Employment support services programs for people with mental illness grant appropriation

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Rich Draheim and 3 co-sponsors

Authorizes grant funding to provide employment support services for people with mental illness, improving job access and placement via DEED and health agencies.

Author added Nelson

#employmentandeconomicdevelopmentdepartment #health-mentalhealth

Overview

SF 670 is a Minnesota Senate bill introduced on January 27, 2025, titled “Employment support services programs for people with mental illness grant appropriation.” The bill would authorize grant funding to support employment-related services for individuals with mental illness. It is classified under the Employment and Economic Development Department and Health-Mental Health. The companion House bill is HF 1985. The author at introduction is listed as Nelson, with an update noting Nelson as author on February 13, 2025. The bill was referred to the Jobs and Economic Development committee.

Purpose and intent

To create or authorize a grant program aimed at improving employment outcomes for people with mental illness.

To provide funding for employment support services that help individuals obtain and maintain work, enhance job skills, and connect with suitable career opportunities.

To strengthen coordination between the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) and health/mental health agencies in delivering supported employment and related supports.

Key provisions (structure and scope)

Grant appropriation: Establishes authority to allocate state funds as grants for employment support services specifically targeted at people with mental illness.

Administration: Likely to be administered by DEED in coordination with the Department of Health or mental health authorities, consistent with the bill’s subject line and classification.

Eligible recipients: Intended to include providers capable of delivering employment supports, such as nonprofit organizations, healthcare-adjacent agencies, workforce development entities, and other qualified providers.

Services funded: Employment-related supports such as job coaching, placement assistance, supported employment services, training, workplace accommodations, and related supports designed to improve employment outcomes for participants.

Accountability and outcomes: Expectation of performance measures and reporting to ensure funds are used effectively and to track metrics such as placement, retention, wages, and duration of employment; compliance with applicable state and federal requirements.

Collaboration and coordination: Emphasis on interagency coordination to align health and workforce development efforts for program participants.

Affected parties

Individuals with mental illness seeking employment opportunities.

Service providers delivering employment supports and mental health services.

State agencies, primarily the Department of Employment and Economic Development and the Department of Health (Mental Health).

Local workforce development boards and partner organizations.

Procedural timeline and next steps

January 27, 2025: Introduced and first read; referred to Jobs and Economic Development.

February 13, 2025: Author updated to Nelson.

Next steps (typical for a bill in this stage): Committee hearings and potential amendments, floor votes in the Senate, and coordination with the companion HF 1985 in the House. If advanced, the bill would proceed through the standard legislative process toward possible enactment.

Related legislation

HF 1985 (companion bill in the House).

Notes: Details such as a specific funding amount, program duration, or explicit eligibility criteria are not provided in the available information. The summary reflects the bill’s stated purpose and typical structure for grant-based employment support programs.

Bill