Minnesota Session Laws - 2006, Regular Session

CHAPTER 275--S.F.No. 2706

An act

relating to vocational rehabilitation; extending a pilot project;

amending Laws 2004, chapter 188, section 1, as amended.

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

Section 1.

Laws 2004, chapter 188, section 1, as amended by Laws 2005, chapter 134, section 3, is amended to read:

Section 1. PILOT PROJECT.

The commissioner of employment and economic development shall conduct an extended employment pilot project to study an industrial model for employment for individuals with severe disabilities in Thief River Falls, Minnesota.

Employment is to be provided by Custom Products, a division of Occupational Development Center. During the pilot, employment outcomes for individuals with severe disabilities will be assumed to be community employment as defined under Minnesota Rules, part 3300.2005. The pilot project will begin July 1, 2004, and end June 30, deleted text begin 2006 deleted text end new text begin 2007 new text end . Evaluation of the pilot project must be completed by October 1, 2006, by the commissioner.

The pilot project must maintain a minimum ratio of 60 percent of nondisabled persons, must pay minimum wages or better to all employees with severe disabilities, and must provide them a level of benefits equal to those provided to nondisabled employees. All work teams must be integrated.

The pilot project must provide the extended employment program with useful information to clarify the distinction between center-based and community employment subprograms. The commissioner shall consider the findings of the pilot project in adopting rules.

Presented to the governor May 22, 2006

Signed by the governor May 26, 2006, 5:08 p.m.