HF1166

Purpose

Create a Disability Services Technology and Advocacy Expansion Grant to expand assistive technology and remote support services for people with disabilities and to strengthen advocacy efforts for individuals with disabilities and the providers who serve them. The Department of Human Services (DHS) must award the grant to an eligible nonprofit with statewide reach.

Main provisions

• Establishment of the grant to support disability technology and advocacy efforts.
• Eligible grantee: a statewide nonprofit organization with knowledge of assistive technology and remote support and the ability to provide education and training to multiple groups.
• Use of grant funds: develop and deliver comprehensive training programs for lead agencies, disability service providers, schools, employment support agencies, individuals with disabilities, and families; address accessibility, independence, and health monitoring; provide resources and support to advocacy organizations; promote the use of assistive technology to increase self-determination and community participation; create and maintain accessible resources related to assistive technology and remote support; conduct research on new assistive technology solutions; and conduct outreach to disability communities, service providers, and advocacy groups—prioritizing underserved and rural populations.
• Evaluation and reporting: grant recipient must submit an annual report by June 30 each year to relevant legislative committees, including training counts, impact data on quality of life, safety, and independence, and recommendations; a final evaluation due within three months after the grant period ends.

How the funds may be used (specific activities)

• Training programs for lead agencies, disability service providers, schools, employment support agencies, individuals with disabilities, and families.
• Resources and support to advocacy organizations to promote assistive technology use.
• Development and distribution of accessible materials on assistive technology and remote support.
• Research on emerging assistive technology solutions, highlighting independence, quality of life, and safety.
• Outreach to disability communities and providers, with a focus on rural and underserved areas.

Significant changes to existing law

• Creates a new grant program under Minnesota Statutes (section 256.4768) specifically dedicated to disability services technology and advocacy expansion.
• Establishes new reporting and evaluation requirements tied to this grant.
• Increases and structures state funding for this purpose through designated appropriations (see funding below), with a defined multi-year funding plan.

Financial impacts and funding timeline

• Appropriation: $500,000 in fiscal year 2026 and $500,000 in fiscal year 2027 from the general fund to DHS for the grant program.
• Base funding: $500,000 in fiscal years 2028, 2029, and 2030.
• Zero authorization in fiscal year 2031 (per the schedule described).
• The funding supports the grant program established by the new statute (256.4768) and related activities.

Relevant Terms - Disability Services Technology and Advocacy Expansion Grant - assistive technology - remote support - advocacy - eligible grantee - nonprofit with statewide reach - lead agencies - disability service providers - education and training - accessibility - independence - health monitoring - self-determination - community participation - outreach - underserved populations - rural - annual report - final evaluation - Minnesota Statutes section 256.4768 - general fund - Department of Human Services