MN HF1298

Commissioner of human services must establish a caregiver respite services grant program to increase availability of respite services for family caregivers of people with dementia and older adults, awarding grants competitively to respite service providers with priority to high-need areas.

Grant recipients must use a portion of funding to provide free or subsidized respite services for family caregivers of people with dementia and older adults.

Essential community supports benefit cap increased from $400 to $600 per person per month, and caregiver support including respite care is explicitly listed as an available service.

Commissioner must submit progress reports on the grant program to legislative committees with jurisdiction over human services by January 15, 2026, and every other January 15 thereafter, including metrics on fund usage.

$2,000,000 appropriated from general fund in fiscal year 2025 to commissioner of human services for caregiver respite services grants, with commissioner authorized to begin grant application process during fiscal year 2024 to ensure program continuity.