1.1 A bill for an act
1.2 relating to higher education; establishing a law enforcement grant program to help
1.3 recruit and retain law enforcement officers; appropriating money; proposing coding
1.4 for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 136A.
1.5BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
1.6 Section 1. [136A.1245] LAW ENFORCEMENT GRANTS.
1.7 Subdivision 1.Establishment.To help recruit and retain law enforcement officers in
1.8the state, the office must establish a grant program to cover the cost of tuition and fees at
1.9public postsecondary educational institutions for students who satisfy the eligibility
1.10requirements under subdivision 3.
1.11 Subd. 2.Definitions.For purposes of this section, the following terms have the meanings
1.12given:
1.13 (1) "gift aid" has the meaning given in section 136A.1465, subdivision 1, clause (2);
1.14 (2) "law enforcement agency" has the meaning given in section 626.84, subdivision 1,
1.15paragraph (f);
1.16 (3) "other expenses" has the meaning given in section 136A.1465, subdivision 1, clause
1.17(3);
1.18 (4) "peace officer" has the meaning given in section 626.84, subdivision 1, paragraph
1.19(c);
1.20 (5) "public postsecondary educational institution" means an institution operated by the
1.21Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities or the Board of Regents
1.22of the University of Minnesota;
1Section 1.
REVISOR VH/RC 25-0470303/11/25
State of Minnesota
This Document can be made available
in alternative formats upon request
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
H. F. No. 2454
NINETY-FOURTH SESSION
Authored by Wolgamott, Perryman, Huot, Norris and Witte03/17/2025
The bill was read for the first time and referred to the Committee on Higher Education Finance and Policy 2.1 (6) "total and permanent duty disability" means a condition qualifying for benefits under
2.2section 353.656, subdivision 1a; and
2.3 (7) "tuition and fees" means the actual tuition and mandatory fees charged by the public
2.4postsecondary institution attended by the eligible student.
2.5 Subd. 3.Eligibility.(a) An individual is eligible for a grant under this section if the
2.6individual:
2.7 (1) applies in the form and manner specified by the office;
2.8 (2) is a resident student, as defined in section 136A.101, subdivision 8;
2.9 (3) is a graduate of a secondary school or its equivalent, or is 17 years of age or older
2.10and has met all requirements for admission as a student to a public postsecondary educational
2.11institution;
2.12 (4) has completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the state
2.13aid application;
2.14 (5) is enrolled in at least one credit per fall, spring, or summer semester in an
2.15undergraduate certificate, diploma, or degree program at a public postsecondary educational
2.16institution;
2.17 (6) has not (i) obtained a baccalaureate degree, or (ii) been enrolled for 12 semesters or
2.18the equivalent, excluding courses taken that qualify as developmental education or below
2.19college-level and are subject to subdivision 5, paragraph (b);
2.20 (7) is not in default, as defined by the office, for any federal or state student educational
2.21loan;
2.22 (8) is not more than 30 days in arrears in court-ordered child support that is collected or
2.23enforced by the public authority responsible for child support enforcement or, is more than
2.2430 days in arrears in court-ordered child support that is collected or enforced by the public
2.25authority responsible for child support enforcement, but is complying with a written payment
2.26agreement under section 518A.69 or order for arrearages;
2.27 (9) has not been convicted of or pled nolo contendere or guilty to a crime involving
2.28fraud in obtaining federal Title IV funds within the meaning of Code of Federal Regulations,
2.29title 34, section 668.32;
2.30 (10) is meeting satisfactory academic progress as defined in section 136A.101, subdivision
2.3110; and
2.32 (11) is either:
2Section 1.
REVISOR VH/RC 25-0470303/11/25 3.1 (i) a peace officer employed by a Minnesota law enforcement agency;
3.2 (ii) the dependent child of a peace officer employed by a Minnesota law enforcement
3.3agency; or
3.4 (iii) the dependent child of an individual who, while employed by a Minnesota law
3.5enforcement agency as a peace officer, suffered a total and permanent duty disability.
3.6 (b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), clause (5), an individual who is eligible for a grant
3.7under paragraph (a), clause (11), item (i), must be enrolled in at least one credit per fall,
3.8spring, or summer semester in an undergraduate baccalaureate degree program at a public
3.9postsecondary educational institution in the field of criminal justice, law enforcement, or a
3.10similar field.
3.11 Subd. 4.Award amount.(a) Scholarships must be awarded to eligible students in an
3.12amount equal to 100 percent of tuition and fees after gift aid is deducted.
3.13 (b) If there is a projected shortfall in available resources, the commissioner may
3.14proportionately reduce awards to keep spending within available resources.
3.15 Subd. 5.Duration of grant.(a) Each scholarship is for a period of one semester or
3.16equivalent term. A scholarship may be renewed if the eligible student continues to meet the
3.17conditions of eligibility. A grant award is terminated upon failure to meet the eligibility
3.18requirements under subdivision 3.
3.19 (b) A student is entitled to an additional semester or the equivalent of grant eligibility
3.20if the student withdraws from enrollment:
3.21 (1) for active military service because the student was ordered to active military service
3.22as defined in section 190.05, subdivision 5b or 5c;
3.23 (2) for a serious health condition, while under the care of a medical professional, that
3.24substantially limits the student's ability to complete the term; or
3.25 (3) while providing care that substantially limits the student's ability to complete the
3.26term to the student's spouse, child, or parent who has a serious health condition.
3.27 Subd. 6.Administration.(a) The office must determine the time and manner of grant
3.28applications. The office must require an applicant to provide documentation verifying that
3.29the applicant meets the eligibility criteria under subdivision 3, paragraph (a), clause (11).
3.30 (b) The scholarship must be paid directly to the eligible institution where the student is
3.31enrolled.
3Section 1.
REVISOR VH/RC 25-0470303/11/25 4.1 (c) The office must prepare promotional and informational materials about the grant
4.2program under this section and disseminate the materials to law enforcement agencies
4.3throughout the state. The office and the Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training may
4.4collaborate on promotion of the program.
4.5 Sec. 2. APPROPRIATION; LAW ENFORCEMENT GRANTS.
4.6 $....... in fiscal year 2026 and $....... in fiscal year 2027 are appropriated from the general
4.7fund to the commissioner of the Office of Higher Education for law enforcement grants
4.8under Minnesota Statutes, section 136A.1245.
4Sec. 2.
REVISOR VH/RC 25-0470303/11/25