SF 1435

as introduced - 90th Legislature (2017 - 2018) Posted on 03/07/2017 04:07pm

A bill for an act
relating to state government funding; establishing a pilot program to test an
alternative financing model for young families receiving public assistance by
removing funding barriers.

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

Section 1. new text begin MINNESOTA PATHWAYS TO PROSPERITY PILOT PROJECT.
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new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Authorization. new text end

new text begin The commissioners of human services, health, education,
Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, and management and budget, hereinafter, executive
branch team, shall develop and implement a pilot that will test an alternative financing
model for the distribution of publicly funded benefits. The executive branch team shall work
with two counties, one metro and one outstate, selected by the commissioner of human
services. The pilot program is from July 1, 2017, to June 30, 2020. The executive branch
team must determine the waivers that are necessary to implement the pilot program, and
work with the counties to apply, receive approval, and secure necessary federal waivers and
administrative waivers.
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new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Pilot program design and goals. new text end

new text begin The pilot program must reduce the historical
separation between the state funds and systems affecting families who are receiving public
assistance. The pilot program shall eliminate, where possible, funding restrictions to allow
a more comprehensive approach to the needs of the families in the pilot program, and focus
on upstream, prevention-oriented supports and interventions.
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new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Program participants. new text end

new text begin Pilot program participants must:
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new text begin (1) be 26 years of age or younger with a minimum of one child;
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new text begin (2) voluntarily agree to participate in the pilot program;
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new text begin (3) be eligible for, applying for, or receiving public benefits including but not limited
to housing assistance, education supports, employment supports, child care, transportation
supports, medical assistance, earned income tax credit, or the child care tax credit; and
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new text begin (4) be enrolled in an education program that is focused on obtaining a career that will
likely result in a livable wage.
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new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Minnesota Housing Finance Agency (MHFA). new text end

new text begin For purposes of the pilot
program, the MHFA shall allocate 100 housing vouchers to pilot program sites, if they are
available. If vouchers are not available, the state will appropriate funds so pilot program
sites are provided with 100 vouchers for program participants.
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new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Evaluation and report. new text end

new text begin The counties shall work with a third-party evaluator
to establish a random sample to evaluate the effectiveness of the pilot program. Pilot program
counties shall report back to the legislature each year by February 1 with an update on the
progress of the pilot program. The final report on the pilot program is due January 1, 2021.
new text end