1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to health; establishing grants to address PTSD among first responders and 
1.3 	veterans; requiring a report; appropriating money.
1.4 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.5 	Section 1. TARGETED GRANT PROGRAM TO ADDRESS POST-TRAUMATIC 
1.6 	STRESS DISORDER IN FIRST RESPONDERS AND VETERANS.
 1.7 		Subdivision 1.Grant program established. (a) The commissioner of health shall 
1.8 	establish and administer a grant program to address mental health issues, especially for first 
1.9 	responders and veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and their 
1.10 	families. Grant recipients shall use the grant funds to provide training for service dogs for 
1.11 	first responders or veterans suffering from PTSD, provide educational classes on PTSD and 
1.12 	support services to spouses and families of first responders or veterans suffering from PTSD, 
1.13 	or provide mental health services or referrals to mental health services for first responders 
1.14 	or veterans suffering from PTSD. Priority in awarding the grants shall be given to 
1.15 	community-based or nonprofit organizations that have experience in treating PTSD and in 
1.16 	providing services in the particular area the grantee proposes to address.
1.17 	(b) Of the appropriation for this grant program: (1) $150,000 is for grants targeting 
1.18 	training of service dogs; (2) $100,000 is for grants targeting education and support for 
1.19 	spouses and families; and (3) $150,000 is for grants targeting the delivery of mental health 
1.20 	services, including treatment and appropriate referrals.
1.21 		Subd. 2.Application. Entities seeking a grant under this section shall apply to the 
1.22 	commissioner. The grant applicant must include a description of the activities the applicant 
2.1 	is proposing, the amount of funding sought, and a proposed budget detailing how the grant 
2.2 	funds will be spent.
2.3 		Subd. 3.Report. Grant recipients shall provide the commissioner with a report on the 
2.4 	activities funded under the grant program in a format and at a time specified by the 
2.5 	commissioner.

2.6 	Sec. 2. APPROPRIATION.
 2.7 	$400,000 in fiscal year 2020 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner 
2.8 	of health for the targeted grant program in section 1 to address mental health issues among 
2.9 	first responders and veterans. This is a onetime appropriation.