Advisory Committees at MDH

Currently functioning under statutory authority

Advisory Council on Wells and Borings
The council is authorized in Minnesota Statutes, section 103I.105 and consists of 18 voting members: six well contractors; four limited or specialized well and boring contractors; two public members; and six representatives of various state agencies. The council advises the Minnesota Department of Health on technical matters related to the construction, repair, and sealing of wells and borings and the licensure of well and boring contractors. Council meetings are held quarterly, either virtually or in St. Paul, Minnesota.

The term of membership for any nonagency member is four years. Refer to the list of council members for terms of service and upcoming vacancies. Agency representatives are assigned by their respective commissioners. People interested in serving on the council must submit an application (Appointments Application for Service on State Agency) to the Secretary of State, who handles all applications for open appointments to state boards, councils, and other bodies. The health commissioner makes the actual appointments to the council. Nonagency members receive $55 per diem for each meeting attended, and lodging, meal, and travel expenses are reimbursed.

Clean Water Council
The council provides advice to the Legislative and Executive branches of government on the administration and implementation of the Clean Water Legacy Act and it facilitates coordination between all stakeholders playing a role in achieving clean water for all Minnesotans, per Minnesota Statutes, chapter 114D, 114D.30 subdivision 7, as amended by Chapter 77, article 2, section 1.

Community Solutions Advisory Council
The council advises MDH on the Community Solutions for Healthy Child Development grant program. The council works with the MDH Center for Health Equity and is charged with:

• Guiding MDH in developing the request for proposals for the Community Solutions for Healthy Child Development grants, considering how the grants can build on community capacity to promote child and family well-being.
• Reviewing applications for the Community Solutions for Healthy Child Development grants and making recommendations to MDH about which applicants should be funded.
• Collaborating with MDH to create a transparent and objective accountability and evaluation process focused on the outcomes that Community Solutions for Healthy Child Development grantees are working to achieve.
• Advising MDH on ongoing oversight of the Community Solutions for Healthy Child Development grant program.
• Supporting MDH on other racial equity and early childhood grant efforts, as appropriate.

As outlined in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 9, section 107, subdivision 3, the council has 12 members, two each representing African heritage, Latino/Hispanic, Asian-Pacific Islander, and American Indian communities: two members are parents of children under 9 years of age who are American Indian or children of color; one member has research or academic expertise in racial equity and healthy child development; and one member represents an organization that advocates on behalf of communities of color or American Indians. At least three of the 12 members are to come from outside the seven-county Twin Cities metropolitan area.

Environmental Health Specialist/Sanitarian Council
The council advises the health commissioner on environmental health specialist/sanitarian registration standards and enforcement of environmental health specialist/sanitarian rules; provides for the dissemination of information about environmental health specialist/sanitarian registration standards; and reviews applications and recommends applicants for registration or registration renewal. It meets at varied locations for four to six hours twice a year. Appointing Authority: health commissioner. Compensation: expenses. Minnesota Statutes, section 214.13, subdivision 1,3. Minnesota Department of Health; Environmental Health Services Section; P.O. Box 64975; St. Paul, MN 55164-0975. (651) 201-4500.

Environmental Health Tracking & Biomonitoring Advisory Panel
The panel gives advice and recommendations to the health commissioner about the design, operation, and evaluation of the environmental health tracking and biomonitoring program - including recommendations for specific environmental hazards, exposures, and diseases - to track specific chemicals for biomonitoring. Membership includes two scientists each representing nongovernmental organizations and statewide business organization; one scientist representing the University of Minnesota; one representative each to be appointed by the speaker of the house and the senate majority leader; one representative each to be appointed by the commissioners of the Pollution Control Agency, the Department of Agriculture, and the Minnesota Department of Health; and three other representatives meeting the scientific qualifications specified in statutes. Meetings are held three times a year. Appointing authority: health commissioner. Compensation: expenses. Minnesota Statutes, section 144.998. Minnesota Department of Health. Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Division; P.O. Box 64975; St. Paul, MN 55164-0975.

Health Care Homes Advisory Committee
The committee is authorized by the 2014 Minnesota Legislature to advise the health commissioner on the ongoing statewide implementation of the Health Care Homes program, known nationally as Patient Centered Medical Homes. The program requires a fundamental redesign of the practice of primary care to that of prevention and management of chronic disease. The committee has 17 members who are charged in part with:

1. Implementation of performance management and benchmarking activities.
2. Health care homes program modifications based on results of legislature-mandated health care home evaluation.
3. Statewide solutions for engaging employers and commercial payers.
4. Potential modifications of health care home rules or statutes.
5. Consumer engagement, including patient and family-centered care and shared decision-making.
6. Oversight for health care home subject matter task forces or workgroups.

Hearing Instrument Dispenser Advisory Council
The council advises the health commissioner on hearing instrument dispenser certification standards, enforcement of certification laws and rules, examination services, and other related matters. The nine members include:

• Three public members, at least one of whom is a hearing instrument user and/or an advocate of a hearing instrument user.
• Three hearing instrument dispensers who are not audiologists who are currently certified to dispense hearing instruments and and have been certified for the five years preceding appointment.
• One licensed audiologist who is a certified hearing instrument dispenser and is recommended by a professional association representing audiologists and speech-language pathologists, per Minnesota Statutes, sections 148.511 et seq.

Meetings are quarterly, with additional meetings scheduled as needed. The council does not expire. Appointing authority: health commissioner. Compensation: $55 per diem plus expenses. Minnesota Statutes, section 153A.20. Minnesota Dept. of Health; Health Regulation Division; P.O. Box 64975; St. Paul, MN 55164-0975. Phone: 651-201-4200.

Home Care Provider Advisory Council
The council is authorized in Minnesota Statutes, section 144A.4799, as amended by Chapter 98, article 1, section 18 and Chapter 98, Article 1, Section 19. The council advises the Home Care and Assisted Living Program on community standards for home care practices; enforcement of licensing standards and disciplinary actions; distribution of information to providers and consumers; training standards; emerging issues; allowable home care licensing modifications and exemptions. The commissioner may also set other duties. The Home Care and Assisted Living Program is in the Health Regulation Division of the Minnesota Department of Health, the regulatory authority for licensed home care providers.

Minnesota Cancer Reporting System (MCRS) Scientific Peer Review Committee
The committee reviews applications for use of individual-level cancer data and makes recommendations to the health commissioner about whether proposed uses are of sufficient social and scientific merit to warrant using it. The committee has up to seven scientists who have: a degree of medical doctor, doctor of science, doctor of philosophy, or equivalent degree from an accredited college or university; specific training in medicine, epidemiology, cancer research, or biometry from an accredited college or university; and two or more years of applied experience in epidemiology, medical research, biomedical research, or biometry. The committee does not meet in person: It conducts its business via fax, email, and telephone when applications for use of MCRS data are received. Appointments do not expire. Appointing authority: health commissioner. Compensation: none. Minnesota Statutes, section 144.671 (4) and Minnesota Rules chapter 4606, part 4606.3307. Minnesota Department of Health; P.O. Box 64975; St. Paul, MN 55164-0975. Phone: 651-201-5900.

Minnesota e-Health Initiative Advisory Committee
The Minnesota e-Health Initiative Advisory Committee was established in 2004 under Minnesota Statute. Members and designated alternates to this statewide advisory committee with 25 representatives are made up of interested and affected stakeholders in health information technology (HIT) who are appointed by the health commissioner.

Newborn Hearing Screening Advisory Committee
The committee advises and assists Minnesota Department of Health program managers in the section areas of newborn screening and Minnesota children with special health needs (MCSHN) in developing protocols and timelines for screening; rescreening; and diagnostic audiological assessment and early medical audiological and educational intervention services for children who are deaf or hard-of-hearing. Its membership, functions, and objectives are described in Minnesota Statute, section 144.966.

Newborn Screening Advisory Committee
The committee provides advice and recommendations to the health commissioner concerning tests and treatments for heritable and congenital disorders found in newborn children. Membership includes (but is not limited to) at least one member of the following representative groups: parents and other consumers; primary care providers; clinicians and researchers specializing in newborn diseases and disorders; genetic counselors; birth hospital representatives; newborn screening laboratory professionals; nutritionists; and other experts as needed representing related fields, such as emerging technologies and health insurance. Compensation: expenses. Minnesota Statutes, chapter 144, section 144.1255. Minnesota Department of Health; Public Health Laboratory Division; P.O. Box 64975; St. Paul, MN 55164-0975.

Nuclear Regulatory Commission Agreement State Rule Advisory Group
To provide opinions and feedback about Environment Health Division rulemaking related to becoming a Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) agreement state. Minnesota Statutes, section 144.1202, subdivision 2.

Palliative Care Advisory Council
The council consults with and advises the health commissioner on matters related to the establishment, maintenance, operation, and outcomes evaluation of palliative care initiatives in the state, Minnesota Statutes, section 144.059.

The council is made up of a variety of professionals with palliative care work experience or expertise in palliative care delivery models. They come from a variety of inpatient, outpatient, and community settings, such as acute and long-term care or hospice, and they work with a variety of patients, from pediatric to adult. Several other council positions provide a patient or caregiver perspective.

Psychedelic Medicine Task Force

The task force was established in the 2023 legislative session to advise the legislature on the legal, medical, and policy issues associated with the legalization of psychedelic medicine in the state. For purposes of this section, "psychedelic medicine" means 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), psilocybin, and LSD.

The task force shall:

• Survey existing studies in the scientific literature on the therapeutic efficacy of psychedelic medicine in the treatment of mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder, and any other mental health conditions and medical conditions for which a psychedelic medicine may provide an effective treatment option.
• Compare the efficacy of psychedelic medicine in treating the above conditions with the efficacy of treatments currently used for these conditions.

The task force shall also develop a comprehensive plan that covers:

• Statutory changes necessary for the legalization of psychedelic medicine.
• State and local regulation of psychedelic medicine.
• Federal law, policy, and regulation of psychedelic medicine, with a focus on retaining state autonomy to act without conflicting with federal law, including methods to resolve conflicts, such as seeking an administrative exemption to the federal Controlled Substances Act under United States Code, title 21, section 822(d), and Code of Federal Regulations, title 21, part 1307.03; seeking a judicially created exemption to the federal Controlled Substances Act; petitioning the United States Attorney General to establish a research program under United States Code, title 21, section 872(e); using the Food and Drug Administration's expanded access program; and using authority under the federal Right to Try Act.
• Education of the public on recommendations made to the legislature and others about necessary and appropriate actions related to the legalization of psychedelic medicine in the state.

Rural Health Advisory Committee
The committee advises the health commissioner and other state agencies on rural health issues. It has 15 members, all of whom must live outside of the seven-county metropolitan area. Membership must include two members from the Minnesota House of Representatives, one from the minority and one from the majority parties; two members from the Minnesota Senate, one from the minority and one from the majority parties; a volunteer member of an ambulance service based outside the seven-county metropolitan area; one representative each from a hospital and a nursing home located outside the seven-county metropolitan area; one from an institution of higher education that provides training for rural health care providers; a medical doctor or doctor of osteopathy licensed under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 147; a mid-level practitioner; a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse; a licensed health care professional from an occupation not otherwise represented on the committee; and three consumers, at least one of whom must be an advocate for people who are mentally ill or developmentally disabled. The governor ensures that the appointments provide geographic balance outside of the seven-county metropolitan area. The committee chair is elected by the members. The committee does not expire. Appointing authority: governor. Compensation: expenses. Minnesota Statutes, section 144.1481. Minnesota Sessions Laws of 1992, chapter 549, article 5, section 7. Minnesota Department of Health; Division of Health Policy; P.O. Box 64975; St. Paul, MN 55164-0975. Phone: 651-201-3856.

Speech-Language Pathologist and Audiologist Advisory Council
The council advises the health commissioner on the licensing and regulation of speech-language pathologists and audiologists; provides technical expertise regarding speech-language pathologists and audiologists practice standards; and assists with developing health policies related to speech-language pathologists and audiologist licensing. The seven members include two public members, as defined by Minnesota Statutes, section 214.02, who have received speech-language pathology and/or audiology services or are family members of or caregivers to such people; two speech language pathologists licensed under Minnesota Statutes, chapters 148.511 et seq.; two audiologists licensed under Minnesota Statutes, chapters 148.511 et seq.; and one member who is a speech language pathologist licensed by the Minnesota Board of Teaching and is employed by a Minnesota public school district. Meetings are held quarterly, with additional meetings scheduled as necessary. The council does not expire. Appointing Authority: Commissioner of Health. Compensation: $55 per diem plus expenses. Minnesota Statutes, section 148.5196. Minnesota Department of Health; Health Regulation Division; P.O. Box64975; St. Paul, MN 55164-0975. Phone: 651-201-4200.

State Community Health Services Advisory Committee (SCHSAC)
The committee advises, consults, and makes recommendations to the health commissioner on matters relating to the development, maintenance, funding, and evaluation of local public health services in Minnesota. The committee has 51 voting members representing 51 community health boards statewide. SCHSAC provides the foundation for the state-local public health partnership in Minnesota. Appointing authority: community health boards. Compensation: expenses. Minnesota Statutes, section 145A.04, subdivision 15. Minnesota Department of Health; Community Health Division; P.O. Box 64975; St. Paul, MN 55164-0975.

State Trauma Advisory Council (STAC)
The State Trauma Advisory Council was established by legislation to advise, consult with, and make recommendations to the health commissioner regarding the development, maintenance, and improvement of a statewide trauma system.

Water Supply Systems and Wastewater Treatment Facilities Advisory Council 
The council advises the commissioners of the Minnesota Department of Health and the Pollution Control Agency regarding classification of water supply systems and wastewater treatment facilities; qualifications and competency evaluation of water supply system operators and wastewater treatment facility operators; and additional laws, rules and procedures that may be desirable for regulating the operation of water supply systems and wastewater treatment facilities. The council consists of 11 members, including one member from the health department's Division of Environmental Health, appointed by the health commissioner; one member from the Pollution Control Agency, appointed by the pollution control commissioner; three members who must be certified water supply system operators, appointed by the health commissioner; three members who must be certified wastewater treatment facility operators, appointed by the pollution control commissioner; one member representing an organization that represents municipalities, appointed by the health commissioner, with the concurrence of the pollution control commissioner; and two members of the public who are not associated with water supply systems or wastewater treatment facilities. One of the members of the public shall be a representative of academia in a water or wastewater related field. One must be appointed by the health commissioner and the other by the pollution control commissioner. One of the water supply system operators and one of the wastewater treatment facility operators must be from outside the metro area and one wastewater operator must come from the Metropolitan Council Environmental Services. One of the water supply system operators must representative a nonmunicipal community or nontransient noncommunity water supply system. The council meets quarterly for four hours in St. Cloud (central location). The committee does not expire. Appointing Authority: commissioners of the Minnesota Department of Health and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. Compensation: $55 per diem. Minnesota Statutes, chapter 115, section 115.71 to 115.77.

Currently functioning under MDH discretion

A. Commissioner discretion

Healthy Minnesota Partnership
The Healthy Minnesota Partnership was formed in November 2010 and works with the health commissioner to establish statewide public health priorities and goals to improve the health of all Minnesotans. The partnership currently consists of 25 members representing a wide range of interests and concerns, including local public health, the business community, health care providers, populations of color, American Indians, rural health, and other segments of Minnesota.

B. Division discretion

B1. Previous link with statutory authority

Health Care Workforce & Education Committee (formerly Medical Education and Research Costs (MERC) Advisory Committee)
The committee was established in 1993 by the Minnesota Legislature to examine the financing of medical education and research in Minnesota's changing health care market. The committee provides essential support to the Minnesota Department of Health, both through legislative recommendations and analysis of pertinent issues.

Maternal and Child Health Advisory Task Force
The task force meets to review and report on the health status and health care needs of mothers and children throughout the state of Minnesota. The fifteen members should provide equal representation from professions with expertise in maternal and child health services; representatives of local community health boards as defined in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 145A, section 145A.02, subdivision 5; and consumer representatives interested in the health of mothers and children. Four meetings per year are mandated; the group meets more often as needed.

Task Force on Pregnancy Health and Substance Use Disorders
The task force will develop recommended protocols on when a toxicology test for prenatal exposure to a controlled substance should be administered to a birthing parent and a newborn infant. The task force will recommend protocols for providing notice or reporting of prenatal exposure to a controlled substance to local welfare agencies, under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 260E. This task force meets monthly. Appointments and activities will conclude Dec. 1, 2024.

B2. Grant alignment/grant requirement

Minnesota Arthritis Advisory Group
The group advises and supports the MDH Arthritis Program and guides the development and implementation of strategies to manage arthritis symptoms. The group is integral to guiding the direction of the MDH Arthritis Program five-year plan required through a CDC funded grant.

Minnesota Asthma Advisory Committee 
This is a voluntary committee of health professionals, local public health, schools, and nonprofit organizations that have a stake or could play a role in asthma control. Members provide clinical asthma expertise; input from their sector regarding asthma impacts; input on actions possible within their sector to address asthma; and recommendations on program direction. Members help connect the program to high-level partners who can integrate asthma care into systems and organizations throughout the state.

Minnesota Cancer Surveillance System Advisory Group
As required by the CDC, the group advises the Minnesota Cancer Surveillance System in setting priorities, promoting data use, increasing efficiency and quality of operations, increasing collaboration with partners, and extending cancer registry data to cancer control and public health.

Minnesota Cardiovascular Health Alliance
The alliance improves the cardiovascular health of  Minnesotans by sharing experiences and perspectives and by coordinating collective action.

Minnesota Diabetes Prevention Network Advisory Committee
The committee advises the Minnesota Department of Health on identified priorities for making the National Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) available and accessible to those with prediabetes or who are at risk for Type 2 diabetes statewide, including improving the delivery and payment systems for the National DPP. The committee also connects to and integrates with existing efforts to improve diabetes management in Minnesota, to address the needs of people with diabetes.

Minnesota Diabetes Surveillance and Data Review Subcommittee
The subcommittee advises the Diabetes and Health Behavior Research Unit on surveillance activities and on specific unit data collection and program evaluation projects.

Minnesota Occupational Health and Safety Surveillance Program Advisory Workgroup
The workgroup advise the MDH Occupational Health and Safety Surveillance Program on the collection, dissemination, and use of occupational health indicators and other occupational surveillance activities, as defined in our NIOSH cooperative agreement.

Rural Hospital Flexibility Program Advisory Committee
The committee advises the Office of Rural Health and Primary Care on the development, implementation, and evaluation of Minnesota's Rural Hospital Flexibility Program. It creates Critical Access Hospitals and requires that each state use the development of Critical Access Hospitals as an opportunity to enhance their rural emergency medical services and rural health care networks.

State Preventive Health Advisory Committee
The committee provides input into Minnesota’s application for Federal Preventive Block Grant funds, as required by federal law.

WIC Advisory Group
The group advises the Minnesota Department of Health women, infant, and children (WIC) issues:
WIC Advisory Group.

B3. Division/program/other discretion

Administrative Uniformity Committee
The committee is a large, voluntary, multi-stakeholder advisory organization comprised of health care providers, payers, associations, and state agencies. Its primary focus is developing agreement among Minnesota payers and providers on standardized health care administrative processes when implementation of the processes will reduce administrative costs. The health commissioner is required to consult with the committee on the development of rules for single, uniform companion guides for specified health care administrative transactions, under Minnesota Statutes, section 62J.536.

Commercial Tobacco Cessation Advisory Committee
The advisory committee formed in 2021 and has about 25 members who advise the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Commercial Tobacco Cessation Unit on current and future activities to help Minnesotans quit commercial tobacco use. Members represent a range of health care, public health, and community interests and may come from the private or public sector.

Environmental Laboratory Certification Program Advisory Committee
The committee advises the Minnesota Department of Health on changes to statutes and rules related to the environmental laboratory certification program.

Equitable Health Care Task Force
The task force examines inequities in how people experience health care based on race, religion, culture, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, and disability. 

Health Equity Advisory and Leadership Council
The council was created as part of a broader effort by the Minnesota Department of Health to address Minnesota’s disparities in health status, particularly disparities persistent across various ethnic, racial, and regional groups. It represents the voices of many communities most severely impacted by health inequities across the state, including racial and ethnic minority groups; rural Minnesotans; Minnesotans with disabilities; American Indians; LGBTQ community members; refugees; and immigrants. The council is staffed by the Center for Health Equity and meets every other month.

Minnesota Human Trafficking Task Force 
The task force is hosted by the MDH Violence Prevention Programs Unit, including the Sexual Violence Prevention Program and the Safe Harbor Program. It is a statewide network addressing services, response, and prevention of human trafficking in Minnesota, including labor and sex trafficking. The task force meets quarterly and provides presentations and networking opportunities.

Minnesota Immunization Practices Advisory Committee
The committee advises the health commissioner and assists the Minnesota Department of Health in reducing and eliminating vaccine-preventable diseases across the lifespan, through a comprehensive statewide immunization program.

Metro Immigrant and Refugee Health Network
The network brings together Twin Cities metropolitan area health professionals, social service workers, students, community members, and others interested in refugee and immigrant health issues. At monthly meetings, presentations by various individuals working in the field serve as a catalyst for group dialogue and networking.

Minnesota Collaborative Lead Education and Assessment Network
The network is a diverse group of members who focus on legislative developments and lead poisoning prevention and healthy homes issues to help prevent childhood lead poisoning.

Minnesota State Suicide Prevention Task Force
The task force, led by Minnesota Department of Health, provides strategic, system-level direction to implement the state suicide plan. Task force representation includes loss survivors, advocates, state government, local public health, and the faith community, Minnesota Statutes, section 145.56.

Newborn Screening Advisory Council
The council advises the Minnesota Department of Health/Minnesota Department of Agriculture Public Health Laboratory on how to maintain and improve the quality and scope of the Newborn Screening program.

Sexual Violence Prevention Network 
The statewide network holds quarterly meetings, with presentations on sexual violence topics highlighting prevention. Anyone working in the field or who has an interest in preventing sexual violence is welcome to attend these meetings.

Speech-Hearing Work Group
The group provides a forum for speech-language pathologists, audiologists, hearing instrument dispensers, and consumers of their services, to identify and discuss conflicting viewpoints and issues about occupational scopes of practice, consumer information, dual regulation, regulatory costs and fees, complaint investigation, enforcement procedures, and disciplinary outcomes, all for the purpose of creating a single regulatory scheme for three related, but distinct, occupations.

Tribal Health Directors
To provide a forum for discussion and advice to the Minnesota Department of Health and the Department of Human Services related to addressing disparities in health status among American Indians through tribal health services.

Tuberculosis Advisory Committee
Its mission is to prevent and control tuberculosis (TB) infection and disease in Minnesota by providing statewide leadership planning; implementing and evaluating TB prevention and control activities; communicating and disseminating information about TB; developing a TB elimination plan; and advocating for TB prevention and control activities in Minnesota. This is accomplished through working collaboratively with individuals and agencies throughout the state that have an investment in TB, drawing on expertise and diversity of colleagues. The committee has about 30 members (not including MDH staff). Meetings are held two or three times per year.