Today Senate Republicans rolled out several new bills as part of an action plan to stop the fraud that has plagued the state’s support programs. The bills give the legislature stricter oversight of taxpayer’s dollars and the administration of these programs, support the use of technology to streamline delivery and verification of services, and provide better accountability within state government.

Senator Michael Holmstrom (R–Buffalo) discussed legislation to mandate unannounced in-person visits to every business receiving taxpayer funding through the Department of Human Services (DHS) or the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF). Current regulations require varying degrees of visits, so this bill would simplify and standardize the site visit requirements and process.

“Gov. Walz and Minnesota Democrats have let illegitimate providers steal from taxpayers and vulnerable people for too long,” said Sen. Holmstrom. “The lack of site visits can only be described as negligence. This negligence, perpetrated over and over, is what spiraled the state into billions of dollars of fraud. Requiring unannounced site visits is a common-sense safeguard against fraudulent providers. It will bring accountability to DHS and DCYF that they have resisted for so long.”

The bill, which will soon receive an official number from the Revisor’s Office, would mandate unannounced site visits before initial enrollment, during pre-enrollment checks, and prior to revalidation as a prerequisite for receiving payments through medical assistance. It would move away from relying on provider self-attestation and equip agencies with stronger tools to safeguard social services programs and the individuals who depend on them.

These inspections would be fully funded through fees assessed on providers.