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Senate hears LifeWorks plan for statewide disability‑inclusion pilot; funding proposal laid over for omnibus
Summary
Senate File 985 would provide $4 million one‑time to LifeWorks Services for a statewide disability inclusion pilot. Sponsors and LifeWorks representatives described goals, community input and training; an amendment asking for an early workplan was withdrawn and the bill was laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus package.
Senate File 985, carried by Senator May Quaid, would appropriate $4,000,000 one‑time to LifeWorks Services to run a statewide disability inclusion pilot focused on employer and community education, rural and tribal outreach, and capacity building.
Senator May Quaid said LifeWorks’ outreach in 2024 reached more than 4,000 people through community conversations, listening sessions and trainings, and that the pilot would expand employer engagement, help people with disabilities navigate services, co‑create community supports and launch an accessibility assessment for businesses and public spaces. Kiri Tram, director of disability initiatives at LifeWorks Services and a program participant, said the pilot aims to “expand opportunities for people with disabilities” and to produce a model Minnesota could export.
Senator Gruenhagen offered an A‑1 amendment that would have required LifeWorks to submit an initial plan to DHS before receiving funds and would have required DHS to produce an effectiveness report to the Legislature; after discussion about existing reporting requirements and state performance‑measurement statutes, Gruenhagen withdrew the amendment and asked Senate counsel to confirm whether current law already creates similar review requirements.
Senator May Quaid and other members said they supported the amendment’s intent to produce measurable outcomes but preferred to coordinate reporting with existing state performance‑measurement requirements. Senator Quaid said the sponsor would work with counsel and stakeholders to align any reporting language.
The committee laid Senate File 985 over for possible inclusion in the omnibus bill; no recorded roll call was taken. Supporters emphasized the pilot’s focus on businesses, rural and tribal partnerships, and demonstrations of inclusive hiring practices. The committee did not adopt specific performance metrics during the hearing; members urged follow‑up to clarify oversight and measurement if the appropriation is included in the budget.
