1.1                          A bill for an act
  1.2             relating to health; appropriating money for the STAR 
  1.3             program. 
  1.4   BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 
  1.5      Section 1.  [APPROPRIATION; STAR PROGRAM.] 
  1.6      (a) $592,000 is appropriated from the general fund to the 
  1.7   commissioner of administration for the biennium ending June 30, 
  1.8   1999, to fund initiatives of the system of training to achieve 
  1.9   results (STAR) program as provided in this section. 
  1.10     (b) $300,000 for the biennium is for assessment, 
  1.11  evaluation, fitting, customization, repair, and maintenance of 
  1.12  wheelchairs, communication devices, worksite accommodations, 
  1.13  computers, and environmental controls, and for the provision of 
  1.14  related training, at locations outside of the seven-county 
  1.15  metropolitan area. 
  1.16     (c) $150,000 for the biennium is for regional assistive 
  1.17  technology grants to businesses, community organizations, and 
  1.18  disability groups to provide access to computers, augmentative 
  1.19  communication, job training and employment, recreation, and 
  1.20  independent living through the use of assistive technology. 
  1.21     (d) $16,000 for the biennium is for equipment loan and 
  1.22  equipment recycling programs. 
  1.23     (e) $30,000 for the biennium is for scholarships to 
  1.24  individuals to attend conferences on the use of technologies to 
  2.1   increase the productivity of individuals with disabilities at 
  2.2   home, work, and school, and in the community. 
  2.3      (f) $96,000 for the biennium is for the provision of 
  2.4   information on commercially available assistive technology and 
  2.5   durable medical equipment and information on resources providing 
  2.6   personal assistance on funding issues through a toll-free 
  2.7   telephone line, funding directories, and a newsletter.