SF 1631

as introduced - 92nd Legislature (2021 - 2022) Posted on 03/02/2021 09:35am

A bill for an act
relating to higher education; requiring access to basic needs information, a basic
needs support trigger, and dedicated campus contact; appropriating money;
proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 136F.

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

Section 1.

new text begin [136F.202] STUDENT SUCCESS BASIC NEEDS BARRIER REDUCTION.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Basic needs resource hub. new text end

new text begin (a) The Board of Trustees shall develop,
implement, and maintain, at all community and technical colleges, an online basic needs
resource hub for students to access information about campus, local, state, and national
resources that can assist in addressing basic needs insecurity.
new text end

new text begin (b) Each college shall clearly identify on their web page and mobile application, if
applicable, at least one staff or faculty member as a point of contact who can connect students
to resources and assistance to address basic needs insecurity.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Basic needs support trigger. new text end

new text begin (a) The Board of Trustees shall develop,
implement, and maintain, at each community and technical college, a financial aid resource
trigger that utilizes data from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA),
applications for state financial aid, or other documents to identify students who may be
eligible for assistance or programs that reduce basic needs insecurity such as Supplemental
Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
new text end

new text begin (b) Upon a student's enrollment at the college, the college shall utilize this resource
trigger to provide information and support to students on how to access assistance or
programs that reduce basic needs insecurity.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATION.
new text end

new text begin (a) $....... in fiscal year 2022 and $....... in fiscal year 2023 are appropriated from the
general fund to the Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities to
provide grants to colleges and universities to achieve the requirements of section 1. Grants
may also be used to fund other strategies to address basic needs as a barrier to student
success.
new text end

new text begin (b) The Board of Trustees shall convene a committee to review and approve grant
applications on an annual basis. A majority of the committee's membership must consist of
students appointed by the statewide student associations.
new text end