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Committee hears testimony for Family Resiliency Partnership funding increase; bill laid on table
Summary
Senate File 543 would increase designated funding for the Minnesota Family Resiliency Partnership by adjusting fees attached to dissolution and marriage license filings. Testimony emphasized the program’s service to survivors of domestic violence and its long operating history; the committee laid the bill on the table for further consideration.
Senate File 543, which would raise the amount designated to the Minnesota Family Resiliency Partnership (MFRP) by adjusting filing-fee allocations, was presented and then laid on the table after testimony on March 12 in the Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee.
Senator Westland, the bill sponsor, described the measure as an inflationary adjustment for the program’s funding stream and said the amounts in the bill would not increase the overall filing fee paid by applicants. She told the committee the proposal would be the program’s first inflationary adjustment in more than 20 years.
Jean Keenan, a representative of MFRP, urged support and described the program’s services: six regional providers statewide, trauma-informed case work, direct support dollars to remove participation barriers, and eligibility for people at or below 200% of the federal poverty guideline. Keenan provided program statistics in committee testimony: she said 73% of participants are survivors of domestic violence; 28% enter the program unhoused; 71% have dependents; and those who exited the program as employed averaged $20.38 per hour.
A participant story read by Kimberly Grama recounted a client who was a homemaker for 30 years, became isolated after her spouse left, enrolled in training through the program and secured full-time employment after graduation. The witness asked the committee to “recognize its profound impact and continue funding and supporting this vital initiative.”
Committee members expressed support and thanks. Senator Limmer noted the program’s stewardship of funds and past bipartisan backing; Senator Umu Verbatim (committee member) said she is working on multiple avenues for crime victim services and does not want programs pitted against one another.
After testimony and brief member remarks, the committee laid Senate File 543 on the table for further consideration. No final vote on passage or a referral was taken at the March 12 meeting.
