HF35 Summary

• Adds new duty to the Minnesota Council on Disability to apply for, accept, and disburse grants and other aids from public or private sources.

• Establishes a website accessibility grant program awarding funds to cities and counties to improve local government websites and content accessibility for persons with disabilities.

• Creates a Website Accessibility Grant Advisory Council with five members including representatives from the League of Minnesota Cities, Association of Minnesota Counties, Minnesota Council on Disability, a public self-advocate, and the state chief information officer.

• Appropriates $1,000,000 in fiscal year 2022 from the general fund for website accessibility grants, available until June 30, 2025, with up to 15 percent usable for administrative costs.

• Requires the Minnesota Council on Disability to submit annual reports by January 15 detailing grant applications received, awards made, geographic distribution, and how grant funds were used.