SF3755 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))
Housing stabilization services repealer provision, commissioners authority to terminate or modify the medical assistance program clarifying provision, and one-time rate add-on for prepayment review delays provision
Related bill: HF3379
AI Generated Summary
Purpose
- The bill changes how some Minnesota health and human services programs are run. It repeals housing stabilization services and strengthens rules around who can provide home- and community-based waiver services. It also clarifies the state agency’s authority to terminate or modify the medical assistance program and to use prepayment reviews. In addition, it requires background checks for certain people connected to waiver providers.
Main Provisions
- Repeal of housing stabilization services: The bill removes housing stabilization services from current law.
- Authority over the medical assistance program: The bill clarifies the commissioner's power to terminate or modify the medical assistance program.
- Prepayment review: The bill clarifies the commissioner's authority to implement prepayment review for medical assistance and requires a report on this authority and process.
- Statutory changes and additions: The bill proposes amendments to multiple statutes, including adding new subdivisions and altering existing ones related to waiver providers and housing stabilization services.
- Background checks for waiver providers: For providers of home- and community-based waiver services serving seniors and people with disabilities, as well as housing stabilization providers, the commissioner must conduct background studies on individuals who meet any of the following:
- An owner with at least 5% ownership in the provider
- An operator of the provider
- An employee or volunteer who has direct contact with people receiving services
- Scope and timing of background checks: These background checks must occur before the person provides waiver services and as part of ongoing enrollment.
- Definitions and coverage for operators: The term “operator” includes managerial officers who oversee billing, management, or policies of the services provided.
- References to related programs: The changes reference federally approved home- and community-based waiver plans and housing stabilization services in related sections of law.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Expanded background check requirements: More people connected to waiver providers (owners, operators, and direct-contact staff/volunteers) must undergo background studies.
- Potential reduction of services: Housing stabilization services are repealed, which could change how some housing-related supports are delivered.
- Increased regulatory authority: The commissioner gains clearer authority to terminate or modify the medical assistance program and to implement prepayment review, with a required report on that process.
- Clarified definitions: The law expands the definition of “operator” to include individuals who oversee key service operations like billing and policies, broadening who must be checked.
- Revisions to multiple statutes: The bill makes targeted amendments and repeals across several sections of Minnesota’s statutes related to medical assistance, home- and community-based waivers, and housing stabilization.
Relevant Terms - housing stabilization services - housing stabilization providers - home- and community-based waiver (HCBS) plans - waivers (section 256B.4912) - medical assistance (MA) - commissioner (state health and human services agency leadership) - prepayment review - background studies / background checks - owner (5% ownership stake or more) - operator - managerial officer - direct contact - seniors and individuals with disabilities - waiver services - ongoing enrollment - related statutes: 256B.04, 256B.0658, 256L.03, 256B.4912, 256B.051, 245C.03, 245C.04, 245C.10
Past committee meetings
- Health and Human Services on: March 18, 2026 08:30
- Human Services on: March 02, 2026 15:00
Actions
| Date | Chamber | Where | Type | Name | Committee Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| February 23, 2026 | Senate | Action | Introduction and first reading | ||
| February 23, 2026 | Senate | Action | Referred to | Health and Human Services | |
| March 02, 2026 | Senate | Action | Withdrawn and re-referred to | Human Services | |
| March 05, 2026 | Senate | Action | Comm report: To pass as amended and re-refer to | Health and Human Services | |
| March 18, 2026 | Senate | Action | Comm report: To pass as amended and re-refer to | Human Services | |
| Senate | Action | HF substituted in committee |
Citations
[
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Adds new subdivisions under 256B.04, including references to additional subdivisions (e.g., 256B.0658) and related cross-references to 256L.03 subdivision 1.",
"Expands background study and related background-check requirements for unlicensed home and community-based waiver providers and related housing stabilization providers."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "This bill amends Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 256B.04, subdivision 24, by adding new subdivisions related to housing stabilization and waiver providers as part of the broader provisions governing medical assistance providers.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "256B.04",
"subdivision": "24"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Requires background studies for individuals with at least a five percent ownership stake, or who are operators, employees, or volunteers with direct contact with waiver recipients.",
"Defines operator to include managerial officers who oversee billing, management, or policies of the services provided."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Amends Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement section 245C.03, subdivision 6, to address background study requirements for unlicensed home and community-based waiver providers and individuals with ownership or direct contact roles.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "245C.03",
"subdivision": "6"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Expands background-check-related provisions for individuals defined under 245C.03(6) with ownership or employment in waiver providers."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Amends Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement section 245C.04, subdivision 6, related to background checks and related enrollment provisions for waiver providers.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "245C.04",
"subdivision": "6"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Links enrollment of waiver providers to ongoing background checks for owners, operators, employees, or volunteers with direct contact."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Amends Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement section 245C.10, subdivision 6, regarding enrollment and ongoing background study of waiver providers.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "245C.10",
"subdivision": "6"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Incorporates provisions tying housing stabilization service providers to the background study requirements and waiver processes under 256B.04(21)."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Amends Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement section 256B.04, subdivision 21, related to housing stabilization and waiver provider processes within the medical assistance framework.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "256B.04",
"subdivision": "21"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Expands and clarifies background-check requirements for providers under 256B.0701(9)."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Amends Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement section 256B.0701, subdivision 9, pertaining to provider enrollment and background-check requirements for waiver services.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "256B.0701",
"subdivision": "9"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Uses 256B.4912 as the framework for HCBS waiver plans within the statute."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "References 256B.4912 (home and community-based waiver plans) to ground the background studies and waiver-related requirements addressed in this act.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "256B.4912",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [
"256B.051, subdivisions 1, 4, and 7 repealed."
],
"summary": "Repeals Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 256B.051, subdivisions 1, 4, and 7.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "256B.051",
"subdivision": "1,4,7"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Adds subdivisions 2, 3, 5, 6, 6a, 6b, 8, 9, 10 to 256B.051 in the 2025 Supplement."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "References Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement section 256B.051 subdivisions 2, 3, 5, 6, 6a, 6b, 8, 9, 10 as added/modified by the act.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "256B.051",
"subdivision": "2,3,5,6,6a,6b,8,9,10"
}
]Progress through the legislative process
In Other Chamber