SF 1155

as introduced - 89th Legislature (2015 - 2016) Posted on 09/04/2015 02:28pm

A bill for an act
relating to employment; appropriating money for grants to day training and
habilitation providers to implement Olmstead Plan employment goals.

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

Section 1. DAY TRAINING AND HABILITATION GRANT PROGRAM.

Subdivision 1.

Establishment.

The commissioner of employment and economic
development shall establish a day training and habilitation grant program in fulfillment
of the Olmstead Plan purpose of ensuring that people with disabilities have choices for
competitive, meaningful, and sustained employment in the most integrated setting.

Subd. 2.

Definitions.

(a) For the purposes of this section, the following terms
have the meanings given them.

(b) "Day training and habilitation providers" means those organizations whose
names are listed as Department of Human Services providers in the Minnesota Department
of Administration, Materials Management Division, ALP Manual, Appendix J, without
regard to whether they are listed as approved vendors with the Minnesota Department
of Employment and Economic Development, Division of Rehabilitation Services as a
community rehabilitation provider, limited-use vendor, or center for independent living,
and irrespective as to whether they are accredited by CARF International.

(c) "Competitive employment" means full-time or part-time employment, with or
without support, in an integrated setting in the community that pays at least minimum
wage, as defined by the Fair Labor Standards Act, but not less than the customary wage
and level of benefits paid by the employer for the same or similar work performed by
workers without a disability.

(d) "Olmstead Plan" means Minnesota's 2013 Olmstead Plan, dated November 1,
2013, and all subsequent modifications approved by the United States District Court.

Subd. 3.

Competitive process.

The commissioner shall issue a request for proposals
to day training and habilitation providers seeking proposals to assist the Department
of Employment and Economic Development in achieving its goals as provided in the
Olmstead Plan. Grant funds shall be used to improve individual employment outcomes
by aligning programs, funding, and policies to support people with disabilities to choose,
secure, and maintain competitive employment and self-employment, including, but not
limited to, the following activities:

(1) implementing policies and initiating processes that improve the employment
outcomes of working adults with disabilities;

(2) offering incentives for innovation that increase competitive employment in
the general work force;

(3) expanding the flexibility in current funding and services to increase competitive
employment outcomes;

(4) providing evidence of partnerships with private sector businesses and public
sector employment; and

(5) submitting outcome data, required by the department, according to the
stipulations of the Olmstead Plan.

Subd. 4.

Eligibility.

Any person who has a disability as determined by the Social
Security Administration or state medical review team is eligible to receive services
provided with grant funds.

Subd. 5.

Consultation required.

The commissioner shall consult with the
governor's Workforce Development Council, the Commission of Deaf, DeafBlind, and
Hard-of-Hearing Minnesotans, the governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities, and
other governor-appointed disability councils in designing, implementing, and evaluating
the competitive grant program.

Subd. 6.

Report.

On or before February 1, 2016, and annually thereafter, the
commissioner shall report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the senate and
house of representatives committees having jurisdiction over employment and economic
development policy and finance on the amount of funds awarded and the outcomes
reported by grantees.

Sec. 2. APPROPRIATION; DAY TRAINING AND HABILITATION GRANT
PROGRAM.

$10,000,000 is appropriated in fiscal year 2016 from the general fund to the
commissioner of employment and economic development for grants to day training
and habilitation providers to provide innovative employment options and to advance
community integration for persons with disabilities as required under the Minnesota
Olmstead Plan. Unexpended funds for fiscal year 2016 do not cancel but are available
in fiscal year 2017.