HF 193

as introduced - 92nd Legislature (2021 - 2022) Posted on 02/04/2021 04:12pm

A bill for an act
relating to human services; establishing emergency shelter accessibility guidelines;
appropriating money; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter
256E.

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

Section 1.

new text begin [256E.365] EMERGENCY SHELTER ACCESSIBILITY.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Accessibility guidelines. new text end

new text begin The commissioner shall create guidelines for
equitable access to emergency shelters and domestic violence shelters for individuals with
developmental and intellectual disabilities.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin County or state funding. new text end

new text begin An emergency shelter or domestic violence shelter
that receives county or state funding, including medical assistance reimbursements, must
comply with the following accessibility guidelines in order to provide access to shelter for
individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities:
new text end

new text begin (1) provide sensory friendly space or access to sensory accommodation tools, upon
request;
new text end

new text begin (2) provide appropriate accommodation to the intake process based on shelter and client
need; and
new text end

new text begin (3) have a written policy and procedures for supporting individuals with developmental
and intellectual disabilities that are reviewed semiannually by all staff and volunteers with
direct contact with clients.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Written policy. new text end

new text begin (a) An emergency shelter or domestic violence shelter must
submit the written policy under subdivision 2, clause (3), to the Minnesota Council on
Disability once every two years, with the first submission due on .......
new text end

new text begin (b) The written policy must include information about accessibility laws, best practices
for supporting clients with developmental and intellectual disabilities, and the process for
clients to request accommodations.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Annual training. new text end

new text begin Emergency shelter and domestic violence shelter staff and
volunteers who have direct contact with clients must complete annual training in
developmental and intellectual disabilities, including autism spectrum disorder, behavioral
supports, and crisis de-escalation.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATION; EMERGENCY SHELTER ACCESSIBILITY
TRAINING.
new text end

new text begin $....... in fiscal year 2022 and $....... in fiscal year 2023 are appropriated from the general
fund to the commissioner of human services for purposes of emergency shelter accessibility
training under Minnesota Statutes, section 256E.365.
new text end