MN HF561

Commissioner of human services establishes a grant program to create jobs for long-term and chronically unemployed Minnesotans, including veterans, recently incarcerated individuals, and those with mental health or addiction issues.

Grant recipients must be Minnesota employers who commit to creating new positions, demonstrate job creation plans, coordinate housing and behavioral health services, and track outcomes including employment, child support payments, and avoided institutionalization or incarceration.

Grants awarded to up to three organizations per biennium, with applicants required to match state funds on a one-to-one basis with nonstate funds.

Organizations must submit annual reports to the commissioner on program participant outcomes; commissioner submits annual progress reports to legislature by January 15.

$4,000,000 appropriated from the general fund in fiscal year 2016, with funds available until expended; commissioner must calculate state savings from reduced government services spending and examine feasibility of replenishing funding through those savings by January 15, 2016.