HF 2771

as introduced - 87th Legislature (2011 - 2012) Posted on 03/15/2012 11:42am

A bill for an act
relating to workforce development; creating a pilot program for individuals with
autism spectrum disorders; appropriating money.

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

Section 1. new text begin EMPLOYMENT SUPPORT SERVICES FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH
HIGH-FUNCTIONING AUTISM, ASPERGER SYNDROME, NONVERBAL
LEARNING DISORDERS, AND PERVASIVE DEVELOPMENT DISORDER,
NOT OTHERWISE SPECIFIED; PILOT PROGRAM.
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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.
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new text begin (b) "Communication" means the ability to effectively give and receive information
through spoken words, writing, speaking, listening, or other means of communication,
including but not limited to, nonverbal expressions, gestures, or other adaptive methods.
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new text begin (c) "Functional areas" means communication, interpersonal skills, mobility, self-care,
self-direction, preemployment skills, work tolerance, and independent living skills.
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new text begin (d) "Independent living assessment" means an active, performance-based skill
assessment in the functional areas of communication, interpersonal skills, mobility,
self-care, self-direction, preemployment skills, and independent living skills, that provides
an analysis of the individual's ability to independently achieve certain skills and which
is performed through direct observation.
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new text begin (e) "Interpersonal skills" means the ability to establish and maintain personal, family,
work, and community relationships.
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new text begin (f) "Mobility" means the physical and psychological ability to move about from
place to place, including travel to and from destinations in the community for activities
of daily living, training, or work.
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new text begin (g) "Natural supports" means the process of assisting an employer to expand its
capacity for training, supervising, and supporting workers with disabilities.
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new text begin (h) "Ongoing employment support services" means any of the following services:
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new text begin (1) facilitation of natural supports at the work site;
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new text begin (2) disability awareness training for the worker, the worker's employer, supervisor,
or coworkers;
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new text begin (3) services necessary to increase the worker's inclusion at the work site;
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new text begin (4) job skills training at the work site;
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new text begin (5) regular observation or supervision of the worker;
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new text begin (6) coordination of support services;
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new text begin (7) job-related safety training;
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new text begin (8) job-related advocacy skills training to advance employment;
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new text begin (9) training in independent living skills including self-advocacy, money management
and organization, grooming and personal care, communication, interpersonal skills,
problem solving, orientation and mobility, and using public transportation or driver's
training;
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new text begin (10) follow-up services necessary to reinforce and stabilize employment, including
regular contact with the worker's employer, supervisor or coworkers, parents, family
members, advocates, legal representatives, other suitable professionals, and informed
advisors;
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new text begin (11) training in job seeking skills; and
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new text begin (12) career planning, job development, or job placement to assist the individual's
advancement in meaningful employment.
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new text begin (i) "Preemployment skills" means the abilities and skills to successfully apply for,
secure, and maintain competitive employment.
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new text begin (j) "Self-care" means skills needed to manage one's self or living environment,
including but not limited to, money management, personal health care, personal hygiene,
and safety needs, including medication management.
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new text begin (k) "Self-direction" means the ability to plan, initiate, organize, or carry out
goal-directed activities or solve problems related to self-care, socialization, recreation, and
working independently.
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new text begin (l) "Severe impairment to employment" means limitations experienced by persons
diagnosed with high-functioning autism, Asperger syndrome, nonverbal learning
disorders, and pervasive development disorder, not otherwise specified due to an extended
history of unemployment or underemployment; limited education, training, or job skills;
and physical, intellectual, or emotional characteristics that seriously impair the individual's
ability to obtain and retain permanent employment.
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new text begin (m) "Work tolerance" means the ability to effectively and efficiently perform jobs
with various levels of sensory and environmental components including scent, noise,
visual stimuli, physical space, and psychological demands.
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new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Purpose. new text end

new text begin The purpose of the employment support services for individuals
with high-functioning autism, Asperger syndrome, nonverbal learning disorders, and
pervasive development disorder, not otherwise specified program is to provide ongoing
employment supports and independent living services necessary to secure, maintain, and
advance in employment and to promote an individual's self-sufficiency and financial
independence.
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new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Employment support plan and outcomes. new text end

new text begin An individual participating in
the program under this section must develop an employment support plan that includes:
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new text begin (1) employment goals;
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new text begin (2) ongoing support services;
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new text begin (3) program outcomes that focus on competitive employment in the community; and
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new text begin (4) ongoing independent living services and employment supports necessary for the
individual to secure, maintain, and advance in employment that best fits the individual's
strengths and career goals.
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new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Appropriation. new text end

new text begin $60,000 is appropriated from the general fund in fiscal
year 2013 to the commissioner of employment and economic development for a grant
to Olmsted County for employment supports and independent living services to county
residents diagnosed with high-functioning autism, Asperger syndrome, nonverbal learning
disorders, and pervasive development disorder, not otherwise specified, and for education,
outreach, and support services to area employers to encourage the hiring and promotion
of workers with high-functioning autism, Asperger syndrome, nonverbal learning
disorders, and pervasive development disorder, not otherwise specified. This is a onetime
appropriation and is available until expended.
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