SF 2072

Introduction - 94th Legislature (2025 - 2026)

Posted on 03/04/2025 09:30 a.m.

A bill for an act
relating to education; requiring wellness checks for students receiving online
instruction; amending Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 124D.094, subdivision 2.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 124D.094, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Digital instruction.

(a) An enrolling district may provide digital instruction,
including blended instruction and online instruction, to the district's own enrolled students.
Enrolling districts may establish agreements to provide digital instruction, including blended
instruction and online instruction, to students enrolled in the cooperating schools.

(b) When online instruction is provided, an online teacher as defined under subdivision
1, paragraph (h), shall perform all duties of teacher of record under Minnesota Rules, part
8710.0310. Unless the commissioner grants a waiver, a teacher providing online instruction
shall not instruct more than 40 students in any one online learning course or section.

(c) Students receiving online instruction full time shall be reported as enrolled in an
online instructional site under subdivision 1, paragraph (g).

(d) Curriculum used for digital instruction shall be aligned with Minnesota's current
academic standards and benchmarks.

(e) Digital instruction shall be accessible to students under sections 504 and 508 of the
federal Rehabilitation Act and Title II of the federal Americans with Disabilities Act.

(f) An enrolling district providing digital instruction and a supplemental online course
provider shall assist an enrolled student whose family qualifies for the education tax credit
under section 290.0674 to acquire computer hardware and educational software so they
may participate in digital instruction. Funds provided to a family to support digital instruction
or supplemental online courses may only be used for qualifying expenses as determined by
the provider. Nonconsumable materials purchased with public education funds remain the
property of the provider. Records for any funds provided must be available for review by
the public or the department.

(g) An enrolling district providing digital instruction shall establish and document
procedures for determining attendance for membership and keep accurate records of daily
attendance under section 120A.21.

new text begin (h) An enrolling district providing digital instruction or a supplemental online course
provider must conduct weekly wellness checks on their online instruction students. A
wellness check may be conducted as part of the online instruction. A wellness check requires
an adult to visibly see and communicate with a student in real time at least once a week to
verify the well-being of the student. An adult conducting a wellness check must report any
indication of abuse in accordance with chapter 260E regarding the reporting of maltreatment
of minors.
new text end