Statewide education campaign funding provided to inform employers about the benefits of second-chance hiring, and money appropriated.

HF 1577 appropriates $200,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $200,000 for fiscal year 2027 from the workforce development fund to create a statewide education campaign. The campaign directly targets Minnesota employers, aiming to inform them about the benefits of hiring people with conviction records (second-chance hiring) and available state/federal incentives. Key mechanisms include developing an informational website and staffing a hotline service. This is a one-time funding allocation, not a permanent program, to support employer education on inclusive hiring practices.