On Friday, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz issued Executive Order 20-11, which grants regulatory relief for DHS to continue administering critical services.

“I would like to thank Governor Walz and his administration for working closely with the legislature to help protect our disability community as well as individuals struggling with mental illness,” said Sen. Jeremy Miller (R-Winona). “These are extremely difficult and uncertain times and it’s critically important that we help protect our most vulnerable Minnesotans and those who provide care to them. This is another good example of the House, Senate, and administration working together to make sure Minnesotans continue to receive the essential services they need during the coronavirus pandemic.” 

The Executive Order mirrors legislation that Sen. Miller has supported in the Senate. The Executive Order gives the Department of Human Services discretion to provide the necessary regulatory relief to childcare providers by waiving or modifying the following:

• Requirement of in-person assessment, application for services, or case management
• Application for eligibility and eligibility renewal time frames, processes, and verification, except that the commissioner shall establish processes to verify a client’s eligibility as soon as practicable;
• Reporting and verification requirements
• Assessment renewal timeframes, verifications, and processes
• Work or community engagement activity requirements for eligibility
• Limits on the use of telehealth or other restrictions on electronic communication with providers
• Service delivery standards, locations, settings, or staff ratios
• Provider standards, including staffing ratios
• Timing of provider reporting requirements
• Payment procedures, including but not limited to the use of prepayments, partial payment for additional absent days, and payment for closed days
• Service agreement length; and provisions related to appeals