HF 909

as introduced - 91st Legislature (2019 - 2020) Posted on 03/28/2019 05:04pm

A bill for an act
relating to early childhood; governing certain programs and funding for prenatal
care services; appropriating money; amending Minnesota Statutes 2018, section
145.928, subdivisions 1, 7.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 145.928, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Goal; establishment.

It is the goal of the state, by 2010, to decrease by
50 percent the disparities in infant mortality rates and adult and child immunization rates
for American Indians and populations of color, as compared with rates for whites. To do
so and to achieve other measurable outcomes, the commissioner of health shall establish a
program to close the gap in the health status of American Indians and populations of color
as compared with whites in the following priority areas: infant mortality, new text begin access to and
utilization of high-quality prenatal care, new text end breast and cervical cancer screening, HIV/AIDS
and sexually transmitted infections, adult and child immunizations, cardiovascular disease,
diabetes, and accidental injuries and violence.

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 145.928, subdivision 7, is amended to read:

Subd. 7.

Community grant program; immunization rates new text begin , prenatal care access and
utilization, new text end and infant mortality rates.

(a) The commissioner shall award grants to eligible
applicants for local or regional projects and initiatives directed at reducing health disparities
in one or deleted text begin both deleted text end new text begin more new text end of the following priority areas:

(1) decreasing racial and ethnic disparities in infant mortality rates; deleted text begin or
deleted text end

new text begin (2) decreasing racial and ethnic disparities in access to and utilization of high-quality
prenatal care; or
new text end

deleted text begin (2) deleted text end new text begin (3) new text end increasing adult and child immunization rates in nonwhite racial and ethnic
populations.

(b) The commissioner may award up to 20 percent of the funds available as planning
grants. Planning grants must be used to address such areas as community assessment,
coordination activities, and development of community supported strategies.

(c) Eligible applicants may include, but are not limited to, faith-based organizations,
social service organizations, community nonprofit organizations, community health boards,
tribal governments, and community clinics. Applicants must submit proposals to the
commissioner. A proposal must specify the strategies to be implemented to address one or
deleted text begin both deleted text end new text begin more new text end of the priority areas listed in paragraph (a) and must be targeted to achieve the
outcomes established according to subdivision 3.

(d) The commissioner shall give priority to applicants who demonstrate that their
proposed project or initiative:

(1) is supported by the community the applicant will serve;

(2) is research-based or based on promising strategies;

(3) is designed to complement other related community activities;

(4) utilizes strategies that positively impact deleted text begin both deleted text end new text begin two or more new text end priority areas;

(5) reflects racially and ethnically appropriate approaches; and

(6) will be implemented through or with community-based organizations that reflect the
race or ethnicity of the population to be reached.

Sec. 3. new text begin APPROPRIATION.
new text end

new text begin $5,000,000 in fiscal year 2020 and $5,000,000 in fiscal year 2021 are appropriated from
the general fund to the commissioner of health for grants under Minnesota Statutes, section
145.928, subdivision 7, paragraph (a), clause (2), to decrease racial and ethnic disparities
in access to and utilization of high-quality prenatal care. This amount is in addition to base
appropriations and funding.
new text end