April 30, 2012

It could have been much worse.  

Governor Dayton signed the Health and Human Services policy bill this morning.  Because of the strong advocacy of Affirmative Options members and others, The following proposed cuts to children were not included in the final bill:  

• Lengthening the residency requirement to apply for benefits to 60
  days rather than 30
• Denying benefits to anyone with a drug offense in the past 10-15 years
• Drug screening as an eligibility requirement (positive test  = no
  benefits for 1-3 years)
• Shortening the lifetime MFIP months to 36 from 60
• Closing cases when household earns 100% of Federal Poverty Guidelines (from 115%)
• Expediting sanctions  - three strikes and case closed
• Prohibiting use of EBT cards outside of Minnesota
• Mandated criminal background checks paid for by applicant

Provisions that passed but could have been worse if not amended (these will become law):

• Restored 25 child care absent days for parents under 21 who are going to high school
• EBT cards may only be used in MN, IA, WI, ND, SD
• Anyone convicted of a drug felony in the past 10 years will be subject to mandatory random drug testing and will have cash benefits paid directly to the landlord or utility company.  (payments will cease when a housing unit is deemed uninhabitable - and tenants cannot be evicted because of stopped payment)
• DHS will receive information on all MN drug convictions, all canceled drivers licenses, and immigration status changes to cross-check with MFIP caseloads

This year, we would like to thank Representative Jim Abeler (R, Anoka) for authoring the Visible Child Work Group provision, which became law when Governor Dayton signed this bill.  This work group will  identify and recommend issues that will improve the well-being of children who are homeless or have experienced homelessness.  

Thank you to the advocates for tireless work to both maintain and strengthen Minnesota's safety net!