Senate panel advances high‑risk program bill after debate over release of Optum report

Senator Mohammed presented Senate File 38‑61, a broad package aimed at strengthening oversight of 14 Department of Human Services‑designated high‑risk programs. The bill would expand provider enrollment requirements, mandate broader compliance training and extend electronic visit verification (EVV) to more home- and community‑based services.

“Across those 14 programs, the state spends hundreds of millions of dollars per month,” Senator Mohammed said, arguing that the bill is designed to “protect the programs, and most importantly prioritize the hundreds of thousands of Minnesotans they keep alive and well.” Counsel walked the committee through recodification and specific policy changes, including provider-enrollment expansions and requirements to include individual provider identifiers in documentation.

A contested point was section 26, which addresses release of the Optum report. Chair and counsel offered an A‑4 amendment (matching language adopted in the House) that permits certain legislators to review unredacted material under confidentiality rather than releasing the full report to the public immediately. Senator Lisky and others argued taxpayers paid for the report and pushed for public access; other members warned unredacted release could function as a “road map” for further fraud. Senator Mohammed said the amendment gives legislators the information they need to close loopholes before public release.

The bill also includes EVV language. Sponsor testimony noted EVV is a federal requirement in many settings and that states implement it differently; members stressed EVV may work in some program settings but not others, and that the bill will require technical tailoring for multi-unit residential programs.

The committee adopted the A‑4 amendment and recommended the bill be referred to the Judiciary Committee. Sponsors and counsel said they will continue to refine the EVV approach and the report-release mechanics with stakeholders.