1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to unemployment compensation; creating the Bridge to Work Minnesota 
1.3 	program; providing job-training incentives.
1.4 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.5 	Section 1. BRIDGE TO WORK MINNESOTA.
 1.6 		Subdivision 1.Purpose. The commissioner of employment and economic 
1.7 	development shall implement Bridge to Work Minnesota, a pilot on-the-job training 
1.8 	incentive program for eligible individuals who are currently unemployed. Administrative 
1.9 	costs for this program must be paid from existing general fund appropriations. 
1.10 	Participation in the program is limited to 5,000 applicants per year to be selected on 
1.11 	a first-come, first-served basis.
1.12 		Subd. 2.Eligible individuals. An individual eligible for job training under this 
1.13 	section must be:
1.14 	(1) currently unemployed; and
1.15 	(2) eligible for unemployment insurance benefits under Minnesota Statutes, section 
1.16 	268.085, subdivision 1, clauses (1), (2), (3), (6), and (7).
1.17 		Subd. 3.Training provided. In addition to unemployment benefits received, an 
1.18 	eligible individual may receive on-the-job training at an eligible employer up to 25 hours 
1.19 	per week, for up to eight weeks. An employer must pay an earnings stipend to an eligible 
1.20 	individual as provided in subdivision 4. Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 
1.21 	268.085, subdivision 5, any earnings from a stipend under this section do not reduce the 
1.22 	amount of unemployment benefits received.
1.23 		Subd. 4.Eligible employers. An employer is eligible to participate under this 
1.24 	section if:
2.1 	(1) the employer provides bona fide and ongoing on-the-job training during the 
2.2 	training period;
2.3 	(2) the training provided is for a position that pays a wage at least equal to 175 
2.4 	percent of the federal poverty guideline for a family of four;
2.5 	(3) the earnings stipend paid to the individual equals or exceeds the applicable 
2.6 	hourly minimum wage established under Minnesota Statutes, section 177.24, or United 
2.7 	States Code, title 29, section 201 et seq., as amended, whichever is greater; and
2.8 	(4) the employer agrees to hire the individual for at least 90 days after the training 
2.9 	period ends.

2.10 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.