1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to human services; allowing counties to contract with hospitals to provide 
1.3 	chemical use assessments; amending Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, 
1.4 	section 254A.19, subdivision 3, by adding a subdivision.
1.5 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.6 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, section 254A.19, is amended by 
1.7 	adding a subdivision to read:
1.8 		Subd. 1a.Emergency room patients. A county may enter into a contract with a 
1.9 	hospital to provide chemical use assessments under Minnesota Rules, parts 9530.6600 to 
1.10 	9530.6655, for patients admitted to an emergency room when:
1.11 	(1) an assessor is not available; and
1.12 	(2) detoxification services in the county are at full capacity.

1.13 	Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, section 254A.19, subdivision 3, is 
1.14 	amended to read:
1.15 		Subd. 3.Financial conflicts of interest. (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b)
1.16 	or (c), an assessor conducting a chemical use assessment under Minnesota Rules, parts 
1.17 	9530.6600 to 9530.6655, may not have any direct or shared financial interest or referral 
1.18 	relationship resulting in shared financial gain with a treatment provider.
1.19 	(b) A county may contract with an assessor having a conflict described in paragraph 
1.20 	(a) if the county documents that:
1.21 	(1) the assessor is employed by a culturally specific service provider or a service 
1.22 	provider with a program designed to treat individuals of a specific age, sex, or sexual 
1.23 	preference; 
2.1 	(2) the county does not employ a sufficient number of qualified assessors and the 
2.2 	only qualified assessors available in the county have a direct or shared financial interest or 
2.3 	a referral relationship resulting in shared financial gain with a treatment provider; or 
2.4 	(3) the county social service agency has an existing relationship with an assessor 
2.5 	or service provider and elects to enter into a contract with that assessor to provide both 
2.6 	assessment and treatment under circumstances specified in the county's contract, provided 
2.7 	the county retains responsibility for making placement decisions.
2.8 	(c) The county may contract with a hospital to conduct chemical assessments if the 
2.9 	requirements in subdivision 1a are met.
2.10 	An assessor under this paragraph may not place clients in treatment. The assessor 
2.11 	shall gather required information and provide it to the county along with any required 
2.12 	documentation. The county shall make all placement decisions for clients assessed by 
2.13 	assessors under this paragraph.