News

DHS Background Study Payment Issue Resolved

On February 27, 2025 by Mark Schulz

On Feb. 24, the Department of Human Services posted notice the issue surrounding NETStudy 2.0 not accepting payments for applications submitted on Feb. 19 has been resolved.

Senate Hearing on MDH BGS Cost Shift

On February 22, 2024 by Mark Schulz

On Feb. 19, the Senate Human Services Committee, chaired by Sen. John Hoffman, held a hearing where the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) presented information about their change in fiscal policy about subsidizing MDH-licensed provider background studies. 

MDH to Pass Background Studies Cost to Providers

On October 12, 2023 by Erin Huppert

On Monday, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) convened a meeting with LeadingAge Minnesota and other provider o

DHS Confirms Extension of Background Check Resubmission Deadline, Other Flexibilities

On June 16, 2022 by LeadingAge

The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) website now confirms the extension of the July 2 deadline by which employees with emergency background studies must clear fingerprint-based studies until the end of the year. Individuals who received emergency studies must have a fully compliant study by Dec. 31 to continue working after that date. 

DHS Temporarily Waives Supervision Requirements for Background Study Subjects

On May 10, 2022 by LeadingAge

The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) is temporarily waiving mandatory direct contact supervision requirements for new hires while their fingerprint-based background studies are being processed. The waiver remains in effect until June 30.

FAQ: Background Studies Resubmission Process

On April 21, 2022 by Jonathan Lips

Recently members have raised questions relating to resubmitting background studies for individuals hired during the COVID-19 waiver period, and this article addresses some of the common issues we are seeing.

MDH-Licensed Providers Transition to Fingerprint-Based Background Studies for New Employees Beginning March 2

On February 24, 2022 by Jonathan Lips

Providers licensed or regulated by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) will transition back to fingerprint-based background studies beginning March 2 for new employees. In late January, following two previous delays, the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) announced March 2 as the date for the resumption of fingerprinting. The transition is moving forward without further postponement.

Transition to Fingerprint-Based Background Studies Pushed Out for MDH-Licensed Providers

On December 30, 2021 by Jonathan Lips

Providers licensed by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), including home care, assisted living facilities, and nursing homes, will not transition back to fingerprint-based background studies until Feb. 2, 2022. Until the transition occurs, these providers will continue to submit emergency studies, as we have been doing throughout the pandemic.

DHS Delays Transition to Fingerprint-Based Background Studies for MDH-Licensed Providers

On November 11, 2021 by Jonathan Lips

This week, the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) announced that MDH-licensed providers, including home care, assisted living facilities, and nursing homes, will not transition back to fingerprint-based background studies until Jan. 5, 2022. Until the transition occurs, these providers will continue to submit emergency studies, as we have been doing throughout the pandemic.

DHS Delays Transition to Fingerprint-Based Background Studies

On October 7, 2021 by Jonathan Lips

The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) has pushed out the target dates for moving from emergency background studies back to studies with fingerprints and photographs. 

Last Chance to Affiliate Background Studies from Home Care to Assisted Living Record

On September 30, 2021 by Bobbie Guidry

Starting Oct. 15, non-renewed home care licenses that expired or were closed due to conversion to an assisted living facility license will also have their background study records closed.

DHS to Provide Background Studies Update at Next Week’s Coaching Room

On September 30, 2021 by Jonathan Lips

Dawn Davis, head of the Background Studies unit at the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS), will join the LeadingAge Minnesota Coaching Room on Tuesday, Oct. 5 at 3 p.m. to provide an update and answer questions about the transition back to fingerprint-based studies. 

Complete Affiliation of AL Background Studies Before Home Care Records Close

On September 8, 2021 by Bobbie Guidry

LeadingAge Minnesota encourages all assisted living providers to complete the background study affiliation process before the Minnesota Department of Health closes home care records. If your home care agency is closing, you must act quickly if you have staff to affiliate from your home care agency record.

DHS Announces Timeline for Return to Background Studies with Fingerprints

On September 8, 2021 by Jonathan Lips

The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) has announced a plan for moving from emergency background studies back to studies with fingerprints and photographs.

DHS Selects New Background Studies Fingerprinting Vendor

On April 7, 2021 by Jonathan Lips

The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) has selected IDEMIA Identity & Security USA LLC (IDEMIA) as the new vendor to provide statewide fingerprint and photo services for background studies submitted to DHS. IDEMIA was selected through a competitive bid process with cost, quality and reliability of service locations considered in proposal evaluations.

Senate Committee Advances Second Bill on Fingerprinting and Background Studies

On March 17, 2021 by Jonathan Lips

The Minnesota Senate Human Services Reform Finance and Policy Committee last week approved a bill that proposes a long-term solution to challenges with the fingerprinting and background study process in Minnesota. Senate File 1257, authored by Sen. Michelle Benson (R-Ham Lake), tackles the issue  of fingerprinting capacity by authorizing the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) to contract with up to three fingerprinting providers, rather than a single vendor.

Senate Committee Advances Background Studies Bill

On February 10, 2021 by Jonathan Lips

The Minnesota Senate’s Human Services Licensing Policy Committee has advanced a proposal designed to address challenges with Minnesota’s background studies system.

Good News: Developments on Background Studies, Care Center Recertification Surveys

On November 18, 2020 by Jonathan Lips

We received good news today on two fronts:

Background Studies: The Minnesota Department of Human Services will be returning to emergency COVID-19 background studies that were previously in place. The Department is finalizing its implementation plan and anticipates this will be effective Thursday morning (Nov. 19).

DHS Resumes Fingerprint-Based Background Studies Today

On October 21, 2020 by Jonathan Lips

The MN Department of Human Services (DHS) returned to fingerprint-based background studies as of 6:00 a.m. this morning (Oct. 21), and employers are no longer able to submit emergency background studies.

DHS Temporarily Delays Transition Back to Fingerprint-Based Background Studies

On October 7, 2020 by Jonathan Lips

The MN Department of Human Services (DHS) has temporarily delayed the transition back to fingerprint-based background studies.