SF 188

as introduced - 92nd Legislature (2021 - 2022) Posted on 07/30/2021 03:15pm

A bill for an act
relating to human services; establishing the Minnesota inclusion initiative grant
program; appropriating money; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota
Statutes, chapter 256.

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

Section 1.

new text begin [256.4772] MINNESOTA INCLUSION INITIATIVE GRANT.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Grant program established. new text end

new text begin The commissioner of human services shall
establish the Minnesota inclusion initiative grant program to encourage self-advocacy groups
of persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities to develop and organize projects
that increase the inclusion of persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the
community, improve community integration outcomes, educate decision-makers and the
public about persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including the systemic
barriers that prevent them from being included in the community, and to advocate for changes
that increase access to formal and informal supports and services necessary for greater
inclusion of persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the community.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Administration. new text end

new text begin The commissioner of human services, as authorized by section
256.01, subdivision 2, paragraph (a), clause (6), shall issue a request for proposals to contract
with a public or private entity to (1) serve as a fiscal host for the money appropriated for
the purposes described in this section, and (2) develop guidelines, criteria, and procedures
for awarding grants. The fiscal host shall establish an advisory committee consisting of
self-advocates, nonprofit advocacy organizations, and Department of Human Services staff
to review applications and award grants under this section.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Applications. new text end

new text begin (a) Entities seeking grants under this section shall apply to the
advisory committee of the fiscal host under contract with the commissioner. The grant
applicant must include a description of the project that the applicant is proposing, the amount
of money that the applicant is seeking, and a proposed budget describing how the applicant
will spend the grant money.
new text end

new text begin (b) The advisory committee may award grants to applicants only for projects that meet
the requirements of subdivision 4.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Use of grant money. new text end

new text begin Projects funded by grant money must have person-centered
goals, call attention to issues that limit inclusion of persons with intellectual and
developmental disabilities, address barriers to inclusion that persons with intellectual and
developmental disabilities face in their communities, or increase the inclusion of persons
with intellectual and developmental disabilities in their communities. Applicants may
propose strategies to increase inclusion of persons with intellectual and developmental
disabilities in their communities by:
new text end

new text begin (1) decreasing barriers to workforce participation experienced by persons with intellectual
and developmental disabilities;
new text end

new text begin (2) overcoming barriers to accessible and reliable transportation options for persons with
disabilities;
new text end

new text begin (3) identifying and addressing barriers to voting experienced by persons with disabilities;
new text end

new text begin (4) advocating for increased accessible housing for persons with disabilities;
new text end

new text begin (5) working with governmental agencies or businesses on accessibility issues under the
Americans with Disabilities Act;
new text end

new text begin (6) increasing collaboration between self-advocacy groups and other organizations to
effectively address systemic issues that impact persons with disabilities;
new text end

new text begin (7) increasing capacity for inclusion in a community; or
new text end

new text begin (8) providing public education and awareness of the civil and human rights of persons
with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Reports. new text end

new text begin (a) Grant recipients shall provide the advisory committee with a report
about the activities funded by the grant program in a format and at a time specified by the
advisory committee. The advisory committee shall require grant recipients to include in the
grant recipient's report at least the information necessary for the advisory committee to meet
the advisory committee's obligation under paragraph (b).
new text end

new text begin (b) The advisory committee shall provide the commissioner with a report that describes
all of the activities and outcomes of projects funded by the grant program in a format and
at a time determined by the commissioner.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATIONS.
new text end

new text begin $150,000 in fiscal year 2022 and $150,000 in fiscal year 2023 are appropriated from the
general fund to the commissioner of human services for grants under Minnesota Statutes,
section 256.4772.
new text end