SF 1109

as introduced - 91st Legislature (2019 - 2020) Posted on 02/15/2019 02:21pm

A bill for an act
relating to health; establishing grants to address PTSD among firefighters; requiring
a report; appropriating money.

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

Section 1. new text begin TARGETED GRANT PROGRAM TO ADDRESS POST-TRAUMATIC
STRESS DISORDER IN FIREFIGHTERS.
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 health shall
establish and administer a grant program to address mental health issues, especially
post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among firefighters and their families. Grant recipients
shall use the grant funds to provide training for service dogs for firefighters suffering from
PTSD, provide educational classes on PTSD and support services to spouses and families
of firefighters suffering from PTSD, or provide mental health services or referrals to mental
health services for firefighters suffering from PTSD. Priority in awarding the grants shall
be given to community-based or nonprofit organizations that have experience in treating
PTSD and in providing services in the particular area the grantee proposes to address.
new text end

new text begin (b) Of the appropriation for this grant program: (1) $150,000 is for grants targeting
training of service dogs; (2) $100,000 is for grants targeting education and support for
spouses and families; and (3) $150,000 is for grants targeting the delivery of mental health
services, including treatment and appropriate referrals.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Application. new text end

new text begin Entities seeking a grant under this section shall apply to the
commissioner. The grant applicant must include a description of the activities the applicant
is proposing, the amount of funding sought, and a proposed budget detailing how the grant
funds will be spent.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Report. new text end

new text begin Grant recipients shall provide the commissioner with a report on the
activities funded under the grant program in a format and at a time specified by the
commissioner.
new text end

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

new text begin $400,000 in fiscal year 2020 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner
of health for the targeted grant program in section 1 to address mental health issues among
firefighters. This is a onetime appropriation.
new text end