Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Minnesota Senate Bill SF1177 Compare Versions

Only one version of the bill is available at this time.

Old	New	Differences
1	1	1.1 A bill for an act
2	2	1.2 relating to human services; establishing a grant to expand disability services
3	3	1.3 technology and advocacy; requiring reports; appropriating money; proposing
4	4	1.4 coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 256.
5	5	1.5BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
6	6	1.6 Section 1. [256.4768] DISABILITY SERVICES TECHNOLOGY AND ADVOCACY
7	7	1.7EXPANSION GRANT.
8	8	1.8 Subdivision 1.Establishment.(a) A disability services technology and advocacy
9	9	1.9expansion grant is established to:
10	10	1.10 (1) support the expansion of assistive technology and remote support services for people
11	11	1.11with disabilities; and
12	12	1.12 (2) strengthen advocacy efforts for individuals with disabilities and the providers who
13	13	1.13serve individuals with disabilities.
14	14	1.14 (b) The commissioner of human services must award the grant to an eligible grantee.
15	15	1.15 Subd. 2.Eligible grantee.An eligible grantee must:
16	16	1.16 (1) be a nonprofit organization with a statewide reach;
17	17	1.17 (2) have demonstrated knowledge of various forms of assistive technology and remote
18	18	1.18support for people with disabilities; and
19	19	1.19 (3) have proven capacity to provide education and training to multiple constituencies.
20	20	1.20 Subd. 3.Allowable uses of grant funds.Grant funds must be used to:
21	21	1Section 1.
22	22	25-00822 as introduced12/09/24 REVISOR DTT/LN
23	23	SENATE
24	24	STATE OF MINNESOTA
25	25	S.F. No. 1177NINETY-FOURTH SESSION
26	26	(SENATE AUTHORS: ABELER, Hoffman and Utke)
27	27	OFFICIAL STATUSD-PGDATE
28	28	Introduction and first reading02/10/2025
29	29	Referred to Human Services 2.1 (1) develop and deliver comprehensive training programs for lead agencies, disability
30	30	2.2service providers, schools, employment support agencies, and individuals with disabilities
31	31	2.3and their families to ensure effective use of assistive technology and remote support tools.
32	32	2.4Training must address specific challenges faced by individuals with disabilities, such as
33	33	2.5accessibility, independence, and health monitoring;
34	34	2.6 (2) provide resources and support to advocacy organizations that work with individuals
35	35	2.7with disabilities and service providers. Resources and support must be used to promote the
36	36	2.8use of assistive technology to increase self-determination and community participation;
37	37	2.9 (3) maintain, distribute, and create accessible resources related to assistive technology
38	38	2.10and remote support. Materials must be tailored to address the unique needs of individuals
39	39	2.11with disabilities and the people and organizations who support individuals with disabilities;
40	40	2.12 (4) conduct research to explore new and emerging assistive technology solutions that
41	41	2.13address the evolving needs of individuals with disabilities. The research must emphasize
42	42	2.14the role of technology in promoting independence, improving quality of life, and ensuring
43	43	2.15safety; and
44	44	2.16 (5) conduct outreach initiatives to engage disability communities, service providers, and
45	45	2.17advocacy groups across Minnesota to promote awareness of assistive technology and remote
46	46	2.18support services. Outreach initiatives must focus on reaching underserved and rural
47	47	2.19populations.
48	48	2.20 Subd. 4.Evaluation and reporting requirements.(a) The grant recipient must submit
49	49	2.21an annual report by June 30 each year to the legislative committees with jurisdiction over
50	50	2.22disability services. The annual report must include:
51	51	2.23 (1) the number of individuals with disabilities and service providers who received training
52	52	2.24during the reporting year;
53	53	2.25 (2) data on the impact of assistive technology and remote support in improving quality
54	54	2.26of life, safety, and independence for individuals with disabilities; and
55	55	2.27 (3) recommendations for further advancing technology-driven disability advocacy efforts
56	56	2.28based on feedback and research findings.
57	57	2.29 (b) No later than three months after the grant period has ended, a final evaluation must
58	58	2.30be submitted to the legislative committees with jurisdiction over disability services to assess
59	59	2.31the overall impact on expanding access to assistive technology and remote support, with a
60	60	2.32focus on lessons learned and future opportunities for Minnesota's disability communities
61	61	2.33and service providers.
62	62	2Section 1.
63	63	25-00822 as introduced12/09/24 REVISOR DTT/LN 3.1 Sec. 2. APPROPRIATION; DISABILITY SERVICES TECHNOLOGY AND
64	64	3.2ADVOCACY EXPANSION GRANT.
65	65	3.3 $500,000 in fiscal year 2026 and $500,000 in fiscal year 2027 are appropriated from the
66	66	3.4general fund to the commissioner of human services for the purposes of the disability services
67	67	3.5technology and advocacy grant under Minnesota Statutes, section 256.4768. The general
68	68	3.6fund base appropriation for this purpose is set at $500,000 in fiscal year 2028, $500,000 in
69	69	3.7fiscal year 2029, $500,000 in fiscal year 2030, and $0 in fiscal year 2031.
70	70	3Sec. 2.
71	71	25-00822 as introduced12/09/24 REVISOR DTT/LN