News
Category: State News
Welcome to the State News category. The following news items will keep you informed about state legislation, state-level advocacy and other information about aging services in Minnesota.
DATE CORRECTION - DHS Announces new Housing Support Rate Effective July 1
On February 24, 2022 by Bobbie Guidry
Please note the corrected date range for the increased rate for Housing Support.
On July 1, 2022, the Housing Support maximum monthly room and board rate will increase significantly to $1,041.
New Food Code reference tools for Assisted Living Facilities
On February 24, 2022 by Bobbie Guidry
Two new reference tools for assisted living facilities are now available in the Minnesota Department of Health’s Food Code Requirements section of the Resources and FAQs page. These documents give an overview of the Minnesota Food Code and outline the requirements that assisted living facilities must meet to serve food safely and prevent foodborne illnesses.
New Political Maps Signal Change, Impact 2022 Politics
On February 17, 2022 by Libbie Chapuran
Minnesota’s new congressional and legislative district maps, which will govern for the next decade, were released yesterday.
The state's legislative and congressional districts are redrawn two years after every census to ensure each elected official represents an equal number of constituents. According to our state's constitution, the legislature is tasked with this duty.
Newly Introduced Nursing Home Workforce Standards Bill Would Cause Troubling Unintended Consequences
On February 17, 2022 by Libbie Chapuran
This week, a bill introduced in the Minnesota House of Representatives to impose workforce standards in nursing home settings would yield troubling unintended consequences if passed. HF 3405, introduced by House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler (DFL-Golden Valley) and supported by SEIU, would establish the Minnesota Nursing Home Workforce Standards Board with broad authority to regulate employment standards for nursing home workers.
DHS Announces New Housing Support Rate Effective July 1
On February 17, 2022 by Bobbie Guidry
The Minnesota Department of Human Services has announced an increase to the Housing Support rates effective mid-2022. On July 1, 2022, the Housing Support maximum monthly room and board rate will increase significantly to $1,041.
Assisted Living License Renewals on the Horizon
On February 17, 2022 by Bobbie Guidry
Assisted living licenses must be renewed annually. The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) intends to send renewal notices to current licensees on or about May 1. Renewal applications must be submitted at least 60 calendar days before the license's expiration. The renewed licenses are effective Aug. 1. MDH will issue fines for licenses that are not renewed in a timely manner.
ICYMI: Contact your lawmaker; ask them to support caregivers
On February 10, 2022 by Libbie Chapuran
This week at Institute, we’ve asked thousands of senior services professionals to contact their lawmakers and ask them to support caregivers with the wages they deserve. If you missed our call to action at Institute, we invite you to join us today!
EduCare Now Approved as Training and Testing Option for ALDC Trainers
On February 3, 2022 by Bobbie Guidry
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has approved EduCare’s 5-part Dementia Series and test as an option that may be used to meet 144G.83 statutory training requirements for assisted living with dementia care providers. The statute requires that persons providing or overseeing staff training in a facility licensed as assisted living with dementia care must have experience and knowledge in the care of individuals with dementia, including:
MDH ALL Together Newsletter Conveys Top Ten Survey Citations
On February 3, 2022 by Bobbie Guidry
In their second ALL Together newsletter, the Health Regulation Division of MDH shared the top ten tags in assisted living and assisted living with dementia care licensed settings.
Updated Provisional Assisted Living License Application Now Available
On January 27, 2022 by Bobbie Guidry
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Health Regulation Division has posted an updated provisional assisted living license application for providers interested in becoming an assisted living facility. The revised form has added instructional information and links to helpful statutory references.
BELTSS Board Assisted Living Director Updates and Concerns
On January 27, 2022 by Bobbie Guidry
The Board of Executives for Long-term Services and Supports (BELTSS) provided updates on the progress of licensing directors at the Jan. meeting held earlier this week. The Board also reviewed the first months of assisted living surveys and discussed potential implications for licensees.
Advocating for Workforce Solutions: Engage Your Community
On January 20, 2022 by Matt Steele
The Minnesota Legislature will convene for the 2022 session on Jan. 31, and a strong grassroots network is an essential part of our strategy to drive action. We've created a tool to help you engage members of your community to add voices that can help us share the importance of increasing wages for caregivers and ensuring access to care for seniors.
Change of Information Form available on MDH website for Assisted Living Providers
On January 20, 2022 by Bobbie Guidry
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has made the Change of Information Form available on the Assisted Living web page.
Legacy Licensed Assisted Living Directors required to have 7 CEU’s on AL
On January 13, 2022 by Bobbie Guidry
The rules for Licensed Assisted Living Directors (LALD) require licensees licensed through the legacy pathways to complete within the first year of licensure at least seven hours of continuing education in topics related to assisted living settings. On an ongoing basis, a LALD must complete 30 continuing education credits in qualifying areas within two years of the license renewal.
JOIN US: Virtual Advocacy Day at the Capitol on April 5
On January 13, 2022 by Matt Steele
Join us on April 5 for a day of virtual advocacy at the Capitol featuring expert training from our public affairs team, opportunities to meet with your legislator, and times to share with colleagues from around the state about your successes and challenges in serving seniors.
Must Issue Certificate of Rent Paid by Jan. 31
On January 6, 2022 by Bobbie Guidry
All rental property owners, managers or operators must provide a Certificate of Rent Paid (CRP) to each person who rented from them during the previous year by Jan. 31 if either of the following are true:
DHS Implementing Changes to Preadmission Screening Process
On December 30, 2021 by Jeff Bostic
Effective next Wednesday, Jan. 5, the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) will be implementing changes to the preadmission screening process for care centers.
Transition to Fingerprint-Based Background Studies Pushed Out for MDH-Licensed Providers
On December 30, 2021 by Jonathan Lips
Providers licensed by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), including home care, assisted living facilities, and nursing homes, will not transition back to fingerprint-based background studies until Feb. 2, 2022. Until the transition occurs, these providers will continue to submit emergency studies, as we have been doing throughout the pandemic.
Notice to Private Pay Residents Needed by Jan. 1
On December 30, 2021 by Jeff Bostic
As we reported about a month ago, the Minnesota Department of Health (DHS) will not be posting care center rate notices before the start of the new rate year on Jan. 1. Rate notices not being available for the beginning of the rate year makes the billing of private pay residents much more complicated than usual. It also impacts the notice requirements.
BELTSS Seeks New Appointee for Board Service
On December 23, 2021 by Libbie Chapuran
The Minnesota Board of Executives for Long Term Services and Supports (BELTSS) has announced that there will be an open position appointment to meet Minn. Statutes 144A.19 for “one licensed nursing home administrator or health services executive member actively engaged in the management or operation of nonprofit nursing homes or assisted living facilities.”