WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

HF 4438

Health; reporting provisions changed, contract term limits specified for WIC, members clarified to serve on the state community health services advisory committee, and speech-language pathologist and audiologist licensing requirements modified.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Robert Bierman and 3 co-sponsors

Provides targeted health-related changes including longer WIC contract terms, enhanced health advisory structures, and updated licensure rules, while repealing an equity-capacity g

Authors added Virnig and Engen
#governmentaloperations-state #healthandhealthdepartment
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HF 4438

HF 4438 — 2025-2026 Minnesota Legislature

Summary of the bill’s purpose, key provisions, who it affects, and timelines

Purpose and intent

HF 4438 makes targeted changes to health-related statutes in Minnesota. The bill:
- Modifies reporting provisions for palliative care and suicide prevention programs.
- Establishes contract term limits exemptions for WIC (and related MIS systems) procurement and management.
- Clarifies membership provisions for the state Community Health Services Advisory Committee, including tribal representation.
- Updates licensure reciprocity requirements for speech-language pathologists and audiologists.
- Repeals a prior statute related to equity-focused capacity-building grants (144.9821).

Overall, the bill aims to adjust reporting, procurement flexibility for WIC, governance and advisory structure for community health services, and professional licensure processes, while eliminating an older equity-grant program.

Key provisions

1) Palliative care reporting (Sec. 1)

  • Revisions to Minnesota Statutes 144.059, subd. 8:
    • The palliative care advisory council must:
    • Consult with the commissioner on palliative care initiatives.
    • By February 15 of every odd-numbered year, report to Senate/House health committees with:
      • Assessment of palliative care availability.
      • Analysis of barriers to access.
      • Recommendations for legislative action, including draft legislation.
    • The Department of Health must publish the report on its website.

2) Suicide prevention reporting (Sec. 2)

  • Revisions to 145.56, subd. 5:
    • Periodic evaluations of the state’s suicide prevention plan, funded as available.
    • Biennial reporting to the chairs of health and human services committees (extinguished earlier “by July 1, 2002” language removed; now aligned to even-numbered years).

3) 988 Lifeline oversight and reporting (Sec. 3)

  • Revisions to 145.561, subd. 2:
    • Maintains state oversight of the 988 Lifeline center network for around-the-clock crisis services.
    • Expanded requirements for 988 Lifeline Centers, including data reporting, interoperability, crisis follow-up, and coordination with providers and emergency services.
    • Rules authority for information-sharing across crisis and emergency systems.
    • Public messaging alignment with national networks (e.g., SAMHSA).
    • Protocol development for interactions between 988 and 911 services.
    • Public reporting: biennial public report on 988 Lifeline usage due by July 1 of each even-numbered year. Data elements include answer rates, abandoned calls, and 911 referrals; may be included in the state suicide prevention report.

4) WIC contracting and procurement (Sec. 4)

  • Adds new Subd. 9 (Contracting and procurement) under 145.882:
    • The commissioner is exempt from contract term limits in Chapter 16C for WIC benefits issued via EBT and related services.
    • WIC contracts may have initial terms up to five years, with extensions not to exceed a total of ten years.

5) WIC MIS contracting (Sec. 5)

  • Adds new Subd. 10 (Management information systems; contracting and procurement) under 145.882:
    • WIC MIS and EBT system contracts also exempt from 16C term limits.
    • Initial terms up to five years, extensions up to ten years total.

6) State and local advisory committees (Sec. 6)

  • Amends 145A.04, subd. 15:
    • Establishes a State Community Health Services Advisory Committee to advise on local public health services, with:
    • Appointments by each community health board; tribal nations may appoint members.
    • Mandatory quarterly meetings; tribal nations may participate at any time.
    • Reimbursed member expenses.
    • The committee does not expire (override of typical sunset).
    • Local boards may form a Community Health Advisory Committee to advise the local board.

7) Speech-language pathologist and audiologist licensure (Sec. 7–9)

  • Sec. 7 (148.517, subd. 1): Reciprocity applicant for audiologist must meet reciprocity requirements; adds requirement to pass the practical test under §148.515, subd. 6 for audiologists.
  • Sec. 8 (148.517, subd. 2): Reciprocity applicants must hold a current, unrestricted credential in another jurisdiction with equivalent/higher standards; exemptions noted for certain provisions, with conditions that apply to audiologists.
  • Sec. 9 (148.5191, subd. 4): Renewal deadline language updated; renewal applications must be received 30 days before expiration; prorating of renewal fees if time before expiration is less than two years.

8) Repeal of 144.9821 (Sec. 10)

  • Repeals the statute establishing and governing the Advanced Health Equity Capacity Building and Resource Allocation grant program (older equity-focused grants).

Who is affected

  • State agencies: Department of Health and relevant health-related councils/advisory bodies (palliative care council, 988 Lifeline program).
  • WIC program: State contracting and MIS/EBT system procurements are given more flexible term limits (up to 5-year initial terms, up to 10-year total).
  • Local and tribal governments: State and local community health service advisory committees; tribal nations can appoint members to the state committee, with ongoing participation options.
  • Licensed professionals: Speech-language pathologists and audiologists seeking licensure by reciprocity; adjustments to reciprocity requirements and mandatory practical test for audiologists.
  • Public health reporting and planning: Agencies and stakeholders involved in palliative care, suicide prevention, and crisis response reporting.

Timelines and effective dates

  • Reporting obligations for palliative care: By February 15 of odd-numbered years (moving forward from enactment).
  • 988 Lifeline reporting: Biennial reports due by July 1 of each even-numbered year.
  • WIC contracting: Term limits adjustments apply to WIC-related contracts going forward; no immediate phase-in date specified beyond enactment.
  • Advisory committee governance: Committee established and non-expiring; ongoing quarterly meetings required.
  • Licensure changes: Effective upon enactment; reciprocity and renewal provisions take effect with normal licensure cycles.
  • Repeal of 144.9821: Takes effect upon repeal (subject to legislative process).

Notes

  • The appendix indicates a repealed program focused on advancing health equity via capacity-building grants to underserved communities; HF 4438 removes that program from statute.
  • The bill includes detailed governance and reporting enhancements intended to increase transparency, data-driven evaluation, and interagency coordination across crisis and public health systems.

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

Sign in to ask a question.