MN HF2007

Commissioner of Health must contract with a neutral independent consultant to establish a 15-member spoken language health care interpreter work group, including registered interpreters, representatives of limited English proficiency individuals, health plans, health systems, interpreter agencies, and state departments

Work group must develop recommendations on interpreter certification requirements, barriers to roster access for uncommon language and rural interpreters, reimbursement, training programs, telehealth interpreting, and financial assistance for interpreter training

First work group meeting required by October 1, 2025, with members receiving survey results and evidence-based research beforehand, and consultation with subject matter experts including signed language and academic health experts

Work group must provide minimum two public comment opportunities with four weeks' notice, publicized in Minnesota's five most common languages with interpreters provided

Commissioner must submit recommendations with draft legislation to legislative committees by November 1, 2026; appropriation from general fund in fiscal year 2026 available until June 30, 2027 (dollar amount unspecified)