1.1                          A bill for an act 
  1.2             relating to employment; directing the commissioner of 
  1.3             employment and economic development to conduct an 
  1.4             extended employment pilot project. 
  1.5   BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 
  1.6      Section 1.  [PILOT PROJECT.] 
  1.7      The commissioner of employment and economic development 
  1.8   shall conduct an extended employment pilot project to study an 
  1.9   industrial model for employment for individuals with severe 
  1.10  disabilities in Thief River Falls, Minnesota. 
  1.11     Employment is to be provided by Custom Products, a division 
  1.12  of Occupational Development Center.  During the pilot, 
  1.13  employment outcomes for individuals with severe disabilities 
  1.14  will be assumed to be community employment as defined under 
  1.15  Minnesota Rules, part 3300.2005.  The pilot project will begin 
  1.16  July 1, 2004, and end June 30, 2005.  Evaluation of the pilot 
  1.17  project must be completed by the commissioner by October 1, 2005.
  1.18     The pilot project must maintain a minimum ratio of 60 
  1.19  percent of nondisabled persons, must pay minimum wages or better 
  1.20  to all employees with severe disabilities, and must provide them 
  1.21  a level of benefits equal to those provided to nondisabled 
  1.22  employees.  All work teams must be integrated. 
  1.23     The pilot project must provide the extended employment 
  1.24  program with useful information to clarify the distinction 
  1.25  between center-based and community employment subprograms.  The 
  2.1   commissioner shall consider the findings of the pilot project in 
  2.2   adopting rules. 
  2.3      Sec. 2.  [EFFECTIVE DATE.] 
  2.4      Section 1 is effective the day following final enactment.