Transitional benefit demonstration project reports requirement

A bill for an act

relating to public benefit programs; requiring reports on feasibility of a

demonstration project to continue to offer program benefits during a transition

period.

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

Section 1.
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REPORTS ON A TRANSITIONAL BENEFIT DEMONSTRATION

PROJECT.
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(a) By January 15, 2026, the commissioner of human services and the commissioner of

children, youth, and families shall report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the

legislative committees with jurisdiction over health and human services policy and finance

and children, youth, and families policy and finance on the feasibility of a demonstration

project that continues to offer program benefits to individuals no longer eligible for certain

programs during a transition period to reduce benefit cliffs and incentivize those individuals

to take advantage of career advancement opportunities. In the report, the commissioners

shall evaluate the health care, income assistance, and social service programs administered

by the Department of Human Services and the Department of Children, Youth, and Families,

and designate programs for which it is feasible to continue benefits for individuals who lose

program eligibility due to increased employment income.

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(b) In determining whether the demonstration project is feasible, the commissioners

shall evaluate and, as applicable, provide recommendations on:

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(1) the programs that would be part of the demonstration project;

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(2) the income and time limits beyond which former enrollees of a program would no

longer receive transition benefits, including whether a standard income limit would apply

across all programs;

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(3) the number and characteristics of counties that would participate in the demonstration

project;

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(4) the changes to program benefits, premiums, and cost-sharing for former and current

program enrollees necessary to ensure that the demonstration project is budget neutral;

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(5) any federal waivers, law changes, and approvals necessary to include each program

in the demonstration project; and

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(6) evaluation criteria and an evaluation process for the demonstration project.

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(c) In identifying programs for possible inclusion in the demonstration project, the

commissioners must, at a minimum, evaluate the following programs: medical assistance,

MinnesotaCare, the Minnesota family investment program, the diversionary work program,

general assistance, housing support, the child care assistance program, and programs financed

through behavioral health fund payments.

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