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.
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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
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
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
(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
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.
(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.
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.
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 |
|
|
$ |
. . . . . |
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 |
(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;
(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.
(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;
(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.
(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.
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;
(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.
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
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.
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.
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.
(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.
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 |
|
|
$ |
. . . . . |
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.
(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;
(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.
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 |
|
|
$ |
. . . . . |
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.
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.
(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 |
|
|
$ |
. . . . . |
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.
(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.
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.
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.
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.
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 |
|
|
$ |
. . . . . |
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
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.
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.
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.
(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
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.
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.
(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.
(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.
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.
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:
|
|
$ |
. . . . . |
2024 |
|
|
$ |
. . . . . |
2025 |
(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.
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.
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.
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.
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;
(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.
(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;
(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.
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.
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.
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 |
|
|
$ |
. . . . . |
2025 |
(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.
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
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;
(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 |
|
|
$
|
. . . . . |
2025 |
(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.
(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.
(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 |
|
|
$ |
. . . . . |
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.
(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.
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 |
|
|
$ |
. . . . . |
2025 |
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 |
|
|
$ |
. . . . . |
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.
(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.
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;
(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 |
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|
$ |
. . . . . |
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;
(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;
(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:
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$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.
Subd. 2. Permanent
School Fund Task Force. (a)
To administer the task force on the distribution of earnings from the permanent
school fund:
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$64,000 |