1.1 A bill for an act
1.2 relating to education policy; making changes to kindergarten through grade 12
1.3 education; modifying provisions for general education, education excellence,
1.4 charter schools, the Read Act, special education, school nutrition and facilities,
1.5 and state agencies; requiring a report; amending Minnesota Statutes 2024, sections
1.6 10A.071, subdivision 1; 13.03, by adding a subdivision; 13.32, subdivision 5;
1.7 120A.22, subdivisions 12, 13; 120A.24, subdivision 4; 120B.021, subdivisions 2,
1.8 3; 120B.024; 120B.119, subdivisions 2a, 10; 120B.12, subdivisions 1, 2, 2a, 3, 4,
1.9 4a; 120B.123, subdivisions 1, 5, 7, by adding a subdivision; 120B.124, subdivision
1.10 2; 120B.35, subdivision 3; 120B.363, subdivisions 1, 2; 121A.031, subdivisions
1.11 2, 4, 6; 121A.041, subdivisions 2, 3; 121A.22, subdivision 2; 121A.2205;
1.12 121A.2207; 121A.224; 121A.23, subdivision 1; 121A.41, subdivision 10; 121A.49;
1.13 121A.73; 122A.09, subdivision 9; 122A.092, subdivisions 2, 5; 122A.181,
1.14 subdivision 3; 122A.182, subdivision 3; 122A.183, subdivision 2; 123B.09, by
1.15 adding a subdivision; 123B.32, subdivisions 1, 2; 123B.52, by adding a subdivision;
1.16 124D.09, subdivisions 5, 5a, 5b, 9, 10; 124D.094, subdivision 1; 124D.117,
1.17 subdivision 2; 124D.119, subdivision 5; 124D.162; 124D.42, subdivision 8;
1.18 124D.52, subdivision 2; 124D.792; 124E.02; 124E.03, subdivision 2, by adding
1.19 a subdivision; 124E.05, subdivision 2; 124E.06, subdivision 7, by adding a
1.20 subdivision; 124E.07, subdivisions 2, 3, 5, 6, 8; 124E.10, subdivision 4; 124E.13,
1.21 subdivision 3; 124E.16, subdivisions 1, 3, by adding a subdivision; 124E.17;
1.22 124E.26, subdivisions 4, 5, by adding a subdivision; 125A.091, subdivisions 3a,
1.23 5; Laws 2024, chapter 115, article 2, section 21, subdivisions 2, 3; proposing
1.24 coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapters 120B; 124D; 125A; repealing
1.25 Minnesota Statutes 2024, sections 120B.124, subdivision 6; 123B.935, subdivision
1.26 2.
1.27BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
1.28 ARTICLE 1
1.29 GENERAL EDUCATION
1.30 Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 120A.22, subdivision 12, is amended to read:
1.31 Subd. 12.Legitimate exemptions.(a) A parent, guardian, or other person having control
1.32of a child may apply to a school district to have the child excused from attendance for the
1Article 1 Section 1.
S1740-1 1st EngrossmentSF1740 REVISOR CR
SENATE
STATE OF MINNESOTA
S.F. No. 1740NINETY-FOURTH SESSION
(SENATE AUTHORS: CWODZINSKI)
OFFICIAL STATUSD-PGDATE
Introduction and first reading46102/20/2025
Referred to Education Policy
Comm report: To pass as amended04/07/2025
Second reading 2.1whole or any part of the time school is in session during any school year. Application may
2.2be made to any member of the board, a truant officer, a or the school official designated by
2.3the principal, or the superintendent. The school district may state in its school attendance
2.4policy that it may ask the student's parent or legal guardian to verify in writing the reason
2.5for the child's absence from school. A note from a physician or a licensed mental health
2.6professional stating that the child cannot attend school is a valid excuse. The board of the
2.7district in which the child resides may approve the application upon the following being
2.8demonstrated to the satisfaction of that board:
2.9 (1) that the child's physical or mental health is such as to prevent attendance at school
2.10or application to study for the period required, which includes:
2.11 (i) child illness, medical, dental, orthodontic, or counseling appointments, including
2.12appointments conducted through telehealth;
2.13 (ii) family emergencies;
2.14 (iii) the death or serious illness or funeral of an immediate family member;
2.15 (iv) active duty in any military branch of the United States;
2.16 (v) the child has a condition that requires ongoing treatment for a mental health diagnosis;
2.17or
2.18 (vi) other exemptions included in the district's school attendance policy;
2.19 (2) that the child has already completed state and district standards required for graduation
2.20from high school; or
2.21 (3) that it is the wish of the parent, guardian, or other person having control of the child
2.22that the child attend, for a period or periods not exceeding in the aggregate three hours in
2.23any week, instruction conducted by a Tribal spiritual or cultural advisor, or a school for
2.24religious instruction conducted and maintained by a church, or association of churches, or
2.25any Sunday school association incorporated under the laws of this state, or any auxiliary
2.26thereof. This instruction must be conducted and maintained in a place other than a public
2.27school building, and it must not, in whole or in part, be conducted and maintained at public
2.28expense. A child may be absent from school on days that the child attends upon instruction
2.29according to this clause.
2.30 (b) Notwithstanding subdivision 6, paragraph (a), a parent may withdraw a child from
2.31an all-day, every day kindergarten program and put their child in a half-day program, if
2.32offered, or an alternate-day program without being truant. A school board must excuse a
2.33kindergarten child from a part of a school day at the request of the child's parent.
2Article 1 Section 1.
S1740-1 1st EngrossmentSF1740 REVISOR CR 3.1 Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 120A.22, subdivision 13, is amended to read:
3.2 Subd. 13.Issuing and Reporting excuses attendance.(a) A student who is participating
3.3in cocurricular or extracurricular activities must be counted as in attendance to the extent
3.4that the activities occur during school hours. For the purposes of this paragraph, "cocurricular
3.5activities" and "extracurricular activities" have the meanings given in section 123B.49,
3.6subdivisions 3 and 4.
3.7 (b) The clerk or any authorized officer of the board principal must issue and keep a
3.8record of such excuses, under such rules as the board may from time to time establish.
3.9 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective July 1, 2025.
3.10 Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 120A.24, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
3.11 Subd. 4.Reports to the state or county.(a) A superintendent must make an annual
3.12report to the commissioner of education by December 1 of the total number of nonpublic
3.13children reported as residing in the district. The report must include the following
3.14information:
3.15 (1) the number of children residing in the district attending nonpublic schools or receiving
3.16instruction from persons or institutions other than a public school;
3.17 (2) the number of children in clause (1) who are in compliance with section 120A.22
3.18and this section; and
3.19 (3) the number of children in clause (1) who the superintendent has determined are not
3.20in compliance with section 120A.22 and this section.
3.21 (b) No later than 15 school days after the beginning of each academic term, a school
3.22principal must report to the superintendent a list of names and last known addresses of all
3.23students who were enrolled in the school for the previous term, are not enrolled in the school
3.24for the current term, and were otherwise eligible for enrollment, unless the school has been
3.25notified that the student has enrolled in another school. The superintendent must immediately
3.26make the list received from the principal available to an authorized representative of a county
3.27agency whose statutory purpose is to enroll students in school.
3.28 Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 120B.021, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
3.29 Subd. 2.Standards development.(a) The commissioner must consider advice from at
3.30least the following stakeholders in developing statewide rigorous core academic standards
3Article 1 Sec. 4.
S1740-1 1st EngrossmentSF1740 REVISOR CR 4.1in language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, including history, geography,
4.2economics, government and citizenship, health, and the arts:
4.3 (1) parents of school-age children and members of the public throughout the state;
4.4 (2) teachers throughout the state currently licensed and providing instruction in language
4.5arts, mathematics, science, social studies, health, or the arts and licensed elementary and
4.6secondary school principals throughout the state currently administering a school site;
4.7 (3) currently serving members of local school boards and charter school boards throughout
4.8the state;
4.9 (4) faculty teaching core subjects at postsecondary institutions in Minnesota;
4.10 (5) representatives of the Minnesota business community;
4.11 (6) representatives from the Tribal Nations Education Committee and Tribal Nations
4.12and communities in Minnesota, including both Anishinaabe and Dakota; and
4.13 (7) current students, with input from the Minnesota Youth Council.
4.14 (b) Academic standards must:
4.15 (1) be clear, concise, objective, and measurable, and grade-level appropriate;
4.16 (2) not require a specific teaching methodology or curriculum; and
4.17 (3) be consistent with the Constitutions of the United States and the state of Minnesota.
4.18 Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 120B.024, is amended to read:
4.19 120B.024 CREDITS.
4.20 Subdivision 1.Graduation requirements.(a) Students must successfully complete the
4.21following high school level credits for graduation:
4.22 (1) four credits of language arts sufficient to satisfy all of the academic standards in
4.23English language arts;
4.24 (2) three credits of mathematics sufficient to satisfy all of the academic standards in
4.25mathematics;
4.26 (3) three credits of science, including one credit to satisfy all the earth and space science
4.27standards for grades 9 through 12, one credit to satisfy all the life science standards for
4.28grades 9 through 12, and one credit to satisfy all the chemistry or physics standards for
4.29grades 9 through 12;
4Article 1 Sec. 5.
S1740-1 1st EngrossmentSF1740 REVISOR CR 5.1 (4) three and one-half credits of social studies, including credit for a course in government
5.2and citizenship in either grade 11 or 12 for students beginning grade 9 in the 2025-2026
5.3school year and later or an advanced placement, international baccalaureate, or other rigorous
5.4course on government and citizenship under section 120B.021, subdivision 1a, and a
5.5combination of other credits encompassing at least United States history, geography,
5.6government and citizenship, world history, and economics sufficient to satisfy all of the
5.7academic standards in social studies;
5.8 (5) one credit of the arts sufficient to satisfy all of the academic standards in the arts;
5.9 (6) credit sufficient to satisfy the state standards in physical education;
5.10 (7) credits sufficient to satisfy the state standards in health upon adoption of statewide
5.11rules for implementing health standards under section 120B.021; and
5.12 (8) a minimum of seven elective credits.
5.13 (b) Students who begin grade 9 in the 2024-2025 school year and later must successfully
5.14complete a course for credit in personal finance in grade 10, 11, or 12. A teacher of a personal
5.15finance course that satisfies the graduation requirement must have a field license or
5.16out-of-field permission in agricultural education, business, family and consumer science,
5.17social studies, or math.
5.18 Subd. 2.Credit equivalencies.(a) A one-half credit of economics taught in a school's
5.19agricultural, food, and natural resources education or business education program or
5.20department may fulfill a one-half credit in social studies under subdivision 1, clause (5) (4),
5.21if the credit is sufficient to satisfy all of the academic standards in economics.
5.22 (b) An agriculture science or career and technical education credit may fulfill the elective
5.23science credit required under subdivision 1, clause (4) (3), if the credit meets the state
5.24physical science, life science, earth and space science, chemistry, or physics academic
5.25standards or a combination of these academic standards as approved by the district. An
5.26agriculture or career and technical education credit may fulfill the credit in chemistry or
5.27physics required under subdivision 1, clause (4) (3), if the credit meets the state chemistry
5.28or physics academic standards as approved by the district. A student must satisfy either all
5.29of the chemistry academic standards or all of the physics academic standards prior to
5.30graduation. An agriculture science or career and technical education credit may not fulfill
5.31the required biology credit under subdivision 1, clause (4) (3).
5.32 (c) A career and technical education credit may fulfill a mathematics or arts credit
5.33requirement under subdivision 1, clause (2) or (6) (5).
5Article 1 Sec. 5.
S1740-1 1st EngrossmentSF1740 REVISOR CR 6.1 (d) An agricultural, food, and natural resources education teacher is not required to meet
6.2the requirements of Minnesota Rules, part 3505.1150, subpart 2, item B, to meet the credit
6.3equivalency requirements of paragraph (b) above.
6.4 (e) A computer science credit may fulfill a mathematics credit requirement under
6.5subdivision 1, clause (2), if the credit meets state academic standards in mathematics.
6.6 (f) A Project Lead the Way credit may fulfill a science or mathematics credit requirement
6.7under subdivision 1, clause (2) or (4) (3), if the credit meets the state academic standards
6.8in science or mathematics.
6.9 (g) An ethnic studies course may fulfill a social studies, language arts, arts, math, or
6.10science credit if the course meets the applicable state academic standards. An ethnic studies
6.11course may fulfill an elective credit if the course meets applicable local standards or other
6.12requirements.
6.13 (h) A personal finance credit taught by a teacher with a field license or out-of-field
6.14permission in math may fulfill a mathematics credit requirement under subdivision 1, clause
6.15(2).
6.16 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective for the 2025-2026 school year and later.
6.17 Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 124D.09, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
6.18 Subd. 5.Authorization; notification.(a) Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary,
6.19an 11th or 12th grade pupil enrolled in a school district, a charter school, or an American
6.20Indian-controlled Tribal contract or grant school eligible for aid under section 124D.83,
6.21except a foreign exchange pupil enrolled in a district under a cultural exchange program,
6.22may apply to an eligible institution, as defined in subdivision 3, to enroll in nonsectarian
6.23courses offered by that postsecondary institution.
6.24 (b) If an institution accepts a secondary pupil for enrollment under this section, the
6.25institution shall send written notice to the pupil, the pupil's school or school district, and
6.26the commissioner. The notice must indicate the course and hours of enrollment of that pupil.
6.27The institution must notify the pupil's school as soon as practicable if the pupil withdraws
6.28from the enrolled course. The institution must also notify the pupil's school as soon as
6.29practicable if the pupil has been absent from a course for ten consecutive days on which
6.30classes are held, based upon the postsecondary institution's academic calendar, and the pupil
6.31is not receiving instruction in their home or hospital or other facility.
6.32 (c) If the pupil enrolls in a course for postsecondary credit, the institution must notify:
6Article 1 Sec. 6.
S1740-1 1st EngrossmentSF1740 REVISOR CR 7.1 (1) the pupil about payment in the customary manner used by the institution.; and
7.2 (2) the pupil's school as soon as practicable if the pupil withdraws from the course or
7.3stops attending the course.
7.4 Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 124D.09, subdivision 5a, is amended to read:
7.5 Subd. 5a.Authorization; career or technical education.A 10th, 11th, or 12th grade
7.6pupil enrolled in a school district, a charter school, or an American Indian-controlled tribal
7.7contract or grant school eligible for aid under section 124D.83, except a foreign exchange
7.8pupil enrolled in a district under a cultural exchange program, may enroll in a career or
7.9technical education course offered by a Minnesota state college or university. A 10th grade
7.10pupil applying for enrollment in a career or technical education course under this subdivision
7.11must have received a passing score on the 8th grade Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment
7.12in reading as a condition of enrollment. A current 10th grade pupil who did not take the 8th
7.13grade Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment in reading may substitute another reading
7.14assessment accepted by the enrolling postsecondary institution. A secondary pupil may
7.15enroll in the pupil's first postsecondary options enrollment course under this subdivision.
7.16A student who is refused enrollment by a Minnesota state college or university under this
7.17subdivision may apply to an eligible institution offering a career or technical education
7.18course. The postsecondary institution must give priority to its students according to
7.19subdivision 9. If a secondary student receives a grade of "C" or better in the career or
7.20technical education course taken under this subdivision, the postsecondary institution must
7.21allow the student to take additional postsecondary courses for secondary credit at that
7.22institution, not to exceed the limits in subdivision 8. A "career or technical course" is a
7.23course that is part of a career and technical education program that provides individuals
7.24with coherent, rigorous content aligned with academic standards and relevant technical
7.25knowledge and skills needed to prepare for further education and careers in current and
7.26emerging professions and provide technical skill proficiency, an industry recognized
7.27credential, and a certificate, a diploma, or an associate degree.
7.28 Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 124D.09, subdivision 5b, is amended to read:
7.29 Subd. 5b.Authorization; 9th or 10th grade pupil.Notwithstanding any other law to
7.30the contrary, a 9th or 10th grade pupil enrolled in a school district, a charter school, or an
7.31American Indian-controlled tribal contract or grant school eligible for aid under section
7.32124D.83, except a foreign exchange pupil enrolled in a district under a cultural exchange
7.33program, may apply to enroll in nonsectarian courses offered under subdivision 10, if:
7Article 1 Sec. 8.
S1740-1 1st EngrossmentSF1740 REVISOR CR 8.1 (1) the school district, charter school, or Tribal school district and the eligible
8.2postsecondary institution providing the course agree to the student's enrollment; or
8.3 (2) the course is a world language course currently available to 11th and 12th grade
8.4students, and consistent with section 120B.022 governing world language standards,
8.5certificates, and seals.
8.6 Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 124D.09, subdivision 9, is amended to read:
8.7 Subd. 9.Enrollment priority.(a) A postsecondary institution must give priority to its
8.8postsecondary students when enrolling pupils in grades 10, 11, and 12 in its courses. A
8.9postsecondary institution may provide information about its programs to a secondary school
8.10or to a pupil or parent and it may advertise or otherwise recruit or solicit a secondary pupil
8.11to enroll in its programs on educational and programmatic grounds only except,
8.12notwithstanding other law to the contrary, and for the 2014-2015 through 2019-2020 school
8.13years only, an eligible postsecondary institution may advertise or otherwise recruit or solicit
8.14a secondary pupil residing in a school district with 700 students or more in grades 10, 11,
8.15and 12, to enroll in its programs on educational, programmatic, or financial grounds.
8.16 (b) An institution must not enroll secondary pupils, for postsecondary enrollment options
8.17purposes, in remedial, developmental, or other courses that are not college level except
8.18when a student eligible to participate and enrolled in the graduation incentives program
8.19under section 124D.68 enrolls full time in a middle or early college program. A middle or
8.20early college program must be specifically designed to allow the student to earn dual high
8.21school and college credit with a well-defined pathway to allow the student to earn a
8.22postsecondary degree or credential. In this case, the student must receive developmental
8.23college credit and not college credit for completing remedial or developmental courses.
8.24 (c) Once a pupil has been enrolled in any postsecondary course under this section, the
8.25pupil must not be displaced by another student.
8.26 (d) If a postsecondary institution enrolls a secondary school pupil in a course under this
8.27section, the postsecondary institution also must enroll in the same course an otherwise
8.28enrolled and qualified postsecondary student who qualifies as a veteran under section
8.29197.447, and demonstrates to the postsecondary institution's satisfaction that the institution's
8.30established enrollment timelines were not practicable for that student.
8.31 (e) A postsecondary institution must allow secondary pupils to enroll in online courses
8.32under this section consistent with the institution's policy regarding postsecondary pupil
8.33enrollment in online courses.
8Article 1 Sec. 9.
S1740-1 1st EngrossmentSF1740 REVISOR CR 9.1 Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 124D.09, subdivision 10, is amended to read:
9.2 Subd. 10.Courses according to agreements.(a) An eligible pupil, according to
9.3subdivision 5, may enroll in a nonsectarian course taught by a secondary teacher or a
9.4postsecondary faculty member and offered at a secondary school, charter school, Tribal
9.5school, or another location, according to an agreement between a public school board, board
9.6of directors, or Tribal school and the governing body of an eligible public postsecondary
9.7system or an eligible private postsecondary institution, as defined in subdivision 3. All
9.8provisions of this section apply to a pupil, public school board, board of directors, Tribal
9.9council, district, charter school, Tribal school, and the governing body of a postsecondary
9.10institution, except as otherwise provided. A secondary school and a postsecondary institution
9.11that enrolls eligible pupils in courses according to agreements must annually report to the
9.12commissioner the participation rates of pupils enrolled in courses according to agreements,
9.13including the number of pupils enrolled and the number of courses taken for postsecondary
9.14or dual credit.
9.15 (b) To encourage students, especially American Indian students and students of color,
9.16to consider teaching as a profession, participating schools, school districts, charter schools,
9.17Tribal schools, and postsecondary institutions are encouraged to develop and offer an
9.18"Introduction to Teaching" or "Introduction to Education" course under this subdivision.
9.19For the purpose of applying for grants under this paragraph, "eligible institution" includes
9.20schools and school districts, charter schools, or Tribal schools that partner with an accredited
9.21college or university in addition to postsecondary institutions identified in subdivision 3,
9.22paragraph (a). Grant recipients under this paragraph must annually report to the commissioner
9.23in a form and manner determined by the commissioner on the participation rates of students
9.24in courses under this paragraph, including the number of students who apply for admission
9.25to colleges or universities with teacher preparation programs and the number of students of
9.26color and American Indian students who earned postsecondary credit. Grant recipients must
9.27also describe recruiting efforts intended to ensure that the percentage of participating students
9.28who are of color or American Indian meets or exceeds the overall percentage of students
9.29of color or American Indian students in the school.
9.30 Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 124D.094, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
9.31 Subdivision 1.Definitions.(a) For purposes of this section, the following terms have
9.32the meanings given.
9Article 1 Sec. 11.
S1740-1 1st EngrossmentSF1740 REVISOR CR 10.1 (b) "Blended instruction" means a form of digital instruction that occurs when a student
10.2learns part time in a supervised physical setting and part time through online instruction
10.3under paragraph (f).
10.4 (c) "Digital instruction" means instruction facilitated by technology that offers students
10.5an element of control over the time, place, path, or pace of learning and includes blended
10.6and online instruction.
10.7 (d) "Enrolling district" means the school district or charter school in which a student is
10.8enrolled under section 120A.22, subdivision 4 120A.05, subdivision 8, or chapter 124E.
10.9 (e) "Online course syllabus" means a written document that identifies the state academic
10.10standards taught and assessed in a supplemental online course under paragraph (j); course
10.11content outline; required course assessments; instructional methods; communication
10.12procedures with students, guardians, and the enrolling district under paragraph (d); and
10.13supports available to the student.
10.14 (f) "Online instruction" means a form of digital instruction that occurs when a student
10.15learns primarily through digital technology away from a supervised physical setting.
10.16 (g) "Online instructional site" means a site that offers courses using online instruction
10.17under paragraph (f) and may enroll students receiving online instruction under paragraph
10.18(f).
10.19 (h) "Online teacher" means an employee of the enrolling district under paragraph (d) or
10.20the supplemental online course provider under paragraph (k) who holds the appropriate
10.21licensure under Minnesota Rules, chapter 8710, and is trained to provide online instruction
10.22under paragraph (f).
10.23 (i) "Student" means a Minnesota resident enrolled in a school defined under section
10.24120A.22, subdivision 4, in kindergarten through grade 12 up to the age of 21.
10.25 (j) "Supplemental online course" means an online learning course taken in place of a
10.26course provided by the student's enrolling district under paragraph (d).
10.27 (k) "Supplemental online course provider" means a school district, an intermediate school
10.28district, a state-operated school, an organization of two or more school districts operating
10.29under a joint powers agreement, or a charter school located in Minnesota that is authorized
10.30by the Department of Education to provide supplemental online courses under paragraph
10.31(j).
10Article 1 Sec. 11.
S1740-1 1st EngrossmentSF1740 REVISOR CR 11.1 Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 124D.52, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
11.2 Subd. 2.Program approval.(a) To receive aid under this section, a district, the
11.3Department of Corrections, a private nonprofit organization, or a consortium including
11.4districts, nonprofit organizations, or both must submit an application by June 1 describing
11.5the program, on a form provided by the department. The program must be approved by the
11.6commissioner according to the following criteria:
11.7 (1) how the needs of different levels of learning and English language proficiency will
11.8be met;
11.9 (2) for continuing programs, an evaluation of results;
11.10 (3) anticipated number and education level of participants;
11.11 (4) coordination with other resources and services;
11.12 (5) participation in a consortium, if any, and money available from other participants;
11.13 (6) management and program design;
11.14 (7) volunteer training and use of volunteers;
11.15 (8) staff development services;
11.16 (9) program sites and schedules;
11.17 (10) program expenditures that qualify for aid;
11.18 (11) program ability to provide data related to learner outcomes as required by law; and
11.19 (12) a copy of the memorandum of understanding described in subdivision 1 submitted
11.20to the commissioner.
11.21 (b) Adult basic education programs may be approved under this subdivision for up to
11.22five six years. Five-year Six-year program approval must be granted to an applicant who
11.23has demonstrated the capacity to:
11.24 (1) offer comprehensive learning opportunities and support service choices appropriate
11.25for and accessible to adults at all basic skill and English language levels of need;
11.26 (2) provide a participatory and experiential learning approach based on the strengths,
11.27interests, and needs of each adult, that enables adults with basic skill needs to:
11.28 (i) identify, plan for, and evaluate their own progress toward achieving their defined
11.29educational and occupational goals;
11Article 1 Sec. 12.
S1740-1 1st EngrossmentSF1740 REVISOR CR 12.1 (ii) master the basic academic reading, writing, and computational skills, as well as the
12.2problem-solving, decision making, interpersonal effectiveness, and other life and learning
12.3skills they need to function effectively in a changing society;
12.4 (iii) locate and be able to use the health, governmental, and social services and resources
12.5they need to improve their own and their families' lives; and
12.6 (iv) continue their education, if they desire, to at least the level of secondary school
12.7completion, with the ability to secure and benefit from continuing education that will enable
12.8them to become more employable, productive, and responsible citizens;
12.9 (3) plan, coordinate, and develop cooperative agreements with community resources to
12.10address the needs that the adults have for support services, such as transportation, English
12.11language learning, flexible course scheduling, convenient class locations, and child care;
12.12 (4) collaborate with business, industry, labor unions, and employment-training agencies,
12.13as well as with family and occupational education providers, to arrange for resources and
12.14services through which adults can attain economic self-sufficiency;
12.15 (5) provide sensitive and well trained adult education personnel who participate in local,
12.16regional, and statewide adult basic education staff development events to master effective
12.17adult learning and teaching techniques;
12.18 (6) participate in regional adult basic education peer program reviews and evaluations;
12.19 (7) submit accurate and timely performance and fiscal reports;
12.20 (8) submit accurate and timely reports related to program outcomes and learner follow-up
12.21information; and
12.22 (9) spend adult basic education aid on adult basic education purposes only, which are
12.23specified in sections 124D.518 to 124D.531.
12.24 (c) The commissioner shall require each district to provide notification by February 1,
12.25of its intent to apply for funds under this section as a single district or as part of a consortium.
12.26A district receiving funds under this section must notify the commissioner by February 1
12.27of its intent to change its application status for applications due the following June 1.
12.28Sec. 13. REVISOR INSTRUCTION.
12.29 The revisor of statutes must substitute the term "school district, charter school, or Tribal
12.30school" for "district" or "school district" wherever the terms appear in Minnesota Statutes,
12.31section 124D.09, subdivisions 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11a, 12, 13, 16, 21, and 24, and section
12.32124D.091. The revisor may also make grammatical changes related to the change in terms.
12Article 1 Sec. 13.
S1740-1 1st EngrossmentSF1740 REVISOR CR 13.1 ARTICLE 2
13.2 EDUCATION EXCELLENCE
13.3 Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 13.03, is amended by adding a subdivision
13.4to read:
13.5 Subd. 3a.Data requests to school districts.(a) For purposes of this subdivision, "school
13.6district" means an independent, common, or special school district, as defined in section
13.7120A.05, or a cooperative unit under section 123A.24, subdivision 2.
13.8 (b) The provisions in this subdivision apply to a request made to a school district to
13.9inspect or receive copies of public government data pursuant to subdivision 3. The provisions
13.10in this subdivision are in addition to those contained in subdivision 3, except that when the
13.11provisions of this subdivision conflict with those of subdivision 3, this subdivision prevails.
13.12This subdivision does not apply to a request made by a data subject under section 13.04.
13.13 (c) A responsible authority may provide data on a rolling basis to a person making a
13.14request under this subdivision. If a responsible authority has notified the requesting person
13.15that responsive data or copies are available for inspection or collection, and the requesting
13.16person does not inspect the data or collect the copies, the responsible authority may suspend
13.17any further response to the request until the requesting person inspects the data that has
13.18been made available, or collects and pays for the copies that have been produced.
13.19 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment and
13.20applies to data requests made on or after that date.
13.21Sec. 2. [120B.213] HEALTHY AGING AND DEMENTIA EDUCATION.
13.22 School districts and charter schools are encouraged to provide instruction on healthy
13.23aging and dementia to students in grades 6 through 12 that is aligned with applicable health
13.24standards and integrated into existing programs, curriculum, or the general school
13.25environment of a district or charter school. By July 1, 2026, and each even-numbered year
13.26thereafter, the commissioner of education, in consultation with the commissioner of health
13.27and dementia advocacy organizations, must provide districts and charter schools with
13.28age-appropriate resources on healthy aging and dementia, including but not limited to
13.29strategies to maintain brain health, information on Alzheimer's disease and other forms of
13.30dementia, and caring for an elder with a cognitive impairment.
13.31 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective July 1, 2025.
13Article 2 Sec. 2.
S1740-1 1st EngrossmentSF1740 REVISOR CR 14.1 Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 120B.35, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
14.2 Subd. 3.State growth measures; other state measures.(a)(1) The state's educational
14.3assessment system measuring individual students' educational growth is based on indicators
14.4of current achievement that show growth relative to an individual student's prior achievement.
14.5Indicators of achievement and prior achievement must be based on highly reliable statewide
14.6or districtwide assessments.
14.7 (2) For purposes of paragraphs (b), (c), and (d), the commissioner must analyze and
14.8report separate categories of information using the student categories identified under the
14.9federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act, as most recently reauthorized, and, in
14.10addition to "other" for each race and ethnicity, and the Karen community, seven of the most
14.11populous Asian and Pacific Islander groups, three of the most populous Native groups,
14.12seven of the most populous Hispanic/Latino groups, and five of the most populous Black
14.13and African Heritage groups as determined by the total Minnesota population based on the
14.14most recent American Community Survey; English learners under section 124D.59; home
14.15language; free or reduced-price meals; and all students enrolled in a Minnesota public school
14.16who are currently or were previously in foster care, except that such disaggregation and
14.17cross tabulation is not required if the number of students in a category is insufficient to yield
14.18statistically reliable information or the results would reveal personally identifiable information
14.19about an individual student.
14.20 (b) The commissioner, in consultation with a stakeholder group that includes assessment
14.21and evaluation directors, district staff, experts in culturally responsive teaching, and
14.22researchers, must implement an appropriate growth model that compares the difference in
14.23students' achievement scores over time, and includes criteria for identifying schools and
14.24school districts that demonstrate academic progress or progress toward English language
14.25proficiency. The model may be used to advance educators' professional development and
14.26replicate programs that succeed in meeting students' diverse learning needs. Data on
14.27individual teachers generated under the model are personnel data under section 13.43. The
14.28model must allow users to:
14.29 (1) report student growth consistent with this paragraph; and
14.30 (2) for all student categories, report and compare aggregated and disaggregated state
14.31student growth and, under section 120B.11, subdivision 2, clause (2), student learning and
14.32outcome data using the student categories identified under the federal Elementary and
14.33Secondary Education Act, as most recently reauthorized, and other student categories under
14.34paragraph (a), clause (2).
14Article 2 Sec. 3.
S1740-1 1st EngrossmentSF1740 REVISOR CR 15.1 The commissioner must report measures of student growth and, under section 120B.11,
15.2subdivision 2, clause (2), student learning and outcome data, consistent with this paragraph,
15.3including the English language development, academic progress, and oral academic
15.4development of English learners and their native language development if the native language
15.5is used as a language of instruction, and include data on all pupils enrolled in a Minnesota
15.6public school course or program who are currently or were previously counted as an English
15.7learner under section 124D.59. In addition, the commissioner must report language
15.8development outcomes of the target language of instruction other than English for all students
15.9who are in a dual language immersion program.
15.10 (c) When reporting student performance under section 120B.36, subdivision 1, the
15.11commissioner annually, beginning July 1, 2011, must report two core measures indicating
15.12the extent to which current high school graduates are being prepared for postsecondary
15.13academic and career opportunities:
15.14 (1) a preparation measure indicating the number and percentage of high school graduates
15.15in the most recent school year who completed course work important to preparing them for
15.16postsecondary academic and career opportunities, consistent with the core academic subjects
15.17required for admission to Minnesota's public colleges and universities as determined by the
15.18Office of Higher Education under chapter 136A; and
15.19 (2) a rigorous coursework measure indicating the number and percentage of high school
15.20graduates in the most recent school year who successfully completed one or more
15.21college-level advanced placement, international baccalaureate, postsecondary enrollment
15.22options including concurrent enrollment, other rigorous courses of study under section
15.23120B.021, subdivision 1a, or industry certification courses or programs.
15.24When reporting the core measures under clauses (1) and (2), the commissioner must also
15.25analyze and report separate categories of information using the student categories identified
15.26under the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act, as most recently reauthorized,
15.27and other student categories under paragraph (a), clause (2).
15.28 (d) When reporting student performance under section 120B.36, subdivision 1, the
15.29commissioner annually, beginning July 1, 2014, must report summary data on school safety
15.30and students' engagement and connection at school, consistent with the student categories
15.31identified under paragraph (a), clause (2). The summary data under this paragraph are
15.32separate from and must not be used for any purpose related to measuring or evaluating the
15.33performance of classroom teachers. The commissioner, in consultation with qualified experts
15.34on student engagement and connection and classroom teachers, must identify highly reliable
15Article 2 Sec. 3.
S1740-1 1st EngrossmentSF1740 REVISOR CR 16.1variables that generate summary data under this paragraph. The summary data may be used
16.2at school, district, and state levels only. Any data on individuals received, collected, or
16.3created that are used to generate the summary data under this paragraph are nonpublic data
16.4under section 13.02, subdivision 9.
16.5 (e) For purposes of statewide educational accountability, the commissioner must identify
16.6and report measures that demonstrate the success of learning year program providers under
16.7sections 123A.05 and 124D.68, among other such providers, in improving students'
16.8graduation outcomes. The commissioner, beginning July 1, 2015, must annually report
16.9summary data on:
16.10 (1) the four- and six-year graduation rates of students under this paragraph;
16.11 (2) the percent of students under this paragraph whose progress and performance levels
16.12are meeting career and college readiness benchmarks under section 120B.307; and
16.13 (3) the success that learning year program providers experience in:
16.14 (i) identifying at-risk and off-track student populations by grade;
16.15 (ii) providing successful prevention and intervention strategies for at-risk students;
16.16 (iii) providing successful recuperative and recovery or reenrollment strategies for off-track
16.17students; and
16.18 (iv) improving the graduation outcomes of at-risk and off-track students.
16.19 The commissioner may include in the annual report summary data on other education
16.20providers serving a majority of students eligible to participate in a learning year program.
16.21 (f) The commissioner, in consultation with recognized experts with knowledge and
16.22experience in assessing the language proficiency and academic performance of all English
16.23learners enrolled in a Minnesota public school course or program who are currently or were
16.24previously counted as an English learner under section 124D.59, must identify and report
16.25appropriate and effective measures to improve current categories of language difficulty and
16.26assessments, and monitor and report data on students' English proficiency levels, program
16.27placement, and academic language development, including oral academic language.
16.28 (g) When reporting four- and six-year graduation rates, the commissioner or school
16.29district must disaggregate the data by student categories according to paragraph (a), clause
16.30(2).
16.31 (h) A school district must inform parents and guardians that volunteering information
16.32on student categories not required by the most recent reauthorization of the Elementary and
16Article 2 Sec. 3.
S1740-1 1st EngrossmentSF1740 REVISOR CR 17.1Secondary Education Act is optional and will not violate the privacy of students or their
17.2families, parents, or guardians. The notice must state the purpose for collecting the student
17.3data.
17.4 Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 120B.363, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
17.5 Subdivision 1.Rulemaking.The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board
17.6commissioner must adopt rules to implement a statewide credential for education
17.7paraprofessionals who assist a licensed teacher in providing student instruction. Any
17.8paraprofessional holding this credential or working in a local school district after meeting
17.9a state-approved local assessment is considered to be highly qualified under federal law.
17.10Under this subdivision, the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board, in
17.11consultation with the commissioner, must adopt qualitative criteria for approving local
17.12assessments that include an evaluation of a paraprofessional's knowledge of reading, writing,
17.13and math and the paraprofessional's ability to assist in the instruction of reading, writing,
17.14and math. The commissioner must approve or disapprove local assessments using these
17.15criteria. The commissioner must make the criteria available to the public.
17.16Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 120B.363, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
17.17 Subd. 2.Training possibilities.In adopting rules under subdivision 1, the board
17.18commissioner must consider including provisions that provide training in: students'
17.19characteristics; teaching and learning environment; academic instruction skills; student
17.20behavior; and ethical practices.
17.21Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 121A.031, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
17.22 Subd. 2.Definitions.(a) For purposes of this section, the following terms have the
17.23meanings given them.
17.24 (b) "District" means a district under section 120A.05, subdivision 8.
17.25 (c) "Public school" or "school" means a public school under section 120A.05, subdivisions
17.269, 11, 13, and 17, and a charter school under chapter 124E.
17.27 (d) "Student" means a student enrolled in a school under paragraph (c).
17.28 (e) "Bullying" means intimidating, threatening, abusive, or harming conduct that is
17.29objectively offensive and:
17Article 2 Sec. 6.
S1740-1 1st EngrossmentSF1740 REVISOR CR 18.1 (1) there is an actual or perceived imbalance of power between the student engaging in
18.2prohibited conduct and the target of the behavior and the conduct is repeated or forms a
18.3pattern; or
18.4 (2) materially and substantially interferes with a student's educational opportunities or
18.5performance or ability to participate in school functions or activities or receive school
18.6benefits, services, or privileges.
18.7 (f) "Cyberbullying" means bullying using technology or other electronic communication,
18.8including but not limited to a transfer of a sign, signal, writing, image, sound, or data,
18.9including a post on a social network Internet website or forum, transmitted through a
18.10computer, cell phone, or other electronic device.
18.11 (g) Intimidating, threatening, abusive, or harming conduct may involve, but is not limited
18.12to, conduct that causes physical harm to a student or a student's property or causes a student
18.13to be in reasonable fear of harm to person or property; under Minnesota common law,
18.14violates a student's reasonable expectation of privacy, defames a student, or constitutes
18.15intentional infliction of emotional distress against a student; is directed at any student or
18.16students, including those based on a person's actual or perceived race, ethnicity, color, creed,
18.17religion, national origin, immigration status, sex, marital status, familial status, socioeconomic
18.18status, physical appearance, sexual orientation, including gender identity and expression,
18.19academic status related to student performance, disability, or status with regard to public
18.20assistance, age, or any additional characteristic defined in chapter 363A. However, prohibited
18.21conduct need not be based on any particular characteristic defined in this paragraph or
18.22chapter 363A.
18.23 (h) "Prohibited conduct" means bullying or cyberbullying as defined under this
18.24subdivision or retaliation for asserting, alleging, reporting, or providing information about
18.25such conduct or knowingly making a false report about bullying.
18.26 (i) "Remedial response" means a measure to stop and correct prohibited conduct, prevent
18.27prohibited conduct from recurring, and protect, support, and intervene on behalf of the
18.28student who is the target of the prohibited conduct. Remedial responses may include but
18.29are not limited to nonexclusionary disciplinary policies and practices as defined in sections
18.30121A.41, subdivision 12, and 121A.425, subdivision 2, and comprehensive school mental
18.31health systems.
18.32 (j) "Familial status" means the condition of one or more minors being domiciled having
18.33legal status or custody with (1) the minor's parent or parents or the minor's legal guardian
18Article 2 Sec. 6.
S1740-1 1st EngrossmentSF1740 REVISOR CR 19.1or guardians, or (2) the designee of the parent or parents or guardian or guardians with the
19.2written permission of the parent or parents or guardian or guardians.
19.3 Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 121A.031, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
19.4 Subd. 4.Local policy components.(a) Each district and school policy implemented
19.5under this section must, at a minimum:
19.6 (1) designate a staff member as the primary contact person in the school building to
19.7receive reports of prohibited conduct under clause (3), ensure the policy and its procedures
19.8including restorative practices, consequences, and sanctions are fairly and fully implemented,
19.9and serve as the primary contact on policy and procedural matters implicating both the
19.10district or school and the department;
19.11 (2) require school employees who witness prohibited conduct or possess reliable
19.12information that would lead a reasonable person to suspect that a student is a target of
19.13prohibited conduct to make reasonable efforts to address and resolve the prohibited conduct;
19.14 (3) provide a procedure to begin to investigate reports of prohibited conduct within three
19.15school days of the report, and make the primary contact person responsible for the
19.16investigation and any resulting record and for keeping and regulating access to any record;
19.17 (4) indicate how a school will respond to an identified incident of prohibited conduct,
19.18including immediately intervening to protect the target of the prohibited conduct; at the
19.19school administrator's discretion and consistent with state and federal data practices law
19.20governing access to data, including section 13.02, subdivision 8, a presumption that a district
19.21or school official will notify the parent individuals with familial status of the reported target
19.22of the prohibited conduct and the parent individuals with familial status of the actor engaged
19.23in the prohibited conduct; providing other remedial responses to the prohibited conduct;
19.24and ensuring that remedial responses are tailored to the particular incident and nature of the
19.25conduct and the student's developmental age and behavioral history;
19.26 (5) prohibit reprisals or retaliation against any person who asserts, alleges, or reports
19.27prohibited conduct or provides information about such conduct and establish appropriate
19.28consequences for a person who engages in reprisal or retaliation;
19.29 (6) allow anonymous reporting but do not rely solely on an anonymous report to
19.30determine discipline;
19.31 (7) provide information about available community resources to the target, actor, and
19.32other affected individuals, as appropriate;
19Article 2 Sec. 7.
S1740-1 1st EngrossmentSF1740 REVISOR CR 20.1 (8) where appropriate for a child with a disability to prevent or respond to prohibited
20.2conduct, allow the child's individualized education program or section 504 plan to address
20.3the skills and proficiencies the child needs to respond to or not engage in prohibited conduct;
20.4 (9) use new employee training materials, the school publication on school rules,
20.5procedures, and standards of conduct, and the student handbook on school policies to
20.6publicize the policy;
20.7 (10) require ongoing professional development, consistent with section 122A.60, to
20.8build the skills of all school personnel who regularly interact with students, including but
20.9not limited to educators, administrators, school counselors, social workers, psychologists,
20.10other school mental health professionals, school nurses, cafeteria workers, custodians, bus
20.11drivers, athletic coaches, extracurricular activities advisors, and paraprofessionals to identify,
20.12prevent, and appropriately address prohibited conduct;
20.13 (11) allow the alleged actor in an investigation of prohibited conduct to present a defense;
20.14and
20.15 (12) inform affected students and their parents of their rights under state and federal
20.16data practices laws to obtain access to data related to the incident and their right to contest
20.17the accuracy or completeness of the data.
20.18 (b) Professional development under a local policy includes, but is not limited to,
20.19information about:
20.20 (1) developmentally appropriate strategies both to prevent and to immediately and
20.21effectively intervene to stop prohibited conduct;
20.22 (2) the complex dynamics affecting an actor, target, and witnesses to prohibited conduct;
20.23 (3) research on prohibited conduct, including specific categories of students at risk for
20.24prohibited conduct in school;
20.25 (4) the incidence and nature of cyberbullying; and
20.26 (5) Internet safety and cyberbullying.
20.27Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 121A.031, subdivision 6, is amended to read:
20.28 Subd. 6.State model policy.(a) The commissioner, in consultation with the
20.29commissioner of human rights, shall develop and maintain a state model policy. A district
20.30or school that does not adopt and implement a local policy under subdivisions 3 to 5 must
20.31implement and may supplement the provisions of the state model policy. The commissioner
20Article 2 Sec. 8.
S1740-1 1st EngrossmentSF1740 REVISOR CR 21.1must assist districts and schools under this subdivision to implement the state policy. The
21.2state model policy must:
21.3 (1) define prohibited conduct, consistent with this section;
21.4 (2) apply the prohibited conduct policy components in this section;
21.5 (3) for a child with a disability, whenever an evaluation by an individualized education
21.6program team or a section 504 team indicates that the child's disability affects the child's
21.7social skills development or the child is vulnerable to prohibited conduct because of the
21.8child's disability, the child's individualized education program or section 504 plan may
21.9address the skills and proficiencies the child needs to not engage in and respond to such
21.10conduct; and
21.11 (4) encourage violence prevention and character development education programs under
21.12section 120B.232, subdivision 1.
21.13 (b) The commissioner shall develop and post departmental procedures for:
21.14 (1) periodically reviewing district and school programs and policies for compliance with
21.15this section;
21.16 (2) investigating assessing, evaluating, reporting, and responding to noncompliance with
21.17this section, which may include an annual review of plans to improve and provide a safe
21.18and supportive school climate; and
21.19 (3) allowing students, parents, and educators to file a complaint about noncompliance
21.20with the commissioner.
21.21 (c) The commissioner must post on the department's website information indicating that
21.22when districts and schools allow non-curriculum-related student groups access to school
21.23facilities, the district or school must give all student groups equal access to the school
21.24facilities regardless of the content of the group members' speech.
21.25 (d) The commissioner must develop and maintain resources to assist a district or school
21.26in implementing strategies for creating a positive school climate and use evidence-based,
21.27social-emotional learning to prevent and reduce discrimination and other improper conduct.
21.28Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 121A.041, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
21.29 Subd. 2.Prohibition on American Indian mascots.(a) Starting September 1, 2026, a
21.30public school may not have or adopt a name, symbol, or image that depicts or refers to an
21.31American Indian Tribe, individual, custom, or tradition to be used as a mascot, nickname,
21Article 2 Sec. 9.
S1740-1 1st EngrossmentSF1740 REVISOR CR 22.1logo, letterhead, or team name of the school, district, or school within the district, unless
22.2the school has obtained an exemption under subdivision 3.
22.3 (b) The prohibition in paragraph (a) does not apply to a public school located within the
22.4reservation of a federally recognized Tribal Nation in Minnesota, where at least 95 percent
22.5of students meet the state definition of American Indian student.
22.6 (c) A school district with a prohibited American Indian mascot according to paragraph
22.7(a), that has not received an exemption according to subdivision 3, must report to the chairs
22.8and ranking minority members of the legislative committees having jurisdiction over
22.9kindergarten through grade 12 education policy and education finance by February 14,
22.102025, and again by February 1, 2026, on the district's progress to comply with this section;
22.11and the district must submit copies of the reports to the Legislative Reference Library. The
22.12reports must include the following:
22.13 (1) confirmation that the district has removed the American Indian mascot, nickname,
22.14logo, letterhead, or team name from the district website;
22.15 (2) confirmation that the board of the district has approved a new mascot, nickname,
22.16logo, letterhead, or team name;
22.17 (3) a summary of the district's progress on removing the American Indian mascot,
22.18nickname, logo, letterhead, or team name from uniforms, equipment, signs, elements of
22.19facilities, and other district items; and
22.20 (4) a summary of resources necessary to comply with the prohibition in paragraph (a)
22.21and the district's plan to raise and allocate any necessary funds.
22.22 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective for reports submitted after June 30, 2025.
22.23Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 121A.041, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
22.24 Subd. 3.Exemption.A public school may seek an exemption to subdivision 2 by
22.25submitting a request in writing to all 11 federally recognized Tribal Nations in Minnesota
22.26and to the Tribal Nations Education Committee by September 1, 2023. The exemption is
22.27denied if any of the 11 Tribal Nations or the Tribal Nations Education Committee oppose
22.28the exemption by December 15, 2023 requesting a letter of consent from the federally
22.29recognized Tribal Nation in Minnesota that is located nearest to the public school. A public
22.30school whose request for an exemption consent from a Tribal Nation is denied must comply
22.31with subdivision 2 by September 1, 2026.
22.32 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.
22Article 2 Sec. 10.
S1740-1 1st EngrossmentSF1740 REVISOR CR 23.1 Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 121A.22, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
23.2 Subd. 2.Exclusions.In addition, this section does not apply to drugs or medicine that
23.3are:
23.4 (1) purchased without a prescription;
23.5 (2) used by a pupil who is 18 years old or older;
23.6 (3) used in connection with services for which a minor may give effective consent,
23.7including section 144.343, subdivision 1, and any other law;
23.8 (4) used in situations in which, in the judgment of the school personnel, including a
23.9licensed nurse, who are present or available, the risk to the pupil's life or health is of such
23.10a nature that drugs or medicine should be given without delay;
23.11 (5) used off the school grounds;
23.12 (6) used in connection with athletics or extra curricular activities;
23.13 (7) used in connection with activities that occur before or after the regular school day;
23.14 (8) provided or administered by a public health agency to prevent or control an illness
23.15or a disease outbreak as provided for in sections 144.05 and 144.12;
23.16 (9) prescription asthma or reactive airway disease medications self-administered by a
23.17pupil with an asthma inhaler, consistent with section 121A.221, if the district has received
23.18a written authorization from the pupil's parent permitting the pupil to self-administer the
23.19medication, the inhaler is properly labeled for that student, and the parent has not requested
23.20school personnel to administer the medication to the pupil. The parent must submit written
23.21authorization for the pupil to self-administer the medication each school year; or
23.22 (10) epinephrine auto-injectors delivery systems, consistent with section 121A.2205, if
23.23the parent and prescribing medical professional annually inform the pupil's school in writing
23.24that (i) the pupil may possess the epinephrine or (ii) the pupil is unable to possess the
23.25epinephrine and requires immediate access to epinephrine auto-injectors delivery systems
23.26that the parent provides properly labeled to the school for the pupil as needed.
23.27Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 121A.2205, is amended to read:
23.28 121A.2205 POSSESSION AND USE OF EPINEPHRINE AUTO-INJECTORS
23.29DELIVERY SYSTEMS; MODEL POLICY.
23.30 Subdivision 1.Definitions.As used in this section:
23Article 2 Sec. 12.
S1740-1 1st EngrossmentSF1740 REVISOR CR 24.1 (1) "administer" means the direct application of an epinephrine auto-injector delivery
24.2system to the body of an individual;
24.3 (2) "epinephrine auto-injector delivery system" means a device that automatically injects
24.4a premeasured dose of epinephrine medication product approved by the United States Food
24.5and Drug Administration that automatically delivers a single, premeasured dose of
24.6epinephrine to prevent or treat a life-threatening allergic reaction; and
24.7 (3) "school" means a public school under section 120A.22, subdivision 4, or a nonpublic
24.8school, excluding a home school, under section 120A.22, subdivision 4, that is subject to
24.9the federal Americans with Disabilities Act.
24.10 Subd. 2.Plan for use of epinephrine auto-injectors delivery systems.(a) At the start
24.11of each school year or at the time a student enrolls in school, whichever is first, a student's
24.12parent, school staff, including those responsible for student health care, and the prescribing
24.13medical professional must develop and implement an individualized written health plan for
24.14a student who is prescribed epinephrine auto-injectors delivery systems that enables the
24.15student to:
24.16 (1) possess epinephrine auto-injectors delivery systems; or
24.17 (2) if the parent and prescribing medical professional determine the student is unable to
24.18possess the epinephrine, have immediate access to epinephrine auto-injectors delivery
24.19systems in close proximity to the student at all times during the instructional day.
24.20 The plan must designate the school staff responsible for implementing the student's
24.21health plan, including recognizing anaphylaxis and administering epinephrine auto-injectors
24.22delivery systems when required, consistent with section 121A.22, subdivision 2, clause
24.23(10). This health plan may be included in a student's 504 plan.
24.24 (b) Other nonpublic schools are encouraged to develop and implement an individualized
24.25written health plan for students requiring epinephrine auto-injectors delivery systems,
24.26consistent with this section and section 121A.22, subdivision 2, clause (10).
24.27 (c) A school district and its agents and employees are immune from liability for any act
24.28or failure to act, made in good faith, in implementing this section and section 121A.2207.
24.29 (d) The education commissioner of education, in collaboration with the commissioner
24.30of health, may develop and transmit to interested schools a model policy and individualized
24.31health plan form consistent with this section and federal 504 plan requirements. The policy
24.32and form may:
24.33 (1) assess a student's ability to safely possess epinephrine auto-injectors delivery systems;
24Article 2 Sec. 12.
S1740-1 1st EngrossmentSF1740 REVISOR CR 25.1 (2) identify staff training needs related to recognizing anaphylaxis and administering
25.2epinephrine when needed;
25.3 (3) accommodate a student's need to possess or have immediate access to epinephrine
25.4auto-injectors delivery systems in close proximity to the student at all times during the
25.5instructional day; and
25.6 (4) ensure that the student's parent provides properly labeled epinephrine auto-injectors
25.7delivery systems to the school for the student as needed.
25.8 (e) Additional epinephrine auto-injectors delivery systems may be available in school
25.9first aid kits.
25.10 (f) The school board of the school district must define instructional day for the purposes
25.11of this section.
25.12Sec. 13. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 121A.2207, is amended to read:
25.13 121A.2207 LIFE-THREATENING ALLERGIES IN SCHOOLS; STOCK SUPPLY
25.14OF EPINEPHRINE AUTO-INJECTORS DELIVERY SYSTEMS.
25.15 Subdivision 1.Districts and schools permitted to maintain supply.(a) Notwithstanding
25.16section 151.37, districts and schools may obtain and possess epinephrine auto-injectors
25.17delivery systems to be maintained and administered by school personnel, including a licensed
25.18nurse, to a student or other individual if, in good faith, it is determined that person is
25.19experiencing anaphylaxis regardless of whether the student or other individual has a
25.20prescription for an epinephrine auto-injector delivery system. The administration of an
25.21epinephrine auto-injector delivery system in accordance with this section is not the practice
25.22of medicine.
25.23 (b) Registered nurses may administer epinephrine auto-injectors delivery systems in a
25.24school setting according to a condition-specific protocol as authorized under section 148.235,
25.25subdivision 8. Notwithstanding any limitation in sections 148.171 to 148.285, licensed
25.26practical nurses may administer epinephrine auto-injectors delivery systems in a school
25.27setting according to a condition-specific protocol that does not reference a specific patient
25.28and that specifies the circumstances under which the epinephrine auto-injector delivery
25.29system is to be administered, when caring for a patient whose condition falls within the
25.30protocol.
25.31 Subd. 2.Arrangements with manufacturers.A district or school may enter into
25.32arrangements with manufacturers of epinephrine auto-injectors delivery systems to obtain
25.33epinephrine auto-injectors delivery systems at fair-market, free, or reduced prices. A third
25Article 2 Sec. 13.
S1740-1 1st EngrossmentSF1740 REVISOR CR 26.1party, other than a manufacturer or supplier, may pay for a school's supply of epinephrine
26.2auto-injectors delivery systems.
26.3 Subd. 3.Standing order for distribution and condition-specific protocol.The
26.4commissioner of health must provide a district or school with a standing order for distribution
26.5of epinephrine delivery systems under sections 148.235, subdivision 8; and 151.37,
26.6subdivision 2.
26.7 Sec. 14. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 121A.224, is amended to read:
26.8 121A.224 OPIATE ANTAGONISTS.
26.9 Subdivision 1.School district or charter school.(a) A school district or charter school
26.10must maintain a supply of opiate antagonists, as defined in section 604A.04, subdivision 1,
26.11at each school site to be administered in compliance with section 151.37, subdivision 12.
26.12 (b) Each school building must have at least two doses of a nasal opiate antagonist
26.13available on site.
26.14 (c) The commissioner of health shall identify resources, including at least one training
26.15video, to help schools implement an opiate antagonist emergency response and make the
26.16resources available for schools.
26.17 (d) A school board may adopt a model plan for use, storage, and administration of opiate
26.18antagonists.
26.19 Subd. 2.High school students.A school district or charter school must allow a student
26.20in grades 9 through 12 to possess and administer an opiate antagonist to another high school
26.21student if the district or charter school has received written authorization from the student's
26.22parent or guardian permitting the student to possess and administer the opiate antagonist.
26.23The protections of section 604A.04 apply to the possession and administration of opiate
26.24antagonists according to this section.
26.25Sec. 15. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 121A.23, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
26.26 Subdivision 1.Sexually transmitted infections and diseases program.The
26.27commissioner of education, in consultation with the commissioner of health, shall assist
26.28districts in developing and implementing a program to prevent and reduce the risk of sexually
26.29transmitted infections and diseases, including but not exclusive to human immune deficiency
26.30virus and human papilloma virus. Each district must have a program that includes at least:
26Article 2 Sec. 15.
S1740-1 1st EngrossmentSF1740 REVISOR CR 27.1 (1) planning materials, guidelines, and other technically accurate and updated information
27.2that is medically accurate and unbiased;
27.3 (2) a comprehensive, technically medically accurate, unbiased, and updated curriculum
27.4that includes helping students to abstain from sexual activity until marriage and gain
27.5knowledge of other methods of preventing sexually transmitted infections and diseases, and
27.6is inclusive of all students regardless of their protected class status under chapter 363A;
27.7 (3) cooperation and coordination among districts and SCs;
27.8 (4) a targeting of adolescents, especially those who may be at high risk of contracting
27.9sexually transmitted infections and diseases, for prevention efforts;
27.10 (5) (4) involvement of parents and other community members;
27.11 (6) (5) in-service training for appropriate district staff and school board members;
27.12 (7) (6) collaboration with state agencies and organizations having a sexually transmitted
27.13infection and disease prevention or sexually transmitted infection and disease risk reduction
27.14program;
27.15 (8) (7) collaboration with local community health services, agencies and organizations
27.16having a sexually transmitted infection and disease prevention or sexually transmitted
27.17infection and disease risk reduction program; and
27.18 (9) (8) participation by state and local student organizations.
27.19 The department may provide assistance at a neutral site to a nonpublic school participating
27.20in a district's program. District programs must not conflict with the health and wellness
27.21curriculum developed under Laws 1987, chapter 398, article 5, section 2, subdivision 7.
27.22 If a district fails to develop and implement a program to prevent and reduce the risk of
27.23sexually transmitted infection and disease, the department must assist the service cooperative
27.24in the region serving that district to develop or implement the program.
27.25Sec. 16. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 121A.41, subdivision 10, is amended to read:
27.26 Subd. 10.Suspension."Suspension" means an action by the school administration,
27.27under rules promulgated by the school board, prohibiting a pupil from attending school for
27.28a period of no more than ten school days. If a suspension is longer than five days, the
27.29suspending administrator must provide the superintendent with a reason for the longer
27.30suspension. This definition does not apply to dismissal from school for one school day or
27.31less than one school day, except as provided in federal law for a student with a disability.
27.32Each suspension action may include a readmission plan. The readmission plan shall include,
27Article 2 Sec. 16.
S1740-1 1st EngrossmentSF1740 REVISOR CR 28.1where appropriate, a provision for implementing alternative educational services upon
28.2readmission and may not be used to extend the current suspension. Consistent with section
28.3125A.091, subdivision 5, the readmission plan must not obligate a parent to provide a
28.4sympathomimetic medication for the parent's child as a condition of readmission. The school
28.5administration may not impose consecutive suspensions against the same pupil for the same
28.6course of conduct, or incident of misconduct, except where the pupil will create an immediate
28.7and substantial danger to self or to surrounding persons or property, or where the district is
28.8in the process of initiating an expulsion, in which case the school administration may extend
28.9the suspension to a total of 15 school days.
28.10Sec. 17. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 121A.49, is amended to read:
28.11 121A.49 APPEAL.
28.12 A party to an exclusion or expulsion decision made under sections 121A.40 to 121A.56
28.13may appeal the decision to the commissioner of education within 21 calendar days of school
28.14board action. Upon being served with a notice of appeal, the district shall provide the
28.15commissioner and the parent or guardian with a complete copy of the hearing record,
28.16including a written transcript of the expulsion hearing, within five days of its receipt of the
28.17notice of appeal. All written submissions by the appellant must be submitted and served on
28.18the respondent within ten days of its actual receipt of the hearing record, including the
28.19written transcript. All written submissions by the respondent must be submitted and served
28.20on the appellant within ten days of its actual receipt of the written submissions of the
28.21appellant. The decision of the school board must be implemented during the appeal to the
28.22commissioner.
28.23 In an appeal under this section, the commissioner may affirm the decision of the agency,
28.24may remand the decision for additional findings, or may reverse or modify the decision if
28.25the substantial rights of the petitioners have been prejudiced because the administrative
28.26findings, inferences, conclusions, or decisions are:
28.27 (1) in violation of constitutional provisions;
28.28 (2) in excess of the statutory authority or jurisdiction of the school district;
28.29 (3) made upon unlawful procedure, except as provided in section 121A.48;
28.30 (4) affected by other error of law;
28.31 (5) unsupported by substantial evidence in view of the entire record submitted; or
28.32 (6) arbitrary or capricious.
28Article 2 Sec. 17.
S1740-1 1st EngrossmentSF1740 REVISOR CR 29.1The commissioner or the commissioner's representative shall make a final decision based
29.2upon the record. The commissioner shall issue a decision within 30 calendar days of receiving
29.3the entire record and the parties' written submission on appeal. The commissioner's decision
29.4shall be final and binding upon the parties after the time for appeal expires under section
29.5121A.50.
29.6 Sec. 18. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 121A.73, is amended to read:
29.7 121A.73 SCHOOL CELL PHONE POLICY.
29.8 (a) A school district or charter school must adopt a policy on students' possession and
29.9use of cell phones in school by March 15, 2025. The Minnesota Elementary School Principals'
29.10Association and the Minnesota Association of Secondary School Principals must collaborate
29.11to make best practices available to schools on a range of different strategies in order to
29.12minimize the impact of cell phones on student behavior, mental health, and academic
29.13attainment.
29.14 (b) Beginning in the 2026-2027 school year, the school district or charter school's school
29.15cell phone policy must prohibit cell phones and smart watches in school for students in
29.16grades kindergarten through 8 and prohibit cell phones and smart watches in classrooms
29.17for students in grades 9 through 12. The policy must provide exceptions for devices necessary
29.18for medical use, exceptions for devices included in an individualized education program
29.19for a student with a disability, or other exceptions at the discretion of the school principal.
29.20Sec. 19. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 122A.09, subdivision 9, is amended to read:
29.21 Subd. 9.Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board must adopt rules.(a)
29.22The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board must adopt rules subject to the
29.23provisions of chapter 14 to implement sections 120B.363, 122A.05 to 122A.09, 122A.092,
29.24122A.16, 122A.17, 122A.18, 122A.181, 122A.182, 122A.183, 122A.184, 122A.185,
29.25122A.187, 122A.188, 122A.19, 122A.20, 122A.21, 122A.23, 122A.26, 122A.28, 122A.29,
29.26and 124D.72.
29.27 (b) The board must adopt rules relating to fields of licensure and grade levels that a
29.28licensed teacher may teach, including a process for granting permission to a licensed teacher
29.29to teach in a field that is different from the teacher's field of licensure without change to the
29.30teacher's license tier level.
29Article 2 Sec. 19.
S1740-1 1st EngrossmentSF1740 REVISOR CR 30.1 (c) If a rule adopted by the board is in conflict with a session law or statute, the law or
30.2statute prevails. Terms adopted in rule must be clearly defined and must not be construed
30.3to conflict with terms adopted in statute or session law.
30.4 (d) The board must include a description of a proposed rule's probable effect on teacher
30.5supply and demand in the board's statement of need and reasonableness under section 14.131.
30.6 (e) The board must adopt rules only under the specific statutory authority.
30.7 Sec. 20. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 122A.092, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
30.8 Subd. 2.Requirements for board approval.Teacher preparation programs must
30.9demonstrate the following to obtain board approval:
30.10 (1) the program has implemented a research-based, results-oriented curriculum that
30.11focuses on the skills teachers need in order to be effective;
30.12 (2) the program provides a student teaching program;
30.13 (3) the program demonstrates effectiveness based on proficiency of graduates in
30.14demonstrating attainment of program outcomes;
30.15 (4) the program includes a common core of teaching knowledge and skills. This common
30.16core shall meet the standards developed by the Interstate New Teacher Assessment and
30.17Support Consortium in its 1992 model standards for beginning teacher licensing and
30.18development. Amendments to standards adopted under this clause are subject to chapter
30.1914. The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board shall report annually to the
30.20education committees of the legislature on the performance of teacher candidates on common
30.21core assessments of knowledge and skills under this clause during the most recent school
30.22year;
30.23 (5) the program includes instruction on the knowledge and skills needed to provide
30.24appropriate instruction to English learners to support and accelerate their academic literacy,
30.25including oral academic language and achievement in content areas in a regular classroom
30.26setting; and
30.27 (6) the program includes culturally competent training in instructional strategies consistent
30.28with section 120B.30, subdivision 8.
30.29Sec. 21. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 122A.092, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
30.30 Subd. 5.Reading strategies.(a) A teacher preparation provider approved by the
30.31Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board to prepare persons for classroom
30Article 2 Sec. 21.
S1740-1 1st EngrossmentSF1740 REVISOR CR 31.1teacher licensure must include in its teacher preparation programs evidence-based best
31.2practices in reading, consistent with sections 120B.118 to 120B.124, including instruction
31.3on phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary development, reading fluency, and reading
31.4comprehension. Instruction on reading must enable the licensure candidate to teach reading
31.5in the candidate's content areas. Teacher candidates must be instructed in using students'
31.6native languages as a resource in creating effective differentiated instructional strategies
31.7for English learners developing literacy skills. A teacher preparation provider also must
31.8prepare early childhood and elementary teacher candidates for Tier 3 and Tier 4 teaching
31.9licenses under sections 122A.183 and 122A.184, respectively.
31.10 (b) Board-approved teacher preparation programs for teachers of elementary education
31.11must require instruction in applying evidence-based, structured literacy reading instruction
31.12programs that:
31.13 (1) teach students to read using foundational knowledge, practices, and strategies
31.14consistent with sections 120B.118 to 120B.124, with emphasis on mastery of foundational
31.15reading skills so that students achieve continuous progress in reading; and
31.16 (2) teach specialized instruction in reading strategies, interventions, and remediations
31.17that enable students of all ages and proficiency levels, including multilingual learners and
31.18students demonstrating characteristics of dyslexia, to become proficient readers.
31.19 (c) Board-approved teacher preparation programs for teachers of elementary education,
31.20early childhood education, special education, and reading intervention must include
31.21instruction on dyslexia, as defined in section 125A.01, subdivision 2. Teacher preparation
31.22programs may consult with the Department of Education, including the dyslexia specialist
31.23under section 120B.122, to develop instruction under this paragraph. Instruction on dyslexia
31.24must be modeled on practice standards of the International Dyslexia Association, and must
31.25address:
31.26 (1) the nature and symptoms of dyslexia;
31.27 (2) resources available for students who show characteristics of dyslexia;
31.28 (3) evidence-based instructional strategies for students who show characteristics of
31.29dyslexia, including the structured literacy approach; and
31.30 (4) outcomes of intervention and lack of intervention for students who show
31.31characteristics of dyslexia.
31.32 (d) Nothing in this section limits the authority of a school district to select a school's
31.33reading program or curriculum.
31Article 2 Sec. 21.
S1740-1 1st EngrossmentSF1740 REVISOR CR 32.1 Sec. 22. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 122A.181, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
32.2 Subd. 3.Term of license and renewal.(a) The Professional Educator Licensing and
32.3Standards Board must issue an initial Tier 1 license for a term of one year. A Tier 1 license
32.4may be renewed subject to paragraphs (b) and (c).
32.5 (b) The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board must renew a Tier 1
32.6license if:
32.7 (1) the district or charter school requesting the renewal demonstrates that it has posted
32.8the teacher position but was unable to hire an acceptable teacher with a Tier 2, 3, or 4 license
32.9for the position;
32.10 (2) the teacher holding the Tier 1 license took a content examination in accordance with
32.11section 122A.185 and submitted the examination results to the teacher's employing district
32.12or charter school within one year of the board approving the request for the initial Tier 1
32.13license;
32.14 (3) (2) the teacher holding the Tier 1 license participated in cultural competency training
32.15consistent with section 120B.30, subdivision 8, within one year of the board approving the
32.16request for the initial Tier 1 license; and
32.17 (4) (3) the teacher holding the Tier 1 license met the mental illness training renewal
32.18requirement under section 122A.187, subdivision 6.
32.19The requirement in clause (2) does not apply to a teacher that teaches a class in a career and
32.20technical education or career pathways course of study.
32.21 (c) A Tier 1 license must not be renewed more than three times, unless the requesting
32.22district or charter school can show good cause for additional renewals. A Tier 1 license
32.23issued to teach (1) a class or course in a career and technical education or career pathway
32.24course of study, or (2) in a shortage area, as defined in section 122A.06, subdivision 6, may
32.25be renewed without limitation.
32.26Sec. 23. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 123B.09, is amended by adding a subdivision
32.27to read:
32.28 Subd. 1b.Student representatives.The school board is strongly encouraged to adopt
32.29a process to include two student representatives to serve one-year terms to advise the school
32.30board. The board process must include a process for replacing a student representative if
32.31the original student cannot serve the entire one-year term. A student representative is bound
32Article 2 Sec. 23.
S1740-1 1st EngrossmentSF1740 REVISOR CR 33.1by the same rules and regulations within the law that bind the board. A student
33.2representative's actions must follow the board's rules and processes around personal conduct.
33.3 Sec. 24. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 123B.52, is amended by adding a subdivision
33.4to read:
33.5 Subd. 6a.Disposing of surplus books.Notwithstanding section 471.345, governing
33.6school district contracts made upon sealed bid or otherwise complying with the requirements
33.7for competitive bidding, other provisions of this section governing school district contracts,
33.8or other law to the contrary, a school district under this subdivision may dispose of school
33.9books, including library books, books from an individual classroom library, and textbooks
33.10including other materials accompanying a textbook. A school district may dispose of surplus
33.11books by donating them to a family of a student residing in the district or a charitable
33.12organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
33.13Sec. 25. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 124D.162, is amended to read:
33.14 124D.162 KINDERGARTEN ENTRY FALL ASSESSMENT.
33.15 Subdivision 1.Assessment required.The commissioner of education must implement
33.16a kindergarten entry fall assessment of incoming kindergartners to identify the percent of
33.17kindergartners who meet or exceed end-of-year prekindergarten early learning standards.
33.18 Subd. 2.Process.(a) School districts and charter schools must choose a kindergarten
33.19entry fall assessment tool from a menu of valid and reliable measurement instruments
33.20approved by the department that:
33.21 (1) are is aligned to the state early childhood indicators of progress and kindergarten
33.22standards and are is based on the criteria to be an early learning assessment approved by
33.23the department;
33.24 (2) support supports the striving for comprehensive achievement and civic readiness
33.25plan goals in section 120B.11, subdivision 1, paragraph (c); and
33.26 (3) are is based, in part, on information collected from teachers, early learning
33.27professionals, families, and other partners.
33.28 (b) The department must provide technical assistance and professional development
33.29related to the assessment required under this section to educators, school districts, and charter
33.30schools.
33Article 2 Sec. 25.
S1740-1 1st EngrossmentSF1740 REVISOR CR 34.1 Subd. 3.Reporting.School districts and charter schools must annually report the results
34.2of kindergarten entry fall assessments to the department in a form and manner determined
34.3by the commissioner that is concurrent with a district's and charter school's comprehensive
34.4achievement and civic readiness report plan under section 120B.11, subdivision 5. The
34.5commissioner must publicly report kindergarten readiness fall assessment results as part of
34.6the performance reports required under section 120B.36 and in a manner consistent with
34.7section 120B.35, subdivision 3, paragraph (a), clause (2).
34.8 Subd. 4.Implementation.The requirements under this section must be phased in over
34.9three four school years with all school districts and charter schools complying beginning
34.10with the 2025-2026 2026-2027 school year.
34.11Sec. 26. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 124D.792, is amended to read:
34.12 124D.792 GRADUATION CEREMONIES; TRIBAL REGALIA AND OBJECTS
34.13OF CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE; DRUMMING.
34.14 (a) A school district or charter school must not prohibit an American Indian student from
34.15wearing American Indian regalia, Tribal regalia, or objects of cultural significance at a
34.16graduation ceremony.
34.17 (b) If requested by the school's American Indian parent advisory committee or an
34.18American Indian student organization, a school district or charter school must allow American
34.19Indian drumming at a graduation ceremony.
34.20 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.
34.21Sec. 27. [124D.793] AMERICAN INDIAN DRUMMING.
34.22 If requested by the school's American Indian parent advisory committee, a school district
34.23or charter school must allow American Indian drumming.
34.24Sec. 28. Laws 2024, chapter 115, article 2, section 21, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
34.25 Subd. 2.Required health-related subject areas.The commissioner must include the
34.26following expectations for learning in the statewide standards:
34.27 (1) cardiopulmonary resuscitation and automatic external defibrillator education that
34.28allows districts to provide instruction to students in grades 7 through 12 in accordance with
34.29Minnesota Statutes, section 120B.236;
34Article 2 Sec. 28.
S1740-1 1st EngrossmentSF1740 REVISOR CR 35.1 (2) vaping awareness and prevention education that allows districts to provide instruction
35.2to students in grades 6 through 8 in accordance with Minnesota Statutes, section 120B.238,
35.3subdivision 3;
35.4 (3) cannabis use and substance use education that includes overdose recognition,
35.5prevention, and response education that allows districts to provide instruction to students
35.6in grades 6 through 12 in accordance with Minnesota Statutes, section 120B.215;
35.7 (4) sexually transmitted infections and diseases education that meets the requirements
35.8of Minnesota Statutes, section 121A.23; and
35.9 (5) mental health education for students in grades 4 through 12.
35.10 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.
35.11Sec. 29. Laws 2024, chapter 115, article 2, section 21, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
35.12 Subd. 3.Other health-related subject areas.The commissioner may include the
35.13following expectations for learning in the statewide standards:
35.14 (1) child physical and sexual abuse prevention education in accordance with Minnesota
35.15Statutes, sections 120B.021, subdivision 1, paragraph (d); and 120B.234;
35.16 (2) violence prevention education in accordance with Minnesota Statutes, section
35.17120B.22;
35.18 (3) character development education in accordance with Minnesota Statutes, section
35.19120B.232;
35.20 (4) safe and supportive schools education in accordance with Minnesota Statutes, section
35.21121A.031, subdivision 5; and
35.22 (5) other expectations for learning identified through the standards development process.
35.23 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.
35.24Sec. 30. REPEALER.
35.25 Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 123B.935, subdivision 2, is repealed.
35.26 ARTICLE 3
35.27 CHARTER SCHOOLS
35.28Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 10A.071, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
35.29 Subdivision 1.Definitions.(a) The definitions in this subdivision apply to this section.
35Article 3 Section 1.
S1740-1 1st EngrossmentSF1740 REVISOR CR 36.1 (b) "Gift" means money, real or personal property, a service, a loan, a forbearance or
36.2forgiveness of indebtedness, or a promise of future employment, that is given and received
36.3without the giver receiving consideration of equal or greater value in return.
36.4 (c) "Official" means a public official, an employee of the legislature, or a local official,
36.5a member of a charter school board, or a charter school director or chief administrator.
36.6 (d) "Plaque" means a decorative item with an inscription recognizing an individual for
36.7an accomplishment.
36.8 Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 124E.02, is amended to read:
36.9 124E.02 DEFINITIONS.
36.10 (a) For purposes of this chapter, the terms defined in this section have the meanings
36.11given them.
36.12 (b) "Affidavit" means a written statement the authorizer submits to the commissioner
36.13for approval to establish a charter school under section 124E.06, subdivision 4, attesting to
36.14its review and approval process before chartering a school.
36.15 (c) "Affiliate" means a person that directly or indirectly, through one or more
36.16intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with another person.
36.17 (d) "Charter management organization" or "CMO" means a nonprofit entity or
36.18organization that operates or manages a charter school or a network of charter schools or
36.19can control all or substantially all of a school's education program or a school's administrative,
36.20financial, business, or operational functions.
36.21 (e) "Competitive procurement process" means a process for procurement by sealed bids
36.22or by proposals under section 124E.26, subdivision 4a.
36.23 (e) (f) "Control" means the ability to affect the management, operations, or policy actions
36.24or decisions of a person, whether by owning voting securities, by contract, or otherwise.
36.25 (f) (g) "Educational management organization" or "EMO" means a for-profit entity or
36.26organization that operates or manages a charter school or a network of charter schools or
36.27can control all or substantially all of a school's education program, or a school's
36.28administrative, financial, business, or operational functions.
36.29 (g) (h) "Immediate family member" means any relationship by blood, marriage, adoption,
36.30or partnership of spouses, parents, grandparents, siblings, children, first cousins, aunts,
36.31uncles, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.
36Article 3 Sec. 2.
S1740-1 1st EngrossmentSF1740 REVISOR CR 37.1 (h) (i) "Market need and demand study" means a study that includes the following for
37.2the proposed locations of the school or additional site that supports all of the proposed
37.3grades, sites, and programs:
37.4 (1) current and projected demographic information;
37.5 (2) student enrollment patterns;
37.6 (3) information on existing schools and types of educational programs currently available;
37.7 (4) characteristics of proposed students and families;
37.8 (5) availability of properly zoned and classified facilities; and
37.9 (6) quantification of existing demand for the school or site.
37.10 (i) (j) "Person" means an individual or entity of any kind.
37.11 (j) (k) "Related party" means an affiliate or immediate family member of the other
37.12interested party, an affiliate of an immediate family member who is the other interested
37.13party, or an immediate family member of an affiliate who is the other interested party.
37.14 (k) (l) For purposes of this chapter, the terms defined in section 120A.05 have the same
37.15meanings.
37.16Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 124E.03, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
37.17 Subd. 2.Certain federal, state, and local requirements.(a) A charter school shall
37.18meet all federal, state, and local health and safety requirements applicable to school districts.
37.19 (b) A charter school must comply with statewide accountability requirements governing
37.20standards and assessments in chapter 120B.
37.21 (c) A charter school must comply with the Minnesota Public School Fee Law, sections
37.22123B.34 to 123B.39.
37.23 (d) A charter school is a district for the purposes of tort liability under chapter 466.
37.24 (e) A charter school must comply with the Pledge of Allegiance requirement under
37.25section 121A.11, subdivision 3.
37.26 (f) A charter school and charter school board of directors must comply with chapter 181
37.27governing requirements for employment.
37.28 (g) A charter school must comply with continuing truant notification under section
37.29260A.03.
37Article 3 Sec. 3.
S1740-1 1st EngrossmentSF1740 REVISOR CR 38.1 (h) A charter school must develop and implement a teacher evaluation and peer review
38.2process under section 122A.40, subdivision 8, paragraph (b), clauses (2) to (13), and place
38.3students in classrooms in accordance with section 122A.40, subdivision 8, paragraph (d).
38.4The teacher evaluation process in this paragraph does not create any additional employment
38.5rights for teachers.
38.6 (i) A charter school must adopt a plan, budget, and process, consistent with section
38.7120B.11, to review curriculum, instruction, and student achievement and strive for
38.8comprehensive achievement and civic readiness.
38.9 (j) A charter school is subject to and must comply with the Pupil Fair Dismissal Act,
38.10sections 121A.40 to 121A.56 and 121A.575, 121A.60, 121A.61, and 121A.65.
38.11 (k) A charter school must comply with the limits on screen time for children in preschool,
38.12prekindergarten, and kindergarten under section 124D.166.
38.13Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 124E.03, is amended by adding a subdivision to
38.14read:
38.15 Subd. 11.Statement of economic interest; gift ban.Members of charter school boards
38.16and persons employed as charter school directors and chief administrators are subject to the
38.17requirements of sections 10A.071 and 471.895.
38.18Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 124E.05, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
38.19 Subd. 2.Roles, responsibilities, and requirements of authorizers.(a) The role of an
38.20authorizer is to ensure that a school it authorizes has the autonomy granted by statute, fulfills
38.21the purposes of a charter school, and is accountable to the agreed upon terms of the charter
38.22school contract in order to safeguard quality educational opportunities for students and
38.23maintain public trust and confidence.
38.24 (b) An authorizer has the following responsibilities:
38.25 (1) to review applications for new schools, determine whether a new school is ready to
38.26open, review applications for grade and site expansions, review applications for change in
38.27authorizers, and determine whether to approve or deny an application based on the
38.28authorizer's approved criteria;
38.29 (2) to negotiate and execute the performance charter contracts with the schools it
38.30authorizes;
38Article 3 Sec. 5.
S1740-1 1st EngrossmentSF1740 REVISOR CR 39.1 (3) to conduct ongoing monitoring, oversight, and evaluation of the school's academic,
39.2operational, and financial performance during the term of the charter contract;
39.3 (4) to evaluate the academic, operational, and financial performance of the school as
39.4defined in the charter contract prior to the end of the contract to determine the renewal,
39.5nonrenewal, or termination of the contract; and
39.6 (5) to comply with authorizer requirements in chapter 124E.
39.7 (c) An authorizer must document in the authorizer annual report under section 124E.16,
39.8subdivision 2, paragraph (b), the annual successful completion of training of its staff members
39.9during the previous year relative to chartering and, an authorizer's role and responsibilities,
39.10and each authorizer's performance review findings listed under subdivision 5.
39.11 (d) An authorizer must participate in annual department-approved training.
39.12Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 124E.06, subdivision 7, is amended to read:
39.13 Subd. 7.Merger.(a) Two or more charter schools may merge under chapter 317A. The
39.14effective date of a merger must be July 1. The merged school must continue under the
39.15identity of one of the merging schools. The authorizer and the merged school must execute
39.16a new charter contract under section 124E.10, subdivision 1, by July June 1, before the
39.17effective date of the merger. The authorizer must submit to the commissioner a copy of the
39.18new signed charter contract within ten business days of executing the contract.
39.19 (b) Each merging school must submit a separate year-end report for the previous fiscal
39.20year for that school only. After the final fiscal year of the premerger schools is closed out,
39.21each of those schools must transfer the fund balances and debts to the merged school.
39.22 (c) For its first year of operation, the merged school is eligible to receive aid from
39.23programs requiring approved applications equal to the sum of the aid of all of the merging
39.24schools. For aids based on prior year data, the merged school is eligible to receive aid for
39.25its first year of operation based on the combined data of all of the merging schools.
39.26Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 124E.06, is amended by adding a subdivision to
39.27read:
39.28 Subd. 8.Change in location.A developing, preoperational, or operational charter school
39.29with an approved affidavit must apply to its authorizer to change the charter school's location
39.30by submitting documentation, including a revised market need and demand study, to the
39.31authorizer for authorizer review and approval. The authorizer must establish a review process
39Article 3 Sec. 7.
S1740-1 1st EngrossmentSF1740 REVISOR CR 40.1to ensure the location change will address market need and demand as well as the charter
40.2school's ongoing viability.
40.3 Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 124E.07, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
40.4 Subd. 2.Ongoing board of directors.The initial board must begin the transition to the
40.5ongoing board structure by the end of the first year of operation and complete the transition
40.6by the end of the second year of operation. The terms of board members shall begin on July
40.71. Terms shall be no less than two years. The bylaws shall set the number of terms an
40.8individual may serve on the board and as an officer of the board. Board elections must be
40.9held during the school year but may not be conducted on days when the school is closed.
40.10Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 124E.07, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
40.11 Subd. 3.Membership criteria.(a) The ongoing charter school board of directors shall
40.12have at least five members. The board members must not be related parties. The ongoing
40.13board must include: (1) at least one licensed teacher; (2) at least one parent or legal guardian
40.14of a student enrolled in the charter school who is not an employee of the charter school; and
40.15(3) at least one interested community member. A community member serving on the board
40.16must reside in Minnesota, must not have a child enrolled in the school, and must not be an
40.17employee of the charter school.
40.18 (b) To serve as a licensed teacher on a charter school board, an individual must:
40.19 (1) be employed by the school or provide at least 720 hours of service under a contract
40.20between the charter school and a teacher cooperative;
40.21 (2) be a qualified teacher as defined under section 122A.16, either serving as a teacher
40.22of record in a field in which the individual has a field license, or providing services to
40.23students the individual is licensed to provide; and
40.24 (3) not serve in an administrative or supervisory capacity for more than 240 hours in a
40.25school calendar year.
40.26 (c) The board structure must be defined in the bylaws. The board structure may (1) be
40.27a majority of teachers under paragraph (b), (2) be a majority of parents, (3) be a majority
40.28of community members, or (4) have no clear majority.
40.29 (d) The chief administrator may only serve as an ex-officio nonvoting board member.
40.30No charter school employees shall serve on the board other than teachers under paragraph
40.31(b).
40Article 3 Sec. 9.
S1740-1 1st EngrossmentSF1740 REVISOR CR 41.1 (e) A contractor providing facilities, goods, or services to a charter school must not serve
41.2on the board of directors. In addition, an individual is prohibited from serving as a member
41.3of the charter school board of directors if: (1) the individual, an immediate family member,
41.4or the individual's partner is a full or part owner or principal with a for-profit or nonprofit
41.5entity or independent contractor with whom the charter school contracts, directly or indirectly,
41.6for professional services, goods, or facilities; or (2) an immediate family member is an
41.7employee of the school. An individual may serve as a member of the board of directors if
41.8no conflict of interest exists under this paragraph, consistent with this section.
41.9 (f) A violation of paragraph (e) renders a contract voidable at the option of the
41.10commissioner or the charter school board of directors. A member of a charter school board
41.11of directors who violates paragraph (e) is individually liable to the charter school for any
41.12damage caused by the violation.
41.13 (g) Any employee, agent, contractor, or board member of the authorizer who participates
41.14in initially reviewing, approving, overseeing, evaluating, renewing, or not renewing the
41.15charter school is ineligible to serve on the board of directors of a school chartered by that
41.16authorizer.
41.17 (h) An individual is prohibited from serving on more than one charter school board at
41.18the same time in either an elected or ex-officio capacity, except that an individual serving
41.19as an administrator serving more than one school under section 124E.12, subdivision 2,
41.20paragraph (f), may serve on each board as an ex-officio member. A board member who
41.21violates this paragraph is ineligible to continue to serve as a charter school board member
41.22and is ineligible to be elected or appointed to a charter school board for 24 months.
41.23 (i) A board member, who is paid for serving on the charter school board, must not receive
41.24more compensation for their role as a charter school board member than a school board
41.25member in the school district in which the charter school is located.
41.26Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 124E.07, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
41.27 Subd. 5.Board elections.(a) Staff members employed at the school, including teachers
41.28providing instruction under a contract with a cooperative, members of the board of directors,
41.29and all parents or legal guardians of children enrolled in the school are the voters eligible
41.30to elect the members of the school's board of directors.
41.31 (b) The board of directors must establish and publish election policies and procedures
41.32on the school's website.
41Article 3 Sec. 10.
S1740-1 1st EngrossmentSF1740 REVISOR CR 42.1 (c) The board of directors must notify eligible voters of the school board election dates
42.2and voting procedures at least 30 calendar days before the election and post this information
42.3on the school's website.
42.4 (d) The board of directors must notify eligible voters of the candidates' names,
42.5biographies, and candidate statements at least ten calendar days before the election and post
42.6this information on the school's website.
42.7 (e) Board elections must be held during the school year but may not be conducted on
42.8days when school is closed.
42.9 (f) An initial member and an elected board member must file a written oath of office
42.10with the charter school's authorizer.
42.11Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 124E.07, subdivision 6, is amended to read:
42.12 Subd. 6.Duties.(a) The board of directors also shall decide and is responsible for all
42.13decision making on policy matters related to operating the school, including budgeting,
42.14curriculum programming, personnel, and operating procedures. The board must adopt
42.15personnel evaluation policies and practices that, at a minimum:
42.16 (1) carry out the school's mission and goals;
42.17 (2) evaluate how charter contract goals and commitments are executed;
42.18 (3) evaluate student achievement, postsecondary and workforce readiness, and student
42.19engagement and connection goals;
42.20 (4) establish a teacher evaluation process under section 124E.03, subdivision 2, paragraph
42.21(h); and
42.22 (5) provide professional development related to the individual's job responsibilities.
42.23 (b) The board must adopt a nepotism policy that prohibits the employment of immediate
42.24family members of a board member, a school employee, or a teacher who provides instruction
42.25under a contract between the charter school and a cooperative. The board may waive this
42.26policy if: (1) the position is publicly posted for 20 business days; and (2) a two-thirds
42.27majority of the remaining board of directors who are not immediate family members of an
42.28applicant vote to approve the hiring. A board member, school employee, or teacher under
42.29contract with a cooperative must not be involved in an interview, selection process, hiring,
42.30supervision, or evaluation of an employee who is an immediate family member.
42.31 (c) The board of directors must establish a finance committee that meets regularly and
42.32includes at least one member of the school's board. The committee must review and provide
42Article 3 Sec. 11.
S1740-1 1st EngrossmentSF1740 REVISOR CR 43.1recommendations to the board on matters related to financial health and best practices,
43.2which may include but are not limited to financial strategy, enrollment tracking, budgeting
43.3and planning, internal controls and compliance, revenue generation, financial conflicts of
43.4interest, audits and financial reporting, regular finance statements and transactions, and
43.5authorizer finance related requirements in the charter contract.
43.6 (d) A charter school board that is under corrective action for financial reasons, as
43.7determined by its authorizer, must:
43.8 (1) include the authorizer in regularly scheduled finance committee meetings, either in
43.9person or virtually, at least monthly; and
43.10 (2) upon the request of the authorizer, hire a financial expert.
43.11Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 124E.07, subdivision 8, is amended to read:
43.12 Subd. 8.Meetings and information.(a) Board of director meetings must comply with
43.13chapter 13D governing open meetings.
43.14 (b) Charter school board meetings shall be recorded by video recording including audio
43.15at the expense of the governing body. A charter school shall publish and maintain on the
43.16school's official website: (1) the recordings of board meetings, within 30 days following
43.17the earlier of the date of board approval or the next regularly scheduled meeting, and for at
43.18least 365 days from the date of publication; (2) the meeting minutes of the board of directors
43.19and of members and committees having board-delegated authority, within 30 days following
43.20the earlier of the date of board approval or the next regularly scheduled meeting, and for at
43.21least 365 days from the date of publication; (2) (3) directory information for the board of
43.22directors and for the members of committees having board-delegated authority; and (3) (4)
43.23identifying and contact information for the school's authorizer.
43.24 (c) A charter school must include identifying and contact information for the school's
43.25authorizer in other school materials it makes available to the public.
43.26Sec. 13. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 124E.10, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
43.27 Subd. 4.Causes for nonrenewal or termination of charter school contract.(a) The
43.28duration of the contract with an authorizer must be for the term contained in the contract
43.29according to subdivision 1, paragraph (a). The authorizer may or may not renew a contract
43.30at the end of the term for any ground listed in paragraph (b). An authorizer may unilaterally
43.31terminate a contract during the term of the contract for any ground listed in paragraph (b).
43.32At least 60 business days before not renewing or terminating a contract, the authorizer shall
43Article 3 Sec. 13.
S1740-1 1st EngrossmentSF1740 REVISOR CR 44.1notify the board of directors of the charter school of the proposed action in writing. The
44.2notice shall state the grounds for the proposed action in reasonable detail and describe the
44.3informal hearing process, consistent with this paragraph. The charter school's board of
44.4directors may request in writing an informal hearing before the authorizer within 15 business
44.5days after receiving notice of nonrenewal or termination of the contract. Failure by the board
44.6of directors to make a written request for an informal hearing within the 15-business-day
44.7period shall be treated as acquiescence to the proposed action. Upon receiving a timely
44.8written request for a hearing, the authorizer shall give ten business days' notice to the charter
44.9school's board of directors of the hearing date. The hearing must be live-streamed and
44.10recorded by audio recording, video recording, or a court reporter. The authorizer must
44.11preserve the recording for three years and make the recording available to the public. The
44.12authorizer shall conduct an informal hearing before taking final action. The authorizer shall
44.13take final action to renew or not renew a contract no later than 20 business days before the
44.14proposed date for terminating the contract or the end date of the contract.
44.15 (b) An authorizer may terminate or not renew a contract upon any of the following
44.16grounds:
44.17 (1) failure to demonstrate satisfactory academic achievement for all students, including
44.18the requirements for pupil performance contained in the contract;
44.19 (2) failure to meet generally accepted standards of fiscal management;
44.20 (3) violations of law; or
44.21 (4) other good cause shown.
44.22 If the authorizer terminates or does not renew a contract under this paragraph, the school
44.23must be dissolved according to the applicable provisions of chapter 317A.
44.24 (c) The commissioner, after providing reasonable notice to the board of directors of a
44.25charter school and the existing authorizer, and after providing an opportunity for a public
44.26hearing, may terminate the existing contract between the authorizer and the charter school
44.27board if the charter school has a history of:
44.28 (1) failure to meet pupil performance requirements, consistent with state law;
44.29 (2) financial mismanagement or failure to meet generally accepted standards of fiscal
44.30management; or
44.31 (3) repeated or major violations of the law.
44Article 3 Sec. 13.
S1740-1 1st EngrossmentSF1740 REVISOR CR 45.1 Sec. 14. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 124E.13, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
45.2 Subd. 3.Affiliated nonprofit building corporation.(a) An affiliated nonprofit building
45.3corporation may purchase, expand, or renovate an existing facility to serve as a school or
45.4may construct a new school facility. One charter school may organize an affiliated nonprofit
45.5building corporation that serves only that charter school if the charter school:
45.6 (1) has operated for at least six consecutive years;
45.7 (2) as of June 30, has a net positive unreserved general fund balance in the preceding
45.8three fiscal years;
45.9 (3) has long-range strategic and financial plans that include enrollment projections for
45.10at least five years;
45.11 (4) completes a feasibility study of facility options that outlines the benefits and costs
45.12of each option; and
45.13 (5) has a plan that describes project parameters and budget.
45.14 (b) An affiliated nonprofit building corporation under this subdivision must:
45.15 (1) be incorporated under chapter 317A;
45.16 (2) comply with applicable Internal Revenue Service regulations, including regulations
45.17for "supporting organizations" as defined by the Internal Revenue Service;
45.18 (3) post on the school website the name, mailing address, bylaws, minutes of board
45.19meetings, and names of the current board of directors of the affiliated nonprofit building
45.20corporation;
45.21 (4) submit to the commissioner a copy of its annual audit by December 31 of each year;
45.22and
45.23 (5) comply with government data practices law under chapter 13.
45.24 (c) An affiliated nonprofit building corporation must not serve as the leasing agent for
45.25property or facilities it does not own. A charter school that leases a facility from an affiliated
45.26nonprofit building corporation that does not own the leased facility is ineligible to receive
45.27charter school lease aid. The state is immune from liability resulting from a contract between
45.28a charter school and an affiliated nonprofit building corporation.
45.29 (d) The board of directors of the charter school must ensure the affiliated nonprofit
45.30building corporation complies with all applicable legal requirements. The charter school's
45.31authorizer must oversee the efforts of the board of directors of the charter school to ensure
45Article 3 Sec. 14.
S1740-1 1st EngrossmentSF1740 REVISOR CR 46.1legal compliance of the affiliated building corporation. A school's board of directors that
46.2fails to ensure the affiliated nonprofit building corporation's compliance violates its
46.3responsibilities and an authorizer must consider that failure when evaluating the charter
46.4school.
46.5 (e) A contractor providing facilities, goods, or services to a charter school must not serve
46.6on the board of directors of the charter school's affiliated building corporation. In addition,
46.7an individual is prohibited from serving as a member of the board of directors of a charter
46.8school's affiliated building corporation if the individual, an immediate family member, or
46.9the individual's partner is a full or part owner or principal with a for-profit or nonprofit
46.10entity or independent contractor with whom the charter school contracts, directly or indirectly,
46.11for professional services, goods, or facilities. A charter school employee or immediate
46.12family member of that employee may serve on the board of directors of the charter school's
46.13affiliated building corporation if the employee has no conflict of interest, as defined in
46.14section 471.87.
46.15Sec. 15. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 124E.16, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
46.16 Subdivision 1.Audit report.(a) A charter school is subject to the same financial audits,
46.17audit procedures, and audit requirements as a district, except as required under this
46.18subdivision. Audits must be conducted in compliance with generally accepted governmental
46.19auditing standards, the federal Single Audit Act, if applicable, and section 6.65 governing
46.20auditing procedures. The audit must comply with the requirements of sections 123B.75 to
46.21123B.83 governing school district finance, except when the commissioner and authorizer
46.22approve a deviation made necessary because of school program finances. The commissioner,
46.23state auditor, legislative auditor, or authorizer may conduct financial, program, or compliance
46.24audits. A charter school in statutory operating debt under sections 123B.81 to 123B.83 must
46.25submit a plan under section 123B.81, subdivision 4.
46.26 (b) The charter school must submit an audit report, including all supplemental information
46.27included with the audit, to the commissioner and its authorizer annually by December 31.
46.28 (c) The charter school, with the assistance of the auditor conducting the audit, must
46.29include with the report, as supplemental information: (1) a copy of a new any management
46.30agreement or an amendment to a current agreement with a CMO or EMO signed during the
46.31audit year; and (2) a copy of a service agreement or contract with a company or individual
46.32totaling over five percent of the audited expenditures for the most recent audit year. The
46.33agreements must detail the terms of the agreement, including the services provided and the
46.34annual costs for those services.
46Article 3 Sec. 15.
S1740-1 1st EngrossmentSF1740 REVISOR CR 47.1 (d) A charter school independent audit report shall include audited financial data of an
47.2affiliated building corporation under section 124E.13, subdivision 3, or other component
47.3unit.
47.4 (e) If the audit report finds that a material weakness exists in the financial reporting
47.5systems of a charter school, the charter school must submit a written report to the
47.6commissioner explaining how the charter school will resolve that material weakness. An
47.7auditor, as a condition of providing financial services to a charter school, must agree to
47.8make available information about a charter school's financial audit to the commissioner and
47.9authorizer upon request.
47.10Sec. 16. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 124E.16, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
47.11 Subd. 3.Public accounting and reporting CMO and EMO agreements.(a) A charter
47.12school that enters into a management agreement with a CMO or EMO must:
47.13 (1) publish on the charter school website for at least 20 business days the proposed final
47.14agreement for public review and comment before the school board may adopt the contract
47.15or agreement. Any changes made to the posted agreement during the public review period
47.16or any proposed amendments to the agreement once adopted must be posted for 20 business
47.17days before the board may adopt the amendments to the contract;
47.18 (2) annually publish on the charter school website a statement of assurance that no
47.19member of the school board, staff, or any agent of the school has been promised or received
47.20any form of compensation or gifts from the CMO or EMO and that no board member,
47.21employee, or agent of the CMO or EMO or any of the organization affiliates or providers
47.22serve on the charter school board; and
47.23 (3) conduct an independent review and evaluation of the services provided by the CMO
47.24or EMO and publish the evaluation on the school's website at least 30 business days before
47.25the end of the current contract.
47.26 (b) A management agreement with a CMO or EMO must contain the following:
47.27 (1) the term of the contract, not to exceed five years;
47.28 (2) the total dollar value of the contract including the annual projected costs of services;
47.29 (3) a description and terms of the services to be provided during the term of the contract;
47.30 (4) notice that a charter school closure during the term of the contract by action of the
47.31authorizer or the school's board results in the balance of the current contract becoming null
47.32and void;
47Article 3 Sec. 16.
S1740-1 1st EngrossmentSF1740 REVISOR CR 48.1 (5) an annual statement of assurance to the charter school board that the CMO or EMO
48.2provided no compensation or gifts to any charter school board member, staff member, or
48.3agent of the charter school;
48.4 (6) an annual statement of assurance that no charter school board member, employee,
48.5contractor, or agent of the CMO or EMO or any affiliated organization is a board member
48.6of the charter school or any other charter school;
48.7 (7) the policies and protocols that meet federal and state laws regarding student and
48.8personnel data collection, usage, access, retention, disclosure and destruction, and
48.9indemnification and warranty provisions in case of data breaches by the CMO or EMO;
48.10and
48.11 (8) an annual assurance that all assets purchased on behalf of the charter school using
48.12public funds remain assets of the school.
48.13 (c) The CMO or EMO must annually provide the charter school board a financial report
48.14by July 31 that accounts for income and expenditures for the previous fiscal year using the
48.15account categories in uniform financial accounting and reporting standards.
48.16 (d) Any agreement with a CMO or EMO containing any of the following provisions is
48.17null and void:
48.18 (1) restrictions on the charter school's ability to operate a school upon termination of
48.19the agreement;
48.20 (2) restrictions on the annual or total amount of the school's operating surplus or fund
48.21balance;
48.22 (3) authorization to allow a CMO or EMO to withdraw funds from a charter school
48.23account; or
48.24 (4) authorization to allow a CMO or EMO to loan funds to the charter school.
48.25 (e) A CMO or EMO or its affiliates, employees, or agents may not contract with, be
48.26employed by, or serve on the board of an authorizer. An authorizer or its affiliates, employees,
48.27or agents may not contract with, be employed by, serve as a paid consultant for, or serve as
48.28a board member of a CMO or EMO.
48.29Sec. 17. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 124E.16, is amended by adding a subdivision
48.30to read:
48.31 Subd. 4.Authorizer performance evaluation report.(a) A charter school must publish
48.32on its website the formal written performance evaluation from its authorizer and disseminate
48Article 3 Sec. 17.
S1740-1 1st EngrossmentSF1740 REVISOR CR 49.1the evaluation to enrolled families in languages they understand, consistent with the school's
49.2language access plan under section 124E.03, subdivision 9, paragraph (b).
49.3 (b) Evaluations must be published on the charter school's website within 15 business
49.4days of receipt of the evaluation by the charter school and for at least 365 days from the
49.5date of publication.
49.6 Sec. 18. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 124E.17, is amended to read:
49.7 124E.17 DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION.
49.8 Subdivision 1.Charter school information.(a) Charter schools must disseminate
49.9information about the school's offerings and enrollment procedures to families that reflect
49.10the diversity of Minnesota's population and targeted groups. Targeted groups include
49.11low-income families and communities, students of color, students at risk of academic failure,
49.12and students underrepresented in the school's student body relative to Minnesota's population.
49.13The school must document its dissemination activities in the school's annual report. The
49.14school's dissemination activities must be a component of the authorizer's performance review
49.15of the school.
49.16 (b) Authorizers and the commissioner must disseminate information to the public on
49.17how to form and operate a charter school. Authorizers, operators, and the commissioner
49.18also may disseminate information to interested stakeholders about the successful best
49.19practices in teaching and learning demonstrated by charter schools.
49.20 (c) For each charter school it authorizes, an authorizer must publish on its website for
49.21at least five years from the date of issuance all charter contracts and amendments executed
49.22under section 124E.10; school performance reviews including the performance evaluations
49.23required by section 124E.10, subdivision 1, paragraph (a), clause (6), if different; notices
49.24of intent to terminate or not renew the charter contract and related final determinations; and
49.25unresolved notices of intervention, deficiency, concern, corrective action, or probationary
49.26status.
49.27 (d) Each charter school must post a link in a conspicuous place on the school's official
49.28website to the section of its authorizer's website where information listed in paragraph (c)
49.29specific to that school is published. A charter school must also, upon the request of the
49.30authorizer, distribute information from their authorizer about interventions, corrective
49.31actions, and probationary status by publication, mail, or electronic means to its authorizer,
49.32school employees, and parents and legal guardians of students enrolled in the charter school.
49Article 3 Sec. 18.
S1740-1 1st EngrossmentSF1740 REVISOR CR 50.1 Subd. 2.Financial information.(a) Upon request of an individual, the charter school
50.2must make available in a timely fashion financial statements showing all operations and
50.3transactions affecting the school's income, surplus, and deficit during the last annual
50.4accounting period; and a balance sheet summarizing assets and liabilities on the closing
50.5date of the accounting period.
50.6 (b) Upon request of an individual, an authorizer must make available in a timely fashion
50.7financial statements showing all operations and transactions affecting the authorizer's income,
50.8surplus, and deficit during the last annual accounting period, and a balance sheet summarizing
50.9assets and liabilities on the closing date of the accounting period An authorizer must publish
50.10on its website an annual financial statement identifying its sources of income related to
50.11authorizing activities and its authorizing expenses including staff, consultants, facility,
50.12professional development, transportation, membership dues, technology, office supplies,
50.13bank fees, administrative overhead, and professional fees for accounting, legal, and financial
50.14services, consistent with section 124E.05, subdivision 8, and a balance sheet related to
50.15authorizing activities summarizing assets and liabilities.
50.16Sec. 19. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 124E.26, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
50.17 Subd. 4.Required policy components.A charter school procurement policy must at a
50.18minimum include:
50.19 (1) conflict of interest provisions consistent with section 124E.14;
50.20 (2) thresholds for purchases by employees without board approval;
50.21 (3) thresholds for purchases that require competitive bidding procurement processes as
50.22defined in section 124E.02, paragraph (e), except that a competitive bidding procurement
50.23process must occur for any procurement estimated to exceed $25,000; and
50.24 (4) a prohibition on breaking up a procurement into smaller components to avoid the
50.25thresholds established in clauses (2) and (3).
50.26Notwithstanding clause (3), for a procurement estimated to exceed $25,000 but not $175,000,
50.27the purchase may be made either by a competitive procurement process, or by direct
50.28negotiation, by obtaining two or more bids or proposals for the purchase or sale when
50.29possible and without advertising for bids or proposals or otherwise complying with the
50.30requirements of a competitive procurement process. If a procurement is estimated to exceed
50.31$175,000, a competitive procurement process must occur.
50Article 3 Sec. 19.
S1740-1 1st EngrossmentSF1740 REVISOR CR 51.1 Sec. 20. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 124E.26, is amended by adding a subdivision
51.2to read:
51.3 Subd. 4a.Competitive procurement.(a) "Procurement by sealed bids" means a process
51.4in which bids are publicly solicited and a firm fixed price contract by lump sum or unit price
51.5is awarded to the responsible bidder whose bid, conforming with all material terms and
51.6conditions of the invitation for bids, is the lowest in price. If sealed bids are used, the
51.7following requirements apply:
51.8 (1) bids must be solicited from an adequate number of qualified sources, providing
51.9bidders sufficient response time prior to the date set for opening bids;
51.10 (2) the invitation for bids, which includes any specifications and pertinent attachments,
51.11must define the items or services in order for the bidder to properly respond;
51.12 (3) all bids will be opened at the time and place prescribed in the invitation for bids, and
51.13the bids must be opened publicly;
51.14 (4) a firm fixed price contract award will be made in writing to the lowest responsive
51.15and responsible bidder. Where specified in bidding documents, factors such as discounts,
51.16transportation cost, and life cycle costs must be considered in determining which bid is
51.17lowest. Payment discounts will only be used to determine the low bid when prior experience
51.18indicates that the discounts are usually taken advantage of;
51.19 (5) any or all bids may be rejected if there is a sound documented reason; and
51.20 (6) in order for a sealed bid to be feasible, the following conditions must be present:
51.21 (i) a complete, adequate, and realistic specification or purchase description is available;
51.22 (ii) two or more responsible bidders are willing and able to compete effectively for the
51.23business; and
51.24 (iii) the procurement lends itself to a firm fixed price contract and the selection of the
51.25successful bidder can be made principally on the price.
51.26 (b) "Procurement by proposals" means a process in which either a fixed price or
51.27cost-reimbursement type contract is awarded. Proposals are generally used when conditions
51.28are not appropriate for the use of sealed bids. They are awarded in accordance with the
51.29following requirements:
51.30 (1) requests for proposals must be publicized and identify all evaluation factors and their
51.31relative importance. Proposals must be solicited from an adequate number of qualified
51Article 3 Sec. 20.
S1740-1 1st EngrossmentSF1740 REVISOR CR 52.1offerors. Any response to publicized requests for proposals must be considered to the
52.2maximum extent practical;
52.3 (2) the charter school must have a written method for conducting technical evaluations
52.4of the proposals received and for making selections; and
52.5 (3) contracts must be awarded to the responsible offeror whose proposal is most
52.6advantageous to the charter school, with price and other factors considered.
52.7 Sec. 21. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 124E.26, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
52.8 Subd. 5.Reduction in aid.If a charter school makes a purchase without a procurement
52.9policy adopted by the school's board or makes a purchase not in conformity with the school's
52.10procurement policy, or the adopted policy does not meet the requirements of this section,
52.11the commissioner may reduce that charter school's state aid in an amount equal to the
52.12purchase.
52.13Sec. 22. REVISOR INSTRUCTION.
52.14 The revisor of statutes shall renumber the section of Minnesota Statutes listed in column
52.15A with the number listed in column B. The revisor shall also make necessary cross-reference
52.16changes consistent with the renumbering. The revisor shall also make any technical and
52.17other changes necessitated by the renumbering and cross-reference changes in this act.
Column B52.18 Column A
124E.2752.19 124E.16, subdivision 3
52.20 ARTICLE 4
52.21 THE READ ACT
52.22Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 120B.119, subdivision 2a, is amended to read:
52.23 Subd. 2a.Certified trained facilitator."Certified trained facilitator" means a person
52.24employed by a district or regional literacy network Minnesota service cooperative who has
52.25completed professional development approved by the Department of Education in structured
52.26literacy, completed the vendor's certification prerequisites and facilitator training
52.27requirements, completed the vendor's annual recertification requirements, remains in good
52.28standing with the sponsoring agency and vendor, uses the vendor's training materials with
52.29fidelity, and participates in mentoring or coaching provided by CAREI and the Department
52.30of Education on facilitating literacy training. A literacy lead who meets the requirements
52.31under this subdivision may be a certified trained facilitator.
52Article 4 Section 1.
S1740-1 1st EngrossmentSF1740 REVISOR CR 53.1 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective July 1, 2025.
53.2 Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 120B.119, subdivision 10, is amended to read:
53.3 Subd. 10.Oral language."Oral language," also called "spoken expressive language"
53.4or "receptive language," includes speaking and listening, and consists of five components:
53.5phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, and pragmatics. Oral language also includes
53.6sign language, in which speaking and listening skills are defined as expressive and receptive
53.7skills, and consists of phonology, including sign language phonological awareness,
53.8morphology, syntax, semantics, and pragmatics.
53.9 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective July 1, 2025.
53.10Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 120B.12, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
53.11 Subdivision 1.Literacy goal.(a) The legislature seeks to have every child reading at
53.12or above grade level every year, beginning in kindergarten, and to support multilingual
53.13learners and students receiving special education services in achieving their individualized
53.14reading goals in order to meet grade-level proficiency benchmarks. By the 2026-2027 school
53.15year, districts must provide evidence-based reading instruction through a focus on student
53.16mastery of the foundational reading skills of phonemic awareness, phonics, and fluency, as
53.17well as the development of oral language, vocabulary, and reading comprehension skills.
53.18Students must receive evidence-based instruction that is proven to effectively teach children
53.19to read, consistent with sections 120B.118 to 120B.124.
53.20 (b) To meet this goal, each district must provide teachers and instructional support staff
53.21with responsibility for teaching reading with training on evidence-based reading instruction
53.22that is approved by the Department of Education by the deadlines provided in section
53.23120B.123, subdivision 5.
53.24 (c) Districts are strongly encouraged to adopt a MTSS framework. The framework should
53.25include a process for engaging families and communities, monitoring student progress,
53.26evaluating program fidelity, and analyzing student outcomes and needs in order to design
53.27and implement ongoing evidenced-based, culturally responsive instruction and interventions.
53.28 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective July 1, 2025.
53.29Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 120B.12, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
53.30 Subd. 2.Identification; report.(a) Each school district must screen every student
53.31enrolled in kindergarten, grade 1, grade 2, and grade 3 using a screening tool approved by
53Article 4 Sec. 4.
S1740-1 1st EngrossmentSF1740 REVISOR CR 54.1the Department of Education three times each school year: (1) within the first six weeks of
54.2the school year; (2) by February 15 each year; and (3) within the last six weeks of the school
54.3year. Students enrolled in kindergarten, grade 1, grade 2, and grade 3, including multilingual
54.4learners and, students receiving special education services, and students enrolled in dual
54.5language immersion programs, must be universally screened for mastery of foundational
54.6reading skills, including phonemic awareness, phonics, decoding, fluency, oral language,
54.7and for characteristics of dyslexia as measured by a screening tool approved by the
54.8Department of Education. Students enrolled in dual language immersion programs must be
54.9screened in the partner language of the program at the same intervals as the screenings in
54.10English. The screening tool must be approved by the district for kindergarten through grade
54.113 students enrolled in dual language immersion programs. The screening for characteristics
54.12of dyslexia may be integrated with universal screening for mastery of foundational skills
54.13and oral expressive-receptive language mastery. The screening tool used must be a valid
54.14and reliable universal screener that is highly correlated with foundational reading skills.
54.15For students reading at grade level, beginning in the winter of grade 2, the oral reading
54.16fluency screener may be used to assess reading difficulties, including characteristics of
54.17dyslexia, without requiring a separate screening of each subcomponent of foundational
54.18reading skills.
54.19 (b) A district must submit data on student performance in kindergarten, grade 1, grade
54.202, and grade 3 on foundational reading skills, including phonemic awareness, phonics,
54.21decoding, fluency, and oral language to the Department of Education in the annual local
54.22literacy plan submission due on June 15.
54.23 (b) (c) Students in grades 4 and above, including multilingual learners and students
54.24receiving special education services, who do not demonstrate mastery of foundational
54.25reading skills, including phonemic awareness, phonics, decoding, fluency, and oral language,
54.26are not reading at grade level must be screened for reading difficulties, including
54.27characteristics of dyslexia, using a screening tool approved by the Department of Education
54.28for characteristics of dyslexia, and must continue to receive evidence-based instruction,
54.29interventions, and progress monitoring until the students achieve grade-level proficiency.
54.30A parent, in consultation with a teacher, may opt a student out of the literacy screener if the
54.31parent and teacher decide that continuing to screen would not be beneficial to the student.
54.32In such limited cases, the student must continue to receive progress monitoring and literacy
54.33interventions.
54.34 (c) (d) Reading screeners in English, and in the predominant languages of district students
54.35where practicable, must identify and evaluate students' areas of academic need related to
54Article 4 Sec. 4.
S1740-1 1st EngrossmentSF1740 REVISOR CR 55.1literacy. The district also must monitor the progress and provide reading instruction
55.2appropriate to the specific needs of multilingual learners. The district must use an approved,
55.3developmentally appropriate, and culturally responsive screener and annually report summary
55.4screener results to the commissioner by June 15 in the form and manner determined by the
55.5commissioner.
55.6 (d) (e) The district also must include in its local literacy plan under subdivision 4a, a
55.7summary of the district's efforts to screen, identify, and provide interventions to students
55.8who demonstrate characteristics of dyslexia as measured by a screening tool approved by
55.9the Department of Education. Districts are strongly encouraged to use a MTSS framework.
55.10With respect to students screened or identified under paragraph (a), the report must include:
55.11 (1) a summary of the district's efforts to screen for reading difficulties, including dyslexia;
55.12 (2) the number of students universally screened for that reporting year;
55.13 (3) the number of students demonstrating characteristics of dyslexia for that year; and
55.14 (4) an explanation of how students identified under this subdivision are provided with
55.15alternate instruction and interventions under section 125A.56, subdivision 1.
55.16 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective July 1, 2025.
55.17Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 120B.12, subdivision 2a, is amended to read:
55.18 Subd. 2a.Parent notification and involvement.(a) A district must administer an
55.19approved reading screener to students in kindergarten through grade 3 within the first six
55.20weeks of the school year, by February 15 each year, and again within the last six weeks of
55.21the school year. Schools, after administering each screener, must give the parent of each
55.22student who is not reading at or above grade level timely information from the screener
55.23about:
55.24 (1) the student's reading proficiency as measured by a screener approved by the
55.25Department of Education;
55.26 (2) reading-related services currently being provided to the student and the student's
55.27progress; and
55.28 (3) strategies for parents to use at home in helping their student succeed in becoming
55.29grade-level proficient in reading in English and in their native language.
55.30 (b) For students enrolled in dual language immersion programs, the district-approved
55.31screener must measure the student's reading proficiency in the program's partner language.
55Article 4 Sec. 5.
S1740-1 1st EngrossmentSF1740 REVISOR CR 56.1The dual language immersion program may provide information about national research or
56.2reading proficiency in the parent notification.
56.3 (c) A district may not use this section to deny a student's right to a special education
56.4evaluation.
56.5 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective July 1, 2025.
56.6 Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 120B.12, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
56.7 Subd. 3.Intervention.(a) For each student identified under subdivision 2, the district
56.8shall provide aligned and targeted reading intervention support to accelerate student growth
56.9and reach the goal of reading at or above grade level by the end of the current grade and
56.10school year. A district is encouraged to provide reading intervention through a MTSS
56.11framework. If a student does not read at or above grade level by the end of the current school
56.12year, the district must continue to provide aligned and targeted reading intervention support
56.13as defined by the MTSS framework until the student reads at grade level. If less than 60
56.14percent of students have reached the benchmark target, class wide Tier 1 interventions must
56.15be implemented. Students receiving Tier 2 or Tier 3 interventions must receive those
56.16interventions in addition to Tier 1 instruction. District intervention methods shall encourage
56.17family engagement and, where possible, collaboration with appropriate school and community
56.18programs that specialize in evidence-based instructional practices and measure mastery of
56.19foundational reading skills, including phonemic awareness, phonics, decoding, fluency, and
56.20oral language. Intervention may include but is not limited to requiring student attendance
56.21in summer school, intensified reading instruction that may require that the student be removed
56.22from the regular classroom for part of the school day, extended-day programs, or programs
56.23that strengthen students' cultural connections.
56.24 (b) A district or charter school is strongly encouraged to provide a personal learning
56.25plan for a student who is unable to demonstrate grade-level proficiency, as measured by the
56.26statewide reading assessment in grade 3 or a screener identified by the Department of
56.27Education under section 120B.123. The district or charter school must determine the format
56.28of the personal learning plan in collaboration with the student's educators and other
56.29appropriate professionals. The school must develop the learning plan in consultation with
56.30the student's parent or guardian. The personal learning plan must include targeted instruction
56.31that is evidence-based and ongoing progress monitoring, and address knowledge gaps and
56.32skill deficiencies through strategies such as specific exercises and practices during and
56.33outside of the regular school day, group interventions, periodic assessments or screeners,
56.34and reasonable timelines. The personal learning plan may include grade retention, if it is in
56Article 4 Sec. 6.
S1740-1 1st EngrossmentSF1740 REVISOR CR 57.1the student's best interest; a student may not be retained solely due to delays in literacy or
57.2not demonstrating grade-level proficiency. A school must maintain and regularly update
57.3and modify the personal learning plan until the student reads at grade level. This paragraph
57.4does not apply to a student under an individualized education program.
57.5 (c) Starting in the 2025-2026 2026-2027 school year, a district must use only
57.6evidence-based literacy interventions. Districts are strongly encouraged to use intervention
57.7materials approved by the Department of Education under the Read Act.
57.8 (d) Starting in the 2026-2027 school year, to provide a Tier 2 literacy intervention, a
57.9trained teacher who has completed one of the three approved professional development
57.10trainings must oversee and monitor the instruction provided by any paraprofessional or
57.11other unlicensed person, including a volunteer, must be supervised by a licensed teacher
57.12who has completed training in evidence-based reading instruction approved by the
57.13Department of Education, and has completed. A paraprofessional or other unlicensed person,
57.14including a volunteer, must complete evidence-based training developed under the Read
57.15Act by CAREI or and offered through the regional literacy networks under section 120B.124,
57.16subdivision 4, or a training that the department has determined meets or exceeds the
57.17requirements of section 120B.124, subdivision 4.
57.18 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective July 1, 2025.
57.19Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 120B.12, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
57.20 Subd. 4.Staff development.(a) A district must provide training on evidence-based
57.21structured literacy instruction to teachers and instructional staff in accordance with
57.22subdivision 1, paragraphs (b) and (c). The training must include teaching in the areas of
57.23phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary development, reading fluency, reading
57.24comprehension, and culturally and linguistically responsive pedagogy.
57.25 (b) Each district shall use the data under subdivision 2 to identify the staff development
57.26needs so that:
57.27 (1) elementary teachers are able to implement explicit, systematic, evidence-based
57.28instruction in the five reading areas of phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary,
57.29and comprehension with emphasis on mastery of foundational reading skills as defined in
57.30section 120B.119 and other literacy-related areas including writing until the student achieves
57.31grade-level reading and writing proficiency;
57.32 (2) elementary teachers receive training to provide students with evidence-based reading
57.33and oral language instruction that meets students' developmental, linguistic, and literacy
57Article 4 Sec. 7.
S1740-1 1st EngrossmentSF1740 REVISOR CR 58.1needs using the intervention methods or programs selected by the district for the identified
58.2students;
58.3 (3) licensed teachers employed by the district have opportunities to improve reading
58.4and writing instruction through approved professional development identified in the local
58.5literacy plan;
58.6 (4) licensed teachers recognize students' diverse needs in cross-cultural settings and are
58.7able to serve the oral language and linguistic needs of students who are multilingual learners
58.8by maximizing strengths in their native languages in order to cultivate students' English
58.9language development, including oral academic language development, and build academic
58.10literacy; and
58.11 (5) licensed teachers are trained in culturally responsive pedagogy that enables students
58.12to master content, develop skills to access content, and build relationships.
58.13 (c) A district that offers early childhood programs, including voluntary prekindergarten
58.14for eligible four-year-old children, early childhood special education, and school readiness
58.15programs, must provide classroom teachers in early childhood programs training approved
58.16by the Department of Education to provide children in early childhood programs with
58.17explicit, systematic instruction in phonological and phonemic awareness; oral language,
58.18including listening comprehension; vocabulary; and letter-sound correspondence.
58.19 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective July 1, 2025.
58.20Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 120B.12, subdivision 4a, is amended to read:
58.21 Subd. 4a.Local literacy plan.(a) Consistent with this section, a school district must
58.22adopt a local literacy plan to have every child reading at or above grade level every year
58.23beginning in kindergarten and to support multilingual learners and students receiving special
58.24education services in achieving their individualized reading goals. A district must update
58.25and submit the plan to the commissioner by June 15 each year. The plan must be consistent
58.26with the Read Act, and include the following:
58.27 (1) a process to assess students' foundational reading skills, oral language, and level of
58.28reading proficiency and the approved screeners used, by school site and grade level, under
58.29section 120B.123;
58.30 (2) a process to notify and involve parents;
58.31 (3) a description of how schools in the district will determine the targeted reading
58.32instruction that is evidence-based and includes an intervention strategy for a student and
58Article 4 Sec. 8.
S1740-1 1st EngrossmentSF1740 REVISOR CR 59.1the process for intensifying or modifying the reading strategy in order to obtain measurable
59.2reading progress;
59.3 (4) evidence-based intervention methods for students who are not reading at or above
59.4grade level and progress monitoring to provide information on the effectiveness of the
59.5intervention;
59.6 (5) identification of staff development needs, including a plan to meet those needs;
59.7 (6) the curricula used by school site and grade level and, if applicable, the district plan
59.8and timeline for adopting approved evidence-based curricula and materials starting in the
59.92025-2026 school year;
59.10 (7) a statement of whether the district has adopted a MTSS framework;
59.11 (8) student data using the measures of foundational literacy skills and mastery identified
59.12by the Department of Education for the following students:
59.13 (i) students in kindergarten through grade 3;
59.14 (ii) students who demonstrate characteristics of dyslexia; and
59.15 (iii) students in grades 4 to 12 who are identified as not reading at grade level;
59.16 (9) the number of teachers and other staff who have completed training approved by the
59.17department;
59.18 (10) the number of teachers and other staff proposed for training in structured literacy;
59.19and
59.20 (11) how the district used funding provided under the Read Act to implement the
59.21requirements of the Read Act.
59.22 (b) The district must post its literacy plan on the official school district website and
59.23submit it to the commissioner of education using the template developed by the commissioner
59.24of education annually beginning June 15, 2024.
59.25 (c) By March 1, 2024, the commissioner of education must develop Districts must use
59.26a streamlined template developed by the commissioner of education for local literacy plans
59.27that meets the requirements of this subdivision and requires all reading instruction and
59.28teacher training in reading instruction to be evidence-based. The template must require a
59.29district to report information using the student categories required in the commissioner's
59.30report under paragraph (d). The template must focus district resources on improving students'
59.31foundational reading skills while reducing paperwork requirements for teachers.
59Article 4 Sec. 8.
S1740-1 1st EngrossmentSF1740 REVISOR CR 60.1 (d) By December 1, 2025, the commissioner of education must submit a report to the
60.2legislative committees with jurisdiction over prekindergarten through grade 12 education
60.3summarizing the local literacy plans submitted to the commissioner. The summary must
60.4include the following information:
60.5 (1) the number of teachers and other staff, by grade level, who have completed training
60.6approved by the Department of Education;
60.7 (2) the number of teachers and other staff, by grade level, required to complete the
60.8training under section 120B.123, subdivision 5, who have not completed the training;
60.9 (3) the number of teachers exempt under section 120B.123, subdivision 5, from
60.10completing training approved by the Department of Education;
60.11 (4) the statewide total number of teachers or other staff required to complete the training
60.12under section 120B.123, subdivision 5 that have received other training or education that
60.13meets the requirements of the training approved by the Department of Education;
60.14 (5) by school site and grade, the approved screeners and the reading curriculum used;
60.15and
60.16 (5) (6) by school site and grade, using the measurements of foundational literacy skills
60.17and mastery identified by the department, both aggregated data and disaggregated data on
60.18student performance on the approved screeners using the student categories under section
60.19120B.35, subdivision 3, paragraph (a), clause (2).
60.20 (e) By December 1, 2026, and December 1, 2027, the commissioner of education must
60.21submit updated reports containing the information required under paragraph (d) to the
60.22legislative committees with jurisdiction over prekindergarten through grade 12 education.
60.23 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective July 1, 2025.
60.24Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 120B.123, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
60.25 Subdivision 1.Approved screeners.(a) A district must administer an approved
60.26evidence-based reading screener to students in kindergarten through grade 3 within the first
60.27six weeks of the school year, by February 15 each year, and again within the last six weeks
60.28of the school year. The screener must be one of the screening tools approved by the
60.29Department of Education. A district must identify any screener it uses in the district's annual
60.30literacy plan, and submit screening data with the annual literacy plan by June 15.
60Article 4 Sec. 9.
S1740-1 1st EngrossmentSF1740 REVISOR CR 61.1 (b) Starting in the 2024-2025 school year, district staff, contractors, and volunteers
61.2external partners offering literacy supports in schools may only use screeners that have been
61.3approved by the Department of Education.
61.4 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective July 1, 2025.
61.5 Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 120B.123, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
61.6 Subd. 5.Professional development.(a) A district must provide training from a menu
61.7of approved evidence-based training programs to the following teachers and staff by July
61.81, 2026:
61.9 (1) reading literacy intervention teachers working with students in kindergarten through
61.10grade 12;
61.11 (2) all classroom teachers of students in kindergarten through grade 3 and children in
61.12prekindergarten programs;
61.13 (3) kindergarten through grade 12 special education teachers responsible for literacy
61.14instruction;
61.15 (4) curriculum directors;
61.16 (5) instructional support staff, contractors, and volunteers who assist in providing Tier
61.172 literacy interventions under the oversight and monitoring of a trained licensed teacher;
61.18 (6) employees who select literacy instructional materials for a district; and
61.19 (7) teachers licensed to teach English to multilingual learners.
61.20 (b) A district must provide training from a menu of approved evidence-based training
61.21programs to the following teachers by July 1, 2027:
61.22 (1) teachers who provide foundational reading skills instruction to students in grades 4
61.23to 12; and
61.24 (2) teachers who provide instruction to students in a state-approved alternative program.
61.25 (c) The commissioner of education may grant a district an extension to the deadlines in
61.26this subdivision.
61.27 (d) Training provided by a department-approved certified trained facilitator may satisfy
61.28the professional development requirements under this subdivision.
61.29 (e) Beginning July 1, 2027, an educator required to receive training under paragraph
61.30(a), who is new to the state of Minnesota or is a newly licensed teacher who did not receive
61Article 4 Sec. 10.
S1740-1 1st EngrossmentSF1740 REVISOR CR 62.1instruction in the teaching of foundational reading skills based on structured literacy, must
62.2complete one of the approved required trainings. Training must be offered through the
62.3regional literacy network and facilitated by a local certified trained facilitator. The
62.4Department of Education must review district literacy lead waiver requests and grant waivers
62.5to educators new to the state or educators who provide reading instruction exclusively using
62.6alternatives to sound-based approaches, and who have completed the professional
62.7development requirements consistent with this subdivision.
62.8 (e) (f) For the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 school year years only, the hours of instruction
62.9requirement under section 120A.41 for students in an elementary and secondary school, as
62.10defined in section 120A.05, subdivision subdivisions 9 and 13, is reduced by 5-1/2 hours
62.11for a district that enters into an agreement with the exclusive representative of the teachers
62.12that requires teachers to receive at least 5-1/2 hours of approved evidence-based training
62.13required under this subdivision, on a day when other students in the district receive
62.14instruction. If a charter school's teachers are not represented by an exclusive representative,
62.15the charter school may reduce the number of instructional hours for students in an elementary
62.16and secondary school, as defined in section 120A.05, subdivision subdivisions 9 and 13,
62.17by 5-1/2 hours after consulting with its teachers in order to provide teachers with at least
62.185-1/2 hours of evidence-based training required under this subdivision on a day when other
62.19students receive instruction. The hours of instruction reduction for secondary school students
62.20is applicable only for the 2025-2026 school year.
62.21 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.
62.22Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 120B.123, is amended by adding a subdivision
62.23to read:
62.24 Subd. 5a.Teacher licensure; renewal.(a) Starting July 1, 2027, a Tier 1 early childhood
62.25education teacher, elementary education teacher, special education teacher who is responsible
62.26for teaching reading, kindergarten through grade 12 English as a second language teacher,
62.27grade 4 through 12 classroom teacher responsible for foundational reading skills instruction,
62.28teacher who provides instruction to students in a state-approved alternative program, or a
62.29teacher who is responsible for selecting literacy curriculum materials for grades 6 through
62.3012, and is licensed under section 122A.181 for their first licensure renewal must demonstrate
62.31that they are registered for, are currently taking, or have completed evidence-based structured
62.32literacy training consistent with training approved by the Department of Education. A Tier
62.331 teacher may demonstrate evidence of progress in meeting the subject matter reading
62.34standards for reading in administrative rule through evidence-based structured literacy
62Article 4 Sec. 11.
S1740-1 1st EngrossmentSF1740 REVISOR CR 63.1coursework or through employer verification. The training required must be in progress
63.2before a second renewal of the Tier 1 license. A hiring district, cooperative, or charter school
63.3is responsible for any fees and enrollment costs associated with completing these professional
63.4development requirements. An individual educator must not be financially responsible for
63.5the initial enrollment costs associated with the training needed to meet these requirements.
63.6 (b) Starting, July 1, 2027, a Tier 2 early childhood education teacher, elementary
63.7education teacher, special education teacher who is responsible for teaching reading,
63.8kindergarten through grade 12 English as a second language teacher, grade 4 through 12
63.9classroom teacher responsible for foundational reading skills instruction, teacher who
63.10provides instruction to students in a state-approved alternative program, or a teacher who
63.11is responsible for selecting literacy curriculum materials for grades 6 through 12, and is
63.12licensed under section 122A.182, for their first licensure renewal must demonstrate that
63.13they are registered for, currently taking, or have completed evidence-based structured literacy
63.14training consistent with training approved by the Department of Education. A Tier 2 teacher
63.15may demonstrate evidence of progress in meeting the subject matter reading standards for
63.16reading in administrative rule through evidence-based structured literacy coursework or
63.17through employer verification. The training required must be in progress before the first
63.18renewal of the Tier 2 license is granted. A hiring district, cooperative, or charter school is
63.19responsible for any fees and enrollment costs associated with completing these professional
63.20development requirements. An individual educator must not be financially responsible for
63.21the initial enrollment costs associated with the training needed to meet these requirements.
63.22 (c) Starting July 1, 2027, a Tier 2 early childhood education teacher, elementary education
63.23teacher, special education teacher who is responsible for teaching reading, kindergarten
63.24through grade 12 English as a second language teacher, grade 4 through 12 classroom teacher
63.25responsible for foundational reading skills instruction, teacher who provides instruction to
63.26students in a state-approved alternative program, or a teacher who is responsible for selecting
63.27literacy curriculum materials for grades 6 through 12, who demonstrates field-specific
63.28teaching experience to complete the coursework requirements under section 122A.183,
63.29subdivision 2, clause (5), must demonstrate they have completed evidence-based structured
63.30literacy training required under subdivision 5 before the Professional Educator Licensing
63.31and Standards Board issues the Tier 3 license. The board must not deny a Tier 3 license to
63.32an educator who has made progress toward completion, but has not completed, the required
63.33training. A hiring district, cooperative, or charter school is responsible for any fees and
63.34enrollment costs associated with completing these professional development requirements.
63Article 4 Sec. 11.
S1740-1 1st EngrossmentSF1740 REVISOR CR 64.1An individual educator must not be financially responsible for the initial enrollment costs
64.2associated with the training needed to meet these requirements.
64.3 (d) Starting July 1, 2027, a teacher with a kindergarten through grade 12 reading
64.4endorsement or kindergarten through grade 12 English as a second language license from
64.5the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board must demonstrate to the school's
64.6relicensure committee they have completed evidence-based structured literacy training
64.7equivalent to the training required in subdivision 5. A hiring district, cooperative, or charter
64.8school is responsible for any fees and enrollment costs associated with completing these
64.9professional development requirements. An individual educator must not be financially
64.10responsible for the initial enrollment costs associated with the training needed to meet these
64.11requirements.
64.12 (e) An educator that fails to complete the required professional development within a
64.13vendor's subscription window due to medical, personal, or family leave or for reasons tied
64.14to a learning disability, must not be held financially responsible for the costs of extending
64.15the training. An educator that fails to complete the required professional development within
64.16a vendor's subscription window for reasons of insubordination or willful refusal to comply
64.17with state and district directives regarding the professional development are subject to the
64.18disciplinary procedures outlined in their collective bargaining agreement or set by their
64.19hiring charter school or cooperative.
64.20Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 120B.123, subdivision 7, is amended to read:
64.21 Subd. 7.Department of Education.(a) By July 1, 2023, the department must make
64.22available to districts a list of approved evidence-based screeners in accordance with section
64.23120B.12. A district must use an approved screener to assess students' mastery of foundational
64.24reading skills in accordance with section 120B.12.
64.25 (b) The Department of Education must partner with CAREI as required under section
64.26120B.124 to approve professional development programs, subject to final determination by
64.27the department. After the implementation partnership under section 120B.124 ends, the
64.28department must continue to regularly provide districts with information about professional
64.29development opportunities available throughout the state on reading instruction that is
64.30evidence-based.
64.31 (c) The department and CAREI must identify training required for a literacy lead and
64.32literacy specialist employed by a district or Minnesota service cooperatives.
64Article 4 Sec. 12.
S1740-1 1st EngrossmentSF1740 REVISOR CR 65.1 (d) The department must employ one or more literacy specialists to provide support to
65.2districts implementing the Read Act and coordinate duties assigned to the department under
65.3the Read Act. The literacy specialist must work on state efforts to improve literacy tracking
65.4and implementation.
65.5 (e) The department must develop a template for a local literacy plan in accordance with
65.6section 120B.12, subdivision 4a.
65.7 (f) The department must partner with CAREI as required under section 120B.124 to
65.8approve literacy intervention models, subject to final determination by the department. The
65.9department must make a list of the 15 approved evidence-based intervention models available
65.10to districts as they are approved by the department and CAREI, starting November 1, 2025.
65.11Upon approval of the evidence-based intervention models, the department must ensure the
65.12models are reviewed by a contracted third party for culturally responsive guidance and
65.13materials, and make those findings available to districts once the review process is complete.
65.14The department must notify districts of the two-step review process for all materials approved
65.15under the Read Act for effectiveness as evidence-based structured literacy, and for cultural
65.16responsiveness.
65.17 (g) The department and CAREI must provide ongoing coaching, mentoring, and support
65.18to certified trained facilitators.
65.19 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective July 1, 2025.
65.20Sec. 13. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 120B.124, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
65.21 Subd. 2.Reconsideration Curriculum review cycle.(a) Every five years, starting July
65.221, 2030, the department and CAREI must provide districts an opportunity to request that
65.23the department and CAREI add to the list of reviewed curricula or professional development
65.24and intervention programs a specific curriculum or professional development program. The
65.25department must publish the request procedure for reconsideration procedure review on the
65.26department website by July 1, 2029. A request for reconsideration review must demonstrate
65.27that the curriculum or professional development intervention program meets the requirements
65.28of the Read Act, is evidence-based, and has structured literacy components. The department
65.29and CAREI must review the request for reconsideration and approve or deny the request
65.30within 60 days The review process must use the rubric used to approve curriculum under
65.31subdivision 1 with the addition of culturally responsive criteria as determined by the
65.32third-party review. Alternative curriculum and intervention programs for those who cannot
65.33access sound-based approaches must be reviewed on the same review cycle as traditional
65.34programs.
65Article 4 Sec. 13.
S1740-1 1st EngrossmentSF1740 REVISOR CR 66.1 (b) The department and CAREI must conduct a final curriculum review of previously
66.2submitted curriculum by March 3, 2025, to review curriculum that is available to districts
66.3at no cost. The reviewed resources must be categorized as highly aligned, partially aligned,
66.4minimally aligned, or not aligned to evidence-based structured literacy practices. Nonranked
66.5curricular resources do not fully meet the criteria to be classified as a Tier 1 core highly
66.6aligned program. The reviewed resources categories are defined as follows:
66.7 (1) "highly aligned" means 100 percent of domains were at or above the cut point with
66.8no significant red flags identified for the program;
66.9 (2) "partially aligned" means 60 to 99 percent of domains were at or above the cut point;
66.10 (3) "minimally aligned" means 34 to 59 percent of domains were at or above the cut
66.11point; and
66.12 (4) "not aligned" means 33 percent or less of domains were at or above the cut point.
66.13It is a district's responsibility, when planning for curriculum implementation, to verify that
66.14instruction and materials align with evidence-based structured literacy practices and to
66.15resolve issues identified in the report and rubric provided by the Department of Education.
66.16 (c) A district must ensure that any red flags for a program are resolved through district
66.17enhancements to the selected program.
66.18 (d) A program going through a full review cycle will be added to the reviewed curricula
66.19and intervention program list after the review process is completed.
66.20 (e) Only materials that are categorized as highly aligned qualify for use of literacy
66.21incentive aid under section 124D.98, or state funding provided under the Read Act.
66.22Sec. 14. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 122A.181, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
66.23 Subd. 3.Term of license and renewal.(a) The Professional Educator Licensing and
66.24Standards Board must issue an initial Tier 1 license for a term of one year. A Tier 1 license
66.25may be renewed subject to paragraphs (b) and (c) to (d).
66.26 (b) The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board must renew a Tier 1
66.27license if:
66.28 (1) the district or charter school requesting the renewal demonstrates that it has posted
66.29the teacher position but was unable to hire an acceptable teacher with a Tier 2, 3, or 4 license
66.30for the position;
66Article 4 Sec. 14.
S1740-1 1st EngrossmentSF1740 REVISOR CR 67.1 (2) the teacher holding the Tier 1 license took a content examination in accordance with
67.2section 122A.185 and submitted the examination results to the teacher's employing district
67.3or charter school within one year of the board approving the request for the initial Tier 1
67.4license;
67.5 (3) the teacher holding the Tier 1 license participated in cultural competency training
67.6consistent with section 120B.30, subdivision 8, within one year of the board approving the
67.7request for the initial Tier 1 license; and
67.8 (4) the teacher holding the Tier 1 license met the mental illness training renewal
67.9requirement under section 122A.187, subdivision 6.
67.10The requirement in clause (2) does not apply to a teacher that teaches a class in a career and
67.11technical education or career pathways course of study.
67.12 (c) A Tier 1 license must not be renewed more than three times, unless the requesting
67.13district or charter school can show good cause for additional renewals. A Tier 1 license
67.14issued to teach (1) a class or course in a career and technical education or career pathway
67.15course of study, or (2) in a shortage area, as defined in section 122A.06, subdivision 6, may
67.16be renewed without limitation.
67.17 (d) Starting July 1, 2027, a Tier 1 licensed early childhood education teacher, elementary
67.18education teacher, special education teacher who is responsible for teaching reading,
67.19kindergarten through grade 12 English as a second language teacher, grade 4 through 12
67.20classroom teacher responsible for foundational reading skills instruction, teacher who
67.21provides instruction to students in a state-approved alternative program, or a teacher who
67.22is responsible for selecting literacy curriculum materials for grades 6 through 12, must
67.23demonstrate progress toward meeting the evidence-based literacy training requirements of
67.24section 120B.123, subdivision 5a, for their second licensure renewal.
67.25Sec. 15. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 122A.182, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
67.26 Subd. 3.Term of license and renewal.(a) The Professional Educator Licensing and
67.27Standards Board must issue an initial Tier 2 license for a term of two years. A Tier 2 license
67.28may be renewed three times.
67.29 (b) Before a Tier 2 license is renewed for the first time, a teacher holding a Tier 2 license
67.30must participate in cultural competency training consistent with section 120B.30, subdivision
67.318, and mental illness training under section 122A.187, subdivision 6.
67.32 (c) Starting July 1, 2027, a Tier 2 licensed early childhood education teacher, elementary
67.33education teacher, special education teacher who is responsible for teaching reading,
67Article 4 Sec. 15.
S1740-1 1st EngrossmentSF1740 REVISOR CR 68.1kindergarten through grade 12 English as a second language teacher, grade 4 through 12
68.2classroom teacher responsible for foundational reading skills instruction, teacher who
68.3provides instruction to students in a state-approved alternative program, or a teacher who
68.4is responsible for selecting literacy curriculum materials for grades 6 through 12, must
68.5demonstrate that they have made progress toward completing the evidence-based literacy
68.6training requirements of section 120B.123, subdivision 5a, for the first renewal of their
68.7initial license.
68.8 (d) The board must issue rules setting forth the conditions for additional renewals after
68.9the initial license has been renewed three times.
68.10Sec. 16. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 122A.183, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
68.11 Subd. 2.Coursework.(a) An applicant for a Tier 3 license must meet the coursework
68.12requirement by demonstrating one of the following:
68.13 (1) completion of a Minnesota-approved teacher preparation program;
68.14 (2) completion of a state-approved teacher preparation program that includes field-specific
68.15student teaching equivalent to field-specific student teaching in Minnesota-approved teacher
68.16preparation programs. The field-specific student teaching requirement does not apply to an
68.17applicant that has two years of field-specific teaching experience;
68.18 (3) a recommendation for licensure through the licensure via portfolio process;
68.19 (4) a professional teaching license from another state, evidence that the applicant's license
68.20is in good standing, and two years of field-specific teaching experience; or
68.21 (5) three years of teaching experience under a Tier 2 license and evidence of summative
68.22teacher evaluations that did not result in placing or otherwise keeping the teacher on an
68.23improvement process pursuant to section 122A.40, subdivision 8, or 122A.41, subdivision
68.245.
68.25 (b) Starting July 1, 2027, a Tier 2 early childhood education teacher, elementary education
68.26teacher, special education teacher who is responsible for teaching reading, kindergarten
68.27through grade 12 English as a second language teacher, grade 4 through 12 classroom teacher
68.28responsible for foundational reading skills instruction, teacher who provides instruction to
68.29students in a state-approved alternative program, or a teacher who is responsible for selecting
68.30literacy curriculum materials for grades 6 through 12, who demonstrates field-specific
68.31teaching experience to complete the coursework requirements under this subdivision must
68.32demonstrate they have completed evidence-based structured literacy training according to
68Article 4 Sec. 16.
S1740-1 1st EngrossmentSF1740 REVISOR CR 69.1section 120B.123, subdivision 5a, before the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards
69.2Board may issue an initial Tier 3 license.
69.3 Sec. 17. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 124D.42, subdivision 8, is amended to read:
69.4 Subd. 8.Minnesota reading corps program.(a) A Minnesota reading corps program
69.5is established to provide ServeMinnesota AmeriCorps members with a data-based
69.6problem-solving model of literacy instruction to use in helping to train local Head Start
69.7program providers, other prekindergarten program providers, and staff in schools with
69.8students in kindergarten through grade 3 to evaluate and teach early literacy skills, including
69.9evidence-based literacy instruction under sections 120B.118 to 120B.124, to children age
69.103 to grade 3 and interventions for children in kindergarten to grade 3.
69.11 (b) Literacy programs under this subdivision must comply with the provisions governing
69.12literacy program goals and data use under section 142D.12, subdivision 3, paragraph (b).
69.13 (c) Literacy programs under this subdivision must use a department-approved screener,
69.14evidence-based reading instruction, and interventions focused on structured literacy.
69.15ServeMinnesota must demonstrate to the department that the training AmeriCorps members
69.16receive meets or exceeds the requirements of section 120B.124, subdivision 4, for volunteers.
69.17Minnesota Reading Corps AmeriCorps members are not required to complete the training
69.18under section 120B.24 120B.124, subdivision 4.
69.19 (d) The commission must submit a biennial report to the committees of the legislature
69.20with jurisdiction over kindergarten through grade 12 education that records and evaluates
69.21program data to determine the efficacy of the programs under this subdivision.
69.22 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective July 1, 2025.
69.23Sec. 18. REPEALER.
69.24 Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 120B.124, subdivision 6, is repealed.
69.25 ARTICLE 5
69.26 SPECIAL EDUCATION
69.27Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 123B.32, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
69.28 Subdivision 1.Language access plan required.Starting in the 2025-2026 school year,
69.29during a regularly scheduled public board hearing, a school board must adopt a language
69.30access plan that specifies the district's process and procedures to render effective language
69.31assistance to students and adults who communicate in a language other than English or
69Article 5 Section 1.
S1740-1 1st EngrossmentSF1740 REVISOR CR 70.1require additional assistance due to a disability. The language access plan must be available
70.2to the public and included in the school's handbook.
70.3 Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 123B.32, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
70.4 Subd. 2.Plan requirements.The language access plan must include how the district
70.5and its schools will use trained or certified spoken language interpreters for communication
70.6related to academic outcomes, progress, determinations, and placement of students in
70.7specialized programs and services, such as special education and related individualized
70.8education programs under section 125A.08; and ensure meaningful participation in the
70.9individualized education program process by families where the family speaks a language
70.10other than English or has a disability themselves; how families and communities will be
70.11notified of their rights under this plan; and a process to appeal the accommodations of the
70.12access plan if needs are not met.
70.13Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 125A.091, subdivision 3a, is amended to read:
70.14 Subd. 3a.Additional requirements for prior written notice.In addition to federal law
70.15requirements, a prior written notice shall:
70.16 (1) inform the parent that except for the initial placement of a child in special education
70.17evaluation and the initial provision of special education and related services generally, the
70.18school district will proceed with its proposal for the child's placement or for providing
70.19special education services unless the child's parent notifies the district of an objection within
70.2014 days of when the district sends the prior written notice to the parent; and
70.21 (2) state that a parent who objects to a proposal or refusal in the prior written notice
70.22may:
70.23 (i) request a conciliation conference under subdivision 7 or another alternative dispute
70.24resolution procedure under subdivision 8 or 9; or
70.25 (ii) identify the specific part of the proposal or refusal the parent objects to and request
70.26a meeting with appropriate members of the individualized education program team.
70.27Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 125A.091, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
70.28 Subd. 5.Initial action; parent consent.(a) A district must make reasonable efforts to
70.29obtain written consent from the parent for an initial evaluation to determine whether their
70.30child is a child with a disability.
70Article 5 Sec. 4.
S1740-1 1st EngrossmentSF1740 REVISOR CR 71.1 (b) If the initial evaluation determines that the child qualifies as a child with a disability
71.2under section 125A.02, the district must make reasonable efforts to obtain the written consent
71.3of the child's parent for the initial provision of special education and related services
71.4generally.
71.5 (a) (c) The district must not proceed with the initial evaluation of a child, the initial
71.6placement of a child in a special education program, or the initial provision of special
71.7education services for a child or the initial provision of special education and related services
71.8to a child generally, without the prior written consent of the child's parent. The district is
71.9not required to obtain the written consent of the child's parent to the particular special
71.10education and related services proposed in the initial individualized education program but
71.11must provide prior written notice consistent with federal requirements and the additional
71.12requirements under subdivision 3a.
71.13 (d) Parental consent for the initial evaluation must not be construed as consent for the
71.14initial provision of special education and related services generally.
71.15 (e) A district may not override the written refusal of a parent to consent to an initial
71.16evaluation or reevaluation.
71.17 (f) If the parent of a child fails to respond to a request for, or refuses to consent to, the
71.18initial provision of special education and related services generally, the district:
71.19 (1) may not use mediation or request a due process hearing in order to obtain agreement
71.20or a ruling that services may be provided to the child;
71.21 (2) will not be considered in violation of the responsibility to make a free appropriate
71.22public education available to the child; and
71.23 (3) is not required to convene an individualized education program team meeting or
71.24develop an initial individualized education program for the child.
71.25 (b) (g) A parent, after consulting with health care, education, or other professional
71.26providers, may agree or disagree to provide the parent's child with sympathomimetic
71.27medications unless section 144.344 applies.
71.28Sec. 5. [125A.092] STATE COMPLAINT PROCESS.
71.29 Subdivision 1.Filing a state complaint.(a) An organization or individual may file a
71.30signed, written complaint with the Department of Education, Office of General Counsel,
71.31Dispute Resolution.
71.32 (b) The complaint must include:
71Article 5 Sec. 5.
S1740-1 1st EngrossmentSF1740 REVISOR CR 72.1 (1) a statement that a public agency, lead agency, or early intervention services provider
72.2has violated a requirement of Part B or Part C of the federal Individuals with Disabilities
72.3Education Act;
72.4 (2) the facts on which the statement is based;
72.5 (3) the signature and contact information for the complainant;
72.6 (4) if alleging violations with respect to a specific child:
72.7 (i) the name and address of the residence of the child;
72.8 (ii) the name of the school the child is attending, or the name of the early intervention
72.9services provider serving the child; and
72.10 (iii) in the case of a homeless child or youth within the meaning of section 725(2) of the
72.11McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, United States Code, title 42, section 11434(a)(2),
72.12the available contact information for the child and the name of the school the child is
72.13attending;
72.14 (5) a description of the nature of the problem of the child, including facts relating to the
72.15problem; and
72.16 (6) a proposed resolution of the problem to the extent known and available to the party
72.17at the time the complaint is filed.
72.18 (c) The complaint must allege a violation that occurred not more than one year prior to
72.19the date that the complaint is received.
72.20 (d) The party filing the complaint must forward a copy of the complaint to the local
72.21educational agency, public agency, or early intervention services provider serving the child
72.22at the same time the party files the complaint with the Department of Education.
72.23 Subd. 2.Remedies.In resolving a complaint in which the Department of Education has
72.24found a failure to provide appropriate services, the Department of Education, pursuant to
72.25its general supervisory authority under Part B and Part C of the federal Individuals with
72.26Disabilities Education Act, must address:
72.27 (1) the failure to provide appropriate services, including corrective action appropriate
72.28to address the needs of the child, compensatory services, or monetary reimbursement; and
72.29 (2) appropriate future provision of services for all children with disabilities.
72.30 Subd. 3.Time limit and procedures.(a) Within 60 days after a complaint is filed, the
72.31Department of Education must:
72Article 5 Sec. 5.
S1740-1 1st EngrossmentSF1740 REVISOR CR 73.1 (1) carry out an independent on-site investigation if the Department of Education
73.2determines that an investigation is necessary;
73.3 (2) give the complainant the opportunity to submit additional information, either orally
73.4or in writing, about the allegations in the complaint;
73.5 (3) provide the public agency, lead agency, or early intervention services provider with
73.6the opportunity to respond to the complaint, including at a minimum:
73.7 (i) at the discretion of the Department of Education, a proposal to resolve the complaint;
73.8and
73.9 (ii) an opportunity for a parent who has filed a complaint and the public agency, lead
73.10agency, or early intervention services provider to voluntarily engage in mediation consistent
73.11with section 125A.091, subdivision 9;
73.12 (4) review all relevant information and make an independent determination as to whether
73.13the public agency, lead agency, or early intervention services provider is violating a
73.14requirement of Part B or Part C of the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act;
73.15and
73.16 (5) issue a written decision to the complainant that addresses each allegation in the
73.17complaint and contains:
73.18 (i) findings of fact and conclusions; and
73.19 (ii) the reasons for the Department of Education's final decision.
73.20 (b) An extension of the time limit is allowed only if:
73.21 (1) exceptional circumstances exist with respect to a particular complaint; or
73.22 (2) the parent, individual, or organization and the local educational agency, public agency,
73.23or early intervention services provider involved agree to extend the time to engage in
73.24mediation pursuant to section 125A.091, subdivision 9, or a facilitated team meeting pursuant
73.25to section 125A.091, subdivision 11.
73.26 Subd. 4.Complaints and due process hearings.(a) If a written complaint is received
73.27that is also the subject of a due process hearing under section 125A.091, subdivision 12, or
73.28that contains multiple issues of which one or more are part of that hearing, the Department
73.29of Education must set aside any part of the complaint that is being addressed in the due
73.30process hearing until the conclusion of the hearing. However, any issue in the complaint
73.31that is not a part of the due process action must be resolved using the time limit and
73.32procedures described in paragraphs (c) and (d).
73Article 5 Sec. 5.
S1740-1 1st EngrossmentSF1740 REVISOR CR 74.1 (b) If an issue raised in a complaint filed under this section has previously been decided
74.2in a due process hearing involving the same parties:
74.3 (1) the due process hearing decision is binding on that issue; and
74.4 (2) the Department of Education must inform the complainant to that effect.
74.5 (c) If the local educational agency, public agency, or early intervention services provider
74.6fails to implement the due process hearing decision, an individual or organization may file
74.7a state complaint with the Department of Education alleging the agency or provider's failure
74.8to implement the due process hearing decision.
74.9 Sec. 6. DEVELOPMENT AL DELAY AGE LIMIT WORKING GROUP.
74.10 Subdivision 1.Working group.The Department of Education must establish a working
74.11group on the age limit for children receiving special education services for developmental
74.12delay.
74.13 Subd. 2.Members.(a) The commissioner of education must consult with the
74.14organizations identified in paragraph (b) before naming appointed members to the working
74.15group.
74.16 (b) By July 1, 2025, the commissioner must appoint the following members to the
74.17working group:
74.18 (1) the commissioner or the commissioner's designee;
74.19 (2) two representatives from Minnesota Administrators for Special Education, consisting
74.20of one member from the seven-county metropolitan area and one member from outside the
74.21metropolitan area;
74.22 (3) one representative from the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board;
74.23 (4) two representatives from the Minnesota Association of Colleges for Teacher
74.24Education;
74.25 (5) two representatives from Education Minnesota, consisting of one member from the
74.26seven-county metropolitan area and one member from outside the metropolitan area;
74.27 (6) two representatives from the PACER Center;
74.28 (7) two representatives from the Minnesota School Psychologists Association, consisting
74.29of one member working in a school setting and one member working in a postsecondary
74.30school psychologist preparation program; and
74Article 5 Sec. 6.
S1740-1 1st EngrossmentSF1740 REVISOR CR 75.1 (8) two representatives from the Minnesota School Social Workers Association, consisting
75.2of one member working in a school setting and one member working in a postsecondary
75.3school social worker preparation program.
75.4 Subd. 3.Duties.The working group must meet on a regular basis and review current
75.5law limiting the eligibility of children seven years old or older from receiving intervention
75.6services for developmental delay, and assess the impact of extending eligibility to children
75.7under age nine. The working group must report its findings and recommendations to the
75.8legislative committees with jurisdiction over kindergarten through grade 12 education by
75.9February 1, 2026.
75.10 Subd. 4.Administrative provisions.(a) The commissioner or commissioner's designee
75.11must convene the initial meeting of the working group. Upon request, the commissioner
75.12must provide meeting space and administrative support for the group.
75.13 (b) Members of the working group serve without compensation or payment of expenses.
75.14 (c) The working group expires February 1, 2026, or upon submission of the report to
75.15the legislature required under subdivision 3, whichever is earlier.
75.16 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.
75.17 ARTICLE 6
75.18 SCHOOL NUTRITION AND FACILITIES
75.19Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 124D.117, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
75.20 Subd. 2.Exemption.Subdivision 1 does not apply to a school in which fewer than 25
75.21pupils are expected to take part in the program or a school that participates in the free school
75.22meals program under section 124D.111. It also does not apply to a district that does not
75.23participate in the national school lunch program.
75.24Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 124D.119, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
75.25 Subd. 5.Summer Food Service Program locations.Consistent with Code of Federal
75.26Regulations, title 7, section 225.6(d)(1)(ii) part 225, the Department of Education must not
75.27approve a new Summer Food Service Program open site that is within a half-mile radius of
75.28an existing Summer Food Service Program open site. The department may approve a new
75.29Summer Food Service Program open site within a half-mile radius only if the new program
75.30will not be serving the same group of children for the same meal type or if there are safety
75.31issues that could present barriers to participation.
75Article 6 Sec. 2.
S1740-1 1st EngrossmentSF1740 REVISOR CR 76.1 ARTICLE 7
76.2 STATE AGENCIES
76.3 Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 13.32, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
76.4 Subd. 5.Directory information.(a) Educational data designated as directory information
76.5is public data on individuals to the extent required under federal law. Directory information
76.6must be designated pursuant to the provisions of:
76.7 (1) this subdivision; and
76.8 (2) United States Code, title 20, section 1232g, and Code of Federal Regulations, title
76.934, section 99.37, which were in effect on January 3, 2012.
76.10 (b) When conducting the directory information designation and notice process required
76.11by federal law, an educational agency or institution shall give parents and students notice
76.12of the right to refuse to let the agency or institution designate specified data about the student
76.13as directory information. This notice may be given by any means reasonably likely to inform
76.14the parents and students of the right.
76.15 (c) An educational agency or institution may not designate a student's home address,
76.16telephone number, email address, or other personal contact information as directory
76.17information under this subdivision. This paragraph does not apply to a postsecondary
76.18institution.
76.19 (d) When requested, educational agencies or institutions must share personal student
76.20contact information and directory information, whether public or private, with the Minnesota
76.21Department of Education, as required for federal reporting purposes.
76.22 (e) When requested, and in accordance with requirements for parental consent in the
76.23Code of Federal Regulations, title 34, section 300.622 (b)(2), and part 99, educational
76.24agencies or institutions may share personal student contact information and directory
76.25information for students served in special education with postsecondary transition planning
76.26and services under section 125A.08, paragraph (b), clause (1), whether public or private,
76.27with the Department of Employment and Economic Development, as required for
76.28coordination of services to students with disabilities under sections 125A.08, paragraph (b),
76.29clause (1); 125A.023; and 125A.027.
76.30Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 120B.021, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
76.31 Subd. 3.Rulemaking.(a) The commissioner, consistent with the requirements of this
76.32section and section 120B.022, must adopt statewide rules under section 14.389 for
76Article 7 Sec. 2.
S1740-1 1st EngrossmentSF1740 REVISOR CR 77.1implementing statewide rigorous core academic standards in language arts, mathematics,
77.2science, social studies, physical education, and the arts.
77.3 (b) The commissioner must adopt statewide rules for implementing statewide rigorous
77.4core academic standards in health.
77.5 (c) The commissioner may use the expedited rulemaking process under section 14.389
77.6for implementing statewide standards under paragraph (a).
77Article 7 Sec. 2.
S1740-1 1st EngrossmentSF1740 REVISOR CR Page.Ln 1.28GENERAL EDUCATION......................................................................ARTICLE 1
Page.Ln 13.1EDUCATION EXCELLENCE...............................................................ARTICLE 2
Page.Ln 35.26CHARTER SCHOOLS...........................................................................ARTICLE 3
Page.Ln 52.20THE READ ACT....................................................................................ARTICLE 4
Page.Ln 69.25SPECIAL EDUCATION........................................................................ARTICLE 5
Page.Ln 75.17SCHOOL NUTRITION AND FACILITIES..........................................ARTICLE 6
Page.Ln 76.1STATE AGENCIES................................................................................ARTICLE 7
1
APPENDIX
Article locations for S1740-1 120B.124 READ ACT IMPLEMENTATION PARTNERSHIP.
Subd. 6.Comprehensive review of literacy materials.Starting in 2033, the department and
an institution of higher education may partner to conduct a comprehensive review of curriculum
and intervention materials to identify literacy curriculum and supporting materials, and intervention
materials that are evidence-based, focused on structured literacy, culturally and linguistically
responsive, and reflect diverse populations. The department must revise the list of approved
curriculum and supporting materials, and intervention materials based on the findings of the review.
123B.935 ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION SAFETY TRAINING.
Subd. 2.Deadlines.(a) Students under subdivision 1, paragraph (a), who are enrolled during
the first or second week of school and have not previously received active transportation safety
training specified in that paragraph must receive the safety training by the end of the third week of
school.
(b) Students under subdivision 1, paragraph (b), who are enrolled during the first or second
week of school and have not previously received active transportation safety training specified in
that paragraph must receive the safety training by the end of the sixth week of school.
(c) Students under subdivision 1, paragraph (a) or (b), who enroll in a school after the second
week of school and have not received the appropriate active transportation safety training in their
previous school district must undergo the training or receive active transportation safety instructional
materials within four weeks of the first day of attendance.
(d) A district and a nonpublic school may provide kindergarten pupils with active transportation
safety training before the first day of school.
1R
APPENDIX
Repealed Minnesota Statutes: S1740-1