(ST. PAUL, MN) – Today, the Senate Health and Human Services Committee heard a bill to transfer the handling of certain grant programs, the review of appropriations for IT projects, and performance-based budgeting from the Department of Human Services administrators to a contracted third party. The legislation is chief authored by Senator Rich Draheim (R – Madison Lake) and emerges in the wake of repeated incidences of DHS fraud, waste, and abuse. It is one of the first attempts to partially remedy the problem through legislation.

“Fixing DHS is a huge undertaking, and I’m thankful Senator Draheim has taken it upon himself to get the ball rolling,” said Senator Michelle Benson (R – Ham Lake). “The people of Minnesota desperately need an agency that will serve them well. Unfortunately, DHS reform isn’t just a matter of justice; for many, it’s a matter of life or death.”

In the same hearing, Sen. Benson presented a bill dictating that DHS employees can’t serve on boards that receive more than 25% funding from the agency. This is to prevent further fraudulent activities within the agency. There are recent reports of an employee capitalizing on their position within the agency to propose grants.

Finally, Senator Benson’s bill prohibiting the transfer of unexpended health care funds to information and telecommunications services account. This legislation dictates that state agencies are required to consult with the Office of MN.IT Services to determine the cost of their technology projects. Notwithstanding, any unused funds may be transferred to a specific IT project with the approval of the Legislative Advisory Commission.

“Unfortunately, our state programs and agencies have been subject to immense mishandling over the course of years, and corrective changes to the statute have proven necessary,” concluded Sen. Benson.

Each piece of legislation was passed through the HHS committee.