State Senator Jim Abeler (R-Anoka) and State Senator John Hoffman (DFL-Champlin) are working to improve the lives of people with disabilities by redirecting $613,000 from the Jensen Settlement – a case the state entered into a consent agreement for allowing mistreatment of people with disabilities. The money was released by the courts to assist people with disabilities, but due to a quirk in the law these funds will vanish into the general fund rather than be utilized to assist people with disabilities.

Both Senators would rather see this money returned to the Department of Human Services to be utilized in helping people with disabilities and funding their independence. “It would be totally fitting that for all of the horror of the past, that this money be used to create a better future. It’s only right,” Senator Abeler remarked. “We have to do a legislative Miracle to make it happen,” stated Senator Hoffman. “Not only is it symbolic, but this is a way to right the wrong. This is full circle.”

The Senators have authored legislation to address this. The timeline is tight and legislation to recapture the funds must be completed before the next budget of the state is released in February, otherwise it will be returned to the general fund and lost to the cause of helping people with disabilities.

SF 17 authored by Senators Abeler, and Hoffman, proposes to capture the $613,000 and provides for innovation grants to create new opportunities for people with disabilities. It had a hearing on January 19 and was moved to the Senate Finance Committee where it awaits a hearing.