1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to workforce development; codifying the pathways to prosperity grant 
1.3 	program; appropriating money;proposing coding for new law in Minnesota 
1.4 	Statutes, chapter 116L.
1.5 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.6 	Section 1. [116L.25] PATHWAYS TO PROSPERITY GRANT PROGRAM.
1.7 		Subdivision 1.Definitions. (a) For the purposes of this section, the following terms have 
1.8 	the meanings given.
1.9 	(b) "Career pathway" means a career-readiness program that combines basic skills 
1.10 	training, education, and support services and results in either industry-specific training or 
1.11 	an employer recognized credential.
1.12 	(c) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of employment and economic development.
1.13 	(d) "Pathways to prosperity grant program" or "grant program" means the competitive 
1.14 	grant program created in this section.
1.15 		Subd. 2.Establishment. The commissioner shall establish a pathways to prosperity 
1.16 	grant program to award grants to organizations to train low-skill, low-income adults, and 
1.17 	adults facing the greatest employment disparities, and to assist them in finding employment 
1.18 	in high-demand industries with long-term employment opportunities.
1.19 		Subd. 3.Grant process. (a) The commissioner shall award grants to applicants through 
1.20 	a competitive grant process. This process shall include an expedited application process for 
1.21 	previous grant recipients that operate career pathway programs that are aligned with current 
2.1 	labor market needs and that are meeting or exceeding their performance goals related to 
2.2 	training and placement for individuals facing multiple barriers to employment.
2.3 	(b) The commissioner shall develop grant-making criteria for the grant program in 
2.4 	consultation with workforce development service providers. These criteria shall include 
2.5 	guidelines for multiple types of career pathways. These criteria shall also consider a program's 
2.6 	alignment with the labor market in the community where the program operates and, where 
2.7 	applicable, a program's previous grant performance.
2.8 	(c) All reporting requirements for grant recipients shall be outlined in plain language in 
2.9 	both the request for proposal and the grant contract.
2.10 	(d) The commissioner shall provide applicants with technical assistance with 
2.11 	understanding application procedures and program guidelines.
2.12 	(e) All grants shall be two years in length.

2.13 	Sec. 2. PATHWAYS TO PROSPERITY GRANT PROGRAM; APPROPRIATION.
 2.14 	$....... in fiscal year 2020 and $....... in fiscal year 2021 are appropriated from the general 
2.15 	fund to the commissioner of employment and economic development for the pathways to 
2.16 	prosperity grant program under Minnesota Statutes, section 116L.25. Of these amounts, up 
2.17 	to ten percent is for administration and monitoring of the program.