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HF 310

1st Engrossment - 88th Legislature (2013 - 2014) Posted on 03/06/2013 05:51pm

KEY: stricken = removed, old language.
underscored = added, new language.
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A bill for an act
relating to human services; creating the Cultural and Ethnic Leadership
Communities Council; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes,
chapter 256.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

new text begin [256.999] CULTURAL AND ETHNIC COMMUNITIES LEADERSHIP
COUNCIL.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Establishment; purpose. new text end

new text begin There is hereby established the Cultural
and Ethnic Communities Leadership Council for the Department of Human Services. The
purpose of the council is to advise the commissioner of human services on reducing
disparities that affect racial and ethnic groups.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Members. new text end

new text begin (a) The council must consist of no fewer than 15 and no more
than 25 members appointed by the commissioner of human services, in consultation with
county, tribal, cultural, and ethnic communities; diverse program participants; and parent
representatives from these communities. The commissioner shall direct the development
of guidelines defining the membership of the council; setting out definitions; and
developing duties of the commissioner, the council, and council members regarding racial
and ethnic disparities reduction. The guidelines must be developed in consultation with:
new text end

new text begin (1) the chairs of relevant committees; and
new text end

new text begin (2) county, tribal, and cultural communities and program participants from these
communities.
new text end

new text begin (b) Members must be appointed to allow for representation of the following groups:
new text end

new text begin (1) racial and ethnic minority groups;
new text end

new text begin (2) tribal service providers;
new text end

new text begin (3) culturally and linguistically specific advocacy groups and service providers;
new text end

new text begin (4) human services program participants;
new text end

new text begin (5) public and private institutions;
new text end

new text begin (6) parents of human services program participants;
new text end

new text begin (7) members of the faith community;
new text end

new text begin (8) Department of Human Services employees;
new text end

new text begin (9) chairs of relevant legislative committees; and
new text end

new text begin (10) any other group the commissioner deems appropriate to facilitate the goals
and duties of the council.
new text end

new text begin (c) Each member of the council must be appointed to either a one-year or two-year
term. The commissioner shall appoint one member as chair.
new text end

new text begin (d) Notwithstanding section 15.059, members of the council shall receive no
compensation for their services.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Duties of commissioner. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner of human services or the
commissioner's designee shall:
new text end

new text begin (1) maintain the council established in this section;
new text end

new text begin (2) supervise and coordinate policies for persons from racial, ethnic, cultural,
linguistic, and tribal communities who experience disparities in access and outcomes;
new text end

new text begin (3) identify human services rules or statutes affecting persons from racial, ethnic,
cultural, linguistic, and tribal communities that may need to be revised;
new text end

new text begin (4) investigate and implement cost-effective models of service delivery such as
careful adaptation of clinically proven services that constitute one strategy for increasing
the number of culturally relevant services available to currently underserved populations;
new text end

new text begin (5) based on recommendations of the council, review identified department
policies that maintain racial, ethnic, cultural, linguistic, and tribal disparities, and make
adjustments to ensure those disparities are not perpetuated; and
new text end

new text begin (6) based on recommendations of the council, submit legislation to reduce disparities
affecting racial and ethnic groups, increase access to programs, and promote better
outcomes.
new text end

new text begin (b) The commissioner of human services or the commissioner's designee shall
consult with the council and receive recommendations from the council when meeting
the requirements of this section.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Duties of council. new text end

new text begin The Cultural and Ethnic Communities Leadership
Council shall:
new text end

new text begin (1) recommend to the commissioner for review identified policies in the Department
of Human Services that maintain racial, ethnic, cultural, linguistic, and tribal disparities;
new text end

new text begin (2) identify issues regarding disparities by engaging diverse populations in human
services programs;
new text end

new text begin (3) engage in mutual learning essential for achieving human services parity and
optimal wellness for service recipients;
new text end

new text begin (4) raise awareness about human services disparities to the legislature and media;
new text end

new text begin (5) provide technical assistance and consultation support to counties, private
nonprofit agencies, and other service providers to build their capacity to provide equitable
human services for persons from racial, ethnic, cultural, linguistic, and tribal communities
who experience disparities in access and outcomes;
new text end

new text begin (6) provide technical assistance to promote statewide development of culturally
and linguistically appropriate, accessible, and cost-effective human services and related
policies;
new text end

new text begin (7) provide training and outreach to facilitate access to culturally and linguistically
appropriate, accessible, and cost-effective human services to prevent disparities;
new text end

new text begin (8) facilitate culturally appropriate and culturally sensitive admissions, continued
services, discharges, and utilization review for human services agencies and institutions;
new text end

new text begin (9) form work groups to help carry out the duties of the council that include, but are
not limited to, persons who provide and receive services and representatives of advocacy
groups, and provide the work groups with clear guidelines, standardized parameters, and
tasks for the work groups to accomplish; and
new text end

new text begin (10) promote information-sharing in the human services community and statewide.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Duties of council members. new text end

new text begin The members of the council shall:
new text end

new text begin (1) attend and participate in scheduled meetings and be prepared by reviewing
meeting notes;
new text end

new text begin (2) maintain open communication channels with respective constituencies;
new text end

new text begin (3) identify and communicate issues and risks that could impact the timely
completion of tasks;
new text end

new text begin (4) collaborate on disparity reduction efforts;
new text end

new text begin (5) communicate updates of the council's work progress and status on the
Department of Human Services Web site; and
new text end

new text begin (6) participate in any activities the council or chair deem appropriate and necessary
to facilitate the goals and duties of the council.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Expiration. new text end

new text begin Notwithstanding section 15.059, the council does not expire
unless directed by the commissioner.
new text end