HF 2008

1st Engrossment - 93rd Legislature (2023 - 2024) Posted on 03/08/2023 11:12am

A bill for an act
relating to human services; establishing a homeless youth cash stipend pilot project;
requiring a report; appropriating money.

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

Section 1. new text begin HOMELESS YOUTH CASH STIPEND PILOT PROJECT.
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new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Pilot project established. new text end

new text begin The commissioner of human services shall
establish a homeless youth cash stipend pilot project to provide a direct cash stipend to
homeless youth in Hennepin and St. Louis Counties. The pilot project must be designed to
meet the needs of underserved communities.
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new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Definitions. new text end

new text begin (a) For purposes of this section, the following terms have the
meanings given.
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new text begin (b) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of human services.
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new text begin (c) "Homeless youth" means a person 18 to 24 years of age who lacks a fixed, regular,
and adequate nighttime residence. The following are not fixed, regular, or adequate nighttime
residences:
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new text begin (1) a supervised publicly or privately operated shelter designed to provide temporary
living accommodations;
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new text begin (2) an institution or a publicly or privately operated shelter designed to provide temporary
living accommodations;
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new text begin (3) transitional housing;
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new text begin (4) a temporary placement with a peer, friend, or family member that has not offered
permanent residence, a residential lease, or temporary lodging for more than 30 days; or
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new text begin (5) a public or private place not designed for, nor ordinarily used as, a regular sleeping
accommodation for human beings.
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new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Administration. new text end

new text begin The commissioner, as authorized by Minnesota Statutes,
section 256.01, subdivision 2, paragraph (a), clause (6), shall contract with Youthprise to:
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new text begin (1) identify eligible homeless youth under this section;
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new text begin (2) provide technical assistance to cash stipend recipients;
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new text begin (3) engage with cash stipend recipients to develop youth-designed optional services;
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new text begin (4) evaluate the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of the pilot program;
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new text begin (5) collaborate with youth leaders of each county to identify and contract with the
appropriate service providers to offer financial coaching, housing navigation, employment,
education services, and trauma-informed mentoring and support; and
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new text begin (6) submit annual updates and a final report to the commissioner.
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new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Eligibility. new text end

new text begin Homeless youth who are 18 to 24 years of age and who live in
Hennepin or St. Louis County at the time of initial enrollment are eligible to participate in
the pilot project.
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new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Cash stipend. new text end

new text begin The commissioner, in consultation with Youthprise and Hennepin
and St. Louis Counties, shall establish a stipend amount for eligible homeless youth who
participate in the pilot project.
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new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Stipends not to be considered income. new text end

new text begin (a) Notwithstanding any law to the
contrary, cash stipends under this section must not be considered income, assets, or personal
property for purposes of determining eligibility or recertifying eligibility for:
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new text begin (1) child care assistance programs under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 119B;
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new text begin (2) general assistance, Minnesota supplemental aid, and food support under Minnesota
Statutes, chapter 256D;
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new text begin (3) housing support under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 256I;
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new text begin (4) the Minnesota family investment program and diversionary work program under
Minnesota Statutes, chapter 256J; and
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new text begin (5) economic assistance programs under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 256P.
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new text begin (b) The commissioner must not consider cash stipends under this section as income or
assets for medical assistance under Minnesota Statutes, section 256B.056, subdivision 1a,
paragraph (a); 3; or 3c.
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new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Report. new text end

new text begin The commissioner, in cooperation with Youthprise and Hennepin and
St. Louis Counties, shall submit a final report on Youthprise's findings regarding the efficacy
and cost-effectiveness of the homeless youth cash stipend pilot project to the chairs and
ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over homeless
youth policy and finance by January 15, 2027.
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new text begin Subd. 8. new text end

new text begin Expiration. new text end

new text begin This section expires June 30, 2027.
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Sec. 2. new text begin HOMELESS YOUTH CASH STIPEND PILOT PROJECT;
APPROPRIATION.
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new text begin $3,000,000 in fiscal year 2024 and $3,000,000 in fiscal year 2025 are appropriated from
the general fund to the commissioner of human services for a grant to Youthprise for the
homeless youth cash stipend pilot project. These funds must be used to provide cash stipends
to homeless youth, provide cash incentives for stipend recipients to participate in periodic
surveys, provide youth-designed optional services, and complete the legislative report. The
base appropriation for this purpose is $3,000,000 for fiscal year 2026, $3,000,000 for fiscal
year 2027, and $0 for fiscal year 2028.
new text end