HF 1020

1st Engrossment - 88th Legislature (2013 - 2014) Posted on 04/04/2013 04:43pm

A bill for an act
relating to human services; creating the Emerging Adulthood Task Force.

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

Section 1. new text begin EMERGING ADULTHOOD TASK FORCE.
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new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Creation. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner of human services shall convene an
Emerging Adulthood Task Force to study challenges encountered by disconnected youth
and to make recommendations to the governor, legislature, and state director to prevent
and end homelessness and on interventions, programs, and policies that will support
disconnected youth in achieving safety, stability, and opportunity for productive futures.
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new text begin (b) The task force shall be organized according to Minnesota Statutes, section
15.059, subdivision 6.
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new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Membership. new text end

new text begin (a) The task force shall consist of no more than 15 members
and shall be chaired by the commissioner of human services. Membership of the task
force shall include:
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new text begin (1) the commissioner of human services, or designee;
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new text begin (2) the commissioner of the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, or designee;
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new text begin (3) the director of the Office of Higher Education, or designee;
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new text begin (4) the commissioner of education, or designee;
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new text begin (5) the commissioner of the Department of Corrections, or designee;
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new text begin (6) a representative from an agency providing foster care and adoption services;
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new text begin (7) a representative from a program providing services to homeless youth;
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new text begin (8) a representative from a children's advocacy organization;
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new text begin (9) a representative from the Minnesota Association of County Social Service
Administrators;
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new text begin (10) a representative from a philanthropic organization with an interest in youth
development;
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new text begin (11) a representative from a faith-based organization with child welfare expertise;
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new text begin (12) a representative from a social service agency that serves all Minnesota counties;
and
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new text begin (13) two youth who have experienced homelessness or are at risk of experiencing
homelessness.
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new text begin (b) At least two members of the task force must be from greater Minnesota.
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new text begin (c) The commissioner of human services may create up to four subgroups of task force
members to develop specific recommendations for consideration by the full task force.
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new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Duties. new text end

new text begin The task force shall:
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new text begin (1) review existing research, data, programs, and resources in order to identify and
define challenges faced by disconnected youth;
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new text begin (2) identify points of transition and vulnerability for youth, and best practices in
order to support youth who are in foster care, corrections placement, or exiting mental
health treatment;
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new text begin (3) develop strategies to increase awareness of youth populations who
disproportionately experience the status of homelessness or are at risk of experiencing
homelessness including youth of color, youth who identify as GLBT, youth in homeless
families, youth who experience an emotional disturbance or mental illness, and youth
who are state wards;
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new text begin (4) enhance strategies for family unification where possible and establish adult
connections when family unification is not possible;
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new text begin (5) identify and advance strategies that are tailored to meet key developmental needs;
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new text begin (6) develop methods and tools for early identification of youth who are at risk of
disconnection and homelessness; and
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new text begin (7) develop methods for measurable evaluation of programs designed to decrease the
number of youth experiencing homelessness.
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new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Recommendations. new text end

new text begin The commissioner must submit the recommendations
of the task force to the governor, legislature, and state director to prevent and end
homelessness no later than January 15, 2014. Recommendations must address the
following:
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new text begin (1) methods to assure well-planned transitions to stable, appropriate living
arrangements, with identified emergency supports, for all youth exiting child welfare,
corrections, mental health, or other placements;
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new text begin (2) barriers to housing, employment, and education;
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new text begin (3) methods to promote stable, supportive connections with kin and community; and
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new text begin (4) methods to increase high school graduation and enrollment in postsecondary
education.
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new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Task force expiration. new text end

new text begin The task force shall expire June 30, 2014.
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