Organizations eligible for grants required to engage with youth community organizations.

A bill for an act

relating to commerce; requiring organizations eligible for grants to engage with

youth community organizations; amending Minnesota Statutes 2024, section

342.70, subdivision 3.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 342.70, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Grants to organizations.

(a) The Division of Social Equity must award grants

to eligible organizations through a competitive grant process.

(b) To receive grant money, an eligible organization must submit a written application

to the office, using a form developed by the office, explaining the community investment

the organization wants to make in an eligible community.

(c) An eligible organization's grant application must also include:

(1) an analysis of the community's need for the proposed investment;

(2) a description of the positive impact that the proposed investment is expected to

generate for that community;

(3) any evidence of the organization's ability to successfully achieve that positive impact;

(4) any evidence of the organization's past success in making similar community

investments;

(5) an estimate of the cost of the proposed investment;

(6) the sources and amounts of any nonstate funds or in-kind contributions that will

supplement grant money;

(7) a description of the organization's engagement with youth-centered, community-based

organizations working with youth who are 14 to 24 years of age that have been most impacted

by cannabis-related usage, criminalization, or incarceration; and

(8) any additional information requested by the office.

(d) In awarding grants under this subdivision, the office shall give priority to the

following:

(1) applications from organizations that demonstrate a history of successful community

investments, particularly in geographic areas that are now eligible communities;

(2) applications that support youth civic engagement, leadership, and youth-led health

education opportunities; and

(3) applications where there is demonstrated community support for the proposed

investment.

(e) The office shall fund investments in eligible communities throughout the state.

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(f) At least 50 percent of the grants awarded each year under this subdivision must be

for supporting youth civic engagement, leadership, and youth-led health education

opportunities, with a preference for communities that have been most impacted by

cannabis-related criminalization or incarceration.

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