HF1144

Purpose

The bill directs the commissioner of human services to seek federal authority to provide supportive parenting services to people who are eligible for personal care assistance (PCA) or community first services and supports (CFS). The goal is to expand support for caregivers by offering help with parenting tasks for young children.

Main Provisions

• The commissioner must seek federal authority to provide supportive parenting services to individuals eligible for PCA (Minnesota Statutes 256B.0659) or CFS (Minnesota Statutes 256B.85).
• Supportive parenting services are limited to age-appropriate activities of daily living for a child 12 years old or younger. The services cover the following areas:
  • Dressing: assistance with choosing, applying, and changing clothing; use of special appliances or wraps.
  • Grooming: basic hair care; oral care; nail care (with exceptions for recipients who are diabetic or have poor circulation); shaving; applying cosmetics and deodorant; care of eyeglasses and hearing aids.
  • Bathing: basic personal hygiene and skin care.
  • Eating: assistance with hand washing and use of orthotics required for eating, transfers, and feeding.
  • Transfers: helping the recipient move from one seating or reclining area to another.
  • Mobility: assistance with walking or using a wheelchair; note that mobility support does not include transportation.
  • Positioning: help with positioning or turning for care and comfort.
  • Toileting: assistance with bowel or bladder elimination and related care, including transfers, mobility, positioning, feminine hygiene, use of toileting equipment, cleansing the perineal area, skin inspection, and adjusting clothing.
• Effective date: The services become available on January 1, 2026 or 90 days after federal approval, whichever is later.

Changes to Existing Law

• Establishes a new obligation for the state to obtain federal authorization to offer supportive parenting services to PCA or CFS eligible individuals.
• Clarifies the scope of these services to a defined set of age-appropriate ADLs for children 12 and under.
• Creates a framework for implementing these services via federal waivers or other federal authority.

Implementation & Timeline

• The program depends on obtaining federal authorization; once approved, the services will be implemented no earlier than January 1, 2026 or 90 days after federal approval, whichever is later.

Who Is Affected

• Families and caregivers of children 12 years old or younger who are eligible for PCA or CFS, who may receive supportive parenting services as part of their assistance.

Relevant Terms - supportive parenting services - personal care assistance (PCA) - community first services and supports (CFS) - federal authority / federal waivers - age-appropriate activities of daily living (ADLs) - dressing - grooming - bathing - eating - transfers - mobility (ambulation; wheelchair) - positioning - toileting - Minnesota Statutes 256B.0659 - Minnesota Statutes 256B.85 - January 1, 2026 - 90 days after federal approval