SF 626 Minnesota Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Department of Direct Care and Treatment establishment

SF 626 establishes a new Department of Direct Care and Treatment in Minnesota, replacing the existing Direct Care and Treatment Executive Board. The bill creates a commissioner to lead this department and amends multiple statutes across state agencies (including Health, Human Services, and Public Safety) to align with the new structure. It directly affects state agencies responsible for direct care services and the administration of related programs. The key mechanism is consolidating oversight under a single department with a commissioner, streamlining operations previously managed by the executive board. This bill does not change service eligibility or funding levels but reorganizes administrative responsibility.

Issues: ✓ Healthcare

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Jan 27, 2025 Last action Mar 20, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

1st Engrossment → 2nd Engrossment · 5 edits · Mar 20, 2025

MODERATE

This bill transitions the state's direct care and treatment system from an executive board model to a single commissioner model, creating the new Department of Direct Care and Treatment. The changes establish a new Advisory Council to provide recommendations on clinical standards and operations, while simultaneously updating eligibility rules for former employees to receive continued medical benefits after being assaulted on the job.

Scope change

The bill's scope shifts from a board-based agency structure to a commissioner-led department, expanding the number of statutory sections to reflect new administrative roles and council requirements.

DEFINITION

Created a new definition for the 'Department of Direct Care and Treatment' to replace the previous 'executive board' terminology throughout the statute.

REQUIREMENT

Established a new Advisory Council on Direct Care and Treatment with specific appointment requirements, including members representing behavioral health, traditional healing, and people with lived experience.

Added a new provision requiring the commissioner to appoint a chief executive officer who serves as the deputy commissioner for specific state retirement and employment laws.

ELIGIBILITY

Updated the eligibility criteria for former employees to receive continued medical benefits to include those who were employed by the new commissioner of direct care and treatment.

TIMELINE

Adjusted the effective date for transferring custody of civilly committed persons from the commissioner of human services to the new commissioner, maintaining the July 1, 2025 deadline.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 20, 2025

Upper · Passed

Comm report: To pass as amended and re-refer to Human Services

upper

Feb 3, 2025

Upper · Passed

Comm report: To pass as amended and re-refer to State and Local Government

upper

Jan 27, 2025

Committee

Referred to Human Services

upper

Jan 27, 2025

Introduced

Introduction and first reading

upper

1 primary · 3 co-sponsors