HF 2 Summary

• Appropriates $13.066 billion in fiscal year 2021 from the general fund for personal care assistance, direct care and treatment, MFIP supplemental payments, veterans affairs, public safety, corrections, and other state government operations to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Increases rates by 13.75 percent for direct support services under covered programs and personal care assistance services, requiring providers to use at least 80 percent of additional revenue for worker wages and benefits.

• Modifies child foster care licensing requirements by allowing nondisqualifying background study information to be considered during application denial and license revocation decisions, with specific disqualification criteria and five-year waiting periods.

• Authorizes the commissioner of natural resources to sell surplus state land by private and public sale in multiple counties (Cass, Lake of the Woods, St. Louis, and Wadena) and convey land to Fort Snelling State Park and Iron Range Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Area.

• Extends grant encumbrances for COVID-19 relief by up to two fiscal years and temporarily permits parents and spouses to provide and receive payment for personal care assistance services during the pandemic emergency.