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March 31, 2022
The ALL Together newsletter provides updates, details, and information about assisted living licensure for providers, residents, family members, and the public.
The Minnesota Department of Health’s Health Regulation Division (HRD) will work to provide information, news, updates, and links to resources for assisted living providers and families to help residents and loved ones live their best lives as they age in place.
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Assisted Living Licensure Renewals begin in May
Conversion Assisted Living License renewals open in May
Beginning in May, providers can begin renewing their converted Assisted Living License before the June 1 application deadline. All converted assisted living licenses will expire on July 31, 2022 and need to be renewed. Take time to learn about the process with webinars, prepare, and apply early for your Assisted Living License renewal starting May 1.
Renewal timeline
- Assisted Living Licensure renewals begin May 1.
- June 1, Assisted Living Licensure renewal applications are due or a closure plan MUST be approved to meet statutory requirements. (See below for more information on planned closures).
- Starting July 1, the grace period ends, and fines begin with a $200 late fee.
- After August 1, providers operating without a license will be fined $250 per day.
 Prepare now and apply early to avoid fines.
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Learn about the renewal process by attending a webinar or reviewing renewal materials at the Health Regulation Division website (Assisted Living Teleconference Calls)
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Prepare for the renewal application by organizing documentation needed for renewals.
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Apply early for your Assisted Living License renewal before the June 1 deadline. Renewal information will be sent to providers on or before May 1.
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Providers who will NOT be pursing an Assisted Living License renewal MUST have a closure plan approved by MDH by June 1, 2022 to provide proper closure notice to residents.
Emergency escape important for ALL safety: Check window sizes
Emergency escape is an important aspect of operating an assisted living, please check your window sizes: The State Fire Marshals (SFM) office has brought it to MDH’s attention that for a state licensed assisted living there are clear requirements in the Minnesota State Fire Code to have minimum measurements of bedroom egress windows.
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Egress windows: One area of concern in assisted living facilities is the lack of compliant egress windows in sleeping rooms as the means of escape in single family houses.
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The state standard for egress windows is 648 square inches with the opening height and width dimensions being no less than 20 inches.
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Egress windows requirements can be found in 1104.26 of the Minnesota State Fire Code. Find more information on egress windows.
Please review your buildings and ensure you are meeting this particular section of code. If you do not meet this, please mitigate the issue and begin correction. This condition has been cited on surveys as an immediate correction.
Providers must follow the planned closure process to close a facility
Following the planned closure process is a requirement of the state regulations. If a provider is closing an ALF/ALFDC these statutes and rules MUST be followed: Planned Closures Minn. Statutes 144G.57 and Rule 4659.0130.
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A closure plan is required to be simultaneously submitted to MDH at health.assistedliving@styate.mn.us, the Office of Ombudsman for Long-Term Care (OOLTC) at ALnotices.OOLTC@state.mn.us, and Office of Ombudsman for Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities (OMHDD) at AL.Closure.OMHDD@state.mn.us. This plan MUST be approved by MDH prior to a provider taking any further action, which would include relaying this information to the residents. An approval by MDH is essential before you move forward. A provider shall take no action to close a residence prior to an approved closure plan.
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This includes emergency closure in Minn. Statues 144G.57 subd. 6. A closure plan must be approved prior to relocating residents.
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Content of a closure plan are identified in Minn. Statutes 144G.57 subd. 2 and 4659.0130 subp. 2.
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MDH’s closure form will help providers who find themselves in a situation of planned or emergency closure.
- Must include a draft closure notice to the facility’s residents
- Notice must be provided to residents and other required parties at least 60 calendar days before the facility closes, except in the event of an emergency closure. In the event of an emergency closure, MDH must still grant approval prior to relaying this information to the residents.
- The facility must implement the closure plan that was approved by MDH.
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