HF3001

HF3001 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Minnesota financial opportunity grant pilot program established, report required, and money appropriated.

Related bill: SF3232

AI Generated Summary

Purpose of the Bill

The bill aims to establish a pilot program called the Minnesota Financial Opportunity Grant Pilot Program. This program intends to provide direct cash assistance to eligible Minnesota residents. The primary goals are to promote economic stability, encourage workforce participation, foster community investment, and help recipients meet their basic needs.

Main Provisions

Establishment of the Program: The commissioner of human services is tasked with creating this direct cash assistance pilot program.
Eligible Grantees: Entities eligible to distribute grants include local government bodies, Tribal governments, and nonprofit organizations with experience in community development and economic assistance.
Application Requirements: Applications must include a detailed program design, plans for identifying and serving eligible recipients, community involvement strategies, commitments to a community of practice, cooperation with an evaluator, and data collection plans.
Activities Supported by Grants: Grants will support programs that provide monthly payments of at least $500 to qualifying recipients for a duration of 18 months. The funds are intended to support community needs and foster participation in economic activities.
Stipends Exemption from Income: Cash stipends from this program are not to be considered income or assets when determining eligibility for various state and federal assistance programs, such as child care assistance, food support, and medical assistance.
Eligible Recipients: Individuals or families receiving public benefits or earning less than 300% of the federal poverty guidelines are eligible. Priority may be given to at-risk groups, such as those experiencing homelessness or requiring additional training and education.
Community of Practice: A community of practice will be established to provide training and technical assistance to grantees.
Data Collection and Reporting: Grantees will collect data on participants' economic and employment status, health, food and housing security, and educational enrollment. They must report this data annually to the commissioner, who will then evaluate the program's efficacy and cost-effectiveness.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This bill creates a new state initiative for direct financial assistance, with stipends that are exempt from consideration as income for a variety of public assistance programs.
It introduces a systematic method for evaluating the impact of such financial aid on individuals' economic and social well-being, potentially influencing future social service policies.

Relevant Terms

Direct cash assistance
Economic stability
Workforce participation
Community investment
Nonprofit organizations
Public benefits
Federal poverty guidelines
Homelessness
Data collection and evaluation

Bill text versions

Introduction PDF file

Actions

Date	Chamber	Where	Type	Name	Committee Name
March 31, 2025	House	Floor	Action	Introduction and first reading, referred to	Human Services Finance and Policy

Citations

[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Cash stipends not considered as income or assets for eligibility."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This bill modifies the consideration of income for medical assistance eligibility under section 256B.056.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "256B.056",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 1a"
  }
]