Minnesota

December 21, 2022                                              CERTIFIED MAIL

Rebekah Ann Trudel, Authorized Agent
Rebekah Ann Trudel
33721 County Road 143
Deer River, Minnesota 56636

License Number 1073073 (HCBS)

ORDER TO PAY A FINE FOR

BACKGROUND STUDY VIOLATION

Dear Rebekah Ann Trudel:

The Department of Human Services (DHS) is ordering you to pay a fine of $200 for one background study violation. details of our findings are provided below. Our next steps and your options are also detailed.

Reason for the Fine

DHS is issuing this fine order based on your failure to comply with the following background study requirement:

Background Study Violation Determined on December 6, 2022:

As a result of a licensing review a DHS licensor determined that you failed to request background studies for one staff person before they began working in positions allowing direct contact with persons served.

SP1 was a volunteer from 2020 through June 2022 providing direct care to vulnerable adults. The license holder failed to complete a background study for SP1.

Statute Violated: Minnesota Statutes, section 245C.04, subdivision 1, paragraph (g).

Fine: $200  

Corrective Action Required: You must comply with all background study requirements in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 245C.

Billing and Payment of the Fine

DHS will send you an invoice for the $200 fine. Payment must be made as directed on the invoice.

If you request a contested case hearing, as described below, do not pay the fine at this time. Following the contested case hearing, the Commissioner of DHS will issue a final order on this matter.

Please note, you may not avoid payment of this fine by closing, selling, or otherwise transferring the license to a third party. If this occurs, you are personallyresponsible for payment.

Your Right to Appeal

You have the right to appeal the fine. Your request must be in writing and clearly state that you are requesting a contested case hearing for this matter. Your request must be made before the deadlines provided below. If you do not meet this deadline, you lose your right to an administrative appeal. The timeline to appeal began when you received this order.

If you are mailing your request, it must be sent by certified mail and postmarked within 10 calendar days from when you receive this order. Please send it to:

Commissioner, Department of Human Services

Office of Inspector General

Legal Counsel’s Office

Attention: Licensing Legal Unit

PO Box 64953

St. Paul, MN 55164-64953

If your request is being personally delivered, it must be received by DHS within 10 calendar days from when you receive this order. Please bring it to:

Commissioner, Department of Human Services

Office of Inspector General

Legal Counsel’s Office

Attention: Licensing Legal Unit

444 Lafayette Road North

St. Paul, MN 55155

Upon DHS’ receipt of your timely appeal, your case would be scheduled for a contested case hearing in front of an Administrative Law Judge. Following this hearing, the Commissioner of DHS will issue a final order.

Legal representation at the contested case hearing

You do not need a lawyer to appeal. However, a lawyer can help you with your appeal. The state or county will not get you a lawyer and will not pay for a lawyer. If you cannot afford a lawyer, you may be able to get free legal advice or help with your appeal. To find out if free help is available, contact: Volunteer Lawyers Network at 612-752-6677; Central Minnesota Legal Services at 612-332-8151; Southern Minnesota Legal Services at 651-222-4731; or go to www.justice4mn.org to find a local legal services program that may be able to help you.

You can also find information on contested cases from the Office of Administrative Hearings website at https://mn.gov/oah/self-help. Click on Administrative Law Overview, then click on Administrative Law Contested Case Hearing Guide for a list of frequently asked questions.

Legal Authority for this Licensing Action

· DHS may impose a $200 fine for each background study violation under Minnesota Statutes, section 245A.07, subdivision 3, paragraph (c)(4)(iv).

· Minnesota Statutes, section 245A.07, subdivision 3, paragraph (c)(5) states that license holders may not avoid payment of a fine by closing, selling, or transferring a license.

· License holders have a right to appeal licensing actions and request a contested case hearing, under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 14 and Minnesota Rules, parts 1400.8505 to 1400.8612.

Questions

If you have any further questions regarding this matter, you may contact Christala Culhane, HCBS Supervisor, at 651-431-6541.

Sincerely,

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Jill Slaikeu, Unit Manager

Licensing Division

Office of Inspector General


PO Box 64242 • Saint Paul, Minnesota • 55164-0242 • An Equal Opportunity and Veteran Friendly Employer

https://mn.gov/dhs/general-public/licensing/