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268A.03 POWERS AND DUTIES.
The commissioner shall:
(a) certify the rehabilitation facilities to offer extended employment programs, grant funds to
the extended employment programs, and perform the duties as specified in section 268A.15;
(b) provide vocational rehabilitation services to persons with disabilities in accordance with
the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Public Law 93-112, as amended. Persons with a disability
are entitled to free choice of vendor for any medical, dental, prosthetic, or orthotic services
provided under this paragraph;
(c) expend funds and provide technical assistance for the establishment, improvement,
maintenance, or extension of public and other nonprofit rehabilitation facilities or centers;
(d) maintain a contractual or regulatory relationship with the United States as authorized by
the Social Security Act, as amended. Under this relationship, the state will undertake to make
determinations referred to in those public laws with respect to all individuals in Minnesota, or
with respect to a class or classes of individuals in this state that is designated in the agreement
at the state's request. It is the purpose of this relationship to permit the citizens of this state to
obtain all benefits available under federal law;
(e) provide an in-service training program for rehabilitation services employees by paying
for its direct costs with state and federal funds;
(f) conduct research and demonstration projects; provide training and instruction, including
establishment and maintenance of research fellowships and traineeships, along with all necessary
stipends and allowances; disseminate information to persons with a disability and the general
public; and provide technical assistance relating to vocational rehabilitation and independent
living;
(g) receive and disburse pursuant to law money and gifts available from governmental and
private sources including, but not limited to, the federal Department of Education and the Social
Security Administration, for the purpose of vocational rehabilitation or independent living;
(h) design all state plans for vocational rehabilitation or independent living services
required as a condition to the receipt and disbursement of any money available from the federal
government;
(i) cooperate with other public or private agencies or organizations for the purpose
of vocational rehabilitation or independent living. Money received from school districts,
governmental subdivisions, mental health centers or boards, and private nonprofit organizations is
appropriated to the commissioner for conducting joint or cooperative vocational rehabilitation or
independent living programs;
(j) enter into contractual arrangements with instrumentalities of federal, state, or local
government and with private individuals, organizations, agencies, or facilities with respect to
providing vocational rehabilitation or independent living services;
(k) take other actions required by state and federal legislation relating to vocational
rehabilitation, independent living, and disability determination programs;
(l) hire staff and arrange services and facilities necessary to perform the duties and powers
specified in this section; and
(m) adopt, amend, suspend, or repeal rules necessary to implement or make specific
programs that the commissioner by sections 268A.01 to 268A.15 is empowered to administer.
History: 1975 c 359 s 23; 1976 c 332 s 3; 1983 c 312 art 1 s 15; 1Sp1985 c 9 art 2 s 4;
1987 c 369 s 2; 1988 c 689 art 2 s 20; 1991 c 292 art 2 s 69; art 10 s 3; 1995 c 82 s 13; 1995 c
224 s 85; 2004 c 206 s 52

Official Publication of the State of Minnesota
Revisor of Statutes