Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Minnesota House Bill HF1044

Introduced
2/17/25  

Caption

Occupational therapy services, occupational therapists, and occupational therapy assistants added to mental health uniform service standards, mental health services, and children's mental health grants.

Impact

If passed, HF 1044 will amend several sections of Minnesota Statutes concerning behavioral health services. This would introduce occupational therapy as a recognized component of mental health services for children, ensuring that such therapies are incorporated into treatment plans for young patients. The expectation is that this will lead to better outcomes for children who require specialized interventions to support their mental and emotional development.

Summary

House File 1044 focuses on enhancing mental health services in Minnesota, particularly for children and adolescents. The bill proposes to include occupational therapy services, along with the professionals and assistants involved, under mental health uniform service standards. This inclusion aims to provide comprehensive behavioral health support tailored to the needs of children experiencing emotional disturbances. By expanding the definition of eligible services, the bill intends to facilitate appropriate therapy options within mental health frameworks, which can significantly benefit youth experiencing psychological challenges.

Contention

Despite the overall positive intentions behind HF 1044, there could be concerns regarding the adequacy of funding to support these expanded services and whether the current mental health workforce can accommodate the increased demand for occupational therapy in a behavioral health context. Stakeholders may debate the practicality and implementation timelines associated with these changes, emphasizing the existing pressures on mental health resources. Possible points of contention may arise from differing viewpoints on the necessity and effectiveness of including occupational therapy within the mental health system as opposed to standalone therapeutic practices.

Companion Bills

MN SF1811

Similar To Occupational therapy services, occupational therapists, and occupational assistants addition to mental health uniform service standards, mental health services, and children's mental health grants provision

Previously Filed As

MN HF3495

Mental and behavioral health care provisions modified including service standards, adult and child mental health services grants, substance use disorder services, supportive housing, and provider certification and reimbursement; reports required; and money appropriated.

MN HF3743

Community support services program standards modified, various behavioral health provisions modified, protected transport start-up grants and engagement services pilot grants established, formula-based allocation for mental health grant services recommendations required, and money appropriated.

MN SF3451

Mental health services provision modification

MN SF1174

Children's mental health provisions modifications and appropriations

MN HF2058

Cultural and ethnic minority infrastructure grant program, culturally specific provider consultation grants, and community health worker mental health training program established; medical assistance reimbursement modified for mental health group settings; and money appropriated.

MN HF1198

Child care assistance expanded, grants and rules regarding children's mental health expanded and modified, transition to community initiative modified, staff training requirements modified, covered transportation services modified, coverage of clinical care coordination modified, children's long-term stays in emergency room rules modified, rural family response and stabilization services pilot program established, and money appropriated.

MN SF3701

Community support services program standards modification

MN HF2117

Occupational therapist licensure compact established.

MN HF2553

Mental health provider staffing, documentation, and diagnostic assessment requirements modified; certification process required; assertive community treatment and behavioral health home services staff requirements modified; adult rehabilitative mental health services provider entity standards modified; managed care contract requirements modified; grant data and reporting requirements modified; and family peer support services eligibility modified.

MN SF1572

Occupational therapist licensure compact establishment

Similar Bills

MN SF1811

Occupational therapy services, occupational therapists, and occupational assistants addition to mental health uniform service standards, mental health services, and children's mental health grants provision

MN HF1198

Child care assistance expanded, grants and rules regarding children's mental health expanded and modified, transition to community initiative modified, staff training requirements modified, covered transportation services modified, coverage of clinical care coordination modified, children's long-term stays in emergency room rules modified, rural family response and stabilization services pilot program established, and money appropriated.

MN SF1174

Children's mental health provisions modifications and appropriations

MN HF2553

Mental health provider staffing, documentation, and diagnostic assessment requirements modified; certification process required; assertive community treatment and behavioral health home services staff requirements modified; adult rehabilitative mental health services provider entity standards modified; managed care contract requirements modified; grant data and reporting requirements modified; and family peer support services eligibility modified.

MN SF2449

Mental health provider staffing, documentation and diagnostic assessment requirements modification

MN HF669

Children's mental health programs modified, and money appropriated.

MN SF3451

Mental health services provision modification

MN HF3495

Mental and behavioral health care provisions modified including service standards, adult and child mental health services grants, substance use disorder services, supportive housing, and provider certification and reimbursement; reports required; and money appropriated.