MN HF3409

Replaces the governor's Job Training Council with a Workforce Development Council to oversee federal and state human resource programs including Workforce Investment Act, vocational education, adult education, and welfare programs.

The Workforce Development Council must review education and training programs, develop performance standards, promote employment transitions, evaluate exemplary programs, and prepare a strategic plan for meeting Minnesota's human investment needs.

Establishes standard approaches for assessing outcomes of workforce programs under chapter 116L and requires monitoring of legislative appropriations to recipients on a pass-through basis.

Modifies unemployment insurance eligibility by defining "good reason caused by the employer" for quits, "employment misconduct," and "aggravated employment misconduct," with specific exceptions for layoffs, medical situations, domestic abuse, childcare loss, and temporary job assignments with staffing service employers.

Requires allocation of unemployment insurance funds to hire at least ten benefit review specialists to assist applicants with eligibility determinations and requires one full-time customer service staff person per workforce center, and sets unemployment law judge salaries at 60-80 percent of workers' compensation judge salaries.