Journal of the House - 117th Day - Friday, May 17, 2024 - Top of Page 16841

STATE OF MINNESOTA

 

Journal of the House

 

NINETY-THIRD SESSION - 2024

 

_____________________

 

ONE HUNDRED SEVENTEENTH DAY

 

Saint Paul, Minnesota, Friday, May 17, 2024

 

 

      The House of Representatives convened at 11:00 a.m. and was called to order by Melissa Hortman, Speaker of the House.

 

      Prayer was offered by Pastor Charlie McDonald, Chaska Moravian Church, Chaska, Minnesota.

 

      The members of the House gave the pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.

 

      The roll was called and the following members were present:

 


Acomb

Altendorf

Anderson, P. E.

Anderson, P. H.

Backer

Bahner

Bakeberg

Baker

Becker-Finn

Bennett

Berg

Bierman

Bliss

Brand

Burkel

Carroll

Cha

Clardy

Coulter

Curran

Davids

Davis

Demuth

Dotseth

Edelson

Elkins

Engen

Feist

Finke

Fischer

Fogelman

Franson

Frazier

Frederick

Freiberg

Garofalo

Gillman

Gomez

Greenman

Grossell

Hansen, R.

Hanson, J.

Harder

Hassan

Heintzeman

Hemmingsen-Jaeger

Her

Hicks

Hill

Hollins

Hornstein

Howard

Hudson

Huot

Hussein

Igo

Jacob

Johnson

Jordan

Joy

Keeler

Kiel

Klevorn

Knudsen

Koegel

Kotyza-Witthuhn

Kozlowski

Koznick

Kraft

Lawrence

Lee, F.

Lee, K.

Liebling

Lillie

Lislegard

Long

McDonald

Mekeland

Moller

Mueller

Murphy

Myers

Nadeau

Nash

Nelson, M.

Nelson, N.

Neu Brindley

Niska

Noor

Norris

Novotny

Olson, B.

Olson, L.

Pelowski

Pérez-Vega

Perryman

Petersburg

Pfarr

Pinto

Pryor

Pursell

Quam

Rarick

Rehm

Reyer

Robbins

Schultz

Scott

Sencer-Mura

Skraba

Smith

Stephenson

Swedzinski

Tabke

Torkelson

Urdahl

Vang

Virnig

Wiener

Wiens

Witte

Wolgamott

Xiong

Youakim

Zeleznikar

Spk. Hortman


 

      A quorum was present.

 

      Daniels, Hudella, Kresha, O'Driscoll and West were excused.

 

      Agbaje was excused until 1:35 p.m.  Newton was excused until 5:30 p.m.  Schomacker was excused until 6:35 p.m. 

 

      The Chief Clerk proceeded to read the Journal of the preceding day.  There being no objection, further reading of the Journal was dispensed with and the Journal was approved as corrected by the Chief Clerk.


Journal of the House - 117th Day - Friday, May 17, 2024 - Top of Page 16842

PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS

 

 

      The following communications were received:

 

 

STATE OF MINNESOTA

OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR

SAINT PAUL 55155

 

May 15, 2024

 

The Honorable Melissa Hortman

Speaker of the House of Representatives

The State of Minnesota

 

Dear Speaker Hortman:

 

      Please be advised that I have received, approved, signed, and deposited in the Office of the Secretary of State the following House Files:

 

      H. F. No. 3800, relating to cooperatives; providing for the organization and operation of housing cooperatives for seniors, low and moderate income people, limited equity cooperatives and leasing cooperatives for designated members.

 

      H. F. No. 3204, relating to family law; modifying parenting time and spousal maintenance provisions; modifying and updating provisions governing antenuptial and postnuptial agreements; establishing rights and responsibilities relating to assisted reproduction; directing the revisor of statutes to update terms used in statute.

 

      H. F. No. 5040, relating to retirement; accelerating the effective date from July 1, 2025, to July 1, 2024, for the change in the normal retirement age for the teachers retirement association from 66 to 65; reducing the employee contribution rates for two years by 0.25 percent for St. Paul Teachers Retirement Fund Association; extending the suspension of earnings limitation for retired teachers who return to teaching; authorizing eligible employees of Minnesota State Colleges and Universities who are members of the higher education individual retirement account plan to elect coverage by the Teachers Retirement Association and purchase past service credit; implementing the recommendations of the State Auditor's volunteer firefighter working group; adding a defined contribution plan and making other changes to the statewide volunteer firefighter plan; modifying requirements for electing to participate in the public employees defined contribution plan; increasing the multiplier in the benefit formula for prospective service and increasing employee and employer contribution rates for the local government correctional service retirement plan; eliminating the workers' compensation offset for the Public Employees Retirement Association general and correctional plans; clarifying eligibility for firefighters in the public employees police and fire plan; making changes of an administrative nature for plans administered by the Minnesota State Retirement System; authorizing employees on a H-1B, H-1B1, or E3 visa to purchase service credit for a prior period of employment when excluded from the general state employees retirement plan; codifying the right to return to employment and continue receiving an annuity from the State Patrol plan; adding additional positions to the list of positions eligible for the correctional state employees retirement plan coverage and permitting the purchase of past service credit; establishing a work group on correctional state employees plan eligibility; modifying the Minnesota Secure Choice retirement program by permitting participation by home and community-based services employees; modifying requirements for Minnesota Secure Choice retirement program board of directors; allowing employer matching contributions on an employee's qualified student loan payments under Secure 2.0 and modifying investment rates of return and fee disclosure requirements and other provisions for supplemental deferred compensation plans; resolving a conflict in the statute setting the plans' established date for full funding and establishing an amortization work


Journal of the House - 117th Day - Friday, May 17, 2024 - Top of Page 16843

group; restructuring statutes applicable to tax-qualified pension and retirement plans that impose requirements under the Internal Revenue Code; modifying the authority of pension fund executive directors to correct operational and other errors and requiring an annual report; changing the expiration date for state aids by requiring three years at 100 percent funded rather than one year before the state aid expires; making other administrative and conforming changes; appropriating money to the IRAP to TRA transfer account, the Teachers Retirement Association, and St. Paul Teachers Retirement Association.

 

      H. F. No. 3488, relating to labor; providing compensation for minors appearing in Internet content creation.

 

      H. F. No. 3436, relating to transportation; modifying various transportation-related provisions, including but not limited to motor vehicles, driving rules, accident reporting requirements, child passenger restraint requirements, roadable aircraft, legislative routes, drivers' licenses and exams, excavation requirements, and greater Minnesota transit; modifying criminal penalties; modifying prior appropriations; making technical changes; requiring reports.

 

      H. F. No. 4109, relating to human rights; providing for certain human rights law; providing for civil penalties and other remedies.

 

 

                                                                                                                                Sincerely,

 

                                                                                                                                Tim Walz

                                                                                                                                Governor

 

 

STATE OF MINNESOTA

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE

ST. PAUL 55155

 

The Honorable Melissa Hortman

Speaker of the House of Representatives

 

The Honorable Bobby Joe Champion

President of the Senate

 

      I have the honor to inform you that the following enrolled Acts of the 2024 Session of the State Legislature have been received from the Office of the Governor and are deposited in the Office of the Secretary of State for preservation, pursuant to the State Constitution, Article IV, Section 23:

 

 

S. F.

No.

 

H. F.

No.

 

Session Laws

Chapter No.

Time and

Date Approved

2024

 

Date Filed

2024

 

                               3800                         96                                         9:33 a.m.  May 15                                 May 15

                               3204                      101                                         9:35 a.m.  May 15                                 May 15

                               5040                      102                                         9:36 a.m.  May 15                                 May 15

                               3488                      103                                         9:39 a.m.  May 15                                 May 15

                               3436                      104                                         9:46 a.m.  May 15                                 May 15

                               4109                      105                                         9:50 a.m.  May 15                                 May 15

 

 

                                                                                                                                Sincerely,

 

                                                                                                                                Steve Simon

                                                                                                                                Secretary of State


Journal of the House - 117th Day - Friday, May 17, 2024 - Top of Page 16844

REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES AND DIVISIONS

 

 

Olson, L., from the Committee on Ways and Means to which was referred:

 

S. F. No. 2219, A bill for an act relating to commerce; authorizing administrative rulemaking; prohibiting price gouging; establishing notice requirements; prescribing penalties; modifying provisions governing emergency closures; eliminating certain examination requirements; modifying and adding provisions governing the sale of certain motor vehicles; regulating nonbank mortgage servicers; requiring a report; modifying provisions governing life insurance; specifying provisions for third-party payers and dental providers; establishing time limitations for civil actions under certain motor vehicle insurance policies; changing investment limit for small corporate offerings; directing rulemaking; amending provisions related to utility billing practices in manufactured home parks; modifying telecommunications pricing plans; modifying the definition of cost; eliminating prohibition on below cost sales of gasoline; increasing the civil penalties for unlawful robocalls; modifying provisions relating to digital fair repair; requiring direct-to-consumer genetic testing companies to provide disclosure notices and obtain consent; modifying limitations on credit card surcharges; providing remedies to debtors with coerced debt; amending Minnesota Statutes 2022, sections 8.31, subdivision 1; 47.0153, subdivision 1; 53C.01, subdivision 12c, by adding a subdivision; 53C.08, subdivision 1a; 61A.031; 61A.60, subdivision 3; 62Q.735, subdivisions 1, 5; 62Q.76, by adding a subdivision; 62Q.78, by adding subdivisions; 65B.49, by adding a subdivision; 80A.50; 103G.291, subdivision 4; 237.066; 325D.01, subdivision 5; 325D.71; 325E.31; 325E.66, subdivisions 2, 3, by adding a subdivision; 325F.662, subdivisions 2, 3; 325G.051, subdivision 1; 327C.015, subdivision 17, by adding subdivisions; 327C.04, subdivisions 1, 2, by adding subdivisions; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapters 58; 65A; 325E; 325F; 332; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 48.10.

 

Reported the same back with the following amendments:

 

Delete everything after the enacting clause and insert:

 

"Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 240.01, subdivision 1c, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 1c.  Advance deposit wagering; ADW.  "Advance deposit wagering" or "ADW" means a system of pari‑mutuel wagering betting in which wagers and withdrawals are debited and winning payoffs and deposits are credited to an account held by an authorized ADW provider on behalf of an account holder.  Advance deposit wagering shall not mean or include historical horse racing, nor any televised, video, or computer screen depicting a video game of chance or slot machine.

 

Sec. 2.  Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 240.01, subdivision 8, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 8.  Horse racing.  "Horse racing" is any form of live or simulcast of a live horse racing race in which horses carry a human rider or pull a sulky with a human.  Horse racing shall not include any form that has happened in the past or is considered historical horse racing.

 

Sec. 3.  Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 240.01, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

 

Subd. 8a.  Historical horse racing.  "Historical horse racing" means any horse race that was previously conducted at a licensed racetrack, concluded with results, and concluded without scratches, disqualifications, or dead-heat finishes.


Journal of the House - 117th Day - Friday, May 17, 2024 - Top of Page 16845

Sec. 4.  Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 240.01, subdivision 14, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 14.  Pari-mutuel betting.  "Pari-mutuel betting" is the system of betting on horse races where those who bet on horses that finish in the position or positions for which bets are taken share in the total amounts bet, less deductions required or permitted by law.  Pari-mutuel betting shall not include betting on a race that has occurred in the past or is considered historical horse racing or where bettors are not wagering on the same live or simulcast horse race or bettors do not share in the total amount of bets taken.

 

Sec. 5.  [240.071] PROHIBITED ACTS.

 

A licensed racetrack shall only conduct horse racing and may be authorized to operate a card club in accordance with this chapter.  A licensed racetrack shall not conduct or provide for play any of the following:  historical horse racing; slot machines; video games of chance; or other gambling devices.

 

Sec. 6.  [240.231] LIMITATIONS ON RULEMAKING AND OTHER AUTHORITY.

 

The commission's rulemaking and other authority, whether derived from section 240.23 or other sections in this chapter, shall only pertain to horse racing and card games at a card club as expressly authorized in this chapter and shall not include the authority to expand gambling, nor the authority to approve or regulate historical horse racing, slot machines, video games of chance, and other gambling devices, by means of rulemaking, a contested case hearing, the review and approval of a plan of operation or proposed or amended plan of operation, the approval of any proposal or request, or any other commission or agency action.

 

Sec. 7.  Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 240.30, subdivision 8, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 8.  Limitations.  The commission may not approve any plan of operation under subdivision 6 that exceeds any of the following limitations:

 

(1) the maximum number of tables used for card playing at the card club at any one time, other than tables used for instruction, demonstrations, or poker tournament play, may not exceed 80;

 

(2) except as provided in clause (3), no wager may exceed $100;

 

(3) for games in which each player is allowed to make only one wager or has a limited opportunity to change that wager, no wager may exceed $300.; and

 

(4) no inclusion of any historical horse racing or any other form of gambling that is not expressly authorized for racetracks under this chapter.

 

Sec. 8.  EFFECTIVE DATE.

 

Sections 1 to 7 are effective the day following final enactment."

 

Delete the title and insert:

 

"A bill for an act relating to horse racing; prohibiting the conduct of historical horse racing and other activities at licensed racetracks; amending Minnesota Statutes 2022, sections 240.01, subdivisions 1c, 8, 14, by adding a subdivision; 240.30, subdivision 8; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 240."

 

 

With the recommendation that when so amended the bill be placed on the General Register.

 

      The report was adopted.


Journal of the House - 117th Day - Friday, May 17, 2024 - Top of Page 16846

SECOND READING OF SENATE BILLS

 

 

      S. F. No. 2219 was read for the second time.

 

 

INTRODUCTION AND FIRST READING OF HOUSE BILLS

 

 

      The following House Files were introduced:

 

 

      Murphy, Perryman, Joy and Backer introduced:

 

H. F. No. 5475, A bill for an act relating to taxation; individual income; corporate franchise; providing for certain business exemptions; amending Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 290.05, by adding a subdivision.

 

The bill was read for the first time and referred to the Committee on Taxes.

 

 

Sencer-Mura; Tabke; Agbaje; Hicks; Frazier; Hanson, J.; Wolgamott; Vang; Norris; Howard; Koegel and Feist introduced:

 

H. F. No. 5476, A bill for an act relating to education finance; establishing minimum compensation rates for teachers and certain other school staff; establishing aid programs to support teacher base compensation and unlicensed staff wage requirements; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 122A.

 

The bill was read for the first time and referred to the Committee on Education Finance.

 

 

Altendorf introduced:

 

H. F. No. 5477, A bill for an act relating to elections; authorizing municipalities to designate additional precincts for postelection review; amending Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 206.89, subdivision 2.

 

The bill was read for the first time and referred to the Committee on Elections Finance and Policy.

 

 

Pursell introduced:

 

H. F. No. 5478, A bill for an act relating to data practices; modifying certain data request and retention provisions; creating a state electronic document repository; appropriating money; amending Minnesota Statutes 2022, sections 13.03, subdivision 3, by adding a subdivision; 138.17, subdivisions 1, 7; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 13.

 

The bill was read for the first time and referred to the Committee on Judiciary Finance and Civil Law.


Journal of the House - 117th Day - Friday, May 17, 2024 - Top of Page 16847

MESSAGES FROM THE SENATE

 

 

      The following messages were received from the Senate:

 

 

Madam Speaker:

 

I hereby announce that the Senate has concurred in and adopted the report of the Conference Committee on: 

 

H. F. No. 3438, A bill for an act relating to consumer protection; adding the failure to disclose mandatory fees in advertising as a deceptive trade practice; amending Minnesota Statutes 2022, sections 325D.43, by adding a subdivision; 325D.44, by adding subdivisions.

 

The Senate has repassed said bill in accordance with the recommendation and report of the Conference Committee.  Said House File is herewith returned to the House.

 

Thomas S. Bottern, Secretary of the Senate

 

 

Madam Speaker:

 

I hereby announce that the Senate has concurred in and adopted the report of the Conference Committee on: 

 

H. F. No. 4772, A bill for an act relating to elections; providing for policy and technical changes to elections and campaign finance provisions, including elections administration, campaign finance and lobbying, and census and redistricting; establishing the Minnesota Voting Rights Act; modifying the crime of using deep fakes to influence elections; requiring reports; amending Minnesota Statutes 2022, sections 10A.01, subdivision 33, by adding a subdivision; 123B.09, subdivision 5b; 201.071, subdivision 3; 204B.175; 204C.06, subdivision 1, by adding a subdivision; 204C.19, subdivision 3; 204C.20, subdivision 1, by adding a subdivision; 204C.33, subdivision 1; 204C.35, subdivisions 1, 2, by adding a subdivision; 204C.36, subdivisions 2, 3; 205.16, subdivisions 4, 5; 205A.05, subdivision 3; 205A.07, subdivisions 3, 3b; 205A.11, subdivision 2; 206.89, subdivisions 2, 3, 5, 6; 208.06; 208.44; 208.47; 211B.17, subdivision 1; 211B.18; 375.08; 412.02, subdivision 6, by adding a subdivision; 447.32, subdivision 3; Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, sections 2.92, subdivision 4; 10A.01, subdivision 21; 10A.201, subdivisions 3, 4, 6, 9; 10A.202, subdivision 1; 200.02, subdivision 7; 201.061, subdivisions 3, 3a; 201.071, subdivision 1; 201.1611, subdivision 1; 203B.04, subdivision 1; 203B.07, subdivision 3; 203B.081, subdivision 4; 204B.09, subdivision 3; 204B.16, subdivision 1; 204B.295, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, by adding a subdivision; 204C.24, subdivision 1; 204C.33, subdivision 3; 205.16, subdivision 2; 206.61, subdivision 1; 609.771, subdivisions 2, 3, 4, by adding a subdivision; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapters 2; 200; 241; 375; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 383B.031; Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 10A.201, subdivision 11.

 

The Senate has repassed said bill in accordance with the recommendation and report of the Conference Committee.  Said House File is herewith returned to the House.

 

Thomas S. Bottern, Secretary of the Senate


Journal of the House - 117th Day - Friday, May 17, 2024 - Top of Page 16848

Madam Speaker:

 

I hereby announce the passage by the Senate of the following House File, herewith returned, as amended by the Senate, in which amendments the concurrence of the House is respectfully requested:

 

H. F. No. 5216, A bill for an act relating to state government; providing law for judiciary, public safety, and corrections; establishing a state board of civil legal aid; modifying safe at home program certification and restorative practices restitution program; establishing working group for motor vehicle registration compliance; establishing task forces on holistic and effective responses to illicit drug use and domestic violence and firearm surrender; establishing a public safety telecommunicator training and standards board; authorizing rulemaking; requiring reports; modifying certain prior appropriations; appropriating money for judiciary, public safety, and corrections; amending Minnesota Statutes 2022, sections 5B.02; 5B.03, subdivision 3; 5B.04; 5B.05; 13.045, subdivision 3; 260B.198, subdivision 1; 260B.225, subdivision 9; 260B.235, subdivision 4; 299A.73, subdivision 4; 403.02, subdivision 17c; 480.24, subdivisions 2, 4; 480.242, subdivisions 2, 3; 480.243, subdivision 1; Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, sections 244.50, subdivision 4; 299A.49, subdivisions 8, 9; 299A.95, subdivision 5; 403.11, subdivision 1; 609A.06, subdivision 2; 638.09, subdivision 5; Laws 2023, chapter 52, article 1, section 2, subdivision 3; article 2, sections 3, subdivision 5; 6, subdivisions 1, 4; article 8, section 20, subdivision 3; Laws 2023, chapter 63, article 5, section 5; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapters 169; 299A; 403; 480; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 480.242, subdivision 1.

 

Thomas S. Bottern, Secretary of the Senate

 

 

      Moller moved that the House refuse to concur in the Senate amendments to H. F. No. 5216, that the Speaker appoint a Conference Committee of 5 members of the House, and that the House requests that a like committee be appointed by the Senate to confer on the disagreeing votes of the two houses.  The motion prevailed.

 

 

Madam Speaker:

 

I hereby announce the Senate refuses to concur in the House amendments to the following Senate File: 

 

S. F. No. 716 A bill for an act relating to human services; establishing the Minnesota African American Family Preservation and Child Welfare Disproportionality Act; modifying child welfare provisions; requiring reports; appropriating money; amending Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 260C.329, subdivisions 3, 8; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 260.

 

The Senate respectfully requests that a Conference Committee be appointed thereon.  The Senate has appointed as such committee:

 

Senators Champion, Oumou Verbeten, and Abeler.

 

Said Senate File is herewith transmitted to the House with the request that the House appoint a like committee.

 

Thomas S. Bottern, Secretary of the Senate

 

 

      Hollins moved that the House accede to the request of the Senate and that the Speaker appoint a Conference Committee of 3 members of the House to meet with a like committee appointed by the Senate on the disagreeing votes of the two houses on S. F. No. 716.  The motion prevailed.


Journal of the House - 117th Day - Friday, May 17, 2024 - Top of Page 16849

ANNOUNCEMENTS BY THE SPEAKER

 

      The Speaker announced the appointment of the following members of the House to a Conference Committee on H. F. No. 5216:

 

      Moller, Becker-Finn, Feist, Curran and Mueller.

 

 

      The Speaker announced the following change in membership of the Conference Committee on S. F. No. 4699. 

 

      Delete the name of Pinto and add the name of Reyer. 

 

 

      Long moved that the House recess subject to the call of the Chair.  The motion prevailed.

 

 

RECESS

 

 

RECONVENED

 

      The House reconvened and was called to order by the Speaker.

 

 

ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER

 

      The Speaker announced the appointment of the following members of the House to a Conference Committee on S. F. No. 716:

 

      Agbaje, Hudson and Hollins.

 

 

REPORT FROM THE COMMITTEE ON RULES

AND LEGISLATIVE ADMINISTRATION

 

      Long from the Committee on Rules and Legislative Administration, pursuant to rule 1.21, designated the following bills to be placed on the Calendar for the Day for Saturday, May 18, 2024:

 

      S. F. No. 2219; and H. F. Nos. 5162 and 5220.

 

 

MOTIONS AND RESOLUTIONS

 

 

TAKEN FROM THE TABLE

 

      Long moved that S. F. No. 37 be taken from the table.  The motion prevailed.

 

 

      S. F. No. 37 was reported to the House.


Journal of the House - 117th Day - Friday, May 17, 2024 - Top of Page 16850

Demuth moved to amend S. F. No. 37, the unofficial engrossment, as follows:

 

Page 1, line 9, after "rights" insert "and freedom from discrimination" and delete "The"

 

Page 1 delete lines 10 to 20

 

Page 2, delete line 1

 

Page 2, line 6, after the period, insert "The state does not include nonstate or private entities receiving public funds or otherwise participating in public programs or conferring a public benefit."

 

Page 2, line 8, delete everything after the period

 

Page 2, delete lines 9 and 10

 

Page 2, line 15, delete everything after "state"

 

Page 2, delete line 16

 

Page 2, line 17, delete "sexual orientation"

 

 

      A roll call was requested and properly seconded.

 

 

      The Speaker called Vang to the Chair.

 

 

      The question was taken on the Demuth amendment and the roll was called.  There were 59 yeas and 67 nays as follows:

 

      Those who voted in the affirmative were:

 


Altendorf

Anderson, P. E.

Anderson, P. H.

Backer

Bakeberg

Baker

Bennett

Bliss

Burkel

Davids

Davis

Demuth

Dotseth

Engen

Fogelman

Franson

Garofalo

Gillman

Grossell

Harder

Heintzeman

Hudson

Igo

Jacob

Johnson

Joy

Kiel

Knudsen

Koznick

Lawrence

Lislegard

McDonald

Mekeland

Mueller

Murphy

Myers

Nadeau

Nash

Nelson, N.

Neu Brindley

Niska

Novotny

Olson, B.

Perryman

Petersburg

Pfarr

Quam

Rarick

Robbins

Schultz

Scott

Skraba

Swedzinski

Torkelson

Urdahl

Wiener

Wiens

Witte

Zeleznikar


 

      Those who voted in the negative were:

 


Acomb

Bahner

Becker-Finn

Berg

Bierman

Brand

Carroll

Cha

Clardy

Coulter

Curran

Edelson

Elkins

Feist

Finke

Fischer

Frazier

Frederick

Freiberg

Gomez

Greenman

Hansen, R.

Hanson, J.

Hassan

Hemmingsen-Jaeger

Her

Hicks

Hill

Hollins

Hornstein

Howard

Huot

Hussein

Jordan

Keeler

Klevorn

Koegel

Kotyza-Witthuhn

Kozlowski

Kraft

Lee, F.

Lee, K.

Liebling

Lillie

Long

Moller

Nelson, M.

Noor


Journal of the House - 117th Day - Friday, May 17, 2024 - Top of Page 16851

Norris

Olson, L.

Pelowski

Pérez-Vega

Pinto

Pryor

Pursell

Rehm

Reyer

Sencer-Mura

Smith

Stephenson

Tabke

Vang

Virnig

Wolgamott

Xiong

Youakim

Spk. Hortman


 

 

      The motion did not prevail and the amendment was not adopted.

 

 

Torkelson moved to amend S. F. No. 37, the unofficial engrossment, as follows:

 

Page 1, line 16, delete "or"

 

Page 1, after line 16, insert:

 

"(f) age, where the person is over the age of majority; or"

 

Reletter the paragraphs in sequence

 

Page 2, line 16, after "disability," insert "age,"

 

 

      A roll call was requested and properly seconded.

 

 

Niska moved to amend the Torkelson amendment to S. F. No. 37, the unofficial engrossment, as follows:

 

Page 1, line 4, after "majority" insert ".  The state has a compelling governmental interest in protecting children under the age of majority which supersedes any right claimed under this section.  An adult's physical or sexual attraction to a child under the age of majority is not protected under this section or under any state law.  Nothing in this section prohibits the state from complying with a federal requirement or a condition of receiving federal funds"

 

 

      A roll call was requested and properly seconded.

 

 

      The question was taken on the Niska amendment to the Torkelson amendment and the roll was called.  There were 60 yeas and 66 nays as follows:

 

      Those who voted in the affirmative were:

 


Altendorf

Anderson, P. E.

Anderson, P. H.

Backer

Bakeberg

Baker

Bennett

Bliss

Burkel

Davids

Davis

Demuth

Dotseth

Engen

Fogelman

Franson

Garofalo

Gillman

Grossell

Harder

Heintzeman

Hudson

Igo

Jacob

Johnson

Joy

Kiel

Knudsen

Koznick

Lawrence

Lislegard

McDonald

Mekeland

Mueller

Murphy

Myers

Nadeau

Nash

Nelson, N.

Neu Brindley

Niska

Novotny

Olson, B.

Perryman

Petersburg

Pfarr

Quam

Rarick

Robbins

Schultz

Scott

Skraba

Swedzinski

Torkelson

Urdahl

Wiener

Wiens

Witte

Wolgamott

Zeleznikar



Journal of the House - 117th Day - Friday, May 17, 2024 - Top of Page 16852

         Those who voted in the negative were:

 


Acomb

Bahner

Becker-Finn

Berg

Bierman

Brand

Carroll

Cha

Clardy

Coulter

Curran

Edelson

Elkins

Feist

Finke

Fischer

Frazier

Frederick

Freiberg

Gomez

Greenman

Hansen, R.

Hanson, J.

Hassan

Hemmingsen-Jaeger

Her

Hicks

Hill

Hollins

Hornstein

Howard

Huot

Hussein

Jordan

Keeler

Klevorn

Koegel

Kotyza-Witthuhn

Kozlowski

Kraft

Lee, F.

Lee, K.

Liebling

Lillie

Long

Moller

Nelson, M.

Noor

Norris

Olson, L.

Pelowski

Pérez-Vega

Pinto

Pryor

Pursell

Rehm

Reyer

Sencer-Mura

Smith

Stephenson

Tabke

Vang

Virnig

Xiong

Youakim

Spk. Hortman


 

 

      The motion did not prevail and the amendment to the amendment was not adopted.

 

 

      The question recurred on the Torkelson amendment and the roll was called.  There were 59 yeas and 68 nays as follows:

 

      Those who voted in the affirmative were:

 


Altendorf

Anderson, P. E.

Anderson, P. H.

Backer

Bakeberg

Baker

Bennett

Bliss

Burkel

Davids

Davis

Demuth

Dotseth

Engen

Fogelman

Franson

Garofalo

Gillman

Grossell

Harder

Heintzeman

Hudson

Igo

Jacob

Johnson

Joy

Kiel

Knudsen

Koznick

Lawrence

McDonald

Mekeland

Mueller

Murphy

Myers

Nadeau

Nash

Nelson, N.

Neu Brindley

Niska

Novotny

Olson, B.

Perryman

Petersburg

Pfarr

Quam

Rarick

Robbins

Schultz

Scott

Skraba

Swedzinski

Torkelson

Urdahl

Wiener

Wiens

Witte

Wolgamott

Zeleznikar


 

      Those who voted in the negative were:

 


Acomb

Agbaje

Bahner

Becker-Finn

Berg

Bierman

Brand

Carroll

Cha

Clardy

Coulter

Curran

Edelson

Elkins

Feist

Finke

Fischer

Frazier

Frederick

Freiberg

Gomez

Greenman

Hansen, R.

Hanson, J.

Hassan

Hemmingsen-Jaeger

Her

Hicks

Hill

Hollins

Hornstein

Howard

Huot

Hussein

Jordan

Keeler

Klevorn

Koegel

Kotyza-Witthuhn

Kozlowski

Kraft

Lee, F.

Lee, K.

Liebling

Lillie

Lislegard

Long

Moller

Nelson, M.

Noor

Norris

Olson, L.

Pelowski

Pérez-Vega

Pinto

Pryor

Pursell

Rehm

Reyer

Sencer-Mura

Smith

Stephenson

Tabke

Vang

Virnig

Xiong

Youakim

Spk. Hortman


 

 

      The motion did not prevail and the amendment was not adopted.


Journal of the House - 117th Day - Friday, May 17, 2024 - Top of Page 16853

Robbins moved to amend S. F. No. 37, the unofficial engrossment, as follows:

 

Page 2, line 6, after the period, insert "For purposes of this section, state does not include a private or nonstate entity that receives public funds or otherwise participates in a public program or confers a public benefit."

 

 

      A roll call was requested and properly seconded.

 

 

      The question was taken on the Robbins amendment and the roll was called.  There were 60 yeas and 67 nays as follows:

 

      Those who voted in the affirmative were:

 


Altendorf

Anderson, P. E.

Anderson, P. H.

Backer

Bakeberg

Baker

Bennett

Bliss

Burkel

Davids

Davis

Demuth

Dotseth

Engen

Fogelman

Franson

Garofalo

Gillman

Grossell

Harder

Heintzeman

Hudson

Igo

Jacob

Johnson

Joy

Kiel

Knudsen

Koznick

Lawrence

Lislegard

McDonald

Mekeland

Mueller

Murphy

Myers

Nadeau

Nash

Nelson, N.

Neu Brindley

Niska

Novotny

Olson, B.

Perryman

Petersburg

Pfarr

Quam

Rarick

Robbins

Schultz

Scott

Skraba

Swedzinski

Torkelson

Urdahl

Wiener

Wiens

Witte

Wolgamott

Zeleznikar


 

      Those who voted in the negative were:

 


Acomb

Agbaje

Bahner

Becker-Finn

Berg

Bierman

Brand

Carroll

Cha

Clardy

Coulter

Curran

Edelson

Elkins

Feist

Finke

Fischer

Frazier

Frederick

Freiberg

Gomez

Greenman

Hansen, R.

Hanson, J.

Hassan

Hemmingsen-Jaeger

Her

Hicks

Hill

Hollins

Hornstein

Howard

Huot

Hussein

Jordan

Keeler

Klevorn

Koegel

Kotyza-Witthuhn

Kozlowski

Kraft

Lee, F.

Lee, K.

Liebling

Lillie

Long

Moller

Nelson, M.

Noor

Norris

Olson, L.

Pelowski

Pérez-Vega

Pinto

Pryor

Pursell

Rehm

Reyer

Sencer-Mura

Smith

Stephenson

Tabke

Vang

Virnig

Xiong

Youakim

Spk. Hortman


 

 

      The motion did not prevail and the amendment was not adopted.

 

 

Niska moved to amend S. F. No. 37, the unofficial engrossment, as follows:

 

Page 1, line 10, delete "or effect"

 

 

      The motion did not prevail and the amendment was not adopted.


Journal of the House - 117th Day - Friday, May 17, 2024 - Top of Page 16854

Demuth moved to amend S. F. No. 37 the unofficial engrossment, as follows:

 

Delete everything after the enacting clause and insert:

 

"Section 1.  CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT PROPOSED.

 

An amendment to the Minnesota Constitution is proposed to the people.  If the amendment is adopted, a section shall be added to article I, to read:

 

Sec. 18.  Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the state or the political subdivision of the state on account of sex.

 

Sec. 2.  SUBMISSION TO VOTERS.

 

(a) The proposed amendment must be submitted to the people at the 2024 general election.  If ratified, the amendment is effective January 1, 2025.  The question submitted must be:

 

"Shall the Minnesota Constitution be amended to say that equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the state or the political subdivision of the state on account of sex?

 

                                                                                                                                Yes ...............................

                                                                                                                                No ................................ "

 

(b) The title required under Minnesota Statutes, section 204D.15, subdivision 1, for the question submitted to the people under paragraph (a) shall be:  "Minnesota Equal Rights Amendment.""

 

Amend the title accordingly

 

 

      A roll call was requested and properly seconded.

 

 

      The Speaker resumed the Chair.

 

 

LAY ON THE TABLE

 

      Long moved that S. F. No. 37 be laid on the table.  The motion prevailed.

 

 

      The following Conference Committee Reports were received:

 

 

CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REPORT ON H. F. No. 5237

 

A bill for an act relating to education; providing for supplemental funding for prekindergarten through grade 12 education; modifying provisions for general education, education excellence, the Read Act, American Indian education, teachers, charter schools, special education, school facilities, school nutrition and libraries, early childhood education, and state agencies; requiring reports; authorizing rulemaking; appropriating money; amending Minnesota Statutes 2022, sections 13.321, by adding a subdivision; 120A.41; 122A.415, by adding a subdivision; 122A.73, subdivision 4; 124D.093, subdivisions 3, 4, 5; 124D.19, subdivision 8; 124D.957, subdivision 1; 124E.22; 126C.05, subdivision 15; 126C.10, subdivision 13a; 127A.45, subdivisions 12, 13, 14a; 127A.51; Minnesota


Journal of the House - 117th Day - Friday, May 17, 2024 - Top of Page 16855

Statutes 2023 Supplement, sections 120B.018, subdivision 6; 120B.021, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 4; 120B.024, subdivision 1; 120B.1117; 120B.1118, subdivisions 7, 10, by adding a subdivision; 120B.12, subdivisions 1, 2, 2a, 3, 4, 4a; 120B.123, subdivisions 1, 2, 5, 7, by adding a subdivision; 120B.124, subdivisions 1, 2, by adding subdivisions; 121A.642; 122A.415, subdivision 4; 122A.73, subdivisions 2, 3; 122A.77, subdivisions 1, 2; 123B.92, subdivision 11; 124D.111, subdivision 3; 124D.151, subdivision 6; 124D.165, subdivisions 3, 6; 124D.42, subdivision 8; 124D.65, subdivision 5; 124D.81, subdivision 2b; 124D.901, subdivision 3; 124D.98, subdivision 5; 124D.995, subdivision 3; 124E.13, subdivision 1; 126C.10, subdivisions 2e, 3, 3c, 13, 18a; 127A.21; 256B.0625, subdivision 26; 256B.0671, by adding a subdivision; Laws 2023, chapter 18, section 4, subdivisions 2, as amended, 3, as amended; Laws 2023, chapter 54, section 20, subdivisions 6, 24; Laws 2023, chapter 55, article 1, section 36, subdivisions 2, as amended, 8; article 2, section 64, subdivisions 2, as amended, 6, as amended, 9, 14, 16, 31, 33; article 3, section 11, subdivisions 3, 4; article 5, sections 64, subdivisions 3, as amended, 5, 10, 12, 13, 15, 16; 65, subdivisions 3, 6, 7; article 7, section 18, subdivision 4, as amended; article 8, section 19, subdivisions 5, 6, as amended; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapters 120B; 123B; repealing Laws 2023, chapter 55, article 10, section 4.

 

May 16, 2024

The Honorable Melissa Hortman

Speaker of the House of Representatives

 

The Honorable Bobby Joe Champion

President of the Senate

 

We, the undersigned conferees for H. F. No. 5237 report that we have agreed upon the items in dispute and recommend as follows:

 

That the Senate recede from its amendments and that H. F. No. 5237 be further amended as follows:

 

Delete everything after the enacting clause and insert:

 

"ARTICLE 1

GENERAL EDUCATION

 

Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 120A.41, is amended to read:

 

120A.41 LENGTH OF SCHOOL YEAR; HOURS OF INSTRUCTION.

 

(a) A school board's annual school calendar must include at least 425 hours of instruction for a kindergarten student without a disability, 935 hours of instruction for a student in grades 1 through 6, and 1,020 hours of instruction for a student in grades 7 through 12, not including summer school.  The school calendar for all-day kindergarten must include at least 850 hours of instruction for the school year.  The school calendar for a prekindergarten student under section 124D.151, if offered by the district, must include at least 350 hours of instruction for the school year.  A school board's annual calendar must include at least 165 days of instruction for a student in grades 1 through 11 unless a four-day week schedule has been approved by the commissioner under section 124D.126.

 

(b) A school board's annual school calendar may include plans for up to five days of instruction provided through online instruction due to inclement weather.  The inclement weather plans must be developed according to section 120A.414.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective for the 2023-2024 school year and later.


Journal of the House - 117th Day - Friday, May 17, 2024 - Top of Page 16856

Sec. 2.  Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 123B.92, subdivision 11, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 11.  Area learning center transportation aid.  (a) A district or cooperative unit under section 123A.24, subdivision 2, that provides transportation of pupils to and from an area learning center program established under section 123A.05 is eligible for state aid to reimburse the additional costs of transportation during the preceding fiscal year.

 

(b) A district or cooperative unit under section 123A.24, subdivision 2, may apply to the commissioner of education for state aid to reimburse the costs of transporting pupils who are enrolled in an area learning center program established under section 123A.05 during the preceding fiscal year.  The commissioner shall develop the form and manner of applications for state aid, the criteria to determine when transportation is necessary, and the accounting procedure to determine excess costs.  In determining aid amounts, the commissioner shall consider other revenue received by the district or cooperative unit under section 123A.24, subdivision 2, for transportation for area learning center purposes.

 

(c) The total aid entitlement for this section is $1,000,000 each year.  The commissioner must prorate aid if this amount is insufficient to reimburse district costs for a district or cooperative unit under section 123A.24, subdivision 2.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective for revenue in fiscal year 2024 and later.

 

Sec. 3.  Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 124D.65, subdivision 5, as amended by Laws 2024, chapter 85, section 21, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 5.  School district EL revenue.  (a) For fiscal year 2024 through fiscal year 2026, a district's English learner programs revenue equals the sum of:

 

(1) the product of (i) $1,228, and (ii) the greater of 20 or the adjusted average daily membership of eligible English learners enrolled in the district during the current fiscal year; and

 

(2) $436 times the English learner pupil units under section 126C.05, subdivision 17.

 

(b) For fiscal year 2027 and later, a district's English learner programs revenue equals the sum of:

 

(1) the product of (i) $1,775, and (ii) the greater of 20 or the adjusted average daily membership of eligible English learners enrolled in the district during the current fiscal year; and

 

(2) $630 times the English learner pupil units under section 126C.05, subdivision 17; and

 

(3) the district's English learner cross subsidy aid.  A district's English learner cross subsidy aid equals 25 percent of the district's English learner cross subsidy under paragraph (c) for fiscal year 2027 and later.

 

(c) A district's English learner cross subsidy equals the greater of zero or the difference between the district's expenditures for qualifying English learner services for the second previous year and the district's English learner revenue for the second previous year.

 

(d) A pupil ceases to generate state English learner aid in the school year following the school year in which the pupil attains the state cutoff score on a commissioner-provided assessment that measures the pupil's emerging academic English.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective July 1, 2024.


Journal of the House - 117th Day - Friday, May 17, 2024 - Top of Page 16857

Sec. 4.  Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 124D.65, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

 

Subd. 5a.  English learner cross subsidy aid.  (a) For fiscal year 2027 and later, a district's English learner cross subsidy aid equals 25 percent of the district's English learner cross subsidy calculated under paragraph (b).

 

(b) A district's English learner cross subsidy equals the greater of zero or the difference between the district's expenditures for qualifying English learner services for the second previous year and the district's English learner revenue under subdivision 5 for the second previous year.  For the purposes of this subdivision, "qualifying English learner services" means the services necessary to implement the language instruction educational program for students identified as English learners under sections 124D.58 to 124D.65.  Only expenditures that both address the English language development standards in Minnesota Rules, parts 3501.1200 and 3501.1210, which may include home language instruction, and are supplemental to the cost of core content instruction may be included as expenditures for qualifying English learner services.  Expenditures do not include costs related to construction, indirect costs, core content instruction, or core administrative personnel.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective July 1, 2024.

 

Sec. 5.  Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 124D.995, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 3.  Money appropriated.  (a) Subject to the availability of funds, money in the account is annually appropriated to the commissioner of education to reimburse school districts; charter schools; intermediate school districts and cooperative units under section 123A.24, subdivision 2; the Perpich Center for Arts Education; and the Minnesota State Academies for costs associated with providing unemployment benefits to school employees under section 268.085, subdivision 7, paragraph (b).

 

(b) The Perpich Center for Arts Education and the Minnesota State Academies may only apply to the commissioner for reimbursement of unemployment insurance amounts in excess of the amounts specifically identified in their annual agency appropriations.

 

(c) If the amount in the account is insufficient, the commissioner must proportionately reduce the aid payment to each recipient.  Notwithstanding section 127A.45, subdivision 3, aid payments must be paid 100 90 percent in the current year and ten percent in the following year on a schedule determined by the commissioner.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective for revenue in fiscal year 2024 and later.

 

Sec. 6.  Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 126C.05, subdivision 15, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 15.  Learning year pupil units.  (a) When a pupil is enrolled in a learning year program under section 124D.128, an area learning center or an alternative learning program approved by the commissioner under sections 123A.05 and 123A.06, or a contract alternative program under section 124D.68, subdivision 3, paragraph (d), or subdivision 4, for more than 1,020 hours in a school year for a secondary student, more than 935 hours in a school year for an elementary student, more than 850 hours in a school year for a kindergarten student without a disability in an all-day kindergarten program, or more than 425 hours in a school year for a half-day kindergarten student without a disability, that pupil may be counted as more than one pupil in average daily membership for purposes of section 126C.10, subdivision 2a.  The amount in excess of one pupil must be determined by the ratio of the number of hours of instruction provided to that pupil in excess of:  (i) the greater of 1,020 hours or the number of hours required for a full-time secondary pupil in the district to 1,020 for a secondary pupil; (ii) the greater of 935 hours or the number of hours required for a full-time elementary pupil in the district to 935 for an elementary pupil in grades 1 through 6; and (iii) the greater of 850 hours or the number of hours required for a full-time kindergarten student without a disability in the district to 850 for a kindergarten student without a disability.  Hours that occur after the close of the instructional year in June shall be attributable to the following fiscal year.  A student in kindergarten or grades 1 through 12 must not be counted as more than 1.2 pupils in average daily membership under this subdivision.


Journal of the House - 117th Day - Friday, May 17, 2024 - Top of Page 16858

(b)(i) To receive general education revenue for a pupil in an area learning center or alternative learning program that has an independent study component, a district must meet the requirements in this paragraph.  The district must develop, for the pupil, a continual learning plan consistent with section 124D.128, subdivision 3.  Each school district that has an area learning center or alternative learning program must reserve revenue in an amount equal to at least 90 and not more than 100 percent of the district average general education revenue per pupil unit, minus an amount equal to the product of the formula allowance according to section 126C.10, subdivision 2, times .0466, calculated without basic skills revenue, local optional revenue, and transportation sparsity revenue, times the number of pupil units generated by students attending an area learning center or alternative learning program.  The amount of reserved revenue available under this subdivision may only be spent for program costs associated with the area learning center or alternative learning program.  Basic skills revenue generated according to section 126C.10, subdivision 4, by pupils attending the eligible program must be allocated to the program.

 

(ii) General education revenue for a pupil in a state-approved alternative program without an independent study component must be prorated for a pupil participating for less than a full year, or its equivalent.  The district must develop a continual learning plan for the pupil, consistent with section 124D.128, subdivision 3.  Each school district that has an area learning center or alternative learning program must reserve revenue in an amount equal to at least 90 and not more than 100 percent of the district average general education revenue per pupil unit, minus an amount equal to the product of the formula allowance according to section 126C.10, subdivision 2, times .0466, calculated without basic skills revenue, local optional revenue, and transportation sparsity revenue, times the number of pupil units generated by students attending an area learning center or alternative learning program.  The amount of reserved revenue available under this subdivision may only be spent for program costs associated with the area learning center or alternative learning program.  Basic skills revenue generated according to section 126C.10, subdivision 4, by pupils attending the eligible program must be allocated to the program.

 

(iii) General education revenue for a pupil in a state-approved alternative program that has an independent study component must be paid for each hour of teacher contact time and each hour of independent study time completed toward a credit or graduation standards necessary for graduation.  Average daily membership for a pupil shall equal the number of hours of teacher contact time and independent study time divided by 1,020.

 

(iv) For a state-approved alternative program having an independent study component, the commissioner shall require a description of the courses in the program, the kinds of independent study involved, the expected learning outcomes of the courses, and the means of measuring student performance against the expected outcomes.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective for the 2023-2024 school year and later.

 

Sec. 7.  Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 126C.10, subdivision 2e, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 2e.  Local optional revenue.  (a) Local optional revenue for a school district equals the sum of the district's first tier local optional revenue and second tier local optional revenue.  A district's first tier local optional revenue equals $300 times the adjusted pupil units of the district for that school year.  A district's second tier local optional revenue equals $424 times the adjusted pupil units of the district for that school year.

 

(b) A district's local optional levy equals the sum of the first tier local optional levy and the second tier local optional levy.

 

(c) A district's first tier local optional levy equals the district's first tier local optional revenue times the lesser of one or the ratio of the district's referendum market value per resident pupil unit to $880,000.

 

(d) For fiscal year 2023, a district's second tier local optional levy equals the district's second tier local optional revenue times the lesser of one or the ratio of the district's referendum market value per resident pupil unit to $548,842.  For fiscal year 2024, a district's second tier local optional levy equals the district's second tier local


Journal of the House - 117th Day - Friday, May 17, 2024 - Top of Page 16859

optional revenue times the lesser of one or the ratio of the district's referendum market value per resident pupil unit to $510,000.  For fiscal year 2025, a district's second tier local optional levy equals the district's second tier local optional revenue times the lesser of one or the ratio of the district's referendum market value per resident pupil unit to $587,244 $626,450.  For fiscal year 2026, a district's second tier local optional levy equals the district's second tier local optional revenue times the lesser of one or the ratio of the district's referendum market value per resident pupil unit to $642,038.  For fiscal year 2027 and later, a district's second tier local optional levy equals the district's second tier local optional revenue times the lesser of one or the ratio of the district's referendum market value per resident pupil unit to $671,345.

 

(e) The local optional levy must be spread on referendum market value.  A district may levy less than the permitted amount.

 

(f) A district's local optional aid equals its local optional revenue minus its local optional levy.  If a district's actual levy for first or second tier local optional revenue is less than its maximum levy limit for that tier, its aid must be proportionately reduced.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective for revenue in fiscal year 2025 and later.

 

Sec. 8.  Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 126C.10, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 3.  Compensatory education revenue.  (a) For fiscal year 2024, the compensatory education revenue for each building in the district equals the formula allowance minus $839 times the compensation revenue pupil units computed according to section 126C.05, subdivision 3. A district's compensatory revenue equals the sum of its compensatory revenue for each building in the district and the amounts designated under Laws 2015, First Special Session chapter 3, article 2, section 70, subdivision 8, for fiscal year 2017.  Revenue shall be paid to the district and must be allocated according to section 126C.15, subdivision 2.

 

(b) For fiscal year 2025, compensatory revenue must be calculated under Laws 2023, chapter 18, section 3. For fiscal years 2024 and 2025, the compensatory education revenue for each building in the district equals the formula allowance minus $839 times the compensation revenue pupil units computed according to section 126C.05, subdivision 3.

 

(c) For fiscal year 2026 and later, the compensatory education revenue for each building in the district equals its compensatory pupils multiplied by the building compensatory allowance.  Revenue shall be paid to the district and must be allocated according to section 126C.15, subdivision 2.

 

(d) When the district contracting with an alternative program under section 124D.69 changes prior to the start of a school year, the compensatory revenue generated by pupils attending the program shall be paid to the district contracting with the alternative program for the current school year, and shall not be paid to the district contracting with the alternative program for the prior school year.

 

(e) When the fiscal agent district for an area learning center changes prior to the start of a school year, the compensatory revenue shall be paid to the fiscal agent district for the current school year, and shall not be paid to the fiscal agent district for the prior school year.

 

(f) Notwithstanding paragraph (c), for voluntary prekindergarten programs under section 124D.151, charter schools, and contracted alternative programs in the first year of operation, compensatory education revenue must be computed using data for the current fiscal year.  If the voluntary prekindergarten program, charter school, or contracted alternative program begins operation after October 1, compensatory education revenue must be computed based on pupils enrolled on an alternate date determined by the commissioner, and the compensatory education revenue must be prorated based on the ratio of the number of days of student instruction to 170 days.


Journal of the House - 117th Day - Friday, May 17, 2024 - Top of Page 16860

(g) (f) Notwithstanding paragraph (c), for fiscal year 2026, if the calculation under paragraph (d) results in statewide revenue of sum of the amounts calculated under paragraph (c) is less than $838,947,000, additional revenue must be provided the commissioner must proportionately increase the revenue to each building in a manner prescribed by the commissioner of education until the total statewide revenue calculated for each building equals $838,947,000.

 

(h) (g) Notwithstanding paragraph (c), for fiscal year 2027 and later, if the calculation under paragraph (d) results in statewide revenue of sum of the amounts calculated under paragraph (c) is less than $857,152,000, additional revenue must be provided the commissioner must proportionately increase the revenue to each building in a manner prescribed by the commissioner of education until the total statewide revenue calculated for each building equals $857,152,000.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective for revenue in fiscal year 2025 and later.

 

Sec. 9.  Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 126C.10, subdivision 3a, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 3a.  Definitions.  The definitions in this subdivision apply only to subdivisions 3, 3b, and 3c.

 

(a) "Building compensatory allowance" means a building concentration factor multiplied by the statewide compensatory allowance.

 

(b) "Building concentration factor" means the ratio of a building's compensatory pupils to the number of pupils enrolled in the building on October 1 of the previous fiscal year.

 

(c) "Compensatory pupils" means the sum of the number of pupils enrolled in a building eligible to receive free meals pursuant to subdivision 3b plus one-half of the pupils eligible to receive reduced-priced meals pursuant to subdivision 3b on October 1 of the previous fiscal year.

 

(d) "Statewide compensatory allowance" means the amount calculated pursuant to subdivision 3c.

 

(e) Notwithstanding paragraphs (b) and (c), for voluntary prekindergarten programs under section 124D.151, charter schools, and contracted alternative programs in the first year of operation, the building concentration factor and compensatory pupils must be computed using data for the current fiscal year.  If the voluntary prekindergarten program, charter school, or contracted alternative program begins operation after October 1, the building concentration factor and compensatory pupils must be computed based on pupils enrolled on an alternate date determined by the commissioner and the compensatory pupils must be prorated based on the ratio of the number of days of student instruction to 170 days.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective for revenue in fiscal year 2025 and later.

 

Sec. 10.  Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 126C.10, subdivision 3c, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 3c.  Statewide compensatory allowance.  (a) For fiscal year 2026, the statewide compensatory allowance is $6,734.  For fiscal year 2027 and later, the statewide compensatory allowance equals the statewide compensatory allowance in effect for the prior fiscal year times the ratio of the formula allowance under section 126C.10, subdivision 2, for the current fiscal year to the formula allowance under section 126C.10, subdivision 2, for the prior fiscal year, rounded to the nearest whole dollar.

 

(b) For fiscal year 2026 and later, the statewide compensatory allowance equals the statewide compensatory allowance in effect for the prior fiscal year times the ratio of the formula allowance under section 126C.10, subdivision 2, for the current fiscal year to the formula allowance under section 126C.10, subdivision 2, for the prior fiscal year, rounded to the nearest whole dollar.


Journal of the House - 117th Day - Friday, May 17, 2024 - Top of Page 16861

Sec. 11.  Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 126C.10, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 4.  Basic skills revenue.  A school district's basic skills revenue equals the sum of:

 

(1) compensatory revenue under subdivision 3; and

 

(2) English learner revenue under section 124D.65, subdivision subdivisions 5 and 5a.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective July 1, 2024.

 

Sec. 12.  Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 126C.10, subdivision 13a, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 13a.  Operating capital levy.  (a) To obtain operating capital revenue, a district may levy an amount not more than the product of its operating capital equalization revenue for the fiscal year times the lesser of one or the ratio of its adjusted net tax capacity per adjusted pupil unit to the operating capital equalizing factor.  The operating capital equalizing factor equals $23,902 for fiscal year 2020, $23,885 for fiscal year 2021, and $22,912 for fiscal year 2022 and later 2024, $23,138 for fiscal year 2025, and $22,912 for fiscal year 2026 and later.

 

(b) A district's operating capital equalization revenue equals the district's total operating capital revenue under subdivision 13, calculated without the amount under subdivision 13, paragraph (a), clause (3).

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective for revenue in fiscal year 2024 and later.

 

Sec. 13.  Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 126C.10, subdivision 18a, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 18a.  Pupil transportation adjustment.  (a) An independent, common, or special school district's transportation sparsity revenue under subdivision 18 is increased by the greater of zero or 35 percent of the difference between:

 

(1) the lesser of the district's total cost for regular and excess pupil transportation under section 123B.92, subdivision 1, paragraph (b), including depreciation, for the previous fiscal year or 105 percent of the district's total cost for the second previous fiscal year; and

 

(2) the sum of:

 

(i) 4.66 percent of the district's basic revenue for the previous fiscal year;

 

(ii) transportation sparsity revenue under subdivision 18 for the previous fiscal year;

 

(iii) the district's charter school transportation adjustment for the previous fiscal year; and

 

(iv) the district's reimbursement for transportation provided under section 123B.92, subdivision 1, paragraph (b), clause (1), item (vi); and

 

(v) the district's area learning center transportation aid under section 123B.92, subdivision 11.

 

(b) A charter school's pupil transportation adjustment equals the school district per pupil unit adjustment under paragraph (a).

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective for revenue in fiscal year 2025 and later.


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Sec. 14.  Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 127A.51, is amended to read:

 

127A.51 STATEWIDE AVERAGE REVENUE.

 

(a) By December 1 of each year the commissioner must estimate the statewide average adjusted general revenue per adjusted pupil unit and the disparity in adjusted general revenue among pupils and districts by computing the ratio of the 95th percentile to the fifth percentile of adjusted general revenue.  The commissioner must provide that information to all districts.

 

(b) If the disparity in adjusted general revenue as measured by the ratio of the 95th percentile to the fifth percentile increases in any year, the commissioner shall recommend to the legislature options for change in the general education formula that will limit the disparity in adjusted general revenue to no more than the disparity for the previous school year.  The commissioner must submit the recommended options to the education committees of the legislature by February 1.

 

(c) For purposes of this section and section 126C.10, adjusted general revenue means the sum of basic revenue under section 126C.10, subdivision 2; referendum revenue under section 126C.17; local optional revenue under section 126C.10, subdivision 2e; and equity revenue under section 126C.10, subdivisions 24a and 24b subdivision 24.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective July 1, 2024.

 

Sec. 15.  Laws 2023, chapter 55, article 1, section 36, subdivision 2, as amended by Laws 2024, chapter 81, section 1, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 2.  General education aid.  (a) For general education aid under Minnesota Statutes, section 126C.13, subdivision 4:

 

 

 

$8,103,909,000

. . . . .

2024

 

 

$ 8,299,317,000 8,333,843,000

. . . . .

2025

 

(b) The 2024 appropriation includes $707,254,000 for 2023 and $7,396,655,000 for 2024.

 

(c) The 2025 appropriation includes $771,421,000 for 2024 and $7,527,896,000 $7,562,422,000 for 2025.

 

Sec. 16.  Laws 2023, chapter 55, article 1, section 36, subdivision 8, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 8.  One-room schoolhouse.  (a) For a grant aid to Independent School District No. 690, Warroad, to operate the Angle Inlet School:

 

 

 

$65,000

. . . . .

2024

 

 

$65,000

. . . . .

2025

 

(b) This aid is 100 percent payable in the current year.

 

Sec. 17.  Laws 2023, chapter 64, article 15, section 34, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 2.  Windom School District onetime supplemental aid.  (a) For aid to Independent School District No. 177, Windom:

 

 

 

$1,000,000

. . . . .

2024


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(b) For fiscal year 2024 only, Windom School District's onetime supplemental aid equals the greater of zero or the product of:  (1) $10,000, and (2) the difference between the October 1, 2022, pupil enrollment count and the October 1, 2023, pupil enrollment count.  The amount calculated under this paragraph must not exceed $1,000,000.

 

(c) 100 percent of the aid must be paid in the current year.

 

(d) This is a onetime appropriation.

 

(e) On June 29, 2024, $840,000 from the initial fiscal year 2024 appropriation is canceled to the general fund.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective the day following final enactment.

 

Sec. 18.  BASIC SKILLS REVENUE ACCOUNT TRANSFERS.

 

Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 126C.15, subdivision 4, by June 30, 2025, school districts with a balance in their basic skills revenue account that is restricted for use on extended time programs must transfer those funds to an account that is restricted for basic skills revenue.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective the day following final enactment.

 

Sec. 19.  TASK FORCE ON ENGLISH LEARNER PROGRAMS.

 

Subdivision 1.  Task force established.  A task force is established to analyze how public schools use English learner revenue at the site level and administrative level, consider how microcredentials or other certifications may be used to improve collaboration between teachers working with English learners, and make recommendations on how English learner revenue can be used more effectively to help students become proficient in English and participate meaningfully and equally in education programs.

 

Subd. 2.  Members.  The commissioner of education, in consultation with the executive director of the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board, must appoint the following members to the task force by August 1, 2024:

 

(1) the commissioner of education or the commissioner's designee;

 

(2) the executive director of the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board or the executive director's designee;

 

(3) the executive director of the Minnesota Education Equity Partnership or the executive director's designee;

 

(4) one member who represents teacher preparation programs that enroll candidates seeking a field license in English as a second language;

 

(5) one member who represents school boards;

 

(6) one member who represents the superintendent;

 

(7) one member who is a teacher of English learners;

 

(8) one member who is a teacher in a state-approved alternative program;

 

(9) one member who is a director of an English learner program in a school district;


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(10) one member who is a director of a state-approved alternative program;

 

(11) one member who is a parent of a student identified as an English learner;

 

(12) one member who is a parent liaison to families of English learners in a school district;

 

(13) one member who is a parent of a student enrolled in a state-approved alternative program;

 

(14) one member from the Southeast Service Cooperative's Project Momentum; and

 

(15) one member from a community organization that works with families of English learners.

 

Subd. 3.  Duties.  (a) The task force must:

 

(1) review best practices in English learner programming, including:

 

(i) an accountability framework that uses student performance on state assessments to determine whether the program is improving academic outcomes for English learners;

 

(ii) staffing and managing an English learner program, including providing appropriate professional development for teachers, administrators, and other staff;

 

(iii) evaluation of the efficacy of the English learner program; and

 

(iv) ensuring meaningful communication and engagement with limited English proficient parents;

 

(2) review best practices in providing services to students who are eligible to participate in the graduation incentives program under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.68, including:

 

(i) an accountability framework that uses credit recovery rates and graduation rates to determine whether the program is improving academic outcomes for participating students; and

 

(ii) professional development for teachers and other staff;

 

(3) analyze how English learner revenue is used at the site level and administrative level and whether expenditures align with the best practices identified under clause (1);

 

(4) identify obstacles to hiring and retaining necessary staff to support effective English learner programs;

 

(5) analyze how microcredentials or other certifications can improve collaboration among teachers working with English learners, and recommend a process for awarding the microcredentials or other certifications; and

 

(6) to the extent time is available, review best practices for dual enrollment programs for students eligible for the graduation incentives program, including the provision of college and career and readiness counselors and:

 

(i) an accountability framework based on the acceleration of dual credit accumulation before a student graduates from high school;

 

(ii) professional development for counselors; and

 

(iii) evaluation of the efficacy of the dual enrollment program.


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(b) The task force must review data regarding student access to teachers with a field license in English as a second language.

 

(c) The task force must report its findings and recommendations on the current use of English learner revenue at the site level and administrative level, implementation of microcredentials or other certifications, and how English learner funding can be used more effectively to help students become proficient in English and participate meaningfully and equally in an education program.  The task force must submit the report to the legislative committees with jurisdiction over kindergarten through grade 12 education by February 15, 2025.

 

Subd. 4.  Compensation.  Minnesota Statutes, section 15.059, subdivision 3, governs compensation of the members of the task force.

 

Subd. 5.  Meetings and administrative support.  (a) The commissioner of education or the commissioner's designee must convene the first meeting of the task force no later than August 15, 2024.  The task force must establish a schedule for meetings and meet as necessary to accomplish the duties under subdivision 3.  Meetings are subject to Minnesota Statutes, chapter 13D.  The task force may meet by telephone or interactive technology consistent with Minnesota Statutes, section 13D.015.

 

(b) The Department of Education must provide administrative support to assist the task force in its work, including providing information and technical support, and must assist in the creation of the report under subdivision 3.

 

Subd. 6.  Expiration.  The task force expires February 15, 2025, or upon submission of the report required under subdivision 3, whichever is later.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective the day following final enactment.

 

Sec. 20.  STUDENT ATTENDANCE PILOT PROGRAM.

 

Subdivision 1.  Pilot program established.  A pilot program is established to support districts developing and implementing innovative strategies to improve student attendance, and help policymakers determine how to effectively support district efforts to improve student attendance and engagement.  The pilot program is effective for the 2024-2025, 2025-2026, and 2026-2027 school years.

 

Subd. 2.  Participating districts.  (a) The pilot program consists of the following school districts:

 

(1) Special School District No. 1, Minneapolis;

 

(2) Independent School District No. 13, Columbia Heights;

 

(3) Independent School District No. 38, Red Lake;

 

(4) Independent School District No. 47, Sauk Rapids-Rice;

 

(5) Independent School District No. 77, Mankato;

 

(6) Independent School District No. 152, Moorhead;

 

(7) Independent School District No. 166, Cook County;

 

(8) Independent School District No. 177, Windom;


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(9) Independent School District No. 191, Burnsville;

 

(10) Independent School District No. 535, Rochester;

 

(11) Independent School District No. 659, Northfield; and

 

(12) Independent School District No. 695, Chisholm.

 

(b) Special School District No. 1, Minneapolis, must serve as the lead district in the pilot program.  The duties of the lead district are:

 

(1) convening virtual quarterly meetings of the participating districts to share updates on implementation to facilitate collaboration on promising practices;

 

(2) developing a template for each district to report its goals, strategies, policies, or practices for counting and reporting attendance and absences, challenges, efforts to assess effectiveness, data on student absenteeism, and lessons learned; and

 

(3) reporting progress and results of the pilot program in accordance with subdivision 4.

 

(c) Independent School District No. 38, Red Lake, must partner with Charter School District No. 4298, Endazhi‑Nitaawiging, to implement strategies to reduce student absenteeism at both the district and charter school.

 

(d) By July 1, 2024, each district must designate a primary staff person responsible for implementing the pilot program.  The participating districts must hold their first meeting by August 1, 2024.

 

Subd. 3.  Strategies.  Participating districts must use pilot program aid to develop and implement sustainable strategies to reduce student absenteeism.  Allowable uses of pilot program aid include but are not limited to:

 

(1) addressing risk factors for high absenteeism through supports and interventions;

 

(2) strategies that focus on the individual needs of each student;

 

(3) personalized outreach to students who have stopped attending school, including home visits and connecting with students in community centers or other public areas;

 

(4) regular meetings with students to provide tutoring or other supports or to connect students with resources that provide tutoring or other supports;

 

(5) activities that increase students' sense of belonging in the school community;

 

(6) data analysis to assess the effectiveness of district strategies; and

 

(7) technology that assists districts' efforts to communicate with students and families.

 

Subd. 4.  Reporting.  (a) The lead school district must submit reports to the chairs and minority leaders of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over kindergarten through grade 12 education by December 31, 2024; July 1, 2025; July 1, 2026; and September 1, 2027.  Each report must include each participating district's individual reports. 


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(b) The first report must identify the goals and strategies each district plans to implement during the pilot program, and how each district counts and reports latenesses and absences.  The other reports must identify each district's goals, strategies, challenges in meeting goals or implementing planned strategies, promising practices and practices that were not effective, and attendance data for the school year preceding the pilot program and the three school years of the pilot program.  The attendance data must include attendance data for students that were absent up to ten percent of classes or school days, between ten and 29 percent of classes or school days, between 30 and 49 percent of classes or school days, and 50 percent or more of classes or school days; and for students who are homeless or highly mobile.  The fourth report must also include recommendations for funding and statutory changes that would facilitate district efforts to implement local solutions to improve attendance.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective the day following final enactment.

 

Sec. 21.  STUDENT ATTENDANCE AND TRUANCY LEGISLATIVE STUDY GROUP.

 

Subdivision 1.  Establishment.  A legislative study group is established to study issues related to student attendance and truancy.

 

Subd. 2.  Members.  (a) The legislative study group on student attendance and truancy consists of:

 

(1) four duly elected and currently serving members of the house of representatives, two appointed by the speaker of the house and two appointed by the house minority leader; and

 

(2) four duly elected and currently serving senators, two appointed by the senate majority leader and two appointed by the senate minority leader.

 

(b) The appointments must be made by June 15, 2024, and expire December 31, 2024.

 

(c) If a vacancy occurs, the leader of the caucus in the house of representatives or senate to which the vacating study group member belonged must fill the vacancy.

 

Subd. 3.  Duties.  (a) The legislative study group must study and evaluate ways to increase student attendance and reduce truancy.  In preparing the recommendations, the group must consider the following:

 

(1) current statutory requirements relating to student attendance and truancy;

 

(2) currently available attendance data and additional data that would help schools and policy makers understand and reduce absenteeism;

 

(3) the effect of school programs and strategies to improve attendance;

 

(4) the role of school principals in addressing student absenteeism;

 

(5) the role of the Department of Education in addressing student absenteeism;

 

(6) the role of counties in addressing truancy; and

 

(7) how truant students are tracked across county lines.

 

(b) The study group must identify and include in its report any statutory changes needed to implement the study group recommendations.


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Subd. 4.  Meetings and chair.  (a) The speaker of the house must designate a member to convene the first meeting of the study group, which must be held no later than July 15, 2024.  Members of the study group must elect a chair from among the members present at the first meeting.  The study group must meet periodically.

 

(b) Meetings of the study group are subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 3.055.  The meetings may be conducted by interactive television.

 

Subd. 5.  Administrative support.  The Department of Education must cooperate with the legislative study group and provide information requested in a timely fashion.  The Legislative Coordinating Commission must provide meeting space, technical and administrative support, and staff support for the study group.  The study group may hold meetings in any publicly accessible location in the Capitol complex that is equipped with technology that can facilitate remote testimony.

 

Subd. 6.  Consultation with stakeholders.  In making recommendations, the study group must consult with interested and affected stakeholders.

 

Subd. 7.  Report.  The study group must submit a preliminary report with its recommendations to the legislative committees and divisions with jurisdiction over kindergarten through grade 12 education by November 1, 2024, and a final report by December 31, 2024.

 

Subd. 8.  Expiration.  The study group expires December 31, 2024, or on the date upon which the final report required under subdivision 7 is submitted to the legislature, whichever is later.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective the day following final enactment.

 

Sec. 22.  APPROPRIATION.

 

Subdivision 1.  Department of Education.  The sums indicated in this section are appropriated from the general fund to the Department of Education in the fiscal years designated.

 

Subd. 2.  Attendance pilot program.  (a) For attendance pilot program aid:

 

 

 

$4,687,000

. . . . .

2025

 

(b) Of the amount in paragraph (a), the department must provide aid to the participating districts in the following amounts:

 

(1) $1,022,000 for Special School District No. 1, Minneapolis;

 

(2) $253,000 for Independent School District No. 13, Columbia Heights;

 

(3) $196,000 for Independent School District No. 38, Red Lake;

 

(4) $281,000 for Independent School District No. 47, Sauk Rapids-Rice;

 

(5) $398,000 for Independent School District No. 77, Mankato;

 

(6) $374,000 for Independent School District No. 152, Moorhead;

 

(7) $164,000 for Independent School District No. 166, Cook County;


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(8) $185,000 for Independent School District No. 177, Windom;

 

(9) $378,000 for Independent School District No. 191, Burnsville;

 

(10) $670,000 for Independent School District No. 535, Rochester;

 

(11) $266,000 for Independent School District No. 659, Northfield; and

 

(12) $170,000 for Independent School District No. 695, Chisholm.

 

(c) Up to $330,000 is available for the department to administer the pilot program and to support attendance data analysis and use.

 

(d) Aid payments to school districts must be paid 100 percent in fiscal year 2025.  Districts may use the aid in the 2024-2025, 2025-2026, and 2026-2027 school years.  If a school district withdraws from the student attendance pilot program prior to the completion of the pilot project, the commissioner must proportionately reduce the district's aid amount and reduce the school district's other aid amounts by that same amount.

 

(e) This is a onetime appropriation and is available until June 30, 2026.

 

Subd. 3.  Minnesota Alliance With Youth.  (a) For a grant to the Minnesota Alliance With Youth to improve student attendance and academic engagement provided through the Promise Fellow program:

 

 

 

$625,000

. . . . .

2025

 

(b) The Promise Fellow program must form partnerships with AmeriCorps members, individual schools, school districts, charter schools, and community organizations to provide attendance and academic engagement intervention services.  Services may include family and caregiver outreach and engagement, academic support, connection to out-of-school activities and resources, and individual and small group mentoring designed to help students return to and maintain consistent school attendance.

 

(c) The Minnesota Alliance With Youth must promote Promise Fellow program opportunities throughout the state.

 

(d) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 16B.98, subdivision 14, up to three percent of the appropriation is available for grant administration.

 

(e) This is a onetime appropriation and is available until June 30, 2026.

 

Subd. 4.  Student attendance and truancy legislative study group.  (a) For transfer to the Legislative Coordinating Commission for the student attendance and truancy legislative study group:

 

 

 

$64,000

. . . . .

2025

 

(b) This is a onetime appropriation.

 

Subd. 5.  English learner program task force.  (a) For the English learner program task force:

 

 

 

$117,000

. . . . .

2025

 

(b) This is a onetime appropriation.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective July 1, 2024.


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ARTICLE 2

EDUCATION EXCELLENCE

 

Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 120B.018, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 6.  Required standard.  "Required standard" means (1) a statewide adopted expectation for student learning in the content areas of language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, physical education, health, and the arts, and (2) a locally adopted expectation for student learning in health.  Locally developed academic standards in health apply until statewide rules implementing statewide health standards under section 120B.021, subdivision 3, are required to be implemented in the classroom.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective July 1, 2024.

 

Sec. 2.  Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 120B.021, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1.  Required academic standards.  (a) The following subject areas are required for statewide accountability:

 

(1) language arts;

 

(2) mathematics, encompassing algebra II, integrated mathematics III, or an equivalent in high school, and to be prepared for the three credits of mathematics in grades 9 through 12, the grade 8 standards include completion of algebra;

 

(3) science, including earth and space science, life science, and the physical sciences, including chemistry and physics;

 

(4) social studies, including history, geography, economics, and government and citizenship that includes civics;

 

(5) physical education;

 

(6) health, for which locally developed academic standards apply; and

 

(7) the arts.  Public elementary and middle schools must offer at least three and require at least two of the following five arts areas:  dance; media arts; music; theater; and visual arts.  Public high schools must offer at least three and require at least one of the following five arts areas:  media arts; dance; music; theater; and visual arts.

 

(b) For purposes of applicable federal law, the academic standards for language arts, mathematics, and science apply to all public school students, except the very few students with extreme cognitive or physical impairments for whom an individualized education program team has determined that the required academic standards are inappropriate.  An individualized education program team that makes this determination must establish alternative standards.

 

(c) The department may modify SHAPE America (Society of Health and Physical Educators) standards and adapt the national standards to accommodate state interest.  The modification and adaptations must maintain the purpose and integrity of the national standards.  The department must make available sample assessments, which school districts may use as an alternative to local assessments, to assess students' mastery of the physical education standards beginning in the 2018-2019 school year.

 

(d) A school district may include child sexual abuse prevention instruction in a health curriculum, consistent with paragraph (a), clause (6).  Child sexual abuse prevention instruction may include age-appropriate instruction on recognizing sexual abuse and assault, boundary violations, and ways offenders groom or desensitize victims, as well


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as strategies to promote disclosure, reduce self-blame, and mobilize bystanders.  A school district may provide instruction under this paragraph in a variety of ways, including at an annual assembly or classroom presentation.  A school district may also provide parents information on the warning signs of child sexual abuse and available resources.

 

(e) District efforts to develop, implement, or improve instruction or curriculum as a result of the provisions of this section must be consistent with sections 120B.10, 120B.11, and 120B.20.

 

(f) Locally developed academic standards in health apply until statewide rules implementing statewide health standards under subdivision 3 are required to be implemented in the classroom.

 

Sec. 3.  Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 120B.021, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 2.  Standards development.  (a) The commissioner must consider advice from at least the following stakeholders in developing statewide rigorous core academic standards in language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, including history, geography, economics, government and citizenship, health, and the arts:

 

(1) parents of school-age children and members of the public throughout the state;

 

(2) teachers throughout the state currently licensed and providing instruction in language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, health, or the arts and licensed elementary and secondary school principals throughout the state currently administering a school site;

 

(3) currently serving members of local school boards and charter school boards throughout the state;

 

(4) faculty teaching core subjects at postsecondary institutions in Minnesota;

 

(5) representatives of the Minnesota business community; and

 

(6) representatives from the Tribal Nations Education Committee and Tribal Nations and communities in Minnesota, including both Anishinaabe and Dakota.; and

 

(7) current students, with input from the Minnesota Youth Council.

 

(b) Academic standards must:

 

(1) be clear, concise, objective, measurable, and grade-level appropriate;

 

(2) not require a specific teaching methodology or curriculum; and

 

(3) be consistent with the Constitutions of the United States and the state of Minnesota.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective the day following final enactment.

 

Sec. 4.  Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 120B.021, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 3.  Rulemaking.  (a) The commissioner, consistent with the requirements of this section and section 120B.022, must adopt statewide rules under section 14.389 for implementing statewide rigorous core academic standards in language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, physical education, and the arts.

 

(b) The commissioner must adopt statewide rules for implementing statewide rigorous core academic standards in health.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective the day following final enactment.


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Sec. 5.  Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 120B.021, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 4.  Revisions and reviews required.  (a) The commissioner of education must revise the state's academic standards and graduation requirements and implement a ten-year cycle to review and, consistent with the review, revise state academic standards and related benchmarks, consistent with this subdivision.  During each ten-year review and revision cycle, the commissioner also must examine the alignment of each required academic standard and related benchmark with the knowledge and skills students need for career and college readiness and advanced work in the particular subject area.  The commissioner must include the contributions of Minnesota American Indian Tribes and communities, including urban Indigenous communities, as related to the academic standards during the review and revision of the required academic standards.  The commissioner must embed Indigenous education for all students consistent with recommendations from Tribal Nations and urban Indigenous communities in Minnesota regarding the contributions of American Indian Tribes and communities in Minnesota into the state's academic standards during the review and revision of the required academic standards.  The recommendations to embed Indigenous education for all students includes but is not limited to American Indian experiences in Minnesota, including Tribal histories, Indigenous languages, sovereignty issues, cultures, treaty rights, governments, socioeconomic experiences, contemporary issues, and current events.

 

(b) The commissioner must ensure that the statewide mathematics assessments administered to students in grades 3 through 8 and 11 are aligned with the state academic standards in mathematics, consistent with section 120B.302, subdivision 3, paragraph (a).  The commissioner must implement a review of the academic standards and related benchmarks in mathematics beginning in the 2021-2022 school year and every ten years thereafter.

 

(c) The commissioner must implement a review of the academic standards and related benchmarks in arts beginning in the 2017-2018 school year and every ten years thereafter.

 

(d) The commissioner must implement a review of the academic standards and related benchmarks in science beginning in the 2018-2019 school year and every ten years thereafter.

 

(e) The commissioner must implement a review of the academic standards and related benchmarks in language arts beginning in the 2019-2020 school year and every ten years thereafter.

 

(f) The commissioner must implement a review of the academic standards and related benchmarks in social studies beginning in the 2020-2021 school year and every ten years thereafter.

 

(g) The commissioner must implement a review of the academic standards and related benchmarks in physical education beginning in the 2026-2027 school year and every ten years thereafter.

 

(h) The commissioner must implement a review of the academic standards and related benchmarks in health education beginning in the 2034-2035 school year and every ten years thereafter.

 

(h) (i) School districts and charter schools must revise and align local academic standards and high school graduation requirements in health, world languages, and career and technical education to require students to complete the revised standards beginning in a school year determined by the school district or charter school.  School districts and charter schools must formally establish a periodic review cycle for the academic standards and related benchmarks in health, world languages, and career and technical education.

 

(i) (j) The commissioner of education must embed technology and information literacy standards consistent with recommendations from school media specialists into the state's academic standards and graduation requirements.

 

(j) (k) The commissioner of education must embed ethnic studies as related to the academic standards during the review and revision of the required academic standards.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective July 1, 2024.


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Sec. 6.  Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 120B.024, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1.  Graduation requirements.  (a) Students must successfully complete the following high school level credits for graduation:

 

(1) four credits of language arts sufficient to satisfy all of the academic standards in English language arts;

 

(2) three credits of mathematics sufficient to satisfy all of the academic standards in mathematics;

 

(3) three credits of science, including one credit to satisfy all the earth and space science standards for grades 9 through 12, one credit to satisfy all the life science standards for grades 9 through 12, and one credit to satisfy all the chemistry or physics standards for grades 9 through 12;

 

(4) three and one-half credits of social studies, including credit for a course in government and citizenship in either grade 11 or 12 for students beginning grade 9 in the 2024-2025 school year and later or an advanced placement, international baccalaureate, or other rigorous course on government and citizenship under section 120B.021, subdivision 1a, and a combination of other credits encompassing at least United States history, geography, government and citizenship, world history, and economics sufficient to satisfy all of the academic standards in social studies;

 

(5) one credit of the arts sufficient to satisfy all of the academic standards in the arts;

 

(6) credits sufficient to satisfy the state standards in physical education; and

 

(7) credits sufficient to satisfy the state standards in health upon adoption of statewide rules for implementing health standards under section 120B.021; and

 

(7) (8) a minimum of seven elective credits.

 

(b) Students who begin grade 9 in the 2024-2025 school year and later must successfully complete a course for credit in personal finance in grade 10, 11, or 12.  A teacher of a personal finance course that satisfies the graduation requirement must have a field license or out-of-field permission in agricultural education, business, family and consumer science, social studies, or math.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective July 1, 2024.

 

Sec. 7.  Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 121A.035, is amended to read:

 

121A.035 CRISIS MANAGEMENT POLICY.

 

Subdivision 1.  Model policy.  The commissioner shall maintain and make available to school boards and charter schools a model crisis management policy that includes, among other items, cardiac emergency response plans, school lock-down and tornado drills, consistent with subdivision 2, and school fire drills under section 299F.30.

 

Subd. 2.  School district and charter school policy.  (a) A school board and a charter school must adopt a crisis management policy to address potential violent crisis situations in the district or charter school.  The policy must be developed cooperatively with administrators, teachers, employees, students, parents, community members, law enforcement agencies, other emergency management officials, county attorney offices, social service agencies, emergency medical responders, and any other appropriate individuals or organizations.  The policy must include at least five school lock-down drills, five school fire drills consistent with section 299F.30, and one tornado drill.


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(b) A school board or a charter school may adopt the model cardiac emergency response plan provided by the commissioner under subdivision 1.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective January 1, 2025.

 

Sec. 8.  Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 124D.093, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 4.  Approval process.  (a) The commissioner of education must appoint an advisory committee to review the applications and to recommend approval for those applications that meet the requirements of this section.  The commissioner of education has final authority over application approvals.

 

(b) To the extent practicable, the commissioner must ensure an equitable geographic distribution of approved P-TECH schools.

 

(c) The commissioner must first begin approving applications for a P-TECH school enrolling students in the 2020-2021 school year or later.

 

Sec. 9.  Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 124D.093, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 5.  P-TECH implementation grants:  support; start-up; and mentoring grants.  (a) When an appropriation is available, each P-TECH school is eligible for a grant to support start-up and ongoing program costs, which may include, but are not limited to, recruitment, student support, program materials, and P-TECH school liaisons.  A P-TECH school may form a partnership with a school in another school district.

 

(b) For fiscal year 2026 and later, the maximum P-TECH support grant must not exceed $500,000 per year.

 

(c) An approved P-TECH school is eligible to receive a grant to support start-up costs the year before first enrolling P-TECH students.  A start-up grant may be awarded to a new applicant in an amount not to exceed $50,000.

 

(d) A grant recipient operating a P-TECH program may provide mentoring and technical assistance to a school eligible for a start-up grant.  A mentoring and technical assistance grant may not exceed $50,000.

 

(e) For each year that an appropriation is made for the purposes of this section, the department may retain five percent of the appropriation for grant administration and program oversight.

 

Sec. 10.  Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 124D.957, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1.  Establishment and membership.  The Minnesota Youth Council Committee is established within and under the auspices of the Minnesota Alliance With Youth.  The committee consists of four members from each congressional district in Minnesota and four members selected at-large.  Members must be selected through an application and interview process conducted by the Minnesota Alliance With Youth.  In making its appointments, the Minnesota Alliance With Youth should strive to ensure gender and ethnic diversity in the committee's membership.  Members must be between the ages of 13 and 19 in grades 8 through 12 and serve two-year terms, except that one-half of the initial members must serve a one-year term.  Members may serve a maximum of two terms.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective for appointments made on or after July 1, 2024.


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Sec. 11.  Laws 2023, chapter 55, article 1, section 36, subdivision 13, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 13.  Emergency medical training.  (a) For grants to offer high school students courses in emergency medical services:

 

 

 

$500,000

. . . . .

2024

 

 

$ 500,000 750,000

. . . . .

2025

 

(b) A school district, charter school, or cooperative unit under Minnesota Statutes, section 123A.24, subdivision 2, may apply for a grant under this section to offer enrolled students emergency medical services courses approved by the Minnesota Emergency Medical Services Regulatory Board to prepare students to take the emergency medical technician certification test, including an emergency medical services course that is a prerequisite to an emergency medical technician course.

 

(c) A grant recipient may use grant funds to partner with a district, charter school, cooperative unit, postsecondary institution, political subdivision, or entity with expertise in emergency medical services, including health systems, hospitals, ambulance services, and health care providers to offer an emergency medical services course.

 

(d) Eligible uses of grant funds include teacher salaries, transportation, equipment costs, emergency medical technician certification test fees, and student background checks.

 

(e) To the extent practicable, the commissioner must award at least half of the grant funds to applicants outside of the seven-county metropolitan area, and at least 30 percent of the grant funds to applicants with high concentrations of students of color.

 

(f) Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is available in the second year.

 

(g) Up to $50,000 each year is available for grant administration.

 

(h) Of the amount in fiscal year 2025 only, $250,000 is for a grant to Independent School District No. 742, St. Cloud, for an emergency medical services education facility suitable for coursework in emergency medical services.  For the project under this paragraph, eligible uses of grant funds include any design and construction costs and remodeling costs necessary to prepare the education facility in addition to the eligible uses under paragraph (d).  Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 16B.98, subdivision 14, in addition to the amount under paragraph (g), up to three percent of the amount in this paragraph is available for grant administration.

 

(i) The base for fiscal year 2026 and later is $500,000.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective the day following final enactment.

 

Sec. 12.  Laws 2023, chapter 55, article 2, section 61, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 4.  Computer science educator training and capacity building.  (a) The Department of Education shall develop and implement, or award grants or subcontract with eligible entities, for the development and implementation of high-quality, coordinated teacher recruitment and educator training programs for computer science courses and content as defined in subdivision 1 and or aligned to the state strategic plan as developed under subdivision 3.


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(b) For the purposes of this subdivision, eligible entities include:

 

(1) local educational agencies or a consortium of local educational agencies in the state; and or

 

(2) high-quality computer science professional learning providers, including institutions of higher education in the state that are reasonably accessible geographically to all Minnesota educators, nonprofits, other state-funded entities, or private entities working in partnership with a consortium of local educational agencies.

 

(c) For purposes of this subdivision, eligible uses of funding include:

 

(1) high-quality professional learning opportunities for kindergarten through grade 12 computer science content that:

 

(i) are created and delivered in a consistent manner across the state;

 

(ii) are made available with no out-of-pocket expenses to educators, including teachers, counselors, administrators, and other district employees as approved by the Department of Education, schools, and school districts;

 

(iii) are made available asynchronously online, in person, and online or hybrid as determined appropriate by the Department of Education; and

 

(iv) include introductory, intermediate, and advanced trainings aligned to the kindergarten through grade 12 academic standards or, as necessary, other standards approved by the Department of Education, specified for each of the grade bands kindergarten through grade 2, grades 3 to 5, grades 6 to 8, and grades 9 to 12;

 

(2) professional learning opportunities for educators of students in grades 9 to 12 that may include trainings for advanced placement, international baccalaureate, and concurrent enrollment credit computer science courses;

 

(3) travel expenses for kindergarten through grade 12 computer science teachers:

 

(i) for attending training opportunities under clauses (1) and (2); and

 

(ii) deemed appropriate and approved by the commissioner of education, or the commissioner of education's designee;

 

(4) any future credentialing for kindergarten through grade 12 computer science teachers, including Career and Technical Education and academic endorsements;

 

(5) supports for kindergarten through grade 12 computer science professional learning, including mentoring and coaching;

 

(6) creation and deployment of resources to promote training opportunities and recruitment of kindergarten through grade 12 computer science teachers;

 

(7) creation or purchase of resources to support implementation approved by the commissioner of education, or the commissioner of education's designee;

 

(8) creation and deployment of resources to promote learning opportunities or recruit students to engage in the learning opportunities;

 

(9) development of teacher credentialing programs;


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(10) planning for districts to implement or expand computer science education opportunities; and or

 

(11) employment, or grant for employment, of personnel or contractors to oversee the statewide initiative, develop programs and trainings, and deliver training opportunities under clause (1).

 

(d) As a condition of receiving any funding through grants or subcontracts, eligible entities must submit an application to the Department of Education.  The application must, at a minimum, address how the entity will:

 

(1) reach new and existing teachers with little to no computer science background;

 

(2) attract and support educators from schools that currently do not have established computer science education programs;

 

(3) use research- or evidence-based practices for high-quality professional development;

 

(4) focus the professional learning on the conceptual foundations of computer science;

 

(5) reach and support subgroups underrepresented in computer science;

 

(6) provide teachers with concrete experience through hands-on, inquiry-based practices;

 

(7) accommodate the particular teacher and student needs in each district and school; and

 

(8) ensure that participating districts begin offering computer science courses or computer science content as part of another course within the same or subsequent school year after the teacher receives the professional learning.

 

(e) The Department of Education shall prioritize the following applications:

 

(1) local educational agencies or consortiums of local educational agencies that are working in partnership with providers of high-quality professional learning for kindergarten through grade 12 computer science;

 

(2) proposals that describe strategies to increase computer science participation or enrollment overall, including but not limited to subgroups of students that are traditionally underrepresented in computer science; and

 

(3) proposals from rural or urban areas with a low penetration of kindergarten through grade 12 computer science offerings, including local education consortiums within these areas.

 

(f) The award recipient shall report, for all funding received under this section annually, at a minimum:

 

(1) the number of teachers:

 

(i) trained within each elementary, middle, and high school; and

 

(ii) trained within trainings offered as outlined in paragraph (c), clause (1), item (iv);

 

(2) the number of trainings offered in advanced placement, international baccalaureate, and concurrent enrollment credit computer science courses; and

 

(3) the number of teachers, and percentage of teachers trained, that started implementing computer science courses limited to middle and high school implementation.

 

(g) The Department of Education shall make these reports public.  The publicly released data shall not include student-level personally identifiable information.


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Sec. 13.  Laws 2023, chapter 55, article 2, section 64, subdivision 2, as amended by Laws 2024, chapter 81, section 8, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 2.  Achievement and integration aid.  (a) For achievement and integration aid under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.862:

 

 

 

$82,818,000

. . . . .

2024

 

 

$ 84,739,000 85,043,000

. . . . .

2025

 

(b) The 2024 appropriation includes $8,172,000 for 2023 and $74,646,000 for 2024.

 

(c) The 2025 appropriation includes $8,294,000 for 2024 and $76,445,000 $76,749,000 for 2025.

 

Sec. 14.  Laws 2023, chapter 55, article 2, section 64, subdivision 9, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 9.  Computer science education advancement.  (a) For computer science advancement:

 

 

 

$500,000

. . . . .

2024

 

 

$500,000

. . . . .

2025

 

(b) Of this amount, $150,000 is for the computer science supervisor.

 

(c) For fiscal year 2025 only, $50,000 must be transferred to the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board for computer science teacher licensure activities.

 

(c) (d) Eligible uses of the appropriation include expenses related to the implementation of article 2, section 61, and or expenses related to the development, advancement, and promotion of kindergarten through grade 12 computer science education.

 

(d) (e) Any balance in the first year does not cancel and is available in the second year.

 

Sec. 15.  Laws 2023, chapter 55, article 2, section 64, subdivision 14, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 14.  Ethnic studies school grants.  (a) For competitive grants to school districts and charter schools to develop, evaluate, and implement ethnic studies courses:

 

 

 

$700,000

. . . . .

2024

 

 

$700,000

. . . . .

2025

 

(b) The commissioner must consult with the Ethnic Studies Working Group to develop criteria for the grants.

 

(c) Up to five percent of the appropriation is available for grant administration.

 

(d) Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is available in the second year.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective the day following final enactment.


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Sec. 16.  Laws 2023, chapter 55, article 2, section 64, subdivision 16, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 16.  Full-service community schools.  (a) For grants to plan or expand the full-service community schools program under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.231:

 

 

 

$7,500,000

. . . . .

2024

 

 

$7,500,000

. . . . .

2025

 

(b) Of this amount, priority must be given to programs in the following order: 

 

(1) current grant recipients issued under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.231;

 

(2) schools identified as low-performing under the federal Every Student Succeeds Act; and

 

(3) any other applicants.

 

(c) Up to two percent of the appropriation is available for grant administration.

 

(d) The base for fiscal year 2026 and later is $5,000,000.

 

(e) Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is available in the second year.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective the day following final enactment.

 

Sec. 17.  Laws 2023, chapter 55, article 2, section 64, subdivision 26, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 26.  Minnesota Council on Economic Education.  (a) For a grant to the Minnesota Council on Economic Education:

 

 

 

$200,000

. . . . .

2024

 

 

$200,000

. . . . .

2025

 

(b) The grant must be used to:

 

(1) provide professional development to kindergarten through grade 12 teachers implementing state graduation standards in learning areas related to economic education; and

 

(2) support the direct-to-student ancillary economic and personal finance programs that teachers supervise and coach.

 

(c) By February 15 of each year following the receipt of a grant, the Minnesota Council on Economic Education must report to the commissioner of education the number and type of in-person and online teacher professional development opportunities provided by the Minnesota Council on Economic Education or its affiliated state centers.  The report must include a description of the content, length, and location of the programs; the number of preservice and licensed teachers receiving professional development through each of these opportunities; and summaries of evaluations of teacher professional opportunities.

 

(d) The Department of Education must pay the full amount of the grant to the Minnesota Council on Economic Education by August 15 of each fiscal year for which the grant is appropriated. The Minnesota Council on Economic Education must submit its fiscal reporting in the form and manner specified by the commissioner.  The commissioner may request additional information as necessary.


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(e) Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is available in the second year.

 

(f) The base for fiscal year 2026 and later is $0.

 

Sec. 18.  Laws 2023, chapter 55, article 2, section 64, subdivision 31, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 31.  Nonexclusionary discipline.  (a) For grants to school districts and charter schools to provide training for school staff on nonexclusionary disciplinary practices:

 

 

 

$1,750,000

. . . . .

2024

 

 

$1,750,000

. . . . .

2025

 

(b) Grants are to develop training and to work with schools to train staff on nonexclusionary disciplinary practices that maintain the respect, trust, and attention of students and help keep students in classrooms.  These funds may also be used for grant administration.

 

(c) Eligible grantees include school districts, charter schools, intermediate school districts, and cooperative units as defined in section 123A.24, subdivision 2.

 

(d) Up to five percent of the appropriation is available for grant administration.

 

(e) Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is available in the second year.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective the day following final enactment.

 

Sec. 19.  Laws 2023, chapter 55, article 2, section 64, subdivision 33, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 33.  P-TECH schools.  (a) For P-TECH support grants under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.093, subdivision 5:

 

 

 

$791,000

. . . . .

2024

 

 

$ 791,000 0

. . . . .

2025

 

(b) The amounts in this subdivision are for grants, including to a public-private partnership that includes Independent School District No. 535, Rochester.

 

(c) Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is available in the second year This appropriation is available until June 30, 2025.  The base for fiscal year 2026 and later is $0.

 

(d) Up to five percent of the fiscal year 2024 appropriation is available for grant administration.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective the day following final enactment.

 

Sec. 20.  ALTERNATIVE TO PUBLISHING.

 

(a) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, when a qualified newspaper designated by a school district ceases to exist for any reason except consolidation with another newspaper, the school district may publish its proceedings on the school district's website instead of publishing the proceedings in a newspaper.  The school district must also request that the same information be posted at each public library located within the school district for the notice's publication period.  This section expires August 1, 2026.


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(b) If, before August 1, 2026, there is a newspaper located within a school district's boundaries that is qualified to be designated as the school district's official newspaper pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, section 331A.04, then the exemption provided in this section shall not apply, provided that the qualified newspaper's legal rate is not more than ten percent above the rate charged by the school district's previous official newspaper and the qualified newspaper provides some coverage of the activities of the school district that is publishing the notice.

 

Sec. 21.  HEALTH EDUCATION STANDARDS.

 

Subdivision 1.  Statewide standards.  The commissioner of education must begin the rulemaking process to adopt statewide academic standards in health in accordance with Minnesota Statutes, chapter 14 and section 120B.021.  The commissioner must consult with the commissioner of health and the commissioner of human services in developing the proposed rules.  The rules must include at least the expectations for student learning listed in subdivision 2, and may include the expectations in subdivision 3, in addition to other expectations for learning identified through the standards development process.

 

Subd. 2.  Required health-related subject areas.  The commissioner must include the following expectations for learning in the statewide standards:

 

(1) cardiopulmonary resuscitation and automatic external defibrillator education that allows districts to provide instruction to students in grades 7 through 12 in accordance with Minnesota Statutes, section 120B.236;

 

(2) vaping awareness and prevention education that allows districts to provide instruction to students in grades 6 through 8 in accordance with Minnesota Statutes, section 120B.238, subdivision 3;

 

(3) cannabis use and substance use education that allows districts to provide instruction to students in grades 6 through 12 in accordance with Minnesota Statutes, section 120B.215;

 

(4) sexually transmitted infections and diseases education that meets the requirements of Minnesota Statutes, section 121A.23; and

 

(5) mental health education for students in grades 4 through 12.

 

Subd. 3.  Other health-related subject areas.  The commissioner may include the following expectations for learning in the statewide standards:

 

(1) child sexual abuse prevention education in accordance with Minnesota Statutes, sections 120B.021, subdivision 1, paragraph (d); and 120B.234;

 

(2) violence prevention education in accordance with Minnesota Statutes, section 120B.22;

 

(3) character development education in accordance with Minnesota Statutes, section 120B.232;

 

(4) safe and supportive schools education in accordance with Minnesota Statutes, section 121A.031, subdivision 5; and

 

(5) other expectations for learning identified through the standards development process.

 

Sec. 22.  APPROPRIATIONS.

 

Subdivision 1.  Department of Education.  The sums indicated in this section are appropriated from the general fund to the Department of Education for the fiscal years designated.


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Subd. 2.  Civic education grants.  (a) For grants to the YMCA Youth in Government program and the YMCA Center for Youth Voice program to support civic education programs for youth age 18 and under by providing teacher professional development, educational resources, and program support:

 

 

 

$150,000

. . . . .

2025

 

(b) The Youth in Government and Center for Youth Voice programs must instruct students in:

 

(1) the constitutional principles and the democratic foundation of our national, state, and local institutions; and

 

(2) the political processes and structures of government, grounded in the understanding of constitutional government and individual rights.

 

(c) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 16B.98, subdivision 14, up to three percent of the appropriation is available for grant administration.

 

(d) This is a onetime appropriation.

 

Subd. 3.  Minnesota Youth Council.  (a) For a grant to the Minnesota Alliance With Youth for the activities of the Minnesota Youth Council:

 

 

 

$375,000

. . . . .

2025

 

(b) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 16B.98, subdivision 14, up to three percent of the appropriation is available for grant administration.

 

(c) This is a onetime appropriation and is available until June 30, 2026.

 

Subd. 4.  Rulemaking.  (a) For rulemaking and administrative costs related to health education standards:

 

 

 

$627,000

. . . . .

2025

 

(b) This is a onetime appropriation and is available until June 30, 2027.

 

Subd. 5.  P-TECH schools.  (a) For P-TECH implementation grants under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.093, subdivision 5:

 

 

 

$791,000

. . . . .

2025

 

(b) The amount in paragraph (a) is for a grant to a public-private partnership that includes Independent School District No. 535, Rochester.

 

(c) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 16B.98, subdivision 14, the department may retain money from this appropriation for administrative costs under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.093, subdivision 5.

 

(d) This appropriation is available until June 30, 2027.

 

(e) The department may award start-up and mentoring and technical assistance grants beginning in fiscal year 2026.  The base for fiscal year 2026 is $791,000, of which at least $500,000 is for a support grant to a public-private partnership that includes Independent School District No. 535, Rochester.  The base for fiscal year 2027 and later is $791,000, of which at least $250,000 is for a support grant to a public-private partnership that includes Independent School District No. 535, Rochester.


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ARTICLE 3

THE READ ACT

 

Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 120B.124, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1.  Resources.  (a) The Department of Education must partner with CAREI for two years beginning July 1, 2023, until August 30, 2025, to support implementation of the Read Act.  The department and CAREI must jointly:

 

(1) identify at least five literacy curricula and supporting materials that are evidence-based or focused on structured literacy by January 1, 2024, and post a list of the curricula on the department website.  The list must include curricula that use culturally and linguistically responsive materials that reflect diverse populations and, to the extent practicable, curricula that reflect the experiences of students from diverse backgrounds, including multilingual learners, biliterate students, and students who are Black, Indigenous, and People of Color.  A district that purchases an approved curriculum before the cultural responsiveness review is completed is encouraged to work with the curriculum's publisher to obtain updated materials that are culturally and linguistically responsive and reflect diverse populations.  A district is not required to use an approved curriculum, unless the curriculum was purchased with state funds that require a curriculum to be selected from a list of approved curricula;

 

(2) identify at least three professional development programs that focus on the five pillars of literacy and the components of structured literacy by August 15, 2023, subject to final approval by the department.  The department must post a list of the programs on the department website.  The programs may include a program offered by CAREI.  The requirements of section 16C.08 do not apply to the selection of a provider under this section;

 

(3) identify evidence-based literacy intervention materials for students in kindergarten through grade 12;

 

(4) develop an evidence-based literacy lead training and coaching program that trains and supports literacy specialists throughout Minnesota to support schools' efforts in screening, measuring growth, monitoring progress, and implementing interventions in accordance with subdivision 1.  Literacy lead training must include instruction on how to train paraprofessionals and volunteers that provide Tier 2 interventions on evidence-based literacy intervention;

 

(5) identify measures of foundational literacy skills and mastery that a district must report on a local literacy plan;

 

(6) provide guidance to districts about best practices in literacy instruction, and practices that are not evidence-based;

 

(7) develop MTSS model plans that districts may adopt to support efforts to screen, identify, intervene, and monitor the progress of students not reading at grade level; and

 

(8) ensure that teacher professional development options and MTSS framework trainings are geographically equitable by supporting trainings through the regional service cooperatives.;

 

(9) develop a coaching and mentorship program for certified trained facilitators based on the previously approved trainings; and

 

(10) identify at least 15 evidence-based literacy intervention models by November 1, 2025, and post a list of the interventions on the department website.  A district is not required to use an approved intervention model.

 

(b) The department must contract with a third party to develop culturally and linguistically responsive supplemental materials and guidance for the approved literacy curricula to meet the culturally and linguistically responsive standards under paragraph (a), clause (1).

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective July 1, 2024.


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Sec. 2.  Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 120B.124, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

 

Subd. 4.  Volunteer and paraprofessional training.  (a) The department and CAREI must develop and provide training on evidence-based literacy interventions for the following unlicensed persons that regularly provide Tier 2 interventions to students in Minnesota districts:

 

(1) paraprofessionals and other unlicensed school staff; and

 

(2) volunteers, contractors, and other persons not employed by Minnesota districts.

 

(b) The regional literacy networks must develop and provide training on evidence-based literacy interventions consistent with paragraph (a).

 

(c) CAREI and the regional literacy networks must collaborate to ensure that training provided by CAREI and the regional literacy networks is consistent across providers.  The trainings must not exceed eight hours.  The trainings must be based on approved training developed for teachers, and must include a train the trainer component to enable literacy leads to provide the training to paraprofessionals and volunteers.  CAREI and the regional literacy networks must provide the trainings at no cost to professionals and other unlicensed school staff who regularly provide Tier 2 interventions to students in Minnesota districts.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective July 1, 2024.

 

Sec. 3.  Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 124D.98, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 5.  Literacy incentive aid uses.  A school district must use its literacy incentive aid to support implementation of evidence-based reading instruction.  The following are eligible uses of literacy incentive aid:

 

(1) training for kindergarten through grade 3 teachers, early childhood educators, special education teachers, reading intervention teachers working with students in kindergarten through grade 12, curriculum directors, and instructional support staff that provide reading instruction, on using evidence-based screening and progress monitoring tools;

 

(2) evidence-based training using a training program approved by the Department of Education under the Read Act;

 

(3) employing or contracting with a literacy lead, as defined in section 120B.1118 120B.119;

 

(4) employing an intervention specialist;

 

(4) (5) approved screeners, materials, training, and ongoing coaching to ensure reading interventions under section 125A.56, subdivision 1, are evidence-based; and

 

(5) (6) costs of substitute teachers to allow teachers to complete required training during the teachers' contract day.; and

 

(7) stipends for teachers completing training required under section 120B.12.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective July 1, 2024.


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Sec. 4.  Laws 2023, chapter 55, article 3, section 11, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 3.  Read Act curriculum and intervention materials reimbursement literacy aid.  (a) To reimburse For state aid for school districts, charter schools, and cooperative units for evidence-based literacy supports for children in prekindergarten through grade 12 based on structured literacy:

 

 

 

$35,000,000

. . . . .

2024

 

(b) The commissioner must use this appropriation to reimburse school districts, charter schools, and cooperatives for approved evidence-based structured literacy curriculum and supporting materials, and intervention materials purchased after July 1, 2021.  An applicant must apply for the reimbursement in the form and manner determined by the commissioner.

 

(c) The commissioner must report to the legislative committees with jurisdiction over kindergarten through grade 12 education the districts, charter schools, and cooperative units that receive literacy grants and the amounts of each grant, by January 15, 2025, according to Minnesota Statutes, section 3.195.

 

(b) The aid amount for each school district, charter school, and cooperative unit providing direct instructional services equals the greater of $2,000 or $39.94 times the number of students served by the school district, charter school, or cooperative as determined by the fall 2023 enrollment count of students.

 

(c) A school district, charter school, or cooperative unit must place any aid received under this subdivision in a reserved account in the general fund.  Aid in the reserved account must be used to implement requirements under the Read Act or for literacy incentive aid uses under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.98, subdivision 5.

 

(d) A school district, charter school, or cooperative unit must purchase curriculum and instructional materials that reflect diverse populations.

 

(e) (d) Of this amount, up to $250,000 is available for grant administration.

 

(f) (e) This is a onetime appropriation and is available until June 30, 2028 2025.

 

(f) This aid is 100 percent payable in fiscal year 2025.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective the day following final enactment.

 

Sec. 5.  Laws 2023, chapter 55, article 3, section 11, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 4.  Read Act professional development.  (a) For evidence-based training on structured literacy for teachers working in school districts, charter schools, and cooperatives:

 

 

 

$34,950,000

. . . . .

2024

 

 

$ 0 4,000,000

. . . . .

2025

 

(b) Of the amount for fiscal year 2024 in paragraph (a), $18,000,000 is for the Department of Education and the regional literacy networks and $16,700,000 is for statewide training.  The department must use the funding to develop a data collection system to collect and analyze the submission of the local literacy plans and student-level universal screening data, to establish the regional literacy networks as a partnership between the department and the Minnesota service cooperatives, and to administer statewide training based in structured literacy to be offered free to school districts and charter schools and facilitated by the regional literacy networks and the department.  The regional literacy networks must focus on implementing comprehensive literacy reform efforts based on structured


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literacy.  Each regional literacy network must add a literacy lead position and establish a team of trained literacy coaches to facilitate evidence-based structured literacy training opportunities and ongoing supports to school districts and charter schools in each of their regions.  The amount in fiscal year 2025 is for statewide training.  Funds appropriated under this subdivision may also be used to provide training in structured literacy to fourth and fifth grade classroom teachers and literacy professors from Minnesota institutions of higher education.

 

(c) Of the amount in paragraph (a), $250,000 in fiscal year 2024 only is for administration.

 

(d) If funds remain unspent on July 1, 2026, the commissioner must expand eligibility for approved training to include principals and other district, charter school, or cooperative administrators.

 

(e) The commissioner must report to the legislative committees with jurisdiction over kindergarten through grade 12 education the number of teachers from each district who received approved structured literacy training using funds under this subdivision, and the amounts awarded to districts, charter schools, or cooperatives.

 

(f) The regional literacy networks and staff at the Department of Education must provide ongoing support to school districts, charter schools, and cooperatives implementing evidence-based literacy instruction.

 

(g) This appropriation is available until June 30, 2028.  The base for fiscal year 2026 and later is $7,750,000, of which $6,500,000 is for the regional literacy networks and $1,250,000 is for statewide training.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective the day following final enactment.

 

Sec. 6.  READ ACT DEAF, DEAFBLIND, AND HARD OF HEARING WORKING GROUP.

 

Subdivision 1.  Working group purpose.  The Department of Education must establish a working group to make recommendations on literacy training, screeners, and curriculum for students who cannot fully access sound-based approaches such as phonics.

 

Subd. 2.  Members.  The Department of Education must appoint representatives from the Center for Applied Research and Educational Improvement at the University of Minnesota; the Minnesota Commission of the Deaf, Deafblind and Hard of Hearing; the Minnesota State Academies; Metro Deaf School; intermediate school districts; regional low-incidence facilitators; a Deaf and Hard of Hearing teacher licensure preparation program in Minnesota approved by the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board; and teachers of students who are deaf, deafblind, or hard of hearing.

 

Subd. 3.  Report.  The working group must review curriculum, screeners, and training approved under the Read Act and make recommendations for adapting curriculum, screeners, and training available to districts, charter schools, teachers, and administrators to meet the needs of students and educators who cannot fully access sound-based approaches.  The report must address how approved curriculum, screeners, and training may be modified and identify resources for alternatives to sound-based approaches.  The working group must post its report on the Department of Education website, and submit the report to the legislative committees with jurisdiction over kindergarten through grade 12 education no later than January 15, 2025.

 

Subd. 4.  Administrative provisions.  (a) The commissioner, or the commissioner's designee, must convene the initial meeting of the working group.  At the first meeting, the department must provide members of the working group information on structured literacy and the curriculum, screeners, and training approved under the Read Act.

 

(b) Members of the working group are eligible for per diem compensation as provided under Minnesota Statutes, section 15.059, subdivision 3.  The working group expires January 16, 2025, or upon submission of the report to the legislature under subdivision 3, whichever is earlier.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective the day following final enactment.


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Sec. 7.  TEACHER COMPENSATION FOR READ ACT TRAINING.

 

Subdivision 1.  Funding uses.  (a) For purposes of this section, "district" means a school district, charter school, or cooperative unit providing direct instructional services.

 

(b) A district must use the funding appropriated under this section only to compensate eligible teachers for completing approved training required under the Read Act.  Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 179A.20, subdivision 3, a district must enter into a memorandum of understanding with the exclusive representative of teachers in the district that provides how funding under this section may be used.  Compensation of eligible teachers may include but is not limited to:

 

(1) stipends;

 

(2) payments based on a teacher's regular hourly rate of pay and the number of hours necessary to complete the approved training; and

 

(3) full or partial reimbursement for training in structured literacy that was paid for by the teacher, and later approved under the Read Act.

 

(c) If a district's teachers are not represented by an exclusive representative, the district may adopt a plan to compensate teachers for completing approved training required under the Read Act in accordance with this section after consulting with its teachers.

 

Subd. 2.  Reserve account.  A district must reserve aid provided to compensate teachers for Read Act training and use the aid only for the purposes of this section.

 

Subd. 3.  Teacher eligibility.  A teacher is eligible for compensation under this section if the teacher:

 

(1) is currently employed by a district, or is currently contracted between a charter school and a teacher cooperative;

 

(2) is currently serving in a position that requires a license issued by the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board; and

 

(3) is required to receive approved training under Minnesota Statutes, section 120B.123, subdivision 5, and has registered for, started, or completed the approved training.

 

Subd. 4.  Administrative process.  (a) Within 30 days of entering into a memorandum of understanding or adopting a plan under subdivision 1, a district must pay the required compensation to an eligible teacher in accordance with the memorandum of understanding or plan.

 

(b) The Minnesota School Boards Association and Education Minnesota are encouraged to collaborate to develop one or more model memoranda of understanding and make the memoranda available to districts by July 1, 2024.

 

(c) The Bureau of Mediation Services must make mediators available to aid districts and exclusive representatives in reaching agreement on the memoranda of understanding required under this section.


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Subd. 5.  Stipends not considered income for certain purposes.  (a) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, payments under this section must not be considered income, assets, or personal property for purposes of determining eligibility or recertifying eligibility for:

 

(1) child care assistance programs under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 119B, and early learning scholarships under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.165;

 

(2) general assistance, Minnesota supplemental aid, and food support under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 256D;

 

(3) housing support under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 256I;

 

(4) the Minnesota family investment program and diversionary work program under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 256J; and

 

(5) economic assistance programs under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 256P.

 

(b) The commissioner of human services must not consider a stipend under this section as income or assets when determining medical assistance eligibility under Minnesota Statutes, section 256B.055, subdivisions 7, 7a, and 12; or section 256B.057, subdivisions 3, 3a, 3b, and 4.  The commissioner of human services must not include the stipend received under this section when calculating an individual's premiums under Minnesota Statutes, section 256B.057, subdivision 9.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective the day following final enactment, except for subdivision 5, paragraph (b), which is effective July 1, 2024, or upon federal approval, whichever is later.

 

Sec. 8.  APPROPRIATIONS; SUPPLEMENTAL READ ACT FUNDING.

 

Subdivision 1.  Department of Education.  The sums indicated in this section are appropriated from the general fund to the Department of Education in the fiscal years designated.

 

Subd. 2.  Teacher compensation for Read Act training.  (a) For payment of state aid to school districts, charter schools, and cooperative units providing direct instructional services:

 

 

 

$31,375,000

. . . . .

2025

 

(b) The state aid for each school district, charter school, and cooperative unit providing direct instruction equals the greater of $2,000 or $36.06 times the number of students served by the school district, charter school, or cooperative unit as determined by the fall 2023 enrollment count of students.  The Department of Education must send payments to school districts, charter schools, and cooperative units providing direct instructional services by October 15, 2024.  This aid is 100 percent payable in fiscal year 2025.

 

(c) This is a onetime appropriation.

 

Subd. 3.  Culturally responsive materials.  (a) For the Department of Education to issue a request for proposals for a contract to develop supplemental culturally responsive materials for the approved evidence-based structured literacy curricula under Minnesota Statutes, section 120B.124, subdivision 1, paragraph (a), clause (1):

 

 

 

$1,000,000

. . . . .

2025

 

(b) The contractor must review all approved instructional and intervention materials to ensure they are culturally responsive within 90 days of receiving the materials from the Department of Education.  The contractor must work with publishers to ensure materials are culturally responsive and provide districts with supplementary materials and guidance as needed.


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(c) This is a onetime appropriation and is available until June 30, 2027.

 

Subd. 4.  Regional literacy network paraprofessional and volunteer training.  (a) For the regional literacy networks to develop training for paraprofessionals and volunteers that regularly provide Tier 2 literacy interventions to students in accordance with Minnesota Statutes, section 120B.124, subdivision 4:

 

 

 

$375,000

. . . . .

2025

 

(b) This is a onetime appropriation and is available until June 30, 2027.

 

Subd. 5.  CAREI paraprofessional and volunteer training.  (a) For CAREI to develop training for paraprofessionals and volunteers that regularly provide Tier 2 literacy interventions to students in accordance with Minnesota Statutes, section 120B.124, subdivision 4:

 

 

 

$375,000

. . . . .

2025

 

(b) This is a onetime appropriation and is available until June 30, 2027.

 

Subd. 6.  Read Act Deaf, Deafblind, and Hard of Hearing working group.  (a) For the Read Act Deaf, Deafblind, and Hard of hearing working group:

 

 

 

$100,000

. . . . .

2025

 

(b) This is a onetime appropriation and is available until June 30, 2027.

 

ARTICLE 4

AMERICAN INDIAN EDUCATION

 

Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 120B.021, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 5.  Indigenous education for all students.  To support implementation of Indigenous education for all students, the commissioner must:

 

(1) provide historically accurate, Tribally endorsed, culturally relevant, community-based, contemporary, and developmentally appropriate resources.  Resources to implement standards must include professional development and must demonstrate an awareness and understanding of the importance of accurate, high-quality materials about the histories, languages, cultures, and governments of local Tribes;

 

(2) provide resources to support all students learning about the histories, languages, cultures, governments, and experiences of their American Indian peers and neighbors.  Resources to implement standards across content areas must be developed to authentically engage all students and support successful learning; and

 

(3) conduct a needs assessment by December 31, 2023.  The needs assessment must fully inform the development of future resources for Indigenous education for all students by using information from American Indian Tribes and communities in Minnesota, including urban Indigenous communities, Minnesota's Tribal Nations Education Committee, schools and districts, students, and educational organizations.  The commissioner must submit a report on the findings and recommendations from the needs assessment to the chairs and ranking minority members of legislative committees with jurisdiction over education; to the American Indian Tribes and communities in Minnesota, including urban Indigenous communities; and to all schools and districts in the state by February 1, 2024.  The commissioner of education must consult with Tribal Nations located in Minnesota and Minnesota's Tribal Nations Education Committee about the need for additional funding necessary for each Tribal Nation located


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in Minnesota to continue developing resources for Indigenous education for all students.  By February 15, 2025, the commissioner must provide links to the materials developed by the Tribal Nations on its website and submit a report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over education highlighting the materials that have been developed and documenting the need for additional resources.  A consultation under this section does not replace or limit any consultation required under section 10.65.

 

Sec. 2.  Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 124D.81, subdivision 2b, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 2b.  Carry forward of funds.  Notwithstanding section 16A.28, if a school district or Tribal contract school does not expend the full amount of the American Indian education aid in accordance with the plan in the designated fiscal year, the school district or Tribal contract school may carry forward and expend up to half of the remaining funds in the first six months of the following fiscal year, and is not subject to an aid reduction if:

 

(1) the district is otherwise following the plan submitted and approved under subdivision 2;

 

(2) the American Indian Parent Advisory Committee for the school is aware of and has approved the carry forward and has concurred with the district's educational offerings extended to American Indian students under section 124D.78;

 

(3) the funds carried over are used in accordance with section 124D.74, subdivision 1; and

 

(4) by April 1, the district reports to the Department of Education American Indian education director the reason the aid was not expended in the designated fiscal year, and describes how the district intends to expend the funds in the following fiscal year.  The district must report this information in the form and manner determined by the commissioner.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective for revenue in fiscal year 2024 and later.

 

Sec. 3.  APPROPRIATION.

 

Subdivision 1.  Department of Education.  The sum indicated in this section is appropriated from the general fund to the Department of Education for the fiscal year designated.

 

Subd. 2.  Permanent school fund supplemental aid.  (a) For permanent school fund supplemental aid to American Indian schools as defined under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.73:

 

$40,000

. . . . .

2025

 

(b) For fiscal year 2025 only, the permanent school fund supplemental aid for an American Indian school equals the product of:

 

(1) the amount appropriated under paragraph (a); and

 

(2) the ratio of (i) the fiscal year 2024 average daily membership served of the American Indian school, to (ii) the total fiscal year 2024 average daily membership served of all American Indian schools in the state.

 

(c) Aid under this subdivision must be paid 100 percent in the current year on a schedule determined by the commissioner.

 

(d) This is a onetime appropriation.


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ARTICLE 5

TEACHERS

 

Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 121A.642, is amended to read:

 

121A.642 PARAPROFESSIONAL TRAINING.

 

Subdivision 1.  Training required.  (a) For purposes of this section, "school" means a school district or, charter school, intermediate school district, other cooperative unit, Perpich Center for Arts Education, or the Minnesota State Academies.

 

(b) A school must provide a minimum of eight hours of paid orientation or professional development annually to all paraprofessionals, Title I aides, and other instructional support staff.

 

(c) Six of the eight hours must be completed before the first instructional day of the school year or within 30 days of hire.

 

(d) The orientation or professional development must be relevant to the employee's occupation and may include collaboration time with classroom teachers and planning for the school year.

 

(e) For paraprofessionals who provide direct support to students, at least 50 percent of the professional development or orientation must be dedicated to meeting the requirements of this section.  Professional development for paraprofessionals may also address the requirements of section 120B.363, subdivision 3.

 

(f) A school administrator must provide an annual certification of compliance with this requirement to the commissioner.

 

(g) For the 2024-2025 school year only, a school may reduce the hours of training required in paragraphs (b) to (e) to a minimum of six hours and must pay for paraprofessional test materials and testing fees for any paraprofessional employed by the school district during the 2023-2024 school year who has not yet successfully completed the paraprofessional assessment or met the requirements of the paraprofessional competency grid.

 

Subd. 2.  Reimbursement for paraprofessional training.  (a) Beginning in fiscal year 2025, the commissioner of education must reimburse school districts, charter schools, intermediate school districts and other cooperative units, the Perpich Center for Arts Education, and the Minnesota State Academies schools in the form and manner specified by the commissioner for paraprofessional training costs.

 

(b) The paraprofessional reimbursement equals the prior year compensation expenses associated with providing up to eight hours of paid orientation and professional development for each paraprofessional trained under subdivision 1.  For purposes of this paragraph, "compensation expenses" means the sum of the following amounts attributable to the school's paraprofessionals:

 

(1) regular hourly wages;

 

(2) Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) taxes under United States Code, title 26, chapter 21; and

 

(3) the employer share of retirement contributions required under chapter 352, 353, 354, or 354A.

 

(c) The commissioner may establish procedures to ensure that any costs reimbursed under this section are excluded from other school revenue calculations.


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(d) For reimbursements paid in fiscal year 2026 only, the commissioner must reimburse a school for six hours of paraprofessional training required under subdivision 1, paragraph (b).

 

(e) In addition to the amounts under paragraph (d), for fiscal year 2026 only, the commissioner must pay each school an additional amount equal to 33.33 percent of the amount in paragraph (d).  The school must use these funds either for paraprofessional test preparation and exam fees under subdivision 1, paragraph (g), or additional training under subdivision 1, paragraph (b).

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective July 1, 2024.

 

Sec. 2.  Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 122A.415, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 4.  Basic alternative teacher compensation aid.  (a) The basic alternative teacher compensation aid for a school with a plan approved under section 122A.414, subdivision 2b, equals 65 percent of the alternative teacher compensation revenue under subdivision 1.  The basic alternative teacher compensation aid for a charter school with a plan approved under section 122A.414, subdivisions 2a and 2b, equals $260 times the number of pupils enrolled in the school on October 1 of the previous year, or on October 1 of the current year for a charter school in the first year of operation, times the ratio of the sum of the alternative teacher compensation aid and alternative teacher compensation levy for all participating school districts to the maximum alternative teacher compensation revenue for those districts under subdivision 1.

 

(b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a) and subdivision 1, the state total basic alternative teacher compensation aid entitlement must not exceed $88,118,000 for fiscal year 2023; $88,461,000 for fiscal year 2024; $88,461,000 $88,961,000 for fiscal year 2025; and $89,486,000 for fiscal year 2026 and later.  The commissioner must limit the amount of alternative teacher compensation aid approved under this section so as not to exceed these limits by not approving new participants or by prorating the aid among participating districts, intermediate school districts, school sites, and charter schools.  The commissioner may also reallocate a portion of the allowable aid for the biennium from the second year to the first year to meet the needs of approved participants.

 

(c) Basic alternative teacher compensation aid for an intermediate district or other cooperative unit equals $3,000 times the number of licensed teachers employed by the intermediate district or cooperative unit on October 1 of the previous school year.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective for revenue for fiscal year 2025 and later.

 

Sec. 3.  Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 122A.415, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

 

Subd. 7.  Revenue reserved.  Revenue received under this section must be reserved and used only for the programs authorized under section 122A.414. 

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective for revenue for fiscal year 2025 and later.

 

Sec. 4.  Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 122A.73, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 2.  Grow Your Own district programs.  (a) A school district, charter school, Tribal contract school, or cooperative unit under section 123A.24, subdivision 2, may apply for a grant for a teacher preparation program that meets the requirements of paragraph (c) to establish a Grow Your Own pathway for adults to obtain their first professional teaching license.  The grant recipient must use at least 80 percent of grant funds to provide tuition scholarships or stipends to enable school district grant recipient employees or community members affiliated with a school district grant recipient, who are of color or American Indian and who seek a teaching license, to participate in the teacher preparation program.  Grant funds may also be used to pay for teacher licensure exams and licensure fees.


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(b) A district using grant funds under this subdivision to provide financial support to teacher candidates may require a commitment as determined by the district to teach in the district school district, charter school, Tribal contract school, or cooperative unit for a reasonable amount of time that does not exceed five years.

 

(c) A grantee must partner with:

 

(1) a Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board-approved teacher preparation program;

 

(2) a Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation-accredited teacher preparation program from a private, not for profit, institution of higher education; or

 

(3) an institution that has an articulated transfer pathway with a board-approved teacher preparation program.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective the day following final enactment.

 

Sec. 5.  Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 122A.73, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 3.  Grants for programs serving secondary school students.  (a) A school district, or charter school, Tribal contract school, or cooperative unit may apply for grants under this section to offer other innovative programs that encourage secondary school students, especially students of color and American Indian students, to pursue teaching.  To be eligible for a grant under this subdivision, an applicant must ensure that the aggregate percentage of secondary school students of color and American Indian students participating in the program is equal to or greater than the aggregate percentage of students of color and American Indian students in the school district, charter school, Tribal contract school, or cooperative unit.

 

(b) A grant recipient must use grant funds awarded under this subdivision for:

 

(1) supporting future teacher clubs or service-learning opportunities that provide middle and high school students with experiential learning that supports the success of younger students or peers and increases students' interest in pursuing a teaching career;

 

(2) developing and offering postsecondary enrollment options for "Introduction to Teaching" or "Introduction to Education" courses consistent with section 124D.09, subdivision 10, that meet degree requirements for teacher licensure;

 

(3) providing direct support, including wrap-around services, for students who are of color or American Indian to enroll and be successful in postsecondary enrollment options courses under section 124D.09 that would meet degree requirements for teacher licensure; or

 

(4) offering scholarships to graduating high school students who are of color or American Indian to enroll in board-approved undergraduate teacher preparation programs at a college or university in Minnesota or in an institution that has an articulated transfer pathway with a board-approved teacher preparation program.

 

(c) The maximum grant award under this subdivision is $500,000.  The commissioner may consider the number of participants a grant recipient intends to support when determining a grant amount.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective the day following final enactment.


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Sec. 6.  Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 122A.73, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 4.  Grant procedure.  (a) A district An applicant must apply for a grant under this section in the form and manner specified by the commissioner.  The commissioner must give priority to districts applicants with the highest total number or percentage of students who are of color or American Indian.  To the extent that there are sufficient applications, the commissioner must, to the extent practicable, award an equal number of grants between districts applicants in greater Minnesota and those in the Twin Cities metropolitan area.

 

(b) For the 2022-2023 school year and later, Grant applications for new and existing programs must be received by the commissioner no later than January 15 of the year prior to the school year in which the grant will be used.  The commissioner must review all applications and notify grant recipients by March 15 or as soon as practicable of the anticipated amount awarded.  If the commissioner determines that sufficient funding is unavailable for the grants, the commissioner must notify grant applicants by June 30 or as soon as practicable that there are insufficient funds.

 

(c) For the 2021-2022 school year, the commissioner must set a timetable for awarding grants as soon as practicable.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective the day following final enactment.

 

Sec. 7.  Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 122A.77, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1.  Grant program established.  The commissioner of education must administer a grant program to develop a pipeline of trained, licensed Tier 3 or Tier 4 special education teachers.  A school district, charter school, Tribal contract school, or cooperative unit under section 123A.24, subdivision 2, may apply for a grant under this section.  An applicant must partner with:

 

(1) a Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board-approved teacher preparation program;

 

(2) a Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation-accredited teacher preparation program from a private, not-for-profit, institution of higher education; or

 

(3) an institution that has an articulated transfer pathway with a board-approved teacher preparation program.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective the day following final enactment.

 

Sec. 8.  Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 122A.77, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 2.  Grant uses.  (a) A grant recipient must use grant funds to support participants who are employed by the grant recipient as either a paraprofessional or other unlicensed staff, or a teacher with a Tier 1 or Tier 2 license, and demonstrate a willingness to be a special education teacher after completing the program.

 

(b) A grant recipient may use grant funds for:

 

(1) tuition assistance or stipends for participants;

 

(2) supports for participants, including mentoring, licensure test preparation, and technology support; or

 

(3) participant recruitment.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective the day following final enactment.


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Sec. 9.  [123B.155] PAID LEAVE FOR SCHOOL CLOSURES.

 

(a) A school district or charter school that alters its calendar due to a weather event, public health emergency, or any other circumstance must continue to pay the full wages for scheduled work hours and benefits of all school employees for full or partial day closures, if the district or charter school counts that day as an instructional day for any students in the district or charter school.  School employees may be allowed to work from home to the extent practicable.  Paid leave for an e-learning day is provided under section 120A.414, subdivision 6.

 

(b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), a school district or charter school that alters the calendar of a school-age care program, school youth recreation and enrichment program, or general community education program due to a weather event, public health emergency, or any other circumstance, while collecting a fee for day of the closure, must continue to pay the full stipend or full wages for scheduled work hours and benefits of all employees in the school-age care program, school youth recreation and enrichment program, or general community education program.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective the day following final enactment.

 

Sec. 10.  Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 124D.901, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 3.  Student support personnel aid.  (a) The initial student support personnel aid for a school district equals the greater of the student support personnel allowance times the adjusted pupil units at the district for the current fiscal year or $40,000.  The initial student support personnel aid for a charter school equals the greater of the student support personnel allowance times the adjusted pupil units at the charter school for the current fiscal year or $20,000.  Aid under this paragraph must be reserved in a fund balance that, beginning in fiscal year 2025, may not exceed the greater of the aid entitlement in the prior fiscal year or the fund balance in the prior fiscal year.

 

(b) The cooperative student support personnel aid for a school district that is a member of an intermediate school district or other cooperative unit that serves students equals the greater of the cooperative student support allowance times the adjusted pupil units at the district for the current fiscal year or $40,000.  If a district is a member of more than one cooperative unit that serves students, the revenue must be allocated among the cooperative units.  Aid under this paragraph must not exceed actual expenditures.

 

(c) The student support personnel allowance equals $11.94 for fiscal year 2024, $17.08 for fiscal year 2025, and $48.73 for fiscal year 2026 and later.

 

(d) The cooperative student support allowance equals $0.60 for fiscal year 2024, $0.85 for fiscal year 2025, and $2.44 for fiscal year 2026 and later.

 

(e) Notwithstanding paragraphs (a) and (b), the student support personnel aid must not exceed the district's, charter school's, or cooperative unit's actual expenditures.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective for revenue in fiscal year 2024 and later.

 

Sec. 11.  Laws 2023, chapter 55, article 5, section 64, subdivision 3, as amended by Laws 2024, chapter 81, section 14, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 3.  Alternative teacher compensation aid.  (a) For alternative teacher compensation aid under Minnesota Statutes, section 122A.415, subdivision 4:

 

 

 

$ $ 88,706,000

. . . . .

2024

 

 

$ $88,562,000 89,012,000

. . . . .

2025


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(b) The 2024 appropriation includes $8,824,000 for fiscal year 2023 and $79,882,000 for fiscal year 2024.

 

(c) The 2025 appropriation includes $8,875,000 for fiscal year 2024 and $79,687,000 $80,137,000 for fiscal year 2025.

 

Sec. 12.  Laws 2023, chapter 55, article 5, section 64, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 5.  Closing educational opportunity gaps grants.  (a) To support schools in their efforts to close opportunity gaps under Minnesota Statutes, section 120B.113:

 

 

 

$3,000,000

. . . . .

2024

 

 

$3,000,000

. . . . .

2025

 

(b) The department may retain up to five percent of this appropriation to administer the grant program.

 

(c) The base for fiscal year 2026 and later is $0.

 

(d) Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is available in the second year.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective the day following final enactment.

 

Sec. 13.  Laws 2023, chapter 55, article 5, section 64, subdivision 13, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 13.  Statewide teacher mentoring program.  (a) For a statewide teacher induction and mentoring program:

 

 

 

$9,940,000

. . . . .

2024

 

 

$0

. . . . .

2025

 

(b) Funds may be used for:

 

(1) competitive grants to Minnesota regional partners, including institutions of higher education, regional service cooperatives, other district or charter collaboratives, and professional organizations, to provide mentoring supports for new teachers, on-the-ground training, technical assistance, and networks or communities of practice for local new teachers, districts, and charter schools to implement Minnesota's induction model;

 

(2) competitive grants to school districts to fund Teacher of Record mentorships to Tier 1 and Tier 2 special education teachers, including training and supervision; and

 

(3) contracts with national content experts and research collaboratives to assist in developing Minnesota's induction model, to provide ongoing training to mentors and principals, and to evaluate the program over time.

 

(c) Up to five percent of the appropriation is available for grant administration.

 

(d) This is a onetime appropriation and is available until June 30, 2027.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective the day following final enactment.


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Sec. 14.  Laws 2023, chapter 55, article 5, section 64, subdivision 15, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 15.  Student support personnel workforce pipeline.  (a) For a grant program to develop a student support personnel workforce pipeline focused on increasing school psychologists, school nurses, school counselors, and school social workers of color and Indigenous providers, professional respecialization, recruitment, and retention:

 

 

 

$5,000,000

. . . . .

2024

 

 

$5,000,000

. . . . .

2025

 

(b) Of the amount in paragraph (a), $150,000 is for providing support to school nurses across the state.

 

(c) To the extent practicable, the pipeline grants must be used to support equal numbers of students pursuing careers as school psychologists, school nurses, school counselors, and school social workers.

 

(d) For grants awarded under this subdivision to school psychologists, the following terms have the meanings given:

 

(1) "eligible designated trainee" means an individual enrolled in a NASP-approved or APA-accredited school psychology program granting educational specialist certificates or doctoral degrees in school psychology;

 

(2) "practica" means an educational experience administered and evaluated by the graduate training program, with university and site supervision by appropriately credentialed school psychologists, to develop trainees' competencies to provide school psychological services based on the graduate program's goals and competencies relative to accreditation and licensure requirements; and

 

(3) "eligible employment" means a paid position within a school or local education agency directly related to the training program providing direct or indirect school psychology services.  Direct services include assessment, intervention, prevention, or consultation services to students or their family members and educational staff.  Indirect services include supervision, research and evaluation, administration, program development, technical assistance, or professional learning to support direct services.

 

(e) Grants awarded to school psychologists must be used for:

 

(1) the provision of paid, supervised, and educationally meaningful practica in a public school setting for an eligible designated trainee enrolled in a qualifying program within the grantee's institution;

 

(2) to support student recruitment and retention to enroll and hire an eligible designated trainee for paid practica in public school settings; and

 

(3) oversight of trainee practica and professional development by the qualifying institution to ensure the qualifications and conduct by an eligible designated trainee meet requirements set forth by the state and accrediting agencies.

 

(f) Upon successful completion of the graduate training program, grants awarded to school psychologists must maintain eligible employment within Minnesota for a minimum period of one-year full-time equivalent for each academic year of paid traineeship under the grant program.

 

(g) Up to $150,000 of the appropriation is available for grant administration.

 

(h) Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is available in the second year.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective the day following final enactment.


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Sec. 15.  Laws 2023, chapter 55, article 5, section 64, subdivision 16, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 16.  Teacher residency program.  (a) For the teacher residency program that meets the requirements of Minnesota Rules, part 8705.2100, subpart 2, item D, subitem (5), unit (g):

 

 

 

$3,000,000

. . . . .

2024

 

 

$3,000,000

. . . . .

2025

 

(b) Up to three percent of the appropriation is available for grant administration.

 

(c) Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is available in the following fiscal second year.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective the day following final enactment.

 

Sec. 16.  Laws 2023, chapter 55, article 5, section 65, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 3.  Collaborative urban and greater Minnesota educators of color grants.  (a) For collaborative urban and greater Minnesota educators of color competitive grants under Minnesota Statutes, section 122A.635:

 

 

 

$5,440,000

. . . . .

2024

 

 

$5,440,000

. . . . .

2025

 

(b) The board may retain up to $100,000 of the appropriation amount to monitor and administer the grant program.

 

(c) Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is available in the following fiscal second year.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective the day following final enactment.

 

Sec. 17.  Laws 2023, chapter 55, article 5, section 65, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 6.  Mentoring, induction, and retention incentive program grants for teachers of color.  (a) To develop and expand mentoring, induction, and retention programs designed for teachers of color or American Indian teachers under Minnesota Statutes, section 122A.70:

 

 

 

$3,500,000

. . . . .

2024

 

 

$3,500,000

. . . . .

2025

 

(b) Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is available in the following fiscal second year.

 

(c) The base for grants under Minnesota Statutes, section 122A.70, for fiscal year 2026 and later is $4,500,000, of which at least $3,500,000 each fiscal year is for grants to develop and expand mentoring, induction, and retention programs designed for teachers of color or American Indian teachers.

 

(d) The board may retain up to three percent of the appropriation amount to monitor and administer the grant program.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective the day following final enactment.


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Sec. 18.  Laws 2023, chapter 55, article 5, section 65, subdivision 7, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 7.  Pathway preparation grants.  (a) For grants to support teachers holding a Tier 1 or Tier 2 license and seeking a Tier 3 or Tier 4 license:

 

 

 

$400,000

. . . . .

2024

 

 

$400,000

. . . . .

2025

 

(b) The following are eligible for grants under this subdivision:

 

(1) school districts;

 

(2) charter schools;

 

(3) service cooperatives; and

 

(4) partnerships between one or more teacher preparation providers, school districts, or charter schools.

 

(c) Grant funds must be used to support teachers holding a Tier 1 or Tier 2 license and seeking a Tier 3 or Tier 4 license through completion of a teacher preparation program or the licensure via portfolio process.  A grant recipient must provide teachers holding a Tier 1 or Tier 2 license with professional development, mentorship, and coursework aligned to state standards for teacher licensure.

 

(d) The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board may collaborate with the Department of Education and the Office of Higher Education to administer the grant program.

 

(e) The board may retain up to three percent of the appropriation amount to monitor and administer the grant.

 

Sec. 19.  GRANT PROGRAM MODIFICATIONS AUTHORIZED.

 

(a) The commissioner of education may allow a Grow Your Own pathway grant recipient to modify its program to align with statutory changes to Minnesota Statutes, section 122A.73, made under this act after the grant was awarded.

 

(b) The commissioner of education may allow a special education teacher pipeline grant recipient to modify its program to align with statutory changes to Minnesota Statutes, section 122A.77, made under this act after the grant was awarded.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective the day following final enactment.

 

Sec. 20.  STUDENT TEACHING STIPEND PILOT PROGRAM.

 

Subdivision 1.  Pilot program established.  A pilot program is established to support student teachers placed in Minnesota school districts or charter schools to complete clinical experiences necessary to obtain Minnesota teaching licenses, and help policymakers determine how to reduce the financial burden of completing valuable clinical experiences and strengthen the pipeline of qualified teachers.  The pilot program is effective for the 2024-2025 school year.


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Subd. 2.  Participating teacher preparation program providers.  (a) The pilot program consists of the following teacher preparation program providers:

 

(1) St. Cloud State University;

 

(2) Bemidji State University;

 

(3) Minnesota State University, Mankato;

 

(4) Winona State University;

 

(5) Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College;

 

(6) the University of Minnesota-Duluth;

 

(7) the University of Minnesota-Crookston; and

 

(8) Augsburg University.

 

(b) A participating teacher preparation program provider must:

 

(1) determine the stipend amount based on the available funding and number of eligible student teachers;

 

(2) use the full amount of funding provided under this section to award each student teacher placed in a student teaching assignment a stipend of the same amount regardless of the student teacher's financial need or intended licensure area; and

 

(3) notify student teachers of their stipend amounts no later than 30 days before the student teacher is placed in a student teaching assignment.

 

Subd. 3.  Student teacher eligibility.  (a) A student teacher is eligible for a stipend through the pilot program if the student teacher:

 

(1) is enrolled in a teacher preparation program approved by the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board that requires at least 12 weeks of student teaching in order to be recommended for a Tier 3 teaching license;

 

(2) is placed in a Minnesota school district or charter school to complete required student teaching; and

 

(3) is meeting satisfactory academic progress as defined under Minnesota Statutes, section 136A.101, subdivision 10.

 

(b) A student teacher may receive a stipend under this section, and under Minnesota Statutes, section 136A.1274 or 136A.1275.

 

Subd. 4.  Stipends not considered income for certain purposes.  (a) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, payments under this section must not be considered income, assets, or personal property for purposes of determining eligibility or recertifying eligibility for:

 

(1) child care assistance programs under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 119B, and early learning scholarships under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.165;


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(2) general assistance, Minnesota supplemental aid, and food support under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 256D;

 

(3) housing support under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 256I;

 

(4) the Minnesota family investment program and diversionary work program under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 256J; and

 

(5) economic assistance programs under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 256P.

 

(b) The commissioner of human services must not consider a stipend under this section as income or assets when determining medical assistance eligibility under Minnesota Statutes, section 256B.055, subdivisions 7, 7a, and 12; or section 256B.057, subdivisions 3, 3a, 3b, and 4.  The commissioner of human services must not include the stipend received under this section when calculating an individual's premiums under Minnesota Statutes, section 256B.057, subdivision 9.

 

Subd. 5.  Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board.  (a) The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board must develop and administer a survey to students who receive stipends through the pilot program, and interview a representative sample of student teachers who receive stipends.  The surveys and interviews must seek information related to the impact of the stipend on the student teacher, whether the student teacher received any other stipends or compensation for student teaching, and other information relevant to development of a statewide paid student teaching program.

 

(b) The board must submit reports to the chairs and minority leaders of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over kindergarten through grade 12 education and higher education by February 1, 2025, and July 1, 2025, in accordance with Minnesota Statutes, section 3.195.  Each report must identify the number of student teachers receiving stipends by teacher preparation program provider and the districts or charter schools where the student teachers were placed, and the amount each student teacher received under this section.  The second report must also summarize the results of the surveys and interviews, and make recommendations for implementing a statewide paid student teacher program.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective July 1, 2024, except for subdivision 4, paragraph (b), which is effective July 1, 2024, or upon federal approval, whichever is later.

 

Sec. 21.  PARAPROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS EXAMINED.

 

(a) The Department of Education and the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board must collaboratively examine Minnesota's standards for paraprofessionals in consultation with at least the following:

 

(1) one representative each from at least two organizations representing paraprofessionals;

 

(2) one person representing the Minnesota Association of School Administrators; and

 

(3) one person representing the Minnesota Administrators for Special Education.

 

(b) By July 1, 2024, the agencies must announce their work plan to revise the paraprofessional qualifications under Minnesota Statutes, section 120B.363, and the qualifications used to determine eligibility for state special education aid calculations.

 

(c) The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board may revise Minnesota Rules, part 8710.9000.  A paraprofessional may demonstrate competencies established in Minnesota Rules, part 8710.9000, subpart 4, as one way to meet the federal personnel qualifications required in Code of Federal Regulations, title 34, section 300.156.


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(d) A paraprofessional meets the federal personnel qualifications required in Code of Federal Regulations, title 34, section 300.156, if the paraprofessional:

 

(1) has at least two years of college credits through an accredited institution of higher education, or an associate's degree or higher;

 

(2) has received a passing score on a formal assessment approved by the Department of Education; or

 

(3) meets the local assessment criteria established by the Department of Education.

 

(e) The Department of Education must revise the minimum passing score for the approved formal assessments.

 

(f) For the 2024-2025 school year only, a paraprofessional may be paid in whole or in part by funding under paragraph (g) if the paraprofessional:

 

(1) demonstrates the competencies established in Minnesota Rules, part 8710.9000, subpart 4, item D (competency 4:  instructional content and practice) and item I (competency 9:  academic instructional skills); or

 

(2) is enrolled in a ParaPro or Paraeducator training and testing program.

 

(g) For the 2024-2025 school year only, a school district or charter school may use state special education aid to continue to pay for staff in special education paraprofessional positions that meet qualifications under paragraph (f) only if those positions were filled by the district or charter school and paid with state special education aid in the 2023-2024 school year.

 

(h) For the 2024-2025 school year only, upon request from a paraprofessional employed by a school district, charter school, or cooperative unit providing direct instructional services, the school must provide administrative assistance to the paraprofessional when completing the competencies required under paragraph (d), clause (3), or paragraph (f).

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective the day following final enactment.

 

Sec. 22.  TEACHER AND PARAPROFESSIONAL COMPENSATION WORKING GROUP.

 

Subdivision 1.  Establishment; membership.  (a) The Teacher and Paraprofessional Compensation Working Group is established and consists of the following 22 members:

 

(1) one prekindergarten teacher;

 

(2) one elementary school teacher;

 

(3) one middle school teacher;

 

(4) one high school teacher;

 

(5) one physical education teacher;

 

(6) one vocal music or instrumental music teacher;

 

(7) one visual arts teacher;


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(8) one library media specialist;

 

(9) one community education teacher;

 

(10) one teacher teaching in an alternative setting;

 

(11) one member working in a school setting with children from birth to age three;

 

(12) one special education teacher;

 

(13) four paraprofessionals working with elementary, middle, or high school students;

 

(14) two superintendents;

 

(15) one community education director;

 

(16) two school finance directors; and

 

(17) one member with expertise in school board governance.

 

(b) The members under paragraph (a), clauses (1) to (13), must be appointed by the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board.  The members under paragraph (a), clauses (14) to (16), must be appointed by the Minnesota Board of School Administrators.  The members under paragraph (a), clause (17), must be appointed by the Minnesota School Boards Association.  To the extent practicable, each appointing authority must appoint members representing schools in regions across the state.  All appointments must be made no later than September 1, 2024.

 

Subd. 2.  Duties; report.  (a) The working group is established to advise the legislature on strategies and recommendations to provide competitive compensation to teachers and paraprofessionals in Minnesota elementary, middle, and secondary schools.

 

(b) The working group must report its proposed strategies, recommendations, and draft legislation to the legislative committees with jurisdiction over prekindergarten through grade 12 education finance and policy by February 14, 2025.  The report must be filed according to Minnesota Statutes, section 3.195.

 

(c) At a minimum, the report must:

 

(1) analyze data on the professional pay gap for Minnesota teachers;

 

(2) provide historical analysis on pay trends for Minnesota teachers;

 

(3) examine historical trends in total compensation for Minnesota teachers, including wages and salary, health insurance and other benefits, and pension benefits;

 

(4) examine historical trends in the tuition and opportunity costs of teacher preparation and student debt burdens; and

 

(5) collect and analyze data on the workloads and compensation of Minnesota education support professionals.

 

Subd. 3.  Meetings; compensation.  (a) The working group must convene its initial meeting no later than September 15, 2024, and must meet regularly thereafter.

 

(b) Members of the working group are eligible for per diem compensation as provided under Minnesota Statutes, section 15.059, subdivision 3.


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Subd. 4.  Administrative provisions.  (a) The executive director of the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board or the executive director's designee must convene the initial meeting of the working group.  Upon request of the working group, the executive director must provide meeting space and administrative services for the group.  The members of the working group must elect a chair or cochairs from the members of the working group at the initial meeting.

 

(b) Upon request of the working group, the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board must provide information necessary for the working group to make its recommendations, including but not limited to information on teacher and paraprofessional qualifications, licensure, employment, assignment, and compensation.

 

Subd. 5.  Expiration.  The working group expires February 14, 2025, or upon submission of the report required under subdivision 2, whichever is earlier.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective the day following final enactment.

 

Sec. 23.  APPROPRIATION; DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

 

Subdivision 1.  Department of Education.  The sum indicated in this section is appropriated from the general fund to the Department of Education in the fiscal year designated.

 

Subd. 2.  Special education apprenticeship programs.  (a) For grants to intermediate school districts for special education registered apprenticeship programs:

 

 

 

$1,030,000

. . . . .

2025

 

(b) The department must award grants of $250,000 each to Intermediate School Districts Nos. 287, 288, 916, and 917.  The grant funds must be used for special education registered apprenticeship programs.  Grant funds may be used for:

 

(1) program oversight and administrative costs of the intermediate school district and its partner higher education institution;

 

(2) stipends and tuition, fees, and other direct program costs incurred by apprentices;

 

(3) stipends for teachers serving as mentors; and

 

(4) the cost of substitute teachers.

 

(c) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 16B.98, subdivision 14, up to $30,000 of the appropriation is available for grant administration.

 

(d) This is a onetime appropriation and is available until June 30, 2027.

 

Sec. 24.  APPROPRIATIONS; PROFESSIONAL EDUCATOR LICENSING AND STANDARDS BOARD.

 

Subdivision 1.  Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board.  The sums indicated in this section are appropriated from the general fund to the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board in the fiscal years designated.


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Subd. 2.  Paid student teaching pilot program.  (a) For the paid student teaching pilot program:

 

 

 

$6,543,000

. . . . .

2025

 

(b) Of the amount in paragraph (a), $4,868,000 is for transfer to the Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities.  The Board of Trustees must allocate the funding among the following teacher preparation program providers in the amounts indicated:

 

(1) $929,000 for St. Cloud State University;

 

(2) $744,000 for Bemidji State University;

 

(3) $1,618,000 for Minnesota State University, Mankato;

 

(4) $1,570,000 for Winona State University; and

 

(5) $7,000 for Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College.

 

(c) Of the amount in paragraph (a), $1,218,000 is for transfer to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota to allocate to the following teacher preparation program providers in the amounts indicated:

 

(1) $1,115,000 for the University of Minnesota-Duluth; and

 

(2) $103,000 for the University of Minnesota-Crookston.

 

(d) Of the amount in paragraph (a), $317,000 is for Augsburg University.

 

(e) The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board may retain up to $140,000 to administer the pilot program, including administering surveys and completing required reports.

 

(f) This is a onetime appropriation and is available until June 30, 2026.

 

Subd. 3.  Teacher and paraprofessional compensation working group.  (a) For administration and per diem compensation for members of the teacher and paraprofessional compensation working group:

 

 

 

$150,000

. . . . .

2025

 

(b) This is a onetime appropriation.

 

Subd. 4.  Aspiring teachers of color scholarship program.  (a) For transfer to the commissioner of the Office of Higher Education for the aspiring teachers of color scholarship program under Laws 2021, First Special Session, chapter 2, article 2, section 45:

 

 

 

$1,000,000

. . . . .

2025

 

(b) The commissioner of the Office of Higher Education may use no more than four percent of the appropriation for program administration.

 

(c) This is a onetime appropriation.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective July 1, 2024.


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ARTICLE 6

CHARTER SCHOOLS

 

Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 124E.13, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1.  Leased space.  A charter school may lease space from:  an independent or special school board; other public organization; private, nonprofit, nonsectarian organization; private property owner; or a sectarian organization if the leased space is constructed as a school facility.  In all cases, the eligible lessor must also be the building owner.  The commissioner must review and approve or disapprove leases lease aid applications in a timely manner to determine eligibility for lease aid under section 124E.22.

 

Sec. 2.  Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 124E.22, is amended to read:

 

124E.22 BUILDING LEASE AID.

 

(a) When a charter school finds it economically advantageous to rent or lease a building or land for any instructional purpose and it determines that the total operating capital revenue under section 126C.10, subdivision 13, is insufficient for this purpose, it may apply to the commissioner for building lease aid in the form and manner prescribed by the commissioner.  The commissioner must review and either approve or deny a lease aid application using at least the following criteria:

 

(1) the reasonableness of the price based on current market values;

 

(2) the extent to which the lease conforms to applicable state laws and rules; and

 

(3) the appropriateness of the proposed lease in the context of the space needs and financial circumstances of the charter school.  The commissioner must approve aid only for a facility lease that has (i) a sum certain annual cost and (ii) a closure clause to relieve the charter school of its lease obligations at the time the charter contract is terminated or not renewed.  The closure clause under item (ii) must not be constructed or construed to relieve the charter school of its lease obligations in effect before the charter contract is terminated or not renewed.

 

(b) A charter school must not use the building lease aid it receives for custodial, maintenance service, utility, or other operating costs.

 

(c) The amount of annual building lease aid for a charter school shall not exceed the lesser of (1) 90 percent of the approved cost or (2) the product of the charter school building lease aid pupil units served for the current school year times $1,314.

 

(d) A charter school's building lease aid pupil units equals the sum of the charter school pupil units under section 126C.05 and the pupil units for the portion of the day that the charter school's enrolled students are participating in the Postsecondary Enrollment Options Act under section 124D.09 and not otherwise included in the pupil count under section 126C.05.

 

Sec. 3.  Laws 2023, chapter 55, article 2, section 64, subdivision 6, as amended by Laws 2024, chapter 81, section 9, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 6.  Charter school building lease aid.  (a) For building lease aid under Minnesota Statutes, section 124E.22:

 

 

 

$91,457,000

. . . . .

2024

 

 

$ 94,578,000 94,906,000

. . . . .

2025


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(b) The 2024 appropriation includes $9,047,000 for 2023 and $82,410,000 for 2024.

 

(c) The 2025 appropriation includes $9,156,000 for 2024 and $85,422,000 $85,750,000 for 2025.

 

ARTICLE 7

SPECIAL EDUCATION

 

Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 124D.19, subdivision 8, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 8.  Program approval.  To be eligible for revenue for the program for adults with disabilities, a program and budget must receive approval from the community education section in the department.  Approval may be for five years.  During that time, a board must report any significant changes to the department for approval.  For programs offered cooperatively, the request for approval must include an agreement on the method by which local money is to be derived and distributed.  A request for approval (a) Beginning July 1, 2024, and at least once every five years thereafter, a district's community education advisory council must review and approve the district's adults with disabilities program and submit a statement of assurances to the commissioner in the form and manner determined by the commissioner.  The program must seek feedback from adults with disabilities and other community organizations providing services to adults with disabilities.

 

(b) Each school district with an adults with disabilities program must include all of at least the following information about its adults with disabilities program in its annual community education report under subdivision 14:

 

(1) a summary of the characteristics of the people to be served by the program;

 

(2) a description of the program services and activities;

 

(3) the most recent program budget and amount of aid requested;

 

(4) a summary of the participation by adults with disabilities in developing the program;

 

(5) an assessment of the needs of adults with disabilities; and

 

(6) a description of cooperative efforts with community organizations.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective July 1, 2024, for plans developed on or after that date.

 

Sec. 2.  Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 256B.0625, subdivision 26, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 26.  Special education services.  (a) Medical assistance covers evaluations necessary in making a determination for eligibility for individualized education program and individualized family service plan services and for medical services identified in a recipient's individualized education program and individualized family service plan and covered under the medical assistance state plan.  Covered services include occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech-language therapy, clinical psychological services, nursing services, school psychological services, school social work services, personal care assistants serving as management aides, assistive technology devices, transportation services, health assessments, and other services covered under the medical assistance state plan.  Mental health services eligible for medical assistance reimbursement must be provided or coordinated through a children's mental health collaborative where a collaborative exists if the child is included in the collaborative operational target population.  The provision or coordination of services does not require that the individualized education program be developed by the collaborative.


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The services may be provided by a Minnesota school district that is enrolled as a medical assistance provider or its subcontractor, and only if the services meet all the requirements otherwise applicable if the service had been provided by a provider other than a school district, in the following areas:  medical necessity; physician's, advanced practice registered nurse's, or physician assistant's orders; documentation; personnel qualifications; and prior authorization requirements.  The nonfederal share of costs for services provided under this subdivision is the responsibility of the local school district as provided in section 125A.74.  Services listed in a child's individualized education program are eligible for medical assistance reimbursement only if those services meet criteria for federal financial participation under the Medicaid program.

 

(b) Approval of health-related services for inclusion in the individualized education program does not require prior authorization for purposes of reimbursement under this chapter.  The commissioner may require physician, advanced practice registered nurse, or physician assistant review and approval of the plan not more than once annually or upon any modification of the individualized education program that reflects a change in health-related services.

 

(c) Services of a speech-language pathologist provided under this section are covered notwithstanding Minnesota Rules, part 9505.0390, subpart 1, item L, if the person:

 

(1) holds a masters degree in speech-language pathology;

 

(2) is licensed by the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board as an educational speech-language pathologist; and

 

(3) either has a certificate of clinical competence from the American Speech and Hearing Association, has completed the equivalent educational requirements and work experience necessary for the certificate or has completed the academic program and is acquiring supervised work experience to qualify for the certificate.

 

(d) Medical assistance coverage for medically necessary services provided under other subdivisions in this section may not be denied solely on the basis that the same or similar services are covered under this subdivision.

 

(e) The commissioner shall develop and implement package rates, bundled rates, or per diem rates for special education services under which separately covered services are grouped together and billed as a unit in order to reduce administrative complexity.

 

(f) The commissioner shall develop a cost-based payment structure for payment of these services.  Only costs reported through the designated Minnesota Department of Education data systems in distinct service categories qualify for inclusion in the cost-based payment structure.  The commissioner shall reimburse claims submitted based on an interim rate, and shall settle at a final rate once the department has determined it.  The commissioner shall notify the school district of the final rate.  The school district has 60 days to appeal the final rate.  To appeal the final rate, the school district shall file a written appeal request to the commissioner within 60 days of the date the final rate determination was mailed.  The appeal request shall specify (1) the disputed items and (2) the name and address of the person to contact regarding the appeal.

 

(g) Effective July 1, 2000, medical assistance services provided under an individualized education program or an individual family service plan by local school districts shall not count against medical assistance authorization thresholds for that child.

 

(h) Nursing services as defined in section 148.171, subdivision 15, and provided as an individualized education program health-related service, are eligible for medical assistance payment if they are otherwise a covered service under the medical assistance program.  Medical assistance covers the administration of prescription medications by a licensed nurse who is employed by or under contract with a school district when the administration of medications


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is identified in the child's individualized education program.  The simple administration of medications alone is not covered under medical assistance when administered by a provider other than a school district or when it is not identified in the child's individualized education program.

 

(i) School social work Services provided by a school social worker as described in paragraph (l) must be provided by a mental health professional as defined in section 245I.04, subdivision 2; a clinical trainee as defined in section 245I.04, subdivision 6, under the supervision of a mental health professional; or a mental health practitioner as defined in section 245I.04, subdivision 4, under the supervision of a mental health professional, are to be eligible for medical assistance payment.  A mental health practitioner performing school social work services under this section must provide services within the mental health practitioner's licensure scope of practice, if applicable, and within the mental health practitioner scope of practice under section 245I.04, subdivision 5 reimbursement.  Services described in paragraph (l) must be provided within the provider's scope of practice as defined in section 245I.04, subdivisions 3, 5, and 7.

 

(j) Notwithstanding section 245I.10, subdivision 2, a special education evaluation, and assessment for and within an individual family service plan or individualized education program, or individual family service plan may be used to determine medical necessity and eligibility for school social work services under paragraph (i) instead of a diagnostic assessment for services described under paragraph (l).  The special education evaluation and assessments for and within the individualized education program, or individual family service plan, that meet the requirements in section 245I.10, subdivisions 4, and 5 or 6, and that is completed by a licensed mental health professional or clinical trainee supervised by a licensed mental health professional can be used for determining medical necessity.  In addition, for services that do not require a diagnosis using an assessment as defined in section 245I.10, subdivisions 4, and 5 or 6, the special education evaluation and assessments for and within the individualized education program, or individual family service plan, that provide an International Classification of Diseases diagnostic code and are completed by a licensed mental health professional or clinical trainee supervised by a licensed mental health professional can be used for determining medical necessity.

 

(k) A school social worker or school providing mental health services under paragraph (i) (l) is not required to be certified to provide children's therapeutic services and supports under section 256B.0943.

 

(l) Covered mental health services provided by a school social worker under this paragraph (i) include but are not limited to are:

 

(1) administering and reporting standardized measures;

 

(2) care coordination;

 

(3) children's mental health crisis assistance, planning, and response services;

 

(1) the explanation of findings as described in section 256B.0671, subdivision 4;

 

(2) psychotherapy for crisis as described in section 256B.0671, subdivision 11a;

 

(4) (3) children's mental health clinical care consultation, as described in section 256B.0671, subdivision 7;

 

(5) (4) dialectical behavioral therapy for adolescents, as described in section 256B.0671, subdivision 6;

 

(6) direction of mental health behavioral aides;


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(7) (5) family psychoeducation, as described in section 256B.0671, subdivision 5, which includes skill development, peer group sessions, and individual sessions.  Notwithstanding section 256B.0671, subdivision 5, family psychoeducation services under this section may be delivered by a mental health practitioner as defined under section 245I.04, subdivision 4; and

 

(8) (6) individual, family, and group psychotherapy;, as described in section 256B.0671, subdivision 11.

 

(9) mental health behavioral aide services;

 

(10) skills training; and

 

(11) treatment plan development and review.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective July 1, 2024, or upon federal approval, whichever is later.

 

Sec. 3.  Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 256B.0671, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

 

Subd. 11a.  Psychotherapy for crisis.  (a) Medical assistance covers psychotherapy for crisis when a recipient is in need of an immediate response due to an increase of mental illness symptoms that put the recipient at risk of one of the following:

 

(1) experiencing a life threatening mental health crisis;

 

(2) needing a higher level of care;

 

(3) worsening symptoms without mental health intervention;

 

(4) harm to self, others, or property damage; or

 

(5) significant disruption of functioning in at least one life area.

 

(b) "Psychotherapy for crisis" means treatment of a client to reduce the client's mental health crisis through immediate assessment and psychotherapeutic interventions.  Psychotherapy for crisis must include:

 

(1) emergency assessment of the crisis situation;

 

(2) mental status exam;

 

(3) psychotherapeutic interventions to reduce the crisis; and

 

(4) development of a post-crisis plan that addresses the recipient's coping skills and community resources.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective the day following final enactment.

 

Sec. 4.  Laws 2023, chapter 55, article 7, section 18, subdivision 4, as amended by Laws 2024, chapter 81, section 18, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 4.  Special education; regular.  (a) For special education aid under Minnesota Statutes, section 125A.75:

 

 

 

$2,288,826,000

. . . . .

2024

 

 

$ 2,485,140,000 2,486,181,000

. . . . .

2025


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(b) The 2024 appropriation includes $229,860,000 for 2023 and $2,058,966,000 for 2024.

 

(c) The 2025 appropriation includes $289,842,000 for 2024 and $2,195,298,000 $2,196,339,000 for 2025.

 

ARTICLE 8

SCHOOL FACILITIES

 

Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 123B.71, subdivision 8, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 8.  Review and comment.  A school district, a special education cooperative, or a cooperative unit of government, as defined in section 123A.24, subdivision 2, must not initiate enter into an installment contract for purchase or a lease agreement, hold a referendum for bonds, nor solicit bids for new construction, expansion, or remodeling of an educational facility that requires an expenditure in excess of $500,000 per school site if it has a capital loan outstanding, or $2,000,000 per school site if it does not have a capital loan outstanding, prior to review and comment by the commissioner.  A facility addition, maintenance project, or remodeling project New construction, expansion, or remodeling of an educational facility funded only with general education revenue, lease levy proceeds from an additional capital expenditure levy under section 126C.40, subdivision 1, capital facilities bond proceeds, or long-term facilities maintenance revenue is exempt from this provision.  A capital project under section 123B.63 addressing only technology is exempt from this provision if the district submits a school board resolution stating that funds approved by the voters will be used only as authorized in section 126C.10, subdivision 14.  A school board shall not separate portions of a single project into components to avoid the requirements of this subdivision.

 

Sec. 2.  Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 123B.71, subdivision 12, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 12.  Publication.  (a) At least 48 days but not more than 60 70 days before a referendum for bonds under chapter 475 or solicitation of bids for a project that has received a positive or unfavorable review and comment under section 123B.70, the school board shall publish a summary of the commissioner's review and comment of that project in the legal newspaper of the district.  The school board must hold a public meeting to discuss the commissioner's review and comment before the such a referendum for bonds.  Supplementary information shall be available to the public.  Where no such referendum for bonds is required, the publication and public meeting requirements of this subdivision shall not apply.

 

(b) The publication requirement in paragraph (a) does not apply to alternative facilities projects approved under section 123B.595.

 

Sec. 3.  Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 126C.40, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 6.  Lease purchase; installment buys.  (a) Upon application to, and approval by, the commissioner in accordance with the procedures and limits in subdivision 1, paragraphs (a) and (b), a district, as defined in this subdivision, may:

 

(1) purchase real or personal property under an installment contract or may lease real or personal property with an option to purchase under a lease purchase agreement, by which installment contract or lease purchase agreement title is kept by the seller or vendor or assigned to a third party as security for the purchase price, including interest, if any; and

 

(2) annually levy the amounts necessary to pay the district's obligations under the installment contract or lease purchase agreement.


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(b) The obligation created by the installment contract or the lease purchase agreement must not be included in the calculation of net debt for purposes of section 475.53, and does not constitute debt under other law.  An election is not required in connection with the execution of the installment contract or the lease purchase agreement.

 

(c) The proceeds of the levy authorized by this subdivision must not be used to acquire a facility to be primarily used for athletic or school administration purposes.

 

(d) For the purposes of this subdivision, "district" means:

 

(1) Special School District No. 1, Minneapolis, Independent School District No. 625, St. Paul, Independent School District No. 709, Duluth, or Independent School District No. 535, Rochester, if the district's desegregation plan has been determined by the commissioner to be in compliance with Department of Education rules relating to equality of educational opportunity and where the acquisition of property under this subdivision is determined by the commissioner to contribute to the implementation of the desegregation plan; or

 

(2) other districts eligible for revenue under section 124D.862 if the facility acquired under this subdivision is to be primarily used for a joint program for interdistrict desegregation and the commissioner determines that the joint programs are being undertaken to implement the districts' desegregation plan.

 

(e) Notwithstanding subdivision 1, the prohibition against a levy by a district to lease or rent a district-owned building to itself does not apply to levies otherwise authorized by this subdivision.

 

(f) For the purposes of this subdivision, any references in subdivision 1 to building or land shall include personal property.

 

(g) Projects funded under this subdivision that require an expenditure in excess of $500,000 per school site if the school district has a capital loan outstanding, or $2,000,000 per school site if the school district does not have a capital loan outstanding, are subject to review and comment under section 123B.71, subdivision 8, in the same manner as other school construction projects.  Provided no referendum for bonds is required, the school board must discuss the commissioner's determination of a review and comment and the district's approved achievement and integration plan findings at a regular or special school board meeting within 45 days of the commissioner's determination.  A school board's failure to comply with the discussion requirement in this paragraph shall not otherwise affect the legality, validity, or binding nature of any school district action or obligation not subject to referendum.

 

Sec. 4.  Laws 2023, chapter 55, article 8, section 19, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 5.  Grants for gender-neutral single-user restrooms.  (a) For grants to school districts for remodeling, constructing, or repurposing space for gender-neutral single-user restrooms:

 

 

 

$1,000,000

. . . . .

2024

 

 

$1,000,000

. . . . .

2025

 

(b) A school district or a cooperative unit under Minnesota Statutes, section 123A.24, subdivision 2, may apply for a grant of not more than $75,000 per site under this subdivision in the form and manner specified by the commissioner.  The commissioner must award at least one grant under this subdivision to Independent School District No. 709, Duluth, for a demonstration grant for a project awaiting construction.

 

(c) The commissioner must ensure that grants are awarded to schools to reflect the geographic diversity of the state.

 

(d) Up to $75,000 each year is available for grant administration and monitoring.


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(e) By February 1 of each year, the commissioner must annually report to the committees of the legislature with jurisdiction over education on the number of grants that were awarded each year and the number of grant applications that were unfunded during that year.

 

(f) Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is available in the second year.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective the day following final enactment.

 

Sec. 5.  Laws 2023, chapter 55, article 8, section 19, subdivision 6, as amended by Laws 2024, chapter 81, section 22, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 6.  Long-term facilities maintenance equalized aid.  (a) For long-term facilities maintenance equalized aid under Minnesota Statutes, section 123B.595, subdivision 9:

 

 

 

$107,905,000

. . . . .

2024

 

 

$ 107,630,000 107,865,000

. . . . .

2025

 

(b) The 2024 appropriation includes $10,821,000 for 2023 and $97,084,000 for 2024.

 

(c) The 2025 appropriation includes $10,787,000 for 2024 and $96,843,000 $97,078,000 for 2025.

 

ARTICLE 9

SCHOOL NUTRITION AND LIBRARIES

 

Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 124D.111, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 3.  School food service fund.  (a) The expenses described in this subdivision must be recorded as provided in this subdivision.

 

(b) In each district, the expenses for a school food service program for pupils must be attributed to a school food service fund.  Under a food service program, the school food service may prepare or serve milk, meals, or snacks in connection with school or community service activities.

 

(c) Revenues and expenditures for food service activities must be recorded in the food service fund.  The costs of processing applications, accounting for meals, preparing and serving food, providing kitchen custodial services, and other expenses involving the preparing of meals or the kitchen section of the lunchroom may be charged to the food service fund or to the general fund of the district.  The costs of lunchroom supervision, lunchroom custodial services, lunchroom utilities, lunchroom furniture, and other administrative costs of the food service program must be charged to the general fund.

 

That portion of superintendent and fiscal manager costs that can be documented as attributable to the food service program may be charged to the food service fund provided that the school district does not employ or contract with a food service director or other individual who manages the food service program, or food service management company.  If the cost of the superintendent or fiscal manager is charged to the food service fund, the charge must be at a wage rate not to exceed the statewide average for food service directors as determined by the department.

 

(d) Capital expenditures for the purchase of food service equipment must be made from the general fund and not the food service fund, unless the restricted balance in the food service fund at the end of the last fiscal year is greater than the cost of the equipment to be purchased.


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(e) If the condition set out in paragraph (d) applies, the equipment may be purchased from the food service fund.

 

(f) If a deficit in the food service fund exists at the end of a fiscal year, and the deficit is not eliminated by revenues from food service operations in the next fiscal year, then the deficit must be eliminated by a permanent fund transfer from the general fund at the end of that second fiscal year.  However, if a district contracts with a food service management company during the period in which the deficit has accrued, the deficit must be eliminated by a payment from the food service management company.

 

(g) Notwithstanding paragraph (f), a district may incur a deficit in the food service fund for up to three years without making the permanent transfer if the district submits to the commissioner by January 1 of the second fiscal year a plan for eliminating that deficit at the end of the third fiscal year.

 

(h) If a surplus in the food service fund exists at the end of a fiscal year for three successive years, a district may recode for that fiscal year the costs of lunchroom supervision, lunchroom custodial services, lunchroom utilities, lunchroom furniture, and other administrative costs of the food service program charged to the general fund according to paragraph (c) and charge those costs to the food service fund in a total amount not to exceed the amount of surplus in the food service fund.

 

(i) For purposes of this subdivision, "lunchroom furniture" means tables and chairs regularly used by pupils in a lunchroom from which they may consume milk, meals, or snacks in connection with school or community service activities.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective for fiscal year 2024 and later.

 

Sec. 2.  [127A.151] STATE SCHOOL LIBRARIAN.

 

(a) The Department of Education must employ a state school librarian within the State Library Services Division of the department to provide technical assistance to licensed school library media specialists and licensed school librarians.  The state school librarian must be or have been a licensed school library media specialist.

 

(b) The responsibilities of the state school librarian include but are not limited to providing advice and guidance in academic standards development and statewide library data collection from district and charter schools, and related activities.  The state school librarian may provide advice and guidance to the Department of Education staff responsible for administering state library aid and monitoring district compliance.  The state school librarian must support district and charter schools on issues of intellectual freedom, media and digital literacy, and growing lifelong readers.  The state school librarian must share information about available grant funds and resources, work with the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board to support licensure acquisition, and support professional development for licensed school library media specialists and licensed school librarians.

 

Sec. 3.  Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 127A.45, subdivision 12, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 12.  Payment percentage for certain aids.  One hundred percent of the aid for the current fiscal year must be paid for the following aids:  reimbursement for enrollment options transportation, according to sections 124D.03, subdivision 8, and 124D.09, subdivision 22, and chapter 124E; school lunch aid, according to section 124D.111;, and support services aid, for persons who are deaf, deafblind, and hard-of-hearing according to section 124D.57.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective July 1, 2024.


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Sec. 4.  Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 127A.45, subdivision 13, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 13.  Aid payment percentage.  Except as provided in subdivisions 11, 12, 12a, and 14, and 14a, each fiscal year, all education aids and credits in this chapter and chapters 120A, 120B, 121A, 122A, 123A, 123B, 124D, 124E, 125A, 125B, 126C, 134, and section 273.1392, shall be paid at the current year aid payment percentage of the estimated entitlement during the fiscal year of the entitlement.  For the purposes of this subdivision, a district's estimated entitlement for special education aid under section 125A.76 for fiscal year 2014 and later equals 97.4 percent of the district's entitlement for the current fiscal year.  The final adjustment payment, according to subdivision 9, must be the amount of the actual entitlement, after adjustment for actual data, minus the payments made during the fiscal year of the entitlement.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective July 1, 2024.

 

Sec. 5.  Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 127A.45, subdivision 14a, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 14a.  State nutrition programs.  Notwithstanding subdivision subdivisions 3 and 13, the state shall pay 100 percent of the aid for the current year according to sections 124D.111, 124D.1158, and 124D.118 based on submitted monthly vouchers showing meals and milk served.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective July 1, 2024.

 

Sec. 6.  Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 134.356, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

 

Subd. 1a.  State school librarian.  In fiscal year 2026 and each fiscal year thereafter, the Department of Education may retain up to $130,000 of the amount appropriated for school library aid under this section for the costs of the state school librarian under section 127A.151.  The aid for each school district and charter school under subdivision 1 must be reduced proportionately.  The reduction in aid under this subdivision must be applied to the current year aid payment.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective July 1, 2024.

 

Sec. 7.  Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 134.356, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

 

Subd. 3.  Report.  By January 15, 2025, and annually thereafter, the commissioner of education must report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over kindergarten through grade 12 education on how school districts and charter schools used aid under this section in the previous fiscal year.  In preparing the report, the commissioner may use information available from the uniform financial accounting and reporting system.  The report must be filed in accordance with section 3.195.

 

Sec. 8.  Laws 2023, chapter 18, section 4, subdivision 2, as amended by Laws 2023, chapter 55, article 9, section 16, and Laws 2024, chapter 81, section 23, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 2.  School lunch.  For school lunch aid under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.111, including the amounts for the free school meals program:

 

 

 

$218,801,000

. . . . .

2024

 

 

$ 238,987,000 239,686,000

. . . . .

2025


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Sec. 9.  Laws 2023, chapter 18, section 4, subdivision 3, as amended by Laws 2023, chapter 55, article 9, section 17, and Laws 2024, chapter 81, section 24, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 3.  School breakfast.  For school breakfast aid under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.1158:

 

 

 

$44,178,000

. . . . .

2024

 

 

$ 48,334,000 48,747,000

. . . . .

2025

 

Sec. 10.  REVISOR INSTRUCTION.

 

The revisor of statutes shall renumber Minnesota Statutes, section 134.356, as Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.992, and make any necessary changes to statutory cross-references to reflect these changes.

 

ARTICLE 10

STATE AGENCIES

 

Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 13.321, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

 

Subd. 12.  Office of the Inspector General; access to data.  Data involving the Department of Education's Office of the Inspector General are governed by section 127A.21.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective the day following final enactment.

 

Sec. 2.  Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 127A.21, is amended to read:

 

127A.21 OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL.

 

Subdivision 1.  Establishment of Office of the Inspector General; powers; duties.  The commissioner must establish within the department an Office of the Inspector General.  The inspector general shall report directly to the commissioner.  The Office of the Inspector General is charged with protecting the integrity of the department and the state by detecting and preventing fraud, waste, and abuse in department programs.  The Office of the Inspector General must conduct independent and objective investigations to promote the integrity of the department's programs and operations.  When fraud or other misuse of public funds is detected, the Office of the Inspector General must report it to the appropriate law enforcement entity and collaborate and cooperate with law enforcement to assist in the investigation and any subsequent civil and criminal prosecution.

 

Subd. 1a.  Definitions.  (a) For purposes of this section, the following terms have the meanings given.

 

(b) "Abuse" means actions that may, directly or indirectly, result in unnecessary costs to department programs.  Abuse may involve paying for items or services when there is no legal entitlement to that payment.

 

(c) "Department program" means a program funded by the Department of Education that involves the transfer or disbursement of public funds or other resources to a program participant.  "Department program" includes state and federal aids or grants received by a school district or charter school or other program participant.

 

(d) "Fraud" means an intentional or deliberate act to deprive another of property or money or to acquire property or money by deception or other unfair means.  Fraud includes intentionally submitting false information to the department for the purpose of obtaining a greater compensation or benefit than that to which the person is legally entitled.  Fraud also includes failure to correct errors in the maintenance of records in a timely manner after a request by the department.


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(e) "Investigation" means an audit, investigation, proceeding, or inquiry by the Office of the Inspector General related to a program participant in a department program.

 

(f) "Program participant" means any entity or person, including associated persons, that receives, disburses, or has custody of funds or other resources transferred or disbursed under a department program.

 

(g) "Waste" means practices that, directly or indirectly, result in unnecessary costs to department programs, such as misusing resources.

 

(h) For purposes of this section, neither "fraud," "waste," nor "abuse" includes decisions on instruction, curriculum, personnel, or other discretionary policy decisions made by a school district, charter school, cooperative unit as defined by section 123A.24, subdivision 2, or any library, library system, or library district defined in section 134.001.

 

Subd. 2.  Data practices; Hiring; reporting; procedures.  The Office of the Inspector General has access to all program data, regardless of classification under chapter 13, held by the department, school districts or charter schools, grantees, and any other recipient of funds from the department. (a) The commissioner, or the commissioner's designee, must hire an inspector general to lead the Office of the Inspector General.  The inspector general must hire a deputy inspector general and, at the discretion of the inspector general, sufficient assistant inspectors general to carry out the duties of the office.  The inspector general, deputy inspector general, and any assistant inspectors general serve in the classified service.

 

(b) In a form and manner determined by the inspector general, the Office of the Inspector General must develop a public platform for the public to report instances of potential fraud, waste, or abuse of public funds administered by the department.  Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to give a member of the public standing to sue based on allegations of fraud, waste, or abuse.

 

(c) The inspector general shall establish procedures for conducting investigations.  Procedures adopted under this subdivision are not subject to chapter 14, including section 14.386.

 

Subd. 3.  Subpoenas.  (a) For the purpose of an investigation, the inspector general or a designee may administer oaths and affirmations, subpoena witnesses, compel attendance, take evidence, and issue subpoenas duces tecum to require the production of books, papers, correspondence, memoranda, agreements, financial records, or other documents or records relevant to the investigation.

 

(b) A subpoena issued pursuant to this subdivision must state that the subpoena recipient may not disclose the fact that the subpoena was issued or the fact that the requested records have been given to the inspector general, or their staff, except:

 

(1) in so far as the disclosure is necessary to find and disclose the records;

 

(2) pursuant to court order; or

 

(3) to legal counsel for the purposes of responding to the subpoena.

 

(c) The fees for service of a subpoena must be paid in the same manner as prescribed by law for a service of process issued by a district court.

 

(d) The subpoena issued under this subdivision shall be enforceable through the district court in the district where the subpoena is issued.


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Subd. 4.  Access to records.  (a) For purposes of an investigation, and regardless of the data's classification under chapter 13, the Office of the Inspector General shall have access to all relevant books, accounts, documents, data, and property related to department programs that are maintained by a program participant, charter school, or government entity as defined by section 13.02.

 

(b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), the Office of the Inspector General must issue a subpoena under subdivision 3 in order to access routing and account numbers to which Department of Education funds have been disbursed.

 

(c) Records requested by the Office of the Inspector General under this subdivision shall be provided in a format, place, and time frame reasonably requested by the Office of the Inspector General.

 

(d) The department may enter into specific agreements with other state agencies related to records requests by the Office of the Inspector General.

 

Subd. 5.  Sanctions; appeal.  (a) This subdivision does not authorize any sanction that reduces, pauses, or otherwise interrupts state or federal aid to a school district, charter school, cooperative unit as defined by section 123A.24, subdivision 2, or any library, library system, or library district defined in section 134.001.

 

(b) The inspector general may recommend that the commissioner impose appropriate temporary sanctions, including withholding of payments under the department program, on a program participant pending an investigation by the Office of the Inspector General if:

 

(1) during the course of an investigation, the Office of the Inspector General finds credible indicia of fraud, waste, or abuse by the program participant;

 

(2) there has been a criminal, civil, or administrative adjudication of fraud, waste, or abuse against the program participant in Minnesota or in another state or jurisdiction;

 

(3) the program participant was receiving funds under any contract or registered in any program administered by another Minnesota state agency, a government agency in another state, or a federal agency, and was excluded from that contract or program for reasons credibly indicating fraud, waste, or abuse by the program participant; or

 

(4) the program participant has a pattern of noncompliance with an investigation.

 

(c) If an investigation finds, by a preponderance of the evidence, fraud, waste, or abuse by a program participant, the inspector general may, after reviewing all facts and evidence and when acting judiciously on a case-by-case basis, recommend that the commissioner impose appropriate sanctions on the program participant.

 

(d) Unless prohibited by law, the commissioner has the authority to implement recommendations by the inspector general, including imposing appropriate sanctions, temporarily or otherwise, on a program participant.  Sanctions may include ending program participation, stopping disbursement of funds or resources, monetary recovery, and termination of department contracts with the participant for any current or future department program or contract.  A sanction may be imposed for up to the longest period permitted by state or federal law.  Sanctions authorized under this subdivision are in addition to other remedies and penalties available under law.

 

(e) If the commissioner imposes sanctions on a program participant under this subdivision, the commissioner must notify the participant in writing within seven business days of imposing the sanction, unless requested in writing by a law enforcement agency to temporarily delay issuing the notice to prevent disruption of an ongoing law enforcement agency investigation.  A notice of sanction must state:

 

(1) the sanction being imposed;


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(2) the general allegations that form the basis for the sanction;

 

(3) the duration of the sanction;

 

(4) the department programs to which the sanction applies; and

 

(5) how the program participant may appeal the sanction pursuant to paragraph (e).

 

(f) A program participant sanctioned under this subdivision may, within 30 days after the date the notice of sanction was mailed to the participant, appeal the determination by requesting in writing that the commissioner initiate a contested case proceeding under chapter 14.  The scope of any contested case hearing is limited to the sanction imposed under this subdivision.  An appeal request must specify with particularity each disputed item, the reason for the dispute, and must include the name and contact information of the person or entity that may be contacted regarding the appeal.

 

(g) The commissioner shall lift sanctions imposed under this subdivision if the Office of the Inspector General determines there is insufficient evidence of fraud, waste, or abuse by the program participant.  The commissioner must notify the participant in writing within seven business days of lifting the sanction.

 

Subd. 6.  Data practices.  (a) It is not a violation of rights conferred by chapter 13 or any other statute related to the confidentiality of government data for a government entity as defined in section 13.02 to provide data or information under this section.

 

(b) The inspector general is subject to the Government Data Practices Act, chapter 13, and shall protect from unlawful disclosure data classified as not public.  Data collected, created, received, or maintained by the inspector general relating to an audit, investigation, proceeding, or inquiry are subject to section 13.39.

 

Subd. 7.  Retaliation, interference prohibited.  (a) An employee or other individual who discloses information to the Office of the Inspector General about fraud, waste, or abuse in department programs is protected under section 181.932, governing disclosure of information by employees.

 

(b) No state employee may interfere with or obstruct an investigation authorized by this section.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective the day following final enactment.

 

Sec. 3.  Laws 2023, chapter 55, article 12, section 17, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 2.  Department.  (a) For the Department of Education:

 

 

 

$47,005,000

. . . . .

2024

 

 

$ 39,922,000 40,052,000

. . . . .

2025

 

Of these amounts:

 

(1) $405,000 each year is for the Board of School Administrators;

 

(2) $1,000,000 each year is for regional centers of excellence under Minnesota Statutes, section 120B.115;

 

(3) $720,000 each year is for implementing Minnesota's Learning for English Academic Proficiency and Success Act (LEAPS) under Laws 2014, chapter 272, article 1, as amended;


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(4) $480,000 each year is for the Department of Education's mainframe update;

 

(5) $7,500,000 in fiscal year 2024 only is for legal fees and costs associated with litigation;

 

(6) $595,000 in fiscal year 2024 and $2,609,000 in fiscal year 2025 are for modernizing district data submissions.  The base for fiscal year 2026 and later is $2,359,000;

 

(7) $573,000 each year is for engagement and rulemaking related to Specific Learning Disability;

 

(8) $150,000 each year is for an ethnic studies specialist in the academic standards division to provide support to the ethnic studies working group and to school districts seeking to establish or strengthen ethnic studies courses;

 

(9) $150,000 each year is for the comprehensive school mental health services lead under Minnesota Statutes, section 127A.215;

 

(10) $150,000 each year is for a school health services specialist under Minnesota Statutes, section 121A.20;

 

(11) $2,000,000 each year is for the Office of the Inspector General established under Minnesota Statutes, section 127A.21;

 

(12) $800,000 each year is for audit and internal control resources;

 

(13) $2,000,000 in fiscal year 2024 only is for information technology infrastructure and portfolio resources;

 

(14) $2,000,000 each year is for staffing the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Center at the Department of Education; and

 

(15) $275,000 in fiscal year 2024 and $175,000 in fiscal year 2025 are for administrative expenses for unemployment aid; and

 

(16) $130,000 in fiscal year 2025 only is for the state school librarian under Minnesota Statutes, section 127A.151.

 

(b) None of the amounts appropriated under this subdivision may be used for Minnesota's Washington, D.C., office.

 

(c) The expenditures of federal grants and aids as shown in the biennial budget document and its supplements are approved and appropriated and must be spent as indicated.

 

(d) The base for fiscal year 2026 and later is $39,667,000.

 

Sec. 4.  PERMANENT SCHOOL FUND; DISTRIBUTION OF ENDOWMENT FUND EARNINGS TASK FORCE.

 

Subdivision 1.  Task force established.  A task force of nine members is established to examine the distribution of earnings from the permanent school fund endowment.

 

Subd. 2.  Membership qualifications and appointments.  (a) Appointed members of the task force must have outstanding professional experience in at least one of the following areas:

 

(1) institutional asset management;

 

(2) investment finance;


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(3) trust administration;

 

(4) investment fund accounting;

 

(5) investment banking; or

 

(6) the practice of law in the areas of capital markets, securities funds, trusts, foundations, or endowments.

 

(b) The task force consists of the following nine members, each of whom must be appointed by September 1, 2024:

 

(1) the commissioner of education or the commissioner's designee;

 

(2) an employee or other member appointed by the State Board of Investment;

 

(3) four members appointed by the governor; and

 

(4) three members appointed by vote of the Legislative Permanent School Fund Commission.

 

(c) The first meeting of the task force must be called by the commissioner of education no later than October 1, 2024.  The Department of Education must provide staff, technical assistance, and organizational support for the task force.

 

Subd. 3.  Duties.  The task force must examine the historical returns on the permanent school fund endowment and evaluate and recommend potential changes to the distribution of earnings.  The task force may examine school trust endowment policies in other states.  The task force recommendations may include proposed changes to state statutes and Minnesota's constitutional provisions governing the school trust fund endowment.

 

Subd. 4.  Report; expiration.  The task force must report its recommendations to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over the permanent school fund by January 15, 2026.  The task force report must be submitted consistent with Minnesota Statutes, section 3.195.  The task force expires on January 15, 2026, or upon submission of the report required under this subdivision, whichever occurs earlier.

 

Sec. 5.  APPROPRIATION; PROFESSIONAL EDUCATOR LICENSING AND STANDARDS BOARD.

 

Subdivision 1.  Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board.  The sum indicated in this section is appropriated from the general fund to the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board in the fiscal year designated.

 

Subd. 2.  Information technology costs.  (a) For information technology costs of the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board:

 

 

 

$2,767,000

. . . . .

2025

 

(b) This is a onetime appropriation and is available until June 30, 2027.

 

Sec. 6.  APPROPRIATION; PERMANENT SCHOOL FUND TASK FORCE.

 

Subdivision 1.  Department of Education.  The sum indicated in this section is appropriated from the general fund to the Department of Education for the fiscal year designated.


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Subd. 2.  Permanent School Fund Task Force.  (a) To administer the task force on the distribution of earnings from the permanent school fund:

 

 

 

$64,000