SF 2918

as introduced - 90th Legislature (2017 - 2018) Posted on 07/13/2018 03:16pm

A bill for an act
relating to health; requiring the commissioner of human services to seek federal
funding to implement an opioid awareness grant program for high school and
college students; requiring a report.

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

Section 1. new text begin STUDENT HEALTH INITIATIVE TO LIMIT OPIOID HARM.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Grant awards. new text end

new text begin The commissioner of human services, in consultation
with the commissioner of education, the Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges
and Universities, and the regents of the University of Minnesota, shall develop and administer
a program to award grants to high school students in grades 9 through 12 and undergraduate
students attending a Minnesota postsecondary educational institution, and their community
partner or partners, to conduct opioid awareness and opioid abuse prevention activities. If
a grant proposal includes more than one community partner, the proposal must designate a
primary community partner. Grant applications must be submitted by the primary community
partner and any grant award must be managed by the primary community partner on behalf
of high school and undergraduate student applicants and grantees. Grants shall be awarded
for a fiscal year and are onetime.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Grant criteria. new text end

new text begin (a) Grant dollars may be used for opioid awareness campaigns
and events, education related to opioid addiction and abuse prevention, initiatives to limit
inappropriate opioid prescriptions, peer education programs targeted to students at high risk
of opioid addiction and abuse, and other related initiatives as approved by the commissioner.
Grant projects must include one or more of the following components as they relate to opioid
abuse and prevention and the role of the community partner: high-risk populations, law
enforcement, education, clinical services, or social services.
new text end

new text begin (b) The commissioner of human services shall seek to provide grant funding for at least
one proposal that addresses opioid abuse in the American Indian community.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Community partners. new text end

new text begin For purposes of the grant program, community partners
may include but are not limited to public health agencies; local law enforcement; community
health centers; medical clinics; emergency medical service professionals; schools and
postsecondary educational institutions; opioid addiction, advocacy, and recovery
organizations; tribal governments; local chambers of commerce; and city councils and
county boards.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Report. new text end

new text begin The commissioner of human services shall report to the chairs and
ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over health and
human services policy and finance, K-12 education policy and finance, and higher education
policy and finance by September 1, 2019, on the implementation of the grant program and
the grants awarded under this section.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective only upon receipt of federal grant funding
awarded in response to an application by the commissioner of human services under section
2.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin FEDERAL GRANTS.
new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner of human services shall apply for any federal grant funding that
aligns with the purposes of section 1. If awarded federal grant funding, the commissioner
shall develop and administer an opioid awareness and abuse prevention program in a manner
consistent with the requirements of section 1, to the extent allowed under the federal grant.
The commissioner shall submit to the legislature any changes to the program established
under section 1 that are necessary to comply with the terms of the federal grant.
new text end

new text begin (b) The commissioner shall notify the chairs and ranking minority members of the
legislative committees with jurisdiction over health and human services policy and finance,
K-12 education policy and finance, and higher education policy and finance of any grant
applications submitted and any federal actions taken related to the grant applications.
new text end