1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to human services; establishing a grant to expand disability services 
1.3 	technology and advocacy; requiring reports; appropriating money;proposing 
1.4 	coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 256.
1.5 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.6 	Section 1. [256.4768] DISABILITY SERVICES TECHNOLOGY AND ADVOCACY 
1.7 	EXPANSION GRANT.
1.8 		Subdivision 1.Establishment. (a) A disability services technology and advocacy 
1.9 	expansion grant is established to:
1.10 	(1) support the expansion of assistive technology and remote support services for people 
1.11 	with disabilities; and
1.12 	(2) strengthen advocacy efforts for individuals with disabilities and the providers who 
1.13 	serve individuals with disabilities.
1.14 	(b) The commissioner of human services must award the grant to an eligible grantee.
1.15 		Subd. 2.Eligible grantee. An eligible grantee must:
1.16 	(1) be a nonprofit organization with a statewide reach;
1.17 	(2) have demonstrated knowledge of various forms of assistive technology and remote 
1.18 	support for people with disabilities; and
1.19 	(3) have proven capacity to provide education and training to multiple constituencies.
1.20 		Subd. 3.Allowable uses of grant funds. Grant funds must be used to:
2.1 	(1) develop and deliver comprehensive training programs for lead agencies, disability 
2.2 	service providers, schools, employment support agencies, and individuals with disabilities 
2.3 	and their families to ensure effective use of assistive technology and remote support tools. 
2.4 	Training must address specific challenges faced by individuals with disabilities, such as 
2.5 	accessibility, independence, and health monitoring;
2.6 	(2) provide resources and support to advocacy organizations that work with individuals 
2.7 	with disabilities and service providers. Resources and support must be used to promote the 
2.8 	use of assistive technology to increase self-determination and community participation;
2.9 	(3) maintain, distribute, and create accessible resources related to assistive technology 
2.10 	and remote support. Materials must be tailored to address the unique needs of individuals 
2.11 	with disabilities and the people and organizations who support individuals with disabilities;
2.12 	(4) conduct research to explore new and emerging assistive technology solutions that 
2.13 	address the evolving needs of individuals with disabilities. The research must emphasize 
2.14 	the role of technology in promoting independence, improving quality of life, and ensuring 
2.15 	safety; and
2.16 	(5) conduct outreach initiatives to engage disability communities, service providers, and 
2.17 	advocacy groups across Minnesota to promote awareness of assistive technology and remote 
2.18 	support services. Outreach initiatives must focus on reaching underserved and rural 
2.19 	populations.
2.20 		Subd. 4.Evaluation and reporting requirements. (a) The grant recipient must submit 
2.21 	an annual report by June 30 each year to the legislative committees with jurisdiction over 
2.22 	disability services. The annual report must include:
2.23 	(1) the number of individuals with disabilities and service providers who received training 
2.24 	during the reporting year;
2.25 	(2) data on the impact of assistive technology and remote support in improving quality 
2.26 	of life, safety, and independence for individuals with disabilities; and
2.27 	(3) recommendations for further advancing technology-driven disability advocacy efforts 
2.28 	based on feedback and research findings.
2.29 	(b) No later than three months after the grant period has ended, a final evaluation must 
2.30 	be submitted to the legislative committees with jurisdiction over disability services to assess 
2.31 	the overall impact on expanding access to assistive technology and remote support, with a 
2.32 	focus on lessons learned and future opportunities for Minnesota's disability communities 
2.33 	and service providers.

3.1 	Sec. 2. APPROPRIATION; DISABILITY SERVICES TECHNOLOGY AND 
3.2 	ADVOCACY EXPANSION GRANT.
 3.3 	$500,000 in fiscal year 2026 and $500,000 in fiscal year 2027 are appropriated from the 
3.4 	general fund to the commissioner of human services for the purposes of the disability services 
3.5 	technology and advocacy grant under Minnesota Statutes, section 256.4768. The general 
3.6 	fund base appropriation for this purpose is set at $500,000 in fiscal year 2028, $500,000 in 
3.7 	fiscal year 2029, $500,000 in fiscal year 2030, and $0 in fiscal year 2031.