SF 2599

as introduced - 93rd Legislature (2023 - 2024) Posted on 06/30/2023 09:07am

A bill for an act
relating to human services; establishing a diaper distribution grant program;
requiring reports; appropriating money; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota
Statutes, chapter 256E.

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

Section 1.

new text begin [256E.38] DIAPER DISTRIBUTION GRANT PROGRAM.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Establishment; purpose. new text end

new text begin The commissioner of human services shall
establish a diaper distribution program to award competitive grants to eligible applicants
to provide diapers to underresourced families statewide.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Eligibility. new text end

new text begin To be eligible for a grant under this section, an applicant must
demonstrate its capacity to distribute diapers statewide by having:
new text end

new text begin (1) a network of well-established partners for diaper distribution;
new text end

new text begin (2) the infrastructure needed to efficiently manage diaper procurement and distribution
statewide;
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new text begin (3) relationships with national organizations that support and enhance the work of
addressing diaper need;
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new text begin (4) the ability to engage in building community awareness of diaper need and advocate
for diaper need at local, state, and federal levels;
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new text begin (5) a commitment to and demonstration of working with organizations across ideological
and political spectrums;
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new text begin (6) the ability to address diaper need for children from birth through early childhood;
and
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new text begin (7) a commitment to working within an equity framework by ensuring access to
organizations that provide culturally specific services or are located in communities with
high concentrations of poverty.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Application. new text end

new text begin Applicants must apply to the commissioner in a form and manner
prescribed by the commissioner. Applications must be filed at the times and for the periods
determined by the commissioner.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Eligible uses of grant money. new text end

new text begin An eligible applicant that receives grant money
under this section shall use the money for one or more of the following purposes:
new text end

new text begin (1) to purchase diapers and wipes;
new text end

new text begin (2) for warehouse and storage expenses, including onetime costs for equipment; and
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new text begin (3) for related staffing needs, up to one full-time equivalent employee.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Enforcement. new text end

new text begin (a) An eligible applicant that receives grant money under this
section must:
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new text begin (1) retain records documenting expenditure of the grant money;
new text end

new text begin (2) report to the commissioner on the use of the grant money; and
new text end

new text begin (3) comply with any additional requirements imposed by the commissioner.
new text end

new text begin (b) The commissioner may require that a report submitted under this subdivision include
an independent audit.
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new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Reporting requirement. new text end

new text begin The commissioner shall report by February 1 each
year to the legislative committees with jurisdiction over early childhood on the diaper
distribution grant program, including the number of grants awarded to eligible applicants
and the number of diapers disbursed.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATIONS; DIAPER DISTRIBUTION GRANT PROGRAM.
new text end

new text begin $500,000 in fiscal year 2024 and $500,000 in fiscal year 2025 are appropriated from the
general fund to the commissioner of human services for the diaper distribution grant program
under Minnesota Statutes, section 256E.38.
new text end