Department of Human Services home and community-based services early and often licensor and compliance team establishment

This bill creates a new team within Minnesota's Department of Human Services to help people starting home and community-based care programs. The team will provide guidance to applicants during their application process and offer support to new program operators during their first year of operation. Staff on the team will have expertise in licensing rules and medical assistance requirements, and they will conduct scheduled and unscheduled visits to help license holders comply with laws and regulations. The bill clarifies that this support team does not limit the commissioner's existing authority to take enforcement actions like suspending licenses or issuing fines when serious violations occur.