Read the full stored bill text
A bill for an act
relating to local government; creating a 700-hour on-the-job demonstration
experience pilot program in Hennepin County and Ramsey County; requiring a
report.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
Section 1.
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LOCAL GOVERNMENT CONNECT 700 PILOT PROGRAM.
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Subdivision 1.
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Establishment.
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Hennepin County and Ramsey County must establish a
700-hour on-the-job demonstration experience pilot program to hire qualified applicants
with disabilities in each county in accordance with the requirements of this section.
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Subd. 2.
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Program administration and procedures.
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(a) Hennepin County and Ramsey
County must establish, review, and modify the qualifying procedures for hiring applicants
who have disabilities that make the applicant unable to demonstrate the applicant's abilities
in the selection process. The qualifying procedures must consist of up to 700 hours of
on-the-job demonstration experience. The 700-hour on-the-job demonstration experience
is an alternative, noncompetitive hiring process for qualified applicants with disabilities.
All permanent classified civil service job positions are eligible for a 700-hour on-the-job
demonstration experience and all permanent classified civil service job postings must provide
information regarding the on-the-job demonstration overview and certification process.
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(b) The county's chief executive officer, or the officer's designee, must authorize the
probationary appointment of an applicant if the applicant has successfully demonstrated
qualifications for the position through completion of an on-the-job demonstration experience.
The county's chief executive officer, or the officer's designee, must convert a qualified
applicant to a probationary appointment at the point in the 700-hour on-the-job experience
when the applicant has demonstrated the ability to perform the essential functions of the
job with or without reasonable accommodation. Implementation of this section is not a
violation of Minnesota Statutes, chapter 363A.
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(c) The county chief executive officer is responsible for the administration and oversight
of the 700-hour on-the-job demonstration experience pilot program, including the
establishment of policies and procedures, data collection and reporting requirements, and
compliance.
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(d) The county chief executive officer must develop, administer, and make public a
formal grievance process for individuals in the 700-hour on-the-job demonstration experience
pilot program.
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(e) A county must make reasonable accommodations in response to a request from an
applicant with a disability, including providing accommodations in a timely manner during
the application and hiring process and throughout the 700-hour on-the-job demonstration
experience. Requirements for accessibility for public records under Minnesota Statutes,
section 363A.42, and continuing education under Minnesota Statutes, section 363A.43,
apply to a county filling an appointment during the application and hiring process and
through the on-the-job demonstration experience period.
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Subd. 3.
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Consultation with state agencies.
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The commissioners of management and
budget and employment and economic development must provide technical expertise to
Hennepin County and Ramsey County based on administration of the executive branch
700-hour on-the-job demonstration experience program under Minnesota Statutes, section
43A.15, subdivision 14.
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Subd. 4.
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Required training.
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The commissioner of management and budget must modify
the training curriculum under Minnesota Statutes, section 43A.15, subdivision 14, paragraph
(d), to include the requirements of this section and provide the modified curriculum to
Hennepin County and Ramsey County. All county executive leaders, managers, supervisors,
human resources professionals, affirmative action officers, and Americans with Disabilities
Act coordinators must attend training on the curriculum at least once during calendar year
2027.
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Subd. 5.
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Survey required.
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On or before October 1, 2027, Hennepin County and Ramsey
County must survey the participants in the 700-hour on-the-job demonstration experience
pilot program who are hired and those who are not hired, as well as the managers of
participants in the pilot program.
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Subd. 6.
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Report to legislature.
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(a) On or before December 1, 2027, Hennepin County
and Ramsey County must submit the following statistics from the pilot program under this
section to the commissioner of management and budget:
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(1) the number of certifications submitted, granted, and rejected;
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(2) the number of applicants interviewed, appointed, and converted to probationary
status;
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(3) the number of employees retained for more than six months in county employment;
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(4) the number of employees with terminated appointments and the reason for termination;
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(5) the average length of time in an on-the-job demonstration appointment;
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(6) the number and category of entity certifications;
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(7) the number of appointments and hires and the number of managers and supervisors
trained; and
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(8) the results of the survey under subdivision 5.
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(b) On or before January 15, 2028, the commissioner of management and budget shall
report to the legislative committees with jurisdiction over state government finance and
policy and local government policy on the information in paragraph (a) and any other
information the commissioner deems relevant to the pilot program under this section.
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EFFECTIVE DATE.
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This section is effective August 1, 2026.
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