age of two. The dependent care
disregard must be applied after all other disregards under this subdivision have
been applied;
(6) All payments made Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 256.74, is
amended by adding a subdivision to read:
Subd. 1c. [MFIP AND MFIP-R
COMPARISON GROUP FAMILIES.] Notwithstanding subdivision
1, the limitations of this subdivision apply to MFIP and MFIP-R comparison group
families under sections 256.031 to 256.0361. The disregard of thirty dollars
plus one-third of earned income in this subdivision shall be applied to the
individual's income for a period not to exceed four consecutive months. Any
month in which the individual loses this disregard because of the provisions of
subclauses (a) to (c) of subdivision 1 shall be considered as one of the four
months. An additional $30 work incentive must be available for an eight month
period beginning in the month following the last month of the combined $30 and
one-third work incentive. This period must be in effect whether or not the
person has earned income or is eligible for AFDC. To again qualify for the
earned income disregards under this subdivision, the individual must not be a
recipient of and for a period of 12 consecutive months. When an assistance unit
becomes ineligible for aid due to the fact that these disregards are no longer
applied to income, the assistance unit shall be eligible for medical assistance
benefits for a 12 month period beginning with the first month of AFDC
ineligibility.
Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 256.81, is
amended to read:
256.81 [COUNTY AGENCY, DUTIES.]
(1) The county agency shall keep such records, accounts,
and statistics in relation to aid to families with dependent children as the
state agency shall prescribe.
(2) Each grant of aid to families with dependent
children shall be paid to the recipient by the county agency unless paid by the
state agency. Payment must be in the form of a warrant immediately redeemable in
cash, electronic benefits transfer, or by direct deposit into the recipient's
account in a financial institution, except in those instances in which the
county agency, subject to the rules of the state agency, determines that
payments for care shall be made to an individual other than the parent or
relative with whom the dependent child is living or to vendors of goods and
services for the benefit of the child because such parent or relative is unable
to properly manage the funds in the best interests and welfare of the child.
There is a presumption of mismanagement of funds whenever a recipient is more
than 30 days in arrears on payment of rent, except when the recipient has
withheld rent to enforce the recipient's right to withhold the rent in
accordance with federal, state, or local housing laws. In cases of mismanagement
based solely on failure to pay rent, the county may vendor the rent payments to
the landlord. At the request of a recipient, the state or county may make
payments directly to vendors of goods and services, but only for goods and
services appropriate to maintain the health and safety of the child, as
determined by the county.
(3) The state or county may ask the recipient to give
written consent authorizing the state or county to provide advance notice to a
vendor before vendor payments of rent are reduced or terminated. Whenever
possible under state and federal laws and regulations and if the recipient
consents, the state or county shall provide at least 30 days notice to vendors
before vendor payments of rent are reduced or terminated. If 30 days notice
cannot be given, the state or county shall notify the vendor within three
working days after the date the state or county becomes aware that vendor
payments of rent will be reduced or terminated. When the county notifies a
vendor that vendor payments of rent will be reduced or terminated, the county
shall include in the notice that it is illegal to discriminate on the grounds
that a person is receiving public assistance and the penalties for violation.
The county shall also notify the recipient that it is illegal to discriminate on
the grounds that a person is receiving public assistance and the procedures for
filing a complaint. The county agency may develop procedures, including using
the MAXIS system, to implement vendor notice and may charge vendors a fee not
exceeding $5 to cover notification costs.
(4) A vendor payment arrangement is not a guarantee that
a vendor will be paid by the state or county for rent, goods, or services
furnished to a recipient, and the state and county are not liable for any
damages claimed by a vendor due to failure of the state or county to pay or to
notify the vendor on behalf of a recipient, except under a specific written
agreement between the state or county and the vendor or when the state or county
has provided a voucher guaranteeing payment under certain conditions.
(5) The county shall be paid from state and federal
funds available therefor the amount provided for in section 256.82.
(6) Federal funds available for administrative purposes
shall be distributed between the state and the counties in the same proportion
that expenditures were made except as provided for in section 256.017.
(7) The affected county may require that assistance paid
under the Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 256.82,
subdivision 2, is amended to read:
Subd. 2. [FOSTER CARE MAINTENANCE PAYMENTS.]
Notwithstanding subdivision 1, for the purposes of foster care maintenance
payments under Title IV-E of the federal Social Security Act, United States
Code, title 42, sections 670 to 676, during the period beginning July 1, 1985,
and ending December 31, 1985, the county paying the maintenance costs
shall be reimbursed for the costs from those federal
funds available for that purpose together with an amount of state funds equal to
a percentage of the difference between the total cost and the federal funds made
available for payment. This percentage shall not exceed the percentage specified
in subdivision 1 for the aid to families with dependent children program. In the
event that the state appropriation for this purpose is less than the state
percentage set in subdivision 1, the reimbursement shall be ratably reduced to
the county. Beginning January 1, 1986, for the purpose of foster care
maintenance payments under Title IV-E of the Social Security Act, United States
Code, title 42, sections 670 to 676, the county paying the maintenance costs
must be reimbursed for the costs from the federal money available for the
purpose. Beginning July 1, 1997, for the purposes of
determining a child's eligibility under title IV-E of the Social Security Act,
the placing agency shall use AFDC requirements in effect on June 1, 1995.
Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 256.9354, is
amended by adding a subdivision to read:
Subd. 8. [SPONSOR'S INCOME
AND RESOURCES DEEMED AVAILABLE.] When determining
eligibility for any federal or state benefits under sections 256.9351 to
256.9363 and 256.9366 to 256.9369, the income and resources of all noncitizens
whose sponsor signed an affidavit of support as defined under the United State
Code, title 8, section 1183a shall be deemed to include their sponsors' income
and resources as defined in the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity
Reconciliation Act of 1996, title IV, Public Law Number 104-193, sections 421
and 422.
Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 256B.055,
subdivision 3, is amended to read:
Subd. 3. [AFDC FAMILIES.] Until
March 31, 1998, medical assistance may be paid for a person who is eligible
for or receiving, or who would be eligible for, except for excess income or
assets, public assistance under the aid to families with dependent children
program in effect as of July 16, 1996, as required by
the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996
(PRWORA), Public Law Number 104-193.
Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 256B.055, is
amended by adding a subdivision to read:
Subd. 3a. [MFIP-S FAMILIES;
FAMILIES ELIGIBLE UNDER PRIOR AFDC RULES.] (a) Beginning
January 1, 1998, or on the date that MFIP-S is implemented in counties, medical
assistance may be paid for a person receiving public assistance under the MFIP-S
program.
(b) Beginning January 1, 1998,
medical assistance may be paid for a person who would have been eligible for
public assistance under the income and resource standards and deprivation
requirements, or who would have been eligible but for excess income or assets,
under the state's AFDC plan in effect as of July 16, 1996, as required by the
Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996
(PRWORA), Public Law Number 104-193.
Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 256B.055,
subdivision 5, is amended to read:
Subd. 5. [PREGNANT WOMEN; DEPENDENT UNBORN CHILD.]
Medical assistance may be paid for a pregnant woman who has written verification
of a positive pregnancy test from a physician or licensed registered nurse, who
meets the other eligibility criteria of this section and who would be
categorically eligible for assistance under the Sec. 13. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 256B.056,
subdivision 1a, is amended to read:
Subd. 1a. [INCOME AND ASSETS GENERALLY.] Unless
specifically required by state law or rule or federal law or regulation, the
methodologies used in counting income and assets to determine eligibility for
medical assistance for persons whose eligibility category is based on blindness,
disability, or age of 65 or more years, the methodologies for the supplemental
security income program shall be used, except that payments made obligation to pay support since the support order was
entered, the person with the legal obligation to pay support has petitioned for
modification of the support order. For families and children, which includes all
other eligibility categories, the methodologies Sec. 14. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 256B.056,
subdivision 3, is amended to read:
Subd. 3. [ASSET LIMITATIONS.] To be eligible for medical
assistance, a person must not individually own more than $3,000 in assets, or if
a member of a household with two family members, (a) Household goods and personal effects are not
considered.
(b) Capital and operating assets of a trade or business
that the local agency determines are necessary to the person's ability to earn
an income are not considered.
(c) Motor vehicles are excluded to the same extent
excluded by the supplemental security income program.
(d) Assets designated as burial expenses are excluded to
the same extent excluded by the supplemental security income program.
Sec. 15. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 256B.056,
subdivision 4, is amended to read:
Subd. 4. [INCOME.] To be eligible for medical
assistance, a person must not have, or anticipate receiving, semiannual income
in excess of 120 percent of the income standards by family size used Sec. 16. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 256B.057,
subdivision 1, is amended to read:
Subdivision 1. [PREGNANT WOMEN AND INFANTS.] (a) An infant less than one year of age or a pregnant
woman who has written verification of a positive pregnancy test from a physician
or licensed registered nurse, is eligible for medical assistance if countable
family income is equal to or less than 275 percent of the federal poverty
guideline for the same family size. For purposes of this subdivision, "countable
family income" means the amount of income considered available using the
methodology of the AFDC program under the state's AFDC
plan as of July 16, 1996, as required by the Personal Responsibility and Work
Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA), Public Law Number 104-193,
except for the earned income disregard and employment deductions. An amount
equal to the amount of earned income exceeding 275 percent of the federal
poverty guideline, up to a maximum of the amount by which the combined total of
185 percent of the federal poverty guideline plus the earned income disregards
and deductions of the AFDC program under the state's
AFDC
plan as of July 16, 1996, as required by the Personal
Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA), Public
Law Number 104-193, (b) An infant born on or
after January 1, 1991, to a woman who was eligible for and receiving medical
assistance on the date of the child's birth shall continue to be eligible for
medical assistance without redetermination until the child's first birthday, as
long as the child remains in the woman's household.
Sec. 17. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 256B.057,
subdivision 1b, is amended to read:
Subd. 1b. [PREGNANT WOMEN AND INFANTS; EXPANSION.] (a) This subdivision supersedes subdivision 1 as long
as the Minnesota health care reform waiver remains in effect. When the waiver
expires, the commissioner of human services shall publish a notice in the State
Register and notify the revisor of statutes. An infant less than two years of
age or a pregnant woman who has written verification of a positive pregnancy
test from a physician or licensed registered nurse, is eligible for medical
assistance if countable family income is equal to or less than 275 percent of
the federal poverty guideline for the same family size. For purposes of this
subdivision, "countable family income" means the amount of income considered
available using the methodology of the AFDC program under the state's AFDC plan as of July 16, 1996, as
required by the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act
of 1996 (PRWORA), Public Law Number 104-193, except for the earned income
disregard and employment deductions. An amount equal to the amount of earned
income exceeding 275 percent of the federal poverty guideline, up to a maximum
of the amount by which the combined total of 185 percent of the federal poverty
guideline plus the earned income disregards and deductions of the AFDC program
under the state's AFDC plan as of July 16, 1996, as
required by the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act
of 1996 (PRWORA), Public Law Number 104-193, exceeds 275 percent of the
federal poverty guideline will be deducted for pregnant women and infants less
than two years of age. Eligibility for a pregnant woman or infant less than two
years of age under this subdivision must be determined without regard to asset
standards established in section 256B.056, subdivision 3.
(b) An infant born on or
after January 1, 1991, to a woman who was eligible for and receiving medical
assistance on the date of the child's birth shall continue to be eligible for
medical assistance without redetermination until the child's second birthday, as
long as the child remains in the woman's household.
Sec. 18. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 256B.057,
subdivision 2b, is amended to read:
Subd. 2b. [NO ASSET TEST FOR CHILDREN AND THEIR PARENTS;
EXPANSION.] This subdivision supersedes subdivision 2a as long as the Minnesota
health care reform waiver remains in effect. When the waiver expires, this
subdivision expires and the commissioner of human services shall publish a
notice in the State Register and notify the revisor of statutes. Eligibility for
medical assistance for a person under age 21, and the person's parents or
relative caretakers as defined Sec. 19. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 256B.06,
subdivision 4, is amended to read:
Subd. 4. [CITIZENSHIP REQUIREMENTS.] (a) Eligibility for medical assistance is limited to
citizens of the United States requirements of this section if such care and services
are necessary for the treatment of an emergency medical condition, except for
organ transplants and related care and services. For purposes of this
subdivision, the term "emergency medical condition" means a medical condition,
including labor and delivery, that if not immediately treated could cause a
person physical or mental disability, continuation of severe pain, or
death. (b) "Qualified noncitizen" means
a person who meets one of the following immigration criteria:
(1) admitted for lawful
permanent residence according to United States Code, title 8;
(2) admitted to the United
States as a refugee according to United States Code, title 8, section 1157;
(3) granted asylum according to
United States Code, title 8, section 1158;
(4) granted withholding of
deportation according to United States Code, title 8, section 1253(h);
(5) paroled for a period of at
least one year according to United States Code, title 8, section 1182(d)(5);
(6) granted conditional entrant
status according to United States Code, title 8, section 1153(a)(7); or
(7) determined to be a battered
noncitizen by the United States Attorney General according to the Illegal
Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996, title V of the
Omnibus Consolidated Appropriations Bill, Public Law Number 104-200.
(c) All qualified noncitizens
who were residing in the United States before August 22, 1996, who otherwise
meet the eligibility requirements of chapter 256B, are eligible for medical
assistance with federal financial participation.
(d) All qualified noncitizens
who entered the United States on or after August 22, 1996, and who otherwise
meet the eligibility requirements of chapter 256B, are eligible for medical
assistance with federal financial participation through November 30, 1996.
Beginning December 1, 1996,
qualified noncitizens who entered the United States on or after August 22, 1996,
and who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements of chapter 256B are eligible
for medical assistance with federal participation for five years if they meet
one of the following criteria:
(i) refugees admitted to the
United States according to United States Code, title 8, section 1157;
(ii) persons granted asylum
according to United States Code, title 8, section 1158;
(iii) persons granted
withholding of deportation according to United States code, title 8, section
1253(h);
(iv) veterans of the United
States Armed Forces with an honorable discharge for a reason other than
noncitizen status, their spouses and unmarried minor dependent children; or
(v) persons on active duty in
the United States Armed Forces, other than for training, their spouses and
unmarried minor dependent children.
Beginning December 1, 1996,
qualified noncitizens who do not meet one of the criteria in items (i) to (v)
are eligible for medical assistance without federal financial participation as
described in paragraph (j).
(e) Noncitizens who are not
qualified noncitizens as defined in paragraph (b), who are lawfully residing in
the United States and who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements of chapter
256B, are eligible for medical assistance under clauses (1) to (3). These
individuals must cooperate with the Immigration and Naturalization Service to
pursue any applicable immigration status, including citizenship, that would
qualify them for medical assistance with federal financial participation.
(1) Persons who were medical
assistance recipients on August 22, 1996, are eligible for medical assistance
with federal financial participation through December 31, 1996.
(2) Beginning January 1, 1997,
persons described in clause (1) are eligible for medical assistance without
federal financial participation as described in paragraph (j).
(3) Beginning December 1, 1996,
persons residing in the United States prior to August 22, 1996, who were not
receiving medical assistance and persons who arrived on or after August 22,
1996, are eligible for medical assistance without federal financial
participation as described in paragraph (j).
(f) Nonimmigrants who otherwise
meet the eligibility requirements of chapter 256B are eligible for the benefits
as provided in paragraphs (g) to (i). For purposes of this subdivision, a
"nonimmigrant" is a person in one of the classes listed in United States Code,
title 8, section 1101(a)(15).
(g) Payment shall also be made
for care and services that are furnished to noncitizens, regardless of
immigration status, who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements of chapter
256B, if such care and services are necessary for the treatment of an emergency
medical condition, except for organ transplants and related care and services
and routine prenatal care.
(h) For purposes of this
subdivision, the term "emergency medical condition" means a medical condition
that meets the requirements of United States Code, title 42, section
1396b(v).
(i) Pregnant noncitizens who are
undocumented or nonimmigrants, who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements
of chapter 256B, are eligible for medical assistance payment without federal
financial participation for care and services through the period of pregnancy,
and 60 days postpartum, except for labor and delivery.
(j) Qualified noncitizens as
described in paragraph (d), and all other noncitizens lawfully residing in the
United States as described in paragraph (e), who are ineligible for medical
assistance with federal financial participation and who otherwise meet the
eligibility requirements of chapter 256B and of this paragraph, are eligible for
medical assistance without federal financial participation. Qualified
noncitizens as described in paragraph (d) are only eligible for medical
assistance without federal financial participation for five years from their
date of entry into the United States.
(k) The commissioner shall
submit to the legislature by December 31, 1998, a report on the number of
recipients and cost of coverage of care and services made according to
paragraphs (i) and (j).
Sec. 20. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 256B.06, is
amended by adding a subdivision to read:
Subd. 5. [DEEMING OF SPONSOR
INCOME AND RESOURCES.] When determining eligibility for
any federal or state funded medical assistance under this section, the income
and resources of all noncitizens shall be deemed to include their sponsors'
income and resources as required under the Personal Responsibility and Work
Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, title IV, Public Law Number 104-193,
sections 421 and 422. This section is effective the day following final
enactment.
Sec. 21. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 256B.062, is
amended to read:
256B.062 [CONTINUED ELIGIBILITY.]
Medical assistance may be paid for persons who received
aid to families with dependent children in at least three of the six months
preceding the month in which the person became ineligible for aid to families
with dependent children, if the ineligibility was due to an increase in hours of
employment or employment income or due to the loss of an earned income
disregard. A person who is eligible for extended medical assistance is entitled
to six months of assistance without reapplication, unless the assistance unit
ceases to include a dependent child. For a person under 21 years of age, medical
assistance may not be discontinued within the six-month period of extended
eligibility until it has been determined that the person is not otherwise
eligible for medical assistance. Medical assistance may be continued for an
additional six months if the person meets all requirements for the additional
six months, according to Title XIX of the Social Security Act, as amended by
section 303 of the Family Support Act of 1988, Public Law Number 100-485. This section is repealed effective March 31, 1998.
Sec. 22. [256B.0635] [CONTINUED ELIGIBILITY IN SPECIAL
CIRCUMSTANCES.]
Subdivision 1. [INCREASED
EMPLOYMENT.] Beginning January 1, 1998, medical
assistance may be paid for persons who received MFIP-S or medical assistance for
families and children in at least three of six months preceding the month in
which the person became ineligible for MFIP-S or medical assistance, if the
ineligibility was due to an increase in hours of employment or employment income
or due to the loss of an earned income disregard. In addition, to receive
continued assistance under this section, persons who received medical assistance
for families and children but did not receive MFIP-S must have had income less
than or equal to the assistance standard for their family size under the state's
AFDC plan in effect as of July 16, 1996, as required by the Personal
Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA), Public
Law Number 104-193, at the time medical assistance eligibility began. A person
who is eligible for extended medical assistance is entitled to six months of
assistance without reapplication, unless the assistance unit ceases to include a
dependent child. For a person under 21 years of age, medical assistance may not
be discontinued within the six-month period of extended eligibility until it has
been determined that the person is not otherwise eligible for medical
assistance. Medical assistance may be continued for an additional six months if
the person meets all requirements for the additional six months, according to
Title XIX of the Social Security Act, as amended by section 303 of the Family
Support Act of 1988, Public Law Number 100-485.
Subd. 2. [INCREASED CHILD OR
SPOUSAL SUPPORT.] Beginning January 1, 1998, medical
assistance may be paid for persons who received MFIP-S or medical assistance for
families and children in at least three of the six months preceding the month in
which the person became ineligible for MFIP-S or medical assistance, if the
ineligibility was the result of the collection of child or spousal support under
part D of title IV. In addition, to receive continued assistance under this
section, persons who received medical assistance for families and children but
did not receive MFIP-S must have had income less than or equal to the assistance
standard for their family size under the state's AFDC plan in effect as of July
16, 1996, as required by the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity
Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA), Public Law Number 104-193, at the time
medical assistance eligibility began. A person who is eligible for extended
medical assistance under this subdivision is entitled to four months of
assistance without reapplication, unless the assistance unit ceases to include a
dependent child. For a person under 21 years of age, medical assistance may not
be discontinued within the four-month period of extended eligibility until it
has been determined that the person is not otherwise eligible for medical
assistance.
Sec. 23. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 256D.01,
subdivision 1, is amended to read:
Subdivision 1. [POLICY.] The objectives of sections
256D.01 to 256D.21 are to provide a sound administrative structure for public
assistance programs; to maximize the use of federal money for public assistance
purposes; to provide an integrated public assistance program for It is Sec. 24. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 256D.01,
subdivision 1a, is amended to read:
Subd. 1a. [STANDARDS.] (a) A principal objective in
providing general assistance is to provide for (b) The commissioner shall set the standard of
assistance for an assistance unit consisting of an adult recipient who is
childless and unmarried or living apart from children and spouse and who does
not live with a parent or parents or a legal custodian. When the other standards
specified in this subdivision increase, this standard must also be increased by
the same percentage.
(c) For an assistance unit consisting of a single adult
who lives with a parent or parents, the general assistance standard of
assistance is the amount that the aid to families with dependent children
standard of assistance, in effect on July 16, 1996,
would increase if the recipient were added as an additional minor child to an
assistance unit consisting of the recipient's parent and all of that parent's
family members, except that the standard may not exceed the standard for a
general assistance recipient living alone. Benefits received by a responsible
relative of the assistance unit under the supplemental security income program,
a workers' compensation program, the Minnesota supplemental aid program, or any
other program based on the responsible relative's disability, and any benefits
received by a responsible relative of the assistance unit under the social
security retirement program, may not be counted in the determination of
eligibility or benefit level for the assistance unit. Except as provided below,
the assistance unit is ineligible for general assistance if the available
resources or the countable income of the assistance unit and the parent or
parents with whom the assistance unit lives are such that a family consisting of
the assistance unit's parent or parents, the parent or parents' other family
members and the assistance unit as the only or additional minor child would be
financially ineligible for general assistance. For the purposes of calculating
the countable income of the assistance unit's parent or parents, the calculation
methods, income deductions, exclusions, and disregards used when calculating the
countable income for a single adult or childless couple must be used.
(d) For an assistance unit consisting of a childless
couple, the standards of assistance are the same as the first and second adult
standards of the aid to families with dependent children program in effect on July 16, 1996. If one member of the couple
is not included in the general assistance grant, the standard of assistance for
the other is the second adult standard of the aid to families with dependent
children program.
Sec. 25. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 256D.01,
subdivision 1e, is amended to read:
Subd. 1e. [RULES REGARDING EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE.] Sec. 26. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 256D.02,
subdivision 6, is amended to read:
Subd. 6. "Child" means an adult Sec. 27. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 256D.02,
subdivision 12a, is amended to read:
Subd. 12a. [RESIDENT.] (a) For purposes of eligibility
for general assistance and general assistance medical care, a person must be a resident of this state.
(b) A "resident" is a person
living in the state for at least 30 days with the intention of making the
person's home here and not for any temporary purpose. Time spent in a shelter for battered women shall count
toward satisfying the 30-day residency requirement. All applicants for these
programs are required to demonstrate the requisite intent and can do so in any
of the following ways:
(1) by showing that the applicant maintains a residence
at a verified address, other than a place of public accommodation. An applicant
may verify a residence address by presenting a valid state driver's license, a
state identification card, a voter registration card, a rent receipt, a
statement by the landlord, apartment manager, or homeowner verifying that the
individual is residing at the address, or other form of verification approved by
the commissioner; or
(2) by verifying residence For general assistance medical
care, a county agency shall waive the 30-day residency requirement in cases
of The county agency must report to the commissioner within
30 days on any waiver granted under this section. The county shall not deny an
application solely because the applicant does not meet at least one of the
criteria in this subdivision, but shall continue to process the application and
leave the application pending until the residency requirement is met or until
eligibility or ineligibility is established.
(d) For purposes of paragraph
(c), the following definitions apply (1) "metropolitan statistical area" is as
defined by the U.S. Census Bureau; (2) "shelter" includes any shelter that is
located within the metropolitan statistical area containing the county and for
which the applicant is eligible, provided the applicant does not have to travel
more than 20 miles to reach the shelter and has access to transportation to the
shelter. Clause (2) does not apply to counties in the Minneapolis-St. Paul
metropolitan statistical area.
(e) Migrant workers as defined
in section 256J.08 and, until March 31, 1998, their immediate families are
exempt from the 30-day residency requirement, provided the migrant worker
provides verification that the migrant family worked in this state within the
last 12 months and earned at least $1,000 in gross wages during the time the
migrant worker worked in this state.
(f) For purposes of eligibility
for emergency general assistance, the 30-day residency requirement in paragraph
(b) shall not be waived.
(g) If any provision of this
subdivision is enjoined from implementation or found unconstitutional by any
court of competent jurisdiction, the remaining provisions shall remain valid and
shall be given full effect.
Sec. 28. [256D.024] [PERSONS PROHIBITED FROM RECEIVING
GENERAL ASSISTANCE, GENERAL ASSISTANCE MEDICAL CARE, MINNESOTA SUPPLEMENTAL
AID.]
Subdivision 1. [PERSON
CONVICTED OF DRUG OFFENSES.] (a) If an applicant has
been convicted of a drug offense after July 1, 1997, the assistance unit is
ineligible for benefits under this chapter until five years after the applicant
has completed terms of the court-ordered sentence, unless the person is
participating in a drug treatment program, has successfully completed a drug
treatment program, or has been assessed by the county and determined not to be
in need of a drug treatment program. Persons subject to the limitations of this
subdivision who become eligible for assistance under this chapter shall be
subject to random drug testing as a condition of continued eligibility and shall
lose eligibility for benefits for five years beginning the month following:
(1) any positive test result for
an illegal controlled substance; or (2) discharge of sentence after conviction
for another drug felony.
(b) For the purposes of this
subdivision, "drug offense" means a conviction that occurred after July 1, 1997,
of sections 152.021 to 152.025, 152.0261, or 152.096. Drug offense also means a
conviction in another jurisdiction of the possession, use, or distribution of a
controlled substance, or conspiracy to commit any of these offenses, if the
offense occurred after July 1, 1997, and the conviction is a felony offense in
that jurisdiction, or in the case of New Jersey, a high misdemeanor.
Subd. 2. [PAROLE VIOLATORS.]
An individual violating a condition of probation or
parole or supervised release imposed under federal law or the law of any state
is ineligible to receive benefits under this chapter.
Subd. 3. [FLEEING FELONS.]
An individual who is fleeing to avoid prosecution, or
custody, or confinement after conviction for a crime that is a felony under the
laws of the jurisdiction from which the individual flees, or in the case of New
Jersey, is a high misdemeanor, is ineligible to receive benefits under this
chapter.
Subd. 4. [DENIAL OF
ASSISTANCE FOR TEN YEARS TO A PERSON FOUND TO HAVE FRAUDULENTLY MISREPRESENTED
RESIDENCY.] An individual who is convicted in federal or
state court of having made a fraudulent statement or representation with respect
to the place of residence of the individual in order to receive assistance
simultaneously from two or more states is ineligible to receive benefits under
this chapter for ten years beginning on the date of the conviction.
Sec. 29. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 256D.03,
subdivision 3, is amended to read:
Subd. 3. [GENERAL ASSISTANCE MEDICAL CARE; ELIGIBILITY.]
(a) General assistance medical care may be paid for any person who is not
eligible for medical assistance under chapter 256B, including eligibility for
medical assistance based on a spenddown of excess income according to section
256B.056, subdivision 5, and:
(1) who is receiving assistance under section 256D.05,
or who is having a payment made on the person's behalf under sections 256I.01 to
256I.06; or
(2)(i) who is a resident of Minnesota; and whose equity
in assets is not in excess of $1,000 per assistance unit. No asset test shall be
applied to children and their parents living in the same household. Exempt
assets, the reduction of excess assets, and the waiver of excess assets must
conform to the medical assistance program in chapter 256B, with the following
exception: the maximum amount of undistributed funds in a trust that could be
distributed to or on behalf of the beneficiary by the trustee, assuming the full
exercise of the trustee's discretion under the terms of the trust, must be
applied toward the asset maximum; and
(ii) who has countable income not in excess of the
assistance standards established in section 256B.056, subdivision 4, or whose
excess income is spent down (3) who would be eligible for medical assistance except
that the person resides in a facility that is determined by the commissioner or
the federal health care financing administration to be an institution for mental
diseases.
(b) Eligibility is available for the month of
application, and for three months prior to application if the person was
eligible in those prior months. A redetermination of eligibility must occur
every 12 months.
(c) General assistance medical care is not available for
a person in a correctional facility unless the person is detained by law for
less than one year in a county correctional or detention facility as a person
accused or convicted of a crime, or admitted as an inpatient to a hospital on a
criminal hold order, and the person is a recipient of general assistance medical
care at the time the person is detained by law or admitted on a criminal hold
order and as long as the person continues to meet other eligibility requirements
of this subdivision.
(d) General assistance medical care is not available for
applicants or recipients who do not cooperate with the county agency to meet the
requirements of medical assistance.
(e) In determining the amount of assets of an
individual, there shall be included any asset or interest in an asset, including
an asset excluded under paragraph (a), that was given away, sold, or disposed of
for less than fair market value within the 60 months preceding application for
general assistance medical care or during the period of eligibility. Any
transfer described in this paragraph shall be presumed to have been for the
purpose of establishing eligibility for general assistance medical care, unless
the individual furnishes convincing evidence to establish that the transaction
was exclusively for another purpose. For purposes of this paragraph, the value
of the asset or interest shall be the fair market value at the time it was given
away, sold, or disposed of, less the amount of compensation received. For any
uncompensated transfer, the number of months of ineligibility, including partial
months, shall be calculated by dividing the uncompensated transfer amount by the
average monthly per person payment made by the medical assistance program to
skilled nursing facilities for the previous calendar year. The individual shall
remain ineligible until this fixed period has expired. The period of
ineligibility may exceed 30 months, and a reapplication for benefits after 30
months from the date of the transfer shall not result in eligibility unless and
until the period of ineligibility has expired. The period of ineligibility
begins in the month the transfer was reported to the county agency, or if the
transfer was not reported, the month in which the county agency discovered the
transfer, whichever comes first. For applicants, the period of ineligibility
begins on the date of the first approved application.
(f) When determining eligibility
for any state benefits under this subdivision, the income and resources of all
noncitizens shall be deemed to include their sponsor's income and resources as
defined in the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act
of 1996, title IV, Public Law Number 104-193, sections 421 and 422.
(2) This (3) For purposes of paragraph (f), "emergency services"
has the meaning given in Code of Federal Regulations, title 42, section
440.255(b)(1), except that it also means services rendered because of suspected
or actual pesticide poisoning.
(4) Notwithstanding any other
provision of law, a noncitizen who is ineligible for medical assistance due to
the deeming of a sponsor's income and resources, is ineligible for general
assistance medical care.
Sec. 30. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 256D.05,
subdivision 1, is amended to read:
Subdivision 1. [ELIGIBILITY.] (a) Each (1) a person who is suffering from a professionally
certified permanent or temporary illness, injury, or incapacity which is
expected to continue for more than 30 days and which prevents the person from
obtaining or retaining employment;
(2) a person whose presence in the home on a
substantially continuous basis is required because of the professionally
certified illness, injury, incapacity, or the age of another member of the
household;
(3) a person who has been placed in, and is residing in,
a licensed or certified facility for purposes of physical or mental health or
rehabilitation, or in an approved chemical dependency domiciliary facility, if
the placement is based on illness or incapacity and is (4) a person who resides in a shelter facility described
in subdivision 3;
(5) a person not described in clause (1) or (3) who is
diagnosed by a licensed physician, psychological practitioner, or other
qualified professional, as mentally retarded or mentally ill, and that condition
prevents the person from obtaining or retaining employment;
(6) a person who has an application pending for, or is
appealing termination of benefits from, the social security disability program
or the program of supplemental security income for the aged, blind, and
disabled, provided the person has a professionally certified permanent or
temporary illness, injury, or incapacity which is expected to continue for more
than 30 days and which prevents the person from obtaining or retaining
employment;
(7) a person who is unable to obtain or retain
employment because advanced age significantly affects the person's ability to
seek or engage in substantial work;
(8) a person who has been assessed by a vocational
specialist and, in consultation with the county agency, has been determined to
be unemployable for purposes of this (9) a person who is determined by the county agency, (10) a child under the age of 18 who is not living with
a parent, stepparent, or legal custodian, age of 18 years who: (i) has been married; (ii) is on
active duty in the uniformed services of the United States; (iii) has been
emancipated by a court of competent jurisdiction; or (iv) is otherwise
considered emancipated under Minnesota law, and for whom county social services
has not determined that a social services case plan is necessary, for reasons
other than (11) until March 31, 1998, a
woman in the last trimester of pregnancy who does not qualify for aid to
families with dependent children. A woman who is in the last trimester of
pregnancy who is currently receiving aid to families with dependent children may
be granted emergency general assistance to meet emergency needs;
(12) a person who is eligible for displaced homemaker
services, programs, or assistance under section 268.96, but only if that person
is enrolled as a full-time student;
(13) a person who lives more than (14) a person who is involved with protective or
court-ordered services that prevent the applicant or recipient from working at
least four hours per day;
(15)(i) until March 31,
1998, a family as defined in section 256D.02, subdivision 5, which is
ineligible for the aid to families with dependent children program.
(ii) unless exempt under section 256D.051, subdivision
3a, each adult in the unit must participate in and cooperate with the food stamp
employment and training program under section 256D.051 each month that the unit
receives general assistance benefits. The recipient's participation must begin
no later than the first day of the first full month following the determination
of eligibility for general assistance benefits. To the extent of available
resources, and with the county agency's consent, the recipient may voluntarily
continue to participate in food stamp employment and training services for up to
three additional consecutive months immediately following termination of general
assistance benefits in order to complete the provisions of the recipient's
employability development plan. If an adult member fails without good cause to
participate in or cooperate with the food stamp employment and training program,
the county agency shall concurrently terminate that person's eligibility for
general assistance and food stamps (16) a person over age 18 whose primary language is not
English and who is attending high school at least half time;
(17) a person whose alcohol and
drug addiction is a material factor that contributes to the person's disability;
applicants who assert this clause as a basis for eligibility must be assessed by
the county agency to determine if they are amenable to treatment; if the
applicant is determined to be not amenable to treatment, but is otherwise
eligible for benefits, then general assistance must be paid in vendor form, up
to the limit of the individual's shelter costs; if the applicant is determined
to be amenable to treatment, then in order to receive benefits, the applicant
must be in a treatment program or on a waiting list and the benefits must be
paid in vendor form, up to the limit of the individual's shelter costs.
(b) Sec. 31. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 256D.05,
subdivision 2, is amended to read:
Subd. 2. [USE OF FEDERAL FUNDS.] Effective March 31, 1998, notwithstanding any law to
the contrary, if general assistance, the Sec. 32. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 256D.05,
subdivision 5, is amended to read:
Subd. 5. [TRANSFERS OF PROPERTY.] The equity value of
real and personal property transferred without reasonable compensation within 12
months preceding the date of application for general assistance must be included
in determining the resources of an assistance unit in the same manner as in the
aid to families with dependent children program under chapter 256 or MFIP-S under chapter 256J.
Sec. 33. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 256D.05,
subdivision 7, is amended to read:
Subd. 7. [INELIGIBILITY FOR GENERAL ASSISTANCE.] No Sec. 34. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 256D.05,
subdivision 8, is amended to read:
Subd. 8. [ (b) As a condition of
eligibility, each legal adult noncitizen in the assistance unit who has resided
in the country for four years or more and who is under 70 years of age must:
(1) be enrolled in a literacy
class, English as a second language class, or a citizen class;
(2) be applying for admission to
a literacy class, English as a second language class, and is on a waiting
list;
(3) be in the process of
applying for a waiver from the Immigration and Naturalization Service of the
English language or civics requirements of the citizenship test;
(4) have submitted an
application for citizenship to the Immigration and Naturalization Service and is
waiting for a testing date or a subsequent swearing in ceremony; or
(5) have been denied citizenship
due to a failure to pass the test after two attempts or because of an inability
to understand the rights and responsibilities of becoming a United States
citizen, as documented by the Immigration and Naturalization Service or the
county.
Sec. 35. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 256D.051,
subdivision 1a, is amended to read:
Subd. 1a. [NOTICES (b) A participant who fails without good cause to comply
with food stamp employment and training program requirements of this section,
including attendance at orientation, will lose food stamp eligibility for (1) for the first occurrence,
for one month or until the person complies with the requirements not previously
complied with, whichever is longer;
(2) for the second occurrence,
for three months or until the person complies with the requirements not
previously complied with, whichever is longer; or
(3) for the third and any
subsequent occurrence, for six months or until the person complies with the
requirements not previously complied with, whichever is longer.
If the participant is not the food stamp head of household, the person shall be
considered an ineligible household member for food stamp purposes. If the
participant is the food stamp head of household, the
entire household is ineligible for food stamps as provided in Code of Federal
Regulations, title 7, section 273.7(g). "Good cause" means circumstances beyond
the control of the participant, such as illness or injury, illness or injury of
another household member requiring the participant's presence, a household
emergency, or the inability to obtain child care for children between the ages
of six and 12 or to obtain transportation needed in order for the participant to
meet the food stamp employment and training program participation requirements.
(c) The county agency shall mail or hand deliver a
notice to the participant not later than five days after determining that the
participant has failed without good cause to comply with food stamp employment
and training program requirements which specifies the requirements that were not
complied with, the factual basis for the determination of noncompliance, and the right to reinstate eligibility upon a showing
of good cause (d) Sec. 36. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 256D.051,
subdivision 2a, is amended to read:
Subd. 2a. [DUTIES OF COMMISSIONER.] In addition to any
other duties imposed by law, the commissioner shall:
(1) based on this section and section 256D.052 and Code
of Federal Regulations, title 7, section 273.7, supervise the administration of
food stamp employment and training services to county agencies;
(2) disburse money appropriated for food stamp
employment and training services to county agencies based upon the county's
costs as specified in section 256D.06;
(3) accept and supervise the disbursement of any funds
that may be provided by the federal government or from other sources for use in
this state for food stamp employment and training services; (4) cooperate with other agencies including any agency
of the United States or of another state in all matters concerning the powers
and duties of the commissioner under this section and section 256D.052; and
(5) in cooperation with the
commissioner of economic security, ensure that each component of an employment
and training program carried out under this section is delivered through a
statewide workforce development system, unless the component is not available
locally through such a system.
Sec. 37. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 256D.051,
subdivision 3a, is amended to read:
Subd. 3a. [PERSONS REQUIRED TO REGISTER FOR AND
PARTICIPATE IN THE FOOD STAMP EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING PROGRAM.] (a) To the
extent required under Code of Federal Regulations, title 7, section 273.7(a),
each applicant for and recipient of food stamps is required to register for work
as a condition of eligibility for food stamp benefits. Applicants and recipients
are registered by signing an application or annual reapplication for food
stamps, and must be informed that they are registering for work by signing the
form.
(b) The commissioner shall determine, within federal
requirements, persons required to participate in the food stamp employment and
training (FSET) program.
(c) The following food stamp recipients are exempt from
mandatory participation in food stamp employment and training services:
(1) recipients of benefits under the AFDC program, the MFIP-S, MFIP, and MFIP-R programs, Minnesota
supplemental aid program, or the general assistance program (2) a child;
(3) a recipient over age 55;
(4) a recipient who has a mental or physical illness,
injury, or incapacity which is expected to continue for at least 30 days and
which impairs the recipient's ability to obtain or retain employment as
evidenced by professional certification or the receipt of temporary or permanent
disability benefits issued by a private or government source;
(5) a parent or other household member responsible for
the care of either a dependent child in the household who is under age six or a
person in the household who is professionally certified as having a physical or
mental illness, injury, or incapacity. Only one parent or other household member
may claim exemption under this provision;
(6) a recipient receiving unemployment compensation or
who has applied for unemployment compensation and has been required to register
for work with the department of economic security as part of the unemployment
compensation application process;
(7) a recipient participating each week in a drug
addiction or alcohol abuse treatment and rehabilitation program, provided the
operators of the treatment and rehabilitation program, in consultation with the
county agency, recommend that the recipient not participate in the food stamp
employment and training program;
(8) a recipient employed or self-employed for 30 or more
hours per week at employment paying at least minimum wage, or who earns wages
from employment equal to or exceeding 30 hours multiplied by the federal minimum
wage; or
(9) a student enrolled at least half time in any school,
training program, or institution of higher education. When determining if a
student meets this criteria, the school's, program's or institution's criteria
for being enrolled half time shall be used.
Sec. 38. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 256D.051, is
amended by adding a subdivision to read:
Subd. 18. [WORK EXPERIENCE
PLACEMENTS.] (a) To the extent of available resources,
each county agency must establish and operate a work experience component in the
food stamp employment and training program for recipients who are subject to a
federal limit of three months of food stamp eligibility in any 36-month period.
The purpose of the work experience component is to enhance the participant's
employability, self-sufficiency, and to provide meaningful, productive work
activities.
(b) The commissioner shall
assist counties in the design and implementation of these components. The
commissioner must ensure that job placements under a work experience component
comply with section 256J.72. Written or oral concurrence with job duties of
persons placed under the community work experience program shall be obtained
from the appropriate exclusive bargaining representative.
(c) Worksites developed under
this section are limited to projects that serve a useful public service such as
health, social service, environmental protection, education, urban and rural
development and redevelopment, welfare, recreation, public facilities, public
safety, community service, services to aged or disabled citizens, and child
care. To the extent possible, the prior training, skills, and experience of a
recipient must be used in making appropriate work experience assignments.
(d) Structured, supervised
volunteer work with an agency or organization that is monitored by the county
service provider may, with the approval of the county agency, be used as a work
experience placement.
(e) As a condition of placing a
person receiving food stamps in a program under this subdivision, the county
agency shall first provide the recipient the opportunity:
(1) for placement in suitable
subsidized or unsubsidized employment through participation in job search under
section 256D.051; or
(2) for placement in suitable
employment through participation in on-the-job training, if such employment is
available.
(f) The county agency shall
limit the maximum monthly number of hours that any participant may work in a
work experience placement to a number equal to the amount of the family's
monthly food stamp allotment divided by the greater of the federal minimum wage
or the applicable state minimum wage.
After a participant has been
assigned to a position for nine months, the participant may not continue in that
assignment unless the maximum number of hours a participant works is no greater
than the amount of the food stamp benefit divided by the rate of pay for
individuals employed in the same or similar occupations by the same employer at
the same site.
(g) The participant's
employability development plan must include the length of time needed in the
work experience program, the need to continue job seeking activities while
participating in work experience, and the participant's employment goals.
(h) After each six months of a
recipient's participation in a work experience job placement, and at the
conclusion of each work experience assignment under this section, the county
agency shall reassess and revise, as appropriate, the participant's
employability development plan.
(i) A participant has good cause
for failure to cooperate with a work experience job placement if, in the
judgment of the employment and training service provider, the reason for failure
is reasonable and justified. Good cause for purposes of this section is defined
in subdivision 1a, paragraph (b).
(j) A recipient who has failed
without good cause to participate in or comply with the work experience job
placement shall be terminated from participation in work experience job
activities. If the recipient is not exempt from mandatory food stamp employment
and training program participation under subdivision 3a, the recipient will be
assigned to other mandatory program activities. If the recipient is exempt from
mandatory participation but is participating as a volunteer, the person shall be
terminated from the food stamp employment and training program.
Sec. 39. [256D.0510] [FEDERAL WAIVER.]
The commissioner shall exercise
the authority granted by Public Law Number 104-193, Title VIII, section 824, and
request the secretary of the United States Department of Agriculture to grant
waivers of the federal food stamp work requirements of section 824, for every
county and reservation in which:
(1) the county or reservation
has an unemployment rate over ten percent; or
(2) the county or reservation
does not have a sufficient number of jobs to provide employment for
individuals.
Sec. 40. [256D.0512] [BUDGETING LUMP SUMS.]
Effective January 1, 1998,
nonrecurring lump-sum income received by a recipient of general assistance must
be budgeted in the normal retrospective cycle.
Sec. 41. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 256D.055, is
amended to read:
256D.055 [COUNTY DESIGN; WORK FOCUSED PROGRAM.]
The commissioner of human services shall issue a request
for proposals from counties to submit a plan for developing and implementing a
county-designed program. The plan shall be for first-time applicants for The plan may include vendor payments, mandatory job
search, refocusing existing county or provider efforts, or other program
features. The commissioner may approve a county plan which allows a county to
use other program funding for the county work focus program in a more flexible
manner. Nothing in this section shall allow payments made to the public
assistance applicant to be less than the amount the applicant would have
received if the program had not been implemented, or reduce or eliminate a
category of eligible participants from the program without legislative approval.
The commissioner shall not approve a county plan that
would have an adverse impact on the Minnesota family investment plan
demonstration. If the plan is approved by the commissioner, the county may
implement the plan. If the plan is approved by the commissioner, but a federal
waiver is necessary to implement the plan, the commissioner shall apply for the
necessary federal waivers.
Sec. 42. [256D.057] [SUPPLEMENT FOR CERTAIN
NONCITIZENS.]
(a) For the period from July 1,
1997, to June 30, 1998, for an assistance unit that contains an adult or a minor
legal noncitizen who was residing in this state as of July 1, 1997, and lost
eligibility for the federal food stamp and Supplemental Security Income programs
under the provisions of title IV of Public Law Number 104-193, the standard is
$87 for each legal noncitizen under this section. To be eligible for benefits
under this section, each legal adult noncitizen in the assistance unit who has
resided in the country for four years or more and is under 70 years of age
must:
(1) be enrolled in a literacy
class, English as a second language class, or a citizenship class;
(2) be applying for admission to
a literacy class, English as a second language class, or a citizenship class,
and is enrolled within 60 days of receiving the increased grant amount under
this paragraph;
(3) be in the process of
applying for a waiver from the Immigration and Naturalization Service of the
English language or civics requirement of the citizenship test;
(4) have submitted an
application for citizenship to the Immigration and Naturalization Service and is
waiting for a testing date or a subsequent swearing in ceremony; or
(5) have been denied citizenship
due to a failure to pass the test after two attempts or due to a denial of the
application for naturalization because of an inability to understand the rights
and responsibilities of becoming a citizen.
If the county social service
agency determines that a legal noncitizen subject to the requirements of this
subdivision will require more than one year of English language training, then
the requirements of clause (1) or (2) shall be imposed after the legal
noncitizen has resided in the country for three years. Individuals who reside in
a facility licensed under chapter 144A, 144D, 245A, or 256I are exempt from the
requirements of this section.
(b) The assistance provided
under this section, which is designated as a supplement to replace lost benefits
under the food stamp program, must be disregarded as income in federal and state
housing subsidy programs, low-income home energy assistance programs, and other
programs that do not count food stamps as income.
Sec. 43. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 256D.06,
subdivision 2, is amended to read:
Subd. 2. Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivision
1, a grant of general assistance shall be made to an eligible Sec. 44. [256D.066] [INTERSTATE PAYMENT STANDARDS.]
(a) Effective July 1, 1997, the
amount of assistance paid to an eligible assistance unit in which all members
have resided in this state for less than 12 consecutive calendar months
immediately preceding the date of application shall be the lesser of either the
payment standard that would have been received by the assistance unit from the
state of immediate prior residence, or the amount calculated in accordance with
this chapter. The lesser payment shall continue until the assistance unit meets
the 12-month requirement. Payment shall be calculated by applying this state's
budgeting policies and the unit's net income shall be deducted from the payment
standard in the other state or in this state, whichever is lower. At county
option, payment shall be made in vendor form for rent and utilities, up to the
limit of the grant amount, and residual amounts, if any, shall be paid directly
to the assistance unit.
(b) During the first 12 months
an assistance unit resides in this state, the number of months that the unit is
eligible to receive general assistance benefits is limited to the number of
months the unit would have been eligible to receive similar benefits in the
state of immediate prior residence.
(c) This policy applies whether
or not the unit received similar benefits while residing in the state of
previous residence.
(d) When a unit moves to this
state from another state where the unit has exhausted that state's time limit
for receiving similar benefits, the unit will not be eligible to receive any
general assistance benefits in this state for 12 months from the date the unit
moves here.
(e) Applicants must provide
verification of their state of immediate prior residence, in the form of tax
statements, a driver's license, automobile registration, rent receipts, or other
forms of verification approved by the commissioner.
(f) For the purposes of this
subdivision, "state of immediate prior residence" means:
(i) the state in which the
applicant declares the applicant spent the most time in the 30 days prior to
moving to this state; or
(ii) the applicant is in the
migrant work stream and the applicant maintains a home in another state.
(g) Migrant workers as defined
in section 256J.08 and until March 31, 1998, their immediate families are exempt
from this section, provided the migrant worker provides verification that the
migrant family worked in this state within the last 12 months and earned at
least $1,000 in gross wages during the time the migrant worker worked in this
state.
Sec. 45. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 256D.08,
subdivision 1, is amended to read:
Subdivision 1. In determining eligibility of (1) real or personal property or liquid assets which do
not exceed (2) other property which has been determined, (3) payments, made Sec. 46. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 256D.08,
subdivision 2, is amended to read:
Subd. 2. Notwithstanding any other provision of sections
256D.01 to 256D.21, the commissioner shall provide by rule for the exclusion of
property from the determination of eligibility for general assistance when it
appears likely that the need for general assistance will not exceed 30 days or
an undue hardship would be imposed on Sec. 47. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 256D.09, is
amended by adding a subdivision to read:
Subd. 2b. [DISABILITY
VERIFICATION; DRUG OR ALCOHOL DEPENDENCY.] If at any
time there is verification that the client's disability is dependent upon the
client's continued drug addiction or alcoholism, general assistance for rent and
utilities must be made in the form of vendor payments.
Verification of drug addiction
or alcoholism can be received from:
(1) denial of social security
benefits based on drug addiction or alcoholism;
(2) a statement from the state
medical review team that the person's disability is dependent upon continued
drug addiction or alcoholism; or
(3) a doctor's statement that
the person's disability is dependent upon continued drug addiction or
alcoholism.
Sec. 48. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 256D.435,
subdivision 3, is amended to read:
Subd. 3. [APPLICATION FOR FEDERALLY FUNDED BENEFITS.]
Persons who live with the applicant or recipient, who have unmet needs and for
whom the applicant or recipient has financial responsibility, must apply for
and, if eligible, accept AFDC and any other
federally funded benefits, including MFIP-S.
Sec. 49. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 256D.44,
subdivision 5, is amended to read:
Subd. 5. [SPECIAL NEEDS.] In addition to the state
standards of assistance established in subdivisions 1 to 4, payments are allowed
for the following special needs of recipients of Minnesota supplemental aid who
are not residents of a nursing home, a regional treatment center, or a group
residential housing facility (a) The county agency shall pay a monthly allowance for
medically prescribed diets payable under the AFDC program or the Minnesota family investment program-statewide if
the cost of those additional dietary needs cannot be met through some other
maintenance benefit.
(b) Payment for nonrecurring special needs must be
allowed for necessary home repairs or necessary repairs or replacement of
household furniture and appliances using the payment standard of the AFDC
program in effect on July 16, 1996, for these
expenses, as long as other funding sources are not available.
(c) A fee for guardian or conservator service is allowed
at a reasonable rate negotiated by the county or approved by the court. This
rate shall not exceed five percent of the assistance unit's gross monthly income
up to a maximum of $100 per month. If the guardian or conservator is a member of
the county agency staff, no fee is allowed.
(d) The county agency shall continue to pay a monthly
allowance of $68 for restaurant meals for a person who was receiving a
restaurant meal allowance on June 1, 1990, and who eats two or more meals in a
restaurant daily. The allowance must continue until the person has not received
Minnesota supplemental aid for one full calendar month or until the person's
living arrangement changes and the person no longer meets the criteria for the
restaurant meal allowance, whichever occurs first.
(e) A fee of ten percent of the recipient's gross income
or $25, whichever is less, is allowed for representative payee services provided
by an agency that meets the requirements under SSI regulations to charge a fee
for representative payee services. This special need is available to all
recipients of Minnesota supplemental aid regardless of their living arrangement.
Sec. 50. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 256G.03,
subdivision 2, is amended to read:
Subd. 2. [NO DURATIONAL TEST.] Except as otherwise
provided in sections 256.73, subdivisions 1 and 1b; 256B.056, subdivision 1; Sec. 51. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 256G.05,
subdivision 2, is amended to read:
Subd. 2. [NON-MINNESOTA RESIDENTS.] State residence is
not required for receiving emergency assistance in the Sec. 52. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 259.67,
subdivision 4, is amended to read:
Subd. 4. [ELIGIBILITY CONDITIONS.] (a) The placing
agency shall (1) Due to the child's characteristics or circumstances
it would be difficult to provide the child an adoptive home without adoption
assistance.
(2)(i) A placement agency has made reasonable efforts to
place the child for adoption without adoption assistance, but has been
unsuccessful; or
(ii) the child's licensed foster parents desire to adopt
the child and it is determined by the placing agency that the adoption is in the
best interest of the child.
(3) The child has been a ward of the commissioner or a
Minnesota-licensed child-placing agency.
(b) For purposes of this subdivision, the
characteristics or circumstances that may be considered in determining whether a
child is a child with special needs under United States Code, title 42, chapter
7, subchapter IV, part E, or meets the requirements of paragraph (a), clause
(1), are the following:
(1) The child is a member of a sibling group to be
placed as one unit in which at least one sibling is older than 15 months of age
or is described in clause (2) or (3).
(2) The child has documented physical, mental,
emotional, or behavioral disabilities.
(3) The child has a high risk of developing physical,
mental, emotional, or behavioral disabilities.
(c) When a child's eligibility for adoption assistance
is based upon the high risk of developing physical, mental, emotional, or
behavioral disabilities, payments shall not be made under the adoption
assistance agreement unless and until the potential disability manifests itself
as documented by an appropriate health care professional.
Sec. 53. [TRANSFER OF RESPONSIBILITIES FOR PROVIDING
SECURE CRISIS SHELTER.]
In state fiscal year 2000, all
of the powers, duties, and functions of the commissioner of human services
relating to the operation and funding of shelters for battered women are
transferred to the commissioner of corrections in accordance with Minnesota
Statutes, section 15.039, except for personnel transfers under Minnesota
Statutes, section 15.039, subdivision 7.
Sec. 54. [FINDINGS; CONTINGENT BENEFIT STANDARDS.]
Subdivision 1. [FINDINGS.]
For purposes of Minnesota Statutes, sections 256D.02,
subdivision 12a, and 256D.066, the legislature makes the following findings:
(1) the legislature is
statutorily required to balance the state budget, and, in balancing the state
budget, faces competing funding priorities with limited resources;
(2) many states have more
restrictive or nonexistent state welfare programs to aid needy individuals
without children;
(3) despite likely weaker
federal financial support and the trend in other states toward more restrictive
welfare programs, the legislature wishes to continue to manage funds
appropriated for the general assistance program so that the state may provide
meaningful assistance for needy Minnesotans without children;
(4) the legislature intends to
provide a safety net for recent interstate migrants;
(5) Minnesota county human
service agencies have reported to the commissioner of human services verified
cases of individuals from other states to this state at least in part because
this state has higher cash assistance benefits;
(6) the legislature anticipates
that, as other states further restrict their welfare programs, migration to this
state by individuals seeking higher welfare benefits will increase significantly
and may cause expenditures in excess of the funds appropriated for this
program;
(7) the policy of the state of
Minnesota is to make welfare benefits a neutral factor in an individual's
decision to move to Minnesota, which is required for the state to continue its
commitment to provide meaningful assistance for needy Minnesotans without
children;
(8) if new residents experience
any harm under Minnesota Statutes, sections 256D.02, subdivision 12a, and
256D.066, such harm is mitigated, since new residents, if eligible, can receive
benefits immediately under a hardship exemption; and in all cases, if eligible,
can receive cash assistance after 30 days; if eligible, they will receive cash
assistance based on the assistance standard they would have received in their
previous state of residence for individuals without children;
(9) without Minnesota Statutes,
sections 256D.02, subdivision 12a, and 256D.066, the hardship to the state and
its needy individuals would be great because significant reductions in welfare
benefits will likely occur; and
(10) Minnesota Statutes,
sections 256D.02, subdivision 12a, and 256D.066, advance the public interest of
continuing to provide meaningful assistance to needy Minnesotans without
children while providing a safety net for recent interstate migrants.
Subd. 2. [REDUCTION IF COURT
ENJOINMENT.] In the event a court enjoins enforcement of
Minnesota Statutes, section 256D.02, subdivision 12a, or 256D.066, this
subdivision shall apply. Beginning July 1, 1997, the commissioner of human
services shall monitor the number of individual applicants for general
assistance under this chapter who have lived in this state for less than 12
consecutive months and shall implement clauses (1) to (3) when the commissioner
determines that the cumulative number of such applicants since July 1, 1997, has
reached at least 3,000. The commissioner shall:
(1) reduce the assistance
standards for general assistance program under this chapter for all recipients
but only in an amount sufficient to remain within the forecasted budgets for the
program; reductions shall take effect beginning with payments made at the start
of the second calendar month following the commissioner's determination that the
conditions specified in this clause have occurred;
(2) notify the fiscal and policy
chairs of the house and senate human services committees that the reductions
have taken place; and
(3) formulate a plan to be
presented to the next legislative session.
Sec. 55. [TOTAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME COUNTED.]
Effective January 1, 1999,
notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, eligibility for public
assistance, including, but not limited to, AFDC, family general assistance, MFIP
and MFIP-S, and general assistance must count income from all unrelated
individuals living in the household in order to qualify for any of these public
assistance programs.
Sec. 56. [REPEALER.]
(a) Minnesota Statutes 1996,
sections 256.8711; and 256D.065, are repealed July 1, 1997.
(b) Minnesota Statutes 1996,
sections 256D.02, subdivision 5; and 256D.0511, are repealed March 31, 1998.
Sec. 57. [EFFECTIVE DATES.]
Section 20 is effective the day
following final enactment. Sections 33 and 45 are effective March 31, 1998. The
remaining sections in this article are effective July 1, 1997, unless specified
otherwise in the section.
Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 13.46,
subdivision 1, is amended to read:
Subdivision 1. [DEFINITIONS.] As used in this section:
(a) "Individual" means an individual (b) "Program" includes all programs for which authority
is vested in a component of the welfare system (c) "Welfare system" includes the department of human
services, local social services agencies, county welfare agencies, the public
authority responsible for child support enforcement, human services boards,
community mental health center boards, state hospitals, state nursing homes, the
ombudsman for mental health and mental retardation, and persons, agencies,
institutions, organizations, and other entities under contract to any of the
above agencies to the extent specified in the contract.
(d) "Mental health data" means data on individual
clients and patients of community mental health centers, established under
section 245.62, mental health divisions of counties and other providers under
contract to deliver mental health services, or the ombudsman for mental health
and mental retardation.
(e) "Fugitive felon" means a person who has been
convicted of a felony and who has escaped from confinement or violated the terms
of probation or parole for that offense.
Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 13.46,
subdivision 2, is amended to read:
Subd. 2. [GENERAL.] (a) Unless the data is summary data
or a statute specifically provides a different classification, data on
individuals collected, maintained, used, or disseminated by the welfare system
is private data on individuals, and shall not be disclosed except:
(1) (2) (3) (4) to an agent of the welfare system, including a law
enforcement person, attorney, or investigator acting for it in the investigation
or prosecution of a criminal or civil proceeding relating to the administration
of a program;
(5) to personnel of the welfare system who require the
data to determine eligibility, amount of assistance, and the need to provide
services of additional programs to the individual;
(6) to administer federal funds or programs;
(7) between personnel of the welfare system working in
the same program;
(8) the amounts of cash public assistance and relief
paid to welfare recipients in this state, including their names, social security
numbers, income, addresses, and other data as required, upon request by the
department of revenue to administer the property tax refund law, supplemental
housing allowance, early refund of refundable tax credits, and the income tax.
"Refundable tax credits" means the dependent care credit under section 290.067,
the Minnesota working family credit under section 290.0671, the property tax
refund under section 290A.04, and, if the required federal waiver or waivers are
granted, the federal earned income tax credit under section 32 of the Internal
Revenue Code;
(9) to the Minnesota department of economic security for
the purpose of monitoring the eligibility of the data subject for reemployment
insurance, for any employment or training program administered, supervised, or
certified by that agency, or for the purpose of administering any rehabilitation
program, whether alone or in conjunction with the welfare system, and to verify
receipt of energy assistance for the telephone assistance plan;
(10) to appropriate parties in connection with an
emergency if knowledge of the information is necessary to protect the health or
safety of the individual or other individuals or persons;
(11) data maintained by residential programs as defined
in section 245A.02 may be disclosed to the protection and advocacy system
established in this state (12) to the county medical examiner or the county
coroner for identifying or locating relatives or friends of a deceased person;
(13) data on a child support obligor who makes payments
to the public agency may be disclosed to the higher education services office to
the extent necessary to determine eligibility under section 136A.121,
subdivision 2, clause (5);
(14) participant social security numbers and names
collected by the telephone assistance program may be disclosed to the department
of revenue to conduct an electronic data match with the property tax refund
database to determine eligibility under section 237.70, subdivision 4a;
(15) the current address of a recipient of aid to
families with dependent children or Minnesota family
investment program-statewide may be disclosed to law enforcement officers
who provide the name and social security number of the recipient and
satisfactorily demonstrate that: (i) the recipient is a fugitive felon,
including the grounds for this determination; (ii) the location or apprehension
of the felon is within the law enforcement officer's official duties; and (iii)
the request is made in writing and in the proper exercise of those duties;
(16) the current address of a recipient of general
assistance (17) information obtained from food stamp applicant or
recipient households may be disclosed to local, state, or federal law
enforcement officials, upon their written request, for the purpose of
investigating an alleged violation of the food stamp act, (18) data on a child support obligor who is in arrears
may be disclosed for purposes of publishing the data (19) data on child support payments made by a child
support obligor may be disclosed to the obligee;
(20) data in the work reporting system may be disclosed
under section 256.998, subdivision 7;
(21) to the department of children, families, and
learning for the purpose of matching department of children, families, and
learning student data with public assistance data to determine students eligible
for free and reduced price meals, meal supplements, and free milk (22) the current address and telephone number of program
recipients and emergency contacts may be released to the commissioner of health
or a local board of health as defined in section 145A.02, subdivision 2, when
the commissioner or local board of health has reason to believe that a program
recipient is a disease case, carrier, suspect case, or at risk of illness, and
the data are necessary to locate the person.
(b) Information on persons who have been treated for
drug or alcohol abuse may only be disclosed (c) Data provided to law enforcement agencies under
paragraph (a), clause (15), (16), or (17), or paragraph (b), are investigative
data and are confidential or protected nonpublic while the investigation is
active. The data are private after the investigation becomes inactive under
section 13.82, subdivision 5, paragraph (a) or (b).
(d) Mental health data shall be treated as provided in
subdivisions 7, 8, and 9, but is not subject to the access provisions of
subdivision 10, paragraph (b).
Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 84.98,
subdivision 3, is amended to read:
Subd. 3. [CRITERIA FOR DETERMINING ECONOMIC, SOCIAL,
PHYSICAL, OR EDUCATIONAL DISADVANTAGE.] (a) The criteria for determining
economic, social, physical, or educational disadvantage shall be determined as
provided in this subdivision.
(b) Economically disadvantaged are persons who meet the
criteria for disadvantaged established by the department of economic security or
persons receiving services provided by the department of human services such as
welfare payments, food stamps, (c) Socially disadvantaged are persons who have been
classified as persons in need of supervision by the court system.
(d) Physically disadvantaged are persons who have been
identified as having special needs by public agencies that deal with employment
for the disabled.
(e) Educationally disadvantaged are persons who have
dropped out of school or are at risk of dropping out of school and persons with
learning disabilities or in need of special education classes.
Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 136A.125,
subdivision 2, is amended to read:
Subd. 2. [ELIGIBLE STUDENTS.] An applicant is eligible
for a child care grant if the applicant:
(1) is a resident of the state of Minnesota;
(2) has a child 12 years of age or younger, or 14 years
of age or younger who is handicapped as defined in section 120.03, and who is
receiving or will receive care on a regular basis from a licensed or legal,
nonlicensed caregiver;
(3) is income eligible as determined by the office's
policies and rules, but is not a recipient of assistance
from either aid to families with dependent children or Minnesota family investment program-statewide;
(4) has not earned a baccalaureate degree and has been
enrolled full time less than eight semesters, 12 quarters, or the equivalent;
(5) is pursuing a nonsectarian program or course of
study that applies to an undergraduate degree, diploma, or certificate;
(6) is enrolled at least half time in an eligible
institution; and
(7) is in good academic standing and making satisfactory
academic progress.
Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 196.27, is
amended to read:
196.27 [AGENT ORANGE SETTLEMENT PAYMENTS.]
(a) Payments received by veterans or their dependents
because of settlements between them and the manufacturers of Agent Orange or
other chemical agents, as defined in section 196.21, must not be treated as
income (or an available resource) of the veterans or their dependents for the
purposes of any program of public assistance or benefit program administered by
the department of veterans affairs, the department of human services, or other
agencies of the state or political subdivisions of the state, except as provided
in paragraph (b).
(b) The income and resource exclusion in paragraph (a)
does not apply to the medical assistance, food stamps, assistance Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 237.70,
subdivision 4a, is amended to read:
Subd. 4a. [HOUSEHOLDS ELIGIBLE FOR CREDITS.] The
telephone assistance plan must provide telephone assistance credit for a
residential household in Minnesota that meets each of the following criteria:
(1) has a household member who:
(i) subscribes to local exchange service; and
(ii) is either disabled or 65 years of age or older;
(2) whose household income is 150 percent or less of
federal poverty guidelines or is currently eligible for:
(i) aid to families with dependent children or Minnesota family investment program-statewide;
(ii) medical assistance;
(iii) general assistance;
(iv) Minnesota supplemental aid;
(v) food stamps;
(vi) refugee cash assistance or refugee medical
assistance;
(vii) energy assistance; or
(viii) supplemental security income; and
(3) who has been certified as eligible for telephone
assistance plan credits.
Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 254B.02,
subdivision 1, is amended to read:
Subdivision 1. [CHEMICAL DEPENDENCY TREATMENT
ALLOCATION.] The chemical dependency funds appropriated for allocation shall be
placed in a special revenue account. For the fiscal year beginning July 1, 1987,
funds shall be transferred to operate the vendor payment, invoice processing,
and collections system for one year. The commissioner shall annually transfer
funds from the chemical dependency fund to pay for operation of the drug and
alcohol abuse normative evaluation system and to pay for all costs incurred by
adding two positions for licensing of chemical dependency treatment and
rehabilitation programs located in hospitals for which funds are not otherwise
appropriated. The commissioner shall annually divide the money available in the
chemical dependency fund that is not held in reserve by counties from a previous
allocation. Twelve percent of the remaining money must be reserved for treatment
of American Indians by eligible vendors under section 254B.05. The remainder of
the money must be allocated among the counties according to the following
formula, using state demographer data and other data sources determined by the
commissioner:
(a) For purposes of this formula, American Indians and
children under age 14 are subtracted from the population of each county to
determine the restricted population.
(b) The amount of chemical dependency fund expenditures
for entitled persons for services not covered by prepaid plans governed by
section 256B.69 in the previous year is divided by the amount of chemical
dependency fund expenditures for entitled persons for all services to determine
the proportion of exempt service expenditures for each county.
(c) The prepaid plan months of eligibility is multiplied
by the proportion of exempt service expenditures to determine the adjusted
prepaid plan months of eligibility for each county.
(d) The adjusted prepaid plan months of eligibility is
added to the number of restricted population fee for service months of
eligibility for aid to families with dependent children,
Minnesota family investment program-statewide, general assistance, and
medical assistance and divided by the county restricted population to determine
county per capita months of covered service eligibility.
(e) The number of adjusted prepaid plan months of
eligibility for the state is added to the number of fee for service months of
eligibility for aid to families with dependent children,
Minnesota family investment program-statewide, general assistance, and
medical assistance for the state restricted population and divided by the state
restricted population to determine state per capita months of covered service
eligibility.
(f) The county per capita months of covered service
eligibility is divided by the state per capita months of covered service
eligibility to determine the county welfare caseload factor.
(g) The median married couple income for the most recent
three-year period available for the state is divided by the median married
couple income for the same period for each county to determine the income factor
for each county.
(h) The county restricted population is multiplied by
the sum of the county welfare caseload factor and the county income factor to
determine the adjusted population.
(i) $15,000 shall be allocated to each county.
(j) The remaining funds shall be allocated proportional
to the county adjusted population.
Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 256.01,
subdivision 4a, is amended to read:
Subd. 4a. [TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FOR IMMUNIZATION
REMINDERS.] The state agency shall provide appropriate technical assistance to
county agencies to develop methods to have county financial workers remind and
encourage recipients of aid to families with dependent children, Minnesota family investment program-statewide, the
Minnesota family investment plan, medical assistance, family general assistance,
or food stamps whose assistance unit includes at least one child under the age
of five to have each young child immunized against childhood diseases. The state
agency must examine the feasibility of utilizing the capacity of a statewide
computer system to assist county agency financial workers in performing this
function at appropriate intervals.
Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 256.017,
subdivision 1, is amended to read:
Subdivision 1. [AUTHORITY AND PURPOSE.] The commissioner
shall administer a compliance system for aid to families with dependent
children, Minnesota family investment
program-statewide, the food stamp program, emergency assistance, general
assistance, The commissioner shall utilize training, technical
assistance, and monitoring activities, as specified in section 256.01,
subdivision 2, to encourage county agency compliance with written policies and
procedures.
Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 256.017,
subdivision 4, is amended to read:
Subd. 4. [DETERMINING THE AMOUNT OF THE QUALITY CONTROL
CASE PENALTY.] (a) The amount of the quality control case penalty is limited to
the amount of the dollar error for the quality control sample month in a
reviewed case as determined by the state quality control review procedures for
the aid to families with dependent children, Minnesota
family investment program-statewide and food stamp programs or for any other
income transfer program for which the commissioner develops a quality control
program.
(b) Payment errors in medical assistance or any other
medical services program for which the department develops a quality control
program are subject to set rate penalties based on the average cost of the
specific quality control error element for a sample review month for that
household size and status of institutionalization and as determined from state
quality control data in the preceding fiscal year for the corresponding program.
(c) Errors identified in negative action cases, such as
incorrect terminations or denials of assistance are subject to set rate
penalties based on the average benefit cost of that household size as determined
from state quality control data in the preceding fiscal year for the
corresponding program.
Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 256.031,
subdivision 5, is amended to read:
Subd. 5. [FEDERAL WAIVERS.] Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 256.046,
subdivision 1, is amended to read:
Subdivision 1. [HEARING AUTHORITY.] A local agency may
initiate an administrative fraud disqualification hearing for individuals
accused of wrongfully obtaining assistance or intentional program violations in
the aid to families with dependent children, Minnesota
family investment program-statewide or food stamp programs. The hearing is
subject to the requirements of section 256.045 and the requirements in Code of
Federal Regulations, title 7, section 273.16, for the food stamp program and
title 45, section 235.112, for the aid to families with dependent children
program.
Sec. 13. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 256.935,
subdivision 1, is amended to read:
Subdivision 1. On the death of any person receiving
public assistance through aid to dependent children or
MFIP-S, the county agency shall pay an amount for funeral expenses not
exceeding the amount paid for comparable services under section 261.035 plus
actual cemetery charges. No funeral expenses shall be paid if the estate of the
deceased is sufficient to pay such expenses or if the spouse, who was legally
responsible for the support of the deceased while living, is able to pay such
expenses; provided, that the additional payment or donation of the cost of
cemetery lot, interment, religious service, or for the transportation of the
body into or out of the community in which the deceased resided, shall not limit
payment by the county agency as herein authorized. Freedom of choice in the
selection of a funeral director shall be granted to persons lawfully authorized
to make arrangements for the burial of any such deceased recipient. In
determining the sufficiency of such estate, due regard shall be had for the
nature and marketability of the assets of the estate. The county agency may
grant funeral expenses where the sale would cause undue loss to the estate. Any
amount paid for funeral expenses shall be a prior claim against the estate, as
provided in section 524.3-805, and any amount recovered shall be reimbursed to
the agency which paid the expenses. The commissioner shall specify requirements
for reports, including fiscal reports, according to section 256.01, subdivision
2, paragraph (17). The state share of county agency expenditures shall be 50
percent and the county share shall be 50 percent. Benefits shall be issued to
recipients by the state or county and funded according to section 256.025,
subdivision 3, subject to provisions of section 256.017.
Beginning July 1, 1991, the state will reimburse
counties according to the payment schedule set forth in section 256.025 for the
county share of county agency expenditures made under this subdivision from
January 1, 1991, on. Payment under this subdivision is subject to the provisions
of section 256.017.
Sec. 14. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 256.981, is
amended to read:
256.981 [TRAINING OF WELFARE FRAUD PROSECUTORS.]
The commissioner of human services shall, to the extent
an appropriation is provided for this purpose, contract with the county
attorney's council or other public or private entity experienced in providing
training for prosecutors to conduct quarterly workshops and seminars focusing on
current aid to families with dependent children and
Minnesota family investment program-statewide program issues, other income
maintenance program changes, recovery issues, alternative sentencing methods,
use of technical aids for interviews and interrogations, and other matters
affecting prosecution of welfare fraud cases.
Sec. 15. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 256E.03,
subdivision 2, is amended to read:
Subd. 2. (a) "Community social services" means services
provided or arranged for by county boards to fulfill the responsibilities
prescribed in section 256E.08, subdivision 1, to the following groups of
persons:
(1) families with children under age 18, who are
experiencing child dependency, neglect or abuse, and also pregnant adolescents,
adolescent parents under the age of 18, and their children;
(2) persons who are under the guardianship of the
commissioner of human services as dependent and neglected wards;
(3) adults who are in need of protection and vulnerable
as defined in section 626.5572;
(4) persons age 60 and over who are experiencing
difficulty living independently and are unable to provide for their own needs;
(5) emotionally disturbed children and adolescents,
chronically and acutely mentally ill persons who are unable to provide for their
own needs or to independently engage in ordinary community activities;
(6) persons with mental retardation as defined in
section 252A.02, subdivision 2, or with related conditions as defined in section
252.27, subdivision 1a, who are unable to provide for their own needs or to
independently engage in ordinary community activities;
(7) drug dependent and intoxicated persons as defined in
section 254A.02, subdivisions 5 and 7, and persons at risk of harm to self or
others due to the ingestion of alcohol or other drugs;
(8) parents whose income is at or below 70 percent of
the state median income and who are in need of child care services in order to
secure or retain employment or to obtain the training or education necessary to
secure employment; and
(9) other groups of persons who, in the judgment of the
county board, are in need of social services.
(b) Except as provided in section 256E.08, subdivision
5, community social services do not include public assistance programs known as
aid to families with dependent children, Minnesota
family investment program-statewide, Minnesota supplemental aid, medical
assistance, general assistance, general assistance medical care, or community
health services authorized by sections 145A.09 to 145A.13.
Sec. 16. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 256E.06,
subdivision 1, is amended to read:
Subdivision 1. [FORMULA.] The commissioner of human
services shall distribute community social service aids to each county board in
an amount determined according to the following formula:
In calendar year 1982 and thereafter:
(a) One-third shall be distributed on the basis of the
average unduplicated number of persons who receive AFDC,
Minnesota family investment program-statewide, general assistance, and
medical assistance per month in the calendar year two years prior to the year
for which funds are being distributed as reported in the average monthly
caseload reports required under sections 256.01, 256B.04 and 256D.04, and
certified by the commissioner of human services; and
(b) One-third shall be distributed on the basis of the
number of persons residing in the county as determined by the most recent data
of the state demographer;
(c) One-third shall be distributed on the basis of the
number of persons residing in the county who are 65 years old or older as
determined by the most recent data of the state demographer.
Sec. 17. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 256E.06,
subdivision 3, is amended to read:
Subd. 3. [PAYMENTS TO COUNTIES.] The commissioner of
human services shall make payments for community social services to each county
in four installments per year. The commissioner of human services may certify
the payments for the first three months of a calendar year based on estimates of
the unduplicated number of persons receiving AFDC,
Minnesota family investment program-statewide, general assistance and
medical assistance for the prior year. The following three payments shall be
adjusted to reflect the actual unduplicated number of persons who received
AFDC, Minnesota family investment program-statewide,
general assistance and medical assistance as required by subdivision 1. The
commissioner shall ensure that the pertinent payment of the allotment for that
quarter is made to each county on the first working day after the end of each
quarter of the calendar year, except for the last quarter of the calendar year.
The commissioner shall ensure that each county receives its payment of the
allotment for that quarter no later than the last working day of that quarter.
This scheduling of payments does not require compliance with subdivision 10.
Sec. 18. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 256E.07,
subdivision 1, is amended to read:
Subdivision 1. [FORMULA.] In federal fiscal year 1985
and subsequent years, money for social services that is received from the
federal government to reimburse counties for social service expenditures (a) Two-thirds shall be allocated on the basis of the
annual average number of unduplicated active monthly caseloads in each county in
the following programs: aid to families with dependent children, Minnesota family investment program-statewide,
medical assistance, general assistance, supplementary security income, and
Minnesota supplemental aid.
(b) One-third shall be allocated on the basis of the
number of persons residing in the county as determined by the most recent
estimate of the state demographer.
(c) The commissioner shall allocate to the counties Sec. 19. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 256E.08,
subdivision 3, is amended to read:
Subd. 3. [ADMINISTRATION OF INCOME MAINTENANCE
PROGRAMS.] The county board may designate itself, a human services board, or a
local social services agency to perform the functions of local social services
agencies as prescribed in chapter 393 and assigned to county agencies in other
law which pertains to the administration of income maintenance programs known as
aid to families with dependent children, Minnesota
family investment program-statewide, general assistance, Minnesota
supplemental aid, medical assistance, general assistance medical care, and
emergency assistance.
Sec. 20. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 256F.05,
subdivision 5, is amended to read:
Subd. 5. [INAPPROPRIATE EXPENDITURES.] Family
preservation fund basic, placement earnings, and development grant money must
not be used for:
(1) child day care necessary solely because of the
employment or training to prepare for employment, of a parent or other relative
with whom the child is living;
(2) residential facility payments;
(3) adoption assistance payments;
(4) public assistance payments for aid to families with
dependent children, Minnesota family investment
program-statewide, supplemental aid, medical assistance, general assistance,
general assistance medical care, or community health services authorized by
sections 145A.09 to 145A.13; or
(5) administrative costs for local social services
agency public assistance staff.
Sec. 21. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 256G.01,
subdivision 4, is amended to read:
Subd. 4. [ADDITIONAL COVERAGE.] The provisions in
sections 256G.02, subdivision 4, paragraphs (a) to (d); 256G.02, subdivisions 5
to 8; 256G.03; 256G.04; 256G.05; and 256G.07, subdivisions 1 to 3, apply to the
following programs: aid to families with dependent children, Minnesota family investment program-statewide;
medical assistance; general assistance; family general assistance; general
assistance medical care; and Minnesota supplemental aid.
Sec. 22. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 257.3573,
subdivision 2, is amended to read:
Subd. 2. [INAPPROPRIATE EXPENDITURES.] Indian child
welfare grant money must not be used for:
(1) child day care necessary solely because of
employment or training for employment of a parent or other relative with whom
the child is living;
(2) foster care maintenance or difficulty of care
payments;
(3) residential facility payments;
(4) adoption assistance payments;
(5) public assistance payments for aid to families with
dependent children, Minnesota family investment
program-statewide, supplemental aid, medical assistance, general assistance,
general assistance medical care, or community health services authorized by
sections 145A.01 to 145A.14; or
(6) administrative costs for income maintenance staff.
Sec. 23. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 260.38, is
amended to read:
260.38 [COST, PAYMENT.]
In addition to the usual care and services given by
public and private agencies, the necessary cost incurred by the commissioner of
human services in providing care for such child shall be paid by the county
committing such child which, subject to uniform rules established by the
commissioner of human services, may receive a reimbursement not exceeding
one-half of such costs from funds made available for this purpose by the
legislature during the period beginning July 1, 1985, and ending December 31,
1985. Beginning January 1, 1986, the necessary cost incurred by the commissioner
of human services in providing care for the child must be paid by the county
committing the child. Where such child is eligible to receive a grant of aid to
families with dependent children, Minnesota family
investment program-statewide or supplemental security income for the aged,
blind, and disabled, or a foster care maintenance payment under Title IV-E of
the Social Security Act, United States Code, title 42, sections 670 to 676, the
child's needs shall be met through these programs.
Sec. 24. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 268.0111,
subdivision 5, is amended to read:
Subd. 5. [INCOME MAINTENANCE AND SUPPORT SERVICES.]
"Income maintenance and support services" means programs through which the state
or its subdivisions provide direct financial or in-kind support to unemployed or
underemployed persons, including reemployment insurance, aid to families with
dependent children, Minnesota family investment
program-statewide, general assistance, Sec. 25. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 268.0111,
subdivision 7, is amended to read:
Subd. 7. [PUBLIC ASSISTANCE.] "Public assistance" means
aid to families with dependent children, Minnesota
family investment program-statewide and general assistance Sec. 26. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 268.0122,
subdivision 3, is amended to read:
Subd. 3. [DUTIES AS A STATE AGENCY.] The commissioner
shall:
(1) administer the unemployment insurance laws and
related programs;
(2) administer the aspects of aid to families with
dependent children, Minnesota family investment
program-statewide, general assistance, (3) administer wage subsidies and the discretionary
employment and training fund;
(4) administer a national system of public employment
offices as prescribed by United States Code, title 29, chapter 4B, the
Wagner-Peyser Act, and other federal employment and training programs;
(5) cooperate with the federal government and its
employment and training agencies in any reasonable manner as necessary to
qualify for federal aid for employment and training services and money;
(6) enter into agreements with other departments of the
state and local units of government as necessary;
(7) certify employment and training service providers
and decertify service providers that fail to comply with performance criteria
according to standards established by the commissioner;
(8) provide consistent, integrated employment and
training services across the state;
(9) establish the standards for all employment and
training services administered under this chapter;
(10) develop standards for the contents and structure of
the local service unit plans and plans for Indian tribe employment and training
services;
(11) provide current state and substate labor market
information and forecasts, in cooperation with other agencies;
(12) identify underserved populations, unmet service
needs, and funding requirements;
(13) consult with the council for the blind on matters
pertaining to programs and services for the blind and visually impaired; and
(14) enter into agreements with Indian tribes as
necessary to provide employment and training services as funds become available.
Sec. 27. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 268.552,
subdivision 5, is amended to read:
Subd. 5. [ALLOCATION TO APPLICANTS.] Priority for
subsidies shall be in the following order:
(1) applicants living in households with no other income
source;
(2) applicants whose incomes and resources are less than
the standard for eligibility for general assistance (3) applicants who are eligible for aid to families with
dependent children or Minnesota family investment
program-statewide.
Sec. 28. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 268.6751,
subdivision 1, is amended to read:
Subdivision 1. [WAGE SUBSIDIES.] Wage subsidy money must
be allocated to local service units in the following manner:
(a) The commissioner shall allocate 87.5 percent of the
funds available for allocation to local service units for wage subsidy programs
as follows: the proportion of the wage subsidy money available to each local
service unit must be based on the number of unemployed persons in the local
service unit for the most recent six-month period and the number of (b) Five percent of the money available for wage subsidy
programs must be allocated at the discretion of the commissioner.
(c) Seven and one-half percent of the money available
for wage subsidy programs must be allocated at the discretion of the
commissioner to provide jobs for residents of federally recognized Indian
reservations.
(d) By December 31 of each fiscal year, providers and
local service units receiving wage subsidy money shall report to the
commissioner on the use of allocated funds. The commissioner shall reallocate
uncommitted funds for each fiscal year according to the formula in paragraph
(a).
Sec. 29. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 268.676,
subdivision 1, is amended to read:
Subdivision 1. [AMONG JOB APPLICANTS.] At least 80
percent of funds allocated among eligible job applicants statewide must be
allocated to:
(1) applicants living in households with no other income
source;
(2) applicants whose incomes and resources are less than
the standards for eligibility for general assistance (3) applicants who are eligible for aid to families with
dependent children or Minnesota family investment
program-statewide; and
(4) applicants who live in a farm household who
demonstrate severe household financial need.
Sec. 30. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 268.86,
subdivision 2, is amended to read:
Subd. 2. [INTERAGENCY AGREEMENTS.] By October 1, 1987,
the commissioner and the commissioner of human services shall enter into a
written contract for the design, delivery, and administration of employment and
training services for applicants for or recipients of food stamps (1) specific roles and responsibilities of each
department;
(2) assignment and supervision of staff for interagency
activities including any necessary interagency employee mobility agreements
under the administrative procedures of the department of employee relations;
(3) mechanisms for determining the conditions under
which individuals participate in services, their rights and responsibilities
while participating, and the standards by which the services must be
administered;
(4) procedures for providing technical assistance to
local service units, Indian tribes, and employment and training service
providers;
(5) access to appropriate staff for ongoing development
and interpretation of policy, rules, and program standards;
(6) procedures for reimbursing appropriate agencies for
administrative expenses; and
(7) procedures for accessing available federal funds.
Sec. 31. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 268.871,
subdivision 1, is amended to read:
Subdivision 1. [RESPONSIBILITY AND CERTIFICATION.] (a)
Unless prohibited by federal law or otherwise determined by state law, a local
service unit is responsible for the delivery of employment and training
services. After February 1, 1988, employment and training services must be
delivered by certified employment and training service providers.
(b) The local service unit's employment and training
service provider must meet the certification standards in this subdivision in
order to be certified to deliver any of the following employment and training
services and programs: wage subsidies; (c) The commissioner shall certify a local service
unit's service provider to provide these employment and training services and
programs if the commissioner determines that the provider has:
(1) past experience in direct delivery of the programs
specified in paragraph (b);
(2) staff capabilities and qualifications, including
adequate staff to provide timely and effective services to clients, and proven
staff experience in providing specific services such as assessments, career
planning, job development, job placement, support services, and knowledge of
community services and educational resources;
(3) demonstrated effectiveness in providing services to
public assistance recipients and other economically disadvantaged clients; and
(4) demonstrated administrative capabilities, including
adequate fiscal and accounting procedures, financial management systems,
participant data systems, and record retention procedures.
(d) When the only service provider that meets the
criterion in paragraph (c), clause (1), has been decertified, (e) The commissioner shall certify providers of the
Minnesota family investment plan case management services as defined in section
256.032, subdivision 3. Providers must meet the standards defined in paragraph
(c), except that past experience under paragraph (c), clause (1), must be in
services and programs similar to those specified in section 256.032, subdivision
3.
Employment and training service providers shall be
certified by the commissioner for two fiscal years beginning July 1, 1991, and
every second year thereafter.
Sec. 32. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 268.90,
subdivision 2, is amended to read:
Subd. 2. [EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS.] (a) An eligible
nonprofit or public employer may not terminate, lay off, or reduce the regular
working hours of an employee for the purpose of hiring an individual with money
available under this program. An eligible employer may not hire an individual
with money available through this program if any other person is on layoff from
the same or a substantially equivalent job.
(b) Community investment program participants are
employees of the project employer within the meaning of workers' compensation
laws, personal income tax, and the federal insurance contribution act, but not
retirement or civil service laws.
(c) Each project and job must comply with all applicable
affirmative action, fair labor, health, safety, and environmental standards.
(d) Individuals employed under the community investment
program must be paid a wage at the same wage rates as work site or employees
doing comparable work in that locality, unless otherwise specified in law.
(e) Recipients of aid to families with dependent
children or Minnesota family investment
program-statewide who are eligible on the basis of an unemployed parent may
not have available more than 100 hours a month. All employees are limited to 32
hours or four days a week, so that they can continue to seek full-time private
sector employment, unless otherwise specified in law.
(f) The commissioner shall establish, by rule, the terms
and conditions governing the participation of appropriate public assistance
recipients. The rules must, at a minimum, establish the procedures by which the
minimum and maximum number of work hours and maximum allowable travel distances
are determined, the amounts and methods by which work expenses will be paid, and
the manner in which support services will be provided. The rules must also
provide for periodic reviews of clients continuing employment in community
investment programs.
(g) Participation in a community investment program by a
recipient of aid to families with dependent children,
Minnesota family investment program-statewide or general assistance is
voluntary Sec. 33. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 268.916, is
amended to read:
268.916 [REPORTS.]
Each grantee shall submit an annual report to the
commissioner on the format designated by the commissioner, including program
information report data. By January 1 of each year, the commissioner shall
prepare an annual report to the health and human services committee of the house
of representatives and the family services committee of the senate concerning
the uses and impact of head start supplemental funding, including a summary of
innovative programs and the results of innovative programs and an evaluation of
the coordination of head start programs with employment and training services
provided to AFDC and MFIP-S recipients.
Sec. 34. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 268.95,
subdivision 4, is amended to read:
Subd. 4. [PILOT PROGRAM.] The commissioner shall develop
a pilot program, in cooperation with the commissioners of trade and economic
development and human services, to enable low-income persons to start or expand
self-employment opportunities or home-based businesses that are designed to make
the individual entrepreneurs economically independent. The commissioner of human
services shall seek necessary waivers from federal regulations to allow
recipients of aid to families with dependent children or
Minnesota family investment program-statewide to participate and retain
eligibility while establishing a business.
Sec. 35. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 393.07,
subdivision 6, is amended to read:
Subd. 6. [PURCHASE OF EQUIPMENT TO AID WELFARE
RECIPIENTS.] Every local social services agency authorizing braces, crutches,
trusses, wheel chairs and hearing aids for use by recipients of supplemental
security income for the aged, blind and disabled, aid to families with dependent
children or Minnesota family investment
program-statewide and relief shall secure such devices at the lowest cost
obtainable conducive to the well being of the recipient and fix the recipient's
grant in an amount to cover the cost of the device providing it will be
purchased at the lowest cost obtainable, or may make payment for the device
directly to the vendor.
Sec. 36. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 477A.0122,
subdivision 2, is amended to read:
Subd. 2. [DEFINITIONS.] For purposes of this section,
the following definitions apply:
(a) "Children in out-of-home placement" means the total
unduplicated number of children in out-of-home care as reported (b) "Family preservation programs" means family-based
services as defined in section 256F.03, subdivision 5, families first services,
parent and child education programs, and day treatment services provided in
cooperation with a school district or other programs as defined by the
commissioner of human services.
(c) "Income maintenance caseload" means average monthly
number of AFDC or Minnesota family investment
program-statewide cases for the calendar year.
By July 1, 1994, the commissioner of human services
shall certify to the commissioner of revenue the number of children in
out-of-home placement in 1991 and 1992 for each county and the income
maintenance caseload for each county for the most recent year available. By July
1 of each subsequent year, the commissioner of human services shall certify to
the commissioner of revenue the income maintenance caseload for each county for
the most recent calendar year available.
Sec. 37. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 550.37,
subdivision 14, is amended to read:
Subd. 14. [PUBLIC ASSISTANCE.] All relief based on need,
and the earnings or salary of a person who is a recipient of relief based on
need, shall be exempt from all claims of creditors including any contractual
setoff or security interest asserted by a financial institution. For the
purposes of this chapter, relief based on need includes AFDC, MFIP, MFIP-R, MFIP-S, Work First, general assistance
medical care, supplemental security income, medical assistance, Minnesota
supplemental assistance, and general assistance. The salary or earnings of any
debtor who is or has been an eligible recipient of relief based on need, or an
inmate of a correctional institution shall, upon the debtor's return to private
employment or farming after having been an eligible recipient of relief based on
need, or an inmate of a correctional institution, be exempt from attachment,
garnishment, or levy of execution for a period of six months after the debtor's
return to employment or farming and after all public assistance for which
eligibility existed has been terminated. The exemption provisions contained in
this subdivision also apply for 60 days after deposit in any financial
institution, whether in a single or joint account. In tracing the funds, the
first-in first-out method of accounting shall be used. The burden of
establishing that funds are exempt rests upon the debtor. Agencies distributing
relief and the correctional institutions shall, at the request of creditors,
inform them whether or not any debtor has been an eligible recipient of relief
based on need, or an inmate of a correctional institution, within the preceding
six months.
Sec. 38. [REVISOR INSTRUCTION.]
The revisor of statutes shall
identify in Minnesota Statutes and Minnesota Rules all references to aid to
families with dependent children, AFDC, aid to dependent children, family
general assistance, and FGA, and to Minnesota Statutes, section 256.12, or any
of the sections of Minnesota Statutes from sections 256.72 to 256.87.
The revisor shall prepare a
report by January 1, 1998, for the 1998 legislature showing where these
references are located.
Sec. 39. [EFFECTIVE DATE.]
This article is effective July
1, 1997.
Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 13.82,
subdivision 1, is amended to read:
Subdivision 1. [APPLICATION.] This section shall apply
to agencies which carry on a law enforcement function, including but not limited
to municipal police departments, county sheriff departments, fire departments,
the bureau of criminal apprehension, the Minnesota state patrol, the board of
peace officer standards and training, the department of commerce, and the
department of labor and industry fraud investigation unit, the program integrity section of, and county human
service agency client and provider fraud prevention and control units operated
or supervised by the department of human services.
Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 256.01,
subdivision 2, is amended to read:
Subd. 2. [SPECIFIC POWERS.] Subject to the provisions of
section 241.021, subdivision 2, the commissioner of human services shall:
(1) Administer and supervise all forms of public
assistance provided for by state law and other welfare activities or services as
are vested in the commissioner. Administration and supervision of human services
activities or services includes, but is not limited to, assuring timely and
accurate distribution of benefits, completeness of service, and quality program
management. In addition to administering and supervising human services
activities vested by law in the department, the commissioner shall have the
authority to:
(a) require county agency participation in training and
technical assistance programs to promote compliance with statutes, rules,
federal laws, regulations, and policies governing human services;
(b) monitor, on an ongoing basis, the performance of
county agencies in the operation and administration of human services, enforce
compliance with statutes, rules, federal laws, regulations, and policies
governing welfare services and promote excellence of administration and program
operation;
(c) develop a quality control program or other
monitoring program to review county performance and accuracy of benefit
determinations;
(d) require county agencies to make an adjustment to the
public assistance benefits issued to any individual consistent with federal law
and regulation and state law and rule and to issue or recover benefits as
appropriate;
(e) delay or deny payment of all or part of the state
and federal share of benefits and administrative reimbursement according to the
procedures set forth in section 256.017; and
(f) make contracts with and grants to public and private
agencies and organizations, both profit and nonprofit, and individuals, using
appropriated funds.
(2) Inform county agencies, on a timely basis, of
changes in statute, rule, federal law, regulation, and policy necessary to
county agency administration of the programs.
(3) Administer and supervise all child welfare
activities; promote the enforcement of laws protecting handicapped, dependent,
neglected and delinquent children, and children born to mothers who were not
married to the children's fathers at the times of the conception nor at the
births of the children; license and supervise child-caring and child-placing
agencies and institutions; supervise the care of children in boarding and foster
homes or in private institutions; and generally perform all functions relating
to the field of child welfare now vested in the state board of control.
(4) Administer and supervise all noninstitutional
service to handicapped persons, including those who are visually impaired,
hearing impaired, or physically impaired or otherwise handicapped. The
commissioner may provide and contract for the care and treatment of qualified
indigent children in facilities other than those located and available at state
hospitals when it is not feasible to provide the service in state hospitals.
(5) Assist and actively cooperate with other
departments, agencies and institutions, local, state, and federal, by performing
services in conformity with the purposes of Laws 1939, chapter 431.
(6) Act as the agent of and cooperate with the federal
government in matters of mutual concern relative to and in conformity with the
provisions of Laws 1939, chapter 431, including the administration of any
federal funds granted to the state to aid in the performance of any functions of
the commissioner as specified in Laws 1939, chapter 431, and including the
promulgation of rules making uniformly available medical care benefits to all
recipients of public assistance, at such times as the federal government
increases its participation in assistance expenditures for medical care to
recipients of public assistance, the cost thereof to be borne in the same
proportion as are grants of aid to said recipients.
(7) Establish and maintain any administrative units
reasonably necessary for the performance of administrative functions common to
all divisions of the department.
(8) Act as designated guardian of both the estate and
the person of all the wards of the state of Minnesota, whether by operation of
law or by an order of court, without any further act or proceeding whatever,
except as to persons committed as mentally retarded.
(9) Act as coordinating referral and informational
center on requests for service for newly arrived immigrants coming to Minnesota.
(10) The specific enumeration of powers and duties as
hereinabove set forth shall in no way be construed to be a limitation upon the
general transfer of powers herein contained.
(11) Establish county, regional, or statewide schedules
of maximum fees and charges which may be paid by county agencies for medical,
dental, surgical, hospital, nursing and nursing home care and medicine and
medical supplies under all programs of medical care provided by the state and
for congregate living care under the income maintenance programs.
(12) Have the authority to conduct and administer
experimental projects to test methods and procedures of administering assistance
and services to recipients or potential recipients of public welfare. To carry
out such experimental projects, it is further provided that the commissioner of
human services is authorized to waive the enforcement of existing specific
statutory program requirements, rules, and standards in one or more counties.
The order establishing the waiver shall provide alternative methods and
procedures of administration, shall not be in conflict with the basic purposes,
coverage, or benefits provided by law, and in no event shall the duration of a
project exceed four years. It is further provided that no order establishing an
experimental project as authorized by the provisions of this section shall
become effective until the following conditions have been met:
(a) The proposed comprehensive plan, including estimated
project costs and the proposed order establishing the waiver, shall be filed
with the secretary of the senate and chief clerk of the house of representatives
at least 60 days prior to its effective date.
(b) The secretary of health, education, and welfare of
the United States has agreed, for the same project, to waive state plan
requirements relative to statewide uniformity.
(c) A comprehensive plan, including estimated project
costs, shall be approved by the legislative advisory commission and filed with
the commissioner of administration.
(13) (14) Allocate federal fiscal disallowances or sanctions
which are based on quality control error rates for the aid to families with
dependent children, Minnesota family investment
program-statewide, medical assistance, or food stamp program in the
following manner:
(a) One-half of the total amount of the disallowance
shall be borne by the county boards responsible for administering the programs.
For the medical assistance, MFIP-S, and AFDC
programs, disallowances shall be shared by each county board in the same
proportion as that county's expenditures for the sanctioned program are to the
total of all counties' expenditures for the AFDC,
MFIP-S, and medical assistance programs. For the food stamp program,
sanctions shall be shared by each county board, with 50 percent of the sanction
being distributed to each county in the same proportion as that county's
administrative costs for food stamps are to the total of all food stamp
administrative costs for all counties, and 50 percent of the sanctions being
distributed to each county in the same proportion as that county's value of food
stamp benefits issued are to the total of all benefits issued for all counties.
Each county shall pay its share of the disallowance to the state of Minnesota.
When a county fails to pay the amount due hereunder, the commissioner may deduct
the amount from reimbursement otherwise due the county, or the attorney general,
upon the request of the commissioner, may institute civil action to recover the
amount due.
(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (a), if
the disallowance results from knowing noncompliance by one or more counties with
a specific program instruction, and that knowing noncompliance is a matter of
official county board record, the commissioner may require payment or recover
from the county or counties, in the manner prescribed in paragraph (a), an
amount equal to the portion of the total disallowance which resulted from the
noncompliance, and may distribute the balance of the disallowance according to
paragraph (a).
(15) Develop and implement special projects that
maximize reimbursements and result in the recovery of money to the state. For
the purpose of recovering state money, the commissioner may enter into contracts
with third parties. Any recoveries that result from projects or contracts
entered into under this paragraph shall be deposited in the state treasury and
credited to a special account until the balance in the account reaches
$1,000,000. When the balance in the account exceeds $1,000,000, the excess shall
be transferred and credited to the general fund. All money in the account is
appropriated to the commissioner for the purposes of this paragraph.
(16) Have the authority to make direct payments to
facilities providing shelter to women and their children (17) Have the authority to establish and enforce the
following county reporting requirements:
(a) The commissioner shall establish fiscal and
statistical reporting requirements necessary to account for the expenditure of
funds allocated to counties for human services programs. When establishing
financial and statistical reporting requirements, the commissioner shall
evaluate all reports, in consultation with the counties, to determine if the
reports can be simplified or the number of reports can be reduced.
(b) The county board shall submit monthly or quarterly
reports to the department as required by the commissioner. Monthly reports are
due no later than 15 working days after the end of the month. Quarterly reports
are due no later than 30 calendar days after the end of the quarter, unless the
commissioner determines that the deadline must be shortened to 20 calendar days
to avoid jeopardizing compliance with federal deadlines or risking a loss of
federal funding. Only reports that are complete, legible, and in the required
format shall be accepted by the commissioner.
(c) If the required reports are not received by the
deadlines established in clause (b), the commissioner may delay payments and
withhold funds from the county board until the next reporting period. When the
report is needed to account for the use of federal funds and the late report
results in a reduction in federal funding, the commissioner shall withhold from
the county boards with late reports an amount equal to the reduction in federal
funding until full federal funding is received.
(d) A county board that submits reports that are late,
illegible, incomplete, or not in the required format for two out of three
consecutive reporting periods is considered noncompliant. When a county board is
found to be noncompliant, the commissioner shall notify the county board of the
reason the county board is considered noncompliant and request that the county
board develop a corrective action plan stating how the county board plans to
correct the problem. The corrective action plan must be submitted to the
commissioner within 45 days after the date the county board received notice of
noncompliance.
(e) The final deadline for fiscal reports or amendments
to fiscal reports is one year after the date the report was originally due. If
the commissioner does not receive a report by the final deadline, the county
board forfeits the funding associated with the report for that reporting period
and the county board must repay any funds associated with the report received
for that reporting period.
(f) The commissioner may not delay payments, withhold
funds, or require repayment under paragraph (c) or (e) if the county
demonstrates that the commissioner failed to provide appropriate forms,
guidelines, and technical assistance to enable the county to comply with the
requirements. If the county board disagrees with an action taken by the
commissioner under paragraph (c) or (e), the county board may appeal the action
according to sections 14.57 to 14.69.
(g) Counties subject to withholding of funds under
paragraph (c) or forfeiture or repayment of funds under paragraph (e) shall not
reduce or withhold benefits or services to clients to cover costs incurred due
to actions taken by the commissioner under paragraph (c) or (e).
(18) Allocate federal fiscal disallowances or sanctions
for audit exceptions when federal fiscal disallowances or sanctions are based on
a statewide random sample for the foster care program under title IV-E of the
Social Security Act, United States Code, title 42, in direct proportion to each
county's title IV-E foster care maintenance claim for that period.
(19) Be responsible for ensuring
the detection, prevention, investigation, and resolution of fraudulent
activities or behavior by applicants, recipients, and other participants in the
human services programs administered by the department.
(20) Require county agencies to
identify overpayments, establish claims, and utilize all available and
cost-beneficial methodologies to collect and recover these overpayments in the
human services programs administered by the department.
Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 256.017,
subdivision 2, is amended to read:
Subd. 2. [DEFINITIONS.] The following terms have the
meanings given for (a) "Administrative penalty" means an adjustment against
the county agency's state and federal benefit and federal administrative
reimbursement when the commissioner determines that the county agency is not in
compliance with the policies and procedures established by the commissioner.
(b) "Quality control case penalty" means an adjustment
against the county agency's federal administrative reimbursement and state and
federal benefit reimbursement when the commissioner determines through a quality
control review that the county agency has made incorrect payments, terminations,
or denials of benefits as determined by state quality control procedures for the
aid to families with dependent children, Minnesota
family investment program-statewide, food stamp, or medical assistance
programs, or any other programs for which the commissioner has developed a
quality control system. Quality control case penalties apply only to agency
errors as defined by state quality control procedures.
(c) "Quality Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 256.019, is
amended to read:
256.019 [RECOVERY OF MONEY; APPORTIONMENT.]
When an amount is recovered from any source for
assistance given under the provisions governing public assistance programs
including aid to families with dependent children, MFIP-S, general assistance medical care, emergency
assistance, general assistance, Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 256.045,
subdivision 3, is amended to read:
Subd. 3. [STATE AGENCY HEARINGS.] (a) State agency
hearings are available for the following: (1) any person applying for, receiving
or having received public assistance, medical care,
or a program of social services granted by the state agency or a county agency
under section 626.556 is denied or not acted upon with
reasonable promptness, regardless of funding source; (6) any person to whom a
right of appeal The hearing for an individual or facility under clause
(4) is the only administrative appeal to the final lead agency disposition
specifically, including a challenge to the accuracy and completeness of data
under section 13.04. Hearings requested under clause (4) apply only to incidents
of maltreatment that occur on or after October 1, 1995. Hearings requested by
nursing assistants in nursing homes alleged to have maltreated a resident prior
to October 1, 1995, shall be held as a contested case proceeding under the
provisions of chapter 14.
For purposes of this section, bargaining unit grievance
procedures are not an administrative appeal.
The scope of hearings involving claims to foster care
payments under clause (5) shall be limited to the issue of whether the county is
legally responsible for a child's placement under court order or voluntary
placement agreement and, if so, the correct amount of foster care payment to be
made on the child's behalf and shall not include review of the propriety of the
county's child protection determination or child placement decision.
(b) Except for a prepaid health plan, a vendor of
medical care as defined in section 256B.02, subdivision 7, or a vendor under
contract with a county agency to provide social services under section 256E.08,
subdivision 4, is not a party and may not request a hearing under this section,
except if assisting a recipient as provided in subdivision 4.
(c) An applicant or recipient is not entitled to receive
social services beyond the services included in the amended community social
services plan developed under section 256E.081, subdivision 3, if the county
agency has met the requirements in section 256E.081.
(d) The commissioner may
summarily affirm the county or state agency's proposed action without a hearing
when the sole issue is an automatic change due to a change in state or federal
law.
Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 256.046, is
amended to read:
256.046 [ADMINISTRATIVE FRAUD DISQUALIFICATION
HEARINGS.]
Subdivision 1. [HEARING AUTHORITY.] A local agency Subd. 2. [COMBINED HEARING.] The referee may combine a
fair hearing and administrative fraud disqualification hearing into a single
hearing if the factual issues arise out of the same, or related, circumstances
and the individual receives prior notice that the hearings will be combined. If
the administrative fraud disqualification hearing and fair hearing are combined,
the time frames for administrative fraud disqualification hearings Sec. 7. [256.0471] [OVERPAYMENTS BECOME JUDGMENTS BY
OPERATION OF LAW.]
Subdivision 1. [QUALIFYING
OVERPAYMENT.] Any overpayment for assistance granted
under sections 256.031 to 256.0361, 256.72 to 256.871, and 256H.05; chapters
256B, 256D, 256I, 256J, and 256K; and the food stamp program, except agency
error claims, become a judgment by operation of law 90 days after the notice of
overpayment is personally served upon the recipient in a manner that is
sufficient under rule 4.03(a) of the Rules of Civil Procedure for district
courts, or by certified mail, return receipt requested. This judgment shall be
entitled to full faith and credit in this and any other state.
Subd. 2. [OVERPAYMENTS
INCLUDED.] This section is limited to overpayments for
which notification is issued within the time period specified under section
541.05.
Subd. 3. [NOTIFICATION
REQUIREMENTS.] A judgment is only obtained after:
(1) a notice of overpayment has
been personally served on the recipient or former recipient in a manner
sufficient under rule 4.03(a) of the Rules of Civil Procedure for district
courts, or mailed to the recipient or former recipient certified mail return
receipt requested; and
(2) the time period under
section 256.045, subdivision 3, has elapsed without a request for a hearing, or
a hearing decision has been rendered under section 256.045 or 256.046 which
concludes the existence of an overpayment that meets the requirements of this
section.
Subd. 4. [NOTICE OF
OVERPAYMENT.] The notice of overpayment shall include
the amount and cause of the overpayment, appeal rights, and an explanation of
the consequences of the judgment that will be established if an appeal is not
filed timely or if the administrative hearing decision establishes that there is
an overpayment which qualifies for judgment.
Subd. 5. [JUDGMENTS ENTERED
AND DOCKETED.] A judgment shall be entered and docketed
under section 548.09 only after at least three months have elapsed since:
(1) the notice of overpayment
was served on the recipient pursuant to subdivision 3; and
(2) the last time a monthly
recoupment was applied to the overpayment.
Subd. 6. [DOCKETING OF
OVERPAYMENTS.] On or after the date an unpaid
overpayment becomes a judgment by operation of law under subdivision 1, the
agency or public authority may file with the court administrator:
(1) a statement identifying, or
a copy of, the overpayment notice which provides for an appeal process and
requires payment of the overpayment;
(2) proof of service of the
notice of overpayment;
(3) an affidavit of default,
stating the full name, occupation, place of residence, and last known post
office address of the debtor; the name and post office address of the agency or
public authority; the date or dates the overpayment was incurred; the program
that was overpaid; and the total amount of the judgment; and
(4) an affidavit of service of a
notice of entry of judgment shall be made by first class mail at the address
where the debtor was served with the notice of overpayment. Service is completed
upon mailing in the manner designated.
Subd. 7. [DOES NOT IMPEDE
OTHER METHODS.] Nothing in this section shall be
construed to impede or restrict alternative recovery methods for these
overpayments or overpayments which do not meet the requirements of this
section.
Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 256.98,
subdivision 1, is amended to read:
Subdivision 1. [WRONGFULLY OBTAINING ASSISTANCE.] A
person who commits any of the following acts or
omissions is guilty of theft and shall be sentenced under section 609.52,
subdivision 3, clauses (1) to (5):
(1) obtains or the continued receipt of assistance, to include child
care or vouchers produced according to sections 145.891 to 145.897 and
MinnesotaCare services according to sections 256.9351 to 256.966, (2) knowingly aids or abets
in buying or in any way disposing of the property of a recipient or applicant of
assistance without the consent of the county agency with intent to defeat the
purposes of sections 145.891 to 145.897, 256.12,
256.031 to 256.0361, 256.72 to 256.871, The continued receipt of
assistance to which the person is not entitled or greater than that to which the
person is entitled as a result of any of the acts, failure to act, or
concealment described in this subdivision shall be deemed to be continuing
offenses from the date that the first act or failure to act occurred.
Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 256.98,
subdivision 4, is amended to read:
Subd. 4. [RECOVERY OF ASSISTANCE.] The amount of
assistance determined to have been incorrectly paid is recoverable from:
(1) the recipient or the
recipient's estate by the county or the state as a debt due the county or the
state or both (2) any person found to have
taken independent action to establish eligibility for, conspired with, or aided
and abetted, any recipient of public assistance found to have been incorrectly
paid.
The obligations established
under this subdivision shall be joint and several and shall extend to all cases
involving client error as well as cases involving wrongfully obtained
assistance.
Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 256.98,
subdivision 8, is amended to read:
Subd. 8. [DISQUALIFICATION FROM PROGRAM.] Any person
found to be guilty of wrongfully obtaining assistance by a federal or state
court or by an administrative hearing determination, or waiver thereof, through
a disqualification consent agreement, or as part of any approved diversion plan
under section 401.065, or any court-ordered stay which
carries with it any probationary or other conditions, in the aid to families
with dependent children program, the Minnesota family
assistance program-statewide, the food stamp program, the Minnesota family
investment plan, child care program, the general
assistance or family general assistance program, or
the Minnesota supplemental aid program (1) for (2) for (3) permanently after the third or subsequent offense.
The period of program disqualification shall begin on
the date stipulated on the advance notice of disqualification without
possibility of postponement for administrative stay or administrative hearing
and shall continue through completion unless and until the findings upon which
the sanctions were imposed are reversed by a court of competent jurisdiction.
The period for which sanctions are imposed is not subject to review. The
sanctions provided under this subdivision are in addition to, and not in
substitution for, any other sanctions that may be provided for by law for the
offense involved. A disqualification established through hearing or waiver shall
result in the disqualification period beginning immediately unless the person
has become otherwise ineligible for assistance. If the person is ineligible for
assistance, the disqualification period begins when the person again meets the
eligibility criteria of the program from which they were disqualified and makes application for that program.
Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 256.983,
subdivision 1, is amended to read:
Subdivision 1. [PROGRAMS ESTABLISHED.] Within the limits
of available appropriations, Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 256.983,
subdivision 4, is amended to read:
Subd. 4. [FUNDING.] (a) (b) Sec. 13. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 256.984,
subdivision 1, is amended to read:
Subdivision 1. [DECLARATION.] Every application for public assistance under this chapter and/or chapters 256B,
256D, 256K, MFIP-S program, and food stamps under chapter 393 shall be in
writing or reduced to writing as prescribed by the state agency and shall
contain the following declaration which shall be signed by the applicant:
"I declare under the penalties of perjury that this
application has been examined by me and to the best of my knowledge is a true
and correct statement of every material point. I understand that a person
convicted of perjury may be sentenced to imprisonment of not more than five
years or to payment of a fine of not more than $10,000, or both."
Sec. 14. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 256.986, is
amended to read:
256.986 [COUNTY COORDINATION OF FRAUD CONTROL
ACTIVITIES.]
(a) The county agency shall prepare and submit to the
commissioner of human services by (b) Within the limits of appropriations specifically
made available for this purpose, the commissioner may make grants to counties
submitting plans under paragraph (a) to implement coordination activities.
Sec. 15. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 256.9861,
subdivision 1, is amended to read:
Subdivision 1. [PROGRAM ESTABLISHED.] Within the limits
of available state and federal appropriations, Sec. 16. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 256.9861,
subdivision 2, is amended to read:
Subd. 2. [COUNTY PROPOSALS.] Each included county shall
develop and submit annual funding, staffing, and operating grant proposals to
the commissioner no later than April 30 of each year for
the purpose of allocating federal and state funding and appropriations. (1) the staffing and funding of the fraud investigation
and prosecution operations;
(2) job descriptions for agency fraud control staff;
(3) contracts covering outside investigative agencies;
(4) operational methods to integrate the use of fraud
prevention investigation techniques; and
(5) implementation and
utilization of administrative disqualification hearings and diversions Sec. 17. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 256.9861,
subdivision 4, is amended to read:
Subd. 4. [STANDARDS.] The commissioner shall, after consultation with the involved counties,
establish standards governing the performance levels of Sec. 18. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 256.9861,
subdivision 5, is amended to read:
Subd. 5. [FUNDING.] (a) (b) Should a county agency fail to comply with the
standards set, or fail to meet cost-effectiveness standards developed by the
commissioner for (c) Any denial of reimbursement under paragraph (b) is
contingent on the commissioner providing written notice, including an offer of
technical assistance, within 30 days of the end of the third or subsequent
months of noncompliance. The county agency shall be required to submit a
corrective action plan to the commissioner within 30 days of receipt of a notice
of noncompliance. Failure to submit a corrective action plan or continued
deviation from standards of more than ten
percent after submission of corrective action plan, will
result in denial of funding for each such month during the grant year, or
billing of the county agency for program integrity
reinvestment project services provided by the commissioner or reallocation of grant funds to other counties. The
denial of funding shall apply to the general settlement received by the county
agency on a quarterly basis and shall not reduce the grant amount applicable to
the program integrity reinvestment project.
Sec. 19. [256.9863] [ASSISTANCE TRANSACTION CARD;
PRESUMPTION OF RECEIPT OF BENEFITS.]
Any person in whose name an
assistance transaction card has been issued shall be presumed to have received
the benefit of all transactions involving that card. This presumption applies in
all situations unless the card in question has been reported lost or stolen by
the cardholder. This presumption may be overcome by a preponderance of evidence
indicating that the card was neither used by nor with the consent of the
cardholder. Overcoming this presumption does not create any new or additional
payment obligation not otherwise established in law, rule, or regulation.
Sec. 20. [256.9864] [REPORTS BY RECIPIENT.]
(a) An assistance unit with a
recent work history or with earned income shall report monthly to the county
agency on income received and other circumstances affecting eligibility or
assistance amounts. All other assistance units shall report on income and other
circumstances affecting eligibility and assistance amounts, as specified by the
state agency.
(b) An assistance unit required
to submit a report on the form designated by the commissioner and within ten
days of the due date or the date of the significant change, whichever is later,
or otherwise report significant changes which would affect eligibility or
assistance amounts, is considered to have continued its application for
assistance effective the date the required report is received by the county
agency, if a complete report is received within a calendar month in which
assistance was received, except that no assistance shall be paid for the period
beginning with the end of the month in which the report was due and ending with
the date the report was received by the county agency.
Sec. 21. [256.9865] [RECOVERY OF OVERPAYMENTS AND ATM
ERRORS.]
Subdivision 1. [OBLIGATION
TO RECOVER.] If an amount of MFIP-S assistance is paid
to a recipient in excess of the payment due, it shall be recoverable by the
county agency. This recovery authority also extends to preexisting claims or
newly discovered claims established under the AFDC program in effect on January
1, 1997. The agency shall give written notice to the recipient of its intention
to recover the overpayment. County agency efforts and financial contributions
shall be maintained at the level in place during fiscal year 1996.
Subd. 2. [RECOUPMENT.] When an overpayment occurs, the county agency shall recover
the overpayment from a current recipient by reducing the amount of aid payable
to the assistance unit of which the recipient is a member for one or more
monthly assistance payments until the overpayment is repaid. All county agencies
in the state shall reduce the assistance payment by three percent of the
assistance unit's standard of need in nonfraud cases and ten percent where fraud
has occurred. For recipients receiving benefits via electronic benefits
transfer, if the overpayment is a result of an automated teller machine (ATM)
dispensing funds in error to the recipient, the agency may recover the ATM error
by immediately withdrawing funds from the recipient's electronic benefit
transfer account, up to the amount of the error. In cases where there is both an
overpayment and underpayment, the county agency shall offset one against the
other in correcting the payment.
Subd. 3. [VOLUNTARY
REPAYMENTS.] Overpayments may also be voluntarily
repaid, in part or in full, by the individual, in addition to the aid reductions
in subdivision 2, to include further voluntary reductions in the grant level
agreed to in writing by the individual, until the total amount of the
overpayment is repaid.
Subd. 4. [CLOSED CASE
RECOVERIES.] The county agency shall make reasonable
efforts to recover overpayments to persons no longer on assistance according to
standards adopted by rule by the commissioner of human services. The county
agency need not attempt to recover overpayments of less than $35 paid to an
individual no longer on assistance unless the individual has been convicted of
fraud under section 256.98.
Sec. 22. [256.9866] [COMMUNITY SERVICE AS A COUNTY
OBLIGATION.]
Community service shall be an
acceptable sentencing option but shall not reduce the state or federal share of
any amount to be repaid or any subsequent recovery. Any reduction or offset of
any such amount ordered by a court shall be treated as follows:
(1) any reduction in an
overpayment amount, to include the amount ordered as restitution, shall not
reduce the underlying amount established as an overpayment by the state or
county agency;
(2) total overpayments shall
continue as a debt owed and may be recovered by any civil or administrative
means otherwise available to the state or county agency; and
(3) any amount ordered to be
offset against any overpayment shall be deducted from the county share only of
any recovery and shall be based on the prevailing state minimum wage. To the
extent that any deduction is in fact made against any state or county share, it
shall be reimbursed from the county share of payments to be made under section
256.025.
Sec. 23. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 256D.09,
subdivision 6, is amended to read:
Subd. 6. [RECOVERY OF OVERPAYMENTS.] (a) If an amount of
general assistance or family general assistance is paid to a recipient in excess
of the payment due, it shall be recoverable by the county agency. The agency
shall give written notice to the recipient of its intention to recover the
overpayment.
(b) When an overpayment occurs, the county agency shall
recover the overpayment from a current recipient by reducing the amount of aid
payable to the assistance unit of which the recipient is a member, for one or
more monthly assistance payments, until the overpayment is repaid. All county
agencies in the state shall reduce the assistance payment by three percent of
the assistance unit's standard of need in nonfraud cases
and ten percent where fraud has occurred, or the amount of the monthly
payment, whichever is less, for all overpayments. (c) In cases when there is both an overpayment and
underpayment, the county agency shall offset one against the other in correcting
the payment.
(d) Overpayments may also be voluntarily repaid, in part
or in full, by the individual, in addition to the aid reductions provided in
this subdivision, to include further voluntary
reductions in the grant level agreed to in writing by the individual, until
the total amount of the overpayment is repaid.
(e) The county agency shall make reasonable efforts to
recover overpayments to persons no longer on assistance under standards adopted
in rule by the commissioner of human services. The county agency need not
attempt to recover overpayments of less than $35 paid to an individual no longer
on assistance if the individual does not receive assistance again within three
years, unless the individual has been convicted of violating section 256.98.
Sec. 24. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 270A.03,
subdivision 5, is amended to read:
Subd. 5. [DEBT.] "Debt" means a legal obligation of a
natural person to pay a fixed and certain amount of money, which equals or
exceeds $25 and which is due and payable to a claimant agency. The term includes
criminal fines imposed under section 609.10 or 609.125 and restitution. A debt
may arise under a contractual or statutory obligation, a court order, or other
legal obligation, but need not have been reduced to judgment.
A debt A debt does not include any legal obligation to pay a
claimant agency for medical care, including hospitalization if the income of the
debtor at the time when the medical care was rendered does not exceed the
following amount:
(1) for an unmarried debtor, an income of $6,400 or
less;
(2) for a debtor with one dependent, an income of $8,200
or less;
(3) for a debtor with two dependents, an income of
$9,700 or less;
(4) for a debtor with three dependents, an income of
$11,000 or less;
(5) for a debtor with four dependents, an income of
$11,600 or less; and
(6) for a debtor with five or more dependents, an income
of $12,100 or less.
The income amounts in this subdivision shall be adjusted
for inflation for debts incurred in calendar years 1991 and thereafter. The
dollar amount of each income level that applied to debts incurred in the prior
year shall be increased in the same manner as provided in section 290.06,
subdivision 2d, for the expansion of the tax rate brackets.
Sec. 25. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 388.23,
subdivision 1, is amended to read:
Subdivision 1. [AUTHORITY.] The county attorney, or any
deputy or assistant county attorney whom the county attorney authorizes in
writing, has the authority to subpoena and require the production of any records
of telephone companies, cellular phone companies, paging companies, electric
companies, gas companies, water utilities, chemical suppliers, hotels and
motels, pawn shops, airlines, buses, taxis, and other entities engaged in the
business of transporting people, and freight companies, warehousing companies,
self-service storage facilities, package delivery companies, and other entities
engaged in the businesses of transport, storage, or delivery, and records of the
existence of safe deposit box account numbers and customer savings and checking
account numbers maintained by financial institutions and safe deposit companies,
insurance records relating to the monetary payment or settlement of claims, and
wage and employment records of an applicant or recipient of public assistance
who is the subject of a welfare fraud investigation relating to eligibility
information for public assistance programs. Subpoenas may only be issued for
records that are relevant to an ongoing legitimate law enforcement
investigation. Administrative subpoenas may only be issued in welfare fraud
cases if there is probable cause to believe a crime has been committed. This
provision applies only to the records of business entities and does not extend
to private individuals or their dwellings. Sec. 26. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 393.07,
subdivision 10, is amended to read:
Subd. 10. [FEDERAL FOOD STAMP PROGRAM AND THE MATERNAL AND CHILD NUTRITION ACT.] (a) The
local social services agency shall establish and administer the food stamp
program (b) On July 1 of each year, the commissioner of human
services shall determine a statewide and county-by-county food stamp program
participation rate. The commissioner may designate a different agency to
administer the food stamp program in a county if the agency administering the
program fails to increase the food stamp program participation rate among
families or eligible individuals, or comply with all federal laws and
regulations governing the food stamp program. The commissioner shall review
agency performance annually to determine compliance with this paragraph.
(c) A person who commits any of the following acts has
violated section 256.98 or 609.821, or both, and is subject to both the criminal
and civil penalties provided under those sections:
(1) obtains or attempts to obtain, or aids or abets any
person to obtain by means of a (2) presents or causes to be presented, coupons or vouchers issued according to sections 145.891 to
145.897 for payment or redemption knowing them to have been received,
transferred or used in a manner contrary to existing state or federal law; or
(3) willfully uses, possesses, or transfers food stamp
coupons (4) buys or sells food stamp coupons, authorization to
purchase cards (d) A peace officer or welfare fraud investigator may
confiscate food stamps, authorization to purchase cards, or other assistance
transaction devices found in the possession of any person who is neither a
recipient of the food stamp program nor otherwise authorized to possess and use
such materials. Confiscated property shall be disposed of as the commissioner
may direct and consistent with state and federal food stamp law. The confiscated
property must be retained for a period of not less than 30 days to allow any
affected person to appeal the confiscation under section 256.045.
(e) Food stamp overpayment claims which are due in whole
or in part to client error shall be established by the county agency for a
period of six years from the date of any resultant overpayment.
(f) With regard to the federal tax revenue offset
program only, recovery incentives authorized by the federal food and consumer
service shall be retained at the rate of 50 percent by the state agency and 50
percent by the certifying county agency.
(g) A peace officer, welfare
fraud investigator, federal law enforcement official, or the commissioner of
health may confiscate vouchers found in the possession of any person who is
neither issued vouchers under sections 145.891 to 145.897, nor otherwise
authorized to possess and use such vouchers. Confiscated property shall be
disposed of as the commissioner of health may direct and consistent with state
and federal law. The confiscated property must be retained for a period of not
less than 30 days.
Sec. 27. [FUNDING AVAILABILITY.]
Unexpended funds appropriated
for the provision of program integrity activities for fiscal year 1998 will also
be available to the commissioner to fund fraud prevention and control
initiatives and do not cancel but are available to the commissioner for these
purposes for fiscal year 1999. Unexpended funds may be transferred between the
fraud prevention investigation program and fraud control programs to promote the
provisions of sections 256.983 and 256.9861.
Sec. 28. [EFFECTIVE DATE.]
Sections 1 to 27 are effective
July 1, 1997."
Delete the title and insert:
"A bill for an act relating to welfare reform;
establishing the Minnesota family investment program-statewide and work first
program pilot projects; making changes to public assistance programs; making
technical changes; making program integrity initiatives; amending Minnesota
Statutes 1996, sections 13.46, subdivisions 1 and 2; 13.82, subdivision 1;
84.98, subdivision 3; 136A.125, subdivision 2; 196.27; 237.70, subdivision 4a;
254B.02, subdivision 1; 256.01, subdivisions 2 and 4a; 256.017, subdivisions 1,
2, and 4; 256.019; 256.031, subdivision 5, and by adding a subdivision; 256.033,
subdivisions 1 and 1a; 256.045, subdivision 3; 256.046; 256.736, subdivision 3a;
256.74, subdivision 1, and by adding a subdivision; 256.81; 256.82, subdivision
2; 256.935, subdivision 1; 256.9354, by adding a subdivision; 256.98,
subdivisions 1, 4, and 8; 256.981; 256.983, subdivisions 1 and 4; 256.984,
subdivision 1; 256.986; 256.9861, subdivisions 1, 2, 4, and 5; 256B.055,
subdivisions 3, 5, and by adding a subdivision; 256B.056, subdivisions 1a, 3,
and 4; 256B.057, subdivisions 1, 1b, and 2b; 256B.06, subdivision 4, and by
adding a subdivision; 256B.062; 256D.01, subdivisions 1, 1a, and 1e; 256D.02,
subdivisions 6 and 12a; 256D.03, subdivision 3; 256D.05, subdivisions 1, 2, 5,
7, and 8; 256D.051, subdivisions 1a, 2a, 3a, and by adding a subdivision;
256D.055; 256D.06, subdivision 2; 256D.08, subdivisions 1 and 2; 256D.09,
subdivision 6, and by adding a subdivision; 256D.435, subdivision 3; 256D.44,
subdivision 5; 256E.03, subdivision 2; 256E.06, subdivisions 1 and 3; 256E.07,
subdivision 1; 256E.08, subdivision 3; 256F.05, subdivision 5; 256G.01,
subdivision 4; 256G.03, subdivision 2; 256G.05, subdivision 2; 257.3573,
subdivision 2; 259.67, subdivision 4; 260.38; 268.0111, subdivisions 5 and 7;
268.0122, subdivision 3; 268.552, subdivision 5; 268.6751, subdivision 1;
268.676, subdivision 1; 268.86, subdivision 2; 268.871, subdivision 1; 268.90,
subdivision 2; 268.916; 268.95, subdivision 4; 270A.03, subdivision 5; 388.23,
subdivision 1; 393.07, subdivisions 6 and 10; 477A.0122, subdivision 2; and
550.37, subdivision 14; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes,
chapters 256; 256B; and 256D; proposing coding for new law as Minnesota
Statutes, chapters 256J; and 256K; repealing Minnesota Statutes 1996, sections
256.12, subdivisions 9, 10, 14, 15, 19, 20, 21, 22, and 23; 256.72; 256.73,
subdivisions 1, 1a, 1b, 2, 3a, 3b, 5, 5a, 6, 8, 8a, 9, 10, and 11; 256.7341;
256.7351; 256.7352; 256.7353; 256.7354; 256.7355; 256.7356; 256.7357; 256.7358;
256.7359; 256.736, subdivisions 16 and 18; 256.7365, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,
6, 7, and 9; 256.7366; 256.737; 256.738; 256.7381; 256.7382; 256.7383; 256.7384;
256.7385; 256.7386; 256.7387; 256.7388; 256.739; 256.74, subdivisions 1, 1a, 1b,
2, and 6; 256.745; 256.75; 256.76, subdivision 1; 256.78; 256.80; 256.81;
256.84; 256.85; 256.86; 256.863; 256.871; 256.8711; 256.879; 256D.02,
subdivision 5; 256D.0511; and 256D.065."
We request adoption of this report and repassage of the
bill.
Senate Conferees: Don Samuelson, Dan Stevens, Linda
Berglin, Sheila M. Kiscaden and John C. Hottinger.
House Conferees: Loren Jennings, Lee Greenfield, Linda
Wejcman, Fran Bradley and Kevin Goodno.
Jennings moved that the report of the Conference
Committee on S. F. No. 1 be adopted and that the bill be repassed as amended by
the Conference Committee. The motion prevailed.
S. F. No. 1, A bill for an act relating to human
services; replacing the aid to families with dependent children program with the
Minnesota family investment program-statewide; amending Minnesota Statutes 1996,
sections 13.46, subdivisions 1 and 2; 84.98, subdivision 3; 124.17, subdivisions
1d and 1e; 124.175; 124A.02, subdivision 16; 124A.22, subdivision 3; 136A.125,
subdivision 2; 196.27; 237.70, subdivision 4a; 254B.02, subdivision 1; 256.01,
subdivisions 2 and 4a; 256.017, subdivisions 1 and 4; 256.019; 256.031,
subdivision 5, and by adding subdivisions; 256.033, subdivisions 1 and 1a;
256.046, subdivision 1; 256.736, subdivision 3a; 256.74, subdivision 1; 256.82,
subdivision 2; 256.935, subdivision 1; 256.9354, by adding a subdivision;
256.98, subdivision 8; 256.981; 256.983, subdivisions 1 and 4; 256.9861,
subdivision 5; 256B.055, subdivisions 3, 5, and by adding subdivisions;
256B.056, subdivisions 1a, 3, and 4; 256B.057, subdivisions 1, 1b, and 2b;
256B.06, subdivision 4; 256B.062; 256D.01, subdivisions 1, 1a, and 1e; 256D.02,
subdivisions 6 and 12a; 256D.03, subdivision 3; 256D.05, subdivisions 1, 2, 5,
7, and 8; 256D.051, subdivisions 1a, 2a, 3a, and by adding a subdivision;
256D.055; 256D.06, subdivisions 2 and 5; 256D.08, subdivisions 1 and 2; 256D.09,
by adding a subdivision; 256D.435, subdivision 3; 256D.44, subdivision 5;
256E.03, subdivision 2; 256E.06, subdivisions 1 and 3; 256E.07, subdivision 1;
256E.08, subdivision 3; 256F.04, subdivisions 1 and 2; 256F.05, subdivisions 2,
3, 4, 5, and 8; 256F.06, subdivisions 1 and 2; 256G.01, subdivision 4; 256G.02,
subdivision 6; 257.3573, subdivision 2; 259.67, subdivision 4; 260.38; 268.0111,
subdivisions 5 and 7; 268.0122, subdivision 3; 268.552, subdivision 5; 268.6751,
subdivision 1; 268.676, subdivision 1; 268.86,
subdivision 2; 268.871, subdivision 1; 268.90, subdivision 2; 268.916; 268.95,
subdivision 4; 393.07, subdivision 6; and 477A.0122, subdivision 2; proposing
coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapters 256B; and 256D; proposing
coding for new law as Minnesota Statutes, chapters 256J; and 256K; repealing
Minnesota Statutes 1996, sections 256.12, subdivisions 9, 10, 14, 15, 20, 21,
22, and 23; 256.72; 256.73; 256.7341; 256.7351; 256.7352; 256.7353; 256.7354;
256.7355; 256.7356; 256.7357; 256.7358; 256.7359; 256.736, subdivision 19;
256.7365; 256.7366; 256.7381; 256.7382; 256.7383; 256.7384; 256.7385; 256.7386;
256.7387; 256.7388; 256.74, subdivisions 1, 1a, 1b, 2, and 6; 256.745; 256.75;
256.76; 256.78; 256.80; 256.81; 256.82; 256.84; 256.85; 256.86; 256.863;
256.871; 256.8711; 256.879; 256D.02, subdivision 5; 256D.05, subdivisions 3 and
3a; 256D.0511; 256D.065; 256F.05, subdivisions 5 and 7; and 256G.05, subdivision
2.
The bill was read for the third time, as amended by
Conference, and placed upon its repassage.
The question was taken on the repassage of the bill and
the roll was called. There were 120 yeas and 14 nays as follows:
Those who voted in the affirmative were:
; and
(3) $50 of child support
collected in that month.
(d) The first $50 of any timely
support payment for a month received by the public agency responsible for child
support enforcement shall be paid to the family and disregarded in determining
eligibility and the amount of assistance in accordance with United States Code,
title 42, sections 602(a)(8)(A)(vi) and 657(b)(1). This paragraph applies
regardless of whether the caregiver is in transitional status, is exempt from
developing or complying with the terms of a family support agreement, or has had
a sanction imposed under subdivision 3.
Except as provided under paragraphs (b) and (c),
Participation in employment and training services under this section is limited
to the following recipients:
(3) caretakers whose
participation in employment and training services began prior to May 1, 1990, if
the caretaker's AFDC eligibility has not been interrupted for 30 days or more
and the caretaker's employability development plan has not been completed;
(4) recipients who are members
of a family in which the youngest child is within two years of being ineligible
for AFDC due to age;
(5) custodial parents under the
age of 24 who: (i) have not completed a high school education and who, at the
time of application for AFDC, were not enrolled in high school or in a high
school equivalency program; or (ii) have had little or no work experience in the
preceding year;
(6) recipients who have received
AFDC for 36 or more months out of the last 60 months;
(7) recipients who are
participants in the self-employment investment demonstration project under
section 268.95; and
(8) recipients who participate
in the new chance research and demonstration project under contract with the
department of human services and
If the commissioner
determines that participation of persons listed in paragraph (a) in employment
and training services is insufficient either to meet federal performance targets
or to fully utilize funds appropriated under this section, the commissioner may,
after notifying the chairs of the senate family services committee, the house
health and human services committee, the family services division of the senate
family services and health care committees, and the human services division of
the house health and human services committee, permit additional groups of
recipients to participate until the next meeting of the legislative advisory
commission, after which the additional groups may continue to enroll for
participation unless the legislative advisory commission disapproves the
continued enrollment. The commissioner shall allow participation of additional
groups in the following order only as needed to meet performance targets or
fully utilize funding for employment and training services under this
section:
(1) recipients who have received
24 or more months of AFDC out of the previous 48 months; and
(2) recipients who have not
completed a high school education or a high school equivalency program.
(c) To the extent of money
appropriated specifically for this paragraph, the commissioner may permit AFDC
caretakers who are not eligible for participation in employment and training
services under the provisions of paragraph (a) or (b) to participate. Money must
be allocated to county agencies based on the county's percentage of participants
statewide in services under this section in the prior calendar year. Caretakers
must be selected on a first-come, first-served basis from a waiting list of
caretakers who volunteer to participate. The commissioner may, on a quarterly
basis, reallocate unused allocations to county agencies that have sufficient
volunteers. If funding under this paragraph is discontinued in future fiscal
years, caretakers who began participating under this paragraph must be deemed
eligible under paragraph (a), clause (3).
(d) Participants who are
eligible and enroll in the STRIDE program under one of the categories of this
subdivision are required to cooperate with the assessment and employability plan
development and to meet the terms of their employability plan. Failure to
comply, without good cause, shall result in the imposition of sanctions as
specified in subdivision 4, clause (6).
in accordance with according to rules promulgated by the commissioner and
shall be sufficient, when added to all other income and support available to the
child, to provide the child with a reasonable subsistence compatible with
decency and health. To the extent permissible under federal law, an eligible
relative caretaker or parent shall have the option to include in the assistance
unit the needs, income, and resources of the following essential persons who are
not otherwise eligible for AFDC because they do not qualify as a caretaker or as
a dependent child:
pursuant according to rules promulgated by the commissioner;
(c) left employment or reduced earnings
without good cause and applied for assistance so as to be able later to return
to employment with the advantage of the income disregard; or (d) (c) failed without good
cause to make a timely report of earned income in
accordance with according to rules promulgated
by the
. The
disregard of $30 and one-third of earned income in this clause shall be applied
to the individual's income for a period not to exceed four consecutive months.
Any month in which the individual loses this disregard because of the provisions
of subclauses (a) to (d) shall be considered as one of the four months. An
additional $30 work incentive must be available for an eight-month period
beginning in the month following the last month of the combined $30 and
one-third work incentive. This period must be in effect whether or not the
person has earned income or is eligible for AFDC. To again qualify for the
earned income disregards under this clause, the individual must not be a
recipient of aid for a period of 12 consecutive months. When an assistance unit
becomes ineligible for aid due to the fact that these disregards are no longer
applied to income, the assistance unit shall be eligible for medical assistance
benefits for a 12-month period beginning with the first month of AFDC
ineligibility;
the first $50 per assistance
unit of the monthly support obligation collected by the support and recovery
(IV-D) unit. The first $50 of periodic support payments collected by the public
authority responsible for child support enforcement from a person with a legal
obligation to pay support for a member of the assistance unit must be paid to
the assistance unit within 15 days after the end of the month in which the
collection of the periodic support payments occurred and must be disregarded
when determining the amount of assistance. A review of a payment decision under
this clause must be requested within 30 days after receiving the notice of
collection of assigned support or within 90 days after receiving the notice if
good cause can be shown for not making the request within the 30-day limit;
(7) that portion of an
insurance settlement earmarked and used to pay medical expenses, funeral and
burial costs, or to repair or replace insured property; and
(8) (7) all earned income tax credit payments received by
the family as a refund of federal income taxes or made as advance payments by an
employer.
pursuant
according to a court order for the support of
children not living in the assistance unit's household shall be disregarded from
the income of the person with the legal obligation to pay support, provided
that, if there has been a change in the financial circumstances of the person
with the legal obligation to pay support since the support order was entered,
the person with the legal obligation to pay support has petitioned for a
modification of the support order.
AFDC emergency assistance program in the
form of a utility deposit or rental unit damage
deposit, less any amount retained by the landlord to remedy a tenant's default
in payment of rent or other funds due to the landlord pursuant to a rental
agreement, or to restore the premises to the condition at the commencement of
the tenancy, ordinary wear and tear excepted, be returned to the county when the
individual vacates the premises or paid to the recipient's new landlord as a
vendor payment. The vendor payment of returned funds shall not be considered a
new use of emergency assistance.
aid to
families with dependent children program state's
AFDC plan in effect as of July 16, 1996, as required by the Personal
Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA), Public
Law Number 104-193, if the child had been born and was living with the
woman. For purposes of this subdivision, a woman is considered pregnant for 60
days postpartum.
pursuant according to a
court order for the support of children shall be excluded from income in an
amount not to exceed the difference between the applicable income standard used
in the state's medical assistance program for aged, blind, and disabled persons
and the applicable income standard used in the state's medical assistance
program for families with children. Exclusion of court-ordered child support
payments is subject to the condition that if there has been a change in the
financial circumstances of the person with the legal
for the
aid to families with dependent children program under section 256.73 under the state's AFDC plan in effect as of July 16, 1996,
as required by the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation
Act of 1996 (PRWORA), Public Law Number 104-193, shall be used. Effective
upon federal approval, in-kind contributions to, and payments made on behalf of,
a recipient, by an obligor, in satisfaction of or in addition to a temporary or
permanent order for child support or maintenance, shall be considered income to
the recipient. For these purposes, a "methodology" does not include an asset or
income standard, or accounting method, or method of determining effective dates.
(husband and wife, or parent and child), the household must not own more than $6,000 in
assets, plus $200 for each additional legal dependent. In addition to these
maximum amounts, an eligible individual or family may accrue interest on these
amounts, but they must be reduced to the maximum at the time of an eligibility
redetermination. The accumulation of the clothing and personal needs allowance
pursuant according to
section 256B.35 must also be reduced to the maximum at the time of the
eligibility redetermination. The value of assets that are not considered in
determining eligibility for medical assistance is the value of those assets that are excluded by the aid to families with dependent
children program excluded under the AFDC state plan
as of July 16, 1996, as required by the Personal Responsibility and Work
Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA), Public Law Number 104-193,
for families and children, and the supplemental security income program for
aged, blind, and disabled persons, with the following exceptions:
in under the aid to
families with dependent children program state plan as of July 16, 1996, as required by the Personal
Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA), Public
Law Number 104-193, except that families and children may have an income up
to 133-1/3 percent of the AFDC income standard. In computing income to determine
eligibility of persons who are not residents of long-term care facilities, the
commissioner shall disregard increases in income as required by Public Law
Numbers 94-566, section 503; 99-272; and 99-509. Veterans aid and attendance
benefits are considered income to the recipient.
in the aid to families
with dependent children program according to chapter 256, who are eligible under
section 256B.055, subdivision 3 under the state's
AFDC plan in effect as of July 16, 1996, as required by the Personal
Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA), Public
Law Number 104-193, and who live in the same household as the person
eligible under age 21, must be determined without regard to asset standards
established in section 256B.056.
and aliens lawfully
admitted for permanent residence or otherwise permanently residing in the United
States under the color of law. Aliens who are seeking legalization under the
Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, Public Law Number 99-603, who are
under age 18, over age 65, blind, disabled, or Cuban or Haitian, and who meet
the eligibility requirements of medical assistance under subdivision 1 and
sections 256B.055 to 256B.062 are eligible to receive medical assistance.
Pregnant women who are aliens seeking legalization under the Immigration Reform
and Control Act of 1986, Public Law Number 99-603, and who meet the eligibility
requirements of medical assistance under subdivision 1 are eligible for payment
of care and services through the period of pregnancy and six weeks postpartum.
Payment shall also be made for care and services that are furnished to an alien,
regardless of immigration status, who otherwise meets the eligibility
, qualified noncitizens as defined in this
subdivision, and other persons residing lawfully in the United States.
all persons eligible
households in the state without adequate income or resources to maintain a
subsistence reasonably compatible with decency and health; and to provide
services to help employable and potentially employable persons prepare for and
attain self-sufficiency and obtain permanent work.
declared to be the
policy of this state that persons eligible households unable to provide for themselves
and not otherwise provided for by law and who meet
the eligibility requirements of sections 256D.01 to 256D.21 are entitled to
receive grants of general assistance necessary to maintain a subsistence
reasonably compatible with decency and health. Providing this assistance is a
matter of public concern and a necessity in promoting the public health and
welfare.
persons single adults,
childless couples, or children as defined in section 256D.02, subdivision 6,
ineligible for federal programs who are unable to provide for themselves. The
minimum standard of assistance determines the total amount of the general
assistance grant without separate standards for shelter, utilities, or other
needs.
(e) For an assistance unit
consisting of all members of a family, the standards of assistance are the same
as the standards of assistance that apply to a family under the aid to families
with dependent children program if that family had the same number of parents
and children as the assistance unit under general assistance and if all members
of that family were eligible for the aid to families with dependent children
program. If one or more members of the family are not included in the assistance
unit for general assistance, the standards of assistance for the remaining
members are the same as the standards of assistance that apply to an assistance
unit composed of the entire family, less the standards of assistance for a
family of the same number of parents and children as those members of the family
who are not in the assistance unit for general assistance. In no case shall the
standard for family members who are in the assistance unit for general
assistance, when combined with the standard for family members who are not in
the general assistance unit, total more than the standard for the entire family
if all members were in an AFDC assistance unit. A child may not be excluded from
the assistance unit unless income intended for its benefit is received from a
federally aided categorical assistance program or supplemental security income.
The income of a child who is excluded from the assistance unit may not be
counted in the determination of eligibility or benefit level for the assistance
unit.
(f) An assistance unit
consisting of one or more members of a family must have its grant determined
using the policies and procedures of the aid to families with dependent children
program, except that, until June 30, 1995, in cases where a county agency has
developed or approved a case plan that includes reunification with the children,
foster care maintenance payments made under state or local law for a child who
is temporarily absent from the assistance unit must not be considered income to
the child and the payments must not be counted in the determination of the
eligibility or benefit level of the assistance unit. Otherwise, the standard of
assistance must be determined according to paragraph (e); the first $50 of total
child support received by an assistance unit in a month must be excluded and the
balance counted as unearned income.
In order to maximize the use of federal funds, The
commissioner shall adopt rules, to the extent permitted
by federal law, for eligibility for the emergency assistance program under aid
to families with dependent children, and under the terms of sections 256D.01
to 256D.21 for general assistance, to require use of the emergency program under
aid to families with dependent children or MFIP-S as
the primary financial resource when available. The commissioner shall adopt
rules for eligibility for general assistance of persons with seasonal income and
may attribute seasonal income to other periods not in excess of one year from
receipt by an applicant or recipient. General assistance payments may not be
made for foster care, child welfare services, or other social services. Vendor
payments and vouchers may be issued only as authorized in sections 256D.05,
subdivision 6, and 256D.09.
or minor child, a person who
qualifies for assistance under section 256D.05, subdivision 1, paragraph (a),
clause (10), or until March 31, 1998, the minor child of an individual.
in
accordance with according to Minnesota Rules,
part 9500.1219, subpart 3, item C.
(b) (c) An applicant who has been
in the state for less than 30 days shall be considered a resident if the
applicant can provide documentation:
(1) that the applicant was born
in the state;
(2) that the applicant has been
a long-time resident of the state or was formerly a resident of the state for at
least 365 days and is returning to the state from a temporary absence, as those
terms are defined in rules adopted by the commissioner;
(3) that the applicant has come
to the state to join a close relative which, for purposes of this subdivision,
means a parent, grandparent, brother, sister, spouse, or child; or
(4) that the applicant has come
to this state to accept a bona fide offer of employment for which the applicant
is eligible.
emergencies, including medical emergencies, or where unusual hardship would result from denial of
general assistance medical care. For general
assistance, a county may shall waive the 30-day residency requirement in cases of emergencies, including medical emergencies,
or where unusual hardship would result from denial of general assistance. For purposes of this subdivision, "unusual hardship" means
the applicant is without shelter or is without available resources for food.
pursuant according to section 256B.056, subdivision 5, using a
six-month budget period, except that a one-month budget period must be used for
recipients residing in a long-term care facility. The method for calculating
earned income disregards and deductions for a person who resides with a
dependent child under age 21 shall be as specified in
section 256.74, subdivision 1 follow section
256B.056. However, if a disregard of $30 and one-third of the remainder
described in section 256.74, subdivision 1, clause (4), has been applied to the
wage earner's income, the disregard shall not be applied again until the wage
earner's income has not been considered in an eligibility determination for
general assistance, general assistance medical care, medical assistance, or aid to families with dependent children or MFIP-S for 12 consecutive months. The earned income
and work expense deductions for a person who does not reside with a dependent
child under age 21 shall be the same as the method used to determine eligibility
for a person under section 256D.06, subdivision 1, except the disregard of the
first $50 of earned income is not allowed; or
(f) (g)(1) Beginning October 1,
1993, An undocumented alien noncitizen or a nonimmigrant is ineligible for general
assistance medical care other than emergency services. For purposes of this
subdivision, a nonimmigrant is an individual in one or more of the classes
listed in United States Code, title 8, section 1101(a)(15), and an undocumented
alien noncitizen is an
individual who resides in the United States without the approval or acquiescence
of the Immigration and Naturalization Service.
subdivision paragraph does not apply to a child under age 18, to a
Cuban or Haitian entrant as defined in Public Law Number 96-422, section
501(e)(1) or (2)(a), or to an alien a noncitizen who is aged, blind, or disabled as defined
in United States Code, title 42, section 1382c(a)(1)
Code of Federal Regulations, title 42, sections 435.520,
435.530, 435.531, 435.540, and 435.541, who cooperates with the Immigration and
Naturalization Service to pursue any applicable immigration status, including
citizenship, that would qualify the individual for medical assistance with
federal financial participation.
person or family whose assistance unit with income and resources are less than the standard of assistance established by
the commissioner and with a member who is a resident
of the state shall be eligible for and entitled to general assistance if the person or family assistance
unit is:
pursuant according to a
plan developed or approved by the county agency through its director or
designated representative;
item, clause; a person is considered employable if there
exist positions of employment in the local labor market, regardless of the
current availability of openings for those positions, that the person is capable
of performing. The person's eligibility under this category must be reassessed
at least annually. The county agency must provide notice to the person not later
than 30 days before annual eligibility under this item ends, informing the
person of the date annual eligibility will end and the need for vocational
assessment if the person wishes to continue eligibility under this clause. For
purposes of establishing eligibility under this clause, it is the applicant's or
recipient's duty to obtain any needed vocational assessment;
in accordance with according
to permanent rules adopted by the commissioner, to be learning disabled,
provided that if a rehabilitation plan for the person is developed or approved
by the county agency, the person is following the plan;
but and only if: the child is legally emancipated or living
with an adult with the consent of an agency acting as a legal custodian; the
child is at least 16 years of age and the general assistance grant is approved
by the director of the county agency or a designated representative as a
component of a social services case plan for the child; or the child is living
with an adult with the consent of the child's legal custodian and the county
agency. For purposes of this clause, "legally emancipated" means a person under
the
that the child has failed or refuses to
cooperate with the county agency in developing the plan;
two four hours round-trip
traveling time from any potential suitable employment;
for two months or
until compliance is achieved, whichever is shorter, using the notice, good
cause, conciliation and termination procedures specified in section 256D.051; or
Persons or families who are
not state residents but who are otherwise eligible for general assistance may
receive emergency general assistance to meet emergency needs.
(c) As a condition of
eligibility under paragraph (a), clauses (1), (3), (5), (8), and (9), the
recipient must complete an interim assistance agreement and must apply for other
maintenance benefits as specified in section 256D.06, subdivision 5, and must
comply with efforts to determine the recipient's eligibility for those other
maintenance benefits.
(d) (c) The burden of providing documentation for a county
agency to use to verify eligibility for general assistance or for exemption from
the food stamp employment and training program is upon the applicant or
recipient. The county agency shall use documents already in its possession to
verify eligibility, and shall help the applicant or recipient obtain other
existing verification necessary to determine eligibility which the applicant or
recipient does not have and is unable to obtain.
any person a single adult or childless couple otherwise eligible
for general assistance would, but for state statutory restriction or limitation,
be eligible for a funded federally aided assistance
program providing benefits equal to or greater than those of
person single adult or
childless couple shall be eligible for that federally aided program and
ineligible for general assistance; provided, however, that (a) nothing in this
section shall be construed to extend eligibility for federally aided programs to
persons not otherwise eligible for general assistance; (b) this section shall
not be effective to the extent that federal law or regulation require new
eligibility for federal programs to persons not otherwise eligible for general
assistance; and (c) nothing in this section shall deny general assistance to a
person otherwise eligible who is determined ineligible for a substitute
federally aided program.
person single adult or
childless couple shall be eligible for general assistance during a period of
disqualification because of sanctions, from any
federally aided assistance program; or if the person could be considered an
essential person under section 256.74, subdivision 1.
PERSONS INELIGIBLE
CITIZENSHIP.] (a) Beginning
October 1, 1993, an undocumented alien or a nonimmigrant is ineligible for
general assistance benefits. For purposes of this subdivision, a nonimmigrant is
an individual in one or more of the classes listed in United States Code, title
8, section 1101(a)(15), and an undocumented alien is an individual who resides
in the United States without the approval or acquiescence of the Immigration and
Naturalization Service.
(b) This subdivision does not
apply to a child under age 18, to a Cuban or Haitian entrant as defined in
Public Law Number 96-422, section 501(e)(1) or (2)(a), or to an alien who is
aged, blind, or disabled as defined in United States Code, title 42, section
1382c(a)(1). (a) Effective July 1, 1997, citizenship
requirements for applicants and recipients under sections 256D.01 to 256D.03,
subdivision 2, and 256D.04 to 256D.21 shall be determined the same as under
section 256J.11, except that legal noncitizens who are applicants or recipients
must have been residents of Minnesota on March 1, 1997. Legal noncitizens who
arrive in Minnesota after March 1, 1997, and become elderly or disabled after
that date, and are otherwise eligible for general assistance can receive
benefits under this section. The income and assets of sponsors of noncitizens
shall be deemed available to general assistance applicants and recipients
according to the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act
of 1996, Public Law Number 104-193, Title IV, sections 421 and 422.
; CONCILIATION
CONFERENCE; AND SANCTIONS.] (a) At the time the
county agency notifies the household that it is eligible for food stamps, the
county agency must inform all mandatory employment and training services
participants as identified in subdivision 1 in the household that they must
comply with all food stamp employment and training program requirements each
month, including the requirement to attend an initial orientation to the food
stamp employment and training program and that food stamp eligibility will end
unless the participants comply with the requirements specified in the notice.
two months or until the county agency determines that the
participant has complied with the program requirements, whichever is
shorter. the following periods:
or the for
failure to meet the requirements,. The notice must ask the reason for the
noncompliance, and must
identify the participant's appeal rights. The notice must request that the
participant inform the county agency if the participant believes that good cause
existed for the failure to comply, must offer the
participant a conciliation conference as provided in paragraph (d), and must
state that the county agency intends to terminate eligibility for food stamp
benefits due to failure to comply with food stamp employment and training
program requirements.
The county agency must offer
a conciliation conference to participants who have failed to comply with food
stamp employment and training program requirements. The purpose of the
conference is to determine the cause for noncompliance, to attempt to resolve
the problem causing the noncompliance so that all requirements are complied
with, and to determine if good cause for noncompliance was present. The
conciliation period shall run for ten working days from the date of the notice
required in paragraph (c). Information about how to request a conciliation
conference must be specified in the notice required in paragraph (c). If the
county agency determines that the participant, during the conciliation period,
complied with all food stamp employment and training program requirements that
the recipient was required to comply with prior to and during the conciliation
period, or if the county agency determines that good cause for failing to comply
with the requirements was present, a sanction on the participant's or
household's food stamp eligibility shall not be imposed.
(e) If the county agency
determines that the participant did not comply during the conciliation period month
with all food stamp employment and training program requirements that were in
effect prior to and during the conciliation period,
and if the county agency determines that good cause was not present, the county
must provide a ten-day notice of termination of food stamp benefits. The termination notice must be issued following the last
day of the conciliation period. The amount of food stamps that are withheld
from the household and determination of the impact of the sanction on other
household members is governed by Code of Federal Regulations, title 7, section
273.7.
(f) (e) The participant may appeal the termination of food
stamp benefits under the provisions of section 256.045.
and
, except that an adult who receives general assistance
under section 256D.05, subdivision 1, paragraph (b), is not exempt unless that
person qualifies under one of the remaining exemption provisions in this
paragraph;
aid to families with dependent children (AFDC) and family
general assistance (FGA) Minnesota family investment
program-statewide (MFIP-S) and, until March 31, 1998, aid to families with
dependent children and family general assistance and must emphasize the
importance of becoming employed and oriented into the work force in order to
become self-sufficient. The plan must target public assistance applicants who
are most likely to become self-sufficient quickly with short-term assistance or
services such as child care, child support enforcement, or employment and
training services.
individual, single adult,
married couple, or family for an emergency need, as defined in rules promulgated
by the commissioner, where the recipient requests temporary assistance not
exceeding 30 days if an emergency situation appears to exist and (a) until March 31, 1998, the individual is ineligible
for the program of emergency assistance under aid to families with dependent
children and is not a recipient of aid to families with dependent children at
the time of application hereunder; or (b) the individual or family is (i) ineligible for
MFIP-S or is not a participant of MFIP-S; and (ii) is ineligible for emergency
assistance under section 256J.48. If an applicant or recipient relates facts
to the county agency which may be sufficient to constitute an emergency
situation, the county agency shall advise the person of the procedure for
applying for assistance pursuant according to this subdivision.
a family, married couple, or individual there shall be
excluded an assistance unit, the following
resources shall be excluded:
those permitted under the federally aided
assistance program known as aid to families with dependent children $1,000; and
in accordance with and subject according to limitations contained in rules promulgated
by the commissioner, to be essential to the family or
individual the assistance unit as a means of
self-support or self-care or which is producing income that is being used for
the support of the individual or family assistance unit. The commissioner shall further provide
by rule the conditions for those situations in which property not excluded under
this subdivision may be retained by the family or
individual assistance unit where there is a
reasonable probability that in the foreseeable future the property will be used
for the self-support of the individual or family assistance unit; and
pursuant
according to litigation and subsequent appropriation
by the United States Congress, of funds to compensate members of Indian tribes
for the taking of tribal land by the federal government.
an individual or
family an assistance unit by the forced disposal
of the property.
:.
and 256D.02, subdivision 12a, and 256J.12 for purposes of this chapter, no waiting
period is required before securing county or state residence. A person cannot,
however, gain residence while physically present in an excluded time facility
unless otherwise specified in this chapter or in a federal regulation
controlling a federally funded human service program. Interstate migrants who enter a shelter for battered women
directly from another state can gain residency while in the facility provided
the person can provide documentation that the person is a victim of domestic
abuse as defined in section 256J.49, subdivision 2, and the county determines
that the placement is appropriate; and the commissioner of human services is
authorized to make per diem payments under section 256D.05, subdivision 3, on
behalf of such individuals.
general assistance, general assistance medical care,
and Minnesota supplemental aid programs only. The receipt of emergency
assistance must not be used as a factor in determining county or state
residence.
determine use
the AFDC requirements as specified in federal law, when determining the
child's eligibility for adoption assistance under title IV-E of the Social
Security Act. If the child does not qualify, the placing agency shall certify a
child as eligible for state funded adoption assistance only if the following
criteria are met:
pursuant according to
section 13.02, subdivision 8, but does not include a vendor of services.
pursuant according to
statute or federal law, including, but not limited to, aid to families with
dependent children, Minnesota family investment
program-statewide, medical assistance, general assistance, work readiness, general assistance medical care, and
child support collections.
pursuant according to section 13.05;
pursuant according to court order;
pursuant according to a statute specifically authorizing access
to the private data;
pursuant according to Part C of Public Law Number 98-527 to
protect the legal and human rights of persons with mental retardation or other
related conditions who live in residential facilities for these persons if the
protection and advocacy system receives a complaint by or on behalf of that
person and the person does not have a legal guardian or the state or a designee
of the state is the legal guardian of the person;
, work readiness, or general assistance
medical care may be disclosed to probation officers and corrections agents who
are supervising the recipient, and to law enforcement officers who are
investigating the recipient in connection with a felony level offense;
in accordance with according
to Code of Federal Regulations, title 7, section 272.1(c);
pursuant according to
section 518.575;
pursuant according to
United States Code, title 42, sections 1758, 1761, 1766, 1766a, 1772, and 1773;
to produce accurate numbers of students receiving aid to families with dependent
children or Minnesota family investment
program-statewide as required by section 124.175; and to allocate federal
and state funds that are distributed based on income of the student's family; or
in
accordance with according to the requirements of
Code of Federal Regulations, title 42, sections 2.1 to 2.67.
and aid to families
with dependent children or Minnesota family investment
program-statewide.
or aid to families with dependent children or Minnesota family investment program-statewide
programs until the commissioner of human services receives formal approval from
the United States Department of Health and Human Services, for the medical
and, aid to families with dependent children or Minnesota family investment program-statewide
programs, and from the United States Department of Agriculture, for the food
stamps program. The income exclusion does not apply to the Minnesota
supplemental aid program until the commissioner receives formal federal approval
of the exclusion for the medical assistance program.
work readiness, medical assistance,
general assistance medical care, emergency general assistance, Minnesota
supplemental assistance, preadmission screening, and alternative care grants
under the powers and authorities named in section 256.01, subdivision 2. The
purpose of the compliance system is to permit the commissioner to supervise the
administration of public assistance programs and to enforce timely and accurate
distribution of benefits, completeness of service and efficient and effective
program management and operations, to increase uniformity and consistency in the
administration and delivery of public assistance programs throughout the state,
and to reduce the possibility of sanctions and fiscal disallowances for
noncompliance with federal regulations and state statutes.
In
accordance with According to sections 256.031 to
256.0361 and federal laws authorizing the program, the commissioner shall seek
waivers of federal requirements of: United States Code, title 42, section 601 et
seq., and United States Code, title 7, section 2011 et seq., needed to implement
the Minnesota family investment plan in a manner consistent with the goals and
objectives of the program. The commissioner shall seek terms from the federal
government that are consistent with the goals of the Minnesota family investment
plan. The commissioner shall also seek terms from the federal government that
will maximize federal financial participation so that the extra costs to the
state of implementing the program are minimized, to the extent that those terms
are consistent with the goals of the Minnesota family investment plan. An
agreement with the federal government under this section shall provide that the
agreements may be canceled by the state or federal government upon 180 days'
notice or immediately upon mutual agreement. If the agreement is canceled,
families which cease receiving assistance under the Minnesota family investment
plan who are eligible for the aid to families with dependent children, Minnesota family investment program-statewide,
general assistance, medical assistance, general assistance medical care, or the
food stamp program must be placed with their consent on the programs for which
they are eligible.
pursuant according to title
XX of the Social Security Act shall be allocated to each county according to the
following formula:
pursuant according to this
section the total money received from the federal government for social services
pursuant according to
title XX of the Social Security Act, except that portion of the state's
allocation which the legislature authorizes for administrative purposes and for
migrant day care.
work
readiness assistance, food stamps, energy assistance, disability
determinations, and child care. Income maintenance and support services do not
include medical assistance, aging services, social services, community social
services, mental health services, or services for the emotionally disturbed, the
mentally retarded, or residents of nursing homes.
, and work readiness.
work
readiness, and food stamps that relate to employment and training services,
subject to the contract under section 268.86, subdivision 2;
or
work readiness; and
work readiness assistance cases and aid to families
with dependent children and Minnesota family investment
program-statewide cases in the local service unit for the most recent
six-month period.
or
work readiness;
or, aid to families with
dependent children and work readiness or Minnesota family investment program-statewide,
including AFDC and MFIP-S employment and training
programs, and general assistance or work readiness grant diversion. The contract must
address:
work readiness;
work readiness and general assistance grant diversion; food stamp employment
and training programs; community work experience programs; AFDC or MFIP-S job search; AFDC or
MFIP-S grant diversion; AFDC or MFIP-S
on-the-job training; and AFDC or MFIP-S case
management.
pursuant according to
subdivision 1a, in that local service unit, the following criteria shall be
substituted: past experience in direct delivery of multiple, coordinated,
nonduplicative services, including outreach, assessments, identification of
client barriers, employability development plans, and provision or referral to
support services.
; however, work readiness registrants may be
required to participate.
pursuant according to
section 257.0725.
In accordance with According to federal requirements, establish procedures
to be followed by local welfare boards in creating citizen advisory committees,
including procedures for selection of committee members.
pursuant according to
section 256D.05, subdivision 3. Upon the written request of a shelter facility
that has been denied payments under section 256D.05, subdivision 3, the
commissioner shall review all relevant evidence and make a determination within
30 days of the request for review regarding issuance of direct payments to the
shelter facility. Failure to act within 30 days shall be considered a
determination not to issue direct payments.
the purpose purposes of this section.
control control/quality assurance" means a review system of a
statewide random sample of cases, designed to provide data on program outcomes and the accuracy with which state and
federal policies are being applied in issuing benefits and as a fiscal audit to
ensure the accuracy of expenditures. The quality control control/quality
assurance system is administered by the department. For the aid to families
with dependent children, Minnesota family investment
program-statewide, food stamp, and medical assistance programs, the quality
control system is that required by federal regulation,
or those developed by the commissioner.
work readiness, and
Minnesota supplemental aid, there shall be paid to the
United States the amount due under the terms of the Social Security Act and the
balance must be paid into the treasury of the state or county in accordance with
current rates of financial participation; except the
county may keep one-half of recovery made by the county agency using any method
other than recoupment. For medical assistance, if the recovery is made by a
county agency using any method other than recoupment, the county may keep
one-half of the nonfederal share of the recovery. This does not apply to
recoveries from medical providers or to recoveries begun by the department of
human services' surveillance and utilization review division, state hospital
collections unit, and the benefit recoveries division or, by the attorney
general's office, or child support collections. In the
food stamp program, the nonfederal share of recoveries in the federal tax refund
offset program (FTROP) only will be divided equally between the state agency and
the involved county agency.
under sections 252.32, 256.031 to 256.036, and 256.72 to
256.879, chapters 256B, 256D, 256E, 261, or the federal Food Stamp Act whose
application for assistance is denied, not acted upon with reasonable promptness,
or whose assistance is suspended, reduced, terminated, or claimed to have been
incorrectly paid; (2) any patient or relative aggrieved by an order of the
commissioner under section 252.27; (3) a party aggrieved by a ruling of a
prepaid health plan; (4) any individual or facility determined by a lead agency
to have maltreated a vulnerable adult under section 626.557 after they have
exercised their right to administrative reconsideration under section 626.557;
(5) any person whose claim for foster care payment pursuant according to a
placement of the child resulting from a child protection assessment
pursuant according to this section is given by other provision
of law; or (7) an applicant aggrieved by an adverse decision to an application
for a hardship waiver under section 256B.15. The failure to exercise the right
to an administrative reconsideration shall not be a bar to a hearing under this
section if federal law provides an individual the right to a hearing to dispute
a finding of maltreatment. Individuals and organizations specified in this
section may contest the specified action, decision, or final disposition before
the state agency by submitting a written request for a hearing to the state
agency within 30 days after receiving written notice of the action, decision, or
final disposition, or within 90 days of such written notice if the applicant,
recipient, patient, or relative shows good cause why the request was not
submitted within the 30-day time limit.
may shall initiate an
administrative fraud disqualification hearing for individuals accused of
wrongfully obtaining assistance or intentional program violations, in lieu of a criminal action, in the aid to families
with dependent children, MFIP-S, child care, general
assistance, family general assistance, Minnesota supplemental aid, medical
care, or food stamp programs. The hearing is subject to the requirements of
section 256.045 and the requirements in Code of Federal Regulations, title 7,
section 273.16, for the food stamp program and title 45, section 235.112, as of September 30, 1995, for the aid to families with dependent children program cash grant and medical care programs.
set forth specified in Code
of Federal Regulations, title 7, section 273.16, and title 45, section 235.112,
as of September 30, 1995, apply. If the individual
accused of wrongfully obtaining assistance is charged under section 256.98 for
the same act or acts which are the subject of the hearing, the individual may
request that the hearing be delayed until the criminal charge is decided by the
court or withdrawn.
, or attempts to obtain, or aids or abets any person to
obtain by means of a willfully false statement or representation, by intentional
concealment of a any
material fact, or by impersonation or other fraudulent device, assistance
, or who;
and 256.9351 to 256.966, child care, the MFIP-S, chapter
256B, 256D, 256J, or 256K, or all of these sections
is guilty of theft and shall be sentenced pursuant to
section 609.52, subdivision 3, clauses (2), (3)(a) and (c), (4), and (5).
in proportion to the contribution of
each.; and
, or the work
readiness program shall be disqualified from that program. The needs of that
individual shall not be taken into consideration in determining the grant level
for that assistance unit:
six months one year after the first offense;
12 months two years after the second offense; and
and to the extent required
or authorized by applicable federal regulations, the commissioner of human
services shall require the establishment maintenance of budget
neutral fraud prevention investigation programs in the seven counties participating in the fraud prevention
investigation pilot project established under this
section, and in 11 additional Minnesota counties with
the largest aid to families with dependent children program caseloads as of July
1, 1991. If funds are sufficient, the commissioner may also extend fraud
prevention investigation programs to: (1) other
counties that have welfare fraud control programs
already in place based on enhanced funding contracts covering the fraud
investigation function; and (2) counties that have the largest AFDC caseloads as
of July 1, 1994, and are not currently participating in the fraud prevention
investigation pilot project. The pilot project may be expanded provided the
expansion is budget neutral to the state.
Every
involved county agency shall either have in place or obtain an approved contract
which meets all federal requirements necessary to obtain enhanced federal
funding for its welfare fraud control and fraud prevention investigation
programs. County agency reimbursement shall be made through the settlement
provisions applicable to the aid to families with dependent children and program, food stamp programs program, Minnesota
family investment program-statewide, and medical assistance program and other
federal and state-funded programs.
After allowing an
opportunity to establish compliance, The commissioner will deny administrative reimbursement maintain program compliance if for any three-month three consecutive
month period during any grant year, a county
agency fails to comply with fraud prevention
investigation program guidelines, or fails to meet
the cost-effectiveness standards developed by the commissioner. This result is
contingent on the commissioner providing written notice, including an offer of
technical assistance, within 30 days of the end of the third or subsequent month
of noncompliance. The county agency shall be required to submit a corrective
action plan to the commissioner within 30 days of receipt of a notice of
noncompliance. Failure to submit a corrective action plan or, continued
deviation from standards of more than ten percent after submission of a
corrective action plan, will result in denial of funding for each subsequent
month during the grant year, or billing the county agency for fraud prevention
investigation (FPI) service provided by the commissioner, or reallocation of program grant funds, or investigative
resources, or both, to other counties. The denial of funding shall apply to
the general settlement received by the county agency on a quarterly basis and
shall not reduce the grant amount applicable to the FPI project.
January 1 April 30 of each state
fiscal year a plan to coordinate county duties related to the prevention,
investigation, and prosecution of fraud in public assistance programs. Plans may be submitted on a voluntary basis prior to
January 1, 1996. Each county must submit its first annual plan prior to January 1, 1997 April 30,
1998.
and to
the extent required or authorized by applicable federal regulations, the
commissioner of human services shall make funding available to county agencies
for the establishment of program integrity reinvestment
initiatives. The project shall initially be limited to those county agencies
participating in federally funded optional fraud control programs as of January
1, 1995 fraud control efforts and require the
maintenance of county efforts and financial contribution that were in place
during fiscal year 1996.
For the first operating year only, the proposal shall be
submitted no later than October 30. Each proposal shall provide information
on:
into by the existing county
fraud control and prosecution procedures.
involved county investigative units based on grant
agreements negotiated with the involved county agencies. The standards shall take into
consideration and may include investigative caseloads, grant savings levels, the
comparison of fraud prevention and prosecution directed investigations,
utilization levels of administrative disqualification hearings, the timely
reporting and implementation of disqualifications, and the timeliness of the submission of statistical reports received from prosecutors.
Grant
funds are intended to help offset the reduction in federal financial
participation to 50 percent and may be apportioned to the participating counties
whenever feasible, and within the commissioner's discretion, to achieve this
goal. State funding shall be made available contingent on counties
submitting a plan that is approved by the department of human services. Failure
or delay in obtaining that approval shall not, however, eliminate the obligation
to maintain fraud control efforts at the January 1,
1995 June 30, 1996, level. Additional counties may be added to the project to the
extent that funds are subsequently made available. Every involved county must
meet all federal requirements necessary to obtain federal funding for its
welfare fraud control and prevention programs. County agency reimbursement
shall be made through the settlement provisions applicable to the AFDC and, MFIP-S, food stamp, and medical assistance programs.
three months during any grant year
any three-month period, the commissioner shall deny
reimbursement or administrative costs, after allowing an opportunity to
establish compliance.
whether or not the overpayment is due solely to agency
error. The amount of this reduction is ten percent, if the overpayment is due
solely to having wrongfully obtained assistance, whether based on:
(1) a court order;
(2) the finding of an
administrative fraud disqualification hearing or the waiver of such a hearing;
or
(3) a confession or judgment
containing an admission of an intentional program violation.
does not include includes any legal obligation of a current recipient of
assistance which is based on overpayment of an assistance grant where that payment is based on a client waiver or an
administrative or judicial finding of an intentional program violation; or where
the debt is owed to a program wherein the debtor is not a client at the time
notification is provided to initiate recovery under this chapter and the debtor
is not a current recipient of food stamps, transitional child care, or
transitional medical assistance.
Subpoenas may
only be served by peace officers as defined by section 626.84, subdivision 1,
paragraph (c).
pursuant according to rules of the commissioner of human
services, the supervision of the commissioner as specified in section 256.01,
and all federal laws and regulations. The commissioner of human services shall
monitor food stamp program delivery on an ongoing basis to ensure that each
county complies with federal laws and regulations. Program requirements to be
monitored include, but are not limited to, number of applications, number of
approvals, number of cases pending, length of time required to process each
application and deliver benefits, number of applicants eligible for expedited
issuance, length of time required to process and deliver expedited issuance,
number of terminations and reasons for terminations, client profiles by age,
household composition and income level and sources, and the use of phone
certification and home visits. The commissioner shall determine the
county-by-county and statewide participation rate.
willfully false willful statement or representation misrepresentation, or intentional concealment of a
material fact, food stamps or vouchers issued according
to sections 145.891 to 145.897 to which the person is not entitled or in an
amount greater than that to which that person is entitled or which specify nutritional supplements to which that
person is not entitled; or
or,
authorization to purchase cards or vouchers issued
according to sections 145.891 to 145.897 in any manner contrary to existing
state or federal law, rules, or regulations; or
or, other
assistance transaction devices, vouchers issued
according to sections 145.891 to 145.897, or any food obtained through the
redemption of vouchers issued according to sections 145.891 to 145.897 for
cash or consideration other than eligible food.
Abrams | Evans | Kelso | McCollum | Pelowski | Swenson, D. |
Anderson, B. | Farrell | Kielkucki | McElroy | Peterson | Swenson, H. |
Bakk | Finseth | Kinkel | McGuire | Pugh | Sykora |
Bettermann | Folliard | Knoblach | Milbert | Rest | Tingelstad |
Biernat | Garcia | Koppendrayer | Molnau | Reuter | Tomassoni |
Bishop | Goodno | Koskinen | Mulder | Rhodes | Tompkins |
Boudreau | Greenfield | Kraus | Mullery | Rifenberg | Trimble |
Bradley | Greiling | Kubly | Munger | Rostberg | Tuma |
Broecker | Gunther | Kuisle | Murphy | Schumacher | Tunheim |
Carlson | Haas | Larsen | Ness | Seagren | Van Dellen |
Chaudhary | Harder | Leighton | Nornes | Seifert | Vickerman |
Commers | Hasskamp | Leppik | Olson, E. | Sekhon | Wagenius |
Daggett | Holsten | Lieder | Olson, M. | Skare | Weaver |
Davids | Huntley | Lindner | Opatz | Skoglund | Wejcman |
Dehler | Jefferson | Long | Orfield | Slawik | Westfall |
Delmont | Jennings | Luther | Osskopp | Smith | Westrom |
Dempsey | Johnson, A. | Macklin | Otremba | Solberg | Winter |
Dorn | Johnson, R. | Mahon | Ozment | Stanek | Wolf |
Entenza | Juhnke | Mares | Paulsen | Stang | Workman |
Erhardt | Kalis | Marko | Pawlenty | Sviggum | Spk. Carruthers |
Those who voted in the negative were:
Anderson, I. | Hausman | Kahn | Mariani | Rukavina | Wenzel |
Clark | Hilty | Knight | Osthoff | ||
Dawkins | Jaros | Krinkie | Paymar | ||
The bill was repassed, as amended by Conference, and its title agreed to.
Winter moved that the bills on Special Orders for today be continued. The motion prevailed.
Winter moved that the bills on General Orders for today be continued. The motion prevailed.
Rostberg moved that the following statement be printed in the Journal of the House: "It was my intention to vote in the negative on Friday, April 25, 1997, when the vote was taken on the Krinkie amendment to S. F. No. 1880, the second unofficial engrossment, as amended." The motion prevailed.
Slawik moved that the following statement be printed in the Journal of the House: "It was my intention to vote in the affirmative on Friday, April 25, 1997, when the vote was taken on the Weaver amendment to S. F. No. 1880, the second unofficial engrossment, as amended." The motion prevailed.
Westrom moved that the following statement be printed in the Journal of the House: "It was my intention to vote in the affirmative on Friday, April 25, 1997, when the vote was taken on the second Sviggum amendment to S. F. No. 1880, the second unofficial engrossment, as amended." The motion prevailed.
Kuisle moved that H. F. No. 906 be returned to its author. The motion prevailed.
Rukavina moved that his name be stricken as an author on H. F. No. 1367. The motion prevailed.
The Speaker announced the appointment of the following members of the House to a Conference Committee on H. F. No. 704:
Ozment, Jennings and Delmont.
The Speaker announced the appointment of the following members of the House to a Conference Committee on H. F. No. 2163:
Long; Winter; Olson, E.; Dawkins and Abrams.
The Speaker announced the appointment of the following members of the House to a Conference Committee on S. F. No. 1881:
Lieder, Wagenius, Hausman, Molnau and Finseth.
The Speaker announced the appointment of the following members of the House to a Conference Committee on S. F. No. 1905:
Rukavina, Kahn, Jefferson, Jennings and Osskopp.
Winter moved that when the House adjourns today it adjourn until 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, April 29, 1997. The motion prevailed.
Winter moved that the House adjourn. The motion prevailed, and the Speaker declared the House stands adjourned until 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, April 29, 1997.
Edward A. Burdick, Chief Clerk, House of Representatives