Bill > HF1742

This bill establishes a three-year pilot project to create a certification program for direct support professionals (DSPs) who provide long-term care and support services to seniors and people with disabilities. The project will be a partnership between the Minnesota Departments of Human Services and Higher Education, Anoka and Dakota Counties, and the Metropolitan Center for Independent Living. The certification curriculum will require at least 80 hours of training over eight weeks, based on national workforce competency standards. Participants who complete the program will receive a credential and be eligible for scholarships that include a $20 per hour work stipend. Certified DSPs may qualify for an enhanced medical assistance reimbursement rate of 118.75%. The bill requires an independent evaluation of the pilot project, including an assessment of its effectiveness, economic impact, and potential for statewide expansion. The project is funded with a one-time appropriation, with $150,000 specifically designated as a grant to the Metropolitan Center for Independent Living to help develop and coordinate the program. The pilot project is set to begin on July 1, 2025, with a report on its outcomes due within six months of its completion.

Labor and Employment

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=House&f=HF1742&ssn=0&y=2025