1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to workforce development; providing a grant to the Black Women's 
1.3 	Business Alliance; requiring a report; appropriating money.
1.4 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.5 	Section 1. BLACK WOMEN'S BUSINESS ALLIANCE; APPROPRIATION.
 1.6 	(a) $390,000 in fiscal year 2017 is appropriated from the general fund to the 
1.7 	commissioner of employment and economic development for a grant to the Black 
1.8 	Women's Business Alliance (BWBA) for women in the STEM-Afri Tech pilot program. 
1.9 	This is a onetime appropriation and is available until June 30, 2019. 
1.10 	(b) Funds available under this section may be used to provide at least 50 women 
1.11 	of color with:
1.12 	(1) Microsoft Information Technology Academy training; or
1.13 	(2) training in other marketable business and entrepreneurial skills.
1.14 	(c) Training provided under this section may include:
1.15 	(1) independent online learning;
1.16 	(2) instructor-led workshops;
1.17 	(3) certification preparation exercises;
1.18 	(4) certification testing; and
1.19 	(5) participation in Microsoft Information Technology Academy training.
1.20 	(d) For the purposes of this section, "women of color" means females age 18 or older 
1.21 	who are American Indian, Asian, Black, or Hispanic.
1.22 	(e) The Black Women's Business Alliance may collaborate with other nonprofit 
1.23 	community organizations to provide training under this section.
2.1 	(f) By January 15, 2019, the commissioner must report to the standing committees 
2.2 	of the legislature with jurisdiction over workforce development on the use of grant funds. 
2.3 	The report must include, to the extent feasible, data disaggregated by race, cultural 
2.4 	groups, family income, age, geographic location, status as a migrant or immigrant, 
2.5 	primary language, disability, status of homelessness, and status as an English learner 
2.6 	under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.59.