SF 877

as introduced - 90th Legislature (2017 - 2018) Posted on 02/14/2017 09:07am

A bill for an act
relating to education finance; increasing the funding for approved recovery
programs to include two additional approved programs; authorizing grant
expenditures for approved pupil transportation purposes; appropriating money;
amending Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 124D.695.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 124D.695, is amended to read:

124D.695 APPROVED RECOVERY PROGRAM FUNDING.

Subdivision 1.

Approved recovery program.

"Approved recovery program" means a
course of instruction offered by a recovery school that provides academic services, assistance
with recovery, and continuing care to students recovering from substance abuse or
dependency. A recovery program may be offered in a transitional academic setting designed
to meet graduation requirements. A recovery program must be approved by the commissioner
of education. The commissioner may specify the manner and form of the application for
the approval of a recovery school or recovery program. The commissioner must also approve
any unreimbursed pupil transportation costs incurred by students participating in an approved
recovery program.

Subd. 2.

Eligibility.

(a) An approved recovery program is eligible for an annual recovery
program grant of up to $125,000 to pay for a portion of the costs of under this section for
recovery program support staff under this section and approved pupil transportation expenses.

(b) "Recovery program support staff" means licensed alcohol and chemical dependency
counselors, licensed school counselors, licensed school psychologists, licensed school
nurses, and licensed school social workers.

EFFECTIVE DATE.

This section is effective the day following final enactment.

Sec. 2. APPROPRIATION; APPROVED RECOVERY PROGRAMS.

$750,000 in fiscal year 2018 and $750,000 in fiscal year 2019 are appropriated from the
general fund to the commissioner of education for recovery program grants under Minnesota
Statutes, section 124D.695. Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is available in
the second year.