1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to human services; establishing human services provider workplace safety 
1.3 	grants; appropriating money.
1.4 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.5 	Section 1. APPROPRIATIONS; HUMAN SERVICES PROVIDER WORKPLACE 
1.6 	SAFETY GRANTS.
 1.7 	(a) $10,000,000 in fiscal year 2024 and $10,000,000 in fiscal year 2025 are appropriated 
1.8 	from the general fund to the commissioner of human services for human services provider 
1.9 	workplace safety grants to increase safety measures in human services workplaces providing 
1.10 	behavioral health care; services for children, families, and vulnerable adults; services for 
1.11 	older adults and people with disabilities; and other social services or related care.
1.12 	(b) Eligible applicants include county human services agencies, Tribal human services 
1.13 	agencies, or other human services provider organizations or agencies.
1.14 	(c) Applicants shall submit applications in a form and manner prescribed by the 
1.15 	commissioner. Applications must include:
1.16 	(1) a description of the type of provider organization that will receive funding through 
1.17 	the grant;
1.18 	(2) a description of the specific safety measures or activities for which the applicant will 
1.19 	use the grant funding;
1.20 	(3) a proposed budget for each of the specific activities for which the applicant will use 
1.21 	the grant funding;
2.1 	(4) an outline of efforts to enhance or improve existing safety measures or proposed 
2.2 	new measures to improve the safety of human services providers employed with the agency 
2.3 	or organization;
2.4 	(5) an assurance that the applicant will evaluate the effectiveness of the safety measures 
2.5 	provided through the grant funding;
2.6 	(6) an assurance that any use of grant funds will align with the positive supports rule 
2.7 	pursuant to Minnesota Rules, chapter 9544, and person-centered practices pursuant to Code 
2.8 	of Federal Regulations, title 42, section 441.725; and
2.9 	(7) an assurance that, if applicable, security cameras will be used according to consent 
2.10 	and notification requirements under Minnesota Statutes, section 144.6502, including a 
2.11 	description of consent forms and consent processes across client populations.
2.12 	(d) Grant funds may be used to provide or facilitate:
2.13 	(1) the procurement and installation of safety equipment, including but not limited to 
2.14 	communications or recording systems such as cellular telephones, personal radios, wearable 
2.15 	tracking devices with location capabilities, security systems, camera systems, or panic 
2.16 	buttons. The use of electronic monitoring technology may only be used pursuant to consent 
2.17 	and notification requirements as outlined in Minnesota Statutes, section 144.6502;
2.18 	(2) training for providers, which may include:
2.19 	(i) sessions and exercises for crisis management, strategies for de-escalating conflict 
2.20 	situations, and self-defense in line with the positive supports rule and person-centered 
2.21 	practices;
2.22 	(ii) training in cultural competency, including linguistic training; and
2.23 	(iii) other training topics, sessions, and exercises the commissioner determines to be 
2.24 	appropriate;
2.25 	(3) facility safety improvements, including but not limited to a threat and vulnerability 
2.26 	review, barrier protection, and security cameras, to be used according to consent and 
2.27 	notification requirements under Minnesota Statutes, section 144.6502;
2.28 	(4) support services, counseling, and additional resources for human services providers 
2.29 	who have experienced safety concerns or trauma-related incidents in the workplace;
2.30 	(5) installation and implementation of an internal data incident tracking system to track 
2.31 	and prevent workplace safety incidents; and
3.1 	(6) other prevention and mitigation measures and safety training, resources, and provider 
3.2 	support services the commissioner determines to be appropriate.
3.3 	(e) Grants must be awarded to eligible applicants who meet application requirements 
3.4 	on a first-come, first-served basis, and 40 percent of grant funds in each fiscal year must be 
3.5 	awarded to eligible agencies or organizations located outside of the seven-county 
3.6 	metropolitan area. Each grant award must be for at least $5,000, but no more than $50,000.
3.7 	(f) Each grantee must submit a report to the commissioner within two years of receiving 
3.8 	grant funding under this section on the effectiveness of the safety measures funded by these 
3.9 	grants. Reports to the commissioner must include an attestation from each grantee providing:
3.10 	(1) the number of workplace safety incidents that occurred over the course of the grant 
3.11 	period;
3.12 	(2) the number and type of safety measures funded by the grants; and
3.13 	(3) the number of employees benefiting from safety measures implemented through 
3.14 	grant funding.
3.15 	(g) The commissioner must provide technical assistance to grant applicants throughout 
3.16 	the application process and to applicants and grantees regarding grant distribution and 
3.17 	required grantee reporting.
3.18 	(h) The unencumbered balance in the first year does not cancel but is available for the 
3.19 	second year.
3.20 	(i) These are onetime appropriations.