Community-Based Services Employees May Find a Home in Minnesota Secure Choice

Home and community-based services employees would be able to participate in Minnesota Secure Choice if a bill introduced in the state House of Representatives is enacted. 

Rep. Kelly Moller (DFL-40A) introduced HF 4248 on Feb. 26. The legislation would amend the law creating the Minnesota Secure Choice Program to expand its scope so that it would cover home and community-based services employees. 

Moller’s bill defines “home and community-based services employee” as an individual hired to provide (1) consumer-directed community support services under state law or under the alternative care program authorized under state law, or (2) services under the state’s Community First Services and Support Program and Minnesota’s federally approved waiver programs.

The bill also would amend Minnesota law to state that the Minnesota Secure Choice Retirement Program Board must:

• allow any home and community-based services employee to open, and contribute to, an account in the Minnesota Secure Choice Retirement Program within six months of the opening of that program; and 
• consider a home and community-based services employee a covered employee for purposes of state law and the program. 

The measure would become effective the day after it is enacted. 

Status 

HF 4248 was referred to the House State and Local Government Finance and Policy Committee. A hearing has not yet been scheduled. 

About Minnesota Secure Choice

On May 19, 2023, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) signed into law HF0782, the bill that created the program. This law requires employers that do not offer a retirement plan and employ five or more workers to participate in the program. 

The measure also created the Minnesota Secure Choice Retirement Program Board to develop and administer the program. It requires that the board open the program in phases over a two-year period and to have the program in operation no earlier than Jan. 1, 2025. 

Rep. Jamie Becker-Finn (DFL-Roseville), who introduced the House version of the bill that created the program, has called the support of the American Retirement Association in expanding access to retirement coverage a “big deal.”