Telemedicine for county processes 2021, Regular Session HF2128/SF2360 Chapter 30, Article 7 HHS omnibus bill Effective: August 1, 2021 Short description Changes allowing a county agency to use telemedicine and telecommunication to facilitate applications for county aid. Summary The law changes several areas of the county process to allow telecommunication and internet telepresence for county processes. It specifically changes to allow telepresence and telecommunication the areas of: •
date of application;
•
submitting applications;
•
providing orientations; and
•
submitting combined application forms.
Implications As counties change their processes in light of the pandemic, the use of telemedicine and telepresence became more ubiquitous. If you have some challenges on applications, inquire with the county to see if telepresence or telehealth is an option for applications and forms. Bill language https://www.revisor.mn.gov/laws/2021/0/Session+Law/Chapter/30/ Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 256J.08, subdivision 21, is amended to read: Subd. 21. Date of application. "Date of application" means the date on which the county agency receives an applicant's signed application as a signed written application, an application submitted by telephone, or an application submitted through Internet telepresence. Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 256J.09, subdivision 3, is amended to read: Subd. 3. Submitting application form. (a) A county agency must offer, in person or by mail, the application forms prescribed by the commissioner as soon as a person makes a written or oral inquiry. At that time, the county agency must:
CARE PROVIDERS OF MINNESOTA
-119-
2021 LEGISLATIVE UPDATE BOOK
