Rep. Kurt Bills Discusses New 2012 Laws

Editor's Note: All information is from an email newsletter from Rep. Kurt Bills.

I wish a fantastic holiday season to you and yours. The end of 2011 means more than another year of Mr. Clark ringing in the New Year at Times Square. The start of 2012 is when a number of new state laws will go into effect and below are overviews of some changes (one actually took effect in May). Summaries of all the laws we passed in 2011 are available atwww.house.mn/hinfo/Newlaws2011-0.asp.

NEW LAWS, JAN. 1, 2012

Business and Commerce

Insurance claims law modernized (HF1405)

A new law allows claims processors-supervised, non-licensed insurance adjusters to enter data into an automated claims adjustment system. The computerized system is designed for data collection, calculation and final resolution of portable electronics insurance claims. A licensed adjuster may supervise up to 25 people for that purpose. The law makes other clarifications about who is eligible to seek a Minnesota portable electronics claims adjuster license, including those with out-of-state licensure and residents of Canada, under certain conditions.

Health and Human Services

Nursing home reimbursement rate formula changes (SF1286)

A new law conforms state statutes to new federal requirements related to case-mix classifications and reimbursement rates at nursing homes. The new rates will be based on an updated minimum dataset or any new version mandated by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services that nursing facilities are required to complete for all residents. The new law also states that the health commissioner shall establish resident classes according to updated resource utilization groups. The law also makes technical and clarifying changes to body art technician licensing and inspection statutes. Additionally, the law permits counties and the state to contract with facilities in a bordering state for detoxification services for Minnesota residents. It also allows Minnesota detoxification facilities to contract with bordering states to provide services to residents of the bordering states.

Donation for anatomical gift program (HF808)

In addition to being asked if they want to be an organ donor, people applying for a driver’s license or state identification card will be asked to contribute $2 to a donor awareness campaign. The same question will be posed when registering and transferring title on a motor vehicle. The money will be used as grants to federally certified organ procurement organizations and nonprofit organizations that advocate for organ and tissue donation. Funds will also cover all Department of Public Safety expenses to implement the program.

Transportation

Carbon monoxide awareness testing (HF650)

A new law taking effect May 25, 2011, required that information about carbon monoxide poisoning be included in the driver’s manual and be part of driver’s education training. Beginning Jan. 1, those seeking a driver’s license will be tested on their knowledge of carbon monoxide dangers. The so-called “Tyler’s Law” is the result of a December 2010 tragedy when Tyler Lavers, a sophomore at the University of Minnesota, was accidentally killed when installing stereo speakers in his car. He backed his car into the garage at the family’s cabin to be closer to the tools and best lighting. With the garage door open, he started the car at some point to test his speakers. Despite a ventilated garage, the very cold air created a higher output of carbon monoxide from his engine, and combined with a confined space, allowed the deadly poison to concentrate where he was and ultimately kill him.