Committee lays over bill to expand assistive technology education and remote support grants

Representative Curran moved to lay over House File 1166, which would establish a Disability Services Technology and Advocacy Expansion Grant to fund education, training and remote support related to assistive technology. The Human Services Finance and Policy Committee laid the bill over for possible inclusion in the omnibus bill.

Elena Gallagher, executive project manager with ARM (Advocacy, Resources and Mobility Services), testified that ARM’s work has directly impacted an estimated 42,280 individuals to date and that the proposed grant would expand access to assistive devices, communication tools and remote support statewide. Gallagher said the funding is intended for education and training rather than purchasing specific devices, and that training participants request recurring annual sessions to keep pace with rapid technological change.

Committee members and witnesses described examples of assistive technology and remote monitoring use: medication dispensers that enabled a resident to manage medications independently, overnight remote support that allowed individuals to move from group homes into their own apartments, and central monitoring hubs that support several people across a region. Witnesses said assistive technology can reduce reliance on in‑person direct support staff and may decrease hospitalizations, though Gallagher said Minnesota lacks specific statewide data linking technology adoption to reduced hospital stays and suggested the grant could support that evaluation.

The bill’s author and advocates said the program helps address workforce shortages, supports independence for older adults and people with disabilities, and is intended to be statewide in scope. House File 1166 was laid over for possible inclusion in the future omnibus bill.