SF 5232
Introduction - 94th Legislature (2025 - 2026)
Posted on 04/29/2026 09:14 a.m.
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A bill for an act
relating to education; establishing the Minnesota Imagination Library program;
requiring a report; appropriating money; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota
Statutes, chapter 124D.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
Section 1.
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[124D.145] MINNESOTA IMAGINATION LIBRARY PROGRAM.
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new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end
new text begin Establishment. new text end
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The Minnesota Imagination Library program is established
under the Department of Education to provide age-appropriate books to children from birth
to age five at no cost to families. The program shall be implemented through a partnership
with the Dollywood Foundation to foster foundational literacy and support the goals of the
Read Act under sections 120B.118 to 120B.124.
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new text begin Subd. 2. new text end
new text begin Definitions. new text end
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(a) For purposes of this section, the following terms have the
meanings given.
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(b) "Eligible child" means a child from birth to five years of age who is a resident of
Minnesota.
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(c) "Local affiliate" means a local 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, school district, or
public library that has entered into an agreement with the Dollywood Foundation to operate
the program within a specific geographic area.
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(d) "Statewide entity" means a Minnesota-based nonprofit organization selected by the
commissioner to coordinate the program statewide.
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new text begin Subd. 3. new text end
new text begin Commissioner duties. new text end
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The commissioner of education must:
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(1) select a statewide entity through a competitive process to coordinate the program;
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(2) provide a state match of 50 percent of the cost of books and mailing for all children
enrolled in the program through local affiliates; and
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(3) align program outreach with the department's early literacy initiatives to ensure
families are engaged in reading practices before kindergarten entry.
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new text begin Subd. 4. new text end
new text begin Statewide entity duties. new text end
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The selected statewide entity must:
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(1) manage the daily operations of the program and serve as the primary liaison to the
Dollywood Foundation;
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(2) assist local affiliates with the 50 percent local match requirement through fundraising
and grant-seeking efforts;
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(3) develop and implement a statewide marketing plan to enroll at least 50 percent of
eligible children by the end of fiscal year 2029; and
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(4) coordinate with school districts to include Imagination Library enrollment information
in early childhood screening appointments.
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new text begin Subd. 5. new text end
new text begin Local partner requirements. new text end
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To receive state matching funding, a local affiliate
must:
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(1) enter into an agreement with the Dollywood Foundation;
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(2) provide 50 percent of the funding required for the cost of books and mailing for
children in their service area; and
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(3) manage the enrollment of children within the local affiliate's defined geographic
boundaries.
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new text begin Subd. 6. new text end
new text begin Reporting. new text end
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By January 15 each year, the commissioner must submit a report
to the legislative committees with jurisdiction over education finance and policy on the
number of children enrolled per county, the number of books distributed, and an analysis
of how the program has impacted kindergarten readiness data.
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new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end
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This section is effective the day following final enactment.
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Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATION.
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new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end
new text begin Department of Education. new text end
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The sum indicated in this section is
appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner of education for the fiscal year
designated.
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new text begin Subd. 2. new text end
new text begin Minnesota Imagination Library. new text end
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(a) For the Minnesota Imagination Library
program under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.145:
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|
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$ new text end |
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....... new text end |
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..... new text end |
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2027 new text end |
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(b) This appropriation is available until June 30, 2029.
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new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end
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This section is effective the day following final enactment.
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