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HF 3649

as introduced - 89th Legislature (2015 - 2016) Posted on 05/13/2016 08:15am

KEY: stricken = removed, old language.
underscored = added, new language.
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A bill for an act
relating to human services; establishing the unlocking opportunities grant
program; appropriating money; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota
Statutes, chapter 256K.

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

Section 1.

new text begin [256K.50] UNLOCKING OPPORTUNITIES GRANT PROGRAM.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Grant program established. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner of human
services shall establish the unlocking opportunities grant program and award grants
to providers committed to and capable of serving locked-out individuals with
community-based housing services.
new text end

new text begin (b) The unlocking opportunities grant program is created to serve locked-out
individuals, particularly African American men and people of color, who experience
violence, poverty, homelessness, and incarceration, and are without access to needed
resources.
new text end

new text begin (c) The purpose of the unlocking opportunities grant program is to provide
community-based housing services to increase locked-out individuals' access to stable
housing and employment; improve the individuals' mental and physical well-being; and
reduce recidivism.
new text end

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 them.
new text end

new text begin (b) "At risk of being homeless" means a person whose status or circumstances
indicate a significant danger of experiencing homelessness in the future.
new text end

new text begin (c) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of human services.
new text end

new text begin (d) "Homeless" means a person who is without shelter, or who lacks a fixed, regular,
and adequate nighttime residence. A homeless person is not a person incarcerated or
otherwise detained under federal or state law. The following are not fixed, regular, or
adequate nighttime residences:
new text end

new text begin (1) a supervised publicly or privately operated shelter designed to provide temporary
living accommodations;
new text end

new text begin (2) an institution or a publicly or privately operated shelter designed to provide
temporary living accommodations;
new text end

new text begin (3) 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
new text end

new text begin (4) a public or private place not designed for, nor ordinarily used as, a regular
sleeping accommodation for human beings.
new text end

new text begin (e) "Locked-out individual" means a single adult who has more than one felony
criminal conviction and meets at least two of the following criteria:
new text end

new text begin (1) a history of chronic unemployment;
new text end

new text begin (2) a mental illness;
new text end

new text begin (3) chemical dependency; or
new text end

new text begin (4) is either homeless or at risk of being homeless.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Report. new text end

new text begin The commissioner shall prepare a biennial report, beginning
in October 2017, which provides information to the legislative committees having
jurisdiction over locked-out individuals, including but not limited to:
new text end

new text begin (1) the service needs of locked-out individuals and areas of the state with the greatest
need for services;
new text end

new text begin (2) details about grants made;
new text end

new text begin (3) the distribution of funds throughout the state based on population need;
new text end

new text begin (4) in consultation with the commissioner of management and budget and the
commissioner of corrections, on the savings, if any, to the state through (i) individuals'
increased employment and stable housing, and (ii) reduced state spending on government
crisis interventions; and
new text end

new text begin (5) any other outcomes for populations served to determine the effectiveness of
the program and use of funding.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Services. new text end

new text begin (a) The provider recipient shall use the grant to provide
locked-out individuals with affordable housing, such as project-based housing or rental
assistance, and at least four of the following services:
new text end

new text begin (1) employment, training, and job placement;
new text end

new text begin (2) access to medical and dental care and mental health care;
new text end

new text begin (3) independent living skills training;
new text end

new text begin (4) parenting skills, family reunification services, and child support services;
new text end

new text begin (5) advocacy and referral services; or
new text end

new text begin (6) aftercare and follow-up services.
new text end

new text begin (b) In awarding grants, the commissioner shall prioritize applicants based on the
number of services listed in paragraph (a) that the applicant is capable of providing. An
applicant who is capable of providing the greatest number of services has the highest
priority in receiving a grant.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATION.
new text end

new text begin $14,100,000 in fiscal year 2017 is appropriated from the general fund to the
commissioner of human services for the unlocking opportunities grant program under
Minnesota Statutes, section 256K.50. This appropriation is added to the base.
new text end