SF 2418

as introduced - 91st Legislature (2019 - 2020) Posted on 03/20/2019 04:06pm

A bill for an act
relating to workforce development; creating the special education employment
pilot project; requiring reports; appropriating money.

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

Section 1. new text begin SPECIAL EDUCATION EMPLOYMENT PILOT PROJECT.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Definitions. new text end

new text begin (a) For the purposes of this section, the terms in this
subdivision have the meanings given.
new text end

new text begin (b) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of employment and economic development.
new text end

new text begin (c) "Eligible provider" means an organization currently eligible to provide services
through the extended employment program under Minnesota Statutes, section 268A.15.
new text end

new text begin (d) "Eligible student" means:
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new text begin (1) a student receiving special instruction under Minnesota Statutes, section 125A.03,
who has completed at least three years of high school; or
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new text begin (2) an individual under the age of 25 who has graduated from secondary school after
receiving special instruction under Minnesota Statutes, section 125A.03, but has not had
competitive wage employment in an integrated community setting.
new text end

new text begin (e) "Pilot" means the special education employment pilot project established under this
section.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Establishment. new text end

new text begin The commissioner shall establish a special education
employment pilot project designed to transition special education graduates into competitive
wage employment in integrated community settings.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Services. new text end

new text begin Eligible providers wishing to participate in the pilot must notify the
commissioner, on a form designated by the commissioner, of the intent to provide an eligible
student with one of the following services:
new text end

new text begin (1) comprehensive job preparation training that must provide an eligible student with at
least 20 hours in a classroom setting, resume preparation, and assistance in establishing a
bank account;
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new text begin (2) job shadowing experiences where eligible students can observe at least 30 hours of
workplace activity for a job similar to one the eligible student might be hired for. Eligible
providers shall facilitate transportation to and from the workplace for the eligible student;
and
new text end

new text begin (3) employment placement services to match eligible students with appropriate
employment paying at least the minimum wage in an integrated community setting. Eligible
providers shall support such placements with training for the employer and the eligible
student, both before and after hiring, to foster success.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Payments. new text end

new text begin Eligible providers may apply to the commissioner, on a form
designated by the commissioner, for the following payments:
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new text begin (1) $1,000 for each eligible student certified to have completed the services under
subdivision 3, clause (1);
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new text begin (2) $1,000 for each eligible student certified to have completed the services under
subdivision 3, clause (2); and
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new text begin (3) $3,000 for each eligible student certified to have completed 90 days of employment
after receiving the services under subdivision 3, clause (3).
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Forms. new text end

new text begin By October 1, 2019, the commissioner must make available the forms
necessary for eligible providers to participate in the pilot. These must include:
new text end

new text begin (1) a form to notify the commissioner of the intent to provide an eligible student with a
service under subdivision 3; and
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new text begin (2) a form to certify to the commissioner that an eligible student from clause (1) was
provided the service under subdivision 3, and to apply for payment for that service under
subdivision 4.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin SPECIAL EDUCATION EMPLOYMENT PILOT PROJECT;
APPROPRIATION.
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new text begin (a) $1,000,000 in fiscal year 2020 and $2,000,000 in fiscal year 2021 are appropriated
from the general fund to the commissioner of employment and economic development for
payments to eligible providers under the special education employment pilot project created
in section 1. Of these amounts, up to four percent may be used by the commissioner for
administration and monitoring of the program. This is a onetime appropriation and funds
are available until June 30, 2022.
new text end

new text begin (b) By January 15 in 2020, 2021, and 2022, the commissioner must submit a report to
the chairs and ranking minority members of the committees of the house of representatives
and senate having jurisdiction over workforce development that details the use of grant
funds. This report must include data on the number of individuals served and, to the extent
practical, measures of progress toward the goal of transitioning special education graduates
into competitive wage employment in integrated community settings.
new text end