1. United States
2. Minn.
3. Letter

I’m writing in support of this bill, HF3109/SF3040. The purpose of the bill is to allow HCBS waiver funds to be spent on swimming lessons for children, whose disability put them at higher risk for drowning. In particular autistic, children are much higher risk at 160 times more than non-autistic children. This bill isn’t a grant or new money, but will allow families to use their waiver budget that they’re already awarded towards these lessons. Multiple children have died and drowning incidents in Minnesota over the past couple of years and it is extremely important that families have access to swimming lessons.  The bill didn’t make its into session this year, but I ask you to do what you can to keep it alive until next session and advocate for its passing.