HF 58

as introduced - 93rd Legislature (2023 - 2024) Posted on 02/01/2023 05:12pm

A bill for an act
relating to education; prohibiting dismissals of students in kindergarten through
grade 3; appropriating money; amending Minnesota Statutes 2022, section
121A.425.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 121A.425, is amended to read:

121A.425 FULL AND EQUITABLE PARTICIPATION IN deleted text begin PRESCHOOL AND
PREKINDERGARTEN deleted text end new text begin EARLY LEARNING new text end .

Subdivision 1.

Disciplinary dismissals prohibited.

new text begin (a) new text end A pupil enrolled in new text begin the following
is not subject to dismissals under this chapter:
new text end

new text begin (1) new text end a preschool or prekindergarten program, including deleted text begin a child participating in deleted text end early
childhood family education, school readiness, school readiness plus, voluntary
prekindergarten, Head Start, or other school-based preschool or prekindergarten program deleted text begin ,
may not be subject to dismissals under this chapter deleted text end new text begin ; or
new text end

new text begin (2) kindergarten through grade 3 new text end .

new text begin (b) new text end Notwithstanding this subdivision, expulsions and exclusions may be used only after
resources outlined in subdivision 2 have been exhausted, and only in circumstances where
there is an ongoing serious safety threat to the child or others.

Subd. 2.

Nonexclusionary discipline.

For purposes of this section, nonexclusionary
discipline must include at least one of the following:

(1) collaborating with the pupil's family or guardian, child mental health consultant or
provider, education specialist, or other community-based support;

(2) creating a plan, written with the parent or guardian, that details the action and support
needed for the pupil to fully participate in new text begin the current educational program, including new text end a
preschool or prekindergarten program; or

(3) providing a referral for needed support services, including parenting education, home
visits, other supportive education interventions, or, where appropriate, an evaluation to
determine if the pupil is eligible for special education services or section 504 services.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2023.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATION; NONEXCLUSIONARY DISCIPLINE.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Department of Education. new text end

new text begin The sums indicated in this section are
appropriated from the general fund to the Department of Education in the fiscal years
designated.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Nonexclusionary discipline. new text end

new text begin (a) For grants to school districts and charter
schools to provide training for school staff on nonexclusionary disciplinary practices:
new text end

	new text begin $ new text end	new text begin ....... new text end	new text begin ..... new text end	new text begin 2024 new text end
	new text begin $ new text end	new text begin ....... new text end	new text begin ..... new text end	new text begin 2025 new text end

new text begin (b) Grants are to develop training and to work with schools to train staff on
nonexclusionary disciplinary practices that maintain the respect, trust, and attention of
students and help keep students in classrooms. These funds may also be used for grant
administration.
new text end

new text begin (c) Eligible grantees include school districts, charter schools, intermediate school districts,
and cooperative units as defined in section 123A.24, subdivision 2.
new text end