MN SF18

Allows parents, stepparents, legal guardians of minors, and spouses of personal care assistance recipients to be compensated for providing personal care assistance services, effective upon federal approval and expiring 75 days after enactment.

Increases rates and enhanced rates by 15 percent for direct support services provided under covered programs and medical assistance programs in response to COVID-19, effective upon federal approval and expiring 75 days after enactment.

Requires providers receiving rate increases to use at least 80 percent of additional revenue for wages and salaries for direct support professionals and related employment taxes, with remainder used for sanitation and personal protective equipment compliance.

Appropriates $5,000 in fiscal year 2020 and $24,505,000 in fiscal year 2021 from the general fund, plus $2,000,000 from the coronavirus relief fund in fiscal year 2020 for distribution to personal care assistance providers and direct support professionals for personal protective equipment and COVID-19 training.

Requires provider agencies receiving rate increases to prepare distribution plans by August 15, 2020, posted for six weeks with appeal procedures for direct support professionals, and requires managed care plans to adjust capitation rates accordingly with payment recovery provisions if federal approval is not obtained.