SF 360

1st Engrossment - 93rd Legislature (2023 - 2024) Posted on 06/20/2023 03:05pm

A bill for an act
relating to state government; creating the Office of New Americans; establishing
the Interdepartmental Coordinating Council on Immigrant and Refugee Affairs;
requiring reports; appropriating money; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota
Statutes, chapter 116J.

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

Section 1.

new text begin [116J.4231] OFFICE OF NEW AMERICANS.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Office established; purpose. new text end

new text begin (a) The Office of New Americans is
established within the Department of Employment and Economic Development. The governor
must appoint an assistant commissioner who serves in the unclassified service. The assistant
commissioner must hire a program manager, an office assistant, and any staff necessary to
carry out the office's duties under subdivision 2.
new text end

new text begin (b) The purpose of the office is to foster immigrant and refugee inclusion through an
intentional process to improve economic mobility, enhance civic participation, and improve
receiving communities' openness to immigrants and refugees by incorporating the needs
and aspirations of immigrants and refugees, their families, and their communities for the
mutual benefit of all by fulfilling the duties outlined in subdivision 2.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Duties. new text end

new text begin The Office of New Americans has the following duties:
new text end

new text begin (1) create and implement a statewide strategy and programming to foster and promote
immigrant and refugee-inclusion in Minnesota so as to improve economic mobility, enhance
civic participation, and improve receiving communities' openness to immigrants and refugees;
new text end

new text begin (2) address the state's workforce needs by connecting employers and job seekers within
the immigrant and refugee community;
new text end

new text begin (3) identify and support implementation of programs and strategies to reduce employment
barriers for immigrants and refugees, including the creation of alternative employment
pathways;
new text end

new text begin (4) support programs and activities designed to ensure equitable access to the workforce
for immigrants and refugees, including those who are disabled;
new text end

new text begin (5) support equitable opportunities for immigrants and refugees to access state government
services and grants, including collaborating with Minnesota's ethnic councils as created by
section 15.0145;
new text end

new text begin (6) work with state agencies, Minnesota's ethnic councils, and community and foundation
partners to undertake studies and research and analyze economic and demographic trends
to better understand and serve the state's immigrant and refugee communities;
new text end

new text begin (7) coordinate and establish best practices for language access initiatives to all state
agencies after soliciting input from Minnesota's ethnic councils;
new text end

new text begin (8) convene stakeholders to further the objectives identified in subdivision 1;
new text end

new text begin (9) make policy recommendations to the governor on issues impacting immigrants and
refugees in consultation with Minnesota's ethnic councils;
new text end

new text begin (10) engage all stakeholders to further the objectives identified in subdivision 1 within
the context of workforce access and workforce readiness, including in the areas of
employment, housing, legal services, health care, and education and communicate the
importance of immigrant and refugee inclusion in the success of immigrants, refugees, their
children, and the communities in which they settle;
new text end

new text begin (11) engage with and support existing municipal and county offices that promote and
foster immigrant and refugee inclusion and encourage the development of new municipal
and county offices dedicated to immigrant and refugee inclusion;
new text end

new text begin (12) serve as the point of contact for immigrants and refugees accessing resources both
within the department and with boards charged with oversight of a profession;
new text end

new text begin (13) promulgate rules necessary to implement and effectuate this section;
new text end

new text begin (14) provide an annual report, as required by subdivision 3; and
new text end

new text begin (15) perform any other activities consistent with the office's purpose.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Reporting. new text end

new text begin (a) Beginning January 15, 2025, and each year thereafter, the Office
of New Americans shall report to the legislative committees with jurisdiction over the
office's activities during the previous year.
new text end

new text begin (b) The report shall contain, at a minimum:
new text end

new text begin (1) a summary of the office's activities;
new text end

new text begin (2) suggested policies, incentives, and legislation designed to accelerate the achievement
of the duties under subdivision 2;
new text end

new text begin (3) any proposed legislative and policy initiatives;
new text end

new text begin (4) the amount and types of grants awarded under subdivision 6; and
new text end

new text begin (5) any other information deemed necessary and requested by the legislative committees
with jurisdiction over the office.
new text end

new text begin (c) The report may be submitted electronically and is subject to section 3.195, subdivision
1.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Interdepartmental Coordinating Council on Immigrant and Refugee
Affairs. new text end

new text begin (a) An Interdepartmental Coordinating Council on Immigrant and Refugee Affairs
is established to advise the Office of New Americans.
new text end

new text begin (b) The purpose of the council is to identify and establish ways in which state
departments, agencies, and Minnesota's ethnic councils can work together to deliver state
programs and services effectively and efficiently to Minnesota's immigrant and refugee
populations. The council shall implement policies, procedures, and programs requested by
the governor through the state departments and offices.
new text end

new text begin (c) The council shall be chaired by the assistant commissioner of the Office of New
Americans and shall include the commissioners, department directors, or designees from
the following:
new text end

new text begin (1) the governor's office;
new text end

new text begin (2) the Department of Administration;
new text end

new text begin (3) the Department of Employment and Economic Development;
new text end

new text begin (4) the Department of Human Services;
new text end

new text begin (5) the Department of Human Services Refugee Resettlement Programs Office;
new text end

new text begin (6) the Department of Labor and Industry;
new text end

new text begin (7) the Department of Health;
new text end

new text begin (8) the Department of Education;
new text end

new text begin (9) the Office of Higher Education;
new text end

new text begin (10) the Department of Public Safety;
new text end

new text begin (11) the Department of Corrections;
new text end

new text begin (12) the Council on Asian Pacific Minnesotans;
new text end

new text begin (13) the Council for Minnesotans of African Heritage; and
new text end

new text begin (14) the Minnesota Council on Latino Affairs.
new text end

new text begin (d) Each department or office specified in paragraph (c) shall designate one staff member
as an immigrant and refugee services liaison. The liaison's responsibilities shall include:
new text end

new text begin (1) preparation and dissemination of information and services available to immigrants
and refugees; and
new text end

new text begin (2) interfacing with the Office of New Americans on issues that impact immigrants and
refugees and their communities.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin No right of action. new text end

new text begin Nothing in this section shall be construed to create any
right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party
against the state; its departments, agencies, or entities; its officers, employees, or agents;
or any other person.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Grants. new text end

new text begin The Office of New Americans may apply for grants for interested state
agencies, community partners, and stakeholders under this section to carry out the duties
under subdivision 2.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATION.
new text end

new text begin $1,500,000 in fiscal year 2024 and $1,500,000 in fiscal year 2025 are appropriated from
the general fund to the commissioner of employment and economic development for the
Office of New Americans under Minnesota Statutes, section 116J.4231.
new text end