1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to human services; establishing a grant program to provide stable housing 
1.3 	and support services for youth; requiring recommendations;proposing coding for 
1.4 	new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 256K.
1.5 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.6 	Section 1. [256K.46] STABLE HOUSING AND SUPPORT SERVICES FOR 
1.7 	VULNERABLE YOUTH.
1.8 		Subdivision 1.Definitions. For purposes of this section, the following terms have the 
1.9 	meanings given them:
1.10 	(a) "Eligible applicant" means a program licensed by the commissioner of human services 
1.11 	to provide transitional housing and support services to youth. An eligible applicant must 
1.12 	have staff on site 24 hours per day and must have established confidentiality protocols as 
1.13 	required by state and federal law.
1.14 	(b) "Living essentials" means clothing, toiletries, transportation, interpreters, other 
1.15 	supplies, and services necessary for daily living.
1.16 	(c) "Support services" has the meaning given in section 256E.33, subdivision 1, paragraph 
1.17 	(c), and includes crisis intervention, conflict mediation, family reunification services, 
1.18 	educational services, and employment resources.
1.19 	(d) "Transitional housing" means secure shelter and housing that:
1.20 	(1) is provided at low or no cost;
1.21 	(2) is designed to assist people transitioning from homelessness, family or relationship 
1.22 	violence, or sexual exploitation, to living independently in the community; and
2.1 	(3) provides residents with regular staff interaction, supervision plans, and living skills 
2.2 	training and assistance.
2.3 	(e) "Vulnerable youth" means youth 13 years of age through 17 years of age who have 
2.4 	reported histories of sexual exploitation or family or relationship violence. Vulnerable youth 
2.5 	includes youth who are homeless and youth who are parents and their children.
2.6 		Subd. 2.Grants authorized. Within available appropriations, the commissioner of 
2.7 	human services may award grants to eligible applicants to plan, establish, or operate programs 
2.8 	to provide transitional housing and support services to vulnerable youth. An applicant may 
2.9 	apply for and the commissioner may award grants for two-year periods, and the commissioner 
2.10 	shall determine the number of grants awarded. The commissioner may reallocate 
2.11 	underspending among grantees within the same grant period.
2.12 		Subd. 3.Commissioner required to grant variance. For purposes of this grant program, 
2.13 	the commissioner may grant a program variance under chapter 245A allowing a program 
2.14 	licensed to provide transitional housing and support services to serve youth 13 years of age 
2.15 	through 17 years of age.
2.16 		Subd. 4.Allocation of grants. (a) An application must be on a form and contain 
2.17 	information as specified by the commissioner but at a minimum must contain:
2.18 	(1) a description of the purpose or project for which grant funds will be used;
2.19 	(2) a description of the specific problem the grant funds are intended to address;
2.20 	(3) a description of achievable objectives, a work plan, and a timeline for implementation 
2.21 	and completion of processes or projects enabled by the grant;
2.22 	(4) a description of the eligible applicant's existing frameworks and experience providing 
2.23 	transitional housing and support services to vulnerable youth; and
2.24 	(5) a proposed process for documenting and evaluating results of the grant.
2.25 	(b) Grant funds allocated under this section may be used for purposes that include, but 
2.26 	are not limited to, the following:
2.27 	(1) transitional housing, meals, and living essentials for vulnerable youth and their 
2.28 	children;
2.29 	(2) support services;
2.30 	(3) mental health and substance use disorder counseling;
2.31 	(4) staff training;
3.1 	(5) case management and referral services; and
3.2 	(6) aftercare and follow-up services, including ongoing adult and peer support.
3.3 	(c) The commissioner shall review each application to determine whether the application 
3.4 	is complete and whether the applicant and the project are eligible for a grant. In evaluating 
3.5 	applications, the commissioner shall establish criteria including, but not limited to:
3.6 	(1) the eligibility of the applicant or project;
3.7 	(2) the applicant's thoroughness and clarity in describing the problem grant funds are 
3.8 	intended to address;
3.9 	(3) a description of the population demographics and service area of the proposed project; 
3.10 	and
3.11 	(4) the proposed project's longevity and demonstrated financial sustainability after the 
3.12 	initial grant period.
3.13 	In evaluating applications, the commissioner may request additional information regarding 
3.14 	a proposed project, including information on project cost. An applicant's failure to provide 
3.15 	the information requested disqualifies an applicant.
3.16 		Subd. 5.Awarding of grants. The commissioner must notify grantees of awards by 
3.17 	December 1, 2018, and grant funds must be disbursed by January 1, 2019, and each January 
3.18 	1 thereafter.
3.19 		Subd. 6.Update. The commissioner shall consult with providers serving homeless, 
3.20 	sex-trafficked youth or sexually exploited youth, including providers serving older youth 
3.21 	under the Safe Harbor Act and Homeless Youth Act to make recommendations that resolve 
3.22 	conflicting requirements placed on providers and foster best practices in delivering services 
3.23 	to these populations of older youth. The recommendations may include the development 
3.24 	of additional certifications not currently available under Minnesota Rules, chapter 2960. 
3.25 	The commissioner shall provide an update on the stakeholder work and recommendations 
3.26 	identified through this process to the legislative committees' chairs and ranking minority 
3.27 	members with jurisdiction over health and human services finance and policy by January 
3.28 	15, 2019.