1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to corrections; providing supportive arts for incarcerated persons and 
1.3 	persons on supervised release; requiring reports; appropriating money.
1.4 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.5 	Section 1. SUPPORTIVE ARTS GRANT PROGRAM.
 1.6 	(a) The commissioner of corrections shall establish a supportive arts grant program to 
1.7 	award grants to nonprofit organizations to provide supportive arts programs to incarcerated 
1.8 	persons and persons on supervised release. The supportive arts programs must use the arts, 
1.9 	including but not limited to visual art, poetry, literature, theater, dance, and music, to address 
1.10 	the supportive, therapeutic, and rehabilitative needs of incarcerated persons and persons on 
1.11 	supervised release and promote a safer correctional facility environment and community 
1.12 	environment. The commissioner may not require the participation of incarcerated persons 
1.13 	and persons on supervised release in a supportive arts program provided in a correctional 
1.14 	facility or community under a grant.
1.15 	(b) Applicants for grants under this section must submit an application in the form and 
1.16 	manner established by the commissioner. The applicants must specify the arts program to 
1.17 	be offered and describe how the program is supportive, therapeutic, and rehabilitative for 
1.18 	incarcerated persons and persons on supervised release, and the use of the grant funds.
1.19 	(c) By March 1 each year, the commissioner shall report to the chairs and ranking 
1.20 	members of the legislative committees and divisions having jurisdiction over criminal justice 
1.21 	finance and policy on the implementation, use, and administration of the grant program 
1.22 	established under this section. At a minimum, the report must provide:
2.1 	(1) the names of the organizations receiving grants;
2.2 	(2) the total number of individuals served by all grant recipients, disaggregated by race, 
2.3 	ethnicity, gender, and disability status;
2.4 	(3) the names of the correctional facilities and communities where incarcerated persons 
2.5 	and persons on supervised release are participating in supportive arts programs offered 
2.6 	under this section;
2.7 	(4) the total amount of money awarded in grants and the total amount remaining to be 
2.8 	awarded if any;
2.9 	(5) the amount of money granted to each recipient;
2.10 	(6) information on how the grant was used; and
2.11 	(7) supportive arts program outcomes.

2.12 	Sec. 2. APPROPRIATIONS.
 2.13 	$....... in fiscal year 2024 and $....... in fiscal year 2025 are appropriated from the general 
2.14 	fund to the commissioner of corrections for the grant program under section 1. Any unspent 
2.15 	funds from these appropriations do not cancel but are available until expended. Beginning 
2.16 	in fiscal year 2026 and thereafter, the base amount for grants under section 1 is $........