2a392k31wksy2wkejf1y03dp-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com · Web view2021/01/31  · Governor Walz Releases Budget Proposal Governor Walz and Lt. Governor Flanagan have just released their

NAMI Minnesota Legislative Update

January 31, 2021

Governor Walz Releases Budget Proposal

Governor Walz and Lt. Governor Flanagan have just released their budget for the 2022-2023 biennium. While Minnesota's budget outlook has improved significantly over the past few months, we are still facing a long-term budget deficit. To fill this gap and meet the increasing needs of Minnesotans, Governor Walz's budget proposes increasing taxes for individuals and couples making more than $1 million dollars, increases the capital gains tax, taxes foreign income from corporations when it is re-patriated, increases corporate tax rates, and uses other mechanisms to raise revenue. The Walz budget also cuts taxes for people with low incomes.

This much needed revenue allows the Walz Administration to avoid harsh cuts to social services and make targeted investments that will help people with mental illnesses and their families. Here are some highlights that NAMI Minnesota supports:

Education

Student Support Personnel: Appropriates $46.964 million in FYs 22-23 and $54.872 million in FYs 24-25 to increase the number of counselors, social workers, school psychologists, school nurses, and chemical dependency l in schools. This proposal funds a new program to hire school-support personnel, a workforce development initiative to increase the number school support personnel with a focus on providers of color, and to hire a school health services specialist at the Department of Education

Multi-Tiered Systems of Support: Appropriates $10 million per biennium to ensure that all schools effectively implement Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), better known as PBIS.

Housing

Preventing Homelessness: Provides for a one-time funding increase in FYs 22-23 of $4 million for the Family Homeless Prevention and Assistance Program. This program offers direct assistance to prevent individuals and families from becoming homeless or to re-house people as soon as possible. This service offers a range of supports that includes case management and housing navigation assistance and direct cash assistance to cover short term rental

assistance, security deposits, utilities, and transportation costs to improve housing stability.

Bridges: Appropriates $500,000 in one time money over FYs 22-23 for the Bridges rental assistance program. This provides a housing voucher to people with serious mental illnesses while they are on a wait list for a section 8 voucher.

Human Services

Combined Homelessness Proposal: Appropriates $20.998 million in FYs 22-23 and 21.024 million in FYs 24-25 to address the homelessness crisis in Minnesota.

$10 million base increase for the Emergency Services Program. This is a grant program that funds emergency shelters , offer motel/hotel vouchers (especially useful in rural areas that can’t sustain a brick and mortar shelter), and to increase staffing ratios at overnight shelters.

Dedicates $1 million for the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS). This is a federally mandated database that tracks client-level data on people and families experiencing homelessness.

$10 million base increase for Community Living Infrastructure Grant Programs to counties and tribes. This is a newer program that began in 2018 and supports housing related-needs of people with disabilities, as well as other people who face challenges transitioning to community living including people who have experienced homelessness. Grant funds can be used to conduct outreach and education about housing for people who are homeless or living in an institutional setting, hiring housing resource specialists to educate individuals, families, and advocates on housing resources in the region, and resources to administer housing support programs.

Cash Assistance: Appropriates $4.1 million in FYs 22-23 and $78.7 million in FYs 24-25 to simplify applications for MFIP, GA and SNAP (food stamps). This proposal includes:

Focus on more income for the last 30 not 60 days when calculating benefits

Replace monthly reporting with six-month reporting. MFIP: Provides for a one-time payment increase of up to $750 dollars for

families in the MFIP program. The total cost for this would be $24.331 million in FY 21 and would help to address the significant challenges that families with very low incomes are experiencing during the COVID-19 pandemic. This one-time payment is expected to benefit about 32,400 families and 64,000 children.

School-Linked Mental Health Grants: Makes a one-time increase of $6 million

in FY 21 to address the increased mental health needs of young people during the pandemic. Of the total allocation, $4.976 million will be used to support students, $1 million is available to support school staff, and 35,000 covers overtime costs under existing contracts. School-linked mental health grants allow for community-based mental health programs to co-locate at a school to provide treatment from a mental health professional.

Telemedicine Expansion: Extends some of the flexibilities around telemedicine in Medicaid and MNCare that were first developed in response to the pandemic. The total cost for these changes are $6.1 million in FYs 22-23 and $7.2 million in FYs 24-25. These changes include:

Removing the limits of three telemedicine visits per week Expanding the list of mental health and substance use disorder

providers that can offer services via telemedicine. This includes ACT Teams, Youth ACT teams, and other mental health services

Temporarily allow services delivered by the phone to be billable as telemedicine

Telemedicine will be reimbursed at the same rate as in-person treatment

There is a lot to like in the Governor's budget. NAMI Minnesota is particularly appreciative of the investment in school-linked mental health grants and the focus on student mental health. However, there are some areas of concern. These are some are some proposals that we hope the Walz Administration will re-visit:

MERC: Cuts the Medical Education and Research Costs (MERC) grant by $2 million per year. These grant dollars are used to provide provide clinical training for medical and certain mental health professionals.

Family First: The Governor's budget does not address the impact that Family First will have on children voluntarily seeking residential mental health treatment. This means that families will have to undergo an invasive and time-consuming relative search before accessing residential mental health treatment. NAMI Minnesota supports paying for room and board at children's residential programs with state dollars to avoid this problem.

Recovery Peer Specialists: There is a 50% cut to this program that will make it harder for peer specialists to connect people with substance use disorders to the supports that reduce readmissions to expensive treatment, hospitalization, or an encounter with the criminal justice system.

Veterans

Suicide Prevention: The Governor recommends additional funding of $1.65

million in FY 2022-2023 and $1.1 million in FY 2024-2025 for a statewide Veteran Suicide Prevention initiative at the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA). The biennial request represents a 0.67 percent increase over the Veterans Healthcare program total base budget, and 1.4 percent increase over the program’s general fund base budget. Two FTEs dedicated to suicide prevention and awareness will be added to further develop and lead this initiative. Funding will be used for a Veteran Suicide Prevention Coordinator position and a Veteran Liaison position. It will fund collaboration between the VA, MDVA, and MDH to do intensive reviews of Veterans that have died by suicide to look for trends and early warning signs; conduct interviews with surviving family members. Funding will also be used for prevention advertising materials, training and education, etc.

Public Safety

Minnesota Heals Program in the Office of Justice Programs (OJP): Minnesota Heals is a three-part program and includes:

1. $400,000 will be used for grants for community healing following a traumatic event including train-the-trainers programming and resources for responding community-wide events and others like families of people killed in police-involved deadly force encounters.

2. $400,000 will be used to establish Statewide Critical Incident Stress Management Services (CISM) for first responders by hiring a CISM Coordinator who would manage a Mental Health and Wellness Program for First Responders. The program would include bimonthly training and resources for self-assessment and counseling for first responders.

3. $400,000 will be used for grants for direct financial support, trauma services, and burial costs following an officer involved death.

Innovations in Policing: $3 million in FY 2022 to fund Innovations in Policing grants for planning purposes, for pilots, for implementation, or to enhance the services of

Community -based, mental health and trauma-informed services that can provide alternatives to arrest and booking. For example, and not limited to: Mental health and social service drop -in centers.

Alternative responses applied to 911 calls for service. For example, and not limited to: Technology needs to implement differential responses to 911 calls such as remote-mental health co - responder models.

Training beyond minimum requirements for peace officers and 911 dispatchers. For example, and not limited to: Adoption of Camden, NJ

use of force model; training simulator; bias training.

Corrections

Expand oversight of jails: Provides for a 53% increase in the 2022-2023 biennium to improve and expand the oversight of jails and other local correctional facilities. The funds are directly related to a policy proposal to establish minimum standards for licensed facilities, limit use of force protocols, increase and improve reporting, improve data gathering and data sharing, address staff misconduct, implement an improved process for death reviews, and clarify an employee’s duty to report neglect or excessive use of force.

If you would like to learn more about the Governor's budget, you can review this summary or break-down from NAMI Minnesota or read the budget yourself.

While there is a lot to like in Governor Walz's budget, it is important to remember that this is just the first step in passing a state budget. Both the House and Senate will outline their budget priorities in the coming weeks, before reaching final compromise later in the session. At this time, NAMI Minnesota is particularly concerned about the proposal from Senate Leadership for a global 5% cut to all programs, including health and human services and education. This will take us backwards at a time when more people than ever need mental health treatment.

NAMI Minnesota Bill on Sober Homes to be Heard on WednesdayOn Wednesday morning, the House Behavioral Health Policy Division will hold a hearing on HF 287. This is NAMI Legislation that would commission a study on how to expand access sober homes and consider potential strategies for oversight so people have a place to file complaints. Sober homes are a very important part of the continuum of supports for people in recovery from a substance use disorder. Many sober homes offer a safe place for people with substance use disorders to live with their peers, get back on their feet, and make progress in their recovery.

However, we have heard from many NAMI Minnesota members and supporters about problems with sober homes. Unsanitary living conditions, high costs, evictions, and substance use at sober homes have been reported by many members and were featured in an article from the Star Tribune. Legislators need to hear from you!

If you or a loved one have had a negative experience with a Minnesota sober home including:

Unsanitary living conditions Drug and alcohol use on the premises High room and board costs Discharge in the middle of the night due to a relapse Other challenges

If this matches with your experience – or if you’ve had a positive experience at a sober home – please contact me as soon as possible. NAMI Minnesota has found enough testifiers for the hearing, but we are still seeking people who are willing to share their story and submit written testimony. If you are interested. Please contact Sam Smith as soon as possible. Thank you for your support and advocacy!

House Behavioral Health Policy Division Holds Important Hearing on Inpatient Psychiatric CareAt the urging of NAMI Minnesota and other mental health advocates, the House Behavioral Health Policy Division held a hearing on Minnesota's inpatient mental health capacity. Stefan Gildemeister began this important hearing by describing the hospital moratorium and the process. Dr. Michael Trangle testified on behalf of the Minnesota Psychiatric Association and described an important report from the Minnesota Hospital Association and the Wilder Foundation on the need for inpatient psychiatric care. Doctor Trangle described the current demand for inpatient care, the challenges around transitioning patients from an inpatient psych bed back to the community, and the need to increase the overall number of mental health beds to help people with mental illnesses flow through the system.

Sue Abderholden, NAMI Minnesota's executive director started her testimony saying "If you or a loved one was having a heart attack, would you worry that there wouldn’t be an open bed in the cardiac unit? No, you wouldn’t. You only worry about an open bed when you have a mental illness." She stressed that people shouldn't have to wait for hours or days, be shipped far away from home or be discharged from the ER without having received any treatment. Since there are licensed beds not being used the real reason more beds aren't being added is money - low payment rates under Medicaid and Medicare. She closed by urging legislators to "not sit back and watch this crisis unfold, but to take steps to avert it." NAMI Minnesota also submitted written testimony and more personal stories from NAMI supporters.

The next testifier was Janelle Zern, who shared her family's story and the challenges

her daughter faced during a mental health crisis. After calling a mental health crisis home and learning that they don't serve children or youth, the police had to get involved but only after her daughter's symptoms became more acute and she was a danger to herself. At this time she was transported to the hospital emergency room where they waited for over 24 hours before a bed opened up 70 miles away. Despite this long distance, Ms. Zern counted herself lucky because many other families have to go much further and even across state lines. Ms. Zern concluded by sharing how hard it was to watch her daughter languish in an emergency room for over a day before she could get an inpatient psych bed.

Katheryne Ford shared her personal story as a young person living in Duluth and first developing the symptoms of bipolar disorder. After experiencing her first manic episode, a mobile crisis team brought her to a hospital. Because Ms. Ford worked at the hospital where she was being held, she requested to be treated at another hospital. Unfortunately, there were no other beds anywhere in Minnesota and she was going to be sent to Fargo. This was not a good option for her, so she was discharged without any referral after spending 20 hours in an emergency room without receiving any mental health care. Ms. Ford concluded by saying that if it weren't for her parents and a dedicated mental health counselor, she would have had to navigate her first mental health crisis on her own, going on to argue that people should not be shipped 100 miles from their home to get basic mental health care.

Other testifiers included Dr. Paul Goering; Linda Stenstadvold, Touchstone Mental Health; Brian Zirbes, MARRCH; Julie Bluhm, LICSW, CEO, Guild; Glenda Schneider, RN, M-Health Fairview; Bernadine Engledorf, RN, United Hospital; Buck McAlpin, Minnesota Ambulance Association; Sheriff Chris Caulk, Isanti County; President, Minnesota Sheriffs Association; Jim McDonough, Commissioner, Ramsey County; Tami Lueck, Community Services Programs Manager, Crow Wing County; Todd Archbold, CEO, PrairieCare; and Mary Krinkie, Minnesota Hospital Association. Not one person suggested that we currently have enough beds in the state.

You can watch the full committee hearing here or read an article on the hearing.

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Committee Hearings

The Senate Education Finance and Policy committee met and held a hearing on social media and the impact on youth mental health. The hearing began with a presentation from the LiveMoreScreenLess, a Minnesota based non-profit that promotes and advocates for digital wellbeing for young people. Testifiers emphasized high rates of loneliness among young people, cyber-bullying, and the increasing number of young people who die by suicide. Sen. Cwodzinski noted that in his career as an educator, he has seen a significant increase in students with mental illnesses. The Education Finance and Policy Committee also heard from two parents whose children died by suicide and the risks of contagion and the impact of cyberbullying.

On Monday January 25th, the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services Finance Committee heard SF193 (Benson). Senator Benson outlined the bill which attempts to increase access and continuity of care via telemedicine which allows psychologists licensed in one compact state to provide services in all compact states. Senator Nelson applauded this move and spoke to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has on many people and the unaddressed mental health needs. The committee approved SF193 and referred it to Civil Law and Data Practices. NAMI Minnesota submitted written testimony in support of this legislation.

On Monday, January 25, the House Education Policy Committee met and listened to speakers addressing the racial disparities in education. Dr. Camara Phyllis Jones spoke about the importance of naming racism in education as well as taking active steps to eradicate inequities. Dr. Bernadeia Johnson pointed out the discipline disparities found among Black, Indigenous, and students of color. Dr. Johnson shared the statistics. While Black students make up 11% of the Minnesota student population, they make up 41% of the suspensions/expulsions. Dr. Johnson shared how 17% of all students with disabilities including mental illnesses make up almost 50% of suspensions. Mary Frances Clardy, a teacher, spoke about the importance of having a diverse teaching pool for the wellbeing and improvement of all students. Clardy insisted on investing into mentoring programs that support teachers of color.

On January 26th, 2021, the House Housing Finance and Policy Committee convened for an informational presentation from Minnesota Housing to review the COVID-19 Housing Assistance Program and give an overview of the new federal emergency rental assistance funding. Presenters included Commissioner Jennifer Ho and Deputy Commissioner Rachel Robinson. Representatives commended Minnesota Housing for their ability to distribute 100 million dollars in housing assistance in 100 days. The Minnesota Housing Finance Agency gave shared how this money was spent and gave an overview of what families were receiving aid. They also touched on the new federal COVID-19 emergency rental assistance that was signed into law on December

27th, emphasizing that this new disbursement requires more documentation and excludes homeowners from eligibility. Sue Watlov Phillips of the Metropolitan Interfaith Council on Affordable Housing and Julie Gugin of the Minnesota Homeownership Center also testified.

The House Human Services Finance and Policy Committee met on Wednesday and held an informational hearing on the DHS plan to implement Federal Family First Legislation. Jamie Sorensen from DHS began with an overview of the federal law and an update on steps DHS has taken to comply with this legislation, which is designed to reduce the use of congregate care settings for children in the child protection system. Mr. Sorensen also described efforts to certify children's residential programs as a Qualified Residential Treatment Program (QRTP). Assistant Commissioner Bailey also spoke about Family First and NAMI Minnesota concerns about voluntary placement in residential program changes due to the legislation.

In the previous session, the legislature called on DHS to collaborate with advocacy organizations and the providers to resolve this issue. The Department found that it would be very difficult to continue using Title IV-E resources to fund children's residential programs and offer an alternative pathway to children's residential programs for those voluntarily seeking placement. One option the department discussed was to replace Title IV-E dollars with a state appropriation to pay for room and board at residential programs and avoid an unfunded mandate to the counties. This would cost around $2.1 million to do.

Following the DHS presentation, legislators asked questions about Family First implementation and the work DHS has done in collaboration with advocates like NAMI Minnesota and AspireMN. Members wanted to ensure that counties would not be accountable for new costs due to the implementation of Family First, as well as ensuring that there is an alternate pathway for families to voluntarily access residential mental health treatment without a relative search.

On Wednesday, the committee also reviewed the recommendations in the Select Committee Report on Racial Justice in human services, with a particular interest in improving the child protection system. Rep. Liebling encouraged members to read the report and consider introducing legislation based on these recommendations.

On Wednesday, January 27, the Senate Health and Human Services Finance and Policy Committee met to discuss the Governor’s budget proposal. For the Minnesota Department of Health Budget, CFO Joshua Bunker presented general fund investments and reductions. Some reductions include rightsizing home visiting grants, fetal alcohol syndrome grants, and MERC formula grants. Matt Anderson, Assistant Commissioner of Healthcare Administration and Medicaid Director, presented further proposals in the budget for healthcare administration including telemedicine, transportation passes, child and teen checkups, pharmacy benefits, and better care

toward high risk pregnant women.

The House Health Finance and Policy Committee also met on Wednesday the 27th and heard a presentation on the Governor's budget. Commissioner Harpstead kicked off the DHS presentation by emphasizing the importance of housing and the need to meet people's housing needs first, before tackling other problems. Assistant Commissioner Matemba-Mutasa provided more detail on the housing efforts in the Walz Budget, including a significant investment in emergency shelter and other services to meet the needs of people experiencing homelessness.

After the presentation from the Walz Administration, the Health Finance and Policy Committee heard HF 269. This is legislation from Rep. Morrison that would allow Minnesota to enter the interstate psychology compact, which would let psychologists licensed in a compact state to provide telemedicine across state lines in any compact state. NAMI Minnesota submitted written testimony in support of this legislation. HF 269 passed out of committee and was referred to the House Judiciary Committee.

On January 28th, 2021, the House Education Finance Committee convened to have an informational presentation for HF 4 (Hassan). No formal action was taken. There were many testifiers including those from public schools, after-school programs, and Ed Allies. Two students testified, including Daniel Winker of William Bryne Elementary School and MyKayla Sims of Edison High School. Both students emphasized how hard it is to have to go to school from home and asked for this bill to be supported for the betterment of their education and overall well-being. Other organizations submitted written testimony, including NAMI Minnesota. The fiscal note for the bill was presented, with an 118 million dollar price tag for FY21. The committee closed with Rep Thompson bringing attention to the student testimonies, asking the representatives to take heed; “These are our babies that are talking to us”.

On Thursday January 28th, the Senate Committee on Human Services Reform Finance and Policy met. DHS presented on the Governor’s budget recommendations. DHS budget principles include spending proposals that focused on investing in creating a more equitable economy, telemedicine, higher wages for personal care attendants PCAs, pathways out of homelessness, family preservation and equitable access to child care and school linked mental health grant. Chair Abeler, expressed concern for the proposed reduction of funding for peer recovery specialists, reduction in mental health first aid training grants, and a reduction in funding for the adult mental health integrated fund grant.

The House Public Safety committee focused on issues in Greater Minnesota this week. On Thursday, the committee heard from Renville County Sheriff Scott Habel and Chisago County Attorney Janet Reiter. Sheriff Habel said mental health calls are one of the most significant issues they face and described sitting in hospitals or transporting people after a 72 hour hold is initiated, “Often times hours and hours later, like 12

hours is not out of the question, finally these patients in many cases move, unfortunately, lots of times they move outside the state of Minnesota.”

NAMI Minnesota testified on Friday in the public safety committee addressing similar issues and raising the needs of people with mental illnesses in Greater Minnesota. Our testimony focused on workforce shortages, disparities in accessing technology, and sparse resources for services like mobile crisis teams. We also highlighted some innovative projects that need more funding in rural areas, as well as the unique challenges that homelessness and racial disparities present outside the metro. NAMI will be working to pass legislation to address workforce shortages this session and will continue to advocate for more resources in rural Minnesota to divert people from the justice system.

Tuesday the House Judicial Finance and Civil Law committee heard presentations from District judges across the state including the use of treatment courts. NAMI submitted written testimony in support of expanding mental health courts and establishing “competency courts” as the state addresses competency restoration issues. The committee also discussed the challenges and benefits of using of video technology during the pandemic. Remote hearings have saved time and money in many cases, including remote hearings held from treatment facilities like the Minnesota Security Hospital (St. Peter). Judge John Hoffman from the Tenth Judicial District (northeast of the Twin Cities) also mentioned challenges around internet access and people with serious mental illnesses who may be suspicious of engaging on video. The hearing closed with a presentation from Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid on evictions, disparities, and the increased and complex cases they expect when the COVID-19 eviction moratorium is lifted.

The Senate Judiciary and Public Safety committee heard presentations on Wednesday from the Association of Minnesota Counties (AMC), the Minnesota Association of Community Corrections Act Communities (MACCAC) and the Minnesota Association of County Probation Officers (MACPO) on probation delivery in Minnesota. While Minnesota has one of the lowest incarceration rates in the U.S. we are in the top five states in the country for the number of people on community supervision. The presenters noted positive results from the reduced number of people returned to prison for technical violations during the pandemic, as well as efforts to participate in a Justice Reinvestment program with the Council for State Governments Justice Center to find ways to save money in the system and reinvest in community solutions like treatment.

Wednesday the Homelessness Prevention Division heard a presentation from the Department of Corrections (DOC) on criminal justice and homelessness. The presentation included some startling statistics that as recently as last week nearly 4,000 people under corrections supervision are unsheltered or facing housing instability. The DOC also reported that in 2020 over 3,000 people were released from

Minnesota correctional facilities into homelessness. The presentation also highlighted racial disparities, particularly in the number of Native women who are released into homelessness. Kate Erickson, the Program Director of Community Stability and Supports with the DOC, highlighted the disparities in the Tribal Nations of the state, and shared her experience working with homeless Native women who are often vulnerable to sex trafficking in the transition time from prison to the community. The data showed that of the 3,000 people released into homelessness in 2020, half came from only four counties: Washington, Scott, Polk, and Clay. NAMI will continue to advocate to house the homeless and provide supportive housing for people with mental illnesses all over the state, especially justice-involved people facing collateral consequences.

Upcoming Committee HearingsMonday

1:00 PM: The House Education Policy Committee will meet and take testimony on the Education Portions of the House Select Committee Report on Racial Justice

1:00 PM: The House Health and Human Services Finance and Policy Committee will overview pharmaceutical issues and hear HF 8 to create a prescription drug purchasing program

1:00 PM: The Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee will review the OLA report on safety in state correctional facilities

Tuesday

8:30 AM: The House Judiciary and Civil Law Committee will hold a hearing on HF 269. This is legislation to create an interstate psychology compact for providing telemedicine services across state lines

10:30 AM: The Housing Finance and Policy Committee will hear HF 40, which creates a state rental assistance program

1:00 PM: The Senate Civil Law and Data Practices Policy Committee will hear SF 193, which would create an interstate psychology compact for providing telemedicine services across state lines

1:00 PM: The Senate Human Services Reform Finance and Policy Committee will hold an informational hearing on the implementation of the Family First Prevention Services Act, including testimony from NAMI Minnesota

1:00pm – The House Public Safety and Criminal Justice Reform Finance and Policy Committee will hear bills on funding mutual aid in communities and

reforming citizen review boards for law enforcement.

Wednesday

8:30 AM: The House Behavioral Health Subdivision will hold a hearing on HF 287. This is NAMI legislation that would commission a study on sober homes. The committee will also hear HF 375, which allows minors offer the age of 16 to consent for outpatient mental health services. NAMI supports this bill.

10:30 AM: The House Preventing Homelessness Division will hold a hearing with on HF 42 and HF 21, two bills to strengthen emergency shelters for people experiencing homelessness

10:30 AM: The House Human Services Finance and Policy will hear a presentation from Direct Care and Treatment.

1:00 PM: The Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee will hear the annual report from the Sentencing Guidelines Commission.

3:00 PM: The House Commerce Finance and Policy Committee will hear HF 58 which addresses health plan drug formularies, prior authorization, etc.

Thursday

10: 30 AM: The House Education Finance Committee will hold a hearing on the Governor's Education Budget

10:30 AM: The House Human Services Finance and Policy Committee will hold a hearing on Governor's Human Services Budget

News from the State Level

Criminal Justice Update

Schedule a Meeting for the Day on the Hill

The Mental Health Legislative Networks Day on the Hill is coming up soon on March 11. Legislators are already filling up their schedules, so now is the time for you to start requesting meetings anytime between ten and five PM on March 11. All you have to do is find out who your legislator is, contact them and their legislative assistant, and

let them know you are a constituent who would like a meeting during the mental health day on the hill. Once you have a meeting scheduled - or you would like some help getting your meeting scheduled - you should fill out this form here. This will help keep us in the loop about what meetings are being held, as well as making sure that other NAMI members can tag along to meetings that have already been scheduled. Thank you for your advocacy!

Updates to Housing Stabilization Services Eligibility Review Process

NAMI Minnesota is excited to report that DHS is implementing some much needed improvements to the Housing Stabilization Services, the new Medical Assistance housing benefit. This is an exciting new program, but there have been some challenges during the roll-out particularly for people experiencing homelessness. Here are the new changes:

Making the Eligibility Start Date the Date of Submission: As of Jan. 1, 2021, all requests submitted and currently being processed will have their eligibility start date recorded as the date of submission. However, if it is an Initial Eligibility Request with a future person-centered plan start date, then the eligibility date will align with the person-centered plan start date. This update will help to reduce lapses in coverage and means that you can start working with the person immediately after you have submitted the request. Note that if a request is denied, you cannot bill for the time spent providing services to the person.

Increasing upload size limit: Attached document upload size limit will be increased from 2MB to 5MB.

A new option for Medical Assistance-Employed Persons with Disabilities (MA-EPD): The MA options will be expanded to include MA-EPD in the Attachments section under Proof of Disability Type. You will not need to submit additional documentation if you select MA-EPD.

Updating option for Person-Centered Plan type: The option name will be updated to Coordinated Services and Supports Plan or Coordinated Care Plan in the Attachments section under Person-Centered Plan. A Coordinated Care Plan is for people who have a Senior Care Coordinator.

Updating option for Assessment Type: The option will be updated to MnCHOICES Assessment or Long-Term Care Consultation in the Attachments section under Assessment Type.

No longer requiring an attachment for SSI/SSDI: The option Social Security Income/Social Security Disability Insurance in the Attachments section under Disability Type will no longer require an attachment. Eligibility staff can verify this in the review process.

Adding long-term homelessness (LTH) as an exception reason for Additional Unit Exception Requests: LTH will be added as an exception reason available in the Additional Transition Unit Exception Request and Additional Sustaining Unit Exception Request forms. Minnesota’s definition of long-term homelessness means the person has been homeless for one year continuously, or four times in the past three years.

NAMI Minnesota is especially appreciative of DHS allowing making the eligibility start-date begin when the application is submitted. For people experiencing homelessness, it is not feasible to wait for weeks after submitting an application to begin receiving housing stabilization services.

So far, over 2,800 Minnesotans have accessed housing using this benefit. If you or someone you know is receiving housing stabilization services, please contact Sam Smith to share your experience on how this new program is going.

News from Federal Level

NAMI National Issues Statement on Biden Executive Order

Arlington, Va. — The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) applauds President Biden’s Executive Order today that will reverse harmful policies that have undermined efforts to promote health care access for millions of people living with mental illness. Specifically, today’s Executive Order will open a Special Enrollment Period for Americans to sign up for health coverage and roll back attacks on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and Medicaid.

“NAMI is grateful for the vitally important action President Biden has taken to reverse barriers to care and increase access for everyone in need,” said Daniel H. Gillison Jr., CEO of NAMI. “We know that with access to affordable and comprehensive health care, recovery is possible. Today’s announcement is a step in the right direction and will have a positive impact on people experiencing mental health conditions.”Access to coverage and care is essential for people to successfully manage their mental health condition and get on a path of recovery. Opening a special ACA enrollment period will allow millions of people who are uninsured the opportunity to enroll in high-quality health insurance coverage. This includes many who have mental health conditions or are experiencing mental health symptoms for the first time due to the COVID-19 pandemic, economic hardships or racial injustice.

We are hopeful that the Executive Order will result in rapidly reversing policies that

undermine the ability of people with mental health conditions to access needed health care through Medicaid. Medicaid is a lifeline for millions of people with mental illness, but recent policies such as work requirements have jeopardized access.NAMI looks forward to working with President Biden and his administration to find solutions that help to cover everyone and have access to the mental health support they need.

Mental Health Access Improvement Act Re-IntroducedReps. Thompson (D-CA) and Katko (R-NY) just re-introduced the Mental Health Access Improvement Act (H.R. 432), a bill that would allow marriage and family therapists (MFTs) and licensed mental health counselors to directly bill Medicare for their services. Currently, Medicare does not directly reimburse for services from these types of providers, instead requiring that they must bill under the supervision of a physician. This exclusion limits patients’ access to services in areas with physician shortages and excludes an important class of professionals serving people with mental health and addiction disorders. NAMI Minnesota strongly supports this legislation. (National Council)

Bill Summaries

House Bill IntroductionsHF 287 (Edleson, Koegel): Requires a study examining potential oversight for sober houses to improve access and quality. Referred to Human Services Finance and Policy.This is a NAMI Minnesota bill

HF 294 (Noor):Requires the commissioner of human services to update the 2007 youth homelessness report and must include recommendations on what it will take to end youth homelessness. Referred to Human Services Finance and Policy.

HF 296 (Noor) Eliminates the parental contributions to fees for services for children with a disability under the TERFA program. Referred to Human Services Finance and Policy. TEFRA is a program that allows families with higher incomes to obtain Medical Assistance coverage for their child with significant health needs.

HF 309 (Erickson, Demuth, Dettmer, Daniels): Requires that a school board must adopt a long term plan that includes strategies for identifying and reducing disparities in student discipline. Requires that a school must notify any student facing possible dismissal of their rights and that they may have a parent present if the student is questioned by school employees. Requires that a school and school district must keep a record of the school employee who made each discipline referral. Referred to Education Policy.

HF 312 (Becker-Finn): Requires the court to appoint a lawyer to represent a child’s eligible parent, guardian, or custodian in child protection proceedings where the child might be taken from their care. Referred to Judiciary Finance and Civil Law.

HF 315 (Howard): Appropriates funding for emergency shelters for people experiencing homelessness. Referred to Human Services Finance and Policy.

HF332 (Edelson): Establishes licensing and practicing requirements for behavior analysts and assistant behavior analysts. It also creates the Behavior Analyst Advisory Council. Referred to Health Finance and Policy.

HF 338 (Klevorn, Huot): Creates a pilot project at Winona State University to use financial incentives to attract postsecondary students to work as personal care assistants or direct support professionals. Referred to Human Services Finance and Policy.

HF375 (Youakim, Huot, Jordan, Her, Fischer): Allows teens aged 16 or older to consent for outpatient mental health services. Referred to Health Finance and Policy.

HF398 (Her): Requires protections for tenants against their landlord for repairs and allows tenants to request emergency repairs at court. Referred to Housing Finance and Policy.

HF 399 (Her): Prohibits landlords from requiring nonrefundable fees except for optional services offered by the landlord. In addition, it outlines terms to a landlord entering a tenant’s living space. Referred to Housing Finance and Policy.

HF 400 (Her): Allows leases to be terminated before the end date if the tenant(s) have been found by a medical professional to need inpatient or residential treatment, including people with mental illnesses. Referred Judiciary Finance and Civil Law. NAMI Minnesota supports this legislation.

HF 415 (Edelson and Hassan): Limits cost-sharing (deductibles, copayments) requirements for first four outpatient mental health service visits within a contract year. Referred to Commerce Finance and Policy.

HF 416 (Edelson): Requires an annual report on identifying statistics for individuals convicted as an extended jurisdiction juvenile, or a young person who has committed a felony. Referred to Public Safety and Criminal Justice Reform Finance and Policy.

HF 417 (Edelson): Provides probationary sentences for a nonviolent offender that is a primary caregiver to a child. Referred to Public Safety and Criminal Justice Reform Finance and Policy.

HF 430 (Wolgamott): Establishes a grant program for Greater Minnesota counties and cities to provide money for public infrastructure needed for workforce housing development projects. Referred to Capital Investment. This a program that is used to develop affordable housing.

HF 431 (Wolgamott) Appropriates funding for the Redemption Project to provide prison inmates with employment supports in prison and meaningful employment upon their release. Referred to Public Safety and Criminal Justice Reform Finance and Policy.

HF 434 (Munson, Miller): Requires the court to determine whether a defendant has a history of stroke or traumatic brain injury following conviction. If the defendant has such a history and the court believes this has impacted the defendant’s judgment, then the court must order a neuropsychological examination for the defendant. The court must consider this examination when sentencing the defendant. Referred to Public Safety and Criminal Justice Reform Finance and Policy.

HF 434 (Howard, Hausman, Wolgamott, Olson, Her): Creates a grant program to preserve naturally occurring affordable housing to be administered by the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency. Referred to Housing Finance and Policy.

HF 450 (Richardson, Xiong J): Requires a public housing resident to have a lawyer when they are subject to an eviction. Referred to Housing Finance and Policy.

HF 471 (Baker): Establishes alternative licensing inspections for licensed substance use disorder treatment providers. Referred to Human Services Finance and Policy

HF 486 (Feist, Moller): Appropriates funding for an evidence-based, online suicide prevention training for teachers and school staff. This training must be available to statewide. Referred to Education Finance. This is a NAMI Minnesota bill

HF 511 (Albright): Allows telemedicine to be delivered in a client’s residence, allows a comprehensive assessment for a substance use disorder to be conducted via telemedicine, allows for substance use disorder client to verbally consent to changes in their treatment plan if they are receiving an assessment via telemedicine, and removes the cap on the number of telemedicine services someone can receive in a

week. Referred to Human Services Finance and Policy.

HF 521 (Morrison, Albright): Extends Medical Assistance coverage of postpartum women from 60 days to 365 days. Referred to Health Finance and Policy. This will improve access to mental health services for postpartum women.

Senate Bill IntroductionsSF 296 (Franzen): Creates a pilot project for parents who have a disability and are raising a child. This bill provides a personal care assistant to support the parent and to pay for adaptive parenting equipment. Referred to Human Services Reform Finance and Policy.

SF 297 (Abeler and Hoffman): Creates a task force to review and facilitate needed changes to the human services background study disqualifications. Referred to Human Services Licensing Policy.

SF 319 (Utke): Maintains someone's housing support while they are receiving inpatient or residential mental health treatment, substance use disorder, or health treatment. Allows for a rate increase for the housing support program. Referred to Human Services Reform Finance and Policy. This will allow a Housing Supports Provider (formerly GRH) to hold their clients room while they are receiving inpatient or residential treatment for a mental illness.

SF 333 (Dziedzic, Wiklund, Rest, Port, and Champion): Establishes a state rent assistance program for low-income households. Referred to Housing Finance and Policy.

SF351 (Chamberlain): Provides financial aid to students in distance learning. Each student may receive up to $450 for services such as technology, internet access, and tutoring. Referred to Education Finance and Policy.

SF365 (Nelson): Requires health plan companies to offer individual and small group health plans with a pre deductible, flat copay prescription drug option. Referred to Commerce and Consumer Protection Finance and Policy

SF377 (Bigham; Hoffman; Abeler): Limits cost-sharing (deductibles, copayments) requirements for first four outpatient mental health service visits within a contract year. Referred to Commerce and Consumer Protection Finance and Policy.

SF383 (Abeler; Newton; Hoffman): Appropriates money to nonprofits to provide supportive housing for the integrated community-based housing pilot project. The project will provide housing to people with disabilities and elderly individuals who wish to stay within their communities. Referred to Human Services Reform Finance

and Policy.

SF403 (Champion): Funds Hennepin County organizations that provide youth and adult programs that focus on education, economic opportunity, mentorship, including individuals leaving criminal custody. Referred to Judiciary and Public Safety Finance and Policy.

SF 425 (Abeler): Establishes licensing and practicing requirements for behavior analysts and assistant behavior analysts. It also creates the Behavior Analyst Advisory Council. Referred to Health and Human Services Finance and Policy.

SF 428 (Torres Ray): Requires a school to transferring student records related to expulsion or suspension to also include the supports that could help prevent this kind of discipline in the future. Requires a school to attempt alternatives to non-exclusionary discipline before expulsion or student withdrawal agreements move forward. Requires the school to offer alternative education services when a student is suspended for five or more days. Referred to Education Finance and Policy.

SF 455 (Utke): Appropriates funding for emergency shelters for people experiencing homelessness. Referred to Health and Human Services Finance and Policy.

SF 456 (Hoffman, Nelson, Abeler): Eliminates requirement for counties to assess the need for a substance use disorder treatment before such a program is developed. Referred to Human Services Licensing Policy.

SF 468 (Wiklund): Appropriates funding for emergency shelters that promotes health and safety to individuals who are experiencing homelessness. Appropriates funding to create isolation spaces for cases of suspected or confirmed Covid19 to support individuals who are experiencing homelessness or those who cannot safely isolate at home but do not need a hospital level of care. Temporarily increases housing support rates in response to Covid19 to maintain safety guidelines. Referred to Human Services Reform Finance and Policy.

SF 474 (Wiklund): Sets new standards on issuing evictions once the eviction moratoriums at the state and federal level conclude. Landlords must issue a 60-day written notice to the tenant that specifies the basis for the pending eviction action. Prevents landlords from issuing an eviction notice in the first 60 days after the conclusion of a state or federal eviction moratorium. This standard does not apply if the tenant seriously endangers the safety of other residents, commit serious criminal activity like prostitution who storing stolen property, or significantly violate the lease through serious property damage.

If the landlord attempts to evict a tenant 60 days after the conclusion of the eviction moratorium for the non-payment of rent, the written notice must include the total

amount due that is itemized by different fees or costs. This notice must also provide the tenant with options to resolve this issue including resources for financial assistance and legal remedies. The tenant has 15 days after the delivery of the notice to pay their rent and resolve other violations of their lease. Upon receipt of an eviction notice, the tenant is automatically eligible for general assistance.

SF 474 also makes one-time appropriations of $50 million for emergency rental assistance, takes $15,711,500 from the TANF fund for a one-time $500 benefit for household receiving MFIP or the diversionary work program, $10 million for the COVID-19 food relief grant program, and $35 million for broadband grants. Referred to Human Services Reform Finance and Policy.

Updates from NAMI Minnesota

NAMI Minnesota Needs Story-Tellers!

COVID-19 is making almost everything more difficult, including mental health advocacy at the state legislature. With a remote session, we have to do more to effectively engage legislators. NAMI Minnesota is doing our best to represent people with mental illnesses, but we need your help if we are going to have a successful legislative session and pass bills to build our mental health system.

The most powerful tool you have as an advocate is your personal story. You don't need to know all the facts, all you need is your personal experience with the mental health system and your insight into the parts of our system that are working or need improvement. Have you or a loved one benefited from an ACT Team or a First Episode Psychosis Program? Have you experienced emergency room boarding or have you had to travel long distances to access inpatient mental health treatment? Have you or a loved one benefited from children's residential mental health treatment? Do you have experience with the criminal justice system? These are just a few areas where we could use your insights.

Your story matters and we need to hear from you!

Telling your story is important and it's easier than you might think. All you need to do is capture the following details in one page or less:

Introduce yourself and where you live Share what you think is the most important part of your experience with

mental illness. Is there a service that made a difference for you or a loved one? Is there a gap in the mental health system that needs to be fixed?

Make your ask. What needs to change? What part of our system needs more resources? NAMI Minnesota can also help with this part.

A story can be anonymous if you like, or you can just use your first name if that's what your comfortable with at this time. Once you've written your story, please send it to [email protected]. Thank you for joining our advocacy team as a storyteller!

NAMI Legislative CommitteeMeetings are held on the second Tuesday of every month at 6 PM. To be added to the email list, contact Sam Smith. Did you know Sue has a blog? Read the latest post here.

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