Human services systems modernization pilot projects established, appointments provided, account established, report required, and money appropriated.

A bill for an act

relating to human services; establishing human services systems modernization

pilot projects; providing appointments; establishing an account; requiring a report;

appropriating money.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.
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DIRECTION TO COMMISSIONER OF HUMAN SERVICES; SYSTEMS

MODERNIZATION PILOT PROJECTS.
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Subdivision 1.

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Pilot projects for systems modernization established.

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The commissioner

of information technology services and the systems modernization pilot project advisory

group must allocate funding to counties and Tribes for systems modernization pilot projects

to provide updates to state human services-related information technology systems that

promote system efficiencies, reduce error rates, and strengthen program integrity and fraud

prevention capabilities.

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Subd. 2.

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Systems modernization pilot project advisory group.

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(a) The commissioner

of information technology services must convene a systems modernization pilot project

advisory group consisting of the following members:

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(1) three members from the Association of Minnesota Counties, appointed by the

Association of Minnesota Counties;

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(2) three members from the Minnesota Association of County Social Services

Administrators, appointed by the Minnesota Association of County Social Services

Administrators;

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(3) the commissioner of human services or a designee;

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(4) the commissioner of children, youth, and families or a designee;

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(5) the commissioner of information technology services or a designee;

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(6) two representatives, one appointed by the speaker of the house and one appointed

by the minority leader of the house of representatives; and

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(7) two members of the senate, one appointed by the senate majority leader and one

appointed by senate minority leader.

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(b) The commissioner of information technology services must provide administrative

support and meeting space for the systems modernization pilot project advisory group.

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Subd. 3.

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Eligible pilot projects.

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All pilot projects must be approved by the systems

modernization pilot project advisory group. The commissioner and the pilot project advisory

group must allocate funding for systems modernization pilot projects under this section that

prioritize systems changes relating to MAXIS, PRISM, MMIS, ISDS, METS, and SSIS

that include but are not limited to:

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(1) establishing a state data warehouse access collaborative to coordinate access to state

system data across all counties;

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(2) evaluating and utilizing artificial intelligence tools and applications to allow benefit

and service recipients to easily access information and ask questions regarding benefits and

eligibility;

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(3) expanding access to and use of income verification services and databases that provide

instantaneous, updated income eligibility information;

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(4) expanding access to additional data sources for purposes of asset verification and

developing an automated process for the use of outside data;

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(5) configuring systems or employing products or programs to generate automatic case

notes within existing systems, as appropriate; and

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(6) developing and testing a third-party product that overlays a web application on the

state technology system mainframes for public benefits to simplify system navigation and

improve accuracy of case processing.

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Subd. 4.

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Outcomes and recommendations.

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By January 15, 2028, the commissioner of

information technology services, in collaboration with the systems modernization pilot

project advisory group, must submit a report to the chairs and ranking minority members

of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over health, human services, and children

and families. The report must include the number of pilot projects funded under this section

and the amounts of each allocation, list the pilot project recipients, and specify the purposes

for which the pilot project funds were used. The report must also include any relevant

findings, results, or outcomes of the pilot projects, and must include recommendations on

implementation and funding of systems modernization projects focused on:

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(1) developing an automated process in MAXIS for confirming eligibility for all enrollees,

including enrollees who are age 65 or older, blind, or have a disability, or who are enrolled

in Medicare Savings Programs;

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(2) eliminating duplicate data entry requirements and developing capabilities for benefit

recipients to update information electronically;

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(3) updating MAXIS to require changes to shelter and utility information when address

information is changed;

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(4) simplifying Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) case change reporting

in MAXIS to a single six-month reporting method;

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(5) updating MAXIS and integrating coding to account for changes to federal policies

related to SNAP time-limited recipients and noncitizens receiving benefits;

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(6) eliminating the need for county eligibility workers to force changes or override

functions within systems;

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(7) reviewing and modernizing client notices generated by MAXIS and METS to increase

efficiency and ensure currentness, completeness, and clarity; and

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(8) consolidating and centralizing Department of Human Services and Department of

Children, Youth, and Families policy manuals in the state data warehouse.

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Sec. 2.
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HUMAN SERVICES SYSTEMS MODERNIZATION PILOT PROJECT

ACCOUNT; TRANSFER.
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(a) The human services systems modernization pilot project account is established in

the state government special revenue fund. Money in this account is appropriated to the

commissioner of information technology services for eligible human services systems

modernization pilot projects with approval of the systems modernization pilot project

advisory group. The account must consist of state money transferred and appropriated to

the account. Money in the account is available until expended.

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(b) $....... in fiscal year 2027 is transferred from the general fund to the human services

systems modernization pilot project account in the state government special revenue fund.

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