SF 3668

as introduced - 85th Legislature (2007 - 2008) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

A bill for an act
relating to homeless programs; allowing providers to impose requirements on
clients and requiring consistency in program guidelines; amending Minnesota
Statutes 2006, section 462A.29.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 462A.29, is amended to read:

462A.29 INTERAGENCY COORDINATION ON HOMELESSNESS.

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Coordination. new text end

The agency shall coordinate services and activities of
all state agencies relating to homelessness. The agency shall coordinate an investigation
and review of the current system of service delivery to the homeless. The agency may
request assistance from other agencies of state government as needed for the execution of
the responsibilities under this section and the other agencies shall furnish the assistance
upon request.

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Consistent homeless program standards. new text end

new text begin (a) In order to end
homelessness in Minnesota, state-funded programs must work towards the goal of
increasing stability in the community. All homeless programs funded under this section
must work with participants to increase residential stability, increase skills or income,
promote self-determination, and increase or maintain employment as able. Further,
state-funded programs shall be treated equitably and consistently between all state
agencies. The provider options under paragraph (b), and the implementation of consistent
standards under paragraph (c), apply to the programs in the following chapters and
sections of law:
new text end

new text begin (1) chapter 256E;
new text end

new text begin (2) chapter 256I;
new text end

new text begin (3) chapter 256K;
new text end

new text begin (4) section 299A.296;
new text end

new text begin (5) sections 462A.201, 462A.202, 462A.204, and 462A.205; and
new text end

new text begin (6) Laws 2003, chapter 128, article 15, section 9.
new text end

new text begin (b) Providers or organizations that receive funding for any program listed under
paragraph (a) may require clients to:
new text end

new text begin (1) pay rent in order to develop a rental history;
new text end

new text begin (2) abide by landlord tenant law;
new text end

new text begin (3) apply for other assistance programs, including, but not limited to, subsidized
housing, employment, Social Security, medical assistance, child care assistance, or other
appropriate programs or income supplements; and
new text end

new text begin (4) address personal issues that may be a barrier to stabilizing housing, such as
domestic violence or chemical, mental, or physical issues.
new text end

new text begin (c) The Interagency Task Force on Homelessness, in consultation with the Minnesota
Coalition for the Homeless; homeless advocates; homeless people or formerly homeless
people; representatives of public and private providers of emergency shelter, transitional
housing, supportive housing, and permanent affordable housing; representatives of
homeless youth-serving agencies and youth outreach programs; and other interested
members of the public, must establish consistent standards for the following:
new text end

new text begin (1) standard procedures for providing start-up costs and standard start-up cost
amounts;
new text end

new text begin (2) standard procedures for funding advances and standard advance amounts;
new text end

new text begin (3) standard procedures for administrative charges and standard procedures for
administrative charge amounts;
new text end

new text begin (4) allowing providers the flexibility to move clients between programs, in order to
provide the most appropriate and beneficial services for the client;
new text end

new text begin (5) allowing providers to discontinue services if requirements under paragraph
(b) are not met by the client; and
new text end

new text begin (6) requiring unused obligated funds to be returned to the state.
new text end

new text begin The agency and departments must implement the consistent standards by October 1, 2008.
new text end