Purpose of the Bill

The purpose of this bill is to support workforce development by providing financial resources for job skills training specifically aimed at individuals who have been recently released from incarceration. It aims to help these individuals reintegrate into society and the workforce successfully.

Main Provisions

• Funding Allocation: The bill allocates $850,000 for fiscal year 2026 and another $850,000 for fiscal year 2027 from the workforce development fund. This money is designated for a grant to Better Futures Minnesota.

• Target Population: The funding is specifically meant to provide job skills training to individuals who have been released from incarceration after serving a sentence for a felony-level offense. These individuals must be within 12 months of their release date to qualify for the program.

• Reporting Requirements: Better Futures Minnesota is required to submit annual reports to the commissioner of employment and economic development. These reports should detail how the funds were used and measure the outcomes achieved. Specific data to be included in the reports are the number of participants, instances of homelessness, employment outcomes, recidivism rates, child support compliance, and details about the job skills training provided.

Significant Changes

This bill introduces new appropriations and a structured reporting mechanism aimed at enhancing the job readiness and societal reintegration of individuals recently released from incarceration. It emphasizes accountability by requiring detailed reports on the impact of the funding.

Relevant Terms

• Workforce development
• Job skills training
• Recently released inmates
• Felony-level offense
• Employment and economic development
• Recidivism rates
• Child support compliance