HF 361

as introduced - 89th Legislature (2015 - 2016) Posted on 02/19/2015 03:42pm

A bill for an act
relating to human services; establishing a demonstration project to provide
employment opportunities for persons with disabilities; requiring a report;
appropriating money; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes,
chapter 256C.

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

Section 1.

new text begin [256C.31] DEMONSTRATION PROJECT; EMPLOYMENT
OPPORTUNITIES FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Demonstration project established. new text end

new text begin The commissioner of human
services shall establish a demonstration project to provide employment opportunities for
persons with disabilities that removes disincentives for persons with disabilities to obtain
employment or increase their income. Under the demonstration project, a person with
disabilities may obtain employment, accept a raise or promotion, or increase the number
of hours worked; keep a portion of the increased income earned from the employment,
raise or promotion, or additional hours; and maintain eligibility for any public assistance
programs and Minnesota health care programs serving the person when the person begins
participation in the demonstration project. The commissioner shall establish eligibility
requirements and income reporting requirements for the project. The commissioner shall
operate the project within the limits of available appropriations.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Sliding fee scale. new text end

new text begin The commissioner shall establish a sliding fee scale for
persons participating in the demonstration project whose income, because of increased
employment, exceeds the income limits for public assistance programs or Minnesota
health care programs serving persons participating in the project. The sliding fee scale
shall require a person participating in the project to pay a monthly co-payment equal to 50
percent of the amount by which the person's income exceeds the income limits for the
public assistance or Minnesota health care program serving the person when the person
begins participation in the demonstration project. The commissioner shall determine
co-payment amounts for persons participating in the demonstration project every six
months, beginning six months after a person enrolls in the project. A person whose
income does not exceed the income limits applicable to that person shall not pay any
co-payments under this section.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Consultation required. new text end

new text begin The commissioner shall consult with the Council
on Disability and the commissioner of employment and economic development on the
development and implementation of the demonstration project and shall ensure that there
are no duplications of services.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Report to legislature. new text end

new text begin The commissioner shall report to the legislature by
January 15, 2017, and every two years thereafter, on the structure and operation of the
demonstration project, the number of persons participating in the demonstration project,
the average amount of additional income a person participating in the project keeps from
the person's employment or increased employment due to project participation, and the
feasibility of expanding the project to serve additional persons.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin FEDERAL WAIVER OR APPROVAL.
new text end

new text begin The commissioner of human services shall seek all federal waivers or approvals
needed to implement the demonstration project to provide employment opportunities for
persons with disabilities under Minnesota Statutes, section 256C.31.
new text end

Sec. 3. new text begin APPROPRIATION; EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR
PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES.
new text end

new text begin $....... in fiscal year 2016 and $....... in fiscal year 2017 are appropriated from the
general fund to the commissioner of human services to establish a demonstration project
to provide employment opportunities for persons with disabilities under Minnesota
Statutes, section 256C.31.
new text end