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SF 559

Certain restrictive covenants removal fees prohibition

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jim Abeler and 4 co-sponsors

Authorizes Minnesota Medicaid to reimburse speech-language pathologist assistants under supervision of licensed SLPs, expanding access to services.

Comm report: To pass as amended and re-refer to Judiciary and Public Safety
#legalproceedings #mortgagesanddeeds #realestate
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Bill Summary · SF 559

Bill Summary — SF 559 (2025 session)

Short title (from file header): Certain restrictive covenants removal fees prohibition
Actual bill text (version provided): Adds speech‑language pathologist assistants as reimbursable providers under the Minnesota Medical Assistance (Medicaid) program.
Status: Comm. report — to pass as amended and re‑refer to Judiciary and Public Safety
Introduced: March 6, 2025
Primary sponsors: Petersen; Zimmer; Wahls; Donahue; Trone Garriott
Subjects listed: Legal Proceedings; Mortgages and Deeds; Real Estate (note: these subjects appear inconsistent with the bill text below)

Note: The title and some metadata attached to SF 559 refer to real‑estate matters, but the bill text provided concerns health‑care provider reimbursement (speech‑language pathologist assistants). This summary describes the health‑care provisions contained in the bill text.

Purpose / intent

Authorize Minnesota’s Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish Medicaid (Medical Assistance) rules allowing reimbursement for services provided by speech‑language pathologist assistants (SLPAs) who practice under the supervision of a licensed speech‑language pathologist (SLP), and to seek any required federal approvals so SLPAs may participate as Medicaid providers.

Key provisions

  • Directs HHS to adopt rules permitting reimbursement to speech‑language pathologist assistants for services provided to Medical Assistance recipients when the SLPA practices under a licensed speech‑language pathologist.
  • Allows HHS to set limitations and exclusions on SLPA reimbursement as HHS deems necessary (scope of practice boundaries, supervision requirements, service limits, etc.).
  • Requires HHS to submit any necessary federal waiver or state plan amendment to include SLPAs as participating providers under the Medical Assistance program.
  • States HHS shall include SLPAs as Medical Assistance providers only after receiving federal approval.

Who is affected

  • Speech‑language pathologist assistants (SLPAs): may become eligible for direct reimbursement under Medical Assistance when practicing under a licensed SLP.
  • Licensed speech‑language pathologists (SLPs): supervisory relationships and billing practices may be modified by rule.
  • Medical Assistance (Medicaid) recipients: potential increased access to speech‑language services delivered by SLPAs.
  • Minnesota Department of Health and Human Services: required to promulgate rules and pursue federal approvals (waiver or amendment) and to implement any program changes.
  • State Medicaid program budget: potential cost implications (increased utilization and reimbursement), depending on rule design and utilization controls.

Procedural and timeline notes

  • HHS must promulgate state rules and submit federal approvals (timing depends on administrative rulemaking and the federal review/approval process).
  • Inclusion of SLPAs as Medicaid providers does not become effective until HHS receives federal approval.
  • The bill had a committee report recommending passage as amended and re‑referral to Judiciary and Public Safety (per legislative actions listed).

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Access: Likely to increase access to speech‑language services for Medicaid enrollees by expanding the provider pool.
  • Cost: Could raise short‑term Medicaid expenditures depending on utilization and reimbursement rates; HHS is given authority to limit services and set exclusions to control scope/costs.
  • Implementation: Effectiveness depends on the content of HHS rules (supervision requirements, eligible services, billing codes, provider qualifications) and on timely federal approval (state plan amendment or waiver).
  • Clarification needed: Because metadata and title conflict with the bill text, stakeholders should verify the correct bill text/version before taking legislative or administrative action.

If you’d like, I can prepare a short memo on likely budgetary impacts, draft questions for HHS, or a comparison to how neighboring states reimburse SLPAs under Medicaid.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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