Minnesota Session Laws - 1993, Regular Session

  
    Laws of Minnesota 1993 

                         CHAPTER 97-S.F.No. 913 
           An act relating to employment; modifying provisions 
          relating to and renaming the Minnesota council for the 
          blind and the consumer advisory council; establishing 
          a rehabilitation advisory council for the blind; 
          amending Minnesota Statutes 1992, sections 248.10; and 
          268A.02, subdivision 2.  
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 
    Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 1992, section 248.10, is 
amended to read: 
    248.10 [REHABILITATION ADVISORY COUNCIL FOR THE BLIND.] 
    Subdivision 1.  [MEMBERSHIP.] The Minnesota council for the 
blind consists of nine members appointed by the commissioner to 
four-year terms.  At least five of the council members must be 
blind or visually handicapped. 
    Subd. 2.  [REMOVAL; VACANCIES.] The compensation, removal 
of members, and filling of vacancies on the council are as 
provided in section 15.0575.  
    Subd. 3.  [DUTIES.] The council shall: 
    (1) advise the commissioner on the qualifications for the 
director of services for the blind; 
    (2) advise the commissioner on the development of policies, 
programs, and services affecting the blind and visually 
impaired, and on the use of appropriate federal money; 
    (3) advise the commissioner on policies relating to 
eligibility determinations; 
    (4) create a public awareness of the special needs and 
potential of blind and visually impaired persons; and 
    (5) provide the commissioner with a review of ongoing 
services, programs, and proposed legislation affecting the blind 
and visually impaired. 
    The commissioner shall establish a rehabilitation advisory 
council for the blind consistent with the federal Rehabilitation 
Act of 1973, Public Law Number 93-112, as amended through 
December 31, 1992.  Advisory council members shall be 
compensated as provided in section 15.059, subdivision 3.  
Members of the council for the blind appointed before July 1, 
1993, shall serve on the advisory council until the end of their 
appointed terms.  The advisory council shall advise the 
commissioner about programs of the division of services for the 
blind and visually handicapped.  The advisory council is limited 
to 15 members, a majority of whom must be blind or visually 
handicapped. 
    Sec. 2.  Minnesota Statutes 1992, section 268A.02, 
subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
    Subd. 2.  [CONSUMER REHABILITATION ADVISORY COUNCIL.] To 
assure that consumer concerns are a major consideration in the 
department's programs, policies, and decision-making process, 
the commissioner shall establish and appoint a consumer advisory 
council on vocational rehabilitation which shall be composed of 
no more than 13 members.  A majority of the members of the 
council shall be persons with a disability who are current or 
former recipients of vocational rehabilitation services or who 
represent consumer/advocacy organizations that regularly serve 
vocational rehabilitation clients.  If a qualified person is 
available to so serve, one person shall be appointed to the 
council to represent each of the following:  business, labor, 
education, medicine, and the private not-for-profit 
rehabilitation industry.  The remaining members shall be public 
members.  Under the direction of the commissioner, the council 
shall organize itself and elect a chair and other officers as it 
deems appropriate.  The council shall meet at the call of the 
chair or the commissioner as often as necessary.  The terms, 
compensation, and removal of members of the council shall be as 
provided in section 15.059.  The council shall not expire as 
provided by section 15.059, subdivision 5.  The commissioner 
shall establish a state rehabilitation advisory council 
consistent with the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Public 
Law Number 93-112, as amended through December 31, 1992.  
Members of the advisory council shall be compensated as provided 
in section 15.059, subdivision 3.  Members of the consumer 
advisory council appointed prior to July 1, 1993, shall serve on 
the rehabilitation advisory council until the end of their 
appointed terms. 
     Sec. 3.  [EFFECTIVE DATE.] 
     Sections 1 and 2 are effective the day following final 
enactment. 
    Presented to the governor May 6, 1993 
    Signed by the governor May 7, 1993, 2:50 p.m.