HF4533

Purpose

The bill creates a pilot program called the 700hour onthejob demonstration experience to help people with disabilities get hired in local government in two Minnesota counties. It aims to provide an alternative, noncompetitive path to permanent civil service jobs by letting eligible applicants demonstrate their abilities through on-the-job experience before a full appointment.

Main Provisions

• Establishment and scope

  • Hennepin County and Ramsey County must run the 700hour onthejob demonstration experience pilot program.
  • The program is for qualified applicants with disabilities who may not be able to show their abilities in traditional hiring processes.

• How the program works

  • Up to 700 hours of on-the-job demonstration experience serve as the qualification process.
  • All permanent classified civil service positions are eligible for this onthejob demonstration.
  • Job postings must include information about the demonstration overview and certification process.

• Hiring and conversion

  • The county chief executive officer (or their designee) can approve a probationary appointment for an applicant who successfully completes the demonstration.
  • A qualified applicant can be converted to a probationary appointment once they demonstrate the ability to perform the essential job functions, with or without reasonable accommodation.

• Administration and oversight

  • The county CEO is responsible for running the program, including policies, data collection, reporting, and compliance.
  • A formal grievance process must be created and made public for participants.

• Accessibility and accommodations

  • Counties must provide reasonable accommodations during the application, hiring, and onthejob demonstration period.
  • Accessibility requirements for public records and continuing education apply to those involved in the process.

• Training and support

  • State agencies will provide technical help to the counties for running the program.
  • The state will modify its management and budget training curriculum to include this program, and county leaders, managers, HR staff, and other related personnel must receive the training (at least once in 2027).

• Evaluation and data collection

  • The counties must survey participants (those hired and those not hired) and the managers of participants by October 1, 2027.
  • They must collect and report statistics such as certifications, interviews, appointments, terminations, time in the demonstration, and training details.

• Reporting to the Legislature

  • By December 1, 2027, the counties must send a detailed stats report to the Commissioner of Management and Budget.
  • By January 15, 2028, the Commissioner of Management and Budget must report to relevant legislative committees about the pilot program and include any other relevant information.

• Legal context

  • The program does not violate Minnesota law governing civil rights and employment (specifically, it is stated not to violate Minnesota Statutes chapter 363A).

Implementation Details

• Consultation and support

  • The Commissioners of Management and Budget and Employment and Economic Development will provide technical expertise to the counties for running the program.

• Training curriculum

  • The training curriculum will be updated to include the requirements of the 700hour program, and key county staff must complete the training.

• Data and accessibility

  • The program requires data collection and reporting, and accommodations must be made for applicants with disabilities.
  • Public records and continuing education requirements apply to those involved in the process.

What this change means

• It creates a new pathway for people with disabilities to obtain permanent civil service jobs through a structured, time-limited demonstration in two Minnesota counties.
• It emphasizes accommodations, formal evaluation, and accountability through regular reporting to state agencies and the Legislature.
• It introduces a formal process for converting successful demonstration participants to probationary employees and for addressing grievances.

Significance

• This is a targeted effort to improve employment opportunities for people with disabilities within local government.
• It introduces a data-driven approach to evaluate the effectiveness of a specialized hiring model and to inform future policy.

Relevant Terms - 700hour onthejob demonstration experience - pilot program - Hennepin County - Ramsey County - disabilities - permanent classified civil service positions - noncompetitive hiring - probationary appointment - essential functions - reasonable accommodations - grievance process - accessibility - public records (363A.42) - continuing education (363A.43) - training curriculum (43A.15) - statistical reporting - Commissioner of Management and Budget - Legislature (legislative committees) - technical expertise - data collection and reporting