1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to education; establishing a high school diploma for armed forces veterans;
1.3 	proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 127A.
1.4 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.5 	Section 1. [127A.135] HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA FOR VETERANS.
1.6 		Subdivision 1.Diploma. A school district or charter school must, upon a request under 
1.7 	subdivision 2, issue a high school diploma to a veteran as defined in section 197.447 who 
1.8 	was unable to complete their high school education for reasons related or unrelated to their 
1.9 	military service, and who served:
1.10 	(1) during the Korean Conflict from June 27, 1950, to January 31, 1955; or
1.11 	(2) during the Vietnam War, either in the country from November 1, 1955, to May 7, 
1.12 	1975, or outside of the country from August 5, 1964, to May 7, 1975.
1.13 		Subd. 2.Request. A veteran may request a diploma on their own behalf, or a family 
1.14 	member may make a posthumous request on behalf of a deceased veteran or service member. 
1.15 	The school district or charter school may award the diploma based on the veteran's knowledge 
1.16 	and experience gained while in service, or the veteran's other relevant lived experience. The 
1.17 	school district or charter school may require the veteran or veteran's requestor to provide 
1.18 	evidence that the veteran was a Minnesota public school student or is a current Minnesota 
1.19 	resident.
1.20 		Subd. 3.No report required. Districts and charter schools are not required to report on 
1.21 	diplomas issued under this section.
2.1 		Subd. 4.Assistance. The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs and county veteran 
2.2 	service officers may provide assistance to districts and charter schools fulfilling these 
2.3 	requests, including but not limited to verification of discharge paperwork.