HISTORIC LEGISLATIVE SESSION FOR MINNESOTA AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES WRAPS UP:

The 2023 legislation session has been one of the most transformative legislative sessions in state history. DEED staff worked diligently to advance several key initiatives to benefit Minnesota and several of those initiatives positively impact people with disabilities served by VRS. Historic investments were made increasing funding for programs that support Minnesotans with disabilities including increased funding for State Services for the Blind (SSB,) Individual Placement Services (IPS) and the creation of a new Reasonable Accommodation Fund to name a few of the legislative advancements.

State Services for the Blind (SSB) serves nearly 5,000 people with disabilities. To better meet the needs of their customers, SSB received an increase to their base funding of $8,000,000 million dollars total for fiscal years 24-25 and $4,000,000 million dollars for fiscal years 26-27. In addition, the new reasonable accommodation fund will provide technical and financial services to employers to assist them in providing accommodations to employees with a disability. 

The Centers for Independent Living (CIL) received its largest increase in 30 years. For fiscal years 24-25, the CILs will receive $7,011,000 each year.  The base for this appropriation is $3,011,000 in state fiscal year 2026 and each year thereafter. 

Individual Placement and Supports (IPS) provides critically needed, evidence-based supports to people living with serious mental illness. As a result of VRS and community advocates working diligently, IPS will received $2,555,000 million dollars each year for fiscal years 24 and 25 and an increase of $2,500,000 million dollars per year for fiscal years 24 and 25.

Minnesota legislators also passed a bill that will positively impact Extended Employment Services (EE) The EE base will continue to be $6,995,000 from the general fund and $6,830,000 from the workforce development fund for fiscal years 24-25.  In addition, $4,500,000 has been appropriated from the general fund for each year to maintain prior rate increases for providers of extended employment services for persons with severe disabilities.

For state fiscal years 24-25, $1,000,000 was appropriated each year from the workforce development fund for employment services for persons, including transition age youth, who are deaf, deafblind, or hard of hearing

With additional funding and resources, SSB and VRS will be able to better meet the needs of Minnesotans with disabilities and assist them on their path to finding and maintaining competitive and integrated employment.