HF 425

as introduced - 87th Legislature (2011 - 2012) Posted on 02/09/2011 09:01am

A bill for an act
relating to human services; modifying MFIP work activities; amending
Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 256J.49, subdivision 13.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 256J.49, subdivision 13, is amended to
read:

Subd. 13.

Work activity.

new text begin (a) new text end "Work activity" means any activity in a participant's
approved employment plan that leads to employment. For purposes of the MFIP program,
this includes activities that meet the definition of work activity under the participation
requirements of TANF. Work activity includes:

(1) unsubsidized employment, including work study and paid apprenticeships or
internships;

(2) subsidized private sector or public sector employment, including grant diversion
as specified in section 256J.69, on-the-job training as specified in section 256J.66, paid
work experience, and supported work when a wage subsidy is provided;

(3) unpaid work experience, including community service, volunteer work,
the community work experience program as specified in section 256J.67, unpaid
apprenticeships or internships, and supported work when a wage subsidy is not provided.
Unpaid work experience is only an option if the participant has been unable to obtain or
maintain paid employment in the competitive labor market, and no paid work experience
programs are available to the participant. Prior to placing a participant in unpaid work,
the county must inform the participant that the participant will be notified if a paid work
experience or supported work position becomes available. Unless a participant consents in
writing to participate in unpaid work experience, the participant's employment plan may
only include unpaid work experience if including the unpaid work experience in the plan
will meet the following criteria:

(i) the unpaid work experience will provide the participant specific skills or
experience that cannot be obtained through other work activity options where the
participant resides or is willing to reside; and

(ii) the skills or experience gained through the unpaid work experience will result
in higher wages for the participant than the participant could earn without the unpaid
work experience;

(4) job search including job readiness assistance, job clubs, job placement,
job-related counseling, and job retention services;

(5) job readiness education, including English as a second language (ESL) or
functional work literacy classes as limited by the provisions of section 256J.531,
subdivision 2, general educational development (GED) course work, high school
completion, and adult basic education as limited by the provisions of section 256J.531,
subdivision 1;

(6) job skills training directly related to employment, including education and
training that can reasonably be expected to lead to employment, as limited by the
provisions of section 256J.53;

(7) providing child care services to a participant who is working in a community
service program;

(8) activities included in the employment plan that is developed under section
256J.521, subdivision 3; and

(9) preemployment activities including chemical and mental health assessments,
treatment, and services; learning disabilities services; child protective services; family
stabilization services; or other programs designed to enhance employability.

new text begin (b) "Work activity" does not include activities done for political purposes as defined
in section 211B.01, subdivision 6.
new text end