HF 1578

as introduced - 90th Legislature (2017 - 2018) Posted on 03/06/2017 05:06pm

A bill for an act
relating to workforce development; establishing a grant program to support career
development; appropriating money; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota
Statutes, chapters 116L; 136A.

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

Section 1.

new text begin [116L.995] CAREER PATHWAYS FOR UNDERREPRESENTED
WOMEN GRANT PROGRAM.
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new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Definitions. new text end

new text begin (a) The definitions in section 116L.99 apply to this section.
In addition, for the purposes of this section, the following terms have the meanings given
them.
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new text begin (b) "Underrepresented woman" means a female 18 years of age and older who:
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new text begin (1) has dropped out of a postsecondary educational institution or program; and
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new text begin (2) exhibits one or more of the following characteristics:
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new text begin (i) identifies in part or in combination as American Indian, Asian, Black, or Hispanic;
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new text begin (ii) in the previous year, had a family income less than or equal to 200 percent of the
federal poverty line; or
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new text begin (iii) has a disability, as defined in section 363A.03, subdivision 12.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Grant program. new text end

new text begin The commissioner must establish a grant program to award
grants to eligible organizations in accordance with this section. To the extent possible, 50
percent of grant funding must be distributed to organizations located outside the 11-county
metropolitan area, as defined in section 200.02, subdivision 24.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Use of grant funds. new text end

new text begin (a) Grants awarded under this section must be used to
provide support and guidance for underrepresented women to help develop career pathways
that are likely to result in economic security and stability. Such career pathways shall include
but are not limited to high-wage, high-demand, nontraditional occupations, such as those
in the skilled trades and STEM fields.
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new text begin (b) Activities eligible for funding under this section include, but are not limited to:
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new text begin (1) culturally competent support and career guidance; and
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new text begin (2) financial assistance for child care, transportation, and safe and stable housing while
program participants undertake training, education, or job search activities.
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new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Reports to the legislature. new text end

new text begin By January 15, 2019, and each January 15 thereafter,
the commissioner must submit a report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the
legislative committees having jurisdiction over workforce development that details the use
of grant funds. If data is available, the report must contain data that is disaggregated by
race, cultural groups, family income, age, geographical location, migrant or foreign immigrant
status, primary language, whether the participant is an English learner under section 124D.59,
disability, and status of homelessness.
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Sec. 2.

new text begin [136A.147] GRANTS TO SUPPORT UNDERREPRESENTED WOMEN.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Definitions. new text end

new text begin (a) For the purposes of this section, the following terms have
the meanings given.
new text end

new text begin (b) "Underrepresented woman" means a female 18 years of age or older who:
new text end

new text begin (1) identifies in part or in combination as American Indian, Asian, Black, or Hispanic;
new text end

new text begin (2) in the previous year, had a family income less than or equal to 200 percent of the
federal poverty line;
new text end

new text begin (3) is the dependent child of a family that, in the previous year, had a family income
less than or equal to 200 percent of the federal poverty line; or
new text end

new text begin (4) has a disability, as defined in section 363A.03, subdivision 12.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Grant program established. new text end

new text begin The commissioner of higher education must
establish a program to award grants to eligible grant recipients in accordance with this
section. To the extent possible, 50 percent of grant funding must be distributed to
organizations outside the 11-county metropolitan area, as defined in section 200.02,
subdivision 24.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Grant recipients. new text end

new text begin The following organizations are eligible grant recipients
under this section:
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new text begin (1) public postsecondary institutions;
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new text begin (2) regionally accredited private postsecondary institutions; and
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new text begin (3) community-based organizations that have experience serving underrepresented
women.
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new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Use of grant funds. new text end

new text begin (a) Grants awarded under this section must be used to
support underrepresented women enrolled in a postsecondary institution in order to promote
postsecondary retention and degree, certificate, or accreditation completion.
new text end

new text begin (b) Support activities eligible for funding under this section include, but are not limited
to:
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new text begin (1) culturally competent counseling and mentoring;
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new text begin (2) tutoring and other academic assistance;
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new text begin (3) precollege bridge programs;
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new text begin (4) financial literacy education;
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new text begin (5) peer cohorts;
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new text begin (6) emergency cash assistance; and
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new text begin (7) financial assistance for child care, transportation, and safe and stable housing.
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Sec. 3. new text begin APPROPRIATIONS.
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new text begin (a) $....... in fiscal year 2018 and $....... in fiscal year 2019 are appropriated from the
workforce development fund to the commissioner of employment and economic development
for grants under Minnesota Statutes, section 116L.995.
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new text begin (b) $....... in fiscal year 2018 and $....... in fiscal year 2019 are appropriated from the
general fund to the commissioner of higher education for grants under Minnesota Statutes,
section 136A.147.
new text end