HF 2184

as introduced - 87th Legislature (2011 - 2012) Posted on 02/09/2012 02:15pm

A bill for an act
relating to unemployment compensation; creating the Bridge to Work Minnesota
program; providing job-training incentives.

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

Section 1. new text begin BRIDGE TO WORK MINNESOTA.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Purpose. new text end

new text begin The commissioner of employment and economic
development shall implement Bridge to Work Minnesota, a pilot on-the-job training
incentive program for eligible individuals who are currently unemployed. Administrative
costs for this program must be paid from existing general fund appropriations.
Participation in the program is limited to 5,000 applicants per year to be selected on
a first-come, first-served basis.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Eligible individuals. new text end

new text begin An individual eligible for job training under this
section must be:
new text end

new text begin (1) currently unemployed; and
new text end

new text begin (2) eligible for unemployment insurance benefits under Minnesota Statutes, section
268.085, subdivision 1, clauses (1), (2), (3), (6), and (7).
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Training provided. new text end

new text begin In addition to unemployment benefits received, an
eligible individual may receive on-the-job training at an eligible employer up to 25 hours
per week, for up to eight weeks. An employer must pay an earnings stipend to an eligible
individual as provided in subdivision 4. Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section
268.085, subdivision 5, any earnings from a stipend under this section do not reduce the
amount of unemployment benefits received.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Eligible employers. new text end

new text begin An employer is eligible to participate under this
section if:
new text end

new text begin (1) the employer provides bona fide and ongoing on-the-job training during the
training period;
new text end

new text begin (2) the training provided is for a position that pays a wage at least equal to 175
percent of the federal poverty guideline for a family of four;
new text end

new text begin (3) the earnings stipend paid to the individual equals or exceeds the applicable
hourly minimum wage established under Minnesota Statutes, section 177.24, or United
States Code, title 29, section 201 et seq., as amended, whichever is greater; and
new text end

new text begin (4) the employer agrees to hire the individual for at least 90 days after the training
period ends.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end