SF 2948

1st Engrossment - 91st Legislature (2019 - 2020) Posted on 03/05/2020 09:05am

A bill for an act
relating to human services; modifying Council on Disability duties and powers;
appropriating money; amending Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 256.482,
subdivision 5.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 256.482, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5.

Duties and powers.

The council shall have the following duties and powers:

(1) to advise and otherwise aid the governor; appropriate state agencies, including but
not limited to the Departments of Education, Human Services, Employment and Economic
Development, and Human Rights and the Divisions of Rehabilitation Services and Services
for the Blind; the state legislature; and the public on matters pertaining to public policy and
the administration of programs, services, and facilities for persons who have a disability in
Minnesota;

(2) to encourage and assist in the development of coordinated, interdepartmental goals
and objectives and the coordination of programs, services and facilities among all state
departments and private providers of service as they relate to persons with a disability;

(3) to serve as a source of information to the public regarding all services, programs and
legislation pertaining to persons with a disability;

(4) to review and make comment to the governor, state agencies, the legislature, and the
public concerning adequacy of state programs, plans and budgets for services to persons
with a disability and for funding under the various federal grant programs;

(5) to research, formulate and advocate plans, programs and policies which will serve
the needs of persons who are disabled;

(6) to advise the Departments of Labor and Industry and Employment and Economic
Development on the administration and improvement of the workers' compensation law as
it relates to programs, facilities and personnel providing assistance to workers who are
injured and disabled;

(7) to advise the Workers' Compensation Division of the Department of Labor and
Industry and the Workers' Compensation Court of Appeals as to the necessity and extent
of any alteration or remodeling of an existing residence or the building or purchase of a
new or different residence which is proposed by a licensed architect under section 176.137;

(8) to initiate or seek to intervene as a party in any administrative proceeding and judicial
review thereof to protect and advance the right of all persons who are disabled to an
accessible physical environment as provided in section 326B.139; deleted text begin and
deleted text end

(9) to initiate or seek to intervene as a party in any administrative or judicial proceeding
which concerns programs or services provided by public or private agencies or organizations
and which directly affects the legal rights of persons with a disability deleted text begin . deleted text end new text begin ; and
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new text begin (10) to apply for and accept grants and other aids from other public or private sources.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATION; CITIES AND COUNTIES.
new text end

new text begin $1,000,000 in fiscal year 2021 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner
of administration for grants to cities and counties to improve website accessibility. Grant
projects that will develop tools and training for the benefit of multiple cities and counties
must be given priority. The commissioner of administration must consult with the Council
on Disability when awarding the grants. Up to ten percent of this appropriation may be used
for administrative purposes. The appropriation is available until spent.
new text end