Minnesota Agencies

The purpose of the council is to advise the commissioner of human services on implementing strategies to reduce inequities and disparities that particularly affect racial and ethnic groups in Minnesota.

By February 15 in the second year of the biennium, the council must prepare and submit a report that summarizes its activities, identifies the major problems and issues confronting racial and ethnic groups in accessing human services, makes recommendations to address issues, and lists the specific objectives that the council seeks to attain during the next biennium, and recommendations to strengthen equity, diversity, and inclusion within the Department of Human Services.

The Cultural and Ethnic Communities Leadership Council was authorized by the Legislature as a result of recommendations made by the Disparities Reduction Advisory Committee formed by DHS in 2007 to identify and address disparities in access and outcomes for cultural and ethnic communities served by the agency.

The commissioner shall appoint at least 15 members by September 15, 2013, and shall convene the first meeting of the council by November 15, 2013.

The council was set to expire March 15, 2015, but legislation passed in 2015 extended the group until June 30, 2020. The Legislature, in 2020, extended the group until June 30, 2022 (2020 Minn. Laws 1st Spl. Sess. Chap. 2 Art. 1 Sec. 14).

Council duties and reporting requirements were revised in 2021 (see Laws of Minn. 2021, 1st Sp. Sess., Chap, 7, Art. 14, Sec. 7). Also that year, the group's expiration date was extended to June 30, 2025. That expiration date was then repealed by 2023 Minn. Laws Chap. 50 Art. 1 Sec. 38.

The council must consist of: the chairs and ranking minority members of the committees in the House of Representatives and the Senate with jurisdiction over human services; and no fewer than 15 and no more than 25 members appointed by and serving at the pleasure of the commissioner of Human Services, in consultation with county, tribal, cultural, and ethnic communities; diverse program participants; parent representatives from these communities; and cultural and ethnic communities leadership council members.

In making appointments under this section, the commissioner shall give priority consideration to public members of the legislative ethnic councils.

Members must be appointed to allow for representation of the following groups: racial and ethnic minority groups; the American Indian community, which must be represented by two members; culturally and linguistically specific advocacy groups and service providers; human services program participants; public and private institutions; parents of human services program participants; members of the faith community; Department of Human Services employees; any other group the commissioner deems appropriate to facilitate the goals and duties of the council.