SF 991

1st Engrossment - 88th Legislature (2013 - 2014) Posted on 04/09/2013 08:54am

A bill for an act
relating to human services; creating the Emerging Adulthood Task Force.

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

Section 1. new text begin EMERGING ADULTHOOD TASK FORCE.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Creation. new text end

new text begin The commissioner of human services shall convene
an Emerging Adulthood Task Force to study challenges encountered by disconnected
youth and to make recommendations to the governor, legislature, and state director to
prevent and end homelessness on interventions, programs, and policies that will support
disconnected youth in achieving safety, stability, and opportunity for productive futures.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Membership. new text end

new text begin (a) The task force shall consist of no more than 15 members
and shall be chaired by the commissioner of human services. Membership of the task
force shall include:
new text end

new text begin (1) the commissioner of human services, or designee;
new text end

new text begin (2) the commissioner of the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, or designee;
new text end

new text begin (3) the director of the Office of Higher Education, or designee;
new text end

new text begin (4) the commissioner of education, or designee;
new text end

new text begin (5) the commissioner of the Department of Corrections, or designee;
new text end

new text begin (6) a representative designated by an agency, selected by the commissioner of human
services, that provides foster care and adoption services;
new text end

new text begin (7) a representative designated by a program, selected by the commissioner of
human services, that provides services to homeless youth;
new text end

new text begin (8) a representative designated by a children's advocacy organization, selected by
the commissioner of human services;
new text end

new text begin (9) a representative designated by the Minnesota Association of County Social
Service Administrators;
new text end

new text begin (10) a representative designated by a philanthropic organization, selected by the
commissioner of human services, with an interest in youth development;
new text end

new text begin (11) a representative designated by a faith-based organization, selected by the
commissioner of human services, with child welfare expertise;
new text end

new text begin (12) a representative designated by a social service agency, selected by the
commissioner of human services, that serves all Minnesota counties; and
new text end

new text begin (13) two youth designated by the commissioner of human services who have
experienced homelessness or are at risk of experiencing homelessness.
new text end

new text begin (b) Appointments and designations shall be made by August 15, 2013.
new text end

new text begin (c) At least two members of the task force must be from greater Minnesota.
new text end

new text begin (d) The commissioner of human services may create up to four subgroups of task
force members to develop specific recommendations for consideration by the full task force.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Duties. new text end

new text begin The task force shall:
new text end

new text begin (1) review existing research, data, programs, and resources in order to identify and
define challenges faced by disconnected youth;
new text end

new text begin (2) identify points of transition and vulnerability for youth, and best practices in
order to support youth who are in foster care, corrections placement, or exiting mental
health treatment;
new text end

new text begin (3) develop strategies to increase awareness of youth populations who
disproportionately experience the status of homelessness or are at risk of experiencing
homelessness including youth of color, youth who identify as GLBT, youth in homeless
families, youth who experience an emotional disturbance or mental illness, and youth
who are state wards;
new text end

new text begin (4) enhance strategies for family unification where possible and establish adult
connections when family unification is not possible;
new text end

new text begin (5) identify and advance strategies that are tailored to meet key developmental needs;
new text end

new text begin (6) develop methods and tools for early identification of youth who are at risk of
disconnection and homelessness; and
new text end

new text begin (7) develop methods for measurable evaluation of programs designed to decrease the
number of youth experiencing homelessness.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin First meeting. new text end

new text begin The commissioner of human services shall convene the first
meeting of the task force by September 1, 2013.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Recommendations. new text end

new text begin The commissioner of human services must submit a
report summarizing the recommendations of the task force to the governor, the state
director to prevent and end homelessness, and the chairs and ranking minority members of
the committees of the house of representatives and the senate with jurisdiction over human
services, by January 15, 2014. Recommendations must address the following:
new text end

new text begin (1) methods to assure well-planned transitions to stable, appropriate living
arrangements, with identified emergency supports, for all youth exiting child welfare,
corrections, mental health, or other placements;
new text end

new text begin (2) barriers to housing, employment, and education;
new text end

new text begin (3) methods to promote stable, supportive connections with kin and community; and
new text end

new text begin (4) methods to increase high school graduation and enrollment in postsecondary
education.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Task force expiration. new text end

new text begin The task force shall expire on June 30, 2014.
new text end