Human services budget bill aimed at 'restoring trust' passes House

Monday turned out to be a human services marathon on the House Floor.

Addressing fraud in Department of Human Services programs remains a priority for both caucuses with a May 18 session deadline time-crunch staring at members.

With this in mind, Rep. Joe Schomacker (R-Luverne) successfully moved to suspend the rules to consider the human services finance bill he sponsors on the House Floor Monday. “We wanted to move this along given we have a week left in session.”

[MORE: Human services finance bill focused on federal compliance, program integrity]

The House passed HF4338/SF4476*, with a delete-all amendment to insert the House language, 107-21. It now goes back to the Senate for concurrence. A conference committee will likely be needed.

“Our language is better than the Senate’s so I’d like to discuss that,” Schomacker said.

Rep. Mohamud Noor (DFL-Mpls), who co-chairs the House Human Services Finance and Policy Committee with Schomacker, concurred. He said the House bill would address challenges within the Department of Human Services, ensure people receiving services understand their rights, provide education and strengthen program integrity.

“This is about restoring trust,” Noor said.

The bill is expected to save $141.3 million in Fiscal Year 2027 and $184.96 million in the 2028-2029 biennium. 

[MORE: View the spreadsheet]

Legislators considered a dozen amendments to the delete-all amendment. Four were adopted: three were technical changes and one would preclude substance use disorder specialists from certain medical provider background check requirements.

Substance use disorder specialists are hired because of their experience overcoming substance abuse so some might fail a traditional background check meant to qualify other medical professionals, said Rep. Luke Frederick (DFL-Mankato), who sponsored the amendment. “The whole point of this is we’re bringing people in with experience with substance use disorder to be peers.”