SF 1879

1st Engrossment - 88th Legislature (2013 - 2014) Posted on 03/20/2014 08:36am

A bill for an act
relating to employment; implementing a grant program to provide supported
employment services to persons who are deaf, deafblind, and hard-of-hearing;
proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 268A.

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

Section 1.

new text begin [268A.16] EMPLOYMENT SERVICES FOR PERSONS WHO ARE
DEAF, DEAFBLIND, OR HARD-OF-HEARING.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Deaf, deafblind, and hard-of-hearing grants. new text end

new text begin (a) The
commissioner shall develop and implement a specialized statewide grant program to
provide long-term supported employment services for persons who are deaf, deafblind,
and hard-of-hearing. Programs and services eligible for grants under this section must:
new text end

new text begin (1) assist persons who are deaf, deafblind, and hard-of-hearing in retaining and
advancing in employment;
new text end

new text begin (2) provide services with staff who must possess fluency in all forms of manual
communication, including American Sign Language, knowledge of hearing loss and
psycho-social implications, sensitivity to cultural issues, familiarity with community
services, communication strategies for people who are hard-of-hearing and do not sign,
and awareness of adaptive technology options;
new text end

new text begin (3) provide specialized employment support services for individuals who have a
combined hearing and vision loss that address their unique ongoing visual and auditory
communication needs; and
new text end

new text begin (4) involve clients in the planning, development, oversight, and delivery of
long-term ongoing support services.
new text end

new text begin (b) Priority for funding shall be given to organizations with experience in developing
innovative employment support services for persons who are deaf, deafblind, and
hard-of-hearing. Each applicant for funds under this section shall submit an evaluation
protocol as part of the grant application.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Employment services for transition-aged youth who are deaf,
deafblind, and hard-of-hearing. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner shall develop statewide or
regional grant programs to provide school-based communication, access, and employment
services for youth who are deaf, deafblind, and hard-of-hearing. Services must include
staff who have the skills addressed in subdivision 1, clauses (2) and (3), and expertise
in serving transition-aged youth.
new text end

new text begin (b) Priority for funding shall be given to organizations with experience in providing
innovative employment support services and readiness for postsecondary training for
transition-aged youths who are deaf, deafblind, and hard-of-hearing. Each applicant for
funds under this section shall submit an evaluation protocol as part of the grant application.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Administration. new text end

new text begin Up to five percent of the biennial appropriation for the
purpose of this section is available to the commissioner for administration of the program.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2015.
new text end