1.1                          A bill for an act 
  1.2             relating to human services; establishing an auto lease 
  1.3             program under MFIP; appropriating money; proposing 
  1.4             coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 256J.
  1.5   BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 
  1.6      Section 1.  [256J.58] [MINNESOTA FAMILY INVESTMENT PROGRAM 
  1.7   AUTO LEASE PROGRAM.] 
  1.8      Subdivision 1.  [PROGRAM ESTABLISHED.] The state recognizes 
  1.9   the importance of developing resources to help individuals 
  1.10  secure and maintain employment.  In order to accomplish that 
  1.11  goal the Minnesota family investment program (MFIP) auto lease 
  1.12  program is established to help MFIP participants obtain 
  1.13  automobiles for transportation necessary for job search and 
  1.14  employment.  This program is intended to provide support to 
  1.15  eligible MFIP participants in activities related to job search 
  1.16  and employment.  The commissioner of human services shall 
  1.17  establish a program to accomplish the provisions in this section.
  1.18     Subd. 2.  [ELIGIBILITY.] (a) The participants must meet all 
  1.19  of the following requirements to be eligible for the auto lease 
  1.20  program: 
  1.21     (1) be 21 years of age or older; 
  1.22     (2) be employed for six months prior to participation in 
  1.23  the auto lease program; 
  1.24     (3) be living at a permanent address; 
  1.25     (4) have a valid Minnesota driver's license; 
  2.1      (5) have no DUI, reckless driving, or speeding offenses 
  2.2   within the last year; and 
  2.3      (6) have a disposable income equal to or greater than 150 
  2.4   percent of the lease payment. 
  2.5      (b) Before taking vehicle delivery, each participant is 
  2.6   required to attend a car care clinic, which shall explain all 
  2.7   aspects of the lease program in addition to very basic car care. 
  2.8      At the end of the lease, the participants shall have the 
  2.9   following options to: 
  2.10     (1) purchase the vehicle; 
  2.11     (2) renew the lease at a renegotiated level; 
  2.12     (3) trade up to a better vehicle; or 
  2.13     (4) return the vehicle with no further commitment. 
  2.14     Subd. 3.  [PROGRAM STRUCTURE.] The commissioner of human 
  2.15  services shall contract with a transit coordinator who shall be 
  2.16  in charge of the program.  The coordinator shall interview all 
  2.17  participants referred to the program to confirm that eligibility 
  2.18  requirements are met, and shall conduct a needs assessment.  The 
  2.19  transit coordinator also shall conduct formal 30-day follow-up 
  2.20  interviews and vehicle inspections, and the coordinator shall 
  2.21  provide emergency intervention and problem solving. 
  2.22     Subd. 4.  [PAYMENT STRUCTURE.] A first payment of $200 and 
  2.23  proof of six months of car insurance coverage are required from 
  2.24  each participant before a vehicle is delivered.  The auto lease 
  2.25  program contributes a onetime $1,000 acquisition fee, and leases 
  2.26  shall run from 12 to 24 months.  Each participant is allowed an 
  2.27  additional $1,000 to defray future insurance costs, and 
  2.28  thereafter may receive partial insurance reimbursement.  The 
  2.29  $1,000 lease acquisition fee shall be distributed as follows: 
  2.30     (1) for lease maintenance fee - $450; 
  2.31     (2) for security deposit - $300; and 
  2.32     (3) for license, tax, title, and miscellaneous fees - $250. 
  2.33     Sec. 2.  [APPROPRIATIONS.] 
  2.34     $....... is appropriated from the general fund to the 
  2.35  department of human services for the Minnesota family investment 
  2.36  program (MFIP) auto lease program for the 2004-2005 biennium.