MN HF2757

Establishes a Jobs Innovation for Hard-to-Employ Minnesotans grant program under the Commissioner of Employment and Economic Development to create new jobs for long-term unemployed individuals, including veterans, recently incarcerated persons, and those with mental health or addiction issues.

Grant recipients must be Minnesota employers committing to create new full-time or part-time positions and demonstrate plans for coordinating employment with housing, behavioral health services, and other support services while reducing government costs.

Awards grants to up to three organizations per biennium, with preference given to organizations meeting objectives from Laws 2007, chapter 54, article 1, section 19; requires one-to-one matching of state funds with nonstate funds.

Recipients must report annually on employment outcomes including full-time/part-time employment, child support payments, and avoided institutionalization or incarceration; Commissioner must submit annual reports by January 15 to relevant legislative committees.

Appropriates $3,000,000 from the general fund in fiscal year 2013 with funds available until expended; requires the Commissioner to report by January 15, 2013, on savings generated through reduced state spending and feasibility of replenishing the grant program with those savings.