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Key: (1) language to be deleted (2) new language

CHAPTER 121--S.F.No. 2777

An act

relating to state government; modifying the Commission of the Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard-of-Hearing;

amending Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 256C.28, subdivisions 1, 2, 3a, 5, by adding a subdivision.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 256C.28, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Membership.

The Commission of Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard-of-Hearing deleted text begin Minnesotansdeleted text end consists of seven members appointed at large and one member from each advisory committee established under section 256C.24, subdivision 3. At least 50 percent of the members must be deaf or deafblind or hard-of-hearing. Members shall include persons who are deaf, deafblind, and hard-of-hearing, parents of children who are deaf, deafblind, and hard-of-hearing, and representatives of county and regional human services, including representatives of private service providers. Commission members are appointed by the governor for a deleted text begin three-yeardeleted text end new text begin four-yearnew text end term and new text begin until successors are appointed and qualify. Commission members new text end shall serve no more than deleted text begin twodeleted text end new text begin threenew text end consecutive termsnew text begin , and no more than 12 years in totalnew text end . new text begin Annually, by January 31, new text end the commission shall select one member as chairnew text begin and one member as vice-chair to serve until January 31 of the following year or until the commission selects a new chair or vice-chair, whichever occurs laternew text end .

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective August 1, 2018. new text end

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 256C.28, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 1a. new text end

new text begin Executive committee. new text end

new text begin The commission may establish an executive committee and other committees of its members as it deems necessary or proper and may authorize them to exercise any powers of the commission except those expressly required by law to be exercised by the commission. The executive committee must have at least three members. The executive committee may approve contracts not to exceed $50,000 to provide necessary services and supplies to the commission. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective August 1, 2018. new text end

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 256C.28, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Removal; vacancies.

The compensation, removal of members, and filling of vacancies on the commission are as provided in section deleted text begin 15.0575deleted text end new text begin 15.059new text end .

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective August 1, 2018. new text end

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 256C.28, subdivision 3a, is amended to read:

Subd. 3a.

Duties.

The commission shall:

(1) assist persons who are deaf, deafblind, and hard-of-hearing and parents of students who are deaf, deafblind, and hard-of-hearing in advocating for equal access to services, programs, and opportunities;

(2) advise the governor, the legislature, the judicial branch, and the commissioners of all state agencies on the development of policies, programs, and services affecting persons who are deaf, deafblind, and hard-of-hearing, and on the use of appropriate federal and state money;

(3) create a public awareness of the special needs and potential of persons who are deaf, deafblind, and hard-of-hearing;

(4) provide the governor, the legislature, and the commissioners of all state agencies with a review of ongoing services, programs, and proposed legislation affecting persons who are deaf, deafblind, and hard-of-hearing;

(5) advise the governor, the legislature, the judicial branch, and the commissioners of all state agencies on statutes, rules, and policies necessary to ensure that persons who are deaf, deafblind, and hard-of-hearing have equal access to benefits and services provided to individuals in Minnesota;

(6) recommend to the governor, the legislature, the judicial branch, and the commissioners of all state agencies legislation designed to improve the economic and social conditions of persons who are deaf, deafblind, and hard-of-hearing in Minnesota;

(7) propose solutions to problems of persons who are deaf, deafblind, and hard-of-hearing in the areas of education, employment, human rights, human services, health, housing, and other related programs;

(8) recommend to the governor, the legislature, and the commissioners of all state agencies any needed revisions in the state's affirmative action program and any other steps necessary to eliminate the underemployment or unemployment of deaf, deafblind, and hard-of-hearing persons in the state's work force;

(9) work with other state and federal agencies and organizations to promote economic development for Minnesotans who are deaf, deafblind, and hard-of-hearing; deleted text begin anddeleted text end

(10) coordinate its efforts with other state and local agencies serving persons who are deaf, deafblind, and hard-of-hearingdeleted text begin .deleted text end new text begin ;new text end

new text begin (11) research, formulate, and present plans, programs, and policies that will serve the needs of persons who are deaf, persons who are deafblind, and persons who are hard-of-hearing; and new text end

new text begin (12) encourage and assist in the development of coordinated, interdepartmental goals and objectives, and the coordination of programs, services, and facilities among all state departments, political subdivisions, and private providers of service as they relate to persons who are deaf, persons who are deafblind, and persons who are hard-of-hearing. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective August 1, 2018. new text end

Sec. 5.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 256C.28, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5.

Powers.

The commission may contract in its own name. Contracts new text begin must be executed by the chair and the executive director. Contracts for more than $50,000 new text end must be approved by a majority of the members of the commission deleted text begin and executed by the chair and the executive directordeleted text end . The commission may apply for, receive, and expend in its own name grants and gifts of money consistent with the powers and duties specified in this section.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective August 1, 2018. new text end

Sec. 6.

new text begin TRANSITION OF THE TERMS OF MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION OF DEAF, DEAFBLIND, AND HARD-OF-HEARING. new text end

new text begin The governor shall designate three of the at-large members and four of the members from the advisory committees under Minnesota Statutes, section 256C.24, subdivision 3, to serve their current terms coterminous with the governor ending in January 2019. The current terms of the remaining members shall end the first Monday in January 2020. A partial term served as of the first Monday in January 2019 constitutes one term for the purpose of counting terms toward the three-term limit in Minnesota Statutes, section 256C.28. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective August 1, 2018. new text end

Sec. 7.

new text begin REVISOR'S INSTRUCTION. new text end

new text begin The revisor of statutes shall change "Commission of Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard-of-Hearing Minnesotans" to "Commission of the Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard-of-Hearing" wherever these terms occur in Minnesota Statutes. new text end

Presented to the governor May 4, 2018

Signed by the governor May 8, 2018, 12:35 p.m.

Official Publication of the State of Minnesota
Revisor of Statutes