1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to employment; implementing a grant program to provide supported 
1.3 	employment services to persons who are deaf, deafblind, and hard-of-hearing;
1.4 	proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 268A.
1.5 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.6 	Section 1. [268A.16] EMPLOYMENT SERVICES FOR PERSONS WHO ARE 
1.7 	DEAF, DEAFBLIND, OR HARD-OF-HEARING.
1.8 		Subdivision 1.Deaf, deafblind, and hard-of-hearing grants. The commissioner 
1.9 	shall develop and implement a statewide grant program to provide supported employment 
1.10 	services for persons who are deaf, deafblind, and hard-of-hearing. Programs and services 
1.11 	eligible for grants under this section, must:
1.12 	(1) assist persons who are deaf, deafblind, and hard-of-hearing in obtaining and 
1.13 	retaining employment;
1.14 	(2) emphasize individual community placements for clients;
1.15 	(3) ensure interagency collaboration at the local level between vocational 
1.16 	rehabilitation field offices, county service agencies, and community rehabilitation 
1.17 	providers in assisting clients; and
1.18 	(4) involve clients in the planning, development, oversight, and delivery of support 
1.19 	services.
1.20 	Priority for funding shall be given to organizations with experience in developing 
1.21 	innovative employment support services for persons who are deaf, deafblind, and 
1.22 	hard-of-hearing. Each applicant for funds under this section shall submit an evaluation 
1.23 	protocol as part of the grant application.
2.1 		Subd. 2.Employment services for transition-aged youth who are deaf, 
2.2 	deafblind, and hard-of-hearing. The commissioner shall develop a statewide grant 
2.3 	program to provide school-based communication, access, and employment services for 
2.4 	youth who are deaf, deafblind, and hard-of-hearing.

2.5 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2016.