Minnesota Senate, House Pass Bipartisan Human Services Bills

The Minnesota Senate and House have both passed significant human services budget and policy bills aimed at preserving essential care and services amid economic uncertainty and threats to federal funding. The legislation emphasizes investments in disability and nursing home workers, with wage increases and a focus on maintaining core supports for seniors and people with disabilities, while also implementing spending reductions and data-driven reforms to ensure sustainability. Key provisions include support for critical access nursing facilities, rate increases for personal care attendants, and reforms to the Disability Waiver Rate System. Additional policy measures prohibit counties from charging for emergency mental health services, codify behavioral health grants for schools, and introduce new penalties for fraud and kickbacks in human services programs. The bills reflect bipartisan efforts and seek to minimize negative impacts through targeted investments and reforms, prioritizing the needs of vulnerable populations. Both chambers' actions highlight a balanced response to fiscal challenges while striving to protect Minnesota's most at-risk residents.