HF 2971

2nd Engrossment - 91st Legislature (2019 - 2020) Posted on 03/11/2020 03:13pm

A bill for an act
relating to human services; providing vocational services for individuals with
disabilities; requiring reports.

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

Section 1. new text begin DIRECTION TO THE COMMISSIONERS OF HUMAN SERVICES,
EDUCATION, AND EMPLOYMENT AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT; PLAN
TO EXPAND COMPETITIVE INTEGRATED EMPLOYMENT OF INDIVIDUALS
WITH DISABILITIES.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Plan for expanding competitive integrated employment for
Minnesotans with disabilities statewide. new text end

new text begin The commissioners of human services, education,
and employment and economic development, in consultation with local education agencies,
lead agencies in the seven-county metropolitan area and greater Minnesota, disability
advocacy organizations, employment service providers, private businesses, individuals with
disabilities, and other stakeholders and interested parties, shall develop a coordinated plan
to expand competitive integrated employment options for individuals with disabilities,
including but not limited to:
new text end

new text begin (1) transition-age youth with disabilities between the ages of 14 and 24;
new text end

new text begin (2) individuals with significant support needs;
new text end

new text begin (3) individuals with mental illness;
new text end

new text begin (4) individuals for whom competitive integrated employment has not traditionally
occurred;
new text end

new text begin (5) individuals for whom competitive integrated employment has been interrupted or
intermittent as a result of the individual's disability;
new text end

new text begin (6) individuals who selected competitive integrated employment in their most recent
career counseling and referral assessment;
new text end

new text begin (7) individuals with an interest in engaging in a training or postsecondary program
leading to employment with or without supports; or
new text end

new text begin (8) individuals with a demonstrated need for intensive ongoing support services or
extended services in order to perform competitive integrated work.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Plan requirements. new text end

new text begin The plan must include recommendations to:
new text end

new text begin (1) align funding to support informed decision-making and individualized employment
outcomes;
new text end

new text begin (2) create incentives for competitive integrated employment services for people with
disabilities;
new text end

new text begin (3) build capacity for increased demand on competitive integrated employment services
and supports, including customized employment and other individualized options;
new text end

new text begin (4) provide equitable access to competitive integrated employment and employment
services for individuals with disabilities who experience unique barriers, including but not
limited to:
new text end

new text begin (i) people of color and American Indians;
new text end

new text begin (ii) residents of greater Minnesota;
new text end

new text begin (iii) individuals with disabilities and mental illness who are not eligible for Medicaid
waivers; and
new text end

new text begin (iv) other populations as identified by the commissioners and stakeholders;
new text end

new text begin (5) create and expand partnership initiatives with private businesses to employ individuals
with disabilities and to help address labor shortages across industry segments;
new text end

new text begin (6) educate employers about accommodations in the workplace and supports available
in implementing these accommodations;
new text end

new text begin (7) support small businesses owned and actively operated by individuals with disabilities;
new text end

new text begin (8) expand microgrants to support the employment of individuals with disabilities at
minimum wage or higher;
new text end

new text begin (9) provide training and technical assistance for disability service providers transitioning
to support competitive integrated employment; and
new text end

new text begin (10) identify best practice standards in community integration for day services that
support individuals with disabilities who do not choose paid employment.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Reports. new text end

new text begin By January 15, 2021, January 15, 2022, and January 15, 2023, the
commissioners shall jointly submit a report outlining the plan to the chairs and ranking
minority members of legislative committees with jurisdiction over employment services
for individuals with disabilities and to stakeholders engaged in the process of developing
the report. The report must include legislative recommendations for implementing the plan.
The report must also include summary data as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 13.02,
subdivision 19, including:
new text end

new text begin (1) the number of individuals with disabilities who have completed either career
counseling information and referrals or MnCHOICES assessments and indicated a preference
for competitive integrated employment:
new text end

new text begin (i) by age;
new text end

new text begin (ii) by county of residence; and
new text end

new text begin (iii) by type of home and community-based services or vocational rehabilitation services
accessed;
new text end

new text begin (2) the number of individuals with disabilities who have secured customized competitive
integrated employment:
new text end

new text begin (i) by duration of employment in an integrated setting;
new text end

new text begin (ii) by the number of hours per week worked in an integrated setting;
new text end

new text begin (iii) by types of employer; and
new text end

new text begin (iv) by hourly wage;
new text end

new text begin (3) range, distribution, median, and average earnings of individuals with disabilities
prior to moving into competitive integrated employment;
new text end

new text begin (4) the ability or inability of service providers to meet individuals' demand for competitive
integrated employment supports statewide, including through the use of customized
employment;
new text end

new text begin (5) data from states that have phased out the use of 14c certificates and a subminimum
wage, showing the number of adults with disabilities employed, average hours worked, and
average hourly wages earned before and after subminimum wage was eliminated; and
new text end

new text begin (6) other summary data as identified and agreed upon by the commissioners.
new text end