1.1 A bill for an act
1.2 relating to workforce development; requiring a report; appropriating money to
1.3 create a centralized digital platform to provide youth with information about
1.4 workforce opportunities.
1.5 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
1.6 Section 1. APPROPRIATION; YOUTH WORKFORCE DIGITAL PLATFORM.
1.7 (a) $650,000 in fiscal year 2026 and $650,000 in fiscal year 2027 are appropriated from
1.8 the general fund to the commissioner of employment and economic development for a grant
1.9 to FMV Nonprofit Solutions to work with Catalyst for Systems Change to develop,
1.10 implement, and operate a centralized digital platform to provide youth with information
1.11 about internships, mentoring, and job opportunities across Minnesota. This platform must
1.12 be targeted to the needs of youth ages 15 to 23 and, when possible, employ youth both to
1.13 develop the platform and publicize it through an active program of social media and digital
1.14 outreach. This is a onetime appropriation and money is available until June 30, 2027.
1.15 (b) By December 1, 2027, FMV Nonprofit Solutions must submit a report to the chairs
1.16 and raking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over employment
1.17 and economic development. The report must include: data on website engagement and user
1.18 demographics; the number of opportunities available through the platform; user feedback
1.19 on platform effectiveness; and recommendations for enhancing the platform based on input
1.20 from youth.
