This compilation serves as a comprehensive list of legislative outcomes achieved each year, highlighting key milestones and serving as an important record of the Commission's significant accomplishments over the past 40 years.
Adds a deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing working group to make recommendations on literacy screening, training, and curriculum requirements for those who cannot access sound-based approaches.
READ Act modified to add sign language to the definitions
Adds sign language to the definitions for the READ Act.
Mandates braille and large print options for prescription container labels
Starting January 1, 2025, pharmacies that are not yet capable of producing Braille or large print labels must provide a list from the Department of Health (MDH) of pharmacies that do offer these formats. Pharmacies without these capabilities have until January 1, 2026, to become capable of providing prescription container labels in large print or Braille based upon the need and preference of the patient. MDH must also determine how pharmacies are serving those who cannot access large print or Braille labels and the cost in doing so, and make recommendations by January 15, 2025.
Commission Board Member Requirements
Board membership requirements were updated to allow more flexibility in appointing board members with necessary skills and relevant lived experiences. Nonvoting board positions were added to enhance collaboration between the Commission and various agencies who most frequently serve our community.
Tier 2 legislation
Meaning the Commission actively supported these efforts.
Heritage Language Definition redefined to include ASL teachers who use ASL as a primary language and are not necessarily from a Deaf family
Redefines "heritage language and culture teacher" to include teachers with a childhood connection to American Sign Language and whose primary language is American Sign Language. This alternative licensure pathway aims to encourage more native speakers to become teachers. An ASL-specific definition was necessary because the general definition requires a "familial connection," which excludes many deaf people with native fluency in ASL.
Adoption/custody rights for parents with disabilities
Prohibits courts or agencies from denying adoption or custody because of a parent's disability without first offering supportive parenting services.
Child protection supreme court council
Invites the Minnesota Supreme Court to establish a council on child protection, including educators and professionals who provide services to persons with disabilities.
Financial inventive for rideshare vehicles equipped to transport wheelchairs
Requires transportation network companies, such as ridesharing services, to pay drivers an additional $0.91 per mile for vehicles equipped to transport wheelchairs, regardless of whether the wheelchair securement device is used.
RISE Act, a mandate for institutions to give more information to students about accommodations
The “Minnesota Respond, Innovate, Succeed, and Empower (RISE) Act" requires institutions to give more information to students about accommodations and defines what is sufficient to establish a student's need for reasonable accommodations.
Mandate for MnDOT to study increasing access to transportation options in Greater Minnesota
The Department of Transportation is required to study increasing access to transportation options in greater Minnesota, including ridesharing and other dynamic transportation options. The study must be developed in consultation with different stakeholder representatives, including two representatives jointly selected by the Minnesota DeafBlind Association and other local blind organizations.
Domestic Violence one-time funding to programs like ThinkSelf to provide services
One-time supplemental funding of $9,467,000 for direct services to victims of crime, such as services provided by ThinkSelf to domestic violence survivors.
State Services Modernization
New language is inclusive of deafblind Minnesotans and better aligned with current terminology in our community.
Tier 3 legislation
Meaning the Commission monitored these efforts.
Ableism and disability justice training
Teacher preparation programs are encouraged to have lessons for teacher candidates on ableism and disability justice taught by a person with a disability and expertise on the topics.
Disability services improvement study
The Department of Human Services is required to issue requests for proposals to study the experience of people accessing and navigating state disability services, such as medical assistance and community-based waiver services.
Guardianship legislative task force
Establishes a task force to address gaps in the guardianship system, with a focus on increasing the number of qualified guardians while also protecting the civil rights of people under guardianship. The Commission is to appoint a member to serve on this task force. The task force may use up to $400,000 to cover its costs.
Metro Mobility study
The Department of Transportation is required to review how Metro Mobility services can be improved and develop recommendations to improve the efficiency, reliability, and experience of riders. The study must consult with stakeholders, including the Minnesota DeafBlind Association.
2023 Legislative Outcomes
Tier 1 legislation
Meaning the Commission led these efforts.
Hearing aid insurance coverage mandated to cover all ages
Beginning July 1, 2023, all insurance providers subject to this mandate will be required to provide hearing aid coverage for all ages.
CDI in education statute
The definition of an educational interpreter now includes certified deaf interpreters (CDIs), and deaf interpreters working on their certification have access to the same provisional interpreter pathway as hearing interpreters, effective July 1, 2023.
Funding for birth – age 3 services at Metro Deaf School
Metro Deaf School will have access to $100,000 per year for two years to cover the costs of 0-3 children whose districts are not paying. We are continuing work on the policy fix to permanently close this gap in funding from districts.
Metro Deaf School priority admission
With this new law, MDS is now able to continue its successful model of prioritizing students with a primary disability of deaf, deafblind, or hard of hearing.
Closed captioning mandate in public places
All public places of accommodation displaying televisions to the public are required to enable closed captions, effective August 1, 2024.
Tier 2 legislation
Meaning the Commission actively supported these efforts.
ABE funding
The hourly rate that the state pays adult basic education providers has increased from $22 to $30. In the 20 years prior, the rate had increased by only $1.
Mental health day treatment program for deaf, deafblind and hard of hearing youth
With $630,000 over two years, this new statewide mental health day treatment program for deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing youth will be able to open and maintain consistent staffing levels even with temporary changes in the number of clients.
TEFRA parental fees
Parents of children with disabilities who were paying a fee for medical assistance from the state will no longer be charged this fee beginning July 2023. This fee was often as large as a second mortgage.
MSA dorm renovation and asset protection
$7.8 million was approved for dorm renovations on both campuses, including Pollard Hall Dorm on the MSAD campus. Another $1.2 million was approved for asset preservation improvements on both campuses.
MSA operating expenses and audiology
$33.6 million was approved for MSAs' FY24-25 operating expenses and $125,000 for a new audiology booth and related equipment.
MSA rental income
The MSAs will now be able to keep all rental income instead of having it go back to the state.
Funding appropriated for NG911 upgrade
Public safety access points (911 call centers) will have $7 million available until 2025 to upgrade their systems to be compatible with Next Generation 911 technology. This technology includes accessibility improvements such as better ability to locate people who send text messages and support for sending images to 911 call centers.
Tier 3 legislation
Meaning the Commission monitored these efforts.
Penalty for not captioning campaign ads
For candidates running for office in Minnesota, captioned campaign ads have been required by law since 2008. Previously, however, there was no penalty for violations. This update authorizes the state to issue a fine of $1,000 for uncaptioned broadcast or internet campaign ads, or for the failure to post a transcript of campaign radio ads.
State employees with disabilities task force recommendations
Recommendations from a task force on state employees with disabilities are now law, to improve how workplace accommodations are provided, strengthen the existing Connect 700 disability affirmative action program, and increase training for hiring managers on hiring and retaining people with disabilities.
Voting study
The secretary of state will conduct a study of voter engagement, education, and election system improvements. The Commission is named as one of the organizations the secretary of state must consult with in conducting this study.
Health cultural communications program
MDH will set up a program that advances culturally and linguistically appropriate communication services for communities most impacted by health disparities, including deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing people. MDH will also begin work to ensure public health communications follow the National Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) Standards.
Health equity grant program
This new grant program aims to better equip organizations serving people disproportionately impacted by health inequities. With the request for proposal process, the Minnesota Department of Health must consult with the Commission to ensure the needs of deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing people are represented.
2022 Legislative Outcomes
In 2022, the Commission and allies successfully advanced awareness of bills, which was incredibly helpful during the next legislative session. We were also pleased that newborn screening for CMV became public policy.
Universal Newborn CMV Screening
The 2021 Universal Newborn CMV Screening became policy in 2022. Remember the CMV bill that passed in 2021? The advisory committee recommended adding CMV screening, the health commissioner approved, and Minnesota became first state to require universal newborn screening for CMV. Now more babies born with CMV will be identified and monitored for hearing loss.
ASL content
Here is the 2021 and 2022 legislative wrap up in ASL with English voiceover, captions, and transcript.
2021 Legislative Outcomes
In 2021, the Commission and allies successfully advocated for two bills and protected an essential service.
CMV newborn screening
The Universal Newborn CMV Screening Review was passed. Legislators instructed an advisory committee to recommend whether to require universal newborn screening for congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV). CMV is a common cause of hearing loss in young children. Some legislators wanted to simply provide CMV education for certain families, but the Commission and allies successfully pushed for universal CMV screening.
Increased funds for captioning livestreams
More funds for captioning livestreams was passed. During the pandemic, legislators switched to remote or hybrid hearings and increased internet livestream coverage. More livestreams meant the funds for captioning livestreams was no longer sufficient. The legislators agreed and increased funds for the captioning.
Guaranteed access to a landline continued
Guaranteed Access to a Landline was protected. The Senate attempted to remove the only statute that ensures every Minnesotan has access to telephone service. The loss of analog phone services would have disproportionately impacted hard of hearing Minnesotans, deaf seniors, and deaf people without access to high-speed internet. After urging from us and other advocates, the House and Senate agreed to preserve universal service protections.
ASL content
Here is the 2021 and 2022 legislative wrap up in ASL with English voiceover, captions, and transcript.
2019 Legislative Outcomes
In 2019, the Commission and allies successfully advocated for eight bills, five of which were led by us.
Commission funding
The Commission received an increase of $450,000 per year from the Telecommunications Access Minnesota (TAM) fund. This increase will cover the following,
Bring together groups to work on policy change in education, health care, employment, technology, access to public service that benefit the whole state, and encourage civic engagement.
Cover the costs of a new policy analyst and a government relations director.
With more staff and more work, our need for accommodations such as interpreters and CART has increased. This helps us cover the costs.
The Newborn Hearing Screening Advisory Committee was scheduled to sunset (end of term). Thanks to advocacy efforts, the committee continues its important work. The Newborn Hearing Screening Advisory Group evaluates Minnesota’s Early Hearing Detection & Intervention (EHDI) program outcomes. They make sure that the program is effective, culturally appropriate, and that children and families are getting the services they need.
Definition of interveners in state law
A definition of the work of intervenors for deafblind children is now in statute. The state has provided funding for interveners for deafblind children for almost 30 years but never defined the specific tasks and duties that they perform. National advocates asked the Commission to lead this effort because it will support advocacy efforts to get the Alice Cogswell and Anne Sullivan Macy Act passed, a bill that will strengthen IDEA and require more customized services for children who are blind, deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing. Minnesota is the first state to define intervenor services and duties, which we hope will lead to recognition of this service as a best practices and a requirement in all 50 states.
Improvements for state employees with disabilities
Thanks to this new legislation, commissioners from each state agency are required to have a plan for implementing the state's IT accessibility standards. Agencies are also required to report the use of the state's accommodations reimbursement fund and include the number of of accommodations requested, approved, and denied.
The Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB) is required to consult with Vocational Rehabilitation Services and the State Services for the Blind to improve the state's hiring and retention rates if they identify problems in the Affirmative Action report.
An advisory group has been established. The group will make recommendations to the legislature and MMB on how to improve the recruitment and retention of state employees with disabilities.
MMB must continue to track and report the percentage of state employees with disabilities.
This legislation also removed an old line that allowed the state to not pay employees with disabilities for trial work programs.
Digital accessibility at the Capitol
This legislation authorizes the Legislative Coordinating Commission (LCC) to establish a work group to decide on the Legislative IT Accessibility Standards for the Capitol, including the House and the Senate. This work group also developed an implementation plan so that legislative staff, legislators, and citizens with disabilities can participate in the legislative process and not experience barriers with digital technology. The Commission participated in this work group.
Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services Division updates
The changes will modernize the Telecommunications Equipment Distribution (TED) program. The new changes will let the TED program staff help applicants apply for reduced cost phone service and provide more equipment options. The 2019 legislature also increased the grant funding used to make more interpreters available for community interpreting in Greater Minnesota by $422K ($211K a year).
Statewide Longitudinal Education Data System (SLEDS) funding
The funding was scheduled to end in 2019 but we supported it continuing. SLEDS is important to use as this is where we get the data to measure outcomes for children.
Minnesota State Academies funding
The Academies received their base funding this year as well as a $515,000 increase.
ASL content
Here is the 2019 legislative wrap up in ASL with English voiceover, captions, and transcript.
2018 Legislative Outcomes
The legislature combined many agency bills together into one large bill and the governor vetoed it. The governor also vetoed the tax bill. Only a few standalone bills and the bonding bill passed. Out of the 3500 bills that were introduced to the legislature this year, only 100 became law, including the Commission's bill. We also advocated for several bills led by others and worked on amending other bills so they include deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing people.
Changes to the Commission's statute
The language in the Commission's statute was updated. These were the changes:
Allowing members to serve up to three 4 year terms, or continuing to serve until a new member is appointed. It also builds in a transition period so there is a balance of experienced and new members.
Adding an Executive Committee that can take care of business in between full board meetings and
Changing the name from the 'Commission of Deaf, DeafBlind & Hard of Hearing Minnesotans' to the 'Minnesota Commission of the Deaf, DeafBlind & Hard of Hearing.' (Minnesota goes to the front of the name instead of at the end of our name.
Minnesota State Academies funding
$2 million was awarded to preserve and repair the Academies campus.
ADA accommodations in state parks and rest stops
$500K was awarded for accessibility improvements in state parks in the state bonding bill. The Department of Natural Resources used this funding to make William O'Brian State Park more accessible.
ASL content
Here is the 2018 legislative wrap up in ASL with English voiceover, captions, and transcript.
2017 Legislative Outcomes
A special session was held this year so the governor and the legislature could agree on the budget. The Commission and allies successfully advocated for public policy in the areas of good acoustics, age-related hearing loss, employment, and education.
Deaf Mentor Family Program funding
The Deaf Mentor Family Program received an increase in grant funding from the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services Division (DHHSD). DHHSD has the authority to decide the amount.
Good acoustics and hearing loops in state-funded construction
Whenever the state helps pay for construction or remodeling of a public gathering space in which its important to be able to hear, contractors are required to consider using good acoustics and hearing loops. They can waive the requirements if it is too expensive. This law was the first in the nation and sets a new national standard for accessibility.
Age-related hearing loss training for staff at assisted living facilities
Staff who work with senior citizens can take training about age-related hearing loss and have it count towards their training requirements, effective January 1, 2018. The training is available on DHHSD's website.
Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services Division funding and modernization
DHHSD received a funding. The new law also modernized the services provided by DHHSD.
Strengthening the Commission
The Commission received a funding increase of $370,000 per year, which allowed us to put more information in American Sign Language (ASL), continue our work on age-related hearing loss, and spend more time ensuring that laws are implemented the way they should.
Minnesota State Academies funding
The Academies received almost everything they asked for, including an increase of almost $2.8 million for the next two years. With this funding, they were able to add staff and update resources. They were also able to maintain and update buildings on campus and increase safety for students on campus.
Assistive technology in education
The Minnesota Department of Education was required to do an analysis of how assistive technology is used by students with disabilities. The report was due to the legislature in February 2018.
Vocational Rehabilitation Services funding
Vocational Rehabilitation Services received an additional $3.5 million per year, which helps ensure that people with disabilities will receive services in finding a job or getting the support needed once they have a job.
Central accommodations fund kept in law
Legislators considered removing the new central accommodations fund. We were able to successfully advocate to keep the full $200,000 funding. However, legislators decided to change the law to require agencies to cover half the cost of the accommodation, instead of the original 100% coverage.
ASL content
Here is the 2017 legislative wrap up in ASL with English voiceover, captions, and transcript.
2016 Legislative Outcomes
This legislative session was very short, only 77 days in total. It was a tough year to get bills passed. However, the Commission and its allies had a productive outcome.
Pre-K at Metro Deaf School
Parents who want their Pre-K children to attend Metro Deaf School can send them to receive a bilingual education. The legislature provided ongoing funding.
Closed captioning turned on in hospital waiting rooms
As of August 1, 2016, the closed captioning on TVs in hospital waiting rooms and surgical centers must be turned on at all times. If the closed captioning is off, the staff will have to turn it back on as soon as they reasonably can.
Adult Basic Education (ABE) funding at CSD
The education budget bill includes $400,000 for Communication Services for the Deaf (CDS) and two other programs that provide Adult Basic Education programs.
Tweak requirements for education reports
The Minnesota Department of Education will now be required to produce reports about education for deaf and hard of hearing children, as well as blind children, every other year, instead of annually, to align better with reporting data.
ASL content
Here is the 2016 legislative wrap up in ASL with English voiceover, captions, and transcript.
2015 Legislative Outcomes
During the 2015 legislative session, legislators and the governor could not agree to a budget. A special session was held and the Commission successfully advocated for many of its bills to pass.
Communication access supports for workers and youth
The Jobs Finance omnibus bill included $1 million per year for grants to groups like VECTOR and MEC to provide communication access supports for adults and youth who are deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing. The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) is responsible for administering the grants.
Technology funding for Minnesota State Academies
The Education Finance omnibus bill included funding for technology at the Minnesota State Academies.
Pre-K at Metro Deaf School
This was partially successful. Parents were given the option of choosing Metro Deaf School for Pre-K. However, MDS was prohibited from receiving state or school district funding to pay for these services. We will need to return to the legislature to fix the language in the statute so MDS can receive funding for these students.
Central accommodations fund
The State Government Finance omnibus included $200,000 per year in a central accommodation fund for state employees with disabilities.
Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services Division funding
The Health and Human Services Finance omnibus included an additional $1 million per year for the next two years for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services Division. The funding is for deafblind support services, mental health services in ASL, and updates to the equipment lab. The funding will also cover a study on how to best provide services throughout the state.
Text-to-911
The Public Safety Finance omnibus included the funding needed to update technology so people in Minnesota can text 911 during an emergency.
ASL content
Here is the 2015 legislative wrap up in ASL with English voiceover, captions, and transcript.
2014 Legislative Outcomes
The 2014 legislative session was a great success! Here are the results.
Minnesota State Academies funding
Received $700,000 for asset preservation and $10.5 million for a new dorm.
MSA superintendents can continue to perform civil marriage ceremonies
Preserved the language in the statute that gives MSA superintendents authority to perform civil marriage ceremonies. Legislators did not realize this is a service that is still needed and considered removing this from state law. Now Minnesotans can continue to have access to an ASL-fluent officiant for marriage ceremonies.
Deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing added to state rehab services statute
Deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing people have been added to groups served by providers under MS268A, the state rehabilitation services statute. This means specialized statewide grant programs are available to provide long-term and school-based transition services to youth and adults who are deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing.
Study for a central accommodations fund
A study was created to explore the idea of a central accommodations fund for state employees with disabilities. The Commission and the Minnesota Management & Budget (MMB) were tasked with submitting the report to the legislators and governor, on the pros and cons of having funds in the state treasury to cover the costs of providing accommodations for state employees with disabilities. The report was submitted by January 15, 2015.
Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services Division funding
Grants under DHHSD programs received a 5% increase, $81,000 for fiscal year 2015 and $90,000 for the years after. This funding is for employee-related grant expenditures.
Acoustic requirements in school buildings
Thanks to this new law, any new construction, expansions, or renovations of school buildings must comply with the Acoustical Performance Criteria, Design Requirements, and Guidelines for Schools set by the American National Standards Institute.
ASL content
Here are the 2014 videos with the legislative outcomes.
2013 Legislative Outcomes
CEUs in ASL and Deaf Culture
Restore continuing education clock hour requirements in ASL and deaf culture for teachers of the deaf and hard of hearing.
Language update
Broad replacement of “hearing impaired” with “deaf, deafblind, or hard of hearing”.
Accessibility funding
Funding for two staff positions to ensure all state websites and online content are accessible and funding for captioning online floor sessions and committee hearings.
Commission funding
Increased funding for the Commission.
Service animals
Eliminate requirements for service animal owners to carry papers to prove that their dogs graduated from a recognized training program and also make Minnesota law conform to ADA.
2012 Legislative Outcomes
Newborn screening program improvements
Newborn Screening Bill that fixed the systemic problems.
Insurance coverage for out-of-state treatment options
Mandated that eligible service costs may be claimed for an out-of-state inpatient treatment facility if the facility specializes in providing mental health services to children who are deaf, deafblind, or hard-of-hearing and who use American Sign Language as their first language.
Updated definitions
Updated the definitions for communication disabilities, deaf, hard of hearing and added deafblind under “Telephone Equipment Program”.
2011 Legislative Outcomes
Employment supports funding
Funding for the Minnesota Employment Center for People who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing allocated, $130,000 the first year and $175,000 the second year.
Transition services funding
Funding, $340,000 the first year, is a onetime appropriation from the workforce development fund for grants to provide interpreters for a regional transition program that specializes in providing culturally appropriate transition services leading to employment for deaf, hard-of-hearing, and deafblind students.
Trial enrollment
Language added, making it easier for parents to get their deaf, deafblind, hard of hearing, or blind child admitted to the Minnesota State Academies for trial placements to determine if this is a good fit for the child.
Program funding
$600,000 ($300,000 per year) for the MN Commission of the Deaf, DeafBlind & Hard of Hearing; $230,000 per year for the Office of Enterprise Technology for coordinating technology accessibility and usability; $20,000 per year for the MN Commission of the Deaf, DeafBlind & Hard of Hearing to provide information on our website in ASL and provide technical assistance to state agencies; and $150,000 each year for the Legislative Coordinating Commission to provide captioning of live streaming of legislative activity on the LCC website and for a consolidated access fund for other state agencies.
2010 Legislative Outcomes
State entities must be accessible
Require the Office of Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development website to follow WCAG 2.0 and Section 508 standards so people with disabilities can access the site.
2009 Legislative Outcomes
Statewide technology accessibility standards
Led a group of disability advocates that led to the passage of statewide technology accessibility standards, Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1978 and Web Content Access Guidelines 2.0
Education report required
Require the Resource Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing to meet at least four times a year and submit an annual report, including data-based education outcomes for children who are deaf and hard of hearing.
Parent guide funding
Establish funding for Parent Guides.
Employment supports funding
Funding allocated at $146K each year from the general fund and $175K each year from the workforce development fund for a grant for the Minnesota Employment Center for People who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing.
Community support services funding
Funding allocated, despite 2.58% decrease, for community support services for deaf and hard of hearing adults with mental illness who use or wish to use sign language as their primary means of communications.
Commission funding
Funding allocated, $300,000 each year for the Commission. Another $200,000 per year is allocated for a grant to the Legislative Coordinating Commission for a pilot program to caption livestream of legislative sessions on the LCC website and a grant to the Mn Commission of the Deaf, DeafBlind & Hard of Hearing to create information on their website in ASL and provide technical assistance to state agencies.
2008 Legislative Outcomes
Commission's new name and scope of work
Previous name: Minnesota Commission Serving Deaf and Hard of Hearing People
Changed to: the Commission of Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing Minnesotans
The name was changed to be inclusive of families and deafblind individuals. The Commission's advising role was also expanded to include Minnesota's judicial branch. The statute was also updated to allow the Commission to hold meetings electronically so that all participants do not need to be physically present to conduct business.
Campaign ads captioning requirements
Thanks to this new law, political candidates running for a state office who take the public subsidy must make their campaign advertisements more accessible by including closed captioning in commercials and online videos. Captioning must be used in ads that are professionally produced and are two minutes or less. A transcript should be provided on the candidate’s website for all of the campaign’s radio advertisements. If the candidate does not want include closed captioning, they can provide a transcript of the ad on the campaign’s website. The candidate is also not required to caption if they submitted the reasons for not captioning with the Minnesota Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board prior to the dissemination of the ad.
2007 Legislative Outcomes
Employment programs
Successfully advocated for funds for specialized employment programs for youth who are deaf, deafblind and hard of hearing and adults.
Newborn hearing screening
Passage of Newborn Hearing Screening Mandate.
Deaf mentors
Funding for Deaf Mentor program. $40K each year to provide mentors who have a hearing loss to parents of newly identified infants and children with hearing loss.
Parent guides
Funding for Parent Guides. $199,000 appropriated. The commissioner of health must family support and assistance to families with children who are deaf or have a hearing loss. The family support provided must include direct parent-to-parent assistance and information on communication, educational, and medical options. The commissioner may contract with a nonprofit organization that has the ability to provide these services throughout the state.
Hearing aid loaner bank
Statewide Hearing Aid Loaner Bank. $70,000 per year is appropriated to provide a grant through the Minnesota Department of Health to cover administrative costs for a statewide hearing aid and instrument loan bank to families with children newly diagnosed with hearing loss from birth to the age of ten.
Advisory committee established
Established a statutory of Newborn Hearing Screening Advisory Committee (we continue to be active members of the advisory committee).
EHDI coordinator
Mandate that the state has a Coordinator of Early Hearing Detection and Intervention in the Minnesota Department of Education.
Commission funding
Increased Commission funding. $100,000 the first year and $100,000 the second year are for transfer to the commissioner of human services to supplement the ongoing operational expenses of the Minnesota Commission Serving Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing People. This appropriation is from the telecommunication access Minnesota fund, and is added to the commission's base.
Minnesota Conservation Corps
Funding appropriated for the Minnesota Conservation Corps to use for learning stipends for deaf students and wages for interpreters participating in its summer youth program.
DeafBlind grants
DHS mandated to combine existing biennial base level funding for deafblind services into a single grant program. .
Community support services
Provider rate increased for community support services for deaf and hard of hearing adults with mental illness who use or wish to use sign language as their primary means of communication.
2006 and Older Legislative Outcomes
Interpreters at polling places
Slight language changes for interpreters at polling places.
Commission funding
$200,000 appropriation from the telecommunications access Minnesota fund to fund the Commission Serving Deaf and Hard of Hearing People.
Clarification about the difference between headphones and hearing aid devices
Clarifying language added that the prohibition of headphones in vehicle while operating a motor vehicle does not apply to the use of hearing aid devices by a person who needs the device.
Temporary audiology licenses
Language added that an applicant issued a temporary audiology license can only dispense hearing aids under supervision of a licensed audiologist who dispenses hearing aids.
2005 Legislative Outcomes
Hearing aid consumer protections
Strengthened consumer protections for purchasers of hearing aids.
Tuition assistance
Tuition assistance for a deaf person who is a resident student, is entitled to tuition assistance for the tuition and fees remaining after deducting any federal or state grants or any public or private grants made to the person for the purpose of paying the tuition and fees at a Minnesota state college or university or the University of Minnesota. A deaf person must receive either a federal Pell grant or a state grant for a term to receive tuition assistance for that term.
Funding for live news captioning
Won passage of the captioning bill, which gives $600,000 per year for real-time captioning for live news programming in Duluth, Mankato, Rochester, Alexandria, and TPT's Almanac.
Classroom acoustic standards
Adoption of National Access Board and American National Standard Institute Classroom Acoustic Standards by Minnesota Department of Education for new school construction. Research shows that 90% of all classrooms are so noisy students in the back of the room can’t hear their teacher. The new guidelines help planners incorporate good acoustics into their design. (MN Dept of Education adopted these standards in 2004).
2004 Legislative Outcomes
Veteran notifications
Authority given to the commissioner of veterans affairs the ability to locate and notify veterans of health hazards, including hearing loss, as a result of their service to the United States.
2003 Legislative Outcomes
Hearing aid insurance coverage for children
Passage of Hearing Aid Insurance mandate for children birth to 18.
Employment supports funding
Funds for MEC. $150,000 the first year and $150,000 the second year are for grants to the Minnesota Employment Center for people who are deaf or hard-of-hearing.
2002 Legislative Outcomes
Updated terminology
Updated Minnesota Statutes 2000, Section 125A.65, Subd 1 language to replace ‘hearing impaired’ with ‘deaf/hard of hearing’.
DeafBlind consumer directed services
Pilot program established for consumer directed services for deafblind individuals.
DeafBlind funding increase
Funding increase for deafblind services and guaranteed base funding of at least $350,000 for services to deafblind children and their families and at least $350,000 for services to deafblind adults.
2001 Legislative Outcomes
School interpreters national certification mandate
Amended 2000 mandate so that all sign language interpreters who work in schools have national certification. Prior to the law, only 5 interpreters had certification.
Employment supports funding
One time funding of $25,000 each year for the 2002-2003 biennium for the Minnesota employment center for people who are deaf or hard of hearing.
DeafBlind study and recommendations
Report mandated; the Dept of Human Services must study and develop recommendations regarding, (1) how the state can most effectively and efficiently use state appropriations and other resources to provide needed services to deafblind children, adults, and their families; (2) how state agencies can work together to enhance and ensure that a seamless service delivery system exists across agency lines for persons who are deafblind; and (3) how other existing barriers to the effective and efficient delivery of service for deafblind Minnesotans can be removed.
2000 Legislative Outcomes
New educational interpreter mentoring
Negotiated changes to the K-12 QA law to add requirements for mentoring in exchange for the addition of provisional certificates for new ITP graduates.
1999 and Older Legislative Outcomes
1999 – Slightly expanded Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services Division statute to include ‘health”.
1999 – Licensure for teaching oral/aural deaf education established.
1999 – Minnesota State Academies statue modified to update board structure.
1998 – Commission assigned to committee working on developing special licensing criteria for issuance of a license to alcohol and drug counselors who practice alcohol and drug counseling with a member of an ethnic minority population or with a person with a disability as defined by rule.
1998 – Description modified for dispenser of hearing instruments to include a student participating in supervised field work that is necessary to meet requirements of an accredited educational program. Student’s title must clearly indicate the student’s status as a student trainer.
1998 – Appropriations. $150,000 in FY 1999 for a grant to DeafBlind Services Minnesota to provide services to deafblind children and their families. $50,000 for a grant to DeafBlind Services MN and Duluth Lighthouse for the Blind to provide assistance to deafblind persons who are working towards establishing and maintaining independence. $65,000 for a grant to a nonprofit that services deaf and hard of hearing adults with mental illness through residential programs and supported housing outreach activities.
1997 – Advocated for and got expanded interpreter services at the Legislature. The Legislature now appropriates money every biennium to pay for interpreters for legislative committee meetings and for meetings with individual legislators (whether at the Capitol or in their home district).
1997 – Eliminated requirement that sign language and spoken language interpreters must take an oath similar to that of an election judge before providing interpreting services.
1997 – Funding appropriated; $323,000 the first year and $823,000 the second year are for employment support services authorized under Minnesota Statutes, section 268A.13. $200,000 the first year and $200,000 the second year is for a grant to the Minnesota employment center for deaf and hard-of-hearing people.
1997 – Funding appropriated. $150,000 for the biennium is for a grant to an organization that provides services to deaf-blind persons. The grant must be used to provide additional services to deaf-blind children and their families. Such services may include providing intervenors to assist deaf-blind children in participating in their communities, and family education specialists to teach siblings and parents skills to support the deaf-blind child in the family. The commissioner shall use a request-for-proposal process to award the grants in this paragraph. Of this appropriation, $150,000 for the biennium is for a grant to an organization that provides services to deaf-blind persons. The grant must be used to provide assistance to deaf-blind persons who are working towards establishing and maintaining independence. The commissioner shall use a request-for-proposal process to award the grants in this paragraph. An organization that receives a grant under this provision may expend the grant for any purpose authorized by this provision, and in either year of the biennium.
1997 – The legislature recognized ASL as a world language that could be taught in the state’s public schools (elementary, secondary, and higher education systems).
1996 – Definition added for ‘deaf-blind’
1996 – New language for the establishment of a Deaf and Hard of hearing Services Division under DHS and outlined roles and responsibilities.
1996 – MN Dept of Health assigned the responsibility of establishing standards for screening for hearing loss at birth, school age, and persons over 65.
1996 – Commissioners of all state agencies are required to consult with the deaf and hard of hearing services division concerning the needs of deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing Minnesotans.
1996 – the commissioner of economic security must work with Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services Division to formulate a plan to deal with the underemployment of people who are deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing.
1996 – MN Commission statute updated with expanded duties and outlining the collaborative role of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services Division.
1995 – imposing TACIP fee on cellular telephone users so folks with hearing loss can get an accessible telecommunications device.
1995 – Eliminated the telecommunication access for communication-impaired board, replaced it with creating telecommunication access duties for the departments of public service and human services, specifying the membership of regional services for deaf and hard of hearing advisory committees.
1995 - convinced the Legislature to pass a state law requiring that companies that produce more than 500 videos for sale to educational institutions, training facilities or government entities in Minnesota must open or close caption their videos.
1995 - Funding for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services grants ($ $501,000 each year). Funding for cross cultural training for deaf and hard of hearing children and their families ($50,000 each year).
1995 – Regional service center for the deaf and hard of hearing established at the St. Peter regional treatment campus/consolidated with the St. Peter regional treatment center services program, providing mental health support.
1995 – Modified language so that ‘using a telecommunications device for the deaf or other similar device’ shall be considered an oral report, which is required for mandated reporters.
1994 - Initiated and lobbied for passage of the school interpreter quality assurance (QA) law.
1994 – Transportation funded for Metro Deaf School.
1994 – Utilization of State Academy Employees during summer months for building renovation and demolition.
1993 – Noyes Hall and Tate Hall at the Minnesota State Academies are designated as historic places.
1993 – Definitions on deaf and hard of hearing expanded in the telephone utilities statute.
1992 – Minnesota Council on Hearing Impaired statute language is expanded, giving the organization the authority to advise additional state agency commissioners.
1991 – Regarding the Minnesota State Academies / tuition funding going into the general fund. Also MSA permitted to perform delivery of alternative services.
1991 – Commissioner of human services shall maintain and coordinate statewide interpreter referral services for use by any public or private agency or individual in the state and collect a $3 fee per referral for referral services and the actual costs of interpreter services. Fees and payments collection shall be deposited in the general fund.
1990 – Modified language to require at least one telecommunications device for the deaf must be available for voter registration offices in each county seat and in every city of the first, second, and third class.
1989 – Modified language in the Minnesota State Academies statute. Adding that they are a resource center for school districts and replaced the roles and responsibilities language with new language.
1988 - Modification to the local telephone surcharge to provide communication devices to ‘communication-impaired’ people language. added “any auxiliary equipment the board deems necessary” language to the law.
1988 – Language added to the Human Rights Act that “it is unfair discrimatory practice for an owner, lessee, sublessee, assignee, or managing agent of or other person having the right to sell, rent, or lease any real property to deny a person to deny a totally or partially blind, physically handicapped, or deaf person with a service dog full and equal access to real property provided for in this section. The person may not be required to pay extra compensation for the service dog but is liable for damage done to the premises by the service dog.”
1987 – establishment of a program to provide communication-impaired people with devices enabling their use of telephones, creating advisory committee, and requiring report, providing for payment of cost of programs, proposing coding for new law in Minnesota statutes.
1987 – Money appropriated / $100,000 of the money appropriated each year for services to deaf persons is for grants for specialized mental health services for deaf and multiple-handicapped deaf persons at St. Paul-Ramsey Medical Center.
1985 - Established the Minnesota Council for the Hearing Impaired.
