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