HF 4660

as introduced - 91st Legislature (2019 - 2020) Posted on 05/12/2020 04:19pm

A bill for an act
relating to education; requiring the commissioner of education to distribute a
portion of Elementary and Secondary School Relief Fund in response to COVID-19
to nonprofit organizations working with communities of color and indigenous
communities with the greatest educational disparities; establishing a grant program;
requiring a report.

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

Section 1. new text begin ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL EMERGENCY RELIEF
FUND; NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS WORKING WITH COMMUNITIES
WITH EDUCATIONAL DISPARITIES.
new text end

new text begin The commissioner of education must designate $5,000,000 of the funds received from
the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund authorized under the federal
Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act to partner with nonprofit organizations
working specifically with communities of color and indigenous communities. The nonprofit
organizations must assist with distance learning and educational and developmental growth
by working alongside parents and students to create better educational outcomes for students
of color and indigenous students experiencing educational disparities.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin GRANT PROGRAM FOR NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS WORKING
WITH COMMUNITIES OF COLOR AND INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Establishment. new text end

new text begin A grant program is established for nonprofit organizations
working specifically with communities of color and indigenous communities to partner with
the Department of Education. The nonprofit organizations must work alongside parents and
students to create better educational and developmental growth outcomes for students of
color and indigenous students experiencing educational disparities. The nonprofit
organizations must assist parents and students with access and outcomes for distance learning
or other education programs implemented by school districts in response to an outbreak of
COVID-19.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Application and selection of grant recipients. new text end

new text begin The commissioner must develop
administrative procedures governing the application and selection process for nonprofit
organization partners to receive grant funds. The commissioner must establish a maximum
amount for grants awarded under this section based on the number of selected nonprofit
organization partners.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Grant fund expenditures. new text end

new text begin A grant awarded under this section may be used
for selected nonprofit organization partners to help students and families of color or
indigenous students and families by providing school supplies, food security, tutor services,
advocacy services, and interpreting services; loaning or subsidizing costs for education
technology such as tablets, laptops, or internet service; providing or improving physical
spaces for students to do school work that comply with Department of Health safety
regulations; or providing social and emotional support and culturally appropriate mental
health services. Grant funds awarded under this section may also be used for other similar
purposes based on the unique needs of students and families of color or indigenous students
and families to create better educational outcomes for students.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Eligible applicants. new text end

new text begin A nonprofit organization that works specifically with
communities of color or indigenous communities and that has a current relationship with
the Department of Education or school administrators across the state may apply for a grant
award under this section.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Administration. new text end

new text begin Grant funds must be dispersed to nonprofit organizations
immediately upon selection, with a grant reporting period in January 2021. Up to three
percent may be used for administrative fees by the Department of Education for administering
the grant program.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Report. new text end

new text begin By January 15, 2022, the commissioner of education must report to
the standing committees of the legislature with jurisdiction over education on the selected
nonprofit organizations and the use of grant funds.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end