HF 1946

as introduced - 92nd Legislature (2021 - 2022) Posted on 03/04/2021 02:48pm

A bill for an act
relating to human services; establishing homelessness program outcomes; requiring
a report; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 256K.

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

Section 1.

new text begin [256K.36] HOMELESSNESS PROGRAM OUTCOMES.
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new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Requirements. new text end

new text begin The commissioner shall develop and implement a uniform
outcome measurement and reporting system for programs providing shelter or supportive
services for persons experiencing homelessness funded in whole or in part by state funds
including emergency services grants under section 256E.36, long-term homeless supportive
services under section 256K.26, and Homeless Youth Act grants under section 256K.45.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Definitions. new text end

new text begin (a) For the purposes of this section, the terms defined in this
subdivision have the meanings given.
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new text begin (b) "Exit" means to have not received shelter or supportive services under a program
providing shelter or supportive services for persons experiencing homelessness for 90
consecutive calendar days. The exit date is the last date of service.
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new text begin (c) "Homeless" or "homelessness" means lacking a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime
residence.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Uniform outcome report card; reporting by commissioner. new text end

new text begin (a) By December
31 of each even-numbered year, the commissioner must report to the chairs and ranking
minority members of the committees of the house of representatives and the senate having
jurisdiction over homelessness policy and finance the following information separately for
each of the previous two fiscal or calendar years and for each program subject to the
requirements of subdivision 1:
new text end

new text begin (1) the total number of clients served;
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new text begin (2) the total cost of the program;
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new text begin (3) whether or not the number of Minnesota individuals and families experiencing
homelessness has decreased;
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new text begin (4) whether or not there has been an increase in housing opportunities with supportive
services;
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new text begin (5) whether or not there has been an increase in employability, self-sufficiency, and
other social outcomes for individuals and families experiencing homelessness;
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new text begin (6) whether or not there has been a reduction in the inappropriate use of emergency
health care, shelter, child protection, corrections, and similar services used by people
experiencing homelessness;
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new text begin (7) the total cost of the program per client; and
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new text begin (8) the administrative cost of the program.
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new text begin (b) The report to the legislature must contain client information by education level, race
and ethnicity, gender, and geography, and a comparison of exited clients who were in stable
housing and those who were not.
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new text begin (c) The requirements of this section apply to programs administered directly by the
commissioner or administered by other organizations under a grant made by the department.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Data to commissioner; uniform report card. new text end

new text begin (a) A recipient of a future or
past grant or direct appropriation made by or through the department must report data to
the commissioner by September 1 of each even-numbered year on each of the items in
subdivision 3 for each program it administers. The data must be in a format prescribed by
the commissioner.
new text end

new text begin (b) Beginning July 1, 2022, the commissioner shall provide notice to grant applicants
and recipients regarding the data collection and reporting requirements under this subdivision
and must provide technical assistance to applicants and recipients to assist in complying
with the requirements of this subdivision.
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new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Information. new text end

new text begin (a) The information collected and reported under subdivisions 3
and 4 shall be made available on the department's website.
new text end

new text begin (b) The commissioner must provide analysis of the data required under subdivision 3.
new text end

new text begin (c) The analysis under paragraph (b) must also include an executive summary of program
outcomes, including but not limited to the number of clients served, the cost per client,
whether or not there has been a decrease in the number of Minnesota individuals and families
experiencing homelessness, and a comparison of program outcomes by participant
characteristics.
new text end

new text begin (d) The data required in the comparative analysis under paragraph (c) must be presented
in both written and graphic formats.
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new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Limitations on future appropriations. new text end

new text begin (a) A program that is a recipient of
public funds and subject to the requirements of this section as of May 1, 2022, is not eligible
for additional state appropriations for any fiscal year beginning after June 30, 2023, unless
all of the reporting requirements under subdivision 4 have been satisfied.
new text end

new text begin (b) A program with an initial request for funds on or after July 1, 2022, may be considered
for receipt of public funds for the first two fiscal years only if a plan that demonstrates how
the data collection and reporting requirements under subdivision 4 will be met has been
submitted and approved by the commissioner. Any subsequent request for funds after an
initial request is subject to the requirements of paragraph (a).
new text end