Last Monday, the Human Services Omnibus Policy bill went in front of the House Ways and Means Committee where an amendment was offered to remove ARRM’s Out of Home Respite provisions from the bill. The language was removed not because of opposition to the bill, but because of a cost that has been attached to the provision. We are now working to get the language included in the Human Services Omnibus spending bill.
Also on Monday, the House Human Services Policy Committee held its last hearing of the session. The hearing was focused on the out-of-state placement of children. ARRM submitted this letter, outlining some of the challenges that 245D providers face when supporting children. We anticipate this being an issue that receives more attention in the 2025 session and are looking forward to the opportunity to engage and be part of the development of solutions to supporting children in Minnesota.
On Tuesday, a bill that ARRM has been tracking for the last two sessions was heard in the House Judiciary Committee. HF 685 restricts the number of single-family homes that a corporation can purchase and rent out. We were able to work with the Chief Author of the bill and during the hearing on Tuesday, an amendment was offered that exempts 245D providers from this language. An exemption for our services was added to the Senate bill during the 2023 legislative session.
Looking Ahead
This coming Friday, April 19th, marks the third committee deadline. The third deadline is for committees to act favorably on major appropriation and finance bills, including omnibus spending bills. In both the House and Senate, the Human Services Omnibus spending bill will be released on Monday with various committee hearings throughout the week. ARRM has brought forward many bills that have a cost and will provide a full overview of any of our priorities that make it into the omnibus bill, along with other proposals that impact ARRM members.
On Monday the House will take up the Human Services Policy Omnibus bill on the House floor. As a reminder, ARRM has three bills included in the omnibus bill including our city licensing exemption, assistive technology timelines for lead agencies, and 245D provisions. The Department did reach out to ARRM and our Chief Authors in the House and Senate with concerns and opposition to our Designated Coordinator and Designated Manager changes within our 245D bill. After conversations with the Department, our Chief Authors, and the Chairs of the Human Services Committee, Rep. Fisher will be offering this amendment to his bill tomorrow on the floor. The changes to our 245D language begin on line 1.3 of the amendment and run through line 2.21. Following the House floor vote, the House and Senate will go to a conference committee to work out differences in the two bills.
Please reach out with any questions and stay tuned for coming updates!
--Sara Grafstrom, Senior Director of State and Federal Policy