Rulemaking Docket

Rule 2960 governs licensure of residential programs that serve children and juveniles, specifically those rule parts that regulate chemical dependency assessment and treatment. The Department of Human Services (DHS) will seek to modernize the rule by making terminology updates, definition updates, updates to statutory references, and content updates.

DHS is meeting with stakeholders to discuss goals for revisions to Rule 2960 and possibly form a work group.

None at this time.

Kevin Slator
Associate General Counsel
Minnesota Department of Human Services, Administrative Law Office
PO Box 64254
Saint Paul, MN 55164-0254

Phone: 651-431-4101
Email: dhsrulecomments@state.mn.us

Summary: At the direction of the Minnesota Legislature, the Department of Human Services (DHS) is revising Minnesota Rules, parts 9520.0500 to 9520.0670 (Rule 36) to modernize licensing standards for residential treatment programs for adults who are mentally ill. The amendments will: (1) update requirements for what is currently known as Category I programs to align with current mental health practices, client rights for comparable services, and the health and safety needs of individuals receiving care; (2) remove the Category II classification and associated requirements, which are now obsolete; and (3) formally incorporate the Forensic Mental Health Program (FMHP) into rule by adding specific licensing requirements to the variance. The revisions will also include language to distinguish forensic and specialty programs within Rule 36, reflecting the unique needs and settings of such programs, especially when co-located with providers offering general residential services to adults with mental illness.

Status: Stakeholder engagement and feedback will be an integral part of the rule revision process to ensure the updates reflect the diverse needs and priorities of those we serve. Through active participation, stakeholders will help shape a rule that is inclusive, practical, and effective. Information about meetings and/or other engagement opportunities will be posted on the Rule 36 revisions webpage as it becomes available. Interested persons or groups may also subscribe to the Rule 36 email list to receive updates on progress with this revision. Interested persons or groups may submit comments or information on these possible changes to the rules in writing or orally until further notice is published in the State Register that the Department intends to adopt or to withdraw the rules.

• Request for comments (PDF)

Dustin C. Jones
Associate General Counsel
Minnesota Department of Human Services, Administrative Law Office
PO Box 64254
Saint Paul, MN 55164-0254
Phone: 651-431-4101
Email: dhsrulecomments@state.mn.us

The Minnesota Department of Human Services intends to repeal two obsolete rules governing recovery or recoupment of medical assistance and MinnesotaCare overpayments caused by an enrollee’s own error. The rules, Minnesota Rules, part 9505.2215, subpart 1(B), and part 9505.2200 subpart 1, are obsolete based on guidance from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services relating to “unwinding” after the end of the COVID- 19 public health emergency. Medicaid agencies were directed to stop assessing and recovering medical assistance benefits that are based on the agency’s determination that the overpayments resulted from an enrollee’s own error, and also may not request an enrollee to voluntarily repay these overpaid benefits. The Department determined that the CMS guidance also extends to overpayments of MinnesotaCare benefits.

Withdrawn/discontinued | The Department published a Notice of Intent to Repeal Obsolete Rules in the December 9, 2024, State Register. A 60-day period to submit written comment in support of or in opposition to the proposed repeal of obsolete rules and any part or subpart of the repeal, or to request a hearing, ends on February 7, 2025, at 4:30 p.m. CST.

• Notice of Intent to Repeal Obsolete Rules (PDF)
• Draft of the proposed rules repeal (PDF)

Kevin Slator
Minnesota Department of Human Services
Administrative Law Office
PO Box 64254
Saint Paul, MN 55164-0254
Phone: 651-431-4101
Email: kevin.slator@state.mn.us

The Minnesota Department of Human Services considered rule amendments to Minnesota Rules, parts 9515.1000 – 9515 that update and clarify the process used to determine the ability of patients, clients, and relatives to pay for the cost of care in a state facility when no other payer is available or when the only payer available is a public payer. 

The Department published a Notice of Request for Comments in the June 4, 2018 State Register. This project was then placed on hold. The Direct Care and Treatment Administration at the Department of Human Services is now in the process of becoming a stand-alone department in Minnesota, and the authority to adopt these rules will transfer from the Commissioner of Human Services to the Board of Direct Care and Treatment. The Department has determined that the most prudent course of action at this time is to officially withdraw these rules in 2025, and start the rulemaking process over for these rules under the authority of the Board after the Department of Direct Care and Treatment is officially established, should the new department choose to pursue a rulemaking.

Kevin Slator
Minnesota Department of Human Services
Administrative Law Office
PO Box 64254
Saint Paul, MN 55164-0254
Phone: 651-431-4101
Email: kevin.slator@state.mn.us

The Minnesota Department of Human Services is considering repealing certain parts of Minnesota Rules, chapter 9505 governing administration of the Medical Assistance program that establish the health care services, durable medical equipment, and medical supplies for which providers are eligible to receive payment. Notably, the Department would like to revise the meaning of “investigational” under part 9505.5005 as it pertains to health care services, durable medical equipment, and medical supplies that are not eligible for payment under Medical Assistance. The rule as currently written relies upon the National Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association Medical Advisory Committee determination of whether a health service procedure is “investigative.” The rule amendments are necessary because the National Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association Medical Advisory Committee no longer exists.

In August 2014, the department proposed repealing obsolete language from rule part 9505.5005 that refers to the National Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association Medical Advisory Committee because the committee no longer exists.  This project has been placed on hold, but may be revisited in 2025. An update will be posted to this website when the project moves forward. 

Vanessa Vogl, Rulemaking Attorney
Department of Human Services, Administrative Law Office
PO Box 64254
St. Paul, MN 55164-0254
Phone 651-431-3168
Email: Vanessa.Vogl@state.mn.us

The Minnesota Department of Human Services used the obsolete rule repeal process in Minnesota Statutes, section 14.3895 to repeal rules governing Repeal of obsolete rules relating to investigation and reporting of maltreatment of vulnerable adults, etc., Minnesota Rules, Minn. R. 9555.7100; 9555.7200; 9555.7300; 9555.7600; 9543.0070, subp. 1, item B; 9555.5515, item N; and 9555.5705, subp. 3, item D. The comment period started March 24, 2025, and ended May 23, 2025. One comment was received. On June 9, 2025, ALJ Suzanne Todnem approved the rules. The Department published a Notice of Adopted Repeal of Obsolete Rules in the State Register on July 7, 2025. The rule repeal went into effect 5 days after publication.

• Official Record (OAH 23-9029-40660; Revisor R-4917) (PDF)
• 50 SR 5 (PDF)

The Minnesota Department of Human Services used the obsolete rule repeal process in Minnesota Statutes, section 14.3895 to repeal rules governing personal care services, Minnesota Rules, part 9505.0335, and related health services records, Minnesota Rules, part 9505.2175, subp. 7. The comment period started July 17, 2023 and ended Sept. 22, 2023. No comments were received. On Oct. 26, Chief Administrative Law Judge Jenny Starr approved the rules. The Department published a Notice of Adopted Repeal of Obsolete Rules in the State Register on Nov. 20, 2023. The rule repeal went into effect 5 days after publication.

• PCA Rule Repeal Official Record (PDF)
• PCA Order Repealing Rules: signed by DHS Rulemaking Attorney Vanessa Vogl on Oct. 26, 2023 (PDF)

The Minnesota Department of Human Services adopted rules relating to residential services staff qualifications for licensing using the good cause exempt rulemaking process under Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 14.388. The comment period started Jan. 4, 2023 and ended Jan. 10, 2023. No comments were received. On Jan. 13, 2023, Administrative Law Judge James E. LaFave approved the rules. The Department published the final rules and Notice of Adoption in the State Register on Jan. 30, 2023. The rules went into effect upon publication. 

• Licensing Good Cause Exempt Rule Approval dated Jan. 13, 2023 (PDF)
• Licensing Good Cause Exempt Order Adopting Rules: signed by Chief General Counsel Amy Akbay on Jan. 19, 2023 (PDF)
• Licensing Good Cause Exempt Adopted Rules (PDF)

The Minnesota Department of Human Services adopted rules governing the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) using the standard rulemaking process under Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 14. The comment period following publication of the Dual Notice of Intent to Adopt Rules in the Minnesota State Register ended on July 20, 2022. The Department received four valid requests for a hearing. The threshold for holding a hearing is 25 requests, so the Department did not hold a hearing on this matter. The Department made changes to the rules as proposed either in response to comments, to align with recent statutory changes, to better serve the families seeking child care assistance and child care providers, or to make CCAP more efficient with little to no impact on families, child care providers, or CCAP agencies. On Sept. 15, 2022, the Department filed all required documents with the Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH). On Sept. 23, 2022, Administrative Law Judge Barbara Case approved the rules. The Department published the final rules and Notice of Adoption in the State Register on Oct. 24, 2022. The rules went into effect 5 days after publication. 

• CCAP Official Record Part 1 (PDF) 
• CCAP Official Record Part 2 (PDF) 
• CCAP Official Record Part 3 (PDF) 
• CCAP Order Adopting Rules: signed by Chief General Counsel Amy Akbay on Sept. 27, 2022 (PDF)

The Minnesota Department of Human Services is considering an amendment to the rules governing retroactive billing for Medical Assistance providers and reimbursement of Medical Assistance recipients at part 9505.0540, subpart 3. Under the current rule, if a recipient was determined retroactively eligible for Medical Assistance, and has made payments to a provider for services received during a retroactive eligibility time period, the provider has the option of billing Medical Assistance and refunding the recipient, but only up to the amount paid by Medical Assistance. The proposed rules amendment would require providers to reimburse recipients for any amounts paid by a recipient for covered services during a retroactive period, regardless of whether the provider bills Medical Assistance or the amount paid by Medical Assistance. The amendment would also allow the recipient to appeal a provider’s failure to refund the recipient. The department believes that with the amendment the rules part will better align with federal requirements regarding retroactive coverage.

• Request for Comments: Possible Amendment to Rules Governing Retroactive Billing, Minnesota Rules, Part 9505.0450, Subpart 3; Revisor’s ID Numbe 4415 (PDF) 
• Draft of the possible rule amendments (PDF)

Kevin Slator
Minnesota Department of Human Services
Administrative Law Office
PO Box 64254
Saint Paul, MN 55164-0254
Phone: 651-431-4101
Email: kevin.slator@state.mn.us