HF 15

as introduced - 88th Legislature (2013 - 2014) Posted on 01/10/2013 11:58am

A bill for an act
relating to economic development; establishing grant program for collaborative
activities to reduce unemployment among minority populations; appropriating
money.

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

Section 1. new text begin COLLABORATIVE PROGRAM TO REDUCE UNEMPLOYMENT;
APPROPRIATION.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Appropriation. new text end

new text begin $....... in fiscal year 2014 is appropriated from
the workforce development fund to the commissioner of employment and economic
development to develop, implement, and administer a grant program to reduce
unemployment. The program must address the goals established in subdivision 2 and must
be developed through consultation, cooperation, and agreement between the commissioner
and the collaborative of councils described in subdivision 3. This appropriation is
available until spent.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Program goals. new text end

new text begin The program created in subdivision 1 must include
components designed to achieve the following goals:
new text end

new text begin (1) a reduction in the disproportionately high unemployment rate of minorities in
Minnesota with grants to organizations for recruitment of and training, education, skills
development, and small business counseling for individuals;
new text end

new text begin (2) placement of emphasis on providing grants to organizations that provide training
and licensing preparation to individuals in growing professions, including, but not limited
to, health care, construction, transit system development, professional trade services,
social assistance services, accommodation and food services, retail trade, educational
services, administrative and waste services, finance and insurance, energy, and green jobs;
new text end

new text begin (3) provision of assistance, coordination, and placement support for individuals
trained, licensed, or educated by funds from the program. The support may include, but is
not limited to, communicating with other state agencies and aggregating opportunities for
jobs available in construction, industry, and other professions; connecting individuals to
resources, counseling, and guidance in establishing their own businesses, as appropriate;
assisting individuals in applying for occupational licensing, as appropriate; and
coordinating and consulting with existing research or trade organizations to facilitate
employment or training services; and
new text end

new text begin (4) additional support and coordination for individual skills development in areas
that affect financial well-being to include, but not be limited to, financial literacy, English
as a second language education, technical and technology training, and health education.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Collaborative of councils membership. new text end

new text begin The following councils shall
collaborate in carrying out the requirements of this section: the Council on Asian-Pacific
Minnesotans, the Council on Black Minnesotans, and the Council on Affairs of
Chicano/Latino People.
new text end