Bill Summary

• Modifies data classification for welfare investigative data to allow disclosure of overpayment investigations when it does not compromise the investigation, rather than making such information automatically public during investigations.

• Expands licensing data disclosure requirements to include general nature of complaints leading to temporary immediate suspensions and existence of settlement negotiations as public information.

• Requires background studies through NETStudy electronic system for individuals in licensed programs, child care, personal care organizations, and other services; establishes new background study requirements when individuals return after 120+ consecutive days absence or undergo legal name changes.

• Adds provisions allowing Department of Human Services Office of Inspector General and county fraud prevention investigators to use unmarked vehicles for investigations and allows access to unemployment insurance data for fraud investigations.

• Establishes a foreign trained physician task force to develop strategies for integrating refugee and asylee physicians into Minnesota's health care system, with recommendations due January 15, 2015.