MN HF3526

Fines collected from home care licensing violations will be deposited into a dedicated special revenue account and used annually for a competitive grant program for special projects improving home care client quality of care and outcomes in Minnesota, replacing the previous use of funds for implementing advisory council recommendations.

Grants will be awarded to licensed home care providers or organizations with home care expertise; providers holding temporary licenses are ineligible, and the commissioner may retain up to 10% of grant funds for administrative costs.

The commissioner must publish an annual report on the department website detailing fines assessed and collected, and how the appropriated money was allocated.

Advisory council vacancy appointments must be filled within 60 days of receiving applications from the secretary of state, with positions posted for 21 days before applicant names are forwarded to the commissioner.

The commissioner must distribute the balance in the special revenue account as of January 1, 2027, through grants by December 31, 2028; any unawarded funds will be used for annual distributions beginning January 1, 2029.