1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to workforce development; appropriating money for grants to assist 
1.3 	internationally trained professionals in earning Minnesota licenses; requiring 
1.4 	reports.
1.5 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.6 	Section 1. INTERNATIONALLY TRAINED PROFESSIONALS GRANTS; 
1.7 	APPROPRIATION.
 1.8 	(a) $1,000,000 in fiscal year 2022 and $1,000,000 in fiscal year 2023 are appropriated 
1.9 	from the general fund to the commissioner of employment and economic development for 
1.10 	grants to assist internationally trained professionals in earning the professional licenses 
1.11 	required to do similar work in Minnesota. The commissioner shall work with local workforce 
1.12 	development boards to award these grants and shall give preference to efforts to assist 
1.13 	professionals in occupations where there is unmet local need for that profession's skills.
1.14 	(b) Eligible uses of grant funds may include but are not limited to:
1.15 	(1) subsidizing the cost of training for or taking required licensing examinations;
1.16 	(2) providing instruction in English as a second language;
1.17 	(3) supportive services that increase the success rate of individuals seeking licensing; 
1.18 	and
1.19 	(4) connecting newly licensed individuals with appropriate employment.
1.20 	(c) By February 15, 2024, and each February 15 in an even-numbered year thereafter, 
1.21 	the commissioner shall submit a report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the 
2.1 	legislative committees with jurisdiction over workforce development on the use of grant 
2.2 	funds and program outcomes. At a minimum, the report must include:
2.3 	(1) the number of new professional licenses facilitated by the program;
2.4 	(2) information on the employment outcomes of individuals supported by the program; 
2.5 	and
2.6 	(3) any other quantifiable measures of success.