SF 5

6th Engrossment - 89th Legislature (2015 - 2016) Posted on 05/27/2015 12:10pm

A bill for an act
relating to higher education; establishing a budget for higher education;
appropriating money to the Office of Higher Education, the Board of Trustees
of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, the Board of Regents of the
University of Minnesota, and the Mayo Clinic; appropriating money for tuition
relief; making various policy and technical changes to higher-education-related
provisions; regulating the policies of postsecondary institutions relating to sexual
harassment and sexual violence; providing goals, standards, programs, and
grants; requiring reports; authorizing refinancing of certain bonds; amending
Minnesota Statutes 2014, sections 5.41, subdivisions 2, 3; 13.32, subdivision 6;
13.322, by adding a subdivision; 16C.075; 122A.09, subdivision 4; 124D.09,
by adding subdivisions; 124D.091, subdivision 1; 135A.15; 136A.01, by adding
a subdivision; 136A.031, subdivision 4; 136A.0411; 136A.101, subdivision 8;
136A.121, subdivisions 6, 7a, 20; 136A.125, subdivisions 2, 4, 4b; 136A.1701,
subdivision 4; 136A.61; 136A.63, subdivision 2; 136A.65, subdivisions 4,
7; 136A.657, subdivisions 1, 3; 136A.67; 136A.861, subdivision 1; 136A.87;
136G.05, subdivision 7; 137.54; 141.21, subdivisions 5, 6a, 9; 141.25; 141.251,
subdivision 2; 141.255; 141.26; 141.265; 141.271, subdivisions 1a, 1b, 3, 5, 7, 8,
9, 10, 12, 13, 14; 141.28; 141.29; 141.30; 141.32; 141.35; 197.75, subdivision
1; 261.23; Laws 2014, chapter 312, article 13, section 47; proposing coding for
new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapters 135A; 136A; 136F; 175; 626; repealing
Minnesota Statutes 2014, sections 136A.127, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7,
9, 9b, 10, 10a, 11, 14; 136A.862; 141.271, subdivisions 4, 6; 158.01; 158.02;
158.03; 158.04; 158.05; 158.06; 158.07; 158.08; 158.09; 158.091; 158.10;
158.11; 158.12; Minnesota Rules, part 4830.7500, subparts 2a, 2b.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

ARTICLE 1

HIGHER EDUCATION APPROPRIATIONS

Section 1. SUMMARY OF APPROPRIATIONS.

Subdivision 1.

Summary By Fund.

The amounts shown in this subdivision
summarize direct appropriations, by fund, made in this article.

SUMMARY BY FUND
		2016		2017		Total
General	$	1,530,668,000	$	1,536,256,000	$	3,066,924,000
Health Care Access		2,157,000		2,157,000		4,314,000
Total	$	1,532,825,000	$	1,538,413,000	$	3,071,238,000

Subd. 2.

Summary By Agency - All Funds.

The amounts shown in this subdivision
summarize direct appropriations, by agency, made in this article.

SUMMARY BY AGENCY - ALL FUNDS
		2016		2017		Total
Minnesota Office of Higher Education	$	230,843,000	$	236,630,000	$	467,473,000
Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities		672,925,000		672,726,000		1,345,651,000
Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota		627,706,000		627,706,000		1,251,098,000
Mayo Clinic		1,351,000		1,351,000		2,702,000
Total	$	1,532,825,000	$	1,538,413,000	$	3,066,924,000

Sec. 2. HIGHER EDUCATION APPROPRIATIONS.

The sums shown in the columns marked "Appropriations" are appropriated to the
agencies and for the purposes specified in this article. The appropriations are from the
general fund, or another named fund, and are available for the fiscal years indicated
for each purpose. The figures "2016" and "2017" used in this article mean that the
appropriations listed under them are available for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2016, or
June 30, 2017, respectively. "The first year" is fiscal year 2016. "The second year" is fiscal
year 2017. "The biennium" is fiscal years 2016 and 2017.

			APPROPRIATIONS
			Available for the Year
			Ending June 30
				2016		2017

Sec. 3. MINNESOTA OFFICE OF HIGHER EDUCATION

Subdivision 1. Total Appropriation

$

230,843,000

$

236,630,000

The amounts that may be spent for each
purpose are specified in the following
subdivisions.

Subd. 2. State Grants

180,281,000

180,281,000

If the appropriation in this subdivision for
either year is insufficient, the appropriation
for the other year is available for it.

Subd. 3. Child Care Grants

6,684,000

6,684,000

Subd. 4. State Work-Study

14,502,000

14,502,000

Subd. 5. Interstate Tuition Reciprocity

11,018,000

11,018,000

If the appropriation in this subdivision for
either year is insufficient, the appropriation
for the other year is available to meet
reciprocity contract obligations.

Subd. 6. Safety Officer's Survivors

100,000

100,000

This appropriation is to provide educational
benefits under Minnesota Statutes, section
299A.45, to eligible dependent children and
to the spouses of public safety officers killed
in the line of duty.

If the appropriation in this subdivision for
either year is insufficient, the appropriation
for the other year is available for it.

Subd. 7. Indian Scholarships

3,500,000

3,500,000

The commissioner must contract with or
employ at least one person with demonstrated
competence in American Indian culture and
residing in or near the city of Bemidji to
assist students with the scholarships under
Minnesota Statutes, section 136A.126, and
with other information about financial aid for
which the students may be eligible. Bemidji
State University must provide office space
at no cost to the Minnesota Office of Higher
Education for purposes of administering the
American Indian scholarship program under
Minnesota Statutes, section 136A.126. This
appropriation includes funding to administer
the American Indian scholarship program.

Subd. 8. Tribal College Grants

150,000

150,000

For tribal college assistance grants under
Minnesota Statutes, section 136A.1796.

Subd. 9. Intervention for College Attendance Program Grants

671,000

671,000

For the intervention for college attendance
program under Minnesota Statutes, section
136A.861.

This appropriation includes funding to
administer the intervention for college
attendance program grants.

Subd. 10. Student-Parent Information

122,000

122,000

Subd. 11. Get Ready!

180,000

180,000

Subd. 12. Minnesota Education Equity Partnership

45,000

45,000

Subd. 13. Midwest Higher Education Compact

115,000

115,000

Subd. 14. United Family Medicine Residency Program

501,000

501,000

For a grant to United Family Medicine
residency program. This appropriation
shall be used to support up to 21 resident
physicians each year in family practice at
United Family Medicine residency programs
and shall prepare doctors to practice family
care medicine in underserved rural and
urban areas of the state. It is intended
that this program will improve health
care in underserved communities, provide
affordable access to appropriate medical
care, and manage the treatment of patients in
a cost-effective manner.

Subd. 15. MnLINK Gateway and Minitex

5,905,000

5,905,000

Subd. 16. Statewide Longitudinal Education Data System

882,000

882,000

Subd. 17. Hennepin County Medical Center

645,000

645,000

For transfer to Hennepin County Medical
Center for graduate family medical education
programs at Hennepin County Medical
Center.

Subd. 18. MNSCU Two-Year Public College Program

-0-

5,000,000

(a) $3,993,000 in fiscal year 2017 is for
two-year public college program grants
under article 3, section 20.

(b) $782,000 in fiscal year 2017 is to provide
mentoring and outreach as specified under
article 3, section 20.

(c) $225,000 in fiscal year 2017 is for
information technology and administrative
costs associated with implementation of the
grant program.

(d) The base for fiscal year 2018 is $3,481,000
and the base for fiscal year 2019 is $0.

Subd. 19. College Possible

250,000

250,000

(a) This appropriation is for immediate
transfer to College Possible to support
programs of college admission and college
graduation for low-income students through
an intensive curriculum of coaching
and support at both the high school and
postsecondary level.

(b) This appropriation must, to the extent
possible, be proportionately allocated
between students from greater Minnesota and
students in the seven-county metropolitan
area.

(c) This appropriation must be used
by College Possible only for programs
supporting students who are residents
of Minnesota and attending colleges or
universities within Minnesota.

(d) By February 1 of each year, College
Possible must report to the chairs and
ranking minority members of the legislative
committees and divisions with jurisdiction
over higher education and E-12 education on
activities funded by this appropriation. The
report must include, but is not limited to,
information about the expansion of College
Possible in Minnesota, the number of College
Possible coaches hired, the expansion within
existing partner high schools, the expansion
of high school partnerships, the number of
high school and college students served, the
total hours of community service by high
school and college students, and a list of
communities and organizations benefitting
from student service hours.

Subd. 20. Large Animal Veterinarian Loan Forgiveness Program

250,000

For the large animal veterinarian loan
forgiveness program under Minnesota
Statutes, section 136A.1795. This is a
onetime appropriation and is available until
June 30, 2022.

Subd. 21. Spinal Cord Injury and Traumatic Brain Injury Research Grant Program

500,000

500,000

For spinal cord injury and traumatic brain
injury research grants authorized under
Minnesota Statutes, section 136A.901.

The commissioner may use no more than
three percent of this appropriation to
administer the grant program under this
subdivision.

Subd. 22. Summer Academic Enrichment Program

100,000

100,000

For summer academic enrichment grants
under Minnesota Statutes, section 136A.091.

The commissioner may use no more than
three percent of this appropriation to
administer the grant program under this
subdivision.

Subd. 23. Dual Training Competency Grants; OHE

1,000,000

2,000,000

For training grants under Minnesota Statutes,
section 136A.246.

The commissioner may use no more than
three percent of this appropriation to
administer the grant program under this
subdivision.

Subd. 24. Dual Training Competency Grants; DOLI

200,000

200,000

For transfer to the commissioner of labor
and industry for identification of competency
standards for dual training under Minnesota
Statutes, section 175.45.

Subd. 25. Concurrent Enrollment Courses

340,000

340,000

(a) $225,000 in fiscal year 2016 and
$225,000 in fiscal year 2017 are for grants to
develop new concurrent enrollment courses
under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.09,
subdivision 10, that satisfy the elective
standard for career and technical education.
Any balance in the first year does not cancel
but is available in the second year.

(b) $115,000 in fiscal year 2016 and
$115,000 in fiscal year 2017 are for grants
to postsecondary institutions currently
sponsoring a concurrent enrollment course to
expand existing programs. The commissioner
shall determine the application process and
the grant amounts. The commissioner must
give preference to expanding programs that
are at capacity. Any balance in the first year
does not cancel but is available in the second
year.

(c) By December 1 of each year, the office
shall submit a brief report to the chairs and
ranking minority members of the legislative
committees with jurisdiction over higher
education regarding:

(1) the courses developed by grant recipients
and the number of students who enrolled in
the courses under paragraph (a); and

(2) the programs expanded and the number
of students who enrolled in programs under
paragraph (b).

Subd. 26. Student Loan Debt Counseling

150,000

150,000

For student loan debt counseling under article
3, section 24. This is a onetime appropriation.

Subd. 27. Campus Sexual Assault Reporting

25,000

25,000

For the sexual assault reporting required
under Minnesota Statutes, section 135A.15.

Subd. 28. Teacher Shortage Loan Forgiveness

200,000

200,000

For the loan forgiveness program under
Minnesota Statutes, section 136A.1791.

The commissioner may use no more
than three percent of this appropriation
to administer the program under this
subdivision.

Subd. 29. Agency Administration

2,527,000

2,564,000

Subd. 30. Balances Forward

A balance in the first year under this section
does not cancel, but is available for the
second year.

Subd. 31. Transfers

The Minnesota Office of Higher Education
may transfer unencumbered balances from
the appropriations in this section to the state
grant appropriation, the interstate tuition
reciprocity appropriation, the child care
grant appropriation, the Indian scholarship
appropriation, the state work-study
appropriation, the get ready appropriation,
and the public safety officers' survivors
appropriation. Transfers from the child care
or state work-study appropriations may only
be made to the extent there is a projected
surplus in the appropriation. A transfer may
be made only with prior written notice to
the chairs and ranking minority members
of the senate and house of representatives
committees and divisions with jurisdiction
over higher education finance.

Sec. 4. BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE MINNESOTA STATE COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES

Subdivision 1. Total Appropriation

$

672,925,000

$

672,726,000

The amounts that may be spent for each
purpose are specified in the following
subdivisions.

Subd. 2. Central Office and Shared Services Unit

33,074,000

33,074,000

For the Office of the Chancellor and the
Shared Services Division.

Subd. 3. Operations and Maintenance

635,736,000

635,537,000

This appropriation includes $50,000,000 in
fiscal year 2016 and $50,000,000 in fiscal
year 2017 for student tuition relief. The
Board of Trustees must establish tuition rates
as follows:

(1) for the 2015-2016 academic year, the
tuition rate at colleges must not exceed the
2014-2015 academic year rate; and

(2) for the 2016-2017 academic year, the
tuition rate at universities must not exceed
the 2015-2016 academic year rate, and the
tuition rate at colleges must be reduced by at
least one percent compared to the 2015-2016
academic year rate.

The student tuition relief may not be offset
by increases in mandatory fees, charges, or
other assessments to the student.

$57,000 in fiscal year 2016 and $58,000 in
fiscal year 2017 are for activities related to
the implementation of new transfer pathways
required by article 3, section 21.

This appropriation includes $200,000 in
fiscal year 2016 to award up to two grants to
system institutions with a teacher preparation
program approved by the Board of Teaching
to provide a school year-long student
teaching pilot program, consistent with
the student teaching program requirements
under Minnesota Statutes, section 122A.09,
subdivision 4, paragraph (d). This is a
onetime appropriation. The Board of
Trustees must report to the K-12 and higher
education committees of the legislature by
March 1, 2017, on the experiences of the
grant recipients and the student teachers
with the school year-long student teaching
program, and include any recommendations
for amending Minnesota Statutes, section
122A.09, subdivision 4, paragraph (d), based
on the experiences of the grant recipients.

$18,000 each year is for transfer to the Cook
County Higher Education Board to provide
educational programming and academic
support services to remote regions in
northeastern Minnesota. This appropriation
is in addition to the $102,000 per fiscal year
this project currently receives. The project
shall continue to provide information to the
Board of Trustees on the number of students
served, credit hours delivered, and services
provided to students. The base appropriation
under this paragraph is $120,000 each year.

$50,000 in fiscal year 2016 and $50,000
in fiscal year 2017 are for developing and
teaching online agriculture courses by farm
business management faculty at colleges that
offer farm business management.

Institutions developing courses under this
appropriation shall focus on introductory
coursework, and must coordinate with one
another to offer complimentary courses
and avoid duplication. The appropriation
may not be used to develop courses already
available through another state college or
university. Institutions receiving funds from
this appropriation must have one course
developed and ready for student enrollment
within one year of receiving funds.

$225,000 in fiscal year 2016 and $225,000
in fiscal year 2017 are to create and develop
a teacher preparation program leading
to licensure in agricultural education at
Southwest Minnesota State University. This
is a onetime appropriation.

Southwest Minnesota State University shall
provide the committees of the legislature
with primary jurisdiction over agriculture
policy, K-12 education policy, and higher
education policy and finance with a report
on the institution's progress in creating an
agricultural education licensure program and
increasing the number of students receiving
a teaching license in agricultural education.
The report must be submitted by February
15, 2016, and by February 15, 2017.

$35,000 in fiscal year 2016 and $35,000 in
fiscal year 2017 are to implement a program
to assist foreign-born students and groups
underrepresented in nursing to succeed
in postsecondary nursing programs. This
program shall include but not be limited to
mentoring programs and seminars.

One-quarter of this appropriation must be
distributed to Minneapolis Community and
Technical College. One-quarter of this
appropriation must be distributed to Century
College. One-half of this appropriation
must be distributed in equal amounts to
two state colleges or universities that
are located outside of the seven-county
metropolitan area. The board must select
the state colleges or universities outside
of the seven-county metropolitan area
based on the proportion of enrolled nursing
students that are foreign-born or from groups
underrepresented in nursing.

The program established under this
appropriation shall be called the "Kathleen
McCullough-Zander Success in Nursing
Program."

$175,000 in fiscal year 2016 and $175,000
in fiscal year 2017 are to establish a
veterans-to-agriculture pilot program. The
appropriation for fiscal year 2016 shall be
used to establish the pilot program at South
Central College, North Mankato campus, and
the appropriation for fiscal year 2017 shall be
used to support, in equal amounts, up to six
program sites statewide. No more than two
percent of the total appropriation provided by
this section may be used for administrative
purposes at the system level.

The veterans-to-agriculture pilot program
shall be designed to facilitate the entrance
of military veterans into careers related to
agriculture and food production, processing,
and distribution through intensive, four- to
eight-week academic training in relevant
fields of study, job development programs
and outreach to potential employers, and
appropriate career-building skills designed
to assist returning veterans in entering
the civilian workforce. Upon successful
completion, a student shall be awarded
a certificate of completion or another
appropriate academic credit.

The pilot program shall be coordinated
by South Central College, North Mankato
campus' farm business management program
and developed in collaboration with the
University of Minnesota Extension, the
Department of Agriculture, the Department
of Veterans Affairs, and the Department of
Employment and Economic Development.
The program coordinators are encouraged to
involve other interested stakeholders in the
development and operation of the program,
and may request assistance with applications
for grants or other funding from available
federal, state, local, and private sources. As
necessary, they may also work with other
public or private entities to secure temporary
housing for enrolled students.

In addition to South Central College, North
Mankato campus, the pilot program shall
be delivered by up to five additional state
colleges. One of the additional colleges must
be located in the seven-county metropolitan
area, at a campus that has agreed to
incorporate the pilot program as part of an
urban agriculture program, and the remaining
additional colleges must be located outside
of the seven-county metropolitan area,
at campuses with existing farm business
management programs.

No later than December 15, 2016, the
program shall report to the committees of the
house of representatives and the senate with
jurisdiction over issues related to agriculture,
veterans affairs, and higher education on
program operations, including information
on participation rates, new job placements,
and any unmet needs.

This appropriation includes $40,000 in fiscal
year 2016 and $40,000 in fiscal year 2017
to implement the sexual assault policies
required under Minnesota Statutes, section
135A.15.

Five percent of the fiscal year 2017
appropriation specified in this subdivision
is available according to the schedule in
clauses (1) to (5) in fiscal year 2017 when
the Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State
Colleges and Universities demonstrates to
the commissioner of management and budget
that the board has met the following specified
number of performance goals:

(1) 100 percent if the board meets three, four,
or five goals;

(2) 67 percent if two of the goals are met;

(3) 33 percent if one of the goals are met; and

(4) zero percent if none of the goals are met.

The performance goals are:

(1) increase by at least four percent in fiscal
year 2015, compared to fiscal year 2008,
degrees, diplomas, and certificates conferred
and provide a report to the chairs and
ranking minority members of the legislative
committees with jurisdiction over higher
education on the separate changes in the
number of degrees, diplomas, and certificates
conferred;

(2) increase by at least five percent the fiscal
year 2015-related employment rate for 2014
graduates, compared to the 2011 rate for
2010 graduates;

(3) for fiscal year 2016, reallocate
$22,000,000 of costs. The Board of Trustees
is requested to redirect those funds to invest
in direct mission activities, stem growth in
tuition and student fees, and to programs that
benefit students;

(4) decrease by at least ten percent the fiscal
year 2015 headcount of students enrolled in
developmental courses compared to fiscal
year 2013 headcount of students enrolled in
developmental courses; and

(5) increase by at least five percent the
fiscal year 2015 degrees awarded to students
who took no more than 128 credits for a
baccalaureate degree and 68 credits for
associate in arts, associate of science, or
associate in fine arts degrees, as compared to
the rate for 2011 graduates.

By August 1, 2015, the Board of Trustees
and the Minnesota Office of Higher
Education must agree on specific numerical
indicators and definitions for each of the five
goals that will be used to demonstrate the
Minnesota State Colleges and Universities'
attainment of each goal. On or before April
1, 2016, the Board of Trustees must report
to the legislative committees with primary
jurisdiction over higher education finance
and policy the progress of the Minnesota
State Colleges and Universities toward
attaining the goals. The appropriation
base for the next biennium shall include
appropriations not made available under this
subdivision for failure to meet performance
goals. All of the appropriation that is not
available due to failure to meet performance
goals is appropriated to the commissioner
of the Office of Higher Education for fiscal
year 2017 for the purpose of the state grant
program under Minnesota Statutes, section
136A.121.

Performance metrics are intended to facilitate
progress towards the attainment goal under
Minnesota Statutes, section 135A.012.

Subd. 4. Learning Network of Minnesota

4,115,000

4,115,000

Sec. 5. BOARD OF REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA

Subdivision 1. Total Appropriation

$

627,706,000

$

627,706,000

Appropriations by Fund
	2016	2017
General	625,549,000	625,549,000
Health Care Access	2,157,000	2,157,000

The amounts that may be spent for each
purpose are specified in the following
subdivisions.

Subd. 2. Operations and Maintenance

559,111,000

559,111,000

This appropriation includes funding for
operation and maintenance of the system. Of
the amount appropriated in this subdivision:

$11,100,000 in fiscal year 2016 and
$11,100,000 in fiscal year 2017 are to
minimize any increase in a student's cost
of attendance; for research to solve the
challenges facing our state, nation, and
world; to educate a diverse population of
Minnesotans from every community who
show the greatest promise; and for public
service that builds lasting partnerships with
communities across the state to address our
most complex and pressing issues. The
Board of Regents is requested to:

(1) maintain a low cost of mission and
advance operational excellence;

(2) increase the diversity of the university's
students, faculty, and staff; and

(3) strengthen the university's relationships
with the agriculture industry and the
communities of greater Minnesota.

$15,000,000 in fiscal year 2016 and
$15,000,000 in fiscal year 2017 are to:

(1) increase the medical school's research
capacity;

(2) improve the medical school's ranking in
National Institutes of Health funding;

(3) ensure the medical school's national
prominence by attracting and retaining
world-class faculty, staff, and students;

(4) invest in physician training programs in
rural and underserved communities; and

(5) translate the medical school's research
discoveries into new treatments and cures to
improve the health of Minnesotans.

The Board of Regents is requested to
consider hiring additional faculty to conduct
research related to regenerative medicine.

Five percent of the fiscal year 2017
appropriation specified in this subdivision
is available according to the schedule in
clauses (1) to (5) in fiscal year 2017 when
the Board of Regents of the University of
Minnesota demonstrates to the commissioner
of management and budget that the board
has met the following specified number of
performance goals:

(1) 100 percent if the board meets three, four,
or five goals;

(2) 67 percent if two of the goals are met;

(3) 33 percent if one of the goals are met; and

(4) zero percent if none of the goals are met.

The performance goals are:

(1) increase by at least one percent
the four-year, five-year, or six-year
undergraduate graduation rates, averaged
over three years, for students of color
systemwide at the University of Minnesota
reported in fall 2016 over fall 2014. The
average rate for fall 2014 is calculated with
the graduation rates reported in fall 2012,
2013, and 2014;

(2) increase by at least two percent the
total number of undergraduate STEM
degrees, averaged over three years, conferred
systemwide by the University of Minnesota
reported in fiscal year 2016 over fiscal year
2014. The averaged number for fiscal year
2014 is calculated with the fiscal year 2012,
2013, and 2014 numbers;

(3) increase by at least one percent the
four-year undergraduate graduation rate at
the University of Minnesota reported in fall
2016 over fall 2014. The average rate for
fall 2014 is calculated with the graduation
rates reported in fall 2012, 2013, and 2014.
The averaged number for fiscal year 2014 is
calculated with the fiscal year 2012, 2013,
and 2014 numbers;

(4) for fiscal year 2016, reallocate
$15,000,000 of administrative costs. The
Board of Regents is requested to redirect
those funds to invest in direct mission
activities, stem growth in cost of attendance,
and to programs that benefit students; and

(5) increase licensing disclosures by three
percent for fiscal year 2016 over fiscal year
2015.

By August 1, 2015, the Board of Regents and
the Office of Higher Education must agree on
specific numerical indicators and definitions
for each of the five goals that will be used to
demonstrate the University of Minnesota's
attainment of each goal. On or before April
1, 2016, the Board of Regents must report
to the legislative committees with primary
jurisdiction over higher education finance
and policy the progress of the University of
Minnesota toward attaining the goals. The
appropriation base for the next biennium shall
include appropriations not made available
under this subdivision for failure to meet
performance goals. All of the appropriation
that is not available due to failure to meet
performance goals is appropriated to the
commissioner of the Office of Higher
Education for fiscal year 2017 for the purpose
of the state grant program under Minnesota
Statutes, section 136A.121.

Performance metrics are intended to facilitate
progress towards the attainment goal under
Minnesota Statutes, section 135A.012.

Subd. 3. Primary Care Education Initiatives

2,157,000

2,157,000

This appropriation is from the health care
access fund.

Subd. 4. Special Appropriations

(a) Agriculture and Extension Service

42,922,000

42,922,000

For the Agricultural Experiment Station and
the Minnesota Extension Service:

(1) the agricultural experiment stations
and Minnesota Extension Service must
convene agricultural advisory groups to
focus research, education, and extension
activities on producer needs and implement
an outreach strategy that more effectively
and rapidly transfers research results and best
practices to producers throughout the state;

(2) this appropriation includes funding for
research and outreach on the production of
renewable energy from Minnesota biomass
resources, including agronomic crops, plant
and animal wastes, and native plants or trees.
The following areas should be prioritized and
carried out in consultation with Minnesota
producers, renewable energy, and bioenergy
organizations:

(i) biofuel and other energy production from
perennial crops, small grains, row crops,
and forestry products in conjunction with
the Natural Resources Research Institute
(NRRI);

(ii) alternative bioenergy crops and cropping
systems; and

(iii) biofuel coproducts used for livestock
feed;

(3) this appropriation includes funding
for the College of Food, Agricultural, and
Natural Resources Sciences to establish and
provide leadership for organic agronomic,
horticultural, livestock, and food systems
research, education, and outreach and for
the purchase of state-of-the-art laboratory,
planting, tilling, harvesting, and processing
equipment necessary for this project;

(4) this appropriation includes funding
for research efforts that demonstrate a
renewed emphasis on the needs of the state's
agriculture community. The following
areas should be prioritized and carried
out in consultation with Minnesota farm
organizations:

(i) vegetable crop research with priority for
extending the Minnesota vegetable growing
season;

(ii) fertilizer and soil fertility research and
development;

(iii) soil, groundwater, and surface water
conservation practices and contaminant
reduction research;

(iv) discovering and developing plant
varieties that use nutrients more efficiently;

(v) breeding and development of turf seed
and other biomass resources in all three
Minnesota biomes;

(vi) development of new disease-resistant
and pest-resistant varieties of turf and
agronomic crops;

(vii) utilizing plant and livestock cells to treat
and cure human diseases;

(viii) the development of dairy coproducts;

(ix) a rapid agricultural response fund for
current or emerging animal, plant, and insect
problems affecting production or food safety;

(x) crop pest and animal disease research;

(xi) developing animal agriculture that is
capable of sustainably feeding the world;

(xii) consumer food safety education and
outreach;

(xiii) programs to meet the research and
outreach needs of organic livestock and crop
farmers; and

(xiv) alternative bioenergy crops and
cropping systems; and growing, harvesting,
and transporting biomass plant material; and

(5) by February 1, 2017, the Board of Regents
must submit a report to the legislative
committees and divisions with jurisdiction
over agriculture and higher education finance
on the status and outcomes of research and
initiatives funded in this paragraph.

(b) Health Sciences

9,204,000

9,204,000

$346,000 each year is to support up to 12
resident physicians in the St. Cloud Hospital
family practice residency program. The
program must prepare doctors to practice
primary care medicine in rural areas of the
state. The legislature intends this program
to improve health care in rural communities,
provide affordable access to appropriate
medical care, and manage the treatment of
patients in a more cost-effective manner.
The remainder of this appropriation is for
the rural physicians associates program;
the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory;
health sciences research; dental care; the
Biomedical Engineering Center; and the
collaborative partnership between the
University of Minnesota and Mayo Clinic
for regenerative medicine, research, clinical
translation, and commercialization.

(c) Institute of Technology

1,140,000

1,140,000

For the geological survey and the talented
youth mathematics program.

(d) System Special

5,181,000

5,181,000

For general research, the Labor Education
Service, Natural Resources Research
Institute, Center for Urban and Regional
Affairs, Bell Museum of Natural History, and
the Humphrey exhibit.

(e) University of Minnesota and Mayo Foundation Partnership

7,991,000

7,991,000

This appropriation is for the following
activities:

(1) $7,491,000 in fiscal year 2016 and
$7,491,000 in fiscal year 2017 are for
the direct and indirect expenses of the
collaborative research partnership between
the University of Minnesota and the Mayo
Foundation for research in biotechnology
and medical genomics. An annual report
on the expenditure of these funds must be
submitted to the governor and the chairs of
the legislative committee responsible for
higher education finance by June 30 of each
fiscal year.

(2) $500,000 in fiscal year 2016 and
$500,000 in fiscal year 2017 are to award
competitive grants to conduct research into
the prevention, treatment, causes, and cures
of Alzheimer's disease and other dementias.

Subd. 5. Academic Health Center

The appropriation for Academic Health
Center funding under Minnesota Statutes,
section 297F.10, is estimated to be
$22,250,000 each year.

Sec. 6. MAYO CLINIC

Subdivision 1. Total Appropriation

$

1,351,000

$

1,351,000

The amounts that may be spent are specified
in the following subdivisions.

Subd. 2. Medical School

665,000

665,000

The state must pay a capitation each year for
each student who is a resident of Minnesota.
The appropriation may be transferred
between each year of the biennium to
accommodate enrollment fluctuations. It is
intended that during the biennium the Mayo
Clinic use the capitation money to increase
the number of doctors practicing in rural
areas in need of doctors.

Subd. 3. Family Practice and Graduate Residency Program

686,000

686,000

The state must pay stipend support for up to
27 residents each year.

Sec. 7. MNSCU PRESIDENTIAL SELECTION PROCESS; REPORT.

The Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities shall report
in writing to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees
with jurisdiction over higher education by October 1, 2015, its schedule for adopting
a presidential selection process as a comprehensive formal written policy. The board
is encouraged to engage stakeholders in developing the board policy. The board must
strongly consider a policy that provides clarity in the selection process, enhances
communication and the opportunity for local input by colleges and universities and
community stakeholders they serve, and that reflects the need to consult with and to keep a
presidential selection advisory committee informed during the entire selection process.

Sec. 8. UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA BUDGET ALLOCATION REPORT.

The Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota shall report by February 1,
2016, to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with
primary jurisdiction over higher education finance on the factors it considers to allocate
funds to separate campuses. The report must specifically, without limitation, address the
issue of whether non-Twin Cities campuses are treated as single units for budget allocation
purposes or treated as comprised of multiple units. The report must discuss the effect of
treating a campus as a single unit and the reasons for that treatment.

Sec. 9. TUITION RECIPROCITY APPROPRIATION CANCELLATION.

All unspent funds, estimated to be $8,394,000, to provide tuition reciprocity
payments under Laws 2013, chapter 99, section 3, subdivision 5, are canceled to the
general fund on June 30, 2015.

ARTICLE 2

OFFICE OF HIGHER EDUCATION

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 13.32, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

Subd. 6.

Admissions forms; Remedial instruction.

(a) Minnesota postsecondary
education institutions, for purposes of reporting and research, may collect on the
1986-1987 admissions form, and disseminate to any public educational agency or
institution the following data on individuals: student sex, ethnic background, age, and
disabilities. The data shall not be required of any individual and shall not be used for
purposes of determining the person's admission to an institution.

(b) (a) A school district that receives information under subdivision 3, paragraph
(h) from a postsecondary institution about an identifiable student shall maintain the
data as educational data and use that data to conduct studies to improve instruction.
Public postsecondary systems as part of their participation in the Statewide Longitudinal
Education Data System shall provide data on the extent and content of the remedial
instruction received by individual students, and the results of assessment testing and the
academic performance of, students who graduated from a Minnesota school district within
two years before receiving the remedial instruction. The Office of Higher Education, in
collaboration with the Department of Education, shall evaluate the data and annually
report its findings to the education committees of the legislature.

(c) (b) This section supersedes any inconsistent provision of law.

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 16C.075, is amended to read:

16C.075 E-VERIFY.

A contract for services valued in excess of $50,000 must require certification from
the vendor and any subcontractors that, as of the date services on behalf of the state of
Minnesota will be performed, the vendor and all subcontractors have implemented or are
in the process of implementing the federal E-Verify program for all newly hired employees
in the United States who will perform work on behalf of the state of Minnesota. This
section does not apply to contracts entered into by the:

(1) State Board of Investment.; or

(2) the Office of Higher Education for contracts related to credit reporting services if
the office certifies that those services cannot be reasonably obtained if this section applies.

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 122A.09, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

License and rules.

(a) The board must adopt rules to license public school
teachers and interns subject to chapter 14.

(b) The board must adopt rules requiring a person to pass a skills examination in
reading, writing, and mathematics or attain either a composite score composed of the
average of the scores in English and writing, reading, and mathematics on the ACT
Plus Writing recommended by the board, or an equivalent composite score composed
of the average of the scores in critical reading, mathematics, and writing on the SAT
recommended by the board, as a requirement for initial teacher licensure, except that the
board may issue up to two temporary, one-year teaching licenses to an otherwise qualified
candidate who has not yet passed the skills exam or attained the requisite composite score
on the ACT Plus Writing or SAT. Such rules must require college and universities offering
a board-approved teacher preparation program to provide remedial assistance to persons
who did not achieve a qualifying score on the skills examination or attain the requisite
composite score on the ACT Plus Writing or SAT, including those for whom English is
a second language. The requirement to pass a reading, writing, and mathematics skills
examination or attain the requisite composite score on the ACT Plus Writing or SAT does
not apply to nonnative English speakers, as verified by qualified Minnesota school district
personnel or Minnesota higher education faculty, who, after meeting the content and
pedagogy requirements under this subdivision, apply for a teaching license to provide direct
instruction in their native language or world language instruction under section 120B.022,
subdivision 1. A teacher candidate's official ACT Plus Writing or SAT composite score
report to the board must not be more than ten years old at the time of licensure.

(c) The board must adopt rules to approve teacher preparation programs. The board,
upon the request of a postsecondary student preparing for teacher licensure or a licensed
graduate of a teacher preparation program, shall assist in resolving a dispute between the
person and a postsecondary institution providing a teacher preparation program when the
dispute involves an institution's recommendation for licensure affecting the person or the
person's credentials. At the board's discretion, assistance may include the application
of chapter 14.

(d) The board must provide the leadership and adopt rules for the redesign of teacher
education programs to implement a research based, results-oriented curriculum that
focuses on the skills teachers need in order to be effective. Among other components,
teacher preparation programs may use the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities
program model to provide a school year-long student teaching program that combines
clinical opportunities with academic coursework and in-depth student teaching
experiences to offer students ongoing mentorship, coaching and assessment, help to
prepare a professional development plan, and structured learning experiences. The board
shall implement new systems of teacher preparation program evaluation to assure program
effectiveness based on proficiency of graduates in demonstrating attainment of program
outcomes. Teacher preparation programs including alternative teacher preparation
programs under section 122A.245, among other programs, must include a content-specific,
board-approved, performance-based assessment that measures teacher candidates in three
areas: planning for instruction and assessment; engaging students and supporting learning;
and assessing student learning. The board's redesign rules must include creating flexible,
specialized teaching licenses, credentials, and other endorsement forms to increase
students' participation in language immersion programs, world language instruction,
career development opportunities, work-based learning, early college courses and careers,
career and technical programs, Montessori schools, and project and place-based learning,
among other career and college ready learning offerings.

(e) The board must adopt rules requiring candidates for initial licenses to pass an
examination of general pedagogical knowledge and examinations of licensure-specific
teaching skills. The rules shall be effective by September 1, 2001. The rules under this
paragraph also must require candidates for initial licenses to teach prekindergarten or
elementary students to pass, as part of the examination of licensure-specific teaching
skills, test items assessing the candidates' knowledge, skill, and ability in comprehensive,
scientifically based reading instruction under section 122A.06, subdivision 4, and their
knowledge and understanding of the foundations of reading development, the development
of reading comprehension, and reading assessment and instruction, and their ability to
integrate that knowledge and understanding.

(f) The board must adopt rules requiring teacher educators to work directly with
elementary or secondary school teachers in elementary or secondary schools to obtain
periodic exposure to the elementary or secondary teaching environment.

(g) The board must grant licenses to interns and to candidates for initial licenses
based on appropriate professional competencies that are aligned with the board's licensing
system and students' diverse learning needs. All teacher candidates must have preparation
in English language development and content instruction for English learners in order to be
able to effectively instruct the English learners in their classrooms. The board must include
these licenses in a statewide differentiated licensing system that creates new leadership
roles for successful experienced teachers premised on a collaborative professional culture
dedicated to meeting students' diverse learning needs in the 21st century, recognizes the
importance of cultural and linguistic competencies, including the ability to teach and
communicate in culturally competent and aware ways, and formalizes mentoring and
induction for newly licensed teachers provided through a teacher support framework.

(h) The board must design and implement an assessment system which requires a
candidate for an initial license and first continuing license to demonstrate the abilities
necessary to perform selected, representative teaching tasks at appropriate levels.

(i) The board must receive recommendations from local committees as established
by the board for the renewal of teaching licenses. The board must require licensed teachers
who are renewing a continuing license to include in the renewal requirements further
preparation in English language development and specially designed content instruction
in English for English learners.

(j) The board must grant life licenses to those who qualify according to requirements
established by the board, and suspend or revoke licenses pursuant to sections 122A.20 and
214.10. The board must not establish any expiration date for application for life licenses.

(k) The board must adopt rules that require all licensed teachers who are renewing
their continuing license to include in their renewal requirements further preparation in
the areas of using positive behavior interventions and in accommodating, modifying, and
adapting curricula, materials, and strategies to appropriately meet the needs of individual
students and ensure adequate progress toward the state's graduation rule.

(l) In adopting rules to license public school teachers who provide health-related
services for disabled children, the board shall adopt rules consistent with license or
registration requirements of the commissioner of health and the health-related boards who
license personnel who perform similar services outside of the school.

(m) The board must adopt rules that require all licensed teachers who are renewing
their continuing license to include in their renewal requirements further reading
preparation, consistent with section 122A.06, subdivision 4. The rules do not take effect
until they are approved by law. Teachers who do not provide direct instruction including, at
least, counselors, school psychologists, school nurses, school social workers, audiovisual
directors and coordinators, and recreation personnel are exempt from this section.

(n) The board must adopt rules that require all licensed teachers who are renewing
their continuing license to include in their renewal requirements further preparation,
first, in understanding the key warning signs of early-onset mental illness in children
and adolescents and then, during subsequent licensure renewal periods, preparation may
include providing a more in-depth understanding of students' mental illness trauma,
accommodations for students' mental illness, parents' role in addressing students' mental
illness, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, autism, the requirements of section 125A.0942
governing restrictive procedures, and de-escalation methods, among other similar topics.

EFFECTIVE DATE.

This section is effective for the 2016-2017 school year and
later.

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 136A.01, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:

Subd. 3.

Incentive programs.

The commissioner is authorized to utilize incentive
gifts including, but not limited to, gift cards in order to promote to the public the various
programs administered by the office. The annual total expenditures for such incentive
programs shall not exceed $10,000.

Sec. 5.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 136A.031, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Student representation.

The commissioner must place at least one
student from an affected educational system on any task force created by the office. The
commissioner must submit to the SAC the name of any student appointed to an advisory
group or task force. The student appointment is not approved if four SAC members vote
to disapprove of the appointment. If an appointment is disapproved, the commissioner
must submit another student appointment to the SAC in a timely manner shall invite the
council to nominate a student or students to serve on task forces created by the office,
when appropriate.

Sec. 6.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 136A.0411, is amended to read:

136A.0411 COLLECTING FEES.

The office may charge fees for seminars, conferences, workshops, services, and
materials. The office may collect fees for registration and licensure of private institutions
under sections 136A.61 to 136A.71 and chapter 141. The money is annually appropriated
to the office.

Sec. 7.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 136A.125, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Eligible students.

(a) An applicant is eligible for a child care grant if
the applicant:

(1) is a resident of the state of Minnesota or the applicant's spouse is a resident
of the state of Minnesota;

(2) has a child 12 years of age or younger, or 14 years of age or younger who is
disabled as defined in section 125A.02, and who is receiving or will receive care on a
regular basis from a licensed or legal, nonlicensed caregiver;

(3) is income eligible as determined by the office's policies and rules, but is not a
recipient of assistance from the Minnesota family investment program;

(4) has not earned a baccalaureate degree and has been enrolled full time less than
eight semesters or the equivalent;

(5) is pursuing a nonsectarian program or course of study that applies to an
undergraduate degree, diploma, or certificate;

(6) is enrolled at least half time in an eligible institution; and

(7) is in good academic standing and making satisfactory academic progress.

(b) A student who withdraws from enrollment for active military service after
December 31, 2002, because the student was ordered to active military service as defined
in section 190.05, subdivision 5b or 5c, or for a major illness, while under the care of a
medical professional, that substantially limits the student's ability to complete the term
is entitled to an additional semester or the equivalent of grant eligibility and will be
considered to be in continuing enrollment status upon return.

EFFECTIVE DATE.

This section is effective August 1, 2015, and applies to
academic terms commencing on or after that date.

Sec. 8.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 136A.125, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Amount and length of grants.

(a) The amount of a child care grant
must be based on:

(1) the income of the applicant and the applicant's spouse;

(2) the number in the applicant's family, as defined by the office; and

(3) the number of eligible children in the applicant's family.

(b) The maximum award to the applicant shall be $2,800 for each eligible child per
academic year, except that the campus financial aid officer may apply to the office for
approval to increase grants by up to ten percent to compensate for higher market charges
for infant care in a community. The office shall develop policies to determine community
market costs and review institutional requests for compensatory grant increases to ensure
need and equal treatment. The office shall prepare a chart to show the amount of a grant
that will be awarded per child based on the factors in this subdivision. The chart shall
include a range of income and family size.

(c) Applicants with family incomes at or below a percentage of the federal poverty
level, as determined by the commissioner, will qualify for the maximum award. The
commissioner shall attempt to set the percentage at a level estimated to fully expend the
available appropriation for child care grants. Applicants with family incomes exceeding
that threshold will receive the maximum award minus ten percent of their income
exceeding that threshold. If the result is less than zero, the grant is zero.

(d) The academic year award amount must be disbursed by academic term using the
following formula:

(1) the academic year amount described in paragraph (b);

(2) divided by the number of terms in the academic year;

(3) divided by 15; and

(4) multiplied by the number of credits for which the student is enrolled that
academic term, up to 15 credits.

(e) Payments shall be made each academic term to the student or to the child care
provider, as determined by the institution. Institutions may make payments more than
once within the academic term.

Sec. 9.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 136A.125, subdivision 4b, is amended to read:

Subd. 4b.

Additional grants.

An additional term of child care grant may be
awarded to an applicant attending classes outside of the regular academic year who meets
the requirements in subdivisions 2 and 4. The annual maximum grant per eligible child
must not exceed the calculated annual amount in subdivision 4, plus the additional amount
in this subdivision, or the student's estimated annual child care cost for not more than 40
hours per week per eligible child, whichever is less.

Sec. 10.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 136A.1701, subdivision 4, is amended to
read:

Subd. 4.

Terms and conditions of loans.

(a) The office may loan money upon
such terms and conditions as the office may prescribe. Under the SELF IV program, the
principal amount of a loan to an undergraduate student for a single academic year shall not
exceed $7,500 per grade level. The aggregate principal amount of all loans made subject
to this paragraph to an undergraduate student shall not exceed $37,500. The principal
amount of a loan to a graduate student for a single academic year shall not exceed $9,000.
The aggregate principal amount of all loans made subject to this paragraph to a student as
an undergraduate and graduate student shall not exceed $55,500. The amount of the loan
may not exceed the cost of attendance less all other financial aid, including PLUS loans or
other similar parent loans borrowed on the student's behalf. The cumulative SELF loan
debt must not exceed the borrowing maximums in paragraph (b).

(b) The cumulative undergraduate borrowing maximums for SELF IV loans are:

(1) grade level 1, $7,500;

(2) grade level 2, $15,000;

(3) grade level 3, $22,500;

(4) grade level 4, $30,000; and

(5) grade level 5, $37,500.

(c) (b) The principal maximum loan amount of a SELF V or subsequent phase
loan to students enrolled in a bachelor's degree program, postbaccalaureate, or graduate
program must not exceed $10,000 per grade level be determined annually by the office.
For all other eligible students, the principal amount of the loan must not exceed $7,500 per
grade level. The aggregate principal amount of all loans made subject to this paragraph to
a student as an undergraduate and graduate student must not exceed $70,000 $140,000.
The amount of the loan must not exceed the cost of attendance as determined by the
eligible institution less all other financial aid, including PLUS loans or other similar parent
loans borrowed on the student's behalf. The cumulative SELF loan debt must not exceed
the borrowing maximums in paragraph (d) (c).

(d) (c)(1) The cumulative borrowing maximums must be determined annually by the
office for SELF V loans and subsequent phases for students enrolled in a bachelor's degree
program or postbaccalaureate program are:. In determining the cumulative borrowing
maximums, the office shall, among other considerations, take into consideration the
maximum SELF loan amount, student financing needs, funding capacity for the SELF
program, delinquency and default loss management, and current financial market
conditions.

(i) grade level 1, $10,000;

(ii) grade level 2, $20,000;

(iii) grade level 3, $30,000;

(iv) grade level 4, $40,000; and

(v) grade level 5, $50,000.

(2) For graduate level students, the borrowing limit is $10,000 per nine-month
academic year, with a cumulative maximum for all SELF debt of $70,000.

(3) (2) For all other eligible students, the cumulative borrowing maximums for
SELF V loans and subsequent phases are:

(i) grade level 1, $7,500;

(ii) grade level 2, $15,000;

(iii) grade level 3, $22,500;

(iv) grade level 4, $30,000; and

(v) grade level 5, $37,500.

Sec. 11.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 136A.61, is amended to read:

136A.61 POLICY.

The legislature has found and hereby declares that the availability of legitimate
courses and programs leading to academic degrees offered by responsible private
not-for-profit nonprofit and for-profit institutions of postsecondary education and the
existence of legitimate private colleges and universities are in the best interests of the
people of this state. The legislature has found and declares that the state can provide
assistance and protection for persons choosing private institutions and programs, by
establishing policies and procedures to assure the authenticity and legitimacy of private
postsecondary education institutions and programs. The legislature has also found and
declares that this same policy applies to any private and public postsecondary educational
institution located in another state or country which offers or makes available to a
Minnesota resident any course, program or educational activity which does not require
the leaving of the state for its completion.

Sec. 12.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 136A.63, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Sale of an institution.

Within 30 days of a change of its ownership a school
must submit a registration renewal application, all usual and ordinary information and
materials for an initial registration, and applicable registration fees for a new institution.
For purposes of this subdivision, "change of ownership" means a merger or consolidation
with a corporation; a sale, lease, exchange, or other disposition of all or substantially all of
the assets of a school; the transfer of a controlling interest of at least 51 percent of the
school's stock; or a change in the not-for-profit nonprofit or for-profit status of a school.

Sec. 13.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 136A.65, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Criteria for approval.

(a) A school applying to be registered and to have
its degree or degrees and name approved must substantially meet the following criteria:

(1) the school has an organizational framework with administrative and teaching
personnel to provide the educational programs offered;

(2) the school has financial resources sufficient to meet the school's financial
obligations, including refunding tuition and other charges consistent with its stated policy
if the institution is dissolved, or if claims for refunds are made, to provide service to the
students as promised, and to provide educational programs leading to degrees as offered;

(3) the school operates in conformity with generally accepted budgeting and
accounting principles;

(4) the school provides an educational program leading to the degree it offers;

(5) the school provides appropriate and accessible library, laboratory, and other
physical facilities to support the educational program offered;

(6) the school has a policy on freedom or limitation of expression and inquiry for
faculty and students which is published or available on request;

(7) the school uses only publications and advertisements which are truthful and do
not give any false, fraudulent, deceptive, inaccurate, or misleading impressions about the
school, its personnel, programs, services, or occupational opportunities for its graduates
for promotion and student recruitment;

(8) the school's compensated recruiting agents who are operating in Minnesota
identify themselves as agents of the school when talking to or corresponding with students
and prospective students; and

(9) the school provides information to students and prospective students concerning:

(i) comprehensive and accurate policies relating to student admission, evaluation,
suspension, and dismissal;

(ii) clear and accurate policies relating to granting credit for prior education, training,
and experience and for courses offered by the school;

(iii) current schedules of fees, charges for tuition, required supplies, student
activities, housing, and all other standard charges;

(iv) policies regarding refunds and adjustments for withdrawal or modification
of enrollment status; and

(v) procedures and standards used for selection of recipients and the terms of
payment and repayment for any financial aid program.; and

(10) the school must not withhold a student's official transcript because the student is
in arrears or in default on any loan issued by the school to the student if the loan qualifies
as an institutional loan under United States Code, title 11, section 523(a)(8)(b).

(b) An application for degree approval must also include:

(i) title of degree and formal recognition awarded;

(ii) location where such degree will be offered;

(iii) proposed implementation date of the degree;

(iv) admissions requirements for the degree;

(v) length of the degree;

(vi) projected enrollment for a period of five years;

(vii) the curriculum required for the degree, including course syllabi or outlines;

(viii) statement of academic and administrative mechanisms planned for monitoring
the quality of the proposed degree;

(ix) statement of satisfaction of professional licensure criteria, if applicable;

(x) documentation of the availability of clinical, internship, externship, or practicum
sites, if applicable; and

(xi) statement of how the degree fulfills the institution's mission and goals,
complements existing degrees, and contributes to the school's viability.

Sec. 14.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 136A.65, subdivision 7, is amended to read:

Subd. 7.

Conditional approval.

The office may grant conditional approval for a
degree or use of a term in its name for a period of less than one year if doing so would be
in the best interests of currently enrolled students or prospective students. New schools
may be granted conditional approval for degrees or names annually for a period not to
exceed five years to allow them the opportunity to apply for and receive accreditation as
required in subdivision 1a. A new school granted conditional approval may be allowed
to continue as a registered institution in order to complete an accreditation process upon
terms and conditions the office determines.

Sec. 15.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 136A.657, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Exemption.

Any school or any department or branch of a school (a)
which is substantially owned, operated or supported by a bona fide church or religious
organization; (b) whose programs are primarily designed for, aimed at and attended by
persons who sincerely hold or seek to learn the particular religious faith or beliefs of that
church or religious organization; and (c) whose programs are primarily intended to prepare
its students to become ministers of, to enter into some other vocation closely related to, or
to conduct their lives in consonance with, the particular faith of that church or religious
organization, is exempt from the provisions of sections 136A.61 to 136A.71 136A.834.

Sec. 16.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 136A.657, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Scope.

Nothing in sections 136A.61 to 136A.71 136A.834, or the rules
adopted pursuant thereto, shall be interpreted as permitting the office to determine the
truth or falsity of any particular set of religious beliefs.

Sec. 17.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 136A.67, is amended to read:

136A.67 REGISTRATION REPRESENTATIONS.

No school and none of its officials or employees shall advertise or represent in any
manner that such school is approved or accredited by the office or the state of Minnesota,
except a school which is duly registered with the office, or any of its officials or
employees, may represent in advertising and shall disclose in catalogues, applications, and
enrollment materials that the school is registered with the office by prominently displaying
the following statement: "(Name of school) is registered as a private institution with the
office pursuant to sections 136A.61 to 136A.71. Registration is not an endorsement of the
institution. Credits earned at the institution may not transfer to all other institutions." In
addition, all registered schools shall publish in the school catalog or student handbook the
name, street address, telephone number, and Web site address of the office.

Sec. 18.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 136A.87, is amended to read:

136A.87 PLANNING INFORMATION FOR POSTSECONDARY
EDUCATION.

The office shall make available to all residents beginning in 7th grade through
adulthood information about planning and preparing for postsecondary opportunities.
Information must be provided to all 7th grade students and their parents annually
by September 30 about planning for their postsecondary education. The office may
also provide information to high school students and their parents, to adults, and to
out-of-school youth. The information provided may include the following:

(1) the need to start planning early;

(2) the availability of assistance in educational planning from educational institutions
and other organizations;

(3) suggestions for studying effectively during high school;

(4) high school courses necessary to be adequately prepared for postsecondary
education;

(5) encouragement to involve parents actively in planning for all phases of education;

(6) information about postsecondary education and training opportunities existing
in the state, their respective missions and expectations for students, their preparation
requirements, admission requirements, and student placement;

(7) ways to evaluate and select postsecondary institutions;

(8) the process of transferring credits among Minnesota postsecondary institutions
and systems;

(9) the costs of postsecondary education and the availability of financial assistance
in meeting these costs, including specific information about the Minnesota Promise and
achieve scholarship program;

(10) the interrelationship of assistance from student financial aid, public assistance,
and job training programs; and

(11) financial planning for postsecondary education.

Sec. 19.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 136G.05, subdivision 7, is amended to read:

Subd. 7.

Marketing.

The commissioner shall make parents and other interested
individuals aware of the availability and advantages of the program as a way to save for
higher education costs. The cost of these promotional efforts may not be funded with fees
imposed on participants.

Sec. 20.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 141.21, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5.

Private career school.

"Private career school" means any a person, within
or outside the state, who maintains, advertises, administers, solicits for, or conducts any
program at less than an associate degree level and; is not registered as a private institution
under sections 136A.61 to 136A.71; and is not specifically exempted by section 141.35
or 141.37. School also means any person, within or outside the state, who maintains,
advertises, administers, solicits for, or conducts any program at less than an associate
degree level, is not registered as a private institution pursuant to sections 136A.61 to
136A.71, and uses the term, "college," "institute," "academy," or "university" in its name.

Sec. 21.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 141.21, subdivision 6a, is amended to read:

Subd. 6a.

Multiple location.

"Multiple location" means any site where classes or
administrative services are provided to students and which that has a street address that is
different than the street address found on the school's private career school school's license.

Sec. 22.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 141.21, subdivision 9, is amended to read:

Subd. 9.

Distance education private career school.

"Distance education private
career school" means a school that establishes, keeps, or maintains a facility or location
where a program is offered through distance instruction.

Sec. 23.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 141.25, is amended to read:

141.25 LICENSURE.

Subdivision 1.

Required.

A private career school must not maintain, advertise,
solicit for, administer, or conduct any program in Minnesota without first obtaining a
license from the office.

Subd. 2.

Contract unenforceable.

A contract entered into with a person for a
program by or on behalf of a person operating a private career school to which a license
has not been issued under sections 141.21 to 141.35, is unenforceable in any action.

Subd. 2a.

Refunds.

If a contract is deemed unenforceable under subdivision 2, a
private career school must refund tuition, fees, and other charges received from a student
or on behalf of a student within 30 days of receiving written notification and demand for
refund from the Minnesota office of Higher Education.

Subd. 3.

Application.

Application for a license shall be on forms prepared and
furnished by the office, and shall include the following and other information as the
office may require:

(1) the title or name of the private career school, ownership and controlling officers,
members, managing employees, and director;

(2) the specific programs which will be offered and the specific purposes of the
instruction;

(3) the place or places where the instruction will be given;

(4) a listing of the equipment available for instruction in each program;

(5) the maximum enrollment to be accommodated with equipment available in
each specified program;

(6) the qualifications of instructors and supervisors in each specified program;

(7) a current balance sheet, income statement, and adequate supporting
documentation, prepared and certified by an independent public accountant or CPA;

(8) copies of all media advertising and promotional literature and brochures or
electronic display currently used or reasonably expected to be used by the private career
school;

(9) copies of all Minnesota enrollment agreement forms and contract forms and all
enrollment agreement forms and contract forms used in Minnesota; and

(10) gross income earned in the preceding year from student tuition, fees, and other
required institutional charges, unless the private career school files with the office a surety
bond equal to at least $250,000 as described in subdivision 5.

Subd. 4.

Certification.

Each application shall be signed and certified to under
oath by the proprietor if the applicant is a proprietorship, by the managing partner if the
applicant is a partnership, or by the authorized officers of the applicant if the applicant is a
corporation, association, company, firm, society or trust.

Subd. 5.

Bond.

(a) No license shall be issued to any private career school which
maintains, conducts, solicits for, or advertises within the state of Minnesota any program,
unless the applicant files with the office a continuous corporate surety bond written
by a company authorized to do business in Minnesota conditioned upon the faithful
performance of all contracts and agreements with students made by the applicant.

(b)(1) The amount of the surety bond shall be ten percent of the preceding year's
gross income from student tuition, fees, and other required institutional charges, but in
no event less than $10,000 nor greater than $250,000, except that a private career school
may deposit a greater amount at its own discretion. A private career school in each annual
application for licensure must compute the amount of the surety bond and verify that the
amount of the surety bond complies with this subdivision, unless the private career school
maintains a surety bond equal to at least $250,000. A private career school that operates at
two or more locations may combine gross income from student tuition, fees, and other
required institutional charges for all locations for the purpose of determining the annual
surety bond requirement. The gross tuition and fees used to determine the amount of the
surety bond required for a private career school having a license for the sole purpose of
recruiting students in Minnesota shall be only that paid to the private career school by the
students recruited from Minnesota.

(2) A school person required to obtain a private career school license due to the use
of "academy," "institute," "college," or "university" in its name and which is also licensed
by another state agency or board shall be required to provide a school bond of $10,000.

(c) The bond shall run to the state of Minnesota and to any person who may have a
cause of action against the applicant arising at any time after the bond is filed and before
it is canceled for breach of any contract or agreement made by the applicant with any
student. The aggregate liability of the surety for all breaches of the conditions of the
bond shall not exceed the principal sum deposited by the private career school under
paragraph (b). The surety of any bond may cancel it upon giving 60 days' notice in writing
to the office and shall be relieved of liability for any breach of condition occurring after
the effective date of cancellation.

(d) In lieu of bond, the applicant may deposit with the commissioner of management
and budget a sum equal to the amount of the required surety bond in cash, an irrevocable
letter of credit issued by a financial institution equal to the amount of the required surety
bond, or securities as may be legally purchased by savings banks or for trust funds in an
aggregate market value equal to the amount of the required surety bond.

(e) Failure of a private career school to post and maintain the required surety bond
or deposit under paragraph (d) shall result in denial, suspension, or revocation of the
school's license.

Subd. 6.

Resident agent.

Private career schools located outside the state of
Minnesota that offer, advertise, solicit for, or conduct any program within the state of
Minnesota shall first file with the secretary of state a sworn statement designating a resident
agent authorized to receive service of process. The statement shall designate the secretary
of state as resident agent for service of process in the absence of a designated agent. If
a private career school fails to file the statement, the secretary of state is designated as
the resident agent authorized to receive service of process. The authorization shall be
irrevocable as to causes of action arising out of transactions occurring prior to the filing of
written notice of withdrawal from the state of Minnesota filed with the secretary of state.

Subd. 7.

Minimum standards.

A license shall be issued if the office first determines:

(1) that the applicant has a sound financial condition with sufficient resources
available to:

(i) meet the private career school's financial obligations;

(ii) refund all tuition and other charges, within a reasonable period of time, in the
event of dissolution of the private career school or in the event of any justifiable claims for
refund against the private career school by the student body;

(iii) provide adequate service to its students and prospective students; and

(iv) maintain and support the private career school;

(2) that the applicant has satisfactory facilities with sufficient tools and equipment
and the necessary number of work stations to prepare adequately the students currently
enrolled, and those proposed to be enrolled;

(3) that the applicant employs a sufficient number of qualified teaching personnel to
provide the educational programs contemplated;

(4) that the private career school has an organizational framework with administrative
and instructional personnel to provide the programs and services it intends to offer;

(5) that the premises and conditions under which the students work and study are
sanitary, healthful, and safe;

(6) (5) that the quality and content of each occupational course or program of study
provides education and adequate preparation to enrolled students for entry level positions
in the occupation for which prepared;

(7) (6) that the premises and conditions where the students work and study and the
student living quarters which are owned, maintained, recommended, or approved by
the applicant for students are sanitary, healthful, and safe, as evidenced by certificate
of occupancy issued by the municipality or county where the private career school
is physically situated, a fire inspection by the local or state fire marshal, or another
verification deemed acceptable by the office;

(8) (7) that the contract or enrollment agreement used by the private career school
complies with the provisions in section 141.265;

(9) (8) that contracts and agreements do not contain a wage assignment provision
or a confession of judgment clause; and

(10) (9) that there has been no adjudication of fraud or misrepresentation in any
criminal, civil, or administrative proceeding in any jurisdiction against the private career
school or its owner, officers, agents, or sponsoring organization.

Subd. 8.

Fees and terms of license.

An application for an initial license under
sections 141.21 to 141.35 shall be accompanied by a nonrefundable application fee as
provided in section 141.255 that is sufficient to recover, but not exceed, the administrative
costs of the office.

All licenses shall expire one year from the date issued by the office, except as
provided in section 141.251.

Subd. 9.

Catalog, brochure, or electronic display.

Before a license is issued to
a private career school, the private career school shall furnish to the office a catalog,
brochure, or electronic display including:

(1) identifying data, such as volume number and date of publication;

(2) name and address of the private career school and its governing body and officials;

(3) a calendar of the private career school showing legal holidays, beginning and
ending dates of each course quarter, term, or semester, and other important dates;

(4) the private career school policy and regulations on enrollment including dates
and specific entrance requirements for each program;

(5) the private career school policy and regulations about leave, absences, class cuts,
make-up work, tardiness, and interruptions for unsatisfactory attendance;

(6) the private career school policy and regulations about standards of progress
for the student including the grading system of the private career school, the minimum
grades considered satisfactory, conditions for interruption for unsatisfactory grades or
progress, a description of any probationary period allowed by the private career school,
and conditions of reentrance for those dismissed for unsatisfactory progress;

(7) the private career school policy and regulations about student conduct and
conditions for dismissal for unsatisfactory conduct;

(8) a detailed schedule of fees, charges for tuition, books, supplies, tools, student
activities, laboratory fees, service charges, rentals, deposits, and all other charges;

(9) the private career school policy and regulations, including an explanation of
section 141.271, about refunding tuition, fees, and other charges if the student does not
enter the program, withdraws from the program, or the program is discontinued;

(10) a description of the available facilities and equipment;

(11) a course outline syllabus for each course offered showing course objectives,
subjects or units in the course, type of work or skill to be learned, and approximate time,
hours, or credits to be spent on each subject or unit;

(12) the private career school policy and regulations about granting credit for
previous education and preparation;

(13) a notice to students relating to the transferability of any credits earned at the
private career school to other institutions;

(14) a procedure for investigating and resolving student complaints; and

(15) the name and address of the Minnesota office of Higher Education.

A private career school that is exclusively a distance education school is exempt
from clauses (3) and (5).

Subd. 10.

Placement records.

(a) Before a license is reissued to a private career
school that offers, advertises or implies a placement service, the private career school shall
file with the office for the past year and thereafter at reasonable intervals determined by
the office, a certified copy of the private career school's placement record, containing a list
of graduates, a description of their jobs, names of their employers, and other information
as the office may prescribe.

(b) Each private career school that offers a placement service shall furnish to each
prospective student, upon request, prior to enrollment, written information concerning
the percentage of the previous year's graduates who were placed in the occupation for
which prepared or in related employment.

Subd. 12.

Permanent records.

A private career school licensed under this chapter
and located in Minnesota shall maintain a permanent record for each student for 50 years
from the last date of the student's attendance. A private career school licensed under this
chapter and offering distance instruction to a student located in Minnesota shall maintain
a permanent record for each Minnesota student for 50 years from the last date of the
student's attendance. Records include school transcripts, documents, and files containing
student data about academic credits earned, courses completed, grades awarded, degrees
awarded, and periods of attendance. To preserve permanent records, a private career
school shall submit a plan that meets the following requirements:

(1) at least one copy of the records must be held in a secure, fireproof depository;

(2) an appropriate official must be designated to provide a student with copies of
records or a transcript upon request;

(3) an alternative method, approved by the office, of complying with clauses (1) and
(2) must be established if the private career school ceases to exist; and

(4) a continuous surety bond must be filed with the office in an amount not to exceed
$20,000 if the private career school has no binding agreement approved by the office, for
preserving student records. The bond shall run to the state of Minnesota.

Subd. 13.

Private career schools licensed by another state agency or board.

A
private career school required to obtain a private career school license due to the use of
"academy," "institute," "college," or "university" in its name or licensed for the purpose of
participating in state financial aid under chapter 136A, and which is also licensed by another
state agency or board shall be required to satisfy only the requirements of subdivisions 3,
clauses (1), (2), (3), (5), (7), and (10); 4; 5, paragraph (b), clause (2); 7, clauses (1) and (10);
8; 9, clause (13); and 12. A distance education school located in another state, or a school
licensed to recruit Minnesota residents for attendance at a school outside of this state, or a
school licensed by another state agency as its primary licensing body, may continue to use
the school's name as permitted by its home state or its primary licensing body.

Sec. 24.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 141.251, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Conditions.

The office shall adopt rules establishing the conditions for
renewal of a license. The conditions shall permit two levels of renewal based on the record
of the private career school. A private career school that has demonstrated the quality of
its program and operation through longevity and performance in the state may renew its
license based on a relaxed standard of scrutiny. A private career school that has been in
operation in Minnesota for a limited period of time or that has not performed adequately
on performance indicators shall renew its license based on a strict standard of scrutiny.
The office shall specify minimum longevity standards and performance indicators that
must be met before a private career school may be permitted to operate under the relaxed
standard of scrutiny. The performance indicators used in this determination shall include,
but not be limited to: regional or national accreditation, loan default rates, placement rate
of graduates, student withdrawal rates, audit results, student complaints, and school status
with the United States Department of Education. Private career schools that meet the
requirements established in rule shall be required to submit a full relicensure report once
every four years, and in the interim years will be exempt from the requirements of section
141.25, subdivision 3, clauses (4), (5), and (8), and Minnesota Rules, parts 4880.1700,
subpart 6; and 4880.2100, subpart 4.

Sec. 25.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 141.255, is amended to read:

141.255 FEES.

Subdivision 1.

Initial licensure fee.

The office processing fee for an initial licensure
application is:

(1) $2,500 for a private career school that will offer no more than one program
during its first year of operation;

(2) $750 for a private career school licensed exclusively due to the use of the term
"college," "university," "academy," or "institute" in its name, or licensed exclusively in
order to participate in state grant or SELF loan financial aid programs; and

(3) $2,500, plus $500 for each additional program offered by the private career
school, for a private career school during its first year of operation.

Subd. 2.

Renewal licensure fee; late fee.

(a) The office processing fee for a
renewal licensure application is:

(1) for a private career school that offers one program, the license renewal fee is
$1,150;

(2) for a private career school that offers more than one program, the license renewal
fee is $1,150, plus $200 for each additional program with a maximum renewal licensing
fee of $2,000;

(3) for a private career school licensed exclusively due to the use of the term "college,"
"university," "academy," or "institute" in its name, the license renewal fee is $750; and

(4) for a private career school licensed by another state agency and also licensed
with the office exclusively in order to participate in state student aid programs, the license
renewal fee is $750.

(b) If a license renewal application is not received by the office by the close of
business at least 60 days before the expiration of the current license, a late fee of $100
per business day, not to exceed $3,000, shall be assessed.

Subd. 4.

Program addition fee.

The office processing fee for adding a program to
those that are currently offered by the private career school is $500 per program.

Subd. 5.

Visit or consulting fee.

If the office determines that a fact-finding visit
or outside consultant is necessary to review or evaluate any new or revised program, the
office shall be reimbursed for the expenses incurred related to the review as follows:

(1) $400 for the team base fee or for a paper review conducted by a consultant if the
office determines that a fact-finding visit is not required;

(2) $300 for each day or part thereof on site per team member; and

(3) the actual cost of customary meals, lodging, and related travel expenses incurred
by team members.

Subd. 6.

Modification fee.

The fee for modification of any existing program is
$100 and is due if there is:

(1) an increase or decrease of 25 percent or more, from the original date of program
approval, in clock hours, credit hours, or calendar length of an existing program;

(2) a change in academic measurement from clock hours to credit hours or vice
versa; or

(3) an addition or alteration of courses that represent a 25 percent change or more in
the objectives, content, or methods of delivery.

Subd. 7.

Solicitor permit fee.

The solicitor permit fee is $350 and must be paid
annually.

Subd. 8.

Multiple location fee.

Private career schools wishing to operate at
multiple locations must pay:

(1) $250 per location, for locations two to five; and

(2) an additional $100 for each location over five.

Subd. 9.

Student transcript fee.

The fee for a student transcript requested from a
closed private career school whose records are held by the office is $15, with a maximum
of five transcripts per request.

Subd. 10.

Public office documents; copies.

The rate for copies of any public
office document shall be 50 cents per page.

Sec. 26.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 141.26, is amended to read:

141.26 PERMITS FOR SOLICITORS.

Subdivision 1.

Required.

A solicitor representing a private career school must
obtain a solicitor's permit from the office before soliciting students to enroll in such the
private career school. Such permit shall expire one year following the date of issuance.
Application for renewal of permit shall be made annually.

Subd. 2.

Application for permit.

(a) The application for the permit shall state the
full name, address, previous employment, and such other information concerning the
solicitor applicant as the office may require.

(b) The application shall have attached to it a certified affidavit signed by a private
career school official and the solicitor attesting to the fact that the applicant has been
furnished a copy, has read and has knowledge of the provisions of this chapter and
Minnesota Rules.

Subd. 3.

Refusal of permit.

No permit shall be issued to any solicitor unless such
solicitor files with the office a continuous corporate surety bond in the sum of $2,000
conditioned upon the faithful performance of all contracts and agreements with the students
made by the solicitor. Such bonds shall run to the state of Minnesota and to any person who
may have cause of action against the applicant arising at any time after the bond is filed and
before it is canceled for breach of any contract or agreement made by the solicitor with any
student. The aggregate liability of the surety for all breaches of the conditions of the bond
shall not exceed the principal sum of $2,000. The surety of any such bond may cancel it
upon giving 60 days' notice in writing to the office and shall be relieved of liability for any
breach of condition occurring after the effective date of cancellation. In lieu of bond, the
solicitor may deposit with the commissioner of management and budget the sum of $2,000.

Subd. 4.

Additional permits.

A solicitor representing more than one private career
school must obtain a separate permit for each private career school represented; however
when a solicitor represents private career schools having a common ownership, only one
permit shall be required.

Subd. 5.

Fee.

The initial and renewal application for each permit shall be
accompanied by a nonrefundable fee under section 141.255.

Subd. 6.

Contract; validity.

Any contract entered into by a solicitor for a licensed
private career school shall be unenforceable in any action brought thereon if the solicitor
does not hold a valid permit as required by this section.

Sec. 27.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 141.265, is amended to read:

141.265 INFORMATION TO STUDENTS.

Subdivision 1.

Catalog, brochure, or electronic display.

A private career school
or its agent must provide the catalog, brochure, or electronic display required in section
141.25, subdivision 9, to a prospective student in a time or manner that gives the
prospective student at least five days to read the catalog, brochure, or electronic display
before signing a contract or enrollment agreement or before being accepted by a private
career school that does not use a written contract or enrollment agreement.

Subd. 2.

Contract information.

A contract or enrollment agreement used by a
private career school must include at least the following:

(1) the name and address of the private career school, clearly stated;

(2) a clear and conspicuous disclosure that the agreement is a legally binding
instrument upon written acceptance of the student by the private career school unless
canceled under section 141.271;

(3) the private career school's cancellation and refund policy that shall be clearly and
conspicuously entitled "Buyer's Right to Cancel";

(4) a clear statement of total cost of the program including tuition and all other
charges;

(5) the name and description of the program, including the number of hours or
credits of classroom instruction, or distance instruction, that shall be included; and

(6) a clear and conspicuous explanation of the form and means of notice the student
should use in the event the student elects to cancel the contract or sale, the effective
date of cancellation, and the name and address of the seller to which the notice should
be sent or delivered.

The contract or enrollment agreement must not include a wage assignment provision or a
confession of judgment clause.

Subd. 3.

Contract copies.

Immediately upon signing of the enrollment agreement
or the contract by a prospective student, the private career school or agent shall furnish to
the prospective student an exact duplicate copy of the enrollment agreement or contract.

Sec. 28.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 141.271, subdivision 1a, is amended to read:

Subd. 1a.

Notice; right to refund.

Every private career school shall notify each
student, in writing, of acceptance or rejection. In the event that the student is rejected by
the private career school, all tuition, fees and other charges shall be refunded.

Sec. 29.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 141.271, subdivision 1b, is amended to read:

Subd. 1b.

Short-term programs.

Licensed private career schools conducting
programs not exceeding 40 hours in length shall not be required to make a full refund once
a program has commenced and shall be allowed to prorate any refund based on the actual
length of the program as stated in the private career school catalog or advertisements and
the number of hours attended by the student.

Sec. 30.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 141.271, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Schools not using written contracts Notice; amount.

(a) Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary, A private career school that does not use a written contract or
enrollment agreement shall refund all tuition, fees and other charges paid by a student
if the student gives written notice of cancellation within five business days after the day
on which the student is accepted by the private career school regardless of whether the
program has started.

(b) When a student has been accepted by the private career school and gives written
notice of cancellation following the fifth business day after the day of acceptance by the
private career school, but before the start of the program, in the case of resident private
career schools, or before the first lesson has been serviced by the private career school, in
the case of distance education schools, all tuition, fees and other charges, except 15 percent
of the total cost of the program but not to exceed $50, shall be refunded to the student.

Sec. 31.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 141.271, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5.

Distance education schools Proration.

When a student has been accepted
by a distance education private career school and gives written notice of cancellation after
the first lesson has been completed by the student and serviced by the school program of
instruction has begun, but before completion of 75 percent of the program, the amount
charged for tuition, fees and all other charges for the completed lessons shall be prorated
based on the number of days in the term as a portion of the total charges for tuition, fees
and all other charges. An additional 25 percent of the total cost of the program may be
added but shall not exceed $75 $100. After completion of 75 percent of the program,
no refunds are required.

Sec. 32.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 141.271, subdivision 7, is amended to read:

Subd. 7.

Equipment and supplies.

The fair market retail price, if separately stated
in the catalog and contract or enrollment agreement, of equipment or supplies furnished to
the student, which the student fails to return in condition suitable for resale, and which
may reasonably be resold, within ten business days following cancellation may be retained
by the private career school and may be deducted from the total cost for tuition, fees and
all other charges when computing refunds.

An overstatement of the fair market retail price of any equipment or supplies
furnished the student shall be considered inconsistent with this provision.

Sec. 33.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 141.271, subdivision 8, is amended to read:

Subd. 8.

Time of refund.

Each private career school shall acknowledge in writing
any valid notice of cancellation within ten business days after the receipt of such notice
and within 30 business days shall refund to the student any amounts due and arrange for
termination of the student's obligation to pay any sum in excess of that due under the
cancellation and refund policy.

Sec. 34.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 141.271, subdivision 9, is amended to read:

Subd. 9.

Limitation.

A private career school cannot make its refund policy
conditional upon compliance with the school's regulations or rules of conduct.

Sec. 35.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 141.271, subdivision 10, is amended to read:

Subd. 10.

Cancellation occurrence.

Written notice of cancellation shall take place
on the date the letter of cancellation is postmarked or, in the cases where the notice is hand
carried, it shall occur on the date the notice is delivered to the private career school. If
a student has not attended class for a period of 21 consecutive days without contacting
the private career school to indicate an intent to continue in school or otherwise making
arrangements concerning the absence, the student is considered to have withdrawn from
school for all purposes as of the student's last documented date of attendance.

Sec. 36.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 141.271, subdivision 12, is amended to read:

Subd. 12.

Instrument not to be negotiated.

A private career school shall not
negotiate any promissory instrument received as payment of tuition or other charge prior
to completion of 50 percent of the program, except that prior to that time, instruments may
be transferred by assignment to purchasers who shall be subject to all defenses available
against the private career school named as payee.

Sec. 37.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 141.271, subdivision 13, is amended to read:

Subd. 13.

Cancellation of enrollment.

If a student's enrollment in a private career
school is canceled for any reason, the private career school shall notify any agency known
to the private career school to be providing financial aid to the student of the cancellation
within 30 days.

Sec. 38.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 141.271, subdivision 14, is amended to read:

Subd. 14.

Closed private career school.

In the event a private career school closes
for any reason during a term and interrupts and terminates classes during that term, all
tuition for the term shall be refunded to the students or the appropriate state or federal
agency or private lender that provided any funding for the term and any outstanding
obligation of the student for the term is canceled.

Sec. 39.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 141.28, is amended to read:

141.28 PROHIBITIONS.

Subdivision 1.

Disclosure required; advertisement restricted.

Private career
schools, agents of private career schools, and solicitors may not advertise or represent
in writing or orally that the private career school is approved or accredited by the state
of Minnesota, except that any private career school, agent, or solicitor may represent in
advertisements and shall disclose in catalogues, applications, and enrollment materials
that the private career school is duly licensed by the state by prominently displaying
the following statement:

"(Name of private career school) is licensed as a private career school with the Minnesota
Office of Higher Education pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, sections 141.21 to 141.32.
Licensure is not an endorsement of the institution. Credits earned at the institution may
not transfer to all other institutions."

Subd. 2.

Unlawful designation.

No private career school organized after November
15, 1969, shall apply to itself either as a part of its name or in any other manner the
designation of "college" or "university." Operating private career schools now using
such designation may continue use thereof.

Subd. 3.

False statements.

A private career school, agent, or solicitor shall not
make, or cause to be made, any statement or representation, oral, written or visual, in
connection with the offering or publicizing of a program, if the private career school,
agent, or solicitor knows or reasonably should have known the statement or representation
to be false, fraudulent, deceptive, substantially inaccurate, or misleading.

Subd. 4.

Acceptance of contracts.

No private career school shall accept contracts,
enrollment agreements or enrollment applications from an agent or solicitor who does
not have a current permit.

Subd. 5.

Improbable program completion or employment.

A private career
school, agent, or solicitor shall not enroll a prospective student when it is obvious that the
prospective student is unlikely to successfully complete a program or is unlikely to qualify
for employment in the vocation or field for which the preparation is designed unless this
fact is affirmatively disclosed to the prospective student. If a prospective student expresses
a desire to enroll after such disclosure, a disclaimer may be obtained by the private career
school. The disclaimer shall be signed by the student and shall state substantially one or
both of the following: "I am fully aware that it is unlikely I will be able to successfully
complete the program" and "I am fully aware of the improbability or impossibility that I
will qualify for employment in the vocation or field for which the program was designed."

Subd. 6.

Financial aid payments.

(a) All private career schools must collect,
assess, and distribute funds received from loans or other financial aid as provided in
this subdivision.

(b) Student loans or other financial aid funds received from federal, state, or local
governments or administered in accordance with federal student financial assistance
programs under title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, United States
Code, title 20, chapter 28, must be collected and applied as provided by applicable federal,
state, or local law or regulation.

(c) Student loans or other financial aid assistance received from a bank, finance or
credit card company, or other private lender must be collected or disbursed as provided
in paragraphs (d) and (e).

(d) Loans or other financial aid payments for amounts greater than $3,000 must
be disbursed:

(1) in two equal disbursements, if the term length is more than four months. The
loan or payment amounts may be disbursed no earlier than the first day the student attends
class with the remainder to be disbursed halfway through the term; or

(2) in three equal disbursements, if the term length is more than six months. The
loan or payment amounts may be disbursed no earlier than the first day the student attends
class, one-third of the way through the term, and two-thirds of the way through the term.

(e) Loans or other financial aid payments for amounts less than $3,000 may be
disbursed as a single disbursement on the first day a student attends class, regardless
of term length.

(f) No private career school may enter into a contract or agreement with, or receive
any money from, a bank, finance or credit card company, or other private lender, unless
the private lender follows the requirements for disbursements provided in paragraphs
(d) and (e).

(g) No school may withhold an official transcript for arrears or default on any loan
made by the school to a student if the loan qualifies as an institutional loan under United
States Code, title 11, section 523(a)(8)(b).

Sec. 40.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 141.29, is amended to read:

141.29 REVOCATION OF LICENSE OR PERMIT.

Subdivision 1.

Grounds.

The office may, after notice and upon providing an
opportunity for a hearing, under chapter 14 if requested by the parties adversely affected,
refuse to issue, refuse to renew, revoke, or suspend a license or solicitor's permit for any
of the following grounds:

(1) violation of any provisions of sections 141.21 to 141.35 or any rule adopted
by the office;

(2) furnishing to the office false, misleading, or incomplete information;

(3) presenting to prospective students information relating to the private career
school that is false, fraudulent, deceptive, substantially inaccurate, or misleading;

(4) refusal to allow reasonable inspection or supply reasonable information after
written request by the office;

(5) the existence of any circumstance that would be grounds for the refusal of an
initial or renewal license under section 141.25.

Subd. 2.

Appeal.

Any order refusing, revoking, or suspending a private career
school's license or a solicitor's permit is appealable in accordance with chapter 14. Where
a private career school has been operating and its license has been revoked, suspended, or
refused by the office, the order is not effective until the final determination of the appeal
unless immediate effect is ordered by the court.

Subd. 3.

Powers and duties.

The office shall have (in addition to the powers and
duties now vested therein by law) the following powers and duties:

(a) To negotiate and enter into interstate reciprocity agreements with similar agencies
in other states, if in the judgment of the office such agreements are or will be helpful in
effectuating the purposes of Laws 1973, chapter 714;

(b) To grant conditional private career school license for periods of less than one
year if in the judgment of the office correctable deficiencies exist at the time of application
and when refusal to issue private career school license would adversely affect currently
enrolled students;

(c) The office may upon its own motion, and shall upon the verified complaint
in writing of any person setting forth fact which, if proved, would constitute grounds
for refusal or revocation under Laws 1973, chapter 714, investigate the actions of any
applicant or any person or persons holding or claiming to hold a license or permit.
However, before proceeding to a hearing on the question of whether a license or permit
shall be refused, revoked or suspended for any cause enumerated in subdivision 1, the
office shall grant a reasonable time to the holder of or applicant for a license or permit to
correct the situation. If within such time the situation is corrected and the private career
school is in compliance with the provisions of this chapter, no further action leading to
refusal, revocation, or suspension shall be taken.

Sec. 41.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 141.30, is amended to read:

141.30 INSPECTION.

(a) The office or a delegate may inspect the instructional books and records,
classrooms, dormitories, tools, equipment and classes of any private career school or
applicant for license at any reasonable time. The office may require the submission of a
certified public audit, or if there is no such audit available the office or a delegate may
inspect the financial books and records of the private career school. In no event shall such
financial information be used by the office to regulate or set the tuition or fees charged by
the private career school.

(b) Data obtained from an inspection of the financial records of a private career
school or submitted to the office as part of a license application or renewal are nonpublic
data as defined in section 13.02, subdivision 9. Data obtained from inspections may be
disclosed to other members of the office, to law enforcement officials, or in connection
with a legal or administrative proceeding commenced to enforce a requirement of law.

Sec. 42.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 141.32, is amended to read:

141.32 PENALTY.

The commissioner may assess fines for violations of a provision of this chapter
sections 141.21 to 141.37. Each day's failure to comply with this chapter sections 141.21
to 141.37 shall be a separate violation and fines shall not exceed $500 per day per
violation. Amounts received under this section must be deposited in the special revenue
fund and are appropriated to the office of Higher Education for the purposes of this
chapter sections 141.21 to 141.37.

Sec. 43.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 141.35, is amended to read:

141.35 EXEMPTIONS.

Sections 141.21 to 141.32 shall not apply to the following:

(1) public postsecondary institutions;

(2) postsecondary institutions registered under sections 136A.61 to 136A.71;

(3) private career schools of nursing accredited by the state Board of Nursing or an
equivalent public board of another state or foreign country;

(4) private schools complying with the requirements of section 120A.22, subdivision
4;

(5) courses taught to students in a valid apprenticeship program taught by or
required by a trade union;

(6) private career schools exclusively engaged in training physically or mentally
disabled persons for the state of Minnesota;

(7) private career schools licensed by boards authorized under Minnesota law to
issue licenses except private career schools required to obtain a private career school
license due to the use of "academy," "institute," "college," or "university" in their names;

(8) private career schools and educational programs, or training programs, contracted
for by persons, firms, corporations, government agencies, or associations, for the training
of their own employees, for which no fee is charged the employee;

(9) private career schools engaged exclusively in the teaching of purely avocational,
recreational, or remedial subjects as determined by the office except private career schools
required to obtain a private career school license due to the use of "academy," "institute,"
"college," or "university" in their names unless the school used "academy" or "institute" in
its name prior to August 1, 2008;

(10) classes, courses, or programs conducted by a bona fide trade, professional, or
fraternal organization, solely for that organization's membership;

(11) programs in the fine arts provided by organizations exempt from taxation
under section 290.05 and registered with the attorney general under chapter 309. For
the purposes of this clause, "fine arts" means activities resulting in artistic creation or
artistic performance of works of the imagination which are engaged in for the primary
purpose of creative expression rather than commercial sale or employment. In making
this determination the office may seek the advice and recommendation of the Minnesota
Board of the Arts;

(12) classes, courses, or programs intended to fulfill the continuing education
requirements for licensure or certification in a profession, that have been approved by a
legislatively or judicially established board or agency responsible for regulating the practice
of the profession, and that are offered exclusively to an individual practicing the profession;

(13) classes, courses, or programs intended to prepare students to sit for
undergraduate, graduate, postgraduate, or occupational licensing and occupational
entrance examinations;

(14) classes, courses, or programs providing 16 or fewer clock hours of instruction
that are not part of the curriculum for an occupation or entry level employment except
private career schools required to obtain a private career school license due to the use of
"academy," "institute," "college," or "university" in their names;

(15) classes, courses, or programs providing instruction in personal development,
modeling, or acting;

(16) training or instructional programs, in which one instructor teaches an individual
student, that are not part of the curriculum for an occupation or are not intended to prepare
a person for entry level employment;

(17) private career schools with no physical presence in Minnesota, as determined
by the office, engaged exclusively in offering distance instruction that are located in and
regulated by other states or jurisdictions; and

(18) private career schools providing exclusively training, instructional programs,
or courses where tuition, fees, and any other charges for a student to participate do not
exceed $100.

Sec. 44.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 197.75, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Definitions.

(a) The definitions in this subdivision apply to this
section.

(b) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of veterans affairs.

(c) "Deceased veteran" means a veteran who has died as a result of the person's
military service, as determined by the United States Veterans Administration, and who
was a resident of this state: (1) within six months of entering the United States armed
forces, or (2) for the six months preceding the veteran's date of death.

(d) "Eligible child" means a person who:

(1) is the natural or adopted child or stepchild of a deceased veteran; and

(2) is a student making satisfactory academic progress at an eligible institution
of higher education.

(e) "Eligible institution" means a postsecondary educational institution located in
this state that either (1) is operated by this state or the Board of Regents of the University
of Minnesota, or (2) is operated publicly or privately and, as determined by the office,
maintains academic standards substantially equivalent to those of comparable institutions
operated in this state is licensed or registered with the Office of Higher Education.

(f) "Eligible spouse" means the surviving spouse of a deceased veteran.

(g) "Eligible veteran" means a veteran who:

(1) is a student making satisfactory academic progress at an eligible institution
of higher education;

(2) had Minnesota as the person's state of residence at the time of the person's
enlistment or any reenlistment into the United States armed forces, as shown by the
person's federal form DD-214 or other official documentation to the satisfaction of the
commissioner;

(3) except for benefits under this section, has no remaining military or veteran-related
educational assistance benefits for which the person may have been entitled; and

(4) while using the educational assistance authorized in this section, remains a
resident student as defined in section 136A.101, subdivision 8.

(h) "Satisfactory academic progress" has the meaning given in section 136A.101,
subdivision 10.

(i) "Student" has the meaning given in section 136A.101, subdivision 7.

(j) "Veteran" has the meaning given in section 197.447.

Sec. 45.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 261.23, is amended to read:

261.23 COSTS OF HOSPITALIZATION.

The costs of hospitalization of such indigent persons exclusive of medical and
surgical care and treatment shall not exceed in amount the full rates fixed and charged
by the Minnesota general hospital under the provisions of sections 158.01 to 158.11 for
the hospitalization of such indigent patients. For indigent persons hospitalized pursuant
to sections 261.21 to 261.232, the state shall pay 90 percent of the cost allowable under
the general assistance medical care program and ten percent of the allowable cost of
hospitalization shall be paid by the county of the residence of the indigent persons at
the times provided for in the contract; and in case of an injury or emergency requiring
immediate surgical or medical treatment, for a period not to exceed 72 hours, 90 percent
of the cost allowable under the general assistance medical care program shall be paid by
the state and ten percent of the cost shall be paid by the county from which the patient, if
indigent, is certified. State payments for services rendered pursuant to this section shall
be ratably reduced to the same extent and during the same time period as payments are
reduced under section 256D.03, subdivision 4, paragraph (c). If the county of residence
of the patient is not the county in which the patient has legal settlement for the purposes
of poor relief, then the county of residence may seek reimbursement from the county
in which the patient has settlement for the purposes of poor relief for all costs it has
necessarily incurred and paid in connection with the hospitalization of said patient.

Sec. 46. REVISOR'S INSTRUCTION.

(a) The revisor of statutes shall renumber the provisions of Minnesota Statutes
listed in Column A to the references listed in Column B. The revisor shall also make
necessary cross-reference, grammatical, or terminology changes in Minnesota Statutes and
Minnesota Rules consistent with the renumbering, including changing the word "school"
to "private career school" wherever the word appears in sections 141.20 to 141.37.

	Column A	Column B
	141.20	136A.82
	141.21	136A.821
	141.25	136A.822
	141.251	136A.823
	141.255	136A.824
	141.26	136A.825
	141.265	136A.826
	141.271	136A.827
	141.28	136A.828
	141.29	136A.829
	141.30	136A.83
	141.31	136A.831
	141.32	136A.832
	141.35	136A.833
	141.37	136A.834

(b) The revisor of statutes shall make any necessary cross-reference change in
Minnesota Statutes or Minnesota Rules resulting from repealers in this act.

Sec. 47. REPEALER.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, sections 136A.127, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 9b,
10, 10a, 11, and 14; 136A.862; 141.271, subdivisions 4 and 6; 158.01; 158.02; 158.03;
158.04; 158.05; 158.06; 158.07; 158.08; 158.09; 158.091; 158.10; 158.11; and 158.12, are
repealed.

ARTICLE 3

HIGHER EDUCATION POLICY

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 5.41, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Report.

(a) A postsecondary institution must file by November 1 of each
year a report on its programs with the secretary of state. The report must contain the
following information from the previous academic year, including summer terms:

(1) deaths of program participants that occurred during program participation as a
result of program participation; and

(2) accidents and illnesses that occurred during program participation as a result of
program participation and that required hospitalization; and

(3) country, primary program host, and program type for all incidents reported in
clauses (1) and (2).

For purposes of this paragraph, "primary program host" is the institution or
organization responsible for or in control of the majority of decisions being made on
the program including, but not limited to, student housing, local transportation, and
emergency response and support.

Information reported under clause (1) may be supplemented by a brief explanatory
statement.

(b) A postsecondary institution must request, but not mandate, hospitalization and
incident disclosure from students upon completion of the program.

(c) A postsecondary institution must report to the secretary of state annually by
November 1 whether its program complies with health and safety standards set by the
Forum on Education Abroad or a similar study abroad program standard setting agency.

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 5.41, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Secretary of state; publication of program information.

(a) The secretary
of state must publish the reports required by subdivision 2 on its Web site in a format that
facilitates identifying information related to a particular postsecondary institution.

(b) The secretary of state shall publish on its Web site the best available information
by country links to the United States Department of State's Consular Information Program
which informs the public of conditions abroad that may affect their safety and security. The
secretary of state shall also publish links to the publicly available reports on sexual assaults
and other criminal acts affecting study abroad program participants during program
participation. This information shall not be limited to programs subject to this section.

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 124D.09, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:

Subd. 10a.

Concurrent enrollment participant survey.

(a) Postsecondary
institutions offering courses taught by the secondary teacher according to subdivision
10, and are members in the National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships
(NACEP), must report all required NACEP evaluative survey results by September 1 of
each year to the commissioners of the Office of Higher Education and the Department of
Education. The commissioners must report by December 1 of each year to the committees
of the legislature having jurisdiction over early education through grade 12 education.

(b) Postsecondary institutions that have not adopted and implemented the NACEP
program standards and required evidence for accreditation, are required to conduct an
annual survey of concurrent enrolled students who successfully completed the course
who are one year out of high school, beginning with the high school graduating class
of 2016. By September 1 of each year, the postsecondary institutions must report the
evaluative survey results to the commissioners of the Office of Higher Education and the
Department of Education. The commissioner must report by December 1 of each year to
the committees of the legislature having jurisdiction over early education through grade
12 education. The survey must include, at a minimum, the following student information:

(1) the participant's future education plans, including the highest degree or
certification planned;

(2) whether the participant is enrolled or plans to enroll in a Minnesota postsecondary
institution, either public or private;

(3) the number of credits accepted or denied by postsecondary institutions;

(4) the college or university attended;

(5) the participant's satisfaction level with the concurrent enrollment program;

(6) the participant's demographics, such as gender, parent education level,
qualification for free or reduced-price lunch in high school, Pell grant qualification and
ethnicity; and

(7) a place for participants to provide comments.

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 124D.09, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:

Subd. 10b.

Concurrent Enrollment Advisory Board; membership; duties.

(a)
A postsecondary institution offering courses taught by the secondary teacher according
to subdivision 10, must establish an advisory board. The purpose of the advisory board
is to engage stakeholders in concurrent enrollment decisions. The duties of the board
must include the following:

(1) providing strategic advice and input relating to concurrent enrollment issues;

(2) recommend and review proposals for concurrent enrollment course offerings;

(3) serve as a coordinating entity between secondary education and postsecondary
institutions; and

(4) increase the understanding and collaboration among concurrent enrollment
partners, stakeholders, the legislature, and the public.

(b) The advisory board at each institution must consist of 16 members in addition to
a concurrent enrollment faculty coordinator who shall serve as the chair and convene the
meetings. A postsecondary institution may elect to have an advisory board of less than 16
members if the institution determines that the extent of its concurrent program warrants
a smaller board. Except for the original members, advisory board members must serve
three-year staggered terms. Advisory board members, appointed by the postsecondary
institution, must be balanced based on geography, school size, and include, if practical,
representatives from the following:

(1) postsecondary faculty members;

(2) school superintendents;

(3) high school principals;

(4) concurrent enrollment teachers;

(5) high school counselors;

(6) charter school administrators;

(7) school board members;

(8) secondary academic administrators;

(9) parents; and

(10) other local organizations.

(c) Members of the board serve without compensation.

(d) The board shall report to the postsecondary institution periodically as requested
by the postsecondary institution to provide advice and proposals described in paragraph (a).

(e) The postsecondary institution shall provide administrative services and meeting
space for the board to do its work.

(f) A board established under this section expires when the postsecondary institution
no longer offers concurrent enrollment course offerings.

(g) The postsecondary institution shall appoint the first members to the advisory
board by October 31, 2015, or by October 15 following the year it establishes a concurrent
enrollment program. The postsecondary institution shall designate the terms of the first
members so that an approximately equal number serve terms of two, three, and four years.

Sec. 5.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 124D.091, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Accreditation.

To establish a uniform standard by which
concurrent enrollment courses and professional development activities may be measured,
postsecondary institutions are encouraged to apply for accreditation by must adopt and
implement the National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnership Partnership's
program standards and required evidence for accreditation by the 2020-2021 school year
and later.

Sec. 6.

[135A.012] HIGHER EDUCATION ATTAINMENT GOAL.

Subdivision 1.

Purpose.

This section sets a goal for postsecondary education
attainment for Minnesota residents.

Subd. 2.

Postsecondary credentials.

The number of Minnesota residents ages 25
to 44 years, who hold postsecondary degrees or certificates, should be increased to at
least 70 percent by 2025.

Subd. 3.

Rights not created.

The attainment goal in this section is not to the
exclusion of any other goals and does not confer a right or create a claim for any person.

Subd. 4.

Data development and analyses.

The Office of Higher Education shall
work with the state demographer's office to measure progress towards the attainment of
the goal specified in subdivision 2. The United States Census Bureau data shall be used to
calculate the number of individuals in the state who hold a postsecondary degree. The
Office of Higher Education, demographer's office, and the Department of Employment
and Economic Development shall develop a methodology to estimate the number of
individuals that hold a certificate awarded by a postsecondary institution as their highest
educational credential using data available at the time that the analysis is completed.

Subd. 5.

Reporting.

(a) Beginning in 2016 and every year thereafter, the Office of
Higher Education, in collaboration with the state demographer's office, shall, by October
15, report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with
primary jurisdiction over higher education policy and finance on the progress towards
meeting or exceeding the goal of this section.

(b) Meeting and maintaining the goal of 70 percent of Minnesota residents ages 25
to 44 years, holding a postsecondary degree or certificate will likely be difficult without
achieving attainment rates that are comparable across all race and ethnicity groups. The
Office of Higher Education shall utilize benchmarks of 30 percent or higher and 50 percent
or higher to report progress by race and ethnicity groups toward meeting the educational
attainment rate goal of 70 percent.

Sec. 7.

[136A.091] SUMMER ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT PROGRAM.

Subdivision 1.

Establishment.

The summer academic enrichment program is
established to enable elementary and secondary students to attend academic summer
programs sponsored by postsecondary institutions and nonprofit organizations.

Subd. 2.

Eligibility.

To be eligible for a program stipend, a student shall:

(1) be a resident of Minnesota;

(2) attend an eligible office-approved program;

(3) be in grades 3 through 12, but not have completed high school;

(4) meet income requirements for free or reduced-price school meals; and

(5) be 19 years of age or younger.

Subd. 3.

Financial need.

Need for financial assistance is based on student
eligibility for free or reduced-price school meals. Student eligibility shall be verified by
sponsors of approved academic programs. The office shall award stipends for students
within the limits of available appropriations for this section. If the amount appropriated
is insufficient, the office shall allocate the available appropriation in the manner it
determines. A stipend must not exceed $1,000 per student.

Subd. 4.

Eligible program sponsors.

(a) A program stipend may be used only at an
eligible sponsor that is a postsecondary institution or nonprofit educational organization.
A Minnesota public postsecondary institution is an eligible program sponsor. A private
postsecondary institution is an eligible program sponsor if it:

(1) is accredited by an agency recognized by the United States Department of
Education for purposes of eligibility to participate in title IV federal financial aid programs;

(2) offers an associate or baccalaureate degree program approved under sections
136A.61 to 136A.71; and

(3) is located in Minnesota.

(b) A nonprofit educational organization is an eligible program sponsor if it:

(1) is incorporated;

(2) has had favorable financial performance with federal or state funds; and

(3) has not had significant audit findings.

Subd. 5.

Eligible programs.

A program stipend may be used only for an eligible
program. To be eligible, a program must:

(1) provide, as its primary purpose, academic instruction for student enrichment in
core curricular areas of English and language arts, humanities, social studies, science,
mathematics, fine arts, performing arts, and world languages and culture;

(2) not be offered for credit to postsecondary students;

(3) not provide remedial instruction;

(4) meet any other program requirements established by the office; and

(5) be approved by the commissioner.

Subd. 6.

Information.

The office shall assemble and distribute information about
eligible student participants, program stipends, and eligible programs.

Subd. 7.

Administration.

The office shall determine the time and manner of
program applications, program approval, stipend applications, and final awards.

Subd. 8.

Program evaluation.

Each program sponsor must annually submit a
report to the office stating its program goals, activities, and stipend recipient eligibility and
demographic information.

Subd. 9.

Report.

Annually, the office shall submit a report to the legislative
committees with jurisdiction over higher education finance regarding the program
providers, stipend recipients, and program activities. The report shall include information
about the students served, the organizations providing services, program goals and
outcomes, and student outcomes.

EFFECTIVE DATE.

Subdivision 9 is effective January 1, 2016.

Sec. 8.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 136A.101, subdivision 8, is amended to read:

Subd. 8.

Resident student.

"Resident student" means a student who meets one of
the following conditions:

(1) a student who has resided in Minnesota for purposes other than postsecondary
education for at least 12 months without being enrolled at a postsecondary educational
institution for more than five credits in any term;

(2) a dependent student whose parent or legal guardian resides in Minnesota at the
time the student applies;

(3) a student who graduated from a Minnesota high school, if the student was a
resident of Minnesota during the student's period of attendance at the Minnesota high school
and the student is physically attending a Minnesota postsecondary educational institution;

(4) a student who, after residing in the state for a minimum of one year, earned a
high school equivalency certificate in Minnesota;

(5) a member, spouse, or dependent of a member of the armed forces of the United
States stationed in Minnesota on active federal military service as defined in section
190.05, subdivision 5c;

(6) a spouse or dependent of a veteran, as defined in section 197.447, if the veteran
is a Minnesota resident;

(7) a person or spouse of a person who relocated to Minnesota from an area that
is declared a presidential disaster area within the preceding 12 months if the disaster
interrupted the person's postsecondary education;

(8) a person defined as a refugee under United States Code, title 8, section
1101(a)(42), who, upon arrival in the United States, moved to Minnesota and has
continued to reside in Minnesota; or

(9) a student eligible for resident tuition under section 135A.043.; or

(10) an active member, or a spouse or dependent of that member, of the state's
National Guard who resides in Minnesota or an active member, or a spouse or dependent
of that member, of the reserve component of the United States armed forces whose duty
station is located in Minnesota and who resides in Minnesota.

Sec. 9.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 136A.121, subdivision 20, is amended to read:

Subd. 20.

Institution reporting.

(a) Each institution receiving financial aid under
this section must annually report by December 31 to the office the following for its
undergraduate programs each award level:

(1) enrollment, persistence, and graduation data for all students, including aggregate
subgroup information on state and federal Pell grant recipients; and

(2) the job placement rate and salary and wage information for graduates of each
program that is either designed or advertised to lead to a particular type of job or advertised
or promoted with a claim regarding job placement, as is practicable; and

(3) the student debt-to-earnings ratio aggregate awarded financial aid information for
all students, and cumulative debt of all graduates by race and ethnicity, gender, and income.

(b) Using the data submitted to the office by institutions pursuant to paragraph (a),
as well as other data available to the office, the office shall provide the following on its
Internet Web site by placing a prominent link on its Web site home page:

(1) the information submitted by an institution pursuant including, but not limited to,
persistence and completion, debt of graduates, employment and wage information, and
other relevant data for each institution subject to paragraph (a), which shall be made
available in a searchable database; and

(2) other information and links that are useful to students and parents who are in
the process of selecting a college or university. This information may include, but is
not limited to, local occupational profiles.

(c) The office shall provide a standard format and instructions for institutions
supplying the information required under paragraph (a).

(d) The office shall provide an electronic copy of the information provided on its
Internet Web site under paragraph (b) to each public and private high school in the state
and each workforce center operated by the Department of Employment and Economic
Development. The copy must contain information formatted by institution so that
comparison can be easily made between institutions. High schools are encouraged to make
the information available to students, including through individual counseling sessions
with students. Workforce centers shall make the information available to job seekers,
those seeking career counseling, and others as determined by the centers.

Sec. 10.

[136A.1791] TEACHER SHORTAGE LOAN FORGIVENESS
PROGRAM.

Subdivision 1.

Definitions.

(a) The terms used in this section have the meanings
given them in this subdivision.

(b) "Qualified educational loan" means a government, commercial, or foundation
loan for actual costs paid for tuition and reasonable educational and living expenses
related to a teacher's preparation or further education.

(c) "School district" means an independent school district, special school district,
intermediate district, education district, special education cooperative, service cooperative,
a cooperative center for vocational education, or a charter school located in Minnesota.

(d) "Teacher" means an individual holding a teaching license issued by the licensing
division in the Department of Education on behalf of the Board of Teaching who is
employed by a school district to provide classroom instruction in a teacher shortage area.

(e) "Teacher shortage area" means the licensure fields and economic development
regions reported by the commissioner of education as experiencing a teacher shortage.

(f) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of the Office of Higher Education
unless indicated otherwise.

Subd. 2.

Program established; administration.

The commissioner shall establish
and administer a teacher shortage loan forgiveness program. A teacher is eligible for the
program if the teacher is teaching in a licensure field and in an economic development
region with an identified teacher shortage under subdivision 3 and complies with the
requirements of this section.

Subd. 3.

Use of report on teacher shortage areas.

The commissioner of education
shall use the teacher supply and demand report to the legislature to identify the licensure
fields and economic development regions in Minnesota experiencing a teacher shortage.

Subd. 4.

Application for loan forgiveness.

Each applicant for loan forgiveness,
according to rules adopted by the commissioner, shall:

(1) apply for teacher shortage loan forgiveness and promptly submit any additional
information required by the commissioner;

(2) annually reapply for up to five consecutive school years and submit information
the commissioner requires to determine the applicant's continued eligibility for loan
forgiveness; and

(3) submit to the commissioner a completed affidavit, prescribed by the
commissioner, affirming the teacher is teaching in a licensure field and in an economic
development region identified by the commissioner as experiencing a teacher shortage.

Subd. 5.

Amount of loan forgiveness.

(a) To the extent funding is available, the
annual amount of teacher shortage loan forgiveness for an approved applicant shall not
exceed $1,000 or the cumulative balance of the applicant's qualified educational loans,
including principal and interest, whichever amount is less.

(b) Recipients must secure their own qualified educational loans. Teachers who
graduate from an approved teacher preparation program or teachers who add a licensure
field, consistent with the teacher shortage requirements of this section, are eligible to
apply for the loan forgiveness program.

Subd. 6.

Disbursement.

(a) The commissioner must make annual disbursements
directly to the participant of the amount for which a participant is eligible, for each year
that a participant is eligible.

(b) Within 60 days of receipt of a disbursement, the participant must provide the
commissioner with verification that the full amount of loan repayment disbursement has
been applied toward the designated loans. A participant that previously received funds
under this section but has not provided the commissioner with such verification is not
eligible to receive additional funds.

Subd. 7.

Penalties.

(a) A teacher who submits a false or misleading application or
other false or misleading information to the commissioner may:

(1) have his or her teaching license suspended or revoked under section 122A.20;

(2) be disciplined by the teacher's employing school district; or

(3) be required by the commissioner to repay the total amount of the loan forgiveness
he or she received under this program, plus interest at a rate established under section
270C.40.

(b) The commissioner must deposit any repayments received under paragraph (a)
in the fund established in subdivision 8.

Subd. 8.

Fund established.

A teacher shortage loan forgiveness repayment fund
is created for depositing money appropriated to or received by the commissioner for the
program. Money deposited in the fund shall not revert to any state fund at the end of
any fiscal year but remains in the loan forgiveness repayment fund and is continuously
available for loan forgiveness under this section.

Subd. 9.

Annual reporting.

By February 1 of each year, the commissioner must
report to the chairs of the K-12 and higher education committees of the legislature on the
number of individuals who received loan forgiveness under this section, the licensure
areas and economic development regions in which the teachers taught, the average amount
paid to a teacher participating in the program, and other summary data identified by the
commissioner as outcome indicators.

Subd. 10.

Rulemaking.

The commissioner shall adopt rules under chapter 14 to
administer this section.

Sec. 11.

[136A.246] DUAL TRAINING COMPETENCY GRANTS.

Subdivision 1.

Program created.

The commissioner shall make grants for the
training of employees to achieve the competency standard for an occupation identified by
the commissioner of labor and industry under section 175.45 and Laws 2014, chapter 312,
article 3, section 21. "Competency standard" has the meaning given in section 175.45,
subdivision 2.

Subd. 2.

Eligible grantees.

An employer or an organization representing the
employer is eligible to apply for a grant to train employees if the employer has an
employee who is in or is to be trained to be in an occupation for which a competency
standard has been identified and the employee has not attained the competency standard
prior to the commencement of the planned training. Training need not address all aspects
of a competency standard but may address only the competencies of a standard that an
employee is lacking. Employees who have previously received a grant under this program
are not eligible to receive another grant.

Subd. 3.

Training institution or program.

Prior to applying for a grant, the
employer must have an agreement with a training institution or program to provide the
employee competency standard training. The training may be provided by any institution
or program having trainers qualified to instruct on the competency standard.

Subd. 4.

Application.

Applications must be made to the commissioner on a form
provided by the commissioner. The commissioner must, to the extent possible, make
the application form as short and simple to complete as is reasonably possible. The
commissioner shall establish a schedule for applications and grants. The application
must include, without limitation:

(1) the projected number of employee trainees;

(2) the competency standard for which training will be provided;

(3) any credential the employee will receive upon completion of training;

(4) the name and address of the training institution or program and a signed
statement by the institution or program that it is able and agrees to provide the training;

(5) the period of the training; and

(6) the cost of the training charged by the training institution or program and certified
by the institution or program.

An application may be made for training of employees of multiple employers either
by the employers or by an organization on their behalf.

Subd. 5.

Grant criteria.

The commissioner shall, to the extent there are sufficient
applications, make at least an equal dollar amount of grants for training for employees
whose work site is projected to be outside the metropolitan area as defined in section
473.121, subdivision 2, as for employees whose work site is projected to be within the
metropolitan area. In determining the award of grants, the commissioner must consider,
among other factors:

(1) the aggregate state and regional need for employees with the competency to
be trained;

(2) the competency standards developed by the commissioner of labor and industry
as part of the Minnesota PIPELINE Project;

(3) the per employee cost of training;

(4) the additional employment opportunities for employees because of the training;

(5) projected increases in compensation for employees receiving the training; and

(6) the amount of employer training cost match, if required, on both a per employee
and aggregate basis.

Subd. 6.

Employer match.

A large employer must pay for at least 25 percent of
the training institution's or program's charge for the training to the training institution or
program. For the purpose of this subdivision, a "large employer" means a business with
more than $25,000,000 in annual revenue in the previous calendar year.

Subd. 7.

Payment of grant.

The commissioner shall make grant payments to the
training institution or program in a manner determined by the commissioner after receiving
notice from the institution or program that the employer has paid the employer match.

Subd. 8.

Grant amounts.

The maximum grant for an application is $150,000. The
maximum cost of training payable by the grant may not exceed $6,000 per employee.

A grant for a particular employee must be reduced by the amounts of any federal
Pell grant received, or state grant the employee is eligible to receive for the training and an
employee must apply for those grants as a condition of payment for training that employee
under this section.

Subd. 9.

Reporting.

Commencing in 2017, the commissioner shall annually by
February 1 report on the activity of the grant program for the preceding fiscal year to the
chairs of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over workforce policy and finance.
At a minimum, the report must include:

(1) research and analysis on the costs and benefits of the grants for employees and
employers;

(2) the number of employees who commenced training and the number who
completed training; and

(3) recommendations, if any, for changes to the program.

Sec. 12.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 136A.861, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Grants.

(a) The commissioner shall award grants to foster
postsecondary attendance and retention by providing outreach services to historically
underserved students in grades six through 12 and historically underrepresented college
students. Grants must be awarded to programs that provide precollege services, including,
but not limited to:

(1) academic counseling;

(2) mentoring;

(3) fostering and improving parental involvement in planning for and facilitating a
college education;

(4) services for students with English as a second language;

(5) academic enrichment activities;

(6) tutoring;

(7) career awareness and exploration;

(8) orientation to college life;

(9) assistance with high school course selection and information about college
admission requirements; and

(10) financial aid counseling.

(b) To the extent there are sufficient applications, the commissioner shall award
an approximate equal amount of grants for program-eligible students who are from
communities located outside the metropolitan area, as defined in section 473.121,
subdivision 2, as for students from communities within the metropolitan area. If necessary
to achieve the approximately equal metropolitan area and nonmetropolitan area allocation,
the commissioner may award a preference to a nonmetropolitan area application in the
form of five points on a one hundred point application review scale.

(b) (c) Grants shall be awarded to postsecondary institutions, professional
organizations, community-based organizations, or others deemed appropriate by the
commissioner.

(c) (d) Grants shall be awarded for one year and may be renewed for a second year
with documentation to the office of successful program outcomes.

Sec. 13.

[136A.901] SPINAL CORD INJURY AND TRAUMATIC BRAIN
INJURY RESEARCH GRANT PROGRAM.

Subdivision 1.

Grant program.

The commissioner shall establish a grant program
to award grants to institutions in Minnesota for research into spinal cord injuries and
traumatic brain injuries. Grants shall be awarded to conduct research into new and
innovative treatments and rehabilitative efforts for the functional improvement of people
with spinal cord and traumatic brain injuries. Research topics may include, but are not
limited to, pharmaceutical, medical device, brain stimulus, and rehabilitative approaches
and techniques. The commissioner, in consultation with the advisory council established
under section 136A.902, shall award 50 percent of the grant funds for research involving
spinal cord injuries and 50 percent to research involving traumatic brain injuries. In
addition to the amounts appropriated by law, the commissioner may accept additional
funds from private and public sources. Amounts received from these sources are
appropriated to the commissioner for the purposes of issuing grants under this section.

Subd. 2.

Report.

By January 15, 2016, and each January 15 thereafter, the
commissioner shall submit a report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the
senate and house of representatives committees having jurisdiction over the Office of
Higher Education, specifying the institutions receiving grants under this section and the
purposes for which the grant funds were used.

Sec. 14.

[136A.902] SPINAL CORD AND TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY
ADVISORY COUNCIL.

Subdivision 1.

Membership.

The commissioner shall appoint a 12-member
advisory council consisting of:

(1) one member representing the University of Minnesota Medical School;

(2) one member representing the Mayo Medical School;

(3) one member representing the Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Center;

(4) one member representing Hennepin County Medical Center;

(5) one member who is a neurosurgeon;

(6) one member who has a spinal cord injury;

(7) one member who is a family member of a person with a spinal cord injury;

(8) one member who has a traumatic brain injury;

(9) one member who is a veteran who has a spinal cord injury or a traumatic brain
injury;

(10) one member who is a family member of a person with a traumatic brain injury;

(11) one member who is a physician specializing in the treatment of spinal cord
injury representing Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare; and

(12) one member who is a physician specializing in the treatment of traumatic
brain injury.

Subd. 2.

Organization.

The advisory council shall be organized and administered
under section 15.059, except that subdivision 2 shall not apply. Except as provided in
subdivision 4, the commissioner shall appoint council members to two-year terms and
appoint one member as chair. The advisory council does not expire.

Subd. 3.

First appointments and first meeting.

The commissioner shall appoint
the first members of the council by September 1, 2015. The chair shall convene the first
meeting by November 1, 2015.

Subd. 4.

Terms of initial council members.

The commissioner shall designate six
of the initial council members to serve one-year terms and six to serve two-year terms.

Subd. 5.

Conflict of interest.

Council members must disclose in a written statement
any financial interest in any organization that the council recommends to receive a grant.
The written statement must accompany the grant recommendations and must explain the
nature of the conflict. The council is not subject to policies developed by the commissioner
of administration under section 16B.98.

Subd. 6.

Duties.

The advisory council shall:

(1) develop criteria for evaluating and awarding the research grants under section
136A.901;

(2) review research proposals and make recommendations by January 15 of each
year to the commissioner for purposes of awarding grants under section 136A.901; and

(3) perform other duties as authorized by the commissioner.

Sec. 15.

[136F.302] REGULATING THE ASSIGNMENT OF STUDENTS TO
REMEDIAL COURSES.

Subdivision 1.

ACT college ready score.

A state college or university may not
require an individual to take a remedial, noncredit course in a subject area if the individual
has received a college ready ACT score in that subject area.

Subd. 2.

Testing process for determining if remediating is necessary.

A college
or university testing process used to determine whether an individual is placed in a
remedial, noncredit course must comply with this subdivision. Prior to taking a test, an
individual must be given reasonable time and opportunity to review materials provided by
the college or university covering the material to be tested which must include a sample
test. An individual who is required to take a remedial, noncredit course as a result of a
test given by a college or university must be given an opportunity to retake the test at the
earliest time determined by the individual when testing is otherwise offered. The college
or university must provide an individual with study materials for the purpose of retaking
and passing the test.

Sec. 16.

[136F.303] DEGREE AND CERTIFICATE COMPLETION; REPORT.

Beginning in 2018, the board shall annually by January 15, report to the chairs
and ranking minority members of the legislature with primary jurisdiction over higher
education finance on its activities and achievements related to the goal of improving
timely completion of degrees and certificates. The report must, at a minimum, include
for the previous academic year:

(1) the percent of students placed in remedial education;

(2) the percent of students who complete remediation within one academic year;

(3) the percent of students that complete college-level gateway courses in one
academic year;

(4) the percent of students who complete 30 semester credits per academic year;

(5) the student retention rate;

(6) time to complete a degree or certificate; and

(7) credits earned by those completing a degree or certificate or other program.

The report must disaggregate data for each college and university by race, ethnicity, Pell
Grant eligibility, and age and provide aggregate data.

Sec. 17.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 137.54, is amended to read:

137.54 CONDITIONS FOR PAYMENT TO UNIVERSITY.

(a) Before the commissioner may make the first payment to the board authorized in
this section, the commissioner must certify that the board has received at least $110,750,000
in pledges, gifts, sponsorships, and other nonstate general fund revenue support for the
construction of the stadium. On July 1 of each year after certification by the commissioner,
but no earlier than July 1, 2007, and for so long thereafter as any bonds issued by the board
for the construction of the stadium are outstanding, the state must transfer to the board up
to $10,250,000 to reimburse the board for its stadium costs, provided that bonds issued
to pay the state's share of such costs shall not exceed $137,250,000. Up to $10,250,000
is appropriated annually from the general fund for the purpose of this section. The
appropriation of up to $10,250,000 per year may be made for no more than 25 years. The
board must certify to the commissioner the amount of the annual payments of principal and
interest required to service each series of bonds issued by the university for the construction
of the stadium, and the actual amount of the state's annual payment to the university shall
equal the amount required to service the bonds representing the state's share of such costs.
Except to the extent of the annual appropriation described in this section, the state is not
required to pay any part of the cost of designing or constructing the stadium.

(b) The board may refund the bonds issued pursuant to paragraph (a) if refunding
is determined by the board to be in the best interest of the university. Notwithstanding
paragraph (a), the principal amount of bonds issued in a refunding shall not exceed
the lesser of $104,385,000 or the amount necessary to defease the bonds outstanding
immediately prior to refunding. The amount of the state's annual payment to the
university for the refunded bonds shall be equal to the maximum annual appropriation of
$10,250,000, notwithstanding the amount certified under paragraph (a).

(c) The board shall allocate sufficient funds, including any interest expense, from
the savings realized through refunding of the bonds pursuant to paragraph (b), to provide
$10,000,000 for predesign and design of improved health education and clinical research
facilities to meet the needs of the Medical School and Academic Health Center on the
Twin Cities campus. The facilities shall be designed to support education and research
that promote new innovative models of care which are patient-centered, team-based, and
facilitate collaboration across the health professions. The education and research facilities
will be collocated and designed to maximize collaboration and high-quality delivery of
health care. The board may in its discretion, after the $10,000,000 allocation required by
this paragraph, allocate to other university purposes payments from the state that exceed
the amount necessary to service the refunded bonds, except for savings in 2029, 2030, and
2031, which shall cancel to the general fund.

(d) The board must certify to the commissioner that the per-semester student fee
contribution to the stadium will be at a fixed level coterminous with bonds issued by the
board to meet the student share of the design construction of the stadium and that the
student fee will not be increased to meet construction cost overruns.

(c) (e) Before the first payment is made under paragraph (a), the board must certify
to the commissioner that a provision for affordable access for university students to the
university sporting events held at the football stadium has been made.

Sec. 18.

[175.45] COMPETENCY STANDARDS FOR DUAL TRAINING.

Subdivision 1.

Duties; goal.

The commissioner of labor and industry shall identify
competency standards for dual training. The goal of dual training is to provide current
employees of an employer with training to acquire competencies that the employer
requires. The standards shall be identified for employment in occupations in advanced
manufacturing, health care services, information technology, and agriculture. Competency
standards are not rules and are exempt from the rulemaking provisions of chapter 14, and
the provisions in section 14.386 concerning exempt rules do not apply.

Subd. 2.

Definition; competency standards.

For purposes of this section,
"competency standards" means the specific knowledge and skills necessary for a particular
occupation.

Subd. 3.

Competency standards identification process.

In identifying competency
standards, the commissioner shall consult with the commissioner of the Office of Higher
Education and the commissioner of employment and economic development and convene
recognized industry experts, representative employers, higher education institutions,
representatives of the disabled community, and representatives of labor to assist in
identifying credible competency standards. Competency standards must be consistent
with, to the extent available and practical, recognized international and national standards.

Subd. 4.

Duties.

The commissioner shall:

(1) identify competency standards for entry level and higher skill levels;

(2) verify the competency standards and skill levels and their transferability by
subject matter expert representatives of each respective industry;

(3) develop models for Minnesota educational institutions to engage in providing
education and training to meet the competency standards established;

(4) encourage participation by employers and labor in the standard identification
process for occupations in their industry; and

(5) align dual training competency standards with other workforce initiatives.

Subd. 5.

Notification.

The commissioner must communicate identified competency
standards to the commissioner of the Office of Higher Education for the purpose of the
dual training competency grant program under section 136A.246. The commissioner of
labor and industry shall maintain the competency standards on the department's Web site.

Sec. 19.

Laws 2014, chapter 312, article 13, section 47, is amended to read:

Sec. 47. RESEARCH DOGS AND CATS.

(a) A higher education research facility that receives public money or a facility that
provides research in collaboration with a higher education facility that confines dogs or
cats for science, education, or research purposes and plans on euthanizing a dog or cat
for other than science, education, or research purposes must first offer the dog or cat
to an animal rescue organization. A facility that is required to offer dogs or cats to an
animal rescue organization under this section may enter into an agreement with the animal
rescue organization to protect the facility. A facility that provides a dog or cat to a rescue
organization under this section is immune from any civil liability that otherwise might
result from its actions, provided that the facility is acting in good faith.

(b) For the purposes of this section, "animal rescue organization" means any
nonprofit organization incorporated for the purpose of rescuing animals in need and
finding permanent, adoptive homes for the animals.

(c) This section expires July 1, 2015.

Sec. 20.

MNSCU COLLEGE OCCUPATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP PILOT
PROGRAM.

Subdivision 1.

Pilot program administration.

The commissioner of the Office
of Higher Education shall administer a pilot program pursuant to this section for the
2016-2017 and 2017-2018 academic years including summer session.

Subd. 2.

Definitions.

(a) For the purpose of this section the terms defined in this
subdivision have the meanings given them.

(b) "College" means a two-year college in the Minnesota State Colleges and
Universities system.

(c) "Eligible individual" means an individual who:

(1) is a resident;

(2) has graduated from a Minnesota secondary school, has as a Minnesota resident
completed an adult basic education (ABE) program, or as a Minnesota resident, has passed
general education development (GED) testing;

(3) first applies for a grant for the fall term immediately following secondary school
graduation, passing GED tests, or completing an ABE program; and

(4) has completed a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

(d) "Grant" means a scholarship granted under this section.

(e) "Program" means a certificate, diploma, or associate of science or associate of
applied science in a program area covered by the federal Carl D. Perkins Career and
Technical Education Act and in an occupational field designated as high demand by the
Department of Employment and Economic Development. "Program area" includes only
the areas of:

(1) agriculture, food, and natural resources;

(2) business management and administration;

(3) human services;

(4) engineering, manufacturing and technology;

(5) arts, communications, and information systems; and

(6) health science technology.

(f) To the extent not inconsistent with this section, the definitions in section
136A.101 apply to this section.

Subd. 3.

AmeriCorps worker; exceptions.

(a) Notwithstanding any contrary
provision of this section, an eligible individual who completes a 12-month or 24-month
approved AmeriCorps program commencing immediately after secondary school
graduation, may apply for a grant for the fall term immediately following completion of
the AmeriCorps program. These individuals have a two consecutive academic year grant
eligibility period commencing the start of that fall term.

(b) For the purpose of this subdivision, an "approved AmeriCorps program" means a
program overseen by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS)
including:

(1) AmeriCorps Volunteer in Service to America (VISTA);

(2) AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC); or

(3) AmeriCorps State and National.

Subd. 4.

Grants.

The commissioner shall, to the extent of available funds and
subject to this section, make grants to eligible individuals to attend a program at a college.

Subd. 5.

Application.

Application for a grant shall be made by a FAFSA and on any
additional form required by the commissioner and on a schedule set by the commissioner.

Subd. 6.

Income limits for grant recipients.

Dependent students reporting a
parental federal adjusted gross income on a FAFSA of $90,000 or less are eligible for
a grant. Independent students reporting a family adjusted gross income on a FAFSA
of $90,000 or less are eligible for a grant.

Subd. 7.

Grant amount.

The amount of a grant is equal to program tuition and fees
minus any federal Pell grant received or state grant for which the individual is eligible.
For the purpose of this subdivision, "fees" has the meaning given it in Minnesota Statutes,
section 136A.121, subdivision 6.

Subd. 8.

Eligibility period.

A grant may be made only for academic terms that are
during the two academic years commencing the fall term immediately after secondary
school graduation, completing an adult basic education program, or passing all GED tests.
A grant is available for up to 72 semester credits.

Subd. 9.

Satisfactory academic progress.

An individual is eligible for a grant
if the individual is making satisfactory academic progress as defined under Minnesota
Statutes, section 136A.101, subdivision 10, and has a cumulative grade point average of
at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale at the end of the first academic year and at the end of each
academic term after the first academic year.

Subd. 10.

Credit load.

A grantee must have accumulated at least 30 program
credits by the end of the first academic year including summer term. A college must
certify that a grantee is carrying sufficient credits in the second grant year to complete
the program at the end of the second year, including summer school. The commissioner
shall set the terms and provide the form for certification.

Subd. 11.

Grant renewal.

A grant may be renewed for a second academic year.
Application for renewal must be on a form provided by the commissioner and on a
schedule set by the commissioner.

Subd. 12.

Mentoring.

A grantee must be provided mentoring. Mentoring must
include, but is not limited to:

(1) communicating frequently and consistently throughout program participation;

(2) developing a personalized student success plan. The plan must include concrete
steps towards program completion and job placement and identify and make contingency
plans for potential obstacles to program completion;

(3) connect grantees to on-campus resources and personal development
opportunities; and

(4) financial planning.

The commissioner shall issue request for proposals to provide mentoring activities.
The commissioner shall select the proposal that in the commissioner's judgment
demonstrates the best potential within available funding for achieving success in assisting
students to complete programs. The commissioner may accept and select proposals
made by colleges.

Subd. 13.

Outreach.

The commissioner may through the office and by contract
engage in recruitment for and promotion of the grants.

Subd. 14.

Insufficient appropriation.

Grant awards shall be made based on the
date of receipt of application from the earliest to the latest date. If there are not sufficient
funds, grants shall not be prorated and eligible individuals shall be placed on a waiting
list. Preference shall be given to timely received renewal grant applications prior to the
award of new grants.

Subd. 15.

Reporting.

(a) A college must report to the commissioner the following
information:

(1) the number of grantees and their race, gender, and ethnicity;

(2) grantee persistence and completion;

(3) employment outcomes; and

(4) other information requested by the commissioner.

(b) The commissioner shall report annually by January 15, to the chairs and ranking
minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over higher education
finance by college and in aggregate on the information submitted to the commissioner
under paragraph (a). The commissioner may include in the report recommendations
for changes in the grant program.

EFFECTIVE DATE.

This section is effective July 1, 2016.

Sec. 21. BACCALAUREATE DEGREE PATHWAYS.

Subdivision 1.

Regulate MnSCU baccalaureate transfers.

The Board of Trustees
of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities shall implement new transfer pathways
for associate of arts degrees, associate of science degrees, and associate of fine arts degrees
toward baccalaureate degree programs. The implementation must, to the greatest extent
possible, be done in accordance with the implementation plan, including its timeline,
developed pursuant to Laws 2014, chapter 312, article 1, section 12.

Subd. 2.

New or enhanced bachelor of applied science degrees.

The board, in
consultation with system constituency groups, is encouraged to create a plan to enhance or
develop new bachelor of applied science degree programs in areas of high employment
need in the state to facilitate transfer pathways for students with associate of applied
science degrees.

Subd. 3.

Report.

By March 15, 2016, the board must report to the chairs and
ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over higher
education on the status of implementation of transfer pathways under subdivision 1 and
any deviations from the implementation plan.

Sec. 22. COLLEGE COMPLETION; MNSCU.

(a) The Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities shall
develop a comprehensive plan to encourage students to complete degrees, diplomas, or
certificates in their fields of study. The board must consult with students, faculty, and
administrators of the state colleges and universities and the Office of Higher Education to
create a plan that would increase program completion at each state college or university.
Components of this plan may include, but are not limited to:

(1) replacing developmental or remedial courses, when appropriate, with corequisite
courses in which students with academic deficiencies are placed into introductory
credit-bearing coursework while receiving supplemental academic instruction on the
same subject and during the same term;

(2) expanding intrusive advising, including the use of early alert systems or requiring
the approval of an advisor or counselor to register for certain classes;

(3) developing meta-majors in broad academic disciplines as an alternative to
undecided majors;

(4) making available alternative mathematics curriculum, including curriculum most
relevant to the student's chosen area of study;

(5) implementing "opt-out scheduling" by automatically enrolling students in a
schedule of courses chosen by the student's department but allowing students to disenroll
from such courses if they wish;

(6) facilitating the transfer of credits between state colleges and universities; and

(7) strategies to encourage students to enroll full time, including the use of financial
assistance to reduce a student's need to work.

(b) The development of the plan required under this section shall not discourage the
development or delay the implementation or expansion of existing programs to encourage
college completion.

(c) The Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities shall
submit a report describing the plan developed under this section and an implementation
schedule to the legislative committees with jurisdiction over higher education policy no
later than January 15, 2016. This report must include identification of the financial and
other resources needed by state colleges or universities to implement the plan developed
under this section.

Sec. 23. COLLEGE COMPLETION; UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA.

(a) The Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota is requested to develop a
comprehensive plan to encourage students to complete degrees, diplomas, or certificates
in their fields of study. The board is requested to consult with students, faculty, and
administrators of the University of Minnesota and the Office of Higher Education to create
a plan that would increase program completion among University of Minnesota students.
Components of this plan may include, but are not limited to:

(1) offering interdisciplinary courses that encourage students to think across
disciplinary boundaries and take advantage of the universitywide intellectual expertise;

(2) expanding undergraduate academic advising, including intrusive advising, and
the use of online advising tools;

(3) assisting undecided students with personalized services to help them develop a
plan for major and career selection;

(4) requiring all students to fill out, and regularly update, their four-year degree plans;

(5) facilitating student transfers to the University of Minnesota through support of
the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum and other transfer tools;

(6) developing strategies to encourage students to enroll full time and graduate
in four years; and

(7) enhancing financial literacy programs that focus on low-income students.

(b) The development of the plan required under this section shall not discourage the
development or delay the implementation or expansion of existing programs to encourage
college completion.

(c) The Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota shall submit a report
describing the plan developed under this section and an implementation schedule to the
legislative committees with jurisdiction over higher education policy no later than January
15, 2016. This report must include identification of the financial and other resources
needed to implement the plan developed under this section.

Sec. 24. COUNSELING FOR COLLEGE STUDENT LOAN DEBTORS.

Subdivision 1.

Pilot program created.

The commissioner of the Office of Higher
Education shall make a grant to a nonprofit qualified debt counseling organization to
provide individual student loan debt repayment counseling to borrowers who are Minnesota
residents concerning loans obtained to attend a Minnesota postsecondary institution. The
counseling shall be provided to borrowers who are 30 to 60 days delinquent when they
are referred to or otherwise identified by the organization as candidates for counseling.
The number of individuals receiving counseling may be limited to those capable of being
served with available appropriations for that purpose. A goal of the counseling program is
to provide two counseling sessions to at least 75 percent of borrowers receiving counseling.

The purpose of the counseling is to assist borrowers to:

(1) understand their loan and repayment options;

(2) manage loan repayment; and

(3) develop a workable budget based on the borrower's full financial situation
regarding income, expenses, and other debt.

Subd. 2.

Qualified debt counseling organization.

A qualified debt counseling
organization is an organization that:

(1) has experience in providing individualized student loan counseling;

(2) employs certified financial loan counselors; and

(3) has offices at multiple rural and metropolitan area locations in the state to
provide in-person counseling.

Subd. 3.

Grant application.

Applications for a grant shall be on a form created by
the commissioner and on a schedule set by the commissioner. Among other provisions,
the application must include a description of:

(1) the characteristics of borrowers to be served;

(2) the services to be provided and a timeline for implementation of the services;

(3) how the services provided will help borrowers manage loan repayment;

(4) specific program outcome goals and performance measures for each goal; and

(5) how the services will be evaluated to determine whether the program goals
were met.

Subd. 4.

Grant.

The commissioner shall select one grant recipient.

Subd. 5.

Program evaluation.

(a) The grant recipient must submit a report to the
Office of Higher Education by January 15, 2017. The report must evaluate and measure
the extent to which program outcome goals have been met.

(b) The grant recipient must collect, analyze, and report on participation and
outcome data that enable the office to verify the outcomes.

(c) The evaluation must include information on the number of borrowers served with
on-time student loan payments, the number who brought their loans into good standing,
the number of student loan defaults, the number who developed a monthly budget plan,
and other information required by the commissioner. Recipients of the counseling must be
surveyed on their opinions about the usefulness of the counseling and the survey results
must be included in the report.

Subd. 6.

Report to legislature.

By February 1, 2017, the commissioner must
submit a report to the committees in the legislature with jurisdiction over higher education
finance regarding grant program outcomes.

Sec. 25. HIGHER EDUCATION ATTAINMENT GOAL; INITIAL REPORT.

By October 15, 2015, the Office of Higher Education, after collaborating with the
state demographer's office, shall report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the
legislative committees with primary jurisdiction over higher education policy and finance,
on the baseline data and methodology that will be used to measure progress towards
the attainment goal specified in Minnesota Statutes, section 135A.012. The report shall
include information about the specific data and data sources that will be used to complete
the analyses, and make recommendations regarding the appropriate comparison groups
for conducting the analyses, and the manner in which data can be disaggregated by
distinct racial and ethnic group categories, and timeline benchmarks for meeting the goal
in Minnesota Statutes, section 135A.012, subdivision 2.

Sec. 26. HUMAN SUBJECT RESEARCH STANDARDS; UNIVERSITY OF
MINNESOTA.

The Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota shall report monthly,
commencing July 1, 2015, to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative
committees with jurisdiction over higher education finance. The reports must describe
progress in developing and implementing a plan to conduct human subject research
at the university. The monthly reports must continue until the plan has been fully
implemented. The reports must include how the university will implement the individual
recommendations contained in the final report, dated February 23, 2015, titled "An
External Review of the Protection of Human Research Participants at the University of
Minnesota with Special Attention to Research with Adults who may lack Decision-Making
Capacity." The report was prepared pursuant to an agreement by the university with the
Association for the Accreditation of Human Research Protection Program (AAHRPP).

The reports must, among other details, provide specific details about:

(1) the changes to Institutional Review Board membership, policies, and practices;

(2) the procedures required for obtaining and reviewing consents by individuals with
impaired decision-making abilities; and

(3) the policy with respect to responding to concerns of family and others for the
well-being of human research subjects.

EFFECTIVE DATE.

This section is effective the day following final enactment.

Sec. 27. REPEALER.

Minnesota Rules, part 4830.7500, subparts 2a and 2b, are repealed.

ARTICLE 4

CAMPUS SEXUAL ASSAULT

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 13.322, is amended by adding a
subdivision to read:

Subd. 6.

Campus sexual assault data.

Data relating to allegations of sexual assault
at a postsecondary institution are classified under section 135A.15.

EFFECTIVE DATE.

This section is effective August 1, 2016.

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 135A.15, is amended to read:

135A.15 SEXUAL HARASSMENT AND VIOLENCE POLICY.

Subdivision 1.

Applicability; policy required.

(a) This section applies to the
following postsecondary institutions:

(1) institutions governed by the Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges
and Universities; and

(2) private postsecondary institutions that offer in-person courses on a campus
located in Minnesota and which are eligible institutions as defined in section 136A.103,
provided that a private postsecondary institution with a systemwide enrollment of fewer
than 100 students in the previous academic year is exempt from subdivisions 4 to 10.

Institutions governed by the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota are
requested to comply with this section.

The Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities shall, and
the University of Minnesota is requested to, (b) A postsecondary institution must adopt
a clear, understandable written policy on sexual harassment and sexual violence that
informs victims of their rights under the crime victims bill of rights, including the right to
assistance from the Crime Victims Reparations Board and the commissioner of public
safety. The policy must apply to students and employees and must provide information
about their rights and duties. The policy must apply to criminal incidents against a student
or employee of a postsecondary institution occurring on property owned or leased by the
postsecondary system or institution in which the victim is a student or employee of that
system or institution or at any activity, program, organization, or event sponsored by
the system or institution, or by a fraternity and sorority. It must include procedures for
reporting incidents of sexual harassment or sexual violence and for disciplinary actions
against violators. During student registration, each technical college, community college,
or state university shall, and the University of Minnesota is requested to, a postsecondary
institution shall provide each student with information regarding its policy. A copy of the
policy also shall be posted at appropriate locations on campus at all times. Each private
postsecondary institution that is an eligible institution as defined in section 136A.155,
must adopt a policy that meets the requirements of this section.

Subd. 1a.

Sexual assault definition.

For the purposes of this section, "sexual
assault" means forcible sex offenses as defined in Code of Federal Regulations, title 34,
part 668, subpart D, appendix A, as amended.

Subd. 2.

Victims' rights.

The policy required under subdivision 1 shall, at a
minimum, require that students and employees be informed of the policy, and shall
include provisions for:

(1) filing criminal charges with local law enforcement officials in sexual assault cases;

(2) the prompt assistance of campus authorities, at the request of the victim, in
notifying the appropriate law enforcement officials and disciplinary authorities of a
sexual assault incident;

(3) allowing sexual assault victims to decide whether to report a case to law
enforcement;

(4) requiring campus authorities to treat sexual assault victims with dignity;

(5) requiring campus authorities to offer sexual assault victims fair and respectful
health care, counseling services, or referrals to such services;

(6) preventing campus authorities from suggesting to a victim of sexual assault that
the victim is at fault for the crimes or violations that occurred;

(7) preventing campus authorities from suggesting to a victim of sexual assault that
the victim should have acted in a different manner to avoid such a crime;

(8) subject to subdivision 10, protecting the privacy of sexual assault victims by only
disclosing data collected under this section to the victim, persons whose work assignments
reasonably require access, and, at a sexual assault victim's request, police conducting
a criminal investigation;

(3) (9) an investigation and resolution of a sexual assault complaint by campus
disciplinary authorities;

(4) (10) a sexual assault victim's participation in and the presence of the victim's
attorney or other support person who is not a fact witness to the sexual assault at any
meeting with campus officials concerning the victim's sexual assault complaint or campus
disciplinary proceeding concerning a sexual assault complaint;

(11) ensuring that a sexual assault victim may decide when to repeat a description
of the incident of sexual assault;

(12) notice to a sexual assault victim of the availability of a campus or local program
providing sexual assault advocacy services;

(5) (13) notice to a sexual assault victim of the outcome of any campus disciplinary
proceeding concerning a sexual assault complaint, consistent with laws relating to data
practices;

(6) (14) the complete and prompt assistance of campus authorities, at the direction
of law enforcement authorities, in obtaining, securing, and maintaining evidence in
connection with a sexual assault incident;

(7) (15) the assistance of campus authorities in preserving for a sexual assault
complainant or victim materials relevant to a campus disciplinary proceeding; and

(8) (16) during and after the process of investigating a complaint and conducting
a campus disciplinary procedure, the assistance of campus personnel, in cooperation
with the appropriate law enforcement authorities, at a sexual assault victim's request, in
shielding the victim from unwanted contact with the alleged assailant, including transfer
of the victim to alternative classes or to alternative college-owned housing, if alternative
classes or housing are available and feasible.;

(17) forbidding retaliation, and establishing a process for investigating complaints of
retaliation, against sexual assault victims by campus authorities, the accused, organizations
affiliated with the accused, other students, and other employees;

(18) at the request of the victim, providing students who reported sexual assaults to
the institution and subsequently choose to transfer to another postsecondary institution
with information about resources for victims of sexual assault at the institution to which
the victim is transferring; and

(19) consistent with laws governing access to student records, providing a student
who reported an incident of sexual assault with access to the student's description of the
incident as it was reported to the institution, including if that student transfers to another
postsecondary institution.

Subd. 3.

Uniform amnesty.

The sexual harassment and violence policy required by
subdivision 1 must include a provision that a witness or victim of an incident of sexual
assault who reports the incident in good faith shall not be sanctioned by the institution
for admitting in the report to a violation of the institution's student conduct policy on the
personal use of drugs or alcohol.

Subd. 4.

Coordination with local law enforcement.

(a) A postsecondary
institution must enter into a memorandum of understanding with the primary local law
enforcement agencies that serve its campus. The memorandum must be entered into no
later than January 1, 2017, and updated every two years thereafter. This memorandum
shall clearly delineate responsibilities and require information sharing, in accordance with
applicable state and federal privacy laws, about certain crimes including, but not limited
to, sexual assault. This memorandum of understanding shall provide:

(1) delineation and sharing protocols of investigative responsibilities;

(2) protocols for investigations, including standards for notification and
communication and measures to promote evidence preservation; and

(3) a method of sharing information about specific crimes, when directed by the
victim, and a method of sharing crime details anonymously in order to better protect
overall campus safety.

(b) Prior to the start of each academic year, a postsecondary institution shall
distribute an electronic copy of the memorandum of understanding to all employees on the
campus that are subject to the memorandum.

(c) An institution is exempt from the requirement that it develop a memorandum of
understanding under this section if the institution and local or county law enforcement
agencies establish a sexual assault protocol team to facilitate effective cooperation and
collaboration between the institution and law enforcement.

Subd. 5.

Online reporting system.

(a) A postsecondary institution must provide an
online reporting system to receive complaints of sexual harassment and sexual violence
from students and employees. The system must permit anonymous reports, provided
that the institution is not obligated to investigate an anonymous report unless a formal
report is submitted through the process established in the institution's sexual harassment
and sexual violence policy.

(b) A postsecondary institution must provide students making reports under this
subdivision with information about who will receive and have access to the reports filed,
how the information gathered through the system will be used, and contact information for
on-campus and off-campus organizations serving victims of sexual violence.

(c) Data collected under this subdivision is classified as private data on individuals
as defined by section 13.02, subdivision 12. Postsecondary institutions not otherwise
subject to chapter 13 must limit access to the data to only the data subject and persons
whose work assignments reasonably require access.

Subd. 6.

Data collection and reporting.

(a) Postsecondary institutions must
annually report statistics on sexual assault. This report must be prepared in addition to
any federally required reporting on campus security, including reports required by the
Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act,
United States Code, title 20, section 1092(f). The report must include, but not be limited
to, the number of incidents of sexual assault reported to the institution in the previous
calendar year, as follows:

(1) the number that were investigated by the institution;

(2) the number that were referred for a disciplinary proceeding at the institution;

(3) the number the victim chose to report to local or state law enforcement;

(4) the number for which a campus disciplinary proceeding is pending, but has not
reached a final resolution;

(5) the number in which the alleged perpetrator was found responsible by the
disciplinary proceeding at the institution;

(6) the number that resulted in any action by the institution greater than a warning
issued to the accused;

(7) the number that resulted in a disciplinary proceeding at the institution that closed
without resolution;

(8) the number that resulted in a disciplinary proceeding at the institution that closed
without resolution because the accused withdrew from the institution;

(9) the number that resulted in a disciplinary proceeding at the institution that closed
without resolution because the victim chose not to participate in the procedure; and

(10) the number of reports made through the online reporting system established in
subdivision 5, excluding reports submitted anonymously.

(b) If an institution previously submitted a report indicating that one or more
disciplinary proceedings was pending, but had not reached a final resolution, and one or
more of those disciplinary proceedings reached a final resolution within the previous
calendar year, that institution must submit updated totals from the previous year that
reflect the outcome of the pending case or cases.

(c) The reports required by this subdivision must be submitted to the Office of
Higher Education by October 1 of each year. Each report must contain the data required
under paragraphs (a) and (b) from the previous calendar year.

(d) The commissioner of the Office of Higher Education shall calculate statewide
numbers for each data item reported by an institution under this subdivision. The statewide
numbers must include data from postsecondary institutions that the commissioner could
not publish due to federal laws governing access to student records.

(e) The Office of Higher Education shall publish on its Web site:

(1) the statewide data calculated under paragraph (d); and

(2) the data items required under paragraphs (a) and (b) for each postsecondary
institution in the state.

Each postsecondary institution shall publish on the institution's Web site the data items
required under paragraphs (a) and (b) for that institution.

(f) Reports and data required under this subdivision must be prepared and published
as summary data, as defined in section 13.02, subdivision 19, and must be consistent
with applicable law governing access to educational data. If an institution or the Office
of Higher Education does not publish data because of applicable law, the publication
must explain why data are not included.

Subd. 7.

Access to data; audit trail.

(a) Data on incidents of sexual assault shared
with campus security officers or campus administrators responsible for investigating or
adjudicating complaints of sexual assault are classified as private data on individuals as
defined by section 13.02, subdivision 12, for the purposes of postsecondary institutions
subject to the requirements of chapter 13. Postsecondary institutions not otherwise subject
to chapter 13 must limit access to the data to only the data subject and persons whose
work assignments reasonably require access.

(b) Only individuals with explicit authorization from an institution may enter,
update, or access electronic data related to an incident of sexual assault collected, created,
or maintained under this section. The ability of authorized individuals to enter, update, or
access these data must be limited through the use of role-based access that corresponds to
the official duties or training level of the individual and the institutional authorization that
grants access for that purpose. All actions in which the data related to an incident of sexual
assault are entered, updated, accessed, shared, or disseminated outside of the institution
must be recorded in a data audit trail. An institution shall immediately and permanently
revoke the authorization of any individual determined to have willfully entered, updated,
accessed, shared, or disseminated data in violation of this subdivision or any provision of
chapter 13. If an individual is determined to have willfully gained access to data without
explicit authorization, the matter shall be forwarded to a county attorney for prosecution.

Subd. 8.

Comprehensive training.

(a) A postsecondary institution must provide
campus security officers and campus administrators responsible for investigating or
adjudicating complaints of sexual assault with comprehensive training on preventing and
responding to sexual assault in collaboration with the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension
or another law enforcement agency with expertise in criminal sexual conduct. The
training for campus security officers shall include a presentation on the dynamics of
sexual assault, neurobiological responses to trauma, and best practices for preventing,
responding to, and investigating sexual assault. The training for campus administrators
responsible for investigating or adjudicating complaints on sexual assault shall include
presentations on preventing sexual assault, responding to incidents of sexual assault, the
dynamics of sexual assault, neurobiological responses to trauma, and compliance with
state and federal laws on sexual assault.

(b) The following categories of students who attend, or will attend, one or more
courses on campus or will participate in on-campus activities must be provided sexual
assault training:

(1) students pursuing a degree or certificate;

(2) students who are taking courses through the Postsecondary Enrollment Options
Act; and

(3) any other categories of students determined by the institution.

Students must complete such training no later than ten business days after the start of a
student's first semester of classes. Once a student completes the training, institutions must
document the student's completion of the training and provide proof of training completion
to a student at the student's request. Students enrolled at more than one institution within
the same system at the same time are only required to complete the training once.
The training shall include information about topics including but not limited to sexual
assault as defined in subdivision 1a; consent as defined in section 609.341, subdivision
4; preventing and reducing the prevalence of sexual assault; procedures for reporting
campus sexual assault; and campus resources on sexual assault, including organizations
that support victims of sexual assault.

(c) A postsecondary institution shall annually train individuals responsible for
responding to reports of sexual assault. This training shall include information about
best practices for interacting with victims of sexual assault, including how to reduce the
emotional distress resulting from the reporting, investigatory, and disciplinary process.

Subd. 9.

Student health services.

(a) An institution's student health service
providers must screen students for incidents of sexual violence and sexual harassment.
Student health service providers shall offer students information on resources available
to victims and survivors of sexual violence and sexual harassment including counseling,
mental health services, and procedures for reporting incidents to the institution.

(b) Each institution offering student health or counseling services must designate an
existing staff member or existing staff members as confidential resources for victims of
sexual violence or sexual harassment. The confidential resource must be available to meet
with victims of sexual violence and sexual harassment. The confidential resource must
provide victims with information about locally available resources for victims of sexual
violence and sexual harassment including, but not limited to, mental health services and
legal assistance. The confidential resource must provide victims with information about
the process for reporting an incident of sexual violence and sexual harassment to campus
authorities or local law enforcement. The victim shall decide whether to report an incident
of sexual violence and sexual harassment to campus authorities or local law enforcement.
Confidential resources must be trained in all aspects of responding to incidents of sexual
violence and sexual harassment including, but not limited to, best practices for interacting
with victims of trauma, preserving evidence, campus disciplinary and local legal processes,
and locally available resources for victims. Data shared with a confidential resource is
classified as sexual assault communication data as defined by section 13.822, subdivision 1.

Subd. 10.

Applicability of other laws.

This section does not exempt mandatory
reporters from the requirements of section 626.556 or 626.557 governing the reporting of
maltreatment of minors or vulnerable adults. Nothing in this section limits the authority of
an institution to comply with other applicable state or federal laws related to investigations
or reports of sexual harassment, sexual violence, or sexual assault.

EFFECTIVE DATE.

This section is effective August 1, 2016, except subdivision
9, paragraph (a), is effective January 1, 2017.

Sec. 3.

[626.891] COOPERATION WITH POSTSECONDARY INSTITUTIONS.

Local law enforcement agencies, including law enforcement agencies operated
by statutory cities, home rule charter cities, and counties must enter into and honor the
memoranda of understanding required under section 135A.15.

EFFECTIVE DATE.

This section is effective August 1, 2016.

ARTICLE 5

STATE GRANT

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 136A.121, subdivision 6, is amended to
read:

Subd. 6.

Cost of attendance.

(a) The recognized cost of attendance consists of:
(1) an allowance specified in law for living and miscellaneous expenses, and (2) an
allowance for tuition and fees equal to the lesser of the average tuition and fees charged
by the institution, or a tuition and fee maximum if one is established in law. If no living
and miscellaneous expense allowance is established in law, the allowance is equal to the
federal poverty guidelines for a one person household in Minnesota for nine months. If
no tuition and fee maximum is established in law, the allowance for tuition and fees is
equal to the lesser of: (1) the average tuition and fees charged by the institution, and (2)
for two-year programs, an amount equal to the highest tuition and fees charged at a public
two-year institution, or for four-year programs, an amount equal to the highest tuition and
fees charged at a public university.

(b) For a student registering for less than full time, the office shall prorate the cost of
attendance to the actual number of credits for which the student is enrolled.

(c) The recognized cost of attendance for a student who is confined to a Minnesota
correctional institution shall consist of the tuition and fee component in paragraph (a),
with no allowance for living and miscellaneous expenses.

(d) For the purpose of this subdivision, "fees" include only those fees that are
mandatory and charged to full-time resident students attending the institution. Fees do
not include charges for tools, equipment, computers, or other similar materials where the
student retains ownership. Fees include charges for these materials if the institution retains
ownership. Fees do not include optional or punitive fees.

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 136A.121, subdivision 7a, is amended to read:

Subd. 7a.

Surplus appropriation.

If the amount appropriated is determined by the
office to be more than sufficient to fund projected grant demand in the second year of the
biennium, the office may increase the living and miscellaneous expense allowance or the
tuition and fee maximums in the second year of the biennium by up to an amount that
retains sufficient appropriations to fund the projected grant demand. The adjustment may
be made one or more times. In making the determination that there are more than sufficient
funds, the office shall balance the need for sufficient resources to meet the projected
demand for grants with the goal of fully allocating the appropriation for state grants. An
increase in the living and miscellaneous expense allowance under this subdivision does
not carry forward into a subsequent biennium.