1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to criminal justice; appropriating money for job skills training for 
1.3 	recently released inmates.
1.4 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.5 	Section 1. APPROPRIATION.
 1.6 	(a) $350,000 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner of corrections 
1.7 	for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2017, for a grant to a nonprofit organization to provide job 
1.8 	skills training to individuals who have been released from incarceration for a felony-level 
1.9 	offense in the preceding 12 months. To be eligible for the grant, the organization shall:
1.10 	(1) provide housing or rental assistance for program participants;
1.11 	(2) provide employment opportunities for program participants;
1.12 	(3) require program participants, when appropriate, to receive counseling for alcohol 
1.13 	or chemical dependency; and
1.14 	(4) serve a primarily minority population.
1.15 	(b) The organization that receives the grant shall report to the commissioner on how 
1.16 	the money was spent and what results were achieved. The report must include data on 
1.17 	changes relating to homelessness, employment, recidivism, and child support compliance 
1.18 	among program participants.