SF 1280

as introduced - 91st Legislature (2019 - 2020) Posted on 02/14/2019 04:03pm

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 a grant program to encourage self-advocacy groups consisting of persons with
intellectual and developmental disabilities to develop and organize projects that increase
the inclusion of persons in the community, improve community integration outcomes,
educate decision-makers and the general public about systemic barriers to inclusion, and
provide opportunities to advocate for changes that increase access to formal and informal
supports or services necessary for greater inclusion.
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 under
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 the applicant is proposing, the amount
of money sought, and a proposed budget detailing how the grant money will be spent.
new text end

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

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Use of grant funds. new text end

new text begin Projects funded through the grants must have
person-centered goals, call attention to issues that limit inclusion for persons with intellectual
and developmental disabilities, address barriers to inclusion, or increase inclusion in their
communities. Projects may focus on increasing inclusion 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;
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 established
organizations to effectively address identified systems issues;
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
on the activities funded under 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
its obligation under paragraph (b).
new text end

new text begin (b) The advisory committee shall provide the commissioner with a report synthesizing
all the activities and outcomes of projects funded under 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 2020 and $150,000 in fiscal year 2021 are appropriated from the
general fund to the commissioner of human services for grants under Minnesota Statutes,
section 256.4772.
new text end