Essential community supports eligibility modifications provision, essential community supports services available expansion provision, caregiver respite services grants increased funding provision, and appropriation

This bill modifies Minnesota's Essential Community Supports program to expand access for older adults and those with dementia. It lowers the age requirement from 65 to 60 for eligibility, removes asset limits, and adds dementia as a qualifying condition. The bill also expands allowable services to include homemaker support, chores, and personal emergency response devices, while increasing funding for caregiver respite services grants by $2 million annually for fiscal years 2026-2027. These changes directly affect Minnesotans aged 60+ or with dementia who need community-based care to avoid nursing facility placement.