Bill Summary

• Requires full-time human services judges to be licensed attorneys in good standing with the Minnesota bar, effective July 1, 2013.

• Establishes the Cultural and Ethnic Communities Leadership Council to advise the Commissioner of Human Services on reducing disparities affecting racial and ethnic groups, with 15-25 appointed members plus legislative committee chairs and ranking minority members.

• Modifies fair hearing procedures by allowing judges to grant requests for in-person hearings via interactive video technology or in person, with mandatory in-person hearings if disability would impair participation in video hearings.

• Expands the compliance system for internal audits to cover all programs administered by the Commissioner of Human Services and authorizes issuance of administrative subpoenas in administering the system.

• Makes numerous technical corrections including terminology changes (substituting "human services judge" for "appeals examiner" and "referee"), removes obsolete statutory language, and repeals outdated provisions related to general assistance medical care and other expired programs.