HF 4010

as introduced - 92nd Legislature (2021 - 2022) Posted on 03/03/2022 02:05pm

A bill for an act
relating to higher education; establishing a grant program for organizations
providing vocational and life skills training to young adults with learning
differences and autism; requiring a report; appropriating money; proposing coding
for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 136A.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

[136A.92] GRANTS TO ORGANIZATIONS SUPPORTING
INDIVIDUALS WITH LEARNING DIFFERENCES AND AUTISM SPECTRUM
DISORDER.

Subdivision 1.

Grant program established.

The commissioner shall establish a
competitive grant program to provide funds to organizations serving young adults with
learning differences and autism spectrum disorder.

Subd. 2.

Eligibility; use of funds.

(a) To be eligible for a grant under this section, an
organization must:

(1) complete an application in the form and manner specified by the commissioner;

(2) be located in Minnesota;

(3) be a nonprofit, nongovernmental organization; and

(4) provide postsecondary vocational and life skills training, a residential campus
experience, and ongoing postgraduate career and community support for young adults with
learning differences and autism spectrum disorder.

(b) The commissioner shall award the grants biennially. An organization may receive a
grant more than once. Grant award amounts shall be determined by the commissioner based
on the appropriation for the program and the applications received.

(c) An organization receiving a grant under this section must use the grant funds for
need-based scholarships and tuition reduction for students who meet Minnesota residency
requirements in section 136A.101, subdivision 8.

Subd. 3.

Report required.

By August 1 of each odd-numbered year, an organization
receiving a grant under this section must submit to the Office of Higher Education and to
the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction
over higher education an annual report on the results of the grant. The report must include
but is not limited to information about programs offered by the organization, program costs
to students, student outcomes, the number of students served by the grant, and the average
amount of scholarships or tuition reduction provided to students as a result of the grant.

Sec. 2. APPROPRIATION; GRANTS TO SUPPORT INDIVIDUALS WITH
LEARNING DIFFERENCES AND AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER.

$4,000,000 in fiscal year 2023 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner
of the Office of Higher Education for grants to up to five eligible organizations under
Minnesota Statutes, section 136A.92.