SF 171

as introduced - 88th Legislature (2013 - 2014) Posted on 02/08/2013 08:53am

A bill for an act
relating to workforce development; creating a pilot program for individuals with
autism spectrum disorders; appropriating money.

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

Section 1. EMPLOYMENT SUPPORT SERVICES FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH
HIGH-FUNCTIONING AUTISM, ASPERGER SYNDROME, NONVERBAL
LEARNING DISORDERS, AND PERVASIVE DEVELOPMENT DISORDER,
NOT OTHERWISE SPECIFIED; PILOT PROGRAM.

Subdivision 1.

Definitions.

(a) For the purposes of this section, the following terms
have the meanings given.

(b) "Communication" means the ability to effectively give and receive information
through spoken words, writing, speaking, listening, or other means of communication,
including, but not limited to, nonverbal expressions, gestures, or other adaptive methods.

(c) "Functional areas" means communication, interpersonal skills, mobility, self-care,
self-direction, preemployment skills, work tolerance, and independent living skills.

(d) "Independent living assessment" means an active, performance-based skill
assessment in the functional areas of communication, interpersonal skills, mobility,
self-care, self-direction, preemployment skills, and independent living skills, that provides
an analysis of the individual's ability to independently achieve certain skills and which
is performed through direct observation.

(e) "Interpersonal skills" means the ability to establish and maintain personal,
family, work, and community relationships.

(f) "Mobility" means the physical and psychological ability to move about from
place to place, including travel to and from destinations in the community for activities
of daily living, training, or work.

(g) "Natural supports" means the process of assisting an employer to expand its
capacity for training, supervising, and supporting workers with disabilities.

(h) "Ongoing employment support services" means any of the following services:

(1) facilitation of natural supports at the work site;

(2) disability awareness training for the worker, the worker's employer, supervisor,
or coworkers;

(3) services necessary to increase the worker's inclusion at the work site;

(4) job skills training at the work site;

(5) regular observation or supervision of the worker;

(6) coordination of support services;

(7) job-related safety training;

(8) job-related advocacy skills training to advance employment;

(9) training in independent living skills including self-advocacy, money management
and organization, grooming and personal care, communication, interpersonal skills,
problem solving, orientation and mobility, and using public transportation or driver's
training;

(10) follow-up services necessary to reinforce and stabilize employment, including
regular contact with the worker's employer, supervisor or coworkers, parents, family
members, advocates, legal representatives, other suitable professionals, and informed
advisors;

(11) training in job seeking skills; and

(12) career planning, job development, or job placement to assist the individual's
advancement in meaningful employment.

(i) "Preemployment skills" means the abilities and skills to successfully apply for,
secure, and maintain competitive employment.

(j) "Self-care" means skills needed to manage one's self or living environment,
including but not limited to, money management, personal health care, personal hygiene,
and safety needs, including medication management.

(k) "Self-direction" means the ability to plan, initiate, organize, or carry out
goal-directed activities or solve problems related to self-care, socialization, recreation, and
working independently.

(l) "Severe impairment to employment" means limitations experienced by persons
diagnosed with high-functioning autism, Asperger syndrome, nonverbal learning
disorders, and pervasive development disorder, not otherwise specified due to an extended
history of unemployment or underemployment; limited education, training, or job skills;
and physical, intellectual, or emotional characteristics that seriously impair the individual's
ability to obtain and retain permanent employment.

(m) "Work tolerance" means the ability to effectively and efficiently perform jobs
with various levels of sensory and environmental components including scent, noise,
visual stimuli, physical space, and psychological demands.

Subd. 2.

Purpose.

The purpose of the employment support services for individuals
with high-functioning autism, Asperger syndrome, nonverbal learning disorders, and
pervasive development disorder, not otherwise specified program is to provide ongoing
employment supports and independent living services necessary to secure, maintain, and
advance in employment and to promote an individual's self-sufficiency and financial
independence.

Subd. 3.

Employment support plan and outcomes.

An individual participating in
the program under this section must develop an employment support plan that includes:

(1) employment goals;

(2) ongoing support services;

(3) program outcomes that focus on competitive employment in the community; and

(4) ongoing independent living services and employment supports necessary for the
individual to secure, maintain, and advance in employment that best fits the individual's
strengths and career goals.

Subd. 4.

Appropriation.

$60,000 is appropriated from the general fund in fiscal
year 2013 to the commissioner of employment and economic development for a grant
to Olmsted County for employment supports and independent living services to county
residents diagnosed with high-functioning autism, Asperger syndrome, nonverbal learning
disorders, and pervasive development disorder, not otherwise specified, and for education,
outreach, and support services to area employers to encourage the hiring and promotion
of workers with high-functioning autism, Asperger syndrome, nonverbal learning
disorders, and pervasive development disorder, not otherwise specified. This is a onetime
appropriation and is available until expended.